King Chu’s birthday banquet was neither too big nor too small. However, all the people who were related to King Chu came to the banquet. How could they not come? King Chu was the most popular prince now. King Chu was so close to the throne that officials who had little contact with him flock to visit him. As such, the tables that had been set were far from enough.
Mo Yarui was in over her head and could barely have time to rest because the number of the table had to increase again and again. Although she was so busy, she did not forget to greet Ling Rui’er, who had been rounded. She was not so arrogant as to think that she was the most powerful mistress in the manor after Ling Rui’er had been grounded and she took over the power to manage the manor.
As King Chu was still staying in the main courtyard, she knew that he was forced by the situation to imprison Consort Chu. And once the matter had settled, Ling Rui’er would still be Consort Chu, and Mo Yarui would, of course, still be the second consort. Mei Yu had once complained that it was Ling Rui’er who had caused her to miscarry.
Mo Yarui only chided her in a low voice and told her not to talk nonsense.
Mei Yu could also be considered Feng Yuxuan’s concubine, but since a maidservant like Mei Yu was used to serve her mistress’ husband when her mistress was unable to serve him, so she usually had no title and was still by her mistress’ side. Furthermore, Mo Yarui was not the first consort, and did not have the right to give Mei Yu the title even if she wanted unless Feng Yuxuan really liked her and made a request of Ling Rui’er.
There was no hope for Mo Yarui, let alone Mei Yu.
Therefore, Mei Yu hoped that Mo Yarui would get better. If Mo Yarui could hold the power of the inner yard, she would have a firm foothold in King Chu’s Manor. In that case, even if Ling Rui’er was Consort Chu, even if she had the Ding General Manor backing her, she would not be able to deal with Mo Yarui as casually as before.
Mei Yu had been angry that Ling Rui’er had caused Mo Yarui to lose the child in her belly. Most importantly, Feng Yuxuan did not scold Ling Rui’er when he returned. He had only sent some stuff to comfort his second consort. The matter was made very big at first, but finally it quieted down under the guidance of some people on purpose. It was like loud thunder at first and small rain at last.
“Second Consort Mo, you are so busy, but why did you have to go to Consort Chu’s place to ask about it? Anyway, Consort Chu will not give you any ideas even if you ask her about it. Instead, she would be picky.” Mei Yu’s expression was filled with anger when they had just come out of the main yard where Ling Rui’er lived. Ling Rui’er had not been nice to them just now and had gotten Second Consort Mo to stand up during their conversation as usual. She had even asked Second Consort Mo to serve her fruits. The scene made Mei Yu mad enough to pop.
“Mei Yu, don’t talk nonsense. I’m the second consort, so it’s natural for me to do this,” Mo Yarui rebuked in a low voice. She looked around. Fortunately, except for Mei Yu, everyone else was a few steps away from her, and Mei Yu said that in a low voice, so no one should have heard her.
“If we had known that His Highness wasn’t dear to you, you shouldn’t have entered the manor at the beginning.” Mei Yu also knew that she shouldn’t say that, but she still said it out in a low angry voice as she saw that her mistress had to stoop to compromise.
Wasn’t he dear to her? There was a flash of sadness in Mo Yarui’s eyes. She was filled with admiration for him when she married into King Chu’s Manor. She had thought that as long as she stood behind him wholeheartedly, he would definitely see her. However, he liked Ling Rui’er, and as his second consort, she was just like a decoration. He did not even do anything for her even though she had lost the child in her belly.
“Mei Yu, if you continue to spout nonsense, I won’t be able to protect you!” Mo Yarui suppressed the pain in her heart and raised her head to glare at Mei Yu while snapping. They were in King Chu’s Manor. Even though she had been in charge of the household for a few days, there weren’t many in the manor who view her as their true mistress. If Mei Yu’s words were to spread out, she would get into trouble!
As a maidservant who sometimes served Feng Yuxuan in bed and had no title or status, she could not talk about King Chu and Consort Chu like that!
Mei Yu did not dare to say anything else when she saw her mistress’ cold expression. She nodded aggrievedly and said, “I know, I… I just feel sorry for you, Second Consort Mo…”
As she spoke, she felt a lump in her throat. She turned her head and pressed the corner of her eyes with her handkerchief to wipe a drop of tear.
Although Mei Yu didn’t finish her words, both of them understood what she meant. Mo Yarui didn’t answer and walked forward silently. Even if she didn’t say something, it didn’t mean that she didn’t care. How could she not care? That was her first child, and her father also told her that it would be difficult for her to have children in the future.
How many women were there in King Chu’s Manor now? Some of them had a title, while some had no title. There would definitely be more women in the future. What would happen to her who had no children? Mo Yarui’s brows twitched. She bit her lips and her face turned pale. She treated Ling Rui’er so respectfully, but how did Ling Rui’er treat her?
When Ling Rui’er gave birth to King Chu’s eldest son, would there be any place for her to stay in the manor?
Was she really too weak sometimes?
“Second Consort, someone came to report just now that your cousin is here.” An older female servant ran over and reported respectfully. The servant had treated Mo Yarui in this manner only in the last few days. When Ling Rui’er had been in charge of the inner yard in the past, it would have taken a long time to report to her even if her father came to the manor.
“Ask him to my place to talk to me,” Mo Yarui said with a nod. A slight smile appeared on her pale face. If she was right, her cousin was here to send the set of celadon porcelain—lotus cups today. The cups were just right for receiving guests tomorrow, which would appear both elegant and exalted.
She had grown up with this cousin, so he could be considered her childhood friend. Assistant Minister Mo had wanted his daughter to marry him. However, he did not expect that his daughter would take a fancy on King Chu. Then, with the Emperor’s edict, the matter was never mentioned since then.
Regardless, Mo Yarui had a very good relationship with this cousin. When she heard that he came to visit her, she unconsciously felt very happy.
“Cousin, why are you here at this time?” Mo Yarui smiled at Hong Ming as soon as she walked in the door.
“Uncle asked me to send you the lotus cups you requested last time. I’ve counted and cleaned them just now. All of them are very intact. It’s really good to use them to make tea tomorrow!”
When the celadon porcelain lotus cup was filled with tea, the green tea reflected the white jade-like lotus, and it was extremely beautiful!
The banquet was hosted by Mo Yarui. King Chu’s Manor also had their cups, but she felt that it would be more beautiful with those cups. She had nowhere to buy them, but remembered that her parents’ family had a few sets of the cups. She immediately sent a letter to her father to ask him to find and send them here so that they could be used in the banquet tomorrow. She did not expect that her father would ask her cousin to do it.
“Thank you, Cousin Ming. With these cups, the banquet will look more perfect.” Then Mo Yarui invited Hong Ming with a smile. “Cousin Ming, remember to come with my father tomorrow.”
“I, don’t think it’s a good idea.” Hong Ming was in a dilemma.
“Cousin, you’re my closest relative. Why don’t you come? Is there anyone who will talk about this? Cousin, you’re my closest relative. I’m not afraid of others saying that.” Mo Yarui’s eyes reddened. She bit her lips and her eyes darkened. She had wanted to introduce Hong Ming to King Chu for a long time in order to get him a job so that she could rely on him in the future.
However, it was rare for King Chu to come her place. Even if he came sometimes, he would only stay for a while, so there was no time for her to introduce him. Therefore, even though she had been in King Chu’s Manor for a long while, she had not found a chance. Tomorrow was the best time. If the banquet was successful, she could get a position for her cousin once she talked with King Chu for a few words when he was happy. Mo Yarui did not want to let go of this opportunity.
Even if it would cause some rumors, she was unwilling to give up. Anyway, King Chu was not an unreasonable man. How could he believe those groundless words? Mo Yarui really regarded Hong Ming her brother. He had been kind to him since she was a child, and she had always kept that in mind.
“Aren’t you afraid His Highness doesn’t like it, Second Consort?” Hong Ming moved a little uneasily.
“That kind of thing has no evidence and His Highness will not say anything about it. Given His Highness’ character, does cousin have anything to worry about?” Feng Yuxuan was known to be considerate and kind to men of talent. Mo Yarui felt that her cousin was also very talented even though he did not win a good position in the imperial examinations. It was said that King Chu was very polite to the first young master of the Qin Manor.
“Well… Okay, I’ll come with Uncle tomorrow.” Hong Ming didn’t refuse this time and nodded. After the two of them talked for a more while, Hong Ming didn’t want to stay any longer, so he said goodbye and left.
An older female servant led him out. On their way, a maidservant suddenly rushed over and asked the older female servant to check inventory. Just now, King Xuan’s Manor sent gifts, so they had to clean up the warehouse. The older female servant looked at Hong Ming with embarrassment, then she pulled another older female servant who was standing by the side to watch the fun, and asked her to take Hong Ming out of the manor.
The later older female servant was obviously not taken seriously by her masters. When she heard that the former older female servant asked her to lead the way, she nodded and bowed, and then led Hong Ming to the outside. However, Hong Ming found the way was very strange. As they walked, the way took them to remoter and remoter places. It was not like the way he had entered before. At first, he was just confused. Later, he thought that maybe there were more roads in King Chu’s Manor and it was a different way, so he did not ask the servant.
After all, he was in King Chu’s Manor, and it was not something that he, a man who was not an official could ask at will.
“Young Master Hong, the door is ahead. You can go there by yourself. I still have something to do, so I won’t see you off.” The older female servant was polite. She turned a corner, pointed at the door ahead, and said to Hong Ming.
Hong Ming nodded and walked forward. After a few steps, he suddenly felt that something was wrong. The door was so remote and small, and it was obviously a back door. Why did she lead him here?
He immediately turned around to look for the older female servant, but she was already gone. Hong Ming had no choice but to go to the back door. Fortunately, learning that he was Second Consort Mo’s cousin, the older female servant at the back door was very polite and let him out without any difficulty. When he got out of the door, Hong Ming was still very confused. He came to King Chu’s Manor to see his cousin, and came in from the front door, but why did they let him go out from the back door?
He could not say that he supported the rules of King Chu’s Manor!
However, now that he had come out, there was nothing to say. He shook his head, went along the wall to the front gate and called his servants to go home with him.
“Who is this man?” Feng Yulei was standing on a building in the back courtyard with his hands clasped behind his back. He looked at the man who had just walked out the back door and asked curiously with a frown. Whose male family member left through the back door? It was really strange. He was currently on the cusp of the storm and did not want to see anything unusual.
Hearing his question, the eunuch who followed him ran away quickly. After a while, he came back and answered, “Your Highness, that man is Second Consort Mo’s cousin. He just had tea with Second Consort Mo and then she asked someone to send him away.”
“Mo Yarui’s cousin!” Feng Yuxuan muttered after a pause.
“Your Highness, do you want me to ask Second Consort about it?” The eunuch was smart. When he saw that Feng Yuxuan was displeased, he asked fawningly.
“Forget it. Let’s talk about it tomorrow!” Feng Yuxuan waved his hand and turned around to sit in the chair. He continued to read files. This was where he worked. It was tall and cool, so he was here most of the time when it was hot.
