Chapter 279 The Fire Caused by a Painting
Mo Xuetong took a leisurely boat ride. She had not felt so relaxed since her rebirth and was in a good mood.
She heard Luo Mingzhu’s voice when she reached the shore. “Cousin Tong, why didn’t you ask me along. Otherwise, I could have taken the boat ride with you.” She stomped her feet with an expression of jealousy. She said with regret, “I was just a tiny bit behind you and could have caught up with you.”
“Then Second Cousin, shall we ride again?” Mo Xuetong’s eyes glimmered and she laughed.
“Emm… maybe not.” Luo Mingzhu looked at the little boat that bobbed up and down on the water surface and swallowed. She backed away hesitantly. She was only just kidding. If she really dared to board the boat, she would have waved and asked Mo Xuetong to take her along.
Mo Xuetong could not help laughing when she saw how Luo Mingzhu wanted to get onto the boat but did not dare to. She was just saying that because she knew that Luo Mingzhu would not dare to get on.
“Good, Cousin Tong. How dare you trick me.” Luo Mingzhu discovered Mo Xuetong’s teasing smile and pretended to be angry.
“Second Cousin, don’t be mad at me. I won’t do it again. I will definitely have the servants build a sturdy boat when I take a ride next time. I won’t let Second Cousin ride this kind of unsteady little boat with me.” Mo Xuetong poked out her tongue, teasing Luo Mingzhu.
They were about the same age and were thus casual when they spoke to each other. They linked arms and walked on while they chatted and laughed.
They could hear Qin music from time to time and it made the place they were in seem even more carefree and leisurely. The tall mountains were reflected on the surface of the lake and coupled with the music, they seemed even more lively.
“Elder Sister Mingzhu, Princess Anping, quick, come here and play.” Shen Qianxiu was seated behind a table nearby and watching people write. She looked up and spotted the two, so she waved and shouted at them.
“Cousin Tong, let’s go take a look.” Luo Mingzhu’s eyes sparkled with excitement and she dragged Mo Xuetong over.
There were men and women gathering around a large table. There was someone painting but the person was surrounded and they could not see who it was. There were many people sitting around the table and one could tell that the painter was popular.
Mo Xuetong was now a princess. Even though it was a Qin gathering today, it was also a banquet for the wealthy and famous. These people were unrestrained and did not speak about wealth. However, there were not many people who would not be affected by wealth and status, especially young ladies from such families. They were only here with their brothers and to pretend to enjoy acting like an unrestrained bachelor. They could also look at the handsome Bai Yihao openly while they were here.
Most of the young ladies parted courteously for Mo Xuetong and allowed her to take a seat when they saw her. Mo Xuetong could not refuse even if she wanted to. They just pushed her into the crowd. Finally, before she could react, she bumped into someone.
“Oh, isn’t this Princess Anping? Why did you rush in in a hurry? You don’t have to do that even if it was for Sir Bai!” The voice was neutral and the person sounded a little spoilt. Mo Xuetong could only sigh. Enemies always end up meeting. Why did she bump into them?
“Miss You, Miss Chen, Miss Wang, and Miss Shen. It is rare for everyone to be here.” They were none other than You Yue’e, Chen Ya’er, Wang Xiuxiu, and Shen Qianxiu. At least two of the four bore enmity against her. Judging by You Yue’e’s tone, she knew that there would be trouble ahead.
You Yue’e glanced at her uncaringly. Chen Ya’er was about to speak but You Yue’e nudged her and she stopped. Even though Wang Xiuxiu smiled gently and seemed genuinely happy, only she herself knew what’s going on in her heart. Only Shen Qianxiu greeted them happily.
“Miss You, you are here really early. You even knew that Sir Bai is going to paint. You are really resourceful unlike me and my cousin. We’ve bumbled around and don’t know what to do.” Mo Xuetong said with a smile.
With that, You Yue’e flushed bright red. She had just said that Mo Xuetong had squeezed herself through the crowd, disregarding her status, to see Bai Yihao. With what Mo Xuetong said, it now seemed like she had followed Bai Yihao here and had intentionally asked about what Bai Yihao was going to do and waited for him here.
This was embarrassing to an unmarried young lady.
Since You Yue’e was trying to embarrass Mo Xuetong for no rhyme or reason, Mo Xuetong would not sit and allow her to do so. Her sharp words were hidden beneath a layer of gentleness.
“Princess Anping is really glib. We came early because we wanted to see what the Qin gathering would be like. This is the first time we’ve received an invitation after so many years. You are really capable to receive one just upon your return to the capital. It is true that beautiful people have the advantage.” Wang Xiuxiu turned around with a smile as if she were trying to make excuses for You Yue’e.
However, Mo Xuetong knew that Wang Xiuxiu did not have kind intentions. She smiled at her and said, “Miss Wang, you are wrong. I could come to this gathering, not because of my appearance. It is because of the princes.”
Mo Xuetong intentionally emphasized the word “princes”. Wang Xiuxiu’s smile stiffened and she did not reply.
“Prince? Which prince invited you here? It cannot be King Chu for he is about to ask Elder Sister Yue’e for her hand.” Shen Qianxiu smiled with wide eyes. She brought up how You Yue’e was about to become King Chu’s consort without knowing anything and this stopped You Yue’e who was about to say something.
It was inappropriate for a young lady to talk about her marriage in front of everyone. You Yue’e could not help but lower her blushing face.
“It was not any prince who invited me. Some of the princes invited my mother. But she said that she is getting old and gave the invite to me. So isn’t it because of the princes!” Mo Xuetong said, her eyes wide and innocent. She smiled flawlessly and looked adorable.
She had not only mentioned the princes but also the Princess Royal. Everyone remembered that Princess Anping was a daughter that the Princess Royal had recently acknowledged. She was no longer the Mo Xuetong whom they used to look down upon. Even though You Yue’e despised Mo Xuetong, she had to admit that Mo Xuetong had a natural elegant disposition. Her current dressing gave her a neutral beauty.
While they were squabbling, someone had already started to praise Bai Yihao’s painting. The person said, “Sir Bai’s paintings are indeed great. The force behind the brush is strong and it is rare amongst those our age.”
Bai Yihao put down his brush and wiped his hands with a handkerchief his servant handed him. Then, he lifted his head leisurely and looked at Mo Xuetong in the eye. After a short pause, he smiled at her gently. Even though there was a crowd between them, the burning sensation was very clear.
Mo Xuetong turned away hurriedly. She pretended to be speaking with Luo Mingzhu to avoid his gaze.
She did not wish to have trouble brought upon her once more because of his tender gaze. She did not know what he wanted for he always looked at her tenderly when there were others around. It was as if there was love swirling in his eyes and he looked at her with much more emotion than when he looked at others. However, Mo Xuetong knew that he was making use of her, and that he would hurt her!
The Fifth Princess hated her mostly because of Bai Yihao. He was also the main reason why the noble ladies had so much against her. Mo Xuetong even regretted asking Bai Yihao for help when she first entered the city. If she had not been so forward then, she might not have needed Bai Yihao’s help and she would not have been entangled with him after that.
His eyes were too clear and cold.
Everyone else could only see the tenderness in his eyes. However, Mo Xuetong could see his ruthlessness and plots.
She would avoid him as far as she could!
Bai Yihao could not help but allow a hint of laughter to enter his eyes when he saw how Mo Xuetong pretended not to see him and to speak with someone else. His lips curled up and he turned around with a helpless smile. A warmth appeared on his lips that even he did not notice.
The painting had already been hung up to dry. There were many who crowded before the painting and exclaimed over his skills.
“How can there be a painting without poetry? I heard that the princess is talented at making poetry. Why don’t you compose now one to embellish Sir Bai’s painting?” You Yue’e did not like Mo Xuetong. She was from a little village. She heard from rumors that Mo Xuetong was stupid and awkward. Mo Xuetong had only been in the capital for a few days and she did not believe that the little duckling could become a beautiful white swan!
You Yue’e used to get along pretty well with Mo Xuemin and she liked how gentle and gracious Mo Xuemin was. She even wanted her elder brother to marry Mo Xuemin, which was why she had specially introduced Mo Xuemin to You Yuecheng. She would also take Mo Xuemin with her whenever there was a gathering. It could be said that she was the main reason for Mo Xuemin’s good reputation.
However, the fact was that Mo Xuemin’s reputation had ended up in tatters in the end and that not even the largest blanket could shield her from her embarrassment. She could only marry into the Duke Zhenguo’s manor because of the Empress’ edict. She even heard recently that Mo Xuemin had ignored her mourning period and was in a rush to marry into the Duke Zhenguo’s manor. Anyone would feel embarrassed when they recalled that she was once a friend with a woman like that.
One of the most embarrassed people was You Yue’e. She was the one who introduced Mo Xuemin to the other noble ladies. There were already rumors that birds of the same feather flock together. You Yue’e got along so well with Mo Xuemin, so she had to be vicious and shameless.
All of this happened because of Mo Xuetong. If not for her, Mo Xuemin’s reputations would not be in tatters. If not for her, she would not be implicated by Mo Xuemin. She was implicated by Mo Xuemin wherever she went. There were some noble ladies who had said outright that they were not willing to hang out with her. How could You Yue’e not hate Mo Xuetong!
You Yue’e tried to make things difficult for Mo Xuetong and to her, Mo Xuetong was like a thorn in her side.
“The Princess’ poem together with Sir Bai’s painting would make good artwork. I heard that the Princess recently composed a poem for the Princess Royal. I wonder if we can have the honor for the Princess to showcase her literacy accomplishments today?” Wang Xiuxiu said with a soft smile as she twisted her handkerchief.
She sounded as if she were praising Mo Xuetong. However, when one listened carefully, one would realize that if Mo Xuetong could not produce a good poem today, it would mean that she was looking down on everyone present today. There were some famous people present today who were not afraid of the nobility and wealthy. So what if she was the Princess Royal? They did not care. Anyone who took them lightly, even if it was the Princess Royal, meant that they looked down on them.
Anyone who looked down on them would be kicked out by these truly famous people from the Qin gathering. Being kicked out by these people would mean that she would be too embarrassed to attend any other sort of banquet in the future!
She was forcing Mo Xuetong to compose a poem. And it had to be a good poem that was fit for purpose!
The painting had ignited a fire. Mo Xuetong had once again been placed on a stage by Bai Yihao. She was placed on the fire. They were all certain that she could not compose a good poem.
This time was the second time he had used her to create trouble. Even though she was mild-tempered, she could not hold back anymore. Furthermore, she had never thought to be her usual mild-tempered self all the time. Some people were like that. If you continued to be soft, and be easily bullied, they would step on you all the time. Then, they would stand on the highest branch to make themselves stand out and for others to respect and admire them.
“Then we have to see Sir Bai’s work.” Since she could not refuse, then there was no need to. Mo Xuetong pursed her lips into a smile and turned to look at Bai Yihao’s painting.
Their quibble had attracted attention. When others heard that Princess Anping was going to compose a poem for Sir Bai’s painting, there was a furor. Everyone moved away so that Mo Xuetong could see the painting.