Chapter 352 Entrance to the Drama by Second Son of You Family
That was a small booklet, not enormous. However, strangely, it looked more like the book of accounts. It opened up once it fell onto the ground, with numbers and names of people shown.
“What is this?” Before anyone could react, Mo Xueyan rushed forth and flipped through the booklet, reading it, “Assistant minister manor, Fu General Manor… money… money?”
She seemed to be aware of something and turned away in fright, running out with the booklet in her hand towards Old Madam, who was resting in the garden. She was unable to express herself clearly, stuttering as she explained, “Grandma, grandma, it’s a booklet about the silver that uncle gifted to others… what to do.”
She was loud enough and everyone around them heard it. Instantly, the whole garden turned silent.
Old Madam was chatting casually with Xu Yan. Hearing that, she immediately stood up, “Girl Yan, don’t speak nonsense!”
Even though she was chiding the girl, she was louder, attracting everyone’s attention.
Mo Xuetong’s lips curved up into a slight mocking and eerie smile. Since Old Madam and Mo Xueyan were so devious, she would be ruthless too.
“It’s true, grandma, it is real. It is really the account book of the silver uncle gifted others. How, how, the whole family would be killed…” Mo Xueyan was anxious and nervous, frightened and overwhelmed. She continued to put on a show.
They meant that her father gifted silver to other officials in an attempt to bribe them. However, Mo Huawen had always been a small fifth-grade officer and had just obtained this position, making it impossible for him to be so rich, especially since Mo Xueyan saw many precious and expensive objects written on the list.
“Forgive me, forgive me, Old Madam! I didn’t know that an accounting book was hidden behind and accidentally knocked it down just now. Please do not punish me, Old Madam!” Two nannies ran out, crying and shivering in front of Old Madam.
That meant they completely didn’t know that it was inside. Furthermore, this was not something that two women like Old Madam and Mo Xueyan could plan all by themselves. Mo Xuetong’s smile turned even more chilling as she stood by the side, watching their drama.
“Why will there be such a booklet inside?” Old Madam was shocked as she turned around to look at Xu Yan.
“Bribery? Gifting money to others?” Even though Xu Yan was knowledgeable after staying in Fu General’s inner residence, she had never encountered such an incident before. Great Qin was especially strict when it came to matters of bribery. If a crime of such matter was committed, a harsh punishment was issued; sometimes even executing the entire family would happen.
Everyone in the garden panicked.
It turned out that the objective of Old Madam was to frame Father of bribery. As long as Father was involved in this matter, no one in the family could escape from punishment. Furthermore, this matter coincided with the disappearance of the silver meant for disaster aid at lianghu, and it seemed like the person wanted these two matters to be linked up together. Mo Xuetong didn’t believe that this was the idea of the ignorant Old Madam and the greedy Mo Xueyan.
There was a mastermind behind them!
They wanted the lives of everyone in Mo Manor! What a waste since Father was so nice to them!
Blood rushed up onto her heart as she felt a chill run down her body. She tightened her fist and felt her blood turn cold!
No wonder they came rushing in! They came in to frame Father through the commotion! If this booklet was reported to the Emperor, he would execute their entire family without hesitation, and that’s devious!
“Old Madam, we are carrying all these things? Are they all dowries of Second Miss?” A gentle and tender voice came from the door, as You Yuelian brought people from Mingguo Manor into the garden.
There were indeed people behind this! Indeed, in this case, all the links were tightly connected, and nobody from Mo Manor could escape the guillotine.
That was the person who would expose the entire matter!
Be it the Old Madam or Mo Xueyan, they had no right to report such political matters. However, You Yuelian was different; he was someone from Mingguo Manor.
Now, Mo Xuetong finally knew the person plotting against Mo Manor!
“Second young master, second young master, there is an accounting book of the silver that my uncle gifted to others.” Mo Xueyan rushed over to claim the credit. It was obvious that the two had long been in love. Perhaps it was because of the benefits that this report could bring, Mo Xueyan forgot to pretend and smiled like a flower.
“Accounting book? What accounting book?” You Yuelian’s face turned solemn as if he didn’t know anything and was frightened by the knowledge.
“It seemed that it was an accounting book about the silver uncle gifted to others. They are such precious gifts! Uncle is so rich!” Mo Xueyan laughed exaggeratedly and swayed the book around towards Mo Xuetong purposefully.
“What happened?” You Yuelian’s face turned cold and he turned around to chide Xue Yan.
Xue Yan’s face turned white but she was speechless. She knew that the whole family would be executed if such a crime was proved. As a woman, she could not bear the consequences.
Mo Xuetong walked over slowly and held her hand, noticing the deep layer of cold sweat beneath it. She squeezed her hand and comforted her worrisome heart, taking a deep breath in the process.
“Excuse me, but why is Second Young Master You doing in my manor?” Mo Xuetong asked peacefully.
You Yuelian’s eyes fell on Mo Xuetong and realized that this girl in the light blue dress was as composed as the water, her looks inexplicably stunning, with a tinge of gentleness hidden within her purity, a tinge of seductiveness hidden in her coolness. It was a matter indescribable by word, a type of charm caused by the perfect combination of elements, and extreme beauty!
That was Princess Anping!
You Yuelian could not help but secretly compliment her! He didn’t expect the girl to be so beautiful but it was such a pity that she became an abandoned piece in his brother’s plan. The thought of his brother made his heart turn cold as he shivered and became sober. If he made another mistake, he would become an abandoned piece in his brother’s hand.
He calmed down and replied, smiling, “Greetings to Princess Anping. I came here to move the dowries for Second Miss of Mo Manor. I heard that she left some dowries in this manor and thus came to move them away.”
Couples were not supposed to meet each other before marriage. However, both Mo Xueyan and You Yuelian came to move their dowries personally. This couple was indeed compatible in the shamelessness!
“Second Young Master, what do we do with this accounting book?” Noticing that You Yuelian was examining Mo Xuetong’s face, Mo Xueyan stared at Mo Xuetong in jealousy. She walked over and stood in between them, holding the accounting book up high.
“Sir Mo had always been an upright official and it’s impossible for such matters to happen. We need to give this to the Ministry of Justice and let the officials there hold an investigation so as to clear Sir Mo’s name.” You Yuelian looked at the booklet in Mo Xueyan’s hand and smiled deviously. With this booklet, he could claim credit for the exposure of bribery and enter the political field, becoming brother’s assistant. In the future, perhaps he could overtake his brother and become an important subordinate of King Yan.
The hidden meaning of his words was the exact opposite of the just words that he said. Xu Yan had calmed down and walked forth to stop them, “What do you mean, Second Miss? What gifted silver that you’re talking about? Do not spew nonsense as framing others is a crime.”
“It is very obvious to me! Are you afraid, Little Aunt? That’s right; you were only married here for a while and didn’t get to enjoy much before getting beheaded. That’s truly sad, but it’s useless now! You can’t escape now that Uncle committed such a crime! A crime that will result in your execution!”
Mo Xueyan was so proud of herself that she waved the booklet in front of Xu Yan. Thinking of Mo Xuetong’s demise made her the most comfortable like never before.
Fuming, Xu Yan wanted to snatch the booklet away. However, she was avoided.
“Little Aunt, many lives depend on this booklet. I won’t give it to you so easily.”
“Second sister, how did you know that this is the booklet about the silver that Father gifted others?” Mo Xuetong pulled onto Xu Yan’s anxious hand as she stared at Mo Xueyan coldly.
“That question should not be asked. It is obvious on the booklet that Uncle sent assistant minister and Fu General Manor many objects and much silver. Seeing that Grandma had just left, this place became the best place for Uncle to hide his accounting book. Uncle was so smart to have chased Grandma away as no one would have thought that Uncle would hide such an important thing here.”
At this moment, You Yuelian interrupted, seemingly unbiased. “Don’t say that, Second Miss. Sir Mo might have his own reasons, there might be a hidden motive to it.”
“What hidden motive. Uncle must have gifted so much silver for his current official position. It is of no wonder that Uncle was promoted several ranks after remaining stagnant for a few years. How is this normal if no silver was gifted?” Mo Xueyan smirked and looked at Mo Xuetong provocatively.
“Third Sister, it seemed that even your status as a princess of the imperial family will remain irrelevant. See, being imperial was useless before execution. Second Young Master You, do you know if Third Sister’s position as a princess would cause exoneration by the emperor? Perhaps her status as the future consort?”
“Any crime committed by the imperial family is punished based on the same laws as the peasants.” You Yuelian’s expression was all just.
“Oh my, what a pity. It seems like Third Sister will be beheaded too. Don’t worry, when Uncle and you were executed, I won’t forget y’all and I will burn some paper money for you during festivals, to the headless ghosts… Tsk tsk tsk, such pity that you will be lone ghost outside without even food!” Mo Xueyan feigned an expression of sympathy and anxiousness for Mo Xuetong as she swayed her waist and mocked her casually.
It was as if she really did see Mo Xuetong die after being beheaded.
“Mo Lan, slap her.” Mo Xuetong smirked chillingly as she raised her voice. Everyone thought that her voice was cold and harsh.
Before anyone could react, Mo Lan slapped Mo Xueyan harshly. She had been shivering in anger behind Mo Xuetong and thus released her fury in one tight slap.
Even though she was slim, she didn’t hold back due to her hatred of Mo Xueyan harming her master. As Mo Xueyan was slapped, she turned around dizzily, her left face swollen, and the roots of the teeth even came loose.
“How dare you little bitch slap me!” Mo Xueyan didn’t expect a servant to slap her and turned angry instantly. With one hand covering her left cheek, she turned to slap Mo Lan. “You are just a little bitch like your master, and both of you should be beheaded. Go and die!”
Mo Ye walked forth to stop Mo Xueyan’s hand. She threw her aside, making her tumble for a few steps, almost falling.
Mo Xueyan fell back two steps before hitting Old Madam, who just stood up angrily. Old Madam then sat down again due to the impact.
“Mo Xuetong, how dare you hit your own sister.” Old Madam pulled Mo Xueyan’s hand, stopping her impulse before chiding.
“Grandma, the crime of framing others is also a major crime. Are you not afraid that Second Sister will commit such a crime?” Mo Xuetong stared directly into Old Madam’s eyes, with a hidden chill within.
Old Madam inadvertently shuddered as she was being stared by the chilly glance. However, she immediately toughened up. “What’s wrong with Yan’er for having reported that booklet? It’s a merit, and not a crime!”
“She used her uncle’s blood for her own credit, and Grandma thought that it was reasonable? What exactly is my father’s place in your heart?” Mo Xuetong retorted back coldly. “You tried to kill my father by having alliances with outsiders and harming him. Grandma, are you looking for your death, or is Mo Xueyan looking for her death? Are you not afraid of being executed together?”
She decided to openly discuss the matter and take the opportunity to get rid of Old Madam. She could not allow her to use filial piety to suppress Father. Also, in this way, Mo Xuetong could prevent Old Madam from turning back on the family again.
Old Madam was shivering in wrath after being directly scolded by Mo Xuetong. She explained viciously to Mo Xuetong, “Your father had nothing to do with me, and had no blood relations to me. If not for your grandfather’s will which stated that he would chase Yan’er out of the Mo family if I do not bring your father up, I will not bring your father up at all if not for Yan’er. Thus, the death of your entire family had nothing to do with me. I have nothing to do with all of you.”
Believing that Mo Huawen’s entire manor would be executed, Old Madam tried her best to desperately clarify the relationship between the two, bringing up old matters that no one knew about.
“So this is the reason why you worked hard to raise me up!” Before the rest could recover from the shock, a disappointed voice came from the door.