The Qin family and the Yu family came together this time. However, the Qin family was the main reason for their journey. Only the Old sir and his wife Mdm Chen as well as the First Miss of the Yu Family, Yu Sirong, from the Yu Family came. There were only two carriages from the Yu manor following behind the horse carriages of the Qin Manor. The other family members of the Yu family did not come to the capital.

They did not send someone to contact them immediately after reaching the capital like what Auntie Fang had said.

Mo Xuemin had fallen ill. She was so seriously ill that she could not even get out of bed. Mo Huawen had no choice but to release Auntie Fang so that she could go to Fuqing Garden to take care of Mo Xuemin...

The rumors started off with a few people gossiping. Then, the rumors started to spread through the streets and the alleys. Even some matriarchs from n.o.ble families would talk about it when they met.

The concubine's daughter, the first miss of the Mo Manor had a fling with Sima Lingyun of the Duke's manor. First Miss Mo was so shameless to climb into King Chu's bed and was thrown out of it by King Chu...

The rumors grew more and more ugly. Mo Huawen was angry and anxious but could not do anything about the rumors. As such, he banned Mo Xuemin from leaving the house and locked her in the inner courtyards until the rumors abated as time pa.s.sed. However, the rumors did not abate but grew even worse. The two stewards of the manor made a fuss before Mo Huawen every day, seeking justice for their daughter.

Mo Xuemin could not explain the matter clearly, frustrating Mo Huawen greatly. He finally used the money to smooth over the matter regarding Mo Jin.

General Manor sent a letter asking for Mo Xuetong. Mo Huawen brought Mo Xuetong to General Manor personally.

Mo Huawen performed all the necessary etiquette on his visit this time. He entered with Mo Xuetong and kowtowed to Old Madam Xu and then accompanied Mo Xuetong to her courtyard. Then, he arranged all the things they brought with them. Mo Xuetong would stay with the Luo family for some time and Mo Huawen was worried that she would not be used to it. He had especially gotten servants to bring her favorite decorations from her room and set them up.

Even though Old Madam Xu was not very pleased with this son-in-law of hers, she understood Mo Huawen's love for Tong'er. She was still secretly happy and as such, she closed one eye to it despite her displeasure and pretended that she did not know about it.

Mo Huawen saw that the decorations in the yard were about done and promised to visit Mo Xuetong regularly when she asked cutely. Then, Mo Xuetong watched reluctantly as he left. The Old Sir of the Luo Manor, General Fu, was not in the capital. However, the Second Old Sir of the Luo Manor was there and was waiting for him at the front hall.

Mo Huawen had been to the Luo family's courtyard. However, he had not visited again after he brought Luo Xia to take his position in Cloud City. After he returned to the capital, he had not visited due to the friction between the two families. He was naturally unfamiliar with the place. Mo Lan brought him through the gardens and towards the outside.

He had just left Mo Xuetong's garden when he heard laughter from behind the fake mountains. He knew that it was a female relative of the Luo Manor. Even though the two families were considered relatives, it was inappropriate for them to meet without being introduced. He wanted to stand by the fake mountain and asked Mo Lan to go over there later. Just as he settled himself, a figure suddenly appeared and knocked into him.

Mo Huawen was a civil servant who dealt with doc.u.ments. He naturally could not react in time and was knocked over. He did not see who it was as he lost his footing. He held the figure subconsciously and they fell onto the ground together.

"Hey, who are you? Let go of our mistress." The maid's voice was loud and Mo Huawen let go, fl.u.s.tered. Mo Lan, who was by the side was also shocked and she went up to help Mo Huawen up. There were a few maids who helped the beauty wearing elegant clothes up. Mo Huawen glanced at her. She was in her 20s. It was inappropriate for Mo Huawen to look at her carefully. As such, he took two steps back and bowed deeply, apologizing for his actions. He then turned and was about to leave.

He did not know who the lady was. He thought that there were almost no unmarried daughters in their 20s in the Luo Manor. Fortunately, it did not bother him.

"Who is this?" Xu Yan was helped up and the first thing she saw was a handsome and gentle man. She blushed and hurriedly backed away. She watched as he left and asked the maid beside her softly.

Mo Huawen was only in his 30s and was handsome. Furthermore, he was very gentle and was at his prime. He did not behave like a lecherous man when he knocked into her and did not look at her either. He behaved graciously and in an upright manner. It made him very likable. This was especially so to women like Xu Yan who thought of herself as a dignified woman. She liked him the moment she saw him and started to ask about him with a blush on her face despite her shyness.

"This should be General Fu's brother-in-law!" The maid beside her answered uncertainly. She heard that the general's brother-in-law and his daughter were going to come to the manor this morning. Since the person had come to the inner courtyard, he was probably a relative.

"That is cousin Luo Xia's husband?" Xu Yan blinked and asked with a blush. She had long heard that cousin Luo Xia's husband was a talented and handsome man. He and cousin Luo Xia were considered a good match. She had heard that this cousin-in-law was very talented. The room that Xu Yan was staying in right now was right beside Luo Xia's courtyard. And sometimes, when she was bored, she would visit her cousin's room to find some books to read.

She had seen a few calligraphy pieces that her cousin-in-law had left behind in her cousin's room. The characters were proud and the poetry was beautiful. It was a good piece of calligraphy! Even though she had never met this cousin-in-law of hers, she had always hoped to find an impressive husband like her cousin. If she found someone compatible, it would not be a wasted life for her. She started to blush when she thought of that.

"It seems like it. Miss, hold on, look, that is the maid who sent the sir out. She does not seem to be from this manor. I will go and ask her about it." Xu Yan's maid pointed at Mo Lan who was turning back. She knew what her mistress thought when she saw how her mistress looked.

"That's, that's not appropriate, right?" Xu Yan blushed and wrung the handkerchief in her hands. She did not look up. She felt that it was inappropriate to ask about other men as an unmarried lady.

"It's alright. I won't say that it is you who wants to know." The maid was a smart one and walked over bravely and spoke with Mo Lan in a friendly manner.

Mo Lan told the maid about Mo Huawen warmly when she saw Xu Lan standing not far away. She praised Mo Huawen to high heavens as if he was second to none. He was a true gentleman and was a talented scholar who loved his wife deeply and doted very much on his daughter. He was gentle, n.o.ble, talented and elegant! He was a true gentleman.

Xu Yan tugged on her handkerchief as she listened. Her face was flushed and her heart raced as she looked down.

When Mo Lan returned to the courtyard, she met Luo Mingzhu who came by to talk about what happened last night. She did not go back to report to Mo Xuetong. Instead, she lifted the curtains and left, telling the maids to take care of Mo Xuetong. Then, she turned to leave and thanked the Old Madam on her mistress' behalf.

"Cousin, where did you go after the banquet. I wanted to return with you, but you disappeared when I turned around." Luo Mingzhu was still talking about what happened at the Flower Appreciation Banquet.

"Second Cousin, you did not attend the banquet at night?" Mo Xuetong's lips curled up with a gentle smile when she heard Luo Mingzhu's sincere concern. According to what she knew, the ladies of the four great manors would definitely be asked to stay in the picking of the Prince's wife. Luo Mingzhu was the only lady of the Luo Manor, so how would they allow her to leave first.

"I attended the banquet. I wanted to leave with you, but then you disappeared. When I thought of leaving, I received the Empress' summons and could not leave. Had I known that, I would have left first." Luo Mingzhu looked slightly upset. She did not look happy to be part of the picks for the Princes' wives.

"Was the night banquet not fun? I heard that the ladies performed their talents. What did you perform?" Mo Xuetong glanced at Luo Mingzhu. She knew that her cousin was displeased but did not understand what had made her angry. Everyone knew about the princes' wives choices. Those who could attend the banquet last night were all potential candidates. Why did that make Luo Mingzhu upset?

"What fun!" Luo Mingzhu said angrily. Then, she suddenly thought of something and blushed. She wrung her handkerchief and pouted, saying, "I played the Qin. Your Eldest Sister shone. She enthralled the princes with a tune on the Qin."

Mo Xuemin indeed did not let go of any opportunity to show off. However, the greater her hopes, the greater her disappointment. In her past life, their father had forcefully buried the matter. Mo Xuemin had laid low for a few days and after that, she was still the most reputable and talented lady among the n.o.ble families. This life, Mo Xuemin had made use of all the opportunities she had. However, her life this time would not be so smooth-sailing. Mo Xuetong would tear Mo Xuemin down from her peak, bit by bit...

"It's impossible for the Eldest Sister to catch the eye of all the princes. Second Cousin, you look like there's a prince you're interested in. Could it be that Eldest Sister had stolen your spotlight as well?" Mo Xuetong teased Luo Mingzhu when she saw her upset look. In her past life, her cousin had not seemed to marry any prince. Perhaps she was not fated with the imperial palace. However, when she saw how Luo Mingzhu looked, she knew that Luo Mingzhu had her target.

"There isn't. Don't speak nonsense." Luo Mingzhu flushed as Mo Xuetong guessed correctly. She stood up, wanting to pinch Mo Xuetong's face.

Mo Lan returned just as they were laughing. She lifted the curtains and entered, saying that the Old Madam was asking for them. The palace had sent some gifts for them.

"There's something for me as well?" Mo Xuetong was shocked and pointed to herself, asking in confusion. Even though she was smiling, she still felt secretly wary. She had not even met the Empress, so why would there be a gift for her? Furthermore, the Empress' behavior was unusual that day. However, two weeks had pa.s.sed and there had not been any news. Could she have guessed wrongly?

"The eunuch who sent the gifts said that they were going to send it to the Mo Manor. However, they heard that you were here, which saves them the trip. So they left all the gifts at General Manor. It was First Miss who attended the banquet, but you are the main daughter of the Mo Manor. As such, this gift is for you, and this is giving a face to the Mo Manor. A concubine's daughter cannot surpa.s.s the main daughter. The Old Madam said that this was just as well and she is happily entertaining the eunuch who serves the Empress. She is asking Misses to quickly go and thank the Empress." Mo Lan explained to the two with a smile. She had spoken eloquently.

"Cousin, this maid of yours is so likable. She has a glib tongue and we don't even need to ask her any questions." Luo Mingzhu chortled when she heard the long statement. When she thought of all the things that Mo Xuemin had done, but had ended up benefiting her cousin, her mood was great and she could not help but tease Mo Lan.

"The second cousin, you only know how to tease Tong'er. Why don't you take Mo Lan as your personal maid? I think your maid is the truly silver-tongued one. She must have already gone to ask around for you!" The curtains lifted and Luo Mingzhu's personal maid Yu Yan entered happily. She entered just as they were talking about her. As such, everyone in the room stared at her, and she flushed, fl.u.s.tered. She did not say anything and went to stand behind Luo Mingzhu obediently.

"Look, is there good news that you intend to tell only Second Cousin? You aren't even going to share it with us." Mo Xuetong smiled widely, holding on to Mo Lan, insistent on getting Luo Mingzhu to say what she asked her maid to gather news about. Luo Mingzhu flushed and tickled Mo Xuetong.

Mo Xuetong was tiny and frail and was no match for Luo Mingzhu. She fell against Luo Mingzhu's chest in just a while, saying that she would not dare to tease her again!

After a while, they realized that someone was waiting for them and they should not dawdle. They straightened their messy clothing with the help of their maids. Then, they went to the Old Madam's courtyard with their maids.

Mo Xuetong followed behind Luo Mingzhu. Her expression turned grave and she felt anxious. Why would the Empress think of her, a fifth-grade officer's daughter, for no reason? Furthermore, why did she send the gifts to General Manor in such a coincidence? Mo Xuemin was the one who had attended the banquet but the gift had gone to her. Even though one of them was the main daughter and the other the concubine's daughter, something like the Empress giving the concubine's daughter gift to the main daughter should not happen.

Of course, she did not believe that the Empress would make a mistake like getting them mixed up. What was the reason for the high and mighty Empress to think of her when they had not had any dealings in her past life...

Or had the Empress met up secretly with the n.o.ble ladies that day at the Flower Appreciation Banquet? Her hands balled up slightly under her sleeves!

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