Sima Lingyun was rather confident in his own charm. A young lady from the countryside that was Cloud City definitely would not have ever seen such a gracious and elegant man like him. As long as he was more gentle, he would easily get a girl like her who did not know anything.
He was secretly delighted and his smile grew even more gentle and charming as he looked at Mo Xuetong warmly. Mo Xuetong felt goosebumps appear all over her body. However, she smiled at him gently by all outward appearance and coldly in her heart. She could not wait to tear off that fake gentleness on his face.
In her past life, she was determined to marry Sima Lingyun right after she met him. He had not wasted too much effort to get her heart. In this life, she had long since seen through his character flaws. She would not marry him again. That was why he had tried again and again to create opportunities for them to meet. It would be best if rumors were to spread because of this!
Rumors, she shall see if they can stand against the rumors!
The carriage was spacious. Sima Lingyun only entered the carriage after both Mo Xueqiong and Mo Xuetong got on. He discovered after he got on that Mo Xueqiong had taken the innermost seat while Mo Xuetong sat outside. Sima Lingyun could only move in and sat close to Mo Xueqiong. A strong fragrant scent came from Mo Xueqiong. It was a scent that made one's heart beat faster and one's breath grow more heated.
"Your Excellency, have you seen Eldest Sister on your journey here?" Mo Xuetong looked up and leaned against the inside part of the carriage and asked him with a casual smile.
There was a light gauze curtain hanging down from the carriage window. Sunlight streamed through it and onto half her face. Half of her face was in the light while the other was shrouded in darkness. It made her beautiful face seemed more mysterious and charming coupled with her beautiful smile. Even though her body was still immature, her beauty was stunning.
Sima Lingyun turned his head and could not see her entire face. He could only see the side of her face with a gentle smile. His heart skipped a beat and his eyes grew darker. He felt really hot and he took two deep breaths. He suddenly felt as if the scent from Mo Xueqiong, who was on his side, was too strong. It made one feel stifled and annoyed. He only calmed down when he turned around hurriedly to the other side.
"I did not see first miss along this way. However, it is a good day to look at plum blossoms today. I heard that the plum blossoms there blossom earlier than others. You can both go pick a few and put them in a vase. It is an enjoyable thing to do. He smiled to hide the discomfort he felt. His body moved towards the outside and away from Mo Xueqiong.
"Your Excellency, help me pick a few later. I can bring them back and put them in the beautiful vase that you gave me last time." Mo Xueqiong moved closer to Sima Lingyun in order to hear him better. She turned around and stared at him.
"Fourth Miss, you are too polite. My cousin brought the vase with her to the capital last time. Because it was a gift from her, we sent one to every noble lady and wife from the manors we are friendly with. I am glad that you liked it." Even though Sima Lingyun was smiling, there was a look of displeasure in his eyes.
Mo Xueqiong was unlike Mo Xuemin. Even though Mo Xuemin was a concubine's daughter, she was gentle and talented. She was also unlike Mo Xuetong, who even though was not mature, was already extremely beautiful. He was not interested in her at all. Yet, she insisted on leaning towards him and using some worthless matters to get closer to him. The fragrance she wore made him even more annoyed. It was all thanks to his good upbringing for him to keep a smile on his face.
He was interested in Mo Xuetong, so he would not make Mo Xuetong suspicious of him. As such, he explained himself immediately!
"Your Excellency is really close to Eldest Sister. Have you admired the plum blossoms with Eldest Sister in the past?" Mo Xuetong smiled and asked him. She was pleased to be given some peace and quiet when she saw Mo Xueqiong moving closer towards Sima Lingyun.
However, it was rather rude for Mo Xuetong to say this. It seemed like something Mo Xueqiong, a really brash person, would say. Sima Lingyun did not expect Mo Xuetong to be so direct and was stunned. His expression grew slightly grave and ugly. He was about to rebut when Mo Xuetong smiled at him warmly.
"Your Excellency, did I say something wrong? Did you not save Eldest Sister when she fell off her horse? If you think that I have said something wrong, please don't blame me. I won't say it again in the future." Her sweet voice and the change in her tone to one of a person being wronged made it hard for anyone to question her about her rudeness earlier. Furthermore, what she had said was true. Sima Lingyun would seem petty if he brought up the matter again.
Furthermore, which man would really get angry with a young girl who spoke cutely!
"My family has close ties with the Mo family, so first miss and I are naturally closer. Furthermore, Young Master Mo and I are good friends too. I sent first miss home when I saw that she was injured. Third Young Miss Mo must have just come to the capital then. Have you been to the market? If you wish to, get someone to get me. I will take you around to have fun." Even though he could not blame Mo Xuetong, he still had to explain himself. Sima Lingyun smiled gently as he looked at Mo Xuetong while he spoke.
However, all he saw was Mo Xueqiong's smiling face.
"Your Excellency, you are really close to my Eldest Sister. I heard that you even went to her Fuqing Garden a few times and brought her many accessories. She later gave me a pair of earrings. They were really beautiful. You have such good taste. If you are bringing her things next time, could you bring me a few as well?"
If Mo Xuetong's words earlier were impolite, then Mo Xueqiong's were extremely impolite. This was especially so because Sima Lingyun wanted to change the topic but she smiled adorably as if she did not know that she was implying that Sima Lingyun and Mo Xuemin had a secret relationship. She even brought up evidence.
If such an incident were to made known to public and with Mo Xueqiong's testimony, their reputations would be ruined.
This was especially so since Sima Lingyun was trying to win Mo Xuetong's affections. Mo Xueqiong's words had revealed the secret relationship the two had. Sima Lingyun's handsome face flushed. However, his expression grew grave as he said, "Fourth Young Miss Mo, what are you talking about. Even if I am clueless, I will not send things to First Miss Mo directly. That was because my mother liked First Miss Mo and told me to give her some jewelry. I don't have anything going on with First Miss Mo. You are mistaken."
He spoke with an annoyed tone. The scent coming from Mo Xueqiong made him really annoyed and irritated.
"I'm sorry, Your Excellency. I did not mean to misunderstand Eldest Sister. Perhaps she misunderstood, which was why I misunderstood as well. I was thinking that it was impossible for a person of your character to do something like that which was why I asked you since we met today. Eldest Sister has indeed misunderstood." Mo Xueqiong apologized obediently. It was as if the sarcastic and sharp words earlier had not been uttered by her as she placed the blame entirely on Mo Xuemin with a smile.
Arrogant, brash, and overestimating herself...
Mo Xuetong, who was sitting behind her pursed her lips. It seemed that Mo Xueqiong was not an idiot. Her Fourth Sister was not one to underestimate. However, this was just as well. She was a good match for the vicious Mo Xuemin. She had been worried at first that Mo Xueqiong was too weak and would be no match for Mo Xuemin. She did not expect Mo Xueqiong to surprise her like that.
No matter how much Sima Lingyun disliked Mo Xueqiong, he felt a sense of superiority when he saw how she apologized gently and looked at him coyly. He would not show how irritated he was. When he saw the charming face and lively eyes, he suddenly felt that Mo Xueqiong was not that annoying and that her fragrance was not that bad.
He did not react as strongly as he had in the beginning when Mo Xueqiong leaned towards him. He felt his body growing hotter. Mo Xueqiong's body, which was leaning towards him was soft and fragrant. It made his heart flutter.
"Your Excellency, is the plum blossom forest we are going to see now the same plum blossom forest in King Jin's manor? I heard that in the south behind the forest is King Jin's manor. I heard someone say that the manor was extremely beautiful 30 years ago. There is something to look at and admire at every step. It is almost as grand as the palace. I wonder if you have been?" Mo Xueqiong's eyes were filled with love as she asked him gently. It made it easy to like her.
This was especially so when she did not know if Sima Lingyun's fingers were running across the corner of her skirt intentionally or not. It was as if he was opening a curtain and was extremely intimate. Mo Xueqiong could not help but flush and she held on to her dress, scrunching it up and then releasing it. She seemed charming and beautiful and the flush on her face made her seem more charming than usual.
Sima Lingyun's eyes could not help but fall on Mo Xueqiong's face. The heat surged up. Just as he wanted to speak, the carriage suddenly came to a stop. Mo Xueqiong was seated on his side. She did not react in time and could not help but knock into him. She fell into his embrace.
The two of them could not help but pause. They were hugging each other subconsciously and could not react in time. They only felt that the face across them was extremely attractive, so much so that they did not want to let go. They only had eyes for each other!
"Your Excellency, we are at the plum blossom forest!" The driver outside said.
Mo Ye pulled Mo Xueqiong's maid with her and they got off the horse carriage first.
"We are at the plum blossom forest. Then I shall get off now." Mo Xuetong said politely. She lifted her skirt and opened the curtains. Mo Ye was already waiting there to help her off the carriage. She did not know if it was intentional, but when the curtains fell again, it blocked the two people inside who were hugging each other with a slight flush on their faces.
Her vision was filled with plum blossoms the moment she got off the carriage. The branches were filled with exquisite blossoms that were white and pink. One could see patches of blossoms from where they were standing. While the blossoms were not as white as snow they were more fragrant than it. However, when they both appeared, one would only feel that the blossoms were fragrant and like soft snow.
It was indeed the most famous plum blossom forest of King Jin's manor.