"Miss, I told you not to copy the scriptures last night and told you that your body can't take it, but you refused to listen. Look at you now, you haven't done anything and you're ill again. The Old Madam told me before she left not to let you tire yourself out, or she would punish me. Please listen to me seeing how hard I try to wait on you. Please rest more and work less. It is more important for you to recover completely."
Mo Yu's nagging was not any weaker than Mother Xu's. She complained and pouted, making Mo Xuetong laugh.
"You lass, how can Miss praise you with that mouth of yours? Let Miss wash her face first. We brought porridge from the front. Miss, you haven't eaten yet and must be hungry." Mo Lan entered, holding a bowl of fragrant porridge. She put down the bowl carefully on the table and set up the cutlery.
"Miss, get up and drink some porridge first, or Mo Lan will say that I am being thoughtless. Mo Lan made the porridge today. She hasn't cooked in a long time, and I really want to eat the porridge that she cooked." Mo Yu helped Mo Xuetong off the bed and smiled as she helped her with washing up. She even lifted her nose and sniffed, "It smells great!"
Mo Lan made really good porridge, she would make some from time to time while they were in Cloud City. Then, there were not many who were concerned about Mo Xuetong in the Qin manor. If they wanted to eat anything good, they had to make it themselves. Mo Lan and Mother Xu would buy fresh ingredients outside to make nourishing food for Mo Xuetong. They would cook it themselves and make tasty porridge and dishes.
"Has Father gone to see Grandmother after his return?" The exquisite white porridge was very tasty. It was very appetizing when eaten with crunchy cucumbers. This was especially so since Mo Xuetong was really hungry. She had not had a meal since yesterday, and she ate two whole bowls before she stopped. After rinsing her mouth, she leaned against her pillows, resting her hand on her stomach in satisfaction. She asked Mo Lan while Mo Lan was cleaning up the table.
"I heard that Old Sir had only just met the old madam when the imperial edict arrived. He might still be unaware of what happened to First Miss!" Mo Lan knew what Mo Xuetong wanted to know. She looked up with a smile.
"Did Eldest Sister not do anything?" Mo Xuetong's brows lifted and she sprawled back against the pillow, blinking naughtily as she asked Mo Lan.
"First Miss is being really quiet. The doors to Fuqing Garden are tightly shut and nothing happened. Mo Xiu came out once. I heard that she had hurt herself trying to save First Miss. There were wounds all over her hands and legs when she came out that one time."
Mo Xiu was Mo Xuemin's most capable maid. There used to be Mo Jin as well, but after her mysterious disappearance, Mo Xiu became Mo Xuemin's only probe to the outside world.
"Mo Yu, were you from the same village as Mo Xiu?" Mo Xuetong laid across the pillows and asked Mo Yu lazily. Mo Yu was taking out needle and thread, preparing to do some embroidery.
"Miss, you still remember that. Mo Xiu is not just from the same village as I am. Her mother is a distant cousin of my mother. If we were really to talk about this, she could be considered my mother's cousin." Mo Yu thought about it and answered.
"Since she is your cousin, Mo Yu, don't you intend to visit your injured cousin?" Mo Xuetong glanced at Mo Yu pointedly.
"Miss, you mean…" Mo Yu was a little hesitant.
"Miss did not mean anything. She's just telling you to visit your cousin and show your concern for her. It is rare for one to have a relative in the same manor. How can you not visit her? She's injured and has no one to care for her. That's not very nice." Mo Lan understood what Mo Xuetong meant and she spoke with a smile.
"Oh…I understand." Mo Yu was an intelligent person and she immediately understood with Mo Lan's counsel. She put down the needle and thread in her hands and stood up. "Miss, I really miss my cousin. It is difficult for her, for she only had time to go out now even after suffering such severe injuries. I have to go and show concern for her and tell her about some things about Mo Jin."
"Girl, you're so bad." Mo Xuetong's lively eyes smiled as she scolded.
"I am a good person. I am going to go and show my cousin how concerned I am for her. How can I be a bad person? Miss, you go sleep for a while. I will go and visit my cousin now." Mo Yu had long understood Mo Xuetong's intentions. She laughed and lifted the curtains, leaving with a jaunty smile.
Mo Xuetong's gaze landed on the wavering curtains after Mo Yu left. Her thoughts were a jumbled mess and she was somewhat dazed. She would never believe that Mo Xuemin had quieted down because she had accepted fate. However, what exactly was Mo Xuemin planning!
The Duchess would never allow Mo Xuemin to become the family's main wife. Even though their father had been promoted, a concubine's daughter was a concubine's daughter. With the Duchess' characteristics, she would definitely not relent. Sima Lingyun would not dare to go against her wishes and marry Mo Xuemin.
Furthermore, Sima Lingyun was ambitious.
Marrying Mo Xuemin, who was just a powerless concubine's daughter meant that they might get the backing of the Yu family. However, no matter how long the Yu family's reach was, they were just officials that were not from the capital. They had to find a way to stay in the capital, so how could they help him. A Duchess like this would not only fail to help Sima Lingyun but would also be a burden on him. How could Sima Lingyun agree?
In her past life, Mo Xuemin and Sima Lingyun had plotted against her and poisoned her to death. For the position as Sima Lingyun's main wife, Mo Xuemin had not even let her young son off. When she thought of that Mo Xuemin seemed to be able to feel the searing pain of the fire burning on her skin. Her heart felt as if it had cracked and she crushed the handkerchief in her hand into a ball.
There was a hint of blood that glinted in her eyes!
She would definitely send those two to hell in this life, and she would destroy them with her hands. The blood-filled revenge had to be paid with blood. She could not forget how her child's soft body stiffened slowly in her embrace. She could not forget how Mo Xuemin pinched her chin and forced the poison down her throat with Sima Lingyun. Her pain blistered and boiled in that raging fire while Mo Xuemin smiled with satisfaction outside…
No matter what Mo Xuemin planned, she would not let her off!
There was a cold glint in her eyes which were devoid of any warmth. She believed that Auntie Fang would not just sit and do nothing in such a situation. That thing should come out now. She had been waiting quietly for Auntie Fang to appear. Then let them battle until they perished!
Indeed Auntie Fang was released!
Mo Huawen went to Lihua Garden first thing after he sent off his guests and went to the inner courtyard. The rumors said that it was because Auntie Fang was pregnant!
This news could not be compared to Mo Huawen being promoted three ranks at one go. However, it was more shocking than that in the inner courtyard. Auntie Qing and Auntie Mo were both shocked. Then, they brought with them various items to Lihua Garden in a hurry. Then, old madam received the news and sent people to bring her some nourishing products.
Mo Huawen did not have many children and only Auntie Fang had given him a son up till now. When he heard the good news, he was exhilarated. He ordered the servants to send all the good food and products straight to Lihua Garden. However, he did not forget his Third Daughter whom he felt guilty towards. After he gave the order, he paused and said, "Don't forget about Qingwei Garden as well."
Auntie Fang who heard that gritted her teeth in secret, a dark look appearing in her eyes.
She had announced her pregnancy now because she wanted to help Mo Xuemin out of her current predicament and turn everyone's attention from Mo Xuemin. Secondly, she naturally wanted to use the good news to help Mo Huawen forget what happened in the past. Mo Huawen was in a good mood right now. If she brought more good news, Mo Huawen would think that the child had come at a right time and would think better of her. She would be able to become the main wife then. However, she did not think that Mo Huawen would still be thinking of Mo Xuetong then. How could she not be enraged?
After being locked up, Auntie Fang naturally knew what she should say at a time like this. She hurried forward and said with a tender expression and ordered, "If there's anything good, send them to Third Miss first. Her health is poor and she fainted this morning again. She even shocked old madam. If news of this spreads, they would say that we are mistreating our main daughter…Old Sir, get a physician to come later. Third Miss might have caught an illness that we do not know about. Her health is really poor."
Auntie Fang said the first half of the statement to Mo Huawen. Mo Xuetong was described as a weak and sickly young lady who faint all the time. Mo Xuemin was the concerned sister who had been implicated by her younger sister because she had been worried for her.
"Yes, get a physician to treat Tong'er. What are we to do with her poor health?" Mo Huawen said lightly after a while.
"Third Miss' health has to be treated carefully. She is a young girl and looks as delicate as a flower. She must not fall ill, or it would be hard on her when she marries. Fortunately, I am done with my physician. Old Sir, do you want this physician to take a look at Third Miss? I heard that she still hasn't gotten out of bed yet. I hope it's nothing serious." Auntie Fang heaved a sigh of relief when she saw that Mo Huawen had not gotten angry. She spoke even more kindly and tried her best to look like a benevolent mother.
Mo Huawen's smile grew gentler, as did the way he looked at her.
The physician who had taken Auntie Fang's pulse earlier was a famous physician in the capital. He had yet to leave and was packing his things in the outer room. Mo Huawen nodded and told the servants to bring the physician to Mo Xuetong's Qingwei Garden.
Everyone else in the room left. Even Auntie Fang's two personal maids were also waiting outside. Then, Auntie Fang carefully brought up Mo Xuemin. "Old Sir, what do you think about Min'er's situation? If we really let Min'er become His Excellency's concubine, how will others think of you in the future. What would Feng'er do in the future? It is just a misunderstanding. Min'er was just being helpful but it blew up in her face. What will she do in the future…"
Auntie Fang's eyes turned red as she spoke. She wiped her tears with a handkerchief and looked at Mo Huawen helplessly. She looked really pitiful.
Mo Huawen was now the governor and was considered a powerful official. Furthermore, he was a trusted subordinate of the Emperor and had just received the honor of being promoted three ranks in one go. He was considered the newly appointed high official in court. Even a concubine's daughter from his manor could become a main wife in any court official's home. The Duke's Manor had long fallen. If put nicely, then were a family that had performed meritorious service. But otherwise, they were just a fallen manor with no true duties. Mo Huawen truly did not think much of them.
The Duke's Manor was asking for too much, asking him to let his very much doted on daughter to be a concubine in their family.
However, Mo Xuemin had been seen by everyone hugging a man with her clothes in disarray. Mo Huawen could not deny it even if he wanted to. Mo Huawen used to think highly of Sima Lingyun. But now that something like this had happened, the Duke's Manor was trying to take advantage of them while and make Min'er become a concubine. This made Mo Huawen dislike Sima Lingyun. Furthermore, Sima Lingyun was also involved with Mo Xueqiong. Did he want both Mo Huawen's concubine's daughters to become his concubines!
How could Mo Huawen be willing! His expression turned dark.
"Old Sir, Min'er's face was not revealed when Sima Lingyun carried her out that day." Auntie Fang reminded him carefully. This was true. Mo Xuemin's hair had been a mess and her face was smudged black with soot. Her clothes were in disarray and she was in shock. She was embarrassed to be seen and hid her face in Sima Lingyun's chest, so her face had not been fully revealed.
This was the only excuse Mo Xuemin thought of after a long while. If possible, she truly did not wish to marry into the Duke's Manor. The Duchess was just making use of her, and Mo Xuemin had never truly considered the Duke's Manor. She only treated Sima Lingyun as a back-up plan. She did not think that there would be a day when her back-up plan would hold her in contempt and make her a concubine. The proud Mo Xuemin would definitely retaliate angrily.
Whenever Mo Xuemin thought of Sima Lingyun's helpless and fearful expression, she would feel angry and grit her teeth. He usually looked carefree and licentious, but when something truly happened, he was a spineless coward. He had ruined her reputation but did not know how to bear responsibility for the consequences. He had even used his power to stomp on her. But Mo Xuemin was not so easily defeated.
After some thought, she felt that the only way to resolve the issue was to move Mo Huawen. She had intentionally instructed Auntie Fang to say that.
She refused to become a concubine in the fallen Duke's Manor!