Chapter 46 The Competition (1/2)

”Miss, shall we go up to Sir You and tell him...” Mo Xuemin stood with Mo Jin under a tree not far away. She had crushed the leaves on the ground.

”Tell him what?” Mo Xuemin laughed coldly, a poisonous look on her face. She had underestimated her third sister. She was completely different and was no longer the weak and cowardly Mo Xuetong. She even dared to go against You Yuecheng without any fear. They had conversed a distance away and Mo Xuemin could not hear what they said. However, she saw You Yuecheng flus.h.i.+ng with anger.

”Miss, we can talk about how Third Miss keeps stirring up trouble at home again. We can talk about how she's been trying to get you into trouble so that he will find trouble with her.” Mo Jin had always served Mo Xuemin and was naturally loyal to her. She hurried to give suggestions in a timid manner when she saw how angry Mo Xuemin was.

”He will only get suspicious if we say anything else!” Mo Xuemin looked at You Yuecheng who was walking away and gritted her teeth. More haste, less speed. The flower appreciation banquet was about to begin. There was still the Empress to get through. Mo Xuetong would not be able to get through today without a scratch.

The empress and five princesses sat at the main seats. The three princes who were seated by the side had attracted much attention. There was King Chu, who was gentle and elegant. There was King w.a.n.g, who looked rather scholarly, and King Xuan, the eighth prince most doted on by Emperor Zongwen, who was very handsome and charming. Finally, there was Bai Yihao, whom no one expected to be sitting there.

The two most handsome men of their time were sitting together. One was roguish and charming while the other was as pure and elegant as the moon. They attracted the shy glances of the ladies. The ladies hid their faces and peeked at them occasionally.

The men and women were not seated far apart. They were just separated by bushes of flowers. However, they could still see each other's faces through the gaps in the blooms. Their voices could be heard sporadically as well.

Even though there was laughter amongst the women, it was very soft. The men did not pay that much attention to their volume. Mo Xuetong's gaze fell on the nanmu wood seat at the side through the blooms. Feng Yuran was swirling a wine cup in his hand casually. He looked more bored than interested. There was a vague smile on the corners of his lips that seemed a little lazy. He would sometimes turn to speak with the people around him. But even from such a distance, Mo Xuetong could sense the impatience in the man.

He must have long wanted the banquet to end quickly! She knew from how he would raise his eyebrows from time to time.

For some reason, a smile appeared on her lips and her eyes started to s.h.i.+ne.

”Third Sister, what have you seen that made you so happy?” Mo Xuemin, the First Miss of the Mo family who had a good reputation, asked in a gentle manner beside her.

Mo Xuetong did not know who had arranged the seats, but the two of them were seated together. However, this could be easily explained. After all, they were a family. However, what Mo Xuetong could not stand the most was how Mo Xuemin had been pretending to be a gracious and gentle older sister the entire night. It was as if she had not noticed that the two of them had almost fallen out earlier.

Mo Xuetong could not help but be in awe of Mo Xuemin. She had only been criticized earlier, and even until now, people were still talking about her. Yet, she smiled as if nothing had happened and was just as gracious and gentle as before. This was truly surprising. Mo Xuemin's acting was amazing, she was indeed highly skilled. No wonder she had lost to her so badly in her past life.

However, Mo Xuetong was, after all, a person who had lived two lives. She was not slow when it came to handling Mo Xuemin. She turned and smiled gently, saying, ”Eldest Sister, look at the chrysanthemum over there. What kind of species is that? Why have I never seen chrysanthemums like that? Eldest Sister, do you remember the temple in Cloud City? Mother took us there then and Auntie came with us as well. There were plenty of chrysanthemums there, but none of them were as beautiful as this.”

Back then, Auntie Fang had just been a mere serving concubine. She did not have any power to speak of. Mo Xuemin had b.u.t.tered up to Mo Xuetong in everything. This was something that Mo Xuemin felt ashamed about even when she thought of it now. A hint of darkness flashed through her eyes and she almost lost the smile on her face. She breathed in deeply and immediately turned her attention to the chrysanthemum flowers. She was in the palace and had to behave even more gently and gracious than she usually did.

Mo Xuetong was pointing to a vase of beautiful chrysanthemums on the stand. The petals were a pale pink color, but there were hints of yellow in the middle of the flower. It made the pot of flowers looked rather enchanting and eye-catching.

”Even though there is plenty of that variety over there in Cloud City, how can they compare to the flowers in the palace? I heard that the flowers in Cloud City were all inferior flowers sent there by the palace. This pot of chrysanthemum is the best among them all. You won't be able to see them in Cloud City. If you like it, I can take you to the flower market to pick out a few pots. You might be able to pick out the best ones and place them in your garden. I have always felt that your garden was a little plain.” Mo Xuemin looked at the flowers as she looked in the direction where Mo Xuetong was pointing. It was as if she had not heard the underlying meaning in Mo Xuetong's words and covered her smile with her handkerchief.

”Are there more beautiful flowers than the ones in the palace at the flower market?” Mo Xuetong asked softly in surprise. There was a hint of innocent desire in her bright eyes as she looked at the pot of chrysanthemum.

”That's not for sure. After all, there is always something better. Even though there are more precious treasures in the palace, there might be others out there. If you really like this, shall we go together tomorrow?” Mo Xuemin said with a light smile on her face. Her words all made sense and she spoke sincerely. Anyone else who heard her would think that she was being considerate towards her sister.

Mo Xuetong bit her lips looking somewhat shy but she looked at the pot of flowers longingly. She could not make up her mind right there and then.

”Go on, it's alright. Even though Father likes orchids, he likes beautiful chrysanthemums too. We can pick out a pot for him tomorrow. He will definitely like it if we give it to him together.” Mo Xuemin continued.

It was rare for Mo Xuemin to be so friendly. It seemed that she badly wanted Mo Xuetong to go out with her tomorrow. Mo Xuemin was a person who would not suck up to Mo Xuetong, especially since the two of them had almost had a falling out in front of everyone earlier!

”Eldest Sister, your words have shamed me greatly. I have only considered myself, but you have been thinking of Father. If I don't go, it would look bad on me. Many thanks, Eldest Sister, for caring so much for Father. I should learn from you in the future. If you are free tomorrow, then please accompany me to pick out a pot of flowers for Father.” Mo Xuetong said, ashamed and guilty.

Mo Xuemin had already said things to that extent in front of so many people. If she did not agree, it would make her seem unfilial!

How could she not agree!

No matter what Mo Xuemin planned to do tomorrow, she just had to tread carefully!