“Marriage? I don’t know about this either. Or perhaps old sir was just saying it. Madam had never betrothed Miss to anyone when she was alive?” Nanny Ming said confidently. She spoke even before Mo Xuetong was done speaking.
“Nanny, do you know of any Madam that mother was close to?” Mo Xuetong asked persistently. Feng Yuran would not cause trouble for sure. Even though he looks as if he was carefree and playful, she knew that he was not as what he seemed.
Their odd meeting at the Repayment Temple had shown her that he was not a simple man!
Would a man like this say anything to her that was nonsense?
Definitely not!
“Madam’s health was poor and had always been in bed. She did not have any especially close friends even in Cloud City. Her relationships with the other Madams were just so-so. It’s is impossible for her to betroth you to someone in Cloud City.” Nanny Ming recounted.
She was Luo Xia’s nursemaid and had worked for Luo Xia all these while. Then, she had gone with Luo Xia when she married into the Mo Manor. She was very loyal and Mo Xuetong believed what she said. However, for some reason, she also believed what Feng Yuran said as well.
Since her mother had not any close friends, how was it possible for her to betroth her to someone? furthermore, in the 20-odd years of her past life and the ten-odd years in this life, no one had ever mentioned it to her. It was impossible for no one in the entire manor to talk about it. Could it be true that her father was only just saying it to reject the King?
Her intuition told her that that was not true! Definitely not! However, there was no way for her to find out either. Since even Nanny Ming, who knew her mother very well had said that there was no such thing, how was it possible then?
That night, Mo Xuetong found it hard to sleep. She tossed and turned as she thought. She felt that it was too weird and it was like a heavy weight on her heart. After the tragic incident in her past life, she would definitely walk into marriage with a clear head. She did not need romance and did not need her husband to be extremely successful. She just wanted him to treat her well.
No, she must not allow marriage to ruin her entire life again.
“Miss, first miss’ Mo Xiu went to visit the Duke’s manor secretly last afternoon under the guise of buying makeup. She left from the side door and returned in 10 minutes. They prepared a carriage this morning and said that first miss was going to go out later.” Mo Ye brought the news that Mo Feng found out to Mo Xuetong in the morning.
Mo Xuetong’s first thought was that Mo Xuemin and Sima Lingyun were going on a date. Her second thought was to immediately reject her first thought.
What were Mo Xuemin and Sima Lingyun going to discuss when they met? Mo Xuemin had been in trouble recently and had to be well-behaved. Furthermore, the two of them had nothing going on between them right now. So they can’t be going on a date. Then, they must be plotting against her! A cold smile appeared on her lips!
The two of them were really persistent.
“What time did Fourth Miss return to her courtyard yesterday?” Mo Xuetong played with a stalk of flower for a few moments before she asked.
“Fourth Miss was only allowed to return in the middle of the night. However, it was really weird. Fourth Miss’ personal maid also left the manor once. She left at three in the afternoon to the medicine shop.” Mo Ye answered.
Mo Feng did not have time to find out what medicine she bought because he still had to follow Mo Xuemin’s servant, Mo Xiu.
Her sisters were really great. They both did not forget to scheme against her!
“Mo Lan, go with someone to spread the rumor that Eldest Sister is going out on a trip with the Duke’s son.” Mo Xuetong said slowly to Mo Lan who was helping her to comb her hair. Even though she was not sure what Mo Xuemin planned to do, but with another rash and reckless Mo Xueqiong around, they would definitely be hard to handle.
Her long and thorough plans were not very useful against the shameless Mo Xueqiong.
She picked a long and narrow, simple hairpin and fixed it behind her bun.
After greeting the Old Madam, Mo Xuemin left together with Mo Xuetong!
“Third Sister, are you free to accompany me out of the city? I heard the plum blossoms outside the city have bloomed and I want to pick a few stalks to place in father’s study. It was all my fault for causing him to worry.” Mo Xuemin said with a guilty smile. She was just as gracious and gentle as before. If the incident in the palace had not happened, Mo Xuemin would still be renowned as a beautiful talent in the capital.
The plum blossom forest outside the east gate of the capital was the most famous plum blossom forest in the capital. The patch of plum blossom used to belong to the King Jin. It was said that his wife loved plum blossoms the most, which was why he planted a huge patch of them in his land outside the capital. Even though they were not as precious as the blossoms in the palace, there were a lot of them. Various types of plum blossoms bloomed in the wind and snow and were extremely beautiful.
After he rebelled, his manor was confiscated and this courtyard ended up in the hands of the court. A storm had caused the back wall to collapse and someone discovered the patch of unmanned plum blossom gardens. The blossoms had not wilted because of the lack of attention. Instead, they had multiplied and grown even more beautiful. Someone tore down the other walls and the patch of plum blossom forest appeared before everyone and became renowned.
“Eldest Sister, I am learning how to cook in the kitchen right now. Then, I can make dishes for father.” Mo Xuetong looked up and said awkwardly.
“Third Sister, you’re learning how to cook. That’s great! I want to learn as well. I have a recipe book and I heard that there are a few special dishes in it. Father would definitely like them. Shall we learn together when we are free?” Mo Xuemin said with a smile.
Mo Xuetong would seem unreasonable if she refused again.
“Many thanks, Eldest Sister. Shall we get Fourth Sister to come with us?”
Mo Xuemin paused. The incident that happened yesterday had spread throughout the manor. Everyone knew that the two had fought yesterday. Yet, Mo Xuetong was still thinking of Mo Xueqiong.
“She… felt ill yesterday. I’m afraid she won’t be in the mood.” She said gently, her expression one of awkwardness.
She had knelt in the ancestral hall for most of the night yesterday. She would definitely not be in the mood right now. She had not even come to greet the Old Madam yet.
“Eldest Sister, are you talking about me? If so, my mood is still decent. I can go out to look at the plum blossoms with you two. It is something I would love to do.” A coy voice sounded from behind them. They saw Mo Xueqiong, dressed beautifully, appear behind them. She looked as if she was going to go out to have fun.
“Fourth Sister, how do you feel? Are you truly alright?” Mo Xuemin’s smile froze, and then, she smiled brilliantly and went up to Mo Xueqiong, asking her warmly.
She was rubbing salt in Mo Xueqiong’s wounds. Mo Xueqiong could not help but glare at Mo Xuetong viciously. She gritted her teeth in secret! She would not let that slut off. However, it was not the time to discuss about that right now.
“Eldest Sister, you are too kind to me. Some people just don’t seem like a noble lady. They just can’t wait to see someone get into trouble. Eldest Sister, you might as well take me along with you instead of her. Otherwise, she will complain to Father again.” Mo Xueqiong said sharply. She took two steps forward and pushed Mo Xuetong away, almost causing her to fall.
Mo Ye reached out to steady Mo Xuetong. She was about to attack secretly when Mo Xuetong stopped her with a look. She seemed not to mind the sarcasm in Mo Xueqiong’s words and said gently, “Fourth Sister, Eldest Sister asked if we wanted to go admire the plum blossoms. Do you want to go with us?”
“Eldest Sister, really? I want to go as well!” Mo Xueqiong’s eyes brightened and forgot to fight with Mo Xuetong. She had woken up early today because she heard the maids say that her two elder sisters were going to go on a trip with Sima Lingyun. She had always admired him, and the last time, she had fought with Mo Xuemin for him.
However, she had not expected that she would have the chance to see Sima Lingyun again. Then, there were rumors saying that Mo Xuemin and Sima Lingyun were meeting in private. Mo Xuemin had explained to her in private that there was nothing going on between her and Sima Lingyun. Otherwise, she would definitely rush off to visit him when she found out that he was injured and not stay in her courtyard.
She believed in most of what Mo Xuemin said. She felt that if she knew that Sima Lingyun had been injured, she would definitely rush in. Mo Xuemin had not entered the room, and it could not be said that they were secretly dating. Furthermore, after a few days, Sima Lingyun had secretly sent someone to bring her a gift and explained to her that he was only interested in her. He had said that all the rumors about him and Mo Xuemin were not to be trusted!
Sima Lingyun used to be really lukewarm with her, and was very polite when they saw each other. He had never made his intentions so clear before. How could she not feel happy about that? She hoped that they would meet again. However, Sima Lingyun had not come to the Mo Manor again after that.
As such, she ignored the pain she felt in her entire body when she heard that she could see Sima Lingyun again. She dressed up just to see Sima Lingyun.
“Fourth Sister, after yesterday… how can your body take it? I am worried for you and father will blame me for not taking care of you and letting you do what you want. I will definitely invite you next time once you’re better. How about that?” Mo Xuemin was not willing to take Mo Xueqiong with her. As such, she pretended to be concerned and spoke with a slight frown.
“Eldest Sister, I am very well. Why are you not willing to take me with you? Is there something you don’t want me to see!” There was a hint of suspicion in Mo Xueqiong’s eyes and she spoke extremely impolitely. Auntie Fang is no longer the concubine that Mo Huawen favored and trusted. She felt that she no longer had to be careful.
“How will I be unwilling. Since this is so, then let us go together.” Mo Xuemin had no choice and could only agree.
There was already a carriage waiting at the entrance of the manor. Mo Xueqiong wanted to get onto the carriage excitedly. However, her skirt was suddenly stepped on by someone and she almost fell. She turned around in a hurry to discover that it was Mo Xiu. She slapped her and said angrily, “You lousy maid. Do you not have eyes!”
“Fourth Miss, I beg your pardon. I was not being careful. I am sorry, Fourth Miss.” Mo Xiu was so afraid she covered her face and knelt down, pleading with Mo Xueqiong.
Everyone stopped since something like this happened in front of the manor.
“Fourth Sister, is something wrong? We are at the main doors of the manor… this isn’t so good!” Mo Xuemin reminded her softly. Mo Manor faced the street and everyone was looking at them when they saw a few young noble ladies coming out from the inside. It was indeed not a good place to be punishing servants.
“Eldest Sister, the new dress I got made has been dirtied. What should I do? It’s all this maid’s fault.” Mo Xueqiong kicked Mo Xiu hatefully. She pulled up the corner of her skirt and saw a clear footprint on the soft patterned skirt. She had dressed up especially for today so that she would look better than her other two sisters. However, she had not expected her dress to be printed with a footprint the moment she left the manor. How could she not be mad.
“I have a dress like this too. They must have been made together. How about we go ahead first and I get Mo Xiu to take you to Fuqing Garden to get changed? Come after you get changed and we will meet at the plum blossom forest.” Mo Xuemin said as if she was being considerate and kind.
Wearing a dress like this to meet one’s lover would not only leave a bad impression, she might even disgust him. Mo Xueqiong had no choice but to change.
However, if she went late, she might not be able to see Sima Lingyun. Or perhaps, she might not get the chance to speak with him in private. She was reluctant to leave just like that!
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