Chapter 278 Mo Xuetong Goes to the Qin Gathering
Mo Huawen was the lord mayor and was in charge of the security of the capital. If he did not manage to find out that King Ning, Feng Yuzhen, had secretly returned to Qin, and the matter was discovered later, the Emperor would be enraged. Her father would be the first to be implicated. As such, Mo Xuetong revealed the matter to him in a subtle manner.
Her father had not thought of it for the time being. But he would definitely be able to find out if he were to put his mind to it! Furthermore, the relationship between Grand Secretariat Wang and Feng Yuzhen was known to all. His daughter was really close to Feng Yuzhen right now. When more time passed, they would definitely make a mistake. While Grand Secretariat Wang, the Empress Dowager and Feng Yuzhen were all smart and sly, Wang Xiuxiu was not yet at that level.
One could tell that she was still a little lacking from how she had violently reacted the last time.
Mo Xuetong was a hundred percent sure that news of Feng Yuzhen secretly returning to Qin was already sitting on her father’s desk!
With the information, no matter whether Feng Yuzhen really wanted to start a rebellion or not in the future, it would not implicate her father.
Mo Xuemin’s wedding had been decided upon early on.
It was set for the next month. The Duke Zhenguo’s Manor had sent someone to pass on the message that Sima Lingyun was very ill. They hoped that the Mo Manor would be able to give them a little leeway and marry First Miss Mo over a little earlier. Since it was a marriage that was bestowed upon by the Empress, it was set in stone. They might as well move it forward a little.
This was not appropriate. The Madam of Mo Manor had passed away. And as her daughter, Mo Xuetong had to be in mourning for three years.
However, the excuse the Duke Zhenguo’s Manor gave was good enough. Since the matter between the two was set in stone and Sima Lingyun was gravely ill. It was naturally more important for there to be a wedding to bring in a blessing rather than to mourn. The dead were not as important as the living.
As such, the matter was decided.
Mo Huawen ordered Nanny Ming to help Mo Xuemin prepare her dowry. Even though he disliked this daughter of his now, he would make sure that she was not lacking in the dowry that she needed.
Xu Yan would marry into the Mo Manor in another ten days. The Mo Manor would be having an auspicious event. A father was marrying a new wife and a daughter was about to be married. Both events were to be held within a short period of time and those who could help were all busy. As such, it was quiet over where Mo Xuetong was staying. Even Mo Lan had been brought along to Yanyu House by Mother Xu to help.
Mo Xuetong had been the one to name the courtyard Yanyu House. It was where the nuptial rooms were. A character from Xu Yan’s name had been used to name the courtyard. Mo Xuetong had long asked Xu Yan if she was agreeable through Luo Mingzhu. It was said that Xu Yan had nodded with a blush on her face. It showed that she was pleased with the name and that was how the name of the courtyard was decided.
It was very busy outside and it was very empty and quiet at Mo Xuetong’s courtyard. As such, she decided to think about what to do at the Qin gathering. There were so many people who were plotting but she did not know who would be victorious in the end.
Mo Xuetong did not arrive early at the Qin gathering.
Mo Lan combed Mo Xuetong’s hair and brought her new clothes that Feng Yuran sent. It was a simple, wide white robe with large sleeves. There was a silk sash at the waist. Mo Xuetong’s long hair was not adorned with the most beautiful accessory. Instead, it was tied up with a plain colored sash that had floral edges.
Her dark and beautiful hair cascaded down her back. It brought out the stunning charm in her eyes as well as the coldness within. Her skin was supple and her features were flawless. Her snow-white clothes brought out her perfection and she seemed ethereal. Her maids were stunned and praised her incessantly.
Mo Xuetong laughed and chatted with them for a while. She got Mo Ye to check out something and only brought Mo Lan out with her.
The Qin gathering was not within the city and the horse carriage sped toward the east. After about an hour or so, a river that ran through a cluster of mountains appeared before Mo Xuetong. There were some tents by the river. She could see from time to time, young men dressed in simple, wide-sleeved robes and some young girls playing the Qin and singing by the river.
There were servants waiting at the entrance who took the invitations that they were given respectfully.
Mo Lan handed over the invitation and helped Mo Xuetong off the horse carriage. They walked in slowly and took a turn to realize that it was much more interesting inside than what it seemed from the outside.
There were boats on the surface of the lake. Like the wind, they stirred up little white ripples. There were some people who were dressed in snow-white clothes standing at the front of the boats. Their clothes fluttered behind them, making them look like fairies.
There were some women who were sitting at the front of boats docked by the shore. They laughed and talked without care or restraint that they usually showed. It was as if this were the only elegant and noble place in the world.
There were rows and rows of mountains on both sides and streams that flowed down from the mountains gently. There were some people seated by the streams and cups of wine bobbed up and down from upstream toward them. They lifted the cups of wine and drank while listening to the elegant melody of the Qin. It was all an elegant matter.
There were signs of early spring arriving. New shoots have already sprouted between the trees and grass. There were signs of green in some trees. Winter was showing signs of leaving but was still present. Together with the lake and the streams, the blue sky, and the clear waters, the majestic peaks, the place looked beautiful and magnificent.
Mo Xuetong looked up and around her. She closed her eyes slightly and breathed in deeply. She felt refreshed and relaxed.
No wonder people praised Bai Yihao’s Qin gathering so highly. It was indeed a good place to relax.
“Miss, shall we go there?” Mo Lan had never been to such a Qin gathering and did not know where to take Mo Xuetong. There were no decent looking chairs or tables and there wasn’t even somewhere for guests to sit down.
“Let’s go there!” Mo Xuetong pointed to an empty boat near the shore with a small smile.
The snow-white waves lifted the boat up and down and it brightened her mood for some reason. She picked up her long skirt and boarded the boat with a smile. She sat at the front of the boat and the boatman asked, “Miss, do you want to have a ride?”
“Alright,” Mo Xuetong immediately agreed.
The boat moved away from the shore slowly. Mo Lan brought out the Qin that they had brought along. Mo Xuetong sat at the front of the boat and strummed her fingers gently. A familiar melody flowed forth like flowing water. It was as if it had come from the heavens. It was ethereal, lively, and carefree. The music flowed in the air, bringing with it a liveliness that seemed to be able to touch one’s heart.
It was very apt for where they were currently.
Those present studied the instrument and how to play it. Many put down what they were holding and turned to look at where the music was coming from. They saw a woman standing on the small boat. Her shirt and sash fluttered in the wind and her long black hair was tied behind her. Her white dress pooled around her and her snow-white face was tender and like porcelain. Her eyes were like deep pools of water in autumn. She was beautiful and looked like a fairy.
Her dress fluttered in the wind as her dark hair flowed in the wind. She was utterly gorgeous!
“She is Princess Anping! I didn’t expect her to come! She is much more beautiful than in pictures.” Bai Yichen took up a cup of wine that flowed down from upstream and tipped it into his mouth slowly. He looked at the beautiful girl in a tipsy daze. He muttered to himself moments later and a dark deep look flashed in his eyes. It was a look that only appeared naturally when a man was deeply interested in a woman.
Even though he had sent the letter, he did not expect Princess Anping to really come. He had just been trying to trick Bai Yihao. Since Bai Yihao had brought his attention to this woman, he would naturally do what Bai Yihao thought he would do. He would continue forth and make Bai Yihao think that he really liked Princess Anping. He would make him think that he was so enthralled that he was not willing to marry the Fifth Princess.
That was why he had sent the letter during the royal banquet in the palace. Even though there were not many around, there were many guards in the quiet palace! Given Bai Yihao’s ability, it was not difficult for him to find out that Bai Yichen had sent the letter to Princess Anping.
“Yes, Your Highness. It is Princess Anping. Many say that Second Miss Ling is the most beautiful woman of Great Qin, but that is not true.” The scrivener sat on a closeby rock and nodded with a smile.
“I wonder what Yihao would do if I were to marry this Princess Anping? I heard that he likes her and is willing to be hurt than for her to be injured.” A smile appeared on Bai Yichen’s face. His eyes were deep and dark and one could not tell whether he was serious or not.
The scrivener was stunned and he watched Bai Yichen carefully. He picked up the wine cup that he was holding and knocked it against the rock beside him. He laughed and said, “The reeds are green, dew and frost gleam. The beautiful woman stands beyond the stream. The way upstream is long and down the stream she stands along. White are the reeds, the dew has yet to dry. The beautiful woman stands beyond the stream. Upstream I go, the path is hard. Downstream I go, she is far away. Bright are the reeds, the dew and frost blend. The beautiful woman, at the river’s end. Upstream I go, the path winds, Downstream I go, in the stream she stands.”
A thoughtful expression appeared on Bai Yichen’s face. His gaze followed the white figure on the lake. The look in his eyes could not be read.
Feng Yuxuan and Qin Yufeng both saw Mo Xuetong as well. Qin Yufeng pretended to look as if he met Feng Yuxuan occasionally and the two drank and played music. The gentle and elegant Feng Yuxuan and Qin Yufeng, who smiled gently were both similar indisposition. When they spoke, it felt as if they regretted not having met even earlier.
It made others feel that the young master Qin was really blessed to have King Chu’s trust.
“Your Highness, it would be a good thing if you can really marry Second Miss. Why would Your Highness need to worry if you can have the most beautiful woman in the world!” Qin Yufeng said softly as he knelt on the ground and fiddled with the Qin strings. However, he did not play.
Feng Yuxuan did not reply. Qin Yufeng turned to look at where Feng Yuxuan was looking at. His gaze landed on Mo Xuetong and his warm eyes grew dark and deep.
“I’m afraid that Second Miss Ling might be physically present, but her heart isn’t.” Feng Yuxuan said lightly and looked away.
“Given Your Highness’ abilities, it would not be difficult to deal with a woman. Furthermore, the Ling family is using her as a chess piece. If she is smart, she will work with Your Highness. You just have to tell her plainly. She does not seem stupid and will understand.” Qin Yufeng looked away silently. He plucked at the Qin strings and a crisp sound emerged.
“If you are loyal to her in the future, there will not be a single woman who will be able to escape from you.”
Loyal to Ling Fengyan? Feng Yuxuan suddenly felt terrible, it was as if he had swallowed a fly. He thought of the ambiguous relationship between her and his third brother and how she had tried so hard to seduce him. Feng Yuxuan could not bring herself to like her. He found it difficult even to pretend.
He could not bring himself to like a woman like that. He looked up again and could not help but be drawn to the beautiful image on the boat.
“After the matter is settled, Your Highness, you can have everything you desire!” Qin Yufeng glanced at him and said with a meaningful smile.
“Yufeng, don’t worry. I will not lose sight of the main goal because of an insignificant matter. I will send ten bolts of cloth to Second Miss Ling when I return and ten makeup boxes. I will go to the Ding General Manor personally to ask for her hand.” Feng Yuxuan laughed after receiving a sudden epiphany. He turned around and ignored what was on the lake. No matter how beautiful the sight was there, he could not want it right now.
Even though he did not know when he started to like the woman, it was not the right time now. Compared to a woman he liked, he was more focused on his career. Women were not as important! When he ascended that position in the future, the woman would become his. She would not be able to escape from his grasp.
Qin Yufeng did not speak. It was as if he had not sensed the greed in Feng Yuxuan’s eyes. His figures continued plucking out notes on the Qin. His lips curved up without him noticing.
There was someone else who was taking notice of Mo Xuetong with malicious intentions!
“Lingyue, are you done?” The Fifth Princess turned around and asked with a sinister expression as she sat on another boat staring at Mo Xuetong with jealousy and hatred. The intense hatred made her eyes cold and crazed. She wanted to see how the slut would embarrass herself today. Everyone present here today were from noble families. Even the First Prince of Yan Kingdom was here.
If Mo Xuetong embarrassed herself here today, she would not be able to face anyone in the future.
“Princess, I have done everything you ordered me to.” Lingyue swirled the wine in the cup and handed it to the Fifth Princess.
“Take that away. Be careful later and don’t spill it.” The Fifth Princess pushed the cup away with disgust. Her gaze turned to her left and she saw the noble and elegant Bai Yihao looking at Mo Xuetong. He was elegant and even though he wore his usual warm and gentle smile, he could not hide the gentleness in his eyes.
Mo Xuetong, that slut, she had indeed seduced her cousin!
When the Fifth Princess thought of how she had chased after her cousin for many years but had never been looked at like that by him, her eyes grew red with jealousy. She was the mighty noble lady, born into wealth and nobility. Mo Xuetong was a lowly slut and could not even be compared to her finger. She only had that face of hers.
The Fifth Princess wanted to tear Mo Xuetong into pieces. She wanted to scratch that slutty face of hers that she used to seduce others. Mo Xuetong was lucky the last time that nothing happened to her. This time, Fifth Princess wanted her to lose everything.
Her cousin was the Crown Prince of a country. He would not marry a woman who embarrassed herself in front of others!
Slut, just wait…
Lingyue did not dare to speak when she sensed the Fifth Princess’ intense emotional change. She left quietly.