Chapter 278 - Mo Xuetong Goes to the Qin Gathering (1/2)

Mo Huawen was the lord mayor and was in charge of the security of the capital. If he did not manage to find out that King Ning, Feng Yuzhen, had secretly returned to Qin, and the matter was discovered later, the Emperor would be enraged. Her father would be the first to be implicated. As such, Mo Xuetong revealed the matter to him in a subtle manner.

Her father had not thought of it for the time being. But he would definitely be able to find out if he were to put his mind to it! Furthermore, the relations.h.i.+p between Grand Secretariat w.a.n.g and Feng Yuzhen was known to all. His daughter was really close to Feng Yuzhen right now. When more time pa.s.sed, they would definitely make a mistake. While Grand Secretariat w.a.n.g, the Empress Dowager and Feng Yuzhen were all smart and sly, w.a.n.g Xiuxiu was not yet at that level.

One could tell that she was still a little lacking from how she had violently reacted the last time.

Mo Xuetong was a hundred percent sure that news of Feng Yuzhen secretly returning to Qin was already sitting on her father’s desk!

With the information, no matter whether Feng Yuzhen really wanted to start a rebellion or not in the future, it would not implicate her father.

Mo Xuemin’s wedding had been decided upon early on.

It was set for the next month. The Duke Zhenguo’s Manor had sent someone to pa.s.s on the message that Sima Lingyun was very ill. They hoped that the Mo Manor would be able to give them a little leeway and marry First Miss Mo over a little earlier. Since it was a marriage that was bestowed upon by the Empress, it was set in stone. They might as well move it forward a little.

This was not appropriate. The Madam of Mo Manor had pa.s.sed away. And as her daughter, Mo Xuetong had to be in mourning for three years.

However, the excuse the Duke Zhenguo’s Manor gave was good enough. Since the matter between the two was set in stone and Sima Lingyun was gravely ill. It was naturally more important for there to be a wedding to bring in a blessing rather than to mourn. The dead were not as important as the living.

As such, the matter was decided.

Mo Huawen ordered Nanny Ming to help Mo Xuemin prepare her dowry. Even though he disliked this daughter of his now, he would make sure that she was not lacking in the dowry that she needed.

Xu Yan would marry into the Mo Manor in another ten days. The Mo Manor would be having an auspicious event. A father was marrying a new wife and a daughter was about to be married. Both events were to be held within a short period of time and those who could help were all busy. As such, it was quiet over where Mo Xuetong was staying. Even Mo Lan had been brought along to Yanyu House by Mother Xu to help.

Mo Xuetong had been the one to name the courtyard Yanyu House. It was where the nuptial rooms were. A character from Xu Yan’s name had been used to name the courtyard. Mo Xuetong had long asked Xu Yan if she was agreeable through Luo Mingzhu. It was said that Xu Yan had nodded with a blush on her face. It showed that she was pleased with the name and that was how the name of the courtyard was decided.

It was very busy outside and it was very empty and quiet at Mo Xuetong’s courtyard. As such, she decided to think about what to do at the Qin gathering. There were so many people who were plotting but she did not know who would be victorious in the end.

Mo Xuetong did not arrive early at the Qin gathering.

Mo Lan combed Mo Xuetong’s hair and brought her new clothes that Feng Yuran sent. It was a simple, wide white robe with large sleeves. There was a silk sash at the waist. Mo Xuetong’s long hair was not adorned with the most beautiful accessory. Instead, it was tied up with a plain colored sash that had floral edges.

Her dark and beautiful hair cascaded down her back. It brought out the stunning charm in her eyes as well as the coldness within. Her skin was supple and her features were flawless. Her snow-white clothes brought out her perfection and she seemed ethereal. Her maids were stunned and praised her incessantly.

Mo Xuetong laughed and chatted with them for a while. She got Mo Ye to check out something and only brought Mo Lan out with her.

The Qin gathering was not within the city and the horse carriage sped toward the east. After about an hour or so, a river that ran through a cl.u.s.ter of mountains appeared before Mo Xuetong. There were some tents by the river. She could see from time to time, young men dressed in simple, wide-sleeved robes and some young girls playing the Qin and singing by the river.

There were servants waiting at the entrance who took the invitations that they were given respectfully.

Mo Lan handed over the invitation and helped Mo Xuetong off the horse carriage. They walked in slowly and took a turn to realize that it was much more interesting inside than what it seemed from the outside.

There were boats on the surface of the lake. Like the wind, they stirred up little white ripples. There were some people who were dressed in snow-white clothes standing at the front of the boats. Their clothes fluttered behind them, making them look like fairies.

There were some women who were sitting at the front of boats docked by the sh.o.r.e. They laughed and talked without care or restraint that they usually showed. It was as if this were the only elegant and n.o.ble place in the world.

There were rows and rows of mountains on both sides and streams that flowed down from the mountains gently. There were some people seated by the streams and cups of wine bobbed up and down from upstream toward them. They lifted the cups of wine and drank while listening to the elegant melody of the Qin. It was all an elegant matter.

There were signs of early spring arriving. New shoots have already sprouted between the trees and gra.s.s. There were signs of green in some trees. Winter was showing signs of leaving but was still present. Together with the lake and the streams, the blue sky, and the clear waters, the majestic peaks, the place looked beautiful and magnificent.

Mo Xuetong looked up and around her. She closed her eyes slightly and breathed in deeply. She felt refreshed and relaxed.

No wonder people praised Bai Yihao’s Qin gathering so highly. It was indeed a good place to relax.

“Miss, shall we go there?” Mo Lan had never been to such a Qin gathering and did not know where to take Mo Xuetong. There were no decent looking chairs or tables and there wasn’t even somewhere for guests to sit down.

“Let’s go there!” Mo Xuetong pointed to an empty boat near the sh.o.r.e with a small smile.

The snow-white waves lifted the boat up and down and it brightened her mood for some reason. She picked up her long skirt and boarded the boat with a smile. She sat at the front of the boat and the boatman asked, “Miss, do you want to have a ride?”

“Alright,” Mo Xuetong immediately agreed.

The boat moved away from the sh.o.r.e slowly. Mo Lan brought out the Qin that they had brought along. Mo Xuetong sat at the front of the boat and strummed her fingers gently. A familiar melody flowed forth like flowing water. It was as if it had come from the heavens. It was ethereal, lively, and carefree. The music flowed in the air, bringing with it a liveliness that seemed to be able to touch one’s heart.

It was very apt for where they were currently.

Those present studied the instrument and how to play it. Many put down what they were holding and turned to look at where the music was coming from. They saw a woman standing on the small boat. Her s.h.i.+rt and sash fluttered in the wind and her long black hair was tied behind her. Her white dress pooled around her and her snow-white face was tender and like porcelain. Her eyes were like deep pools of water in autumn. She was beautiful and looked like a fairy.