“Miss, shall we go up to Sir You and tell him…” Mo Xuemin stood with Mo Jin under a tree not far away. She had crushed the leaves on the ground.
“Tell him what?” Mo Xuemin laughed coldly, a poisonous look on her face. She had underestimated her third sister. She was completely different and was no longer the weak and cowardly Mo Xuetong. She even dared to go against You Yuecheng without any fear. They had conversed a distance away and Mo Xuemin could not hear what they said. However, she saw You Yuecheng flushing with anger.
“Miss, we can talk about how Third Miss keeps stirring up trouble at home again. We can talk about how she’s been trying to get you into trouble so that he will find trouble with her.” Mo Jin had always served Mo Xuemin and was naturally loyal to her. She hurried to give suggestions in a timid manner when she saw how angry Mo Xuemin was.
“He will only get suspicious if we say anything else!” Mo Xuemin looked at You Yuecheng who was walking away and gritted her teeth. More haste, less speed. The flower appreciation banquet was about to begin. There was still the Empress to get through. Mo Xuetong would not be able to get through today without a scratch.
The empress and five princesses sat at the main seats. The three princes who were seated by the side had attracted much attention. There was King Chu, who was gentle and elegant. There was King Wang, who looked rather scholarly, and King Xuan, the eighth prince most doted on by Emperor Zongwen, who was very handsome and charming. Finally, there was Bai Yihao, whom no one expected to be sitting there.
The two most handsome men of their time were sitting together. One was roguish and charming while the other was as pure and elegant as the moon. They attracted the shy glances of the ladies. The ladies hid their faces and peeked at them occasionally.
The men and women were not seated far apart. They were just separated by bushes of flowers. However, they could still see each other’s faces through the gaps in the blooms. Their voices could be heard sporadically as well.
Even though there was laughter amongst the women, it was very soft. The men did not pay that much attention to their volume. Mo Xuetong’s gaze fell on the nanmu wood seat at the side through the blooms. Feng Yuran was swirling a wine cup in his hand casually. He looked more bored than interested. There was a vague smile on the corners of his lips that seemed a little lazy. He would sometimes turn to speak with the people around him. But even from such a distance, Mo Xuetong could sense the impatience in the man.
He must have long wanted the banquet to end quickly! She knew from how he would raise his eyebrows from time to time.
For some reason, a smile appeared on her lips and her eyes started to shine.
“Third Sister, what have you seen that made you so happy?” Mo Xuemin, the First Miss of the Mo family who had a good reputation, asked in a gentle manner beside her.
Mo Xuetong did not know who had arranged the seats, but the two of them were seated together. However, this could be easily explained. After all, they were a family. However, what Mo Xuetong could not stand the most was how Mo Xuemin had been pretending to be a gracious and gentle older sister the entire night. It was as if she had not noticed that the two of them had almost fallen out earlier.
Mo Xuetong could not help but be in awe of Mo Xuemin. She had only been criticized earlier, and even until now, people were still talking about her. Yet, she smiled as if nothing had happened and was just as gracious and gentle as before. This was truly surprising. Mo Xuemin’s acting was amazing, she was indeed highly skilled. No wonder she had lost to her so badly in her past life.
However, Mo Xuetong was, after all, a person who had lived two lives. She was not slow when it came to handling Mo Xuemin. She turned and smiled gently, saying, “Eldest Sister, look at the chrysanthemum over there. What kind of species is that? Why have I never seen chrysanthemums like that? Eldest Sister, do you remember the temple in Cloud City? Mother took us there then and Auntie came with us as well. There were plenty of chrysanthemums there, but none of them were as beautiful as this.”
Back then, Auntie Fang had just been a mere serving concubine. She did not have any power to speak of. Mo Xuemin had buttered up to Mo Xuetong in everything. This was something that Mo Xuemin felt ashamed about even when she thought of it now. A hint of darkness flashed through her eyes and she almost lost the smile on her face. She breathed in deeply and immediately turned her attention to the chrysanthemum flowers. She was in the palace and had to behave even more gently and gracious than she usually did.
Mo Xuetong was pointing to a vase of beautiful chrysanthemums on the stand. The petals were a pale pink color, but there were hints of yellow in the middle of the flower. It made the pot of flowers looked rather enchanting and eye-catching.
“Even though there is plenty of that variety over there in Cloud City, how can they compare to the flowers in the palace? I heard that the flowers in Cloud City were all inferior flowers sent there by the palace. This pot of chrysanthemum is the best among them all. You won’t be able to see them in Cloud City. If you like it, I can take you to the flower market to pick out a few pots. You might be able to pick out the best ones and place them in your garden. I have always felt that your garden was a little plain.” Mo Xuemin looked at the flowers as she looked in the direction where Mo Xuetong was pointing. It was as if she had not heard the underlying meaning in Mo Xuetong’s words and covered her smile with her handkerchief.
“Are there more beautiful flowers than the ones in the palace at the flower market?” Mo Xuetong asked softly in surprise. There was a hint of innocent desire in her bright eyes as she looked at the pot of chrysanthemum.
“That’s not for sure. After all, there is always something better. Even though there are more precious treasures in the palace, there might be others out there. If you really like this, shall we go together tomorrow?” Mo Xuemin said with a light smile on her face. Her words all made sense and she spoke sincerely. Anyone else who heard her would think that she was being considerate towards her sister.
Mo Xuetong bit her lips looking somewhat shy but she looked at the pot of flowers longingly. She could not make up her mind right there and then.
“Go on, it’s alright. Even though Father likes orchids, he likes beautiful chrysanthemums too. We can pick out a pot for him tomorrow. He will definitely like it if we give it to him together.” Mo Xuemin continued.
It was rare for Mo Xuemin to be so friendly. It seemed that she badly wanted Mo Xuetong to go out with her tomorrow. Mo Xuemin was a person who would not suck up to Mo Xuetong, especially since the two of them had almost had a falling out in front of everyone earlier!
“Eldest Sister, your words have shamed me greatly. I have only considered myself, but you have been thinking of Father. If I don’t go, it would look bad on me. Many thanks, Eldest Sister, for caring so much for Father. I should learn from you in the future. If you are free tomorrow, then please accompany me to pick out a pot of flowers for Father.” Mo Xuetong said, ashamed and guilty.
Mo Xuemin had already said things to that extent in front of so many people. If she did not agree, it would make her seem unfilial!
How could she not agree!
No matter what Mo Xuemin planned to do tomorrow, she just had to tread carefully!
Mo Xuemin’s smile grew when she heard Mo Xuetong agree. She behaved even more warmly and held her hand, saying to her in a friendly manner, “We are sisters, of course I will accompany you. I have my failings too. I even mistakenly believed what others said earlier and almost caused you to be misunderstood. It was my wrong as your elder sister. Please forgive me for my thoughtless mistake or I will feel guilty forever.”
She had first indicated that their relationship was good and explained what happened earlier. Mo Xuetong looked at the ladies around them who were all listening to them intently even though they had not turned around. She laughed to herself coldly. Mo Xuemin wanted to use this chance to smooth the situation over. If she seemed really innocent, who would blame the First Miss Mo who had always been known to be kind and gracious? However, Mo Xuemin must be dreaming!
“Eldest Sister, you’re too kind to me. How would I blame you? I think it was a misunderstanding earlier. I must have offended someone that they would plot against me the moment I entered the capital. Fortunately, you were there to help me then. I will always remember how kind you are to me.” Mo Xuetong smiled coyly. She looked at Mo Xuemin innocently and as if she was truly grateful to her.
Everyone could hear from her gentle reply that she was being very sincere.
No matter what, they all felt that the First Miss treated Third Miss very well, and that there might really have been a misunderstanding earlier. However, when they thought of it carefully, something seemed odd. Since Mo Xuemin had helped to settle the incident at the city gates, then why did she not explain on behalf of her sister earlier? Instead, she had given a vague answer that would make others suspicious of Mo Xuetong. If she was really present, with her talents, could she not see anything clearly?
Third Miss Mo had just returned to the capital and she had been plotted against. Then, First Miss Mo had appeared to settle the problem and the rumors started. When First Miss Mo heard the rumors, she had not answered clearly and instead seemed to be admitting Third Miss Mo’s guilt. Then, First Miss Mo had appeared at the flower appreciation party where she should not be present and pointed straight out that Mo Xuetong was guilty. All these incidents did not make it seem as if Mo Xuemin was trying to protect her younger sister…
The more they listened, the more something smelled fishy!
Yet, the girl looked at her elder sister innocently and with pure gratitude as if she was not wary of her at all…
Sisters? What kind of sisters!
Mo Xuemin had already keenly sensed the disdain from the other ladies. Even though she hated Mo Xuetong for being ignorant, she did not react at all. She continued smiling kindly to maintain her image. She comforted Mo Xuetong gently and did not dare to mention what had happened earlier again. She only talked about casual matters to show off their good relationship.
The elder sister’s gentle questions and the younger sister’s innocent reply made it seem as if the two of them got along very well.
How fake! Feng Yuran’s eyebrows twitched up.
The younger sister was so fake it would make one’s jaw drop, and the older sister was even more diligent at being fake. The two Mo sisters were very entertaining. However, he got to know Mo Xuetong first, so Feng Yuran felt that even though the younger sister was fake, she was adorable. However, the elder sister was very annoying!
His charming gaze swept over King Yan and landed on Bai Yihao, who was seated in the crowd. Celebrities were celebrities. They were always the center of the crowd no matter where they were. If it weren’t for his aloof position, it would be difficult for them to even meet him. The elegant and distant sounds of the Qin could be heard and the chattering grew softer. Everyone quietened down to carefully listen to the touching music.
For that moment, only the sounds of music could be heard in their hearts. It was as if their hearts were being cleansed, becoming crystal clear.
Bai Yihao played the instrument, and his musical abilities were just as great as his medical abilities. The entire place fell silent the moment he started playing. Everyone stopped what they were doing and sat up straight to listen to him carefully.
The music hung in the air. It was like the flowing streams in the mountain, and like the moving clouds in the sky. It had an unspeakable natural charm and every worry in the mortal realm was washed away by water. Their hearts became cleansed and pure!
However, could human hearts really be as clear as water? Mo Xuetong sighed lightly and closed her eyes. If human hearts could really be as clear as water, would she have died in such a terrible manner in her previous life? It was not just a singular life, but many had died. When she listened to the seemingly distant music, she recalled the day of the fire. The poison, the vitriol and that hateful, mad laughter.
It hurt so much she could not breathe. Her hands clenched tightly under the table and pained look appeared on her calm face. The sound of the music did not sound distant anymore. Instead, it was like a sword that pierced through Mo Xuetong’s heart bloodily. Oh, the endless pain, the endless hatred, and the endless regret!
Feng Yuran’s gaze returned to Mo Xuetong in the end. When he saw that she was like the others, listening to the music softly, he harrumphed softly and grew unhappy. He was about to ruin the elegant atmosphere when he saw the change in Mo Xuetong’s expression. It was as if she was recalling something that brought her pain and suffering. Sweat appeared on her pale face as she sat there, and she bit her lips forcefully. Her lips were as pale as her face. Her long lashes flutter. She seemed to be in so much pain…
He frowned slightly and picked up his chopsticks, tapping them to the music. It fit and yet did not. The chopsticks landed every time the music changed, and the distant music flowed into the ugly and rough tapping. It made one feel as if they could not breathe and as if there was something stuck in their chest. It felt extremely uncomfortable!
