In the study, Mo Xuetong's leg had been bandaged. A strong herbal aroma permeated the air. Her face pale, Mo Xuetong sat askew against the couch. Mo Lan and Mo Yu were picking up the discarded strips and dressings!
Mo Huawen lightly coughed from outside the room.
He heard his daughter's joyful voice. "Father's back. Mo Lan, don't pick up the bandages anymore. Pour Father a cup of hot tea to warm his body."
"I will, Miss, right away," Mo Lan said with a smile.
Following that was the noise of someone plonking things down. It was a little disorganized and noisy—unlike how the quiet study used to be.
But this feeling made warmth surge up Mo Huawen's heart.
There used to be a woman keeping him company in the study. Her charming smiles and conversation diluted its cold severity. She was like the warm sun in winter, always illuminating his heart whenever he needed her.
But since her departure,
A painting was placed on a broad table. It slowly rolled open and a girl who was smiling brightly appeared in the painting. The long-sleeved coat was decorated with hibiscus, and the dress was laced with golden begonia. Red and golden pearl tassel made the girl look more charming. Authentic pearls dotted magenta top laced with silver threads were, forming the shape of a Chinese rose. She wore a jade and flying swallow pedant, dancing in front of a bouquet of purple peony. She looked vivid and more delicate than the flowers. "Your Highness, this is the top beauty in Qin Kingdom, the legal second miss of Ding General Manor. It's said that the emperor of Qin will marry her either to King Chu or King Yan." The aide was an elegant-looking scholar in his 30s. He spread his fan and pointed to the beauty in the painting, introducing. He looked casual and seemed to think little of her. "It's said that this top beauty is on good terms with both of the
The state banquet was held in Chengyun Palace. As an international banquet between Great Qin and Great Yan, it was the biggest party since New Year. It was like a party thrown on a National Day. Officials and their families were invited to celebrate in the royal palace. It didn't matter if they brought wives or sons. However, they must bring their young unmarried daughters. Everyone had a post. Two rows of beautiful maidservants from the palace stood aside. Every time they received a post, they would give a beautiful golden hairpin to the young miss. Every hairpin with a pearl pendant was the same, yet they were still pretty. The maidservants took the hairpins and put them into their misses' hair to distinguish their young mistresses from the women of the palace. Recently, it was already getting warmer and the sky appeared exceptionally clear. Several clouds in the blue sky were like girls dancing in blue waves. They looked viv
Mo Xueyan turned to leave Mo Xueqiong and took another road. After a few steps, she heard Mo Xuecai calling. "Cousin, wait for me." Mo Xueyan didn't look pleased and turned around to ask, "Why are you following me?" Mo Xuecai was startled. Knitting her brows, she couldn't figure out why her cousin asked so. "The royal palace is so big and we like different things. Fourth Sister likes to hang out there and I want to be here alone. Can't you find a place on your own to amuse yourself?" Mo Xueyan sounded displeased. "This is the royal palace and I don't dare to wander alone." Mo Xuecai looked down, fidgeted, and murmured. "If you don't want to go astray, you should follow the crowd. Look, you should hang out with the group of young misses over there. With your status, you'll benefit from befriending them." Mo Xueyan pointed, which was where they had been just now. Some misses and masters were chatting i
Mo Xueyan did not expect that joining this palace feast was one of the most correct decisions that she made. She had successfully gotten married! Even though she was married to You Yuecheng's brother and not His Excellency Ming General, he was still married into Mingguo Manor. Furthermore, she was married to a reputable aristocrat, someone she had never imagined herself marrying in the past. The only concern was that he was the son of a concubine. However, that would not be the problem since she could enjoy all the riches in the world after she gets married into Mingguo Manor. She felt herself being strangled by Ming General You Zi and felt herself falling into the lake and being saved by You Yuelin. In front of the crowd, You Yuelin saved her from the lake, hugging her tightly. As if she was dreaming, the Empress opened her mouth and spoke. Even though she did not directly order the marriage, she allowed the two to exchange to
"Daddy, Third Sister had been sending letters to someone, but yet she refuses to admit it. I showed you the letter just now, but she blames me instead!" Hearing Mo Huawen's voice coming from the doorstep, tears wailed up in Mo Xueqiong's eyes immediately. As if she had been wronged, she pointed at Mo Xuetong with teary eyes. "Third Sister scolded me for merely wanting to know who the man is." She decided to frame Mo Xuetong completely. "Fourth Sister, I wanted to ask you about the man, but you asked me instead. Didn't you receive the letter?" Mo Xuetong retorted coldly. Mo Xueqiong was a fool in daring to receive such a random letter so carelessly from the dangerous palace. If she was not careful, she could easily make trouble that results in her execution. Thus, Mo Xuetong did not want to linger further in this pointless argument with Mo Xueqiong. Hence, she turned and looked at Mo Huawen, asking. "Father, what is the letter about?"
Had she already engaged? Mo Xuetong froze on the spot. Whether in her previous life or this life, she had never thought that she would be someone that would set a marriage beforehand. If her marriage had already been set, then who was the other person? Why did he set her for marriage and yet not make a single move? In her previous life, her father forbidden her to marry into the Duke's manor, but because she was so determined to do it anyway, she let the cat out of the bag eventually. If she had a marriage set up for her, her father would use it to stop her from marrying Sima Lingyun. In that case, her father did not mention it, which meant that he did not know anything about it! But how could something like this happen? What was happening? Her mother promised her marriage to someone else, yet she did not inform her father! She had never thought that such a thing could happen. If it was real, then why did her mother have to do
"Tong'er, what's the matter?" Feng Yuran held her to his chest and asked urgently. He patted her back lightly. Mo Xuetong gradually came back to her senses as she heard the man's thick and gentle voice. She did not have the strength to push him away and grabbed his shirt instead. She did not know what she wanted at this moment and did not think to reject him either. She did not ask Feng Yuran why he was so daring as to come into her room in the middle of the day. She did not want to know anything, and neither did she want to ask any questions. She only knew that her heart hurt severely. There was a burning fire that tore through her heart. How could it be! How could it be! How could it be! "Tong'er, don't be afraid. I am here. Father has agreed to decree our marriage." Perhaps Feng Yuran could sense Mo Xuetong shaking fearfully in his embrace. He hugged her even closer to himself, his heart aching for her. He could sense that t
The edict from the palace came in the late afternoon. The little eunuch who delivered it first went to see Mo Huawen and then brought Mo Xuetong to the palace. It was rather awkward for Mo Xuetong because she had injured her leg. Fortunately, it was not obvious with the help of Mo Lan even though she was a little slow. A horse carriage was already waiting outside. Mo Xuetong boarded the horse carriage and went to the palace with Mo Lan. They entered through the main gates of the palace and went onto a palanquin that was set up for them especially. A eunuch holding a box approached them. This must have been the will of the consorts who were appointed at the banquet today, along with King Yan and King Chu's consorts. Palace maids followed along with nimble steps and the neat procession moved outwards. There were also some women who were destined to stay in the palace forever. When they arrived outside of Tianchen Palace, Mo Xueto