Chapter 227 - The Confrontation in the Hall (1/2)

Chapter 227 The Confrontation in the Hall

After the ladies and gentlemen had their afternoon naps, the Princess Royal had snacks laid out in the hall for everyone. The people gathered around to chat. The men and women were separated into two different halls. The female guests were led to the parlor. The snow outside had already been swept away and one could occasionally see beautiful red plum blossoms peeking out from behind the cornices.

Plum blossoms were everywhere in the Princess Royal’s manor. Most of the plum blossoms were red.

Mo Xuetong was brought to the parlor by a maid. There was a luxurious carpet laid on the floor and beautiful draperies and decorations hanging above. The entire hall was luxurious and beautiful. The eight-sided palace lamps, the pink flower vases, white-jade vases with handles…There were two different sets of sandalwood tables and chairs that were placed in two circles with a heater in the middle. It was placed for people to chat while they enjoyed tea.

The Princess Royal sat in front with a smile. Fifth Princess sat on her side while Ling Fengyan sat on the other. The other ladies sat where they wished.

“Third Miss Mo, come and sit here.” Ling Fengyan said politely with a smile when she saw Mo Xuetong enter the room. She pointed at a chair beside her.

Mo Xuetong did not want to sit there. It was close to the Princess Royal and she had fought with Ling Fengyan earlier. It was rather annoying. However, since Ling Fengyan had been so enthusiastic, it would make her seem unreasonable. As such, Mo Xuetong walked over to her with a smile, curtsied, and sat down.

“Third Miss Mo, you’re late. Have you been stopped by someone? I did not see you when we took a nap. Have you gone to chat with someone?” Someone asked with warmth. Mo Xuetong turned around to see that it was You Yue’e.

“Oh, Third Miss Mo didn’t take a nap? Who did you meet and have such a good conversation with?” Ling Fengyan turned around to asked interestedly.

Mo Xuetong’s eyes sparkled. She twisted her handkerchief, looking slightly embarra.s.sed as she said, “I wanted to see the scenery in the Princess Royal’s manor and got lost. Since I wasn’t tired, I decided to walk around. Then, I met a maid in the manor and asked her for directions to get here.”

Fifth Princess, who had been watching Mo Xuetong all this while relaxed slightly when she heard that.

“Third Miss Mo, we couldn’t see who you were speaking with in the pavilion earlier. We only know that it was a man dressed in white. He seemed very carefree.” You Yue’e smiled gently as she watched silently. She picked up her handkerchief to cover her mouth as if she realized that she had said something she shouldn’t.

Everyone looked at Mo Xuetong.

There were two men who were dressed in white today. There were no other men dressed so other than Bai Yihao and Feng Yuxuan.

Fifth Princess’s eyes grew even sharper while Ling Fengyan’s smile grew even gentler.

“So Third Miss Mo didn’t take a nap because you were occupied by someone. Childe Bai has always been a gentleman and if he meets Third Miss Mo in the plum blossom forest, he would definitely speak with her.” Ling Fengyan’s eyes shone as she smiled softly. It was as if she was trying to help Mo Xuetong explain.

Everyone knew that King Chu was the husband the Empress chose for Ling Fengyan. However, he did not seem to be very interested in Second Miss Ling who was well known throughout the capital. He had only chatted with her briefly earlier during the banquet. Of course, everyone knew that Fifth Princess liked Bai Yihao.

No matter which of the two men were the person who chatted with Mo Xuetong in the pavilion, Mo Xuetong would still gain an enemy out of one of the two n.o.ble women.

“It is indeed King Chu. King Chu asked me about the young ladies here, so I…” Mo Xuetong said somewhat shyly. She twisted her handkerchief in her hands with a humble smile on her face.

The consort-selection was on the horizon and every young lady knew about this. They also knew that a few among them would become consorts and second consorts. King Chu might have become interested in someone during the banquet and stopped Mo Xuetong to ask about the girls. However, this would definitely besmirch the reputation of the ladies whom he was asking about. Mo Xuetong did not mention it earlier because she was being considerate and they could not possibly think that she was lying to everyone.

A few young ladies grew excited when they thought of how King Chu had asked about a few young ladies among them. However, they knew that there were some questions that they could not ask. They could only recall shyly if King Chu had looked at them lovingly while he was across them on the other island earlier.

“So it is King Chu. I did not expect King Chu to ask Third Miss Mo about these things. I heard that while King Chu might be polite, he does not like talking much with young ladies, but I suppose it’s different for Third Miss Mo.” You Yue’e said with a sweet smile. She even mentioned a few examples to describe how while King Chu was gentle and elegant, he was not a person any random person could speak with.

You Yue’e laughed to herself coldly. Since the Empress wanted Ling Fengyan to marry King Chu, Ling Fengyan would naturally be prepared for it. Ling Fengyan was here right now, but Mo Xuetong had spoken with King Chu secretly. Didn’t this mean making Ling Fengyan her enemy? Ling Fengyan was unlike Ling Rui’er. She would be King Chu’s consort in the future and her status would be similar to that of Fifth Princess’.

The more You Yue’e said, the uglier the expressions of the young ladies who were interested in King Chu grew. A few of them looked at Mo Xuetong jealously. Even though Ling Fengyan, who was seated by the side, did not say anything, a vague smile appeared on her face. One could not tell whether she was happy or angry.