Chapter 15 Mo Xuemin Gets Rejected

Mo Xuetong saw Mo Huawen turn to interfere and she smiled innocently, twirling her handkerchief. "Father, Grandmother was worried, so she said that she'd pick out my tutors personally,” she said sweetly. “I heard that they're even from the palace, better than those you'd find anywhere else. Grandmother asked me to go to her place to learn etiquette in a few days." Her tone was casual and careful. She looked particularly lovely with the gentle candlelight shining on her face. Beside her, Qin Yufeng could not help but look up with a smile and size her up. Sima Lingyun looked at her delicate little face almost dazedly, finding his heart racing for some reason. Auntie Fang, seated off to the side, looked at her with a venomous glint in her eyes. "That will do. After you spend a few more days recuperating, go and visit your grandmother at the General Manor. The old madam's choice would, naturally, be good..."Mo Huawen agreed. He thought of his deceased wife and felt a rush of guilt and grief. He looked at Mo Xuetong's eyes, so like his wife's, and his gaze became even more doting. "Father, I'd like to go with third sister to visit grandmother. I want to learn etiquette with grandmother too. It'd be good for your reputation when I go with you to functions in the future!" Mo Xuemin said with a bright smile, her expression gentle and elegant. She always pretended to be the sensible and gentle eldest daughter in front of Mo Huawen. She always seemed to be thinking of the Mo manor. Mo Xuetong smirked. Mo Xuemin was just using her to borrow power from the general manor. The four nation building generals, Ming, Luo, Ding and Fu, were truly noble and powerful families. The failing Duke's family could not be compared to them. If Mo Xuemin were acknowledged by the Fu general's family, then her worth would multiply several hundred times over. Her status as the eldest daughter of the family would be cemented. In her past life, Mo Xuemin had used her as a stepping stone. It had helped lead to the downfall of their own manor. Mo Xuetong would not forget her hatred. "It would be great if my elder sister could study etiquette with me! Father, Uncle's returned recently as well. Do you want to go visit him with me? It's been a long while since I last saw Uncle. When I was little, he doted on me. I hope he still likes me." She looked so excited Mo Huawen was quickly distracted from Mo Xuemin's request. Mo Xuetong blinked her bright eyes and looked at Mo Huawen eagerly. Mo Huawen felt a rush of love for his daughter. She looked so fragile and hopeful. He reached out to pat her head. "Tong'er you're so adorable. Of course Uncle will still like you," Mo Huawen said dotingly. However, he paused when he said "Uncle". His expression changed as he recalled that Mo Xuetong's uncle was not a person who should be trifled with. In fact, he was actually quite unpleasant. General Luocheng was one of the leaders of Great Qin's army. He had always been decisive, but doted on his only younger sister. When he heard that Luo Xia had died in Cloud City and Mo Huawen had gone to the city without taking Tong'er with him, General Luo Cheng had been enraged. He'd sent people to guard the entrance of the city and did not allow Mo Huawen to enter. If not for the emperor sending someone to arbitrate, Mo Huawen would probably still be barred from the capital. When he thought of his brother-in-law's cold expression, Mo Huawen felt a shiver run down his back. He thought of Mo Xuemin's suggestion and began to question to wisdom of the move. If Luo Cheng saw Mo Huawen had allowed Mo Xuemin to visit their house, he would probably cause trouble. If that happened, Min'er might not only lose her chance to study, but be sent beaten and sent home. He was now a close subordinate of Emperor Zongwen. If something like this happened now, he would be humiliated. Mo Xuetong looked at Mo Huawen innocently. "Father, Uncle is really fierce. It'd be great if you go with me. I heard that Uncle's killed lots of people. Cousin once told Tong'er that he's killed tens and thousands of people. He said that it took days to wash off the scent of blood on Uncle's clothes. I want to see him, but it's a bit scary!" This... Mo Xuemin's face paled and her lips trembled. On the other side of the room, Qin Yufeng held up the cup of wine in his hand and brought it to his lips for a sip. There was a hint of mirth in his eyes. "Your cousin is just scaring you. Nothing like that happened. Your Uncle adores you. He's sent people to ask about you many times. I think we'll visit your grandmother tomorrow morning. She's in ill health, and she misses you. She'd probably send someone to ask about you again if you don't go," Mo Huawen said with a smile. "That's great. Eldest sister, come to my grandparents' house tomorrow with me. My Uncle will be back in a few days, as will my cousins. It'll be really lively then." Mo Xuetong's smile grew even sweeter. Her lashes fluttered and she went to hold Mo Xuemin's hands warmly. "Tomorrow..."Mo Xuemin could not speak. How could she go to the general manor tomorrow with Mo Xuetong? When she thought of the great general that Mo Xuetong kept mentioning, Mo Xuemin started regret her request. Face pale, she glanced sideways at Sima Lingyun, but he was focused on Mo Xuetong. She turned around to see Qin Yufeng's smile. Her heart skipped a beat and the hurried to smile gently, trying to hide her anger. "Min'er don't go. Study at home. Tong'er's just arrived and will have lots to talk about with her grandmother. It's not that appropriate for you go to too." Mo Xuemin had not yet thought of a way to rescind her request, but Mo Huawen had already thought of an excuse. "What do you think?" he asked warmly. "I'll listen to father!" Mo Xuemin answered gently, looking obedient. Mo Huawen was pleased. On one side, he had his sensible and gentle eldest daughter, and on the other side, was his obedient and adorable third daughter. The two girls had different mothers, but were both smart and level headed. He laughed loudly. Even though his son was a little useless, he had two adorable daughters. The general atmosphere throughout dinner was happy. The children smiled while the concubines chatted softly. The reunion dinner was well executed and ended on a high note. Mo Lan, carrying a lantern, came to wat Mo Xuetong back to Qingwei Garden. Mother Xu went up to help undo her purple cape. "Miss, you're not feeling well. Why didn't you tell Sir and come back earlier? You must be tired. Sir is really too much. You're not even a real family, why eat a reunion dinner? If Madam was here, she would truly care for you and will not allow you to come back so late." She felt like crying as she spoke. "Don't worry. I've already recovered. And how are they not real family? It's not that late. Besides, I can't sleep this early. I've just got here and everything is new to me. The bed is unfamiliar to me too. I couldn't even sleep if I wanted to. But you and the other servants don't have to wait up for me. Everyone's tired after the long journey." Smiling, Mo Xuetong held Mother Xu's hands with and they walked towards the bed as she spoke. Mo Lan helped her to lie down and went to prepare her bath. "Miss, I dare not sleep if you are not sleeping. You've just gotten here. How could you deal with everything? Your servant cannot handle everything either, but I still have to keep an eye out for you. There were a few second and third ranked maids that came today and some servants. I looked them over, and they looked decent. But I dare not accept all of them. You'll have to be careful using them." Mother Xu whispered. Mo Xuetong understood what she was saying. She smiled cheerfully. "Just accept them. We've just gotten here and everything is new. It'll be easier on us if there are more maids and servants." "But those people were all sent by Auntie Fang," Mother Xu said anxiously. "Of course. The servants that she sent us will be competent, you just have to care about using them." Mo Xuetong said, smirking. "It has nothing to do with us if the people Auntie sent get into trouble, right?" "Oh, right!" Mother Xu paused and then smiled and smacked her forehead. "I wasn't thinking. Shall I get a few more people then? There hasn't been anyone staying in our courtyard for a long time. We have to clean it properly." If the people Auntie Fang sent over caused problems, Auntie Fang would be the one in trouble. Mother Xu heaved a sigh of relief when she saw how capable her mistress was. Her mistress was calm and composed. She had a faint smile on her lips that made others feel as if they could trust her. Since Auntie Fang had ill intentions towards her mistress, then they would bring her down with them. Mo Xuetong nodded. "Do what you think is best," she said with a smile. Mo Xuetong struggled to fall asleep in an unfamiliar bed. It was fortunate that there was no matriarch in the Mo family. Even though Auntie Fang was in charge now, she didn't have the right to ask the legal daughter to go to her place to greet her in the morning. Mo Xuetong only woke up very late in the day. "Miss, are you awake?" The satin curtains were lifted, and Mo Yu appeared in front of her bed with a smile. "Why didn't you wake me up earlier?" Mo Xuetong accepted the cup of tea Mo He gave her and took a sip. She got up slowly. It felt rude to sleep so late. "Miss did go to sleep rather late last night. I wanted to let you sleep in so you'd have the energy to go to the General's manor. That's why I didn't wake you up," Mo Lan said with a smile. She was outside on night duty last night, so she knew that Mo Xuetong had tossed and turned late into the night. "You mustn't do that in the future. People might think that I'm putting up airs." With the help up Mo He, Mo Xuetong got up. She was the only true mistress in the manor. She was the legal daughter. Many would be watching her, and she did not want to be seen as an annoyance right after she got there.