Chapter 53 Mo Xuemins Tattered Reputation is Made Known Far and Wide (1/2)

Mo Huawen opened his eyes and was stunned to see his daughter holding the serving platter. His gaze moved from her to the platter she held. On it was a bowl of plain porridge, a dish of pickled cuc.u.mbers and a plat of vinegar chicken. They were all dishes that he loved. He then turned to look at Mo Xuetong's face with a hint of sadness.

Tong'er resembled Luo Xia greatly, especially when she held the serving platter. Now that he thought about it, he realized how deeply he loved that deceased woman. If that gentle woman was still around, she would definitely prepare such a breakfast for him personally!

”Tong'er, why have you come? I am fine, I just don't have an appet.i.te.” Mo Huawen smiled and asked her, hiding his thoughts.

”Father, how can I not come since you are not eating? Will you try my cooking?” Mo Xuetong approached him with a smile. She moved away the doc.u.ments in front of him and placed the dishes on the table. Then, she handed Mo Huawen chopsticks.

”Did Tong'er make all these dishes?” Mo Huawen did not reject her and accepted the chopsticks. He reached out to pat Mo Xuetong dotingly. When had his Tong'er grown up and become sensible?

”Yes. Father, quick, have a taste. It won't be good once it gets cold.” Mo Xuetong answered with a smile. She pulled out the chair across Mo Huawen and sat down. She put her chin on her palms and said, ”Tong'er will sit here and watch you eat. Otherwise, your servant will come and complain to Tong'er later.”

”Complain about what?” Mo Huawen's worry lightened as he saw how adorable his daughter was. He smiled and took a sip of the porridge.

”Complain that there's yet another set of breakfast that no one's eaten. And then he has to get rid of it. How troublesome! Then, he would have to tell everyone he meets that the dishes Third Miss prepares taste so bad that Old Sir can't even eat them!” Mo Xuetong pouted and glanced at Mo Huawen.

This tickled Mo Huawen greatly. He paused and then laughed loudly and took several sips of the porridge and ate a few slices of cuc.u.mber and chicken. ”How can the porridge Tong'er make tastes bad? This is the best porridge and dishes I have ever tasted.”

”Really?” Mo Xuetong glanced at him disbelievingly. She looked adorable, and Mo Huawen's mood took a turn for the better as he looked at her.

”Of course. The dishes that Tong'er makes tastes the best to me.” Mo Huawen was filled with love. He took great gulps of the porridge to show how much he liked it. He looked at the crisp and sweet cuc.u.mbers and his eyes darkened. He suddenly stopped and asked, ”Tong'er, when did you learn to make such dishes?”

When he left Cloud City, Tong'er was still a n.o.ble young lady who didn't know how to do anything!

”I used to watch mother make these two dishes that you love best. After that, Mother fell ill and was too weak to make them. And then, when I was alone in Cloud City and miss you and Mother, I will wake up secretly at night to make it for myself. I feel like you are both by my side when I eat them.” Mo Xuetong lowered her head, her voice cracked slightly. Perhaps she felt something. She sniffed and then looked up with a brilliant smile. ”Just like right now. I am very happy when I see you eating the porridge I made. I am not sad at all.”

Even though she said that she was not sad, the damp corners of her eyes showed how bitterly painful the yearning was.

Mo Huawen's heart shook and he felt as if his heart was being wrung. He held the bowl in his hands, green veins bulging. His sensible and obedient daughter. How could she be so vicious to take someone's life! To do something like forcing her mother's maid to death! Someone must have led him wrong back then for him to mistakenly thought that Tong'er was the culprit.

”Tong'er, hush. I won't abandon you again.” Mo Huawen put down his bowl and hid the suspicion in his heart while he comforted her in gentle tones.

”I know that you dote on Tong'er the most.” Mo Xuetong wiped her eyes with a handkerchief and looked up with an innocent smile. She pouted and approached Mo Huawen, pulling on his robe and saying, ”Father, you promised that you'd send me to my grandparents' that day. You mustn't go back on your words.”

”Alright, alright. I will definitely send you to your grandparents' the next time you go.” Mo Huawen's heart softened and he patted her head. Right now, if she said that she wanted the moon in the sky, he would go and pick it for her.

The two chatted. Mo Huawen drank half the bowl of porridge. He had just put the bowl down when a servant came in to report, ”Old Sir, a servant ran away through the back door earlier.”

”When did this happen?” Mo Huawen was stunned and stood up forcefully. His expression suddenly became terrifying.

”This morning. I heard that two servants were arguing over a small matter and did not realize that someone left the manor. It is a steward from the manor who was about to leave to run an errand who saw him running out secretively. That's when it was discovered.” The servant reported.

”Where's the person?”

”I heard the stewards say that the person disappeared by the time everyone gathered to give chase.”

”Give chase and send someone to capture him.” Mo Huawen huffed angrily. There hadn't been a servant who had run away before. Auntie Fang was not the one in charge of the matters in the manor anymore. Auntie Qing and Auntie Mo were both kind and would not drive away servants. Furthermore, after what happened in the manor last night, he was about to give orders to everyone not to speak about the matter this morning. He did not expect anyone to escape. How could Mo Huawen not think too much into it?

”Father...”Mo Xuetong appeared to be scared and clueless. She looked at him with shocked wide eyes.

”Tong'er, go back to your courtyard. I have things to settle.” Mo Huawen was not in the mood to say anything else. He definitely could not let others find out about what happened to Mo Xuemin in the palace last night. Even though not many knew about the matter, a lot of the servants had risen before him. It was difficult to keep things quiet.

If someone spread the news outside, Mo Xuemin's reputation would be ruined.

Even though Mo Huawen was angry at his eldest daughter, he did not want her life to be ruined.

”Father, your daughter shall take her to leave first.” Mo Xuetong turned and got Mo Yu to collect the dishes and utensils before leaving.

Mo Huawen paced around in his study. After turning around several times, he stopped in front of the servant and asked, ”Is the servant who ran away related to First Miss?”