"I will mind myself. Auntie, please mind your own business next time as well or you might not only fail to become the matriarch but also lose your position as a concubine. Father's tolerance has its limits too. Auntie, please consider elder brother and me when you do things. Don't be full of yourself and do low-class things, forgetting your status. The General Manor has not had much to say to the Mo Manor recently because of the poor relations between them and father. Now that the little slut is back, there are some things that you cannot handle." Mo Xuemin harrumphed and turned to speak to Mo Jin who had been standing outside the door, not even daring to move.
"Auntie Fang, please go back. Father might ask you questions later. Please be smarter and don't get confused again and get Father angry. Find time to speak to Father regarding that matter. Pretend to suffer a little. He might let you off then."
Auntie Fang wanted to say something else. However, she saw Mo Xuemin closing her eyes, and she stomped her feet. Then, she thought of how Mo Huawen might possibly come and she panicked. She turned to leave hurriedly. Nanny Li who was waiting outside rushed up to her with her coat and they left in a hurry.
"Mo Jin, go and see if anyone is here. If they are here, ask them to wait in the garden. Say that I will go out in a bit. Prepare tea for them." Inside the house, Mo Xuemin opened her eyes. She had already put on her usual graceful and gentle smile. She was still the kind and gracious First Miss of the Mo family.
She definitely had to attend the flower appreciation banquet. She would not let the little slut ruin her plans!
"Yes!" Mo Jin, who was standing behind the curtains lowered her head in reply and turned to leave.
"What? You were the one who took the invite?" Mo Huawen's eyes were a little cold and a little disappointed. He looked at his youngest daughter distantly and coldly. They were both 13 years old and Tong'er was only a few days older than her. However, Tong'er was so obedient while his youngest daughter who always behaved adorably before him was so short-sighted.
When had his youngest daughter been brought up to be so mean? She was not only high and mighty, she had even taken an invitation meant for Tong'er.
"Old Sir, Qiong'er is insensible. She didn't mean to do it. Someone must have instigated her to do it. Otherwise, she would not dare to do something like that." Auntie Qing did not think that Mo Xueqiong would be implicated in the investigation. She knelt beside Mo Xueqiong and pleaded for her.
"How dare you speak. You are the one who taught her. She does not even know the status difference between the main daughter and the daughters of the concubines. She is just a mere daughter of a concubine, and she dared to go against Tong'er. Tong'er is the main daughter and has the right to attend the banquet. If you go, you will only embarrass me. How dare you even think about it." Mo Huawen yelled sharply. He only felt extremely disappointed in this daughter.
"Father, Eldest Sister went to the flower appreciation banquet last year too. Eldest Sister went, so why can't I. We are all daughters of concubines, so there should not be any difference between us. Furthermore, Third Sister has only just returned to the capital. How would she know what to take note of at a banquet like this? You might as well let me go so that I can make you proud." Mo Xueqiong was so frightened her face was pale. However, she could not let go of her chance to attend the banquet, which was why she was arguing while crying.
"You unfilial daughter. How dare you argue with me? You are rebelling. Come, take Fourth Miss to the shed and lock her up." Mo Huawen shook with anger, the green veins on his forehead twitched forcefully.
A few maidservants came up to drag Mo Xueqiong away.
"Father, Father. I won't do it again! I won't do it again." Mo Xueqiong did not dare to say anything else when she saw Mo Huawen's stern expression. She knelt on the floor, shaking tearfully while pleading with her father.
"Again? There's still a next time!" Mo Huawen shook his sleeves out coldly and turned to leave. He ignored Mo Xueqiong who was crying while she was dragged away. He felt annoyed by his youngest daughter. Min'er was sensible, Feng'er was a boy, while Tong'er was left in Cloud City. Qiong'er was the youngest, and everyone doted on her when she made a fuss to get what she wanted. However, he had never imagined that Qiong'er would become the person she was today.
Her personality would only get her into trouble. He thought to himself that he had better find Mo Xueqiong a husband quickly. He did not have to be very wealthy. A person like Mo Xuetong would only get into trouble if she married into a family like that. And she would also bring trouble to that family.
Inside Qingwei Garden.
"Miss, Old Sir went to Lihua Garden to scold Auntie Fang. Then, someone said that Fourth Miss was the one who did it. It's really odd. Even though Fourth Miss is not smart, why would she do something like that?" Mo He recounted what she heard earlier in an interesting manner. She did not forget to tug on Mo Lan, who was beside her, and asked her her question.
Mo Xuetong sat in front of her dresser. Mo Yu was helping her remove her makeup. A cold smile appeared on her face when she heard what Mo He said. Auntie Fang had indeed shown weakness!
"Fourth Miss is stupid. She must have been tricked by Auntie Fang and First Miss. What kind of place is this? Auntie Fang is in charge of the back courtyard. Even if Fourth Miss is wild, without Auntie Fang working behind the scenes, it would be impossible for her to get the invitation. Then, they said that it went missing. First Miss had already prepared cloths long ago. Isn't it obvious that she is going to attend the banquet? Old Sir is too much, he didn't even think of this."
Mo Yu pursed her lips and said with dissatisfaction. She was a clear-minded bystander. Furthermore, she understood Auntie Fang. As such, she definitely knew that Auntie Fang was involved in this matter.
But Auntie Fang and First Miss pretended to be innocent and that they had been framed. It was so frustrating!
"No wonder I thought it was weird. Mo Yu, you see things so clearly!" Mo He's eyes brightened when she heard what Mo Yu had to say. She suddenly understood why she felt that something was odd when she heard the news herself. Mo Yu's words had helped her to discover the truth, so she praised Mo Yu.
They had grown up together, so they had never had to yield to each other. Mo Yu rather enjoyed Mo He's praised, and she looked at Mo He with a look of satisfaction, saying, "You don't have to ask Mo Lan first if anything happens in the future. You can just ask me. I have plenty to teach you!"
"Hah, you're getting too full of yourself. Miss, look, Mo Yu is bullying me. You should take her in hand." Mo He was annoyed when she saw Mo Yu feeling full of herself. She put down the teapot in her hand and complained to Mo Xuetong.
"It is up to Miss who she wants to punish. Look at you, you're just a maid. How dare you get Miss to do things. Do you really think you're a Miss?" Mo Yu was not a simple opponent. She smiled and returned the jibe. She helped to release Mo Xuetong's long hair from its braids and was about to help her lie down.
"Miss won't be like you all. All right, stop playing around. Miss has to go to the palace tomorrow." Mo Lan smiled and stopped the two. The clothes that Old Madam Xu had prepared was hung up. The head dressing was already placed on the dresser. The head dressing and the clothes were of one set. Even though they were not brightly colored, they were not plain either. They seemed elegant and classy.
"Alright, alright. I won't stoop to your level!" Mo He scrunched up her nose and sent Mo Yu a look of challenge. However, she laughed first. The few of them were in a good mood today. They all felt happy when they thought of how Auntie Fang had been scolded by Old Sir. No matter what, Auntie Fang was definitely going to be scolded today.
It truly put them in a good mood!
"Do you all think that Auntie Fang won't be able to climb back to her position after her scolding today?" Mo Xuetong laid down, her hair spread over the pillow, revealing her pale and supple face. She looked at the maids beside her with a faint smile on her lips.
She did not like to sleep with her hair tied up after her rebirth. It made her feel suffocated!
"Miss, isn't that so?" Mo Yu was helping to tuck her in when she heard Mo Xuetong's questions. Her hand paused.
"Didn't Mo He say that Father scolded Auntie Fang but discovered that the matter had nothing to do with Auntie Fang in the end? Even though Father did not go to see Auntie Fang again, he must feel bad towards Auntie Fang. Auntie Fang will definitely make use of this." Mo Xuetong's clear eyes shone, and the smile on her face grew even more gentle.
"Miss, you mean that Auntie Fang will definitely use this to complain to Old Sir and soften his heart?" Mo Lan had always been intelligent. She quickly thought of the most important thing that would happen next. She stopped, holding a bamboo basket in her hands.
"Auntie Fang had always been smart. And my good old Eldest Sister will do her best to help Auntie Fang so that Father will keep thinking about this matter. Auntie Fang had been scolded for no rhyme or reason, and she had suffered." Mo Xuetong said with a cold smile. Mo Xuemin would definitely find a way to get their father to Lihua Garden these few days. Auntie Fang will complain about her grievances then and might be able to be released from Lihua Garden then.
"Then what shall we do?" Mo Yu realized the dangers of this matter and asked in a hurry.
If Auntie Fang were to be released from Lihua Garden, she would definitely try to deal with their mistress. If Old Sir released her in a few days and did not pursue her wrongdoings any further, everyone else only thought that Auntie Fang had regained Old Sir's affections. Things would be difficult for Mo Xuetong in the future.
"It's alright. Father won't let her out!" Mo Xuetong yawned lightly and shut her eyes. A smile appeared on her still rather child-like face. It was not a cold smile, but it made one warm when they looked at her smile. It was unlike her smile earlier, which made others feel cold inside out.
The three maids glanced at each other when they saw Mo Xuetong closing her eyes. They left the room silently.
They had only just left the room when Mo He could not bear it any longer. She pointed inside and said, "Miss..."
"Alright. Mo He, don't say anything. Miss knows what to do. We just have to listen to her." Mo Lan smiled and stopped her from saying anything else. She had been by her mistress side all this while and saw how she handled things. She was composed and intelligent, unlike her usual weak and useless self.
Her mistress had thought of a way to return to the capital and even defeated First Miss at the city gates. Then, she had intentionally placed fine needles in the clothes that Auntie Fang prepared and got her locked up. This all proved how intelligent her mistress was. She was no longer the cowardly Mo Xuetong of the past. She could trust in her mistress!
"But, we have to mention it, right!" Mo He pouted.
"Of course, we have to mention it. But we must not do anything that is not ordered of us." Mo Lan's smile disappeared and she spoke in a serious manner.
"I won't ruin Miss's plans. She is so smart, how can I ruin her plans!" Mo He pouted resentfully, but still agreed.
"You know that Miss is smart too, so why are you worried for her? She said that Old Sir won't release Auntie Fang, so he won't." Mo Yu had been following Mo Xuetong's orders very well recently. Her lips curled up. She was not worried at all by what Mo He said. Her mistress had said nothing would happen!
Even Mo He smiled. She took the bamboo basket from Mo Lan's hands, wanting to take needle and thread to do embroidery. However, she found a white jade bottle and asked, "Whose is this. Why did they leave such a good bottle around anyhow?"
"I don't know, but this is a really nice looking bottle." Mo Yu opened it and sniffed at it. "It smells good."
"Don't touch it. Put it in Miss's room and don't lose it. She's been studying medicine recently, it might be useful." Mo Lan spoke without looking up.
"Alright, I will put it at her dresser so it would be easy to find."
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