Chapter 197 - The Odd Flower (1/2)
Chapter 197 The Odd Flower
“Elder Sister Ling, we asked you to talk about what the imperial consorts in the palace wear. Why are you talking about this instead?” Chen Ya’er flushed red. They were all unmarried young ladies. It really was a rather inappropriate topic.
Ling Rui’er, however, had already been embarra.s.sed several times today. She felt that she had to flaunt everything she had right now to put Mo Xuetong back in her place.
“The imperial consorts have all been worrying about it for days. They are not only picking for His Majesty, they are picking for the princes as well,” she said with satisfaction. “My aunt has been so busy these past few days. She even told me to see if there is anyone suitable amongst my friends. I think everyone here is beautiful and has a high enough status. You are all good candidates. I shall tell my aunt tomorrow.”
Her statement made all the young ladies flush red.
“Younger Sister Ling, you are confused. How could we presume to be involved with matters of the palace?” You Yue’e muttered, still bright red.
“How are you not involved? My aunt said that all daughters of officials who are fifth grade and above, between the ages of thirteen and seventeen, and are beautiful and virtuous have to enter. I think most of us here are.” Ling Rui’er looked at Mo Xuetong provocatively. “There are some people who are lacking in virtue and Aunt must quickly remove her from the selection. Otherwise, she would just be an embarra.s.sment when she enters the palace.”
She was implying that it was impossible for Mo Xuetong to be selected. She spoke as if she was going to make the final decision and select the consorts for the emperor and princes.
Mo Xuetong did not intend to argue. She honestly wanted to ignore her. She had heard many sarcastic and mocking remarks in her past life. These sorts of comments didn’t bother her in the slightest.
“It can’t be. That would mean that the selection would be extended to the whole nation.” Shen Qianxiu said, her eyes wide with confusion. “Didn’t His Majesty once say that he would not waste the effort and money of his people on this?”
“How could this be a waste of people’s effort and money? Besides, the selection won’t be that wide. The main thing is to find consorts for the three princes. My aunt said that there is no proper mistress in the princes’ manors, so they must pick well this time.”
Ling Rui’er kept mentioning her aunt. Even though she was talking to everyone, she kept glancing at Mo Xuetong. It was obvious she was showing off. The conversation turned to the consort selection of the princes and Mo Xuetong stayed quiet, only exchanging a few words with Luo Mingzhu.
It was a small gathering of girls. The conversation was not out of place. What was strange was that this group normally did not get along. The daughters of the Four Great Manors were all present with the grand secretariat’s daughter being the mediator. It was an entirely different level than the usual gathering of n.o.ble ladies.
w.a.n.g Xiuxiu had also intentionally gotten Ling Rui’er to talk about the selection. On the surface, they seemed to only be guessing who would enter each manor, but the underlying conversation was which prince His Majesty favored.
Mo Xuetong discreetly paid attention to the conversation.
The banquet ended only when the maids came to tell the young ladies that the lady of their manor wanted them home.
Mo Xuetong accompanied Luo Mingzhu and sent them off at the courtyard entrance. She did not send them off any further. They were in the General Manor and she was not considered the host.
Ling Rui’er lifted her head up high and did not even look at her. You Yue’e continued holding hands with Chen Ya’er, but Chen Ya’er seemed as if she wanted to say something else before she was pulled away by You Yue’e. Shen Qianxiu said goodbye to her politely while w.a.n.g Xiuxiu organized for them to have peach blossom wine on her birthday.
Mo Xuetong brought Mo Yu to the courtyard she’d stayed in the last time. Luo Mingzhu was sending off guests and would not return for a while, so she might as well return and rest.
She had only just settled down when Luo Wenyou hurried in. Mo Yu had not even sent in tea yet.
He was holding on to that pot of flowers, the Jade Owl!
“Cousin Tong, do you recognize this flower?” Luo Wenyou asked.
He placed the pot on the table and wiped at his forehead. He had only brought one servant with him and was afraid that the servant might damage the plant, so he’d carried it in himself.
Mo Xuetong was not surprised to see him. She’d known he’d take what Luo Mingzhu told him seriously.
“Cousin, I am not sure if it’s really the flower I think it might be.”
Mo Xuetong stood up and approached the flower. It was still a beautiful tri-colored flower. It was so beautiful it seemed unreal. The pot was filled with pieces of jade. She reached out to take a closer look. The shards of jade seemed broken intentionally, but she wasn’t sure how Sima Lingyun had used this to prove that the Fu General Manor was committing treason!
“These flowers might be a Jade Owl plant. It grows in jade and takes in the properties of the jade it grows from. It blooms in any season and is very eye-catching. Usually, each bloom has a different color. It is said that it’s difficult to find a place suitable to grow such a flower. They usually grow in the middle of jade mountains.”
“Cousin Tong, are you sure?” Luo Wenyou’s expression changed.
The cost of an entire jade mountain was unimaginable. Luo Wenyou had thought that it was expensive due to its rarity. He only realized now that no ordinary wealth could protect a jade mountain. It would be enough wealth to destroy an enemy country, and that was the wealth kind of wealth only held by a nation.
“Eldest Cousin, I think so. I once saw it on a paper detailing rare and odd objects. It takes nutrients from jade and can only grow in jade. It does not change with the seasons. I wonder what kind of friends you have to be given such a plant.” Mo Xuetong’s expression grew severe. She touched the leaves of the flowers. Even the leaves were like beautiful jade.