"I did not have a secret meeting with His Excellency in the palace!" Mo Xuemin defended herself anxiously.
How would she dare to admit something like that? If what happened in the palace was linked up with what happened later that night, it would be easy for others to think that she was having a secret relationship with Sima Lingyun.
"If not, then why did you not explain yourself clearly then? Instead, the others forced Yun'er out into the light as well. There were so many young ladies and masters there that day. Were they all confounded?" The Duchess' eyes were fierce and vicious. She stared at Mo Xuemin unyieldingly.
"But that person said that he misunderstood me in the end." Mo Xuemin said, her expression changing slightly.
"Did that person watch you the entire time, First Miss Mo? Or was he the person you were having a secret meeting with all this while? Is that why he knows you so well! First Miss Mo, I will cut the chase here. Yun'er has been taken to the Ministry of Justice and still has not been released. You just have to admit that you were together with Yun'er that night. The two of you encountered a robbery and Yun'er was injured because he was trying to save you." The Duchess slammed her teacup onto the table. However, there was a hint of a gentle smile on her face.
If she admitted that she was together with Sima Lingyun when they encountered a robbery, it would mean admitting that she had a secret relationship with Sima Lingyun. Mo Xuemin would not allow herself to be at a disadvantage. As such, she no longer pretended to be weak and gentle. She looked up and looked straight at the Duchess. She retorted, "Madam, you should not say that. His Excellency knows what happened that day very well. How could you make me bear the brunt of that charge? Even though you want to save His Excellency, you shouldn't say that."
"If you hadn't dated Yun'er, he would not have gone out so late at night." The Duchess stood up furiously. Nanny Tian, who was standing beside her tugged on her sleeve.
"Rest assured, I will have him send a big red sedan to marry you if nothing happens to him. You will be the future wife of the Marquess. I will not let Yun'er mistreat you." The Duchess forced down her anger and sat down again. She was here to plead with Mo Xuemin and had no choice but to lower herself.
"Madam, you think too highly of me. What kind of abilities do I have to save His Excellency? So many people saw us that day, and no matter what kind of miracles I can pull, I cannot save His Excellency. Please think of a different solution, Madam." Mo Xuemin refused the Duchess. She harrumphed coldly to herself. She was not interested in becoming the wife of the Marquess whose family was in ruins.
"First Miss Mo, are you truly unwilling to save Yun'er?" "Are you not afraid that I'll tell others of your relationship with Yun'er? You would only be able to become a concubine at the most then when you want to step back into our manor!" The Duchess gritted her teeth and threatened. She did not think that Mo Xuemin would be so stubborn.
"Madam, we did not have a secret relationship for you to speak of." Mo Xuemin would not relent at this moment.
When she thought back carefully, she did not think that the Duchess had anything in her hands that could prove that she and Sima Lingyun were having a secret relationship. She was very careful and told Mo Jin and Mo Xiu to pass on the message most of the time. They did not leave behind any physical evidence.
"Alright, First Miss Mo, you are really stubborn. Then we shall see!" The Duchess was so angry that her voice trembled. She stared at Mo Xuemin coldly, looking as if she wanted to eat her up.
Mo Xuemin could not help but shudder. She avoided the Duchess subconsciously while still saying stubbornly, "Madam, please go back. Father wants me to stay at home and think about what I have done. I cannot have you over anymore."
Mo Xuemin was throwing the Duchess out!
The Duchess was so angry that her expression turned dark. She stood up suddenly and glared at Mo Xuemin viciously. She ignored Nanny Tian who was tugging on her sleeve and turned away with her servants. She was a Duchess. She did not believe that she would not be able to deal with a little concubine's daughter.
"Miss, what are we going to do?" Mo Xiu asked anxiously when she saw the Duchess leaving angrily. She had been standing by the side earlier and felt very anxious on behalf of her mistress. She only realized her palms were sweaty when the guests left.
"It's alright. What kind of evidence could the Duchess have to prove that Sima Lingyun and I had a secret relationship!" Mo Xuetong harrumphed coldly. "The Duchess must be at her wit's end to come and plead with me. She wants me to admit that I am immoral and then have her son marry me. She really is a good schemer."
She was extremely eager to avoid the Duke Zhenguo's Manor right now. Why would she save Sima Lingyun? If they were to really discuss the matter, she would only be able to walk freely if Sima Lingyun was charged as guilty. Between the two of them, only one of them could take responsibility for the incident. She hoped that Sima Lingyun would take full responsibility.
Furthermore, she now had the Princess to support her. She was not afraid that the Duchess might seek revenge! If the Duchess really had a solution, she would not have come here.
The Duchess left the Mo Manor gardens huffily. When she thought of what Mo Xuemin had said earlier, she was so furious that she felt like exploding. She walked even faster. She felt that she might just die of anger if she stayed in the Mo Manor any longer.
There was a rockery in front. The Duchess turned around it without looking around clearly. She walked forward with large strides. There was a flash of a figure in front of her. She stumbled and heard a shout of dismay before she could react. Behind her, Nanny Tian had been watching her mistress. When she saw her mistress stumbling, she hurried forward to steady her. The person across them, however, lost control and fell to the ground heavily.
It was a maid who was about 13 or 14 years old. The fruit bowl she was holding smashed onto the ground. The apples and oranges in the bowl scattered in all directions. The maid was flustered and her face was pale as she picked up the fruits anxiously. She did not even look at the person who bumped into her.
The Duchess harrumphed coldly when she saw that it was a little maid from the Mo Manor. She stepped over the apples and continued on. She was furious and disliked everything about the Mo Manor. It was naturally the maid's fault that the fruit bowl was shattered. What had it to do with her?
"Oh no, Old Madam meant to give this to Miss. I heard that it was Duchess Mingyang who had brought them especially back to the capital. It's now ruined. Oh no!" The maid picked the apples while muttering to herself tearfully. She was shocked and frightened.
Duchess Mingyang? Duchess Zhenguo stopped and turned around to signal at Nanny Tian.
Nanny Tian had been following the Duchess and heard what the maid said clearly. Her expression immediately turned to one of joy. She squatted down hurriedly and helped the maid while she said, "Are these fruits really from Duchess Mingyang? Didn't they say that the Duchess didn't come to the capital?"
"Of course it's true!" The maid wiped away her tears. When she saw Nanny Tian helping her pick up the fruits, she sniffed thankfully and said, "Thank you, of course it's true. The Madam has been here for a while but has been keeping the Lady of Xian all this while. The Lady did not want anyone to know where she was, so she said that she was not spending the new year in the capital. Now that the Lady is about to leave, the Madam is bidding farewell to her old friends."
Chapter 205 The Legendary Qinglin Academy
"Madam..." Nanny Tian said with a smile as she helped the Duchess onto the horse carriage when they left the Mo Manor.
"Let's go to the Mingyang Duke's Manor." The Duchess looked extremely pleased. Then, her expression changed into one of viciousness. She gritted her teeth. That little slut, Mo Xuemin thought that she would not be able to do anything without her help. However, she did not expect that there was always a different way out. As long as Xiayu was around, Yun'er's case was not considered to be a big deal. Furthermore, she still had other evidence. Mo Xuemin would have no choice but to admit it.
It would not be too late to seek revenge against Mo Xuemin when she married into the manor in the future.
Inside Qingwei Garden, Mo Yu packed up the bowl of fruits that had been damaged in the fall. She rushed in excitedly and put down the bowl of fruits when she saw Mo Xuetong sitting down by the window, reading. She smiled and poured tea for Mo Xuetong and said with bright eyes. "Miss, how did you know that Duchess Zhenguo and Duchess Mingyang are close?"
Mo Xuetong accepted the cup of tea and took a sip. Then, she smiled lightly and said, "Both Duchess' have the surname Zhao. They are from the Hanyun Zhao family, so they would definitely have kept in contact with each other."
"Miss, you are really smart. You have not traveled, but you know about something like that as well." Mo Yu said with admiration. When she saw Mo Xuetong concentrating on her book, she smiled and left quietly.
Inside the room, while Mo Xuetong was looking at the book, her mind whirled with other things!
She had only found out about the relationship between Duchess Zhenguo, Zhao Mingyu and Duchess Mingyang, Zhao Xiayu after she had married Sima Lingyun in her past life. The two were biological sisters. However, their Eldest Uncle did not have any children, and as such, their father put Zhao Mingyu in her Eldest Uncle's care. The two sisters were separated and many did not know that they were biological sisters and that they were very close.
The Mingyang Duke's Manor was different from the Zhenguo Duke's Manor. They were not only the descendants of nobility, but also those of a general. Duke Mingyang was now under the King of Xian and was a high ranking official in the army. It was completely different from the failing Zhenguo Duke's Manor. Since Duke Mingyang had been stationed outside of the capital, their duke's manor in the capital had stayed empty all this while.
Now that the Duchess was desperate and knew that Mingyang Duchess was in the capital, she would definitely seek her out for help. Even though Duchess Mingyang might not be able to say anything in the palace, she would definitely be able to speak to the Lady of Xian Prefecture. If Duchess Mingyang pleaded with the King of Xian, who had always thought highly of Duke Mingyang, he would definitely speak up for her...
No matter how hard she struggled, Mo Xuemin would not be able to fight her fate of entering Duke Zhenguo's Manor.
Mo Xuemin had killed her in her past life. She had poisoned Yu'er to death. She had done all of that just to marry Sima Lingyun. In this life, she viewed the Duke Zhenguo's Manor with disdain. However, it was not so easy for her to get out of marrying Sima Lingyun. If she did not get the both of them together, how would she get revenge for all that happened to her!
There was a hint of a cold smile on her lips. She lowered her eyes to hide the pain in them. How could she forget, the searing and burning pain? How could she forget the sadness and hatred she felt when the poison was drained down her throat? She could see the ridicule in Mo Xuemin and Sima Lingyun's eyes through the flames. That pain. That hate...
"Miss, Sir Bai's men sent this over." Mo Lan lifted the curtains and entered with an invitation in her hands.
Mo Xuetong reached out to take it. It was light pink in color and there were a few words embossed in gold. There were peach blossoms on the edges of the invitation and it lifted one's mood for some reason. She opened the invitation and read it. On it, written in beautiful handwriting, it said, "There is a Qin meeting tomorrow. Please bring your own instrument!"
A Qin meeting? Mo Xuetong only recalled after some pondering that the Qin meeting was the gathering of noble ladies Bai Yihao mentioned the last time. They were all girls who were learning the instrument from him. Her father had allowed her to learn the instrument from Bai Yihao ever since he had, for no reason, told her father that she was very talented at it. Mo Xuetong would not believe that Bai Yihao was so silly to do something like that for no reason. However, she could not guess why he had done that. Could he just be trying to befuddle the public?
Too many things had happened in the past few days. If the weather was good tomorrow, she should go out and take a walk.
Mo Xuetong was woken up by Mo Lan early in the morning the next day. The girls going for the gathering were all about her age, so Mother Xu had picked out a long, plain colored chiffon dress. There were small purple flowers on the edges of her sleeves and the bottom of the dress. The light blue colored sash at her waist set off her slender waist. She looked elegant and beautiful and her eyes brimmed with beauty and brightness.
Mother Xu looked at her and smiled happily. She seemed as if she was proud of how Mo Xuetong had grown.
They got onto the carriage and arrived at the academy where Bai Yihao taught the instrument. It was Qinglin Academy.
Qinglin Academy was very famous in Great Qin. Ordinary folks would not be able to enter the academy. When the academy first started, it was meant only for male students. Later, a smaller female school was set up for the young ladies of noble families to learn from the master. As the only school in which both males and females could study in, and as an excellent school, only daughters from wealthy families could enter. It was much more difficult for girls to enter the school than for boys.
Mo Xuetong had heard of Qinglin Academy in her past life as well. It was because Sima Heyan could not enter the school and threw several tantrums at home. Then, she heard that the Princess was enrolled in the school as well. It was a school for the cream of the crop and the noble young ladies would feel proud of themselves if they were able to join the school.
The test for women was much stringent than for males. The young ladies could learn music, chess, calligraphy, and painting in the school. They could also make close friends and connections. Those who had good grades would be known as talented women and this title was different from the talent that Mo Xuemin was said to possess.
They would truly be acknowledged to be talented by powerful families. The girl would not only be of noble status, she would also be known to be exceptionally talented as well.
The 15th of the month had not yet passed and Qinglin Academy had not officially started yet. She did not understand why Bai Yihao would hold a Qin meeting at this time. However, he only had a title in Qinglin Academy. He taught only in spring and only took in a few female students. With his status, Qinglin would not be able to interfere with his matters.
Qinglin Academy was in the north-western side of the capital. The Mo Manor was also in the northern area of the capital and was not too far away from the academy. It took just an hour by horse carriage.
Mo Xuetong did not know what time the Qin meeting was since it was her first time attending it. As such, she went there earlier. When she reached Qinglin Academy, she realized that there were already dozens of horse carriages parked outside the doors. The first carriage was beautiful and luxurious. One look at it and one could tell that it was no ordinary horse carriage. Mo Xuetong's sharp eyes found the insignia of the royal family on it. She could not help but frown slightly. Which Princess did the carriage belong to?
Some young ladies who were dressed up nicely were at the entrance, getting off their carriages daintily. Mo Xuetong's horse carriage stopped and she got off the horse carriage. She heard a loud female voice, "Isn't that Third Miss Mo! Are you here for the Qin meeting as well?"
Mo Xuetong sighed when she heard the arrogant voice that had a hint of a challenge in it. She turned around and looked. It was indeed Ling Rui'er. The Fifth Princess was standing beside her.
"Princess, Third Miss Mo here is very well-known. She was really wild when she talked about her elder sister a few days ago." Ling Rui'er introduced Mo Xuetong. She was a distant cousin of the Fifth Princess. When she saw Mo Xuetong's delicate beauty, she grew more and more displeased. As such, she started to frame Mo Xuetong.
The Fifth Princess sized up Mo Xuetong with a sullen face. One could not tell if she was happy or angry.
"How dare you. You should greet the Princess." A palace maid who was dressed luxuriously and did not look like a palace maid at all yelled sharply.
"Greetings, Fifth Princess." Mo Xuetong sighed and curtsied deeply.
"So you're Mo Xuetong. Were you the one who had once said that Second Miss Ling's looks were average without feeling ashamed?" A flash of coldness appeared in the Fifth Princess' eyes as she spoke coldly to Mo Xuetong.
"I do not dare to twist your comment. I fear that Third Miss Ling had heard wrongly." Mo Xuetong said lightly. The Fifth Princess did not allow her to rise, so she remained in a low curtsy. She looked at the ground graciously. She did not want to fight with the Princess with her status.
"How could I have heard wrongly? You were the one who said that my elder sister looked average and that she was in a tussle with the two Princes and their relationship was ambiguous." Ling Rui'er said loudly. She looked at Mo Xuetong in a pleased manner. There was no one here to help Mo Xuetong today. She was going to see what Mo Xuetong would do today.
There was a flash of anger on the Fifth Princess' face when she saw Mo Xuetong's distant expression. She laughed coldly, "Mo Xuetong, how dare you slander my elder brothers. You have slandered the name of the royal family. How dare you. Kneel down!"
"I have never once said something like that. If the Fifth Princess does not believe me, you can speak to the young ladies present that day. I never expected that a fair person like Third Miss Ling would lie and bully others. I wonder if Third Miss Ling will speak so confidently when you see the other young ladies again?" Mo Xuetong retorted and smiled lightly at Ling Rui'er.
However, she still knelt. The Fifth Princess was the legal daughter of the Empress. She had no choice but to kneel.
The stone floor was icy cold and there was a layer of frost on it. The coldness seeped through her knees and into her bones. But she was not in the mood to care now. Her skirt was dirtied and her legs were cold. All of this did not matter. What was most important right now was that she had to bear it!
Ling Rui'er flushed when she heard that. She seemed rather uneasy. When she
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