Chapter 198 Mo Xuemin’s Secret Meeting
Mo Xuemin received the letter from the fifth princess at night. She slipped out the back door and boarded an inconspicuous carriage by the road. The horses pulled her down several turns until she arrived at a store filled with exquisite jewelry. The cases inside the newest and best hairpins, bracelets, bangles, and earrings.
Even though it was late at night, there were still a few madams and young ladies in the shop.
A nanny in her late forties waited at the entrance. She looked at Mo Xuemin loftily and gestured for her to follow. She led her down a narrow alleyway and up a small, unlit flight of stairs. Mo Xuemin followed her up into the dark.
When she reached the top of the stairs and went around the turn, she was blinded by the sudden light.
Mo Xuemin shielded her eyes with her sleeves. That was when she saw a door to a private room in front of her. There were a few large palace lanterns hanging in front of the door and four well-dressed palace maids standing respectfully. A palace maid with a round face looked at Mo Xuemin coldly.
“Wait outside.”
Mo Xuemin stood outside for about fifteen minutes when the round faced palace maid returned.
“The princess wants you to go in.”
Mo Xuemin did not dare to say much. She lowered her head respectfully and entered.
The fifth princess was the empress’ only biological daughter. Mo Xuemin had seen her from afar but had never spoken to her. She knelt and greeted the princess, staring at her beautiful dress that shone like iridescent clouds.
“I heard that your third sister knows Sir Bai very well, so well that he even once entered her bedroom to treat her?” the fifth princess asked softly, placing her hand on a string of pearls.
Mo Xuemin did not dare to offend the princess.
“Sir Bai was indeed invited over last time my third sister fell ill,” she said carefully. “My third sister was unconscious, and Sir Bai stayed until she awoke. It was already very dark by then.”
Mo Xuemin had gotten all the details from the servants her mother had sent to Mo Xuetong’s room.
“Are there usually any interactions between the two of them?” The princess’ eyes shone with hatred. She was above this girl in ever way, so why did her cousin show concern for this minor noble and not the beautiful princess in front of him?
“I do not know if they ever meet. My third sister is always very careful and will not let me discover anything. But there is one thing…” Mo Xuemin seemed to hesitate a little.
“Tell me!” The cold order was accompanied by the sound of pearls slamming onto the table. She sounded stern and angry. Mo Xuemin shuddered.
“The day, when she entered the capital, Sir Bai was the one who helped Third Sister out,” she said quickly. “I do not know if they started anything then!”
She though she’d acted as if she was only guessing, Mo Xuemin had pretty much accused Mo Xuetong of a secret affair. Her lowered head hid the cold smile on her lips. Mo Xuetong had no chance against the princess. It was an open secret among noble ladies that the fifth princess was interested in Bai Yihao. If she saw Mo Xuetong as a threat, the princess would not let her off easily.
“How dare you. Are you implying Sir Bai some slut who goes around meeting women?” She threw the string of pearls and it slapped across Mo Xuemin’s forehead. Mo Xuemin was stunned by the assault and she hurriedly kowtowed.
“I would not dare, I would not dare! I am only speaking the truth on Your Highness’ orders.”
Her pale and delicate forehead was red and swollen, but she did not dare to stop kowtowing.
The fifth princess’ expression grew warmer when she saw Mo Xuemin fear and respect.
“Stop. Tell me, what do you want me to help you with?” she asked more softly, looking satisfied.
“I dare not ask for much. I only hope that I can serve Your Highness.”
Mo Xuemin was secretly delighted. And her worries gradually eased. With the fifth princess’ help, it would not be so easy for her father to send her to Sima Lingyun’s manor. She would not allow herself to become Sima Lingyun’s woman just like that.
After the incident, Duke Zhenguo’s family would only fall further into ruins. If she had once been fond of the gentlemanly Sima Lingyun, she was now disgusted by him. His name felt like accidentally swallowing a fly. She would never marry such a stupid and useless man. With Duke Zhenguo’s manor on the decline, Sima Lingyun was not even worthy to be her backup plan.
She would not marry Sima Lingyun and die with Duke Zhenguo…
Of course, she also knew that the princess was arrogant. She might not succeed if she asked the princess directly, so she focused on seeming loyal. If the fifth princess wanted to deal with Mo Xuetong, Mo Xuemin was her best weapon. If she wanted to use Mo Xuemin, then she would have to protect her.
“Take the pearls. They’re a gift from me.”
The fifth princess did not agree, but she didn’t refuse the offer either She stood up, her beautiful dress sweeping by Mo Xuemin’s face indifferently. The servants from the palace walked behind her, only leaving behind a string of round pearls that fell to the ground.
Mo Xuemin picked up the pearls. A dark look crossed her face. Auntie Fang still had a chance. So did she. She could not afford to waste it.
—
In Qingwei Garden.
Mo Lan distributed the little gifts that Mo Xuetong brought back. Not only did everyone receive a scented pouch, they each got the tael of silver inside. The female servants all received two flowers as well. Everyone was delighted and, when they saw the senior maids walking out, they greeted them with excitement. A few older female servants took leave from Mother Xu to bring the flowers home for their daughters.
Mo Xuetong rested for a while. Finally, a maid came to report her father was home.
She stood up quickly and went to greet her father. She had only just reached the door when Mo Huawen picked up the curtains and entered. He was in good spirits.
“Tong’er, the situation at home recently has been tense and Old Madam did not feel comfortable spending the new year here. In a few days, I will invite a few of our relatives who live in the capital over and we can liven things up.”
The Old Madam had been in a bad mood ever since the incident with Lan Xinru. She kept sighing, and it made Mo Huawen feel guilty. Besides, it was rare for the elderly woman to spend the new year in his home. He had to make her feel at ease.
Mo Xuetong served tea to Mo Huawen herself.
“Father, it’s your decision how to handle things, but do you still have the scented pouch I asked you to return to Auntie Xu Yan? Aunt Xu Yan asked me about it this morning. I said you’ve returned it already, but she did not believe me!”
He had already used the scented pouch to deal with the Old Madam. How was he going to return it?
Mo Huawen flushed, and he took a drink of tea to hide his awkward expression.
He coughed.
“I don’t know where I placed the pouch. I haven’t been able to find it since I left the courtyard.”
“What do we do!” Mo Xuetong looked at him with wide, sincere eyes. “The reputation of a girl is very important. If someone with bad intentions took it, it would kill her!”
“But it would be such an unlikely coincidence, right?” Mo Huawen coughed again.
“Why not? This is a matter of life and death. Father, I have to go look for it.” Mo Xuetong stood up, looking very anxious. “Father, you said you lost it after you left my courtyard? Maybe it’s still in the garden. Even if it’s not in the garden, it should still be in the manor. I have to ask the servants to all look for it.”
She headed to give instructions to Mo Lan.
“Tong’er, don’t worry.” Mo Huawen tugged on Mo Xuetong’s sleeve. “Since you are worried about your Aunt’s reputation, then you shouldn’t make such a show out of it. If someone has ill intentions towards her, it would make things worse.”
Of course, he knew where the pouch was. Old Madam had gotten it when Lan Xinru had upset him, and his mother insisted she was the best person to best candidate for the matriarch of Mo manor. Mo Huawen had gotten so angry he’d shown her the pouch, declaring it belonged to a girl he had feelings for and that Miss Lan was not a good match. Old Madam Mo had nearly fainted in rage.
She’d taken the scented pouch away, saying that it was immoral for a government official to be exchanging secret gifts with a girl. He had not minded then. He’d thought that he had stopped the Old Madam from forcing him to marry. Now that Mo Xuetong suddenly asked him for the pouch, where was he going to find one?
Furthermore, if Mo Xuetong made a show of finding the scented pouch in her courtyard, the Old Madam would find out about it. If that happened, she would insist he marry Lan Xinru.
Mo Xuetong pouted.
“But what should I do if I can’t look for it?”
“It’s alright. I’ll deal with it. I’ll try to find it secretly.”
Mo Huawen’s laughed dryly, but his forehead was covered in nervous sweat. How was he going to find it? The old madam would never return it to him. He thought he’d managed to dodge the bullet then, not realizing he’d triggered another that was heading towards him now.
“Please act fast, Father. I heard that Grandmother is picking out a husband for Aunt Xu Yan. If you still do not find it by then and ruin her marriage, you have to take responsibility for it.” Mo Xuetong said worriedly.
She looked at the nervous sweat on her father’s forehead and had to stifle her laughter. Instead, she kept staring at him in silent worry.
Mo Huawen’s expression grew even more unnatural.
“It’s alright, it’s alright. I will take responsibility for it,” he agreed, not really paying attention to the meaning.
“Father, are you really going to take responsibility for Aunt Xu Yan?” Mo Xuetong’s worried expression relaxed as she cried joyfully. “That’s great. Father, if you marry Aunt, she will treat me well. And I won’t have to worry that my new mother will make things difficult for me and bullying me.”
“Oh…” Mo Huawen was speechless.
“Father, if Aunt becomes my mother, she can come help take care of me. Ever since Mother passed away, I’ve felt so afraid.”
She looked up, eyes clouded with tears. Even though she smiled warmly, it made Mo Huawen’s heart ache.
Tong’er did not have a mother to dote on her and he did not have time to take her outshopping or to see friends. He knew how his consorts treated her. His heart softened, and he reached out to hold her close, patting her gently on the shoulder..
“Tong’er, if you like Aunt Xu Yan, shall we invite her to the manor to keep you company?”
Xu Yan was gentle, polite, and gracious. When she saw him, she didn’t act like a lovesick fool like Lan Xinru. Besides, she truly treated Tong’er well. She kept Tong’er company over the past few days and treated her very well. When he came over the last time, he could hear Tong’er’s laughter from the courtyard entrance. It had been a long time since he had heard Tong’er laughing so happily.
Thinking of that laugh, his decision was made. Things had already gone this far. He would choose her to become his wife.
“Thank you, Father!”
Mo Xuetong laid in Mo Huawen’s embrace. The joy spread across her face like a flower in bloom.