Chapter 145 Mo Xuemin was Beaten Up
Li Youmo’s words were very frivolous. He rolled his shoulders in and looked at Mo Xuemin from the corners of his eyes. His eyes shone and a small lazy smile appeared on the corners of his lips. He looked just like a ruffian. How could Mo Xuemin, who had always placed importance on reputation, etiquette, and always held herself as a role-model accept it? She was so furious she glowered. The noblemen she had met in the past were mostly like You Yuecheng. They were gentle and elegant. When had she ever met such a shameless nobleman?
“Sir Li, you’ve mistaken someone else for me. I was at home copying scriptures last night and have not gone out. How would I have met Sir Li? You are a nobleman of the capital and you know that tainting someone’s reputation is as good as taking one’s life. I have not offended you, so why are you making things difficult for me?” Mo Xuemin still had a last bit of rational. She retracted her fiery eyes and forced down the anger in her heart as she spoke coldly.
She had stayed here because she heard that her father had asked Li Youmo to come. She wanted to “make things clear” with Li Youmo. She already understood that she had miscalculated earlier in the day. She had, in a fluster, went to her father and said that she would ask You Yuecheng to help her. Disregarding the fact that a lady would not be able to meet a male who was not from her family, Mo Xuemin was not willing to have You Yuecheng recall how Li Youmo had hugged her that day. She was interested in You Yuecheng and would not allow his image of her to be flawed.
Mo Xuemin came to her senses when she returned to Fuqing Garden. She thought carefully and in the end, like Mo Xuetong, put her target on Li Youmo. As long as Li Youmo admit that she was not the person from last night and did not spread rumors about what happened last night and still came to ask for her hand at the Mo Manor, then she would still be that noble and virtuous First Miss Mo.
Even though You Yuecheng knew what happened, as long as Li Youmo did not make a fuss, he probably would not expose her given his noble character. Even though he might despise her for a while, as long as she looked for him after the incident and push the blame to Mo Xuetong and make it seem as if she had been framed by her, You Yuecheng would not turn his back on her and would help her against Mo Xuetong.
Making him see for himself how Mo Xuetong framed her was way more powerful than just words!
If she could make this happen, then what happened last night would not be a disaster but a blessing!
Of course, the premise was that Li Youmo would be able to accept a private negotiation.
Mo Xuemin had planned and plotted and decided to stop Li Youmo at the garden. She did not care what kind of conditions came up with as long as Li Youmo agreed to say that the person he saw was not her! But she had not expected You Yuecheng to be there with Li Youmo, much less that Mo Xuetong would be with them.
She hid by the side and wanted to follow them. She would reveal herself after Mo Xuetong leaves! However, Li Youmo had claimed to be her husband in front of Mo Xuetong and You Yuecheng. If it had only been Mo Xuetong, it would have been fine. Anyway, there were on opposing sides and she would eventually beat her. What was frustrating was You Yuecheng’s presence. Even if he had other thoughts about her, it was impossible between them after what Li Youmo said.
Mo Xuemin charged out in her anger. She forced her anger down and was speaking carefully. However, there was a hint of a threat in her tone. She said that even though Minister Li was powerful, Mo Huawen was a newly appointed high official and was not a simple character. He had been supporting the Emperor since he was the crown prince.
The Li family had sent an official matchmaker and told the Mos about how Mo Xuemin had met Li Youmo yesterday and their ambiguous interactions last night. They did not seem like they were asking for Mo Xuemin’s hand and instead, seemed like they wanted to smear the reputation of the Mo daughters. As her father, Mo Huawen would definitely guard against the Lis. There was a fine line between allies and enemies.
Mo Xuetong could not help but cheer at Mo Xuemin’s words. She could still say something so calm and composed in such a situation and retort against Li Youmo. Mo Xuemin was indeed not a simple person. No wonder Mo Xuemin had been able to marry Sima Lingyun after her first marriage and got Sima Lingyun to give up hers and her child’s life in her past life!
But could her words really make Li Youmo relent?
Mo Xuetong looked at Li Youmo carefully from the corners of her eyes. His eyes were narrowed dangerously. A cold smile appeared on Mo Xuetong’s lips. Mo Xuemin had probably erred today. If she had said those words to You Yuecheng or any other nobleman who was concerned for their family’s reputation, Mo Xuemin might really be able to capture their heart. They might accept what she said even though they knew she was lying.
After all, it would be better to have a powerful ally than a powerful enemy. Everyone would choose to become allies!
But Li Youmo had always been the exception!
If he really cared about his reputation, would he be so infamous?
If he cared about the reputation of his family, would he become the biggest playboy in the capital?
If he really cared whether he had friends or not, he would not have fought for lovers from so many people. There were a few of those people who were daughters from noble families!
If he…
There was only one answer!
Mo Xuetong took a few steps back when she thought of all that. She leaned against the fake stone mountain by the side and was prepared to watch the good show. Others usually got to watch the show, and it was a rare opportunity for her to see such a grand show before the new year! She hoped that a bigger fuss would be made. It was really cathartic!
She did not know why she felt so relaxed today!
“First Miss, what do you mean?” Li Youmo narrowed his eyes dangerously. His eyes were dangerous and dark. He raised his brows and You Yuecheng was secretly alarmed. He was about to stop Li Youmo, but he had already started to cause trouble. “First Miss, you hugged me yesterday and we already had skin to skin contact. Are you going to deny it today? Or do you think I am worthless and that we would be a good match only if I were as charming as Brother Yuecheng?”
His words made You Yuecheng, who was about to approach him, take two steps back!
He had just been brought up. If he went up right now, Li Youmo’s words would grow even uglier. Even though he felt that Mo Xuemin was pretty decent, he did not want to upset Li Youmo. He was an unpredictable character and if he angered him, he would not care that they had grown up together. He had yelled so loudly that First Miss Mo had a dalliance with him. Did he still care for his reputation?
You Yuecheng felt guilty as well. Mo Xuemin had only left their private room and encountered Li Youmo downstairs. Then, he had stopped Li Youmo in order to save Mo Xuemin. The two had appeared together in Fragrance House. If Li Youmo were to suspect that Mo Xuemin was there to meet You Yuecheng and asked others about it, the matter would be exposed!
He was the Ming Duke’s son with an excellent reputation. He must not be pinned with having a dalliance with a woman. Furthermore, Mo Xuemin was just a concubine’s daughter and cannot become his main wife.
You Yuecheng backed away silently. However, Mo Xuemin was forced down a dead end. Li Youmo touched her face slightly and he spoke lewdly. Her handkerchief was about to tear from her wringing. She gritted her teeth and told herself to bear with it. She had to bear with it. However, when she saw You Yuecheng backing away, she could not hold back her anger and exploded.
She pointed at Li Youmo and scolded, “You are a shameless lecher. I have never seen you yesterday. Those were all your delusions. And now you are trying to ruin mine and Sir You’s reputation. You are so ill-bred. And you are a classless, vile person.”
Mo Xuemin really admired Mo Xuemin’s guts. She still dared to look at Li Youmo’s dark expression and point at his nose and called him a vile character. She was challenging his temper. The calm Mo Xuemin had lost control. That Li Youmo was really not simple.
Li Youmo rushed up at Mo Xuemin as Mo Xuetong was deep in thought. His eyes looked as if they could spit fire. She had scolded him for his ill-breeding, and this was something he minded the most. Those close to him knew that those who commented on his ill-breeding usually did not end up well. This comment had embarrassed him and tore open old wounds.
He had been used to being a tyrant in the capital. He had always been the one to embarrass others. When had a slut ever embarrassed him? Furthermore, those words pierced through his heart like a poison arrow. Li Youmo had always believed that if he could not bear it, he did not have to. As such, that was always how he behaved.
“Slap” “Slap” Mo Xuemin’s shrill cries could be heard.
You Yuecheng was stunned. Mo Xuetong held back her laughter and looked at Mo Xuemin. She saw that there was a large handprint on both sides of her beautiful, pale white face. The five fingers on the handprint slowly turned from white to red and swelled up. Most importantly, two streams of blood flowed down from her nose, making her beautiful face look like that of a ghost. She did not look like an elegant and gentle noble woman.
“Giggle…” Someone could not stop herself, and the sounds of giggling could be heard accompanied by a teasing voice. “Eldest Sister, what’s the matter? Why have you become like that? What’s there that you can’t talk about properly and have to scold others and fight with your arms and legs. If Father finds out about this, he would think that you have not adhered to etiquette again.”
Mo Xueqiong was with her two maids on the side of the path. She covered her mouth as she walked over and curtsied politely to You Yuecheng and Li Youmo. Then, she smiled and stood by Mo Xuetong’s side and said, “Third Sister, why aren’t you helping Eldest Sister? No matter how bad she is, she can’t go around hitting people. Look at how she is right now. She does not look at all like a First Miss. No matter who sees her…Sigh, can her face still be looked at?”
Mo Xueqiong approached Mo Xuemin as she spoke. She took out a mirror from her sleeves and stretched it in front of Mo Xuemin as Mo Xuemin panted. “Eldest Sister, look, your face looks even worse than Ah Hua’s. Sir You doesn’t even want to look at you anymore.”
Mo Xueqiong pointed meaningfully at You Yuecheng who turned his head away from Mo Xuemin in disgust. There was a vague smile on her lips.
She was here to make trouble. She was jealous of Mo Xuemin. They were both concubine’s daughters and both had marred reputation, so why was Mo Xuemin marrying better than her?
Mo Xuemin looked at where You Yuecheng was standing and saw his expression of disgust. She shuddered to herself. Did she look that bad? Ah Hua was the lowest ranking maid in the manor. She was a little silly. If she looked like her, how was she going to go on with her life?
She had initially decided not to be tricked by Mo Xueqiong and would not look into the mirror. She knew about Mo Xueqiong’s jealousy and hatred for her. But she had never really cared for the silly Mo Xueqiong. Mo Xueqiong would definitely cast stones at her while she was down. She would deal with her when she had the time to.
However, she could not help but look into the mirror because of You Yuecheng’s attitude. A bruised and battered face appeared in the mirror. She screamed immediately, “My face!” Then, she pushed away Mo Xiu who had come up to hold her. She did not care about anything else, but covered her face with her sleeves and stumbled back where she came from.
Mo Xuemin depended on that face of hers. How could she not be alarmed now that she looked like that!