Chapter 417 - Meeting King Chu in the Palace (1/2)
“Tong’er, Yuran is still young. If he has only you by his side, others would gossip about him. He is a prince and is of n.o.ble status. Furthermore, look at his character. He is also a young man. He would like it if there were more women by his side. He still dotes on you now because you are newlyweds. However, after this…” Consort Zhao leaned into Mo Xuetong as if she was confiding in Mo Xuetong.
“My Lady, did His Highness… did he say something?” Mo Xuetong’s face was pale. She looked up with her gentle little face pitifully. The corners of her lips shook and she appeared to have been shocked by what Consort Zhao said.
“Yuran did not say anything. He only said that the women in his manor do not please him. Sometimes, he does not even feel like returning to the manor. Tong’er, think about it. Is Yuran going back to the manor lesser and lesser? Does he return very late sometimes?” Consort Zhao saw and felt that Mo Xuetong was easily bullied and her words grew even more serious.
Compared to before Feng Yuran was more serious in his work. He naturally could not be compared to before. There were occasions where he would return to the manor. However, Consort Zhao lived deep in the palace and only became public after so many years. Her understanding of Feng Yuran’s comings and goings could not be explained.
Mo Xuetong grew suspicious. However, her expression grew more and more fl.u.s.tered. She blinked and seemed as if she was about to cry. She twisted the handkerchief in her hands, looking as if she was depressed and upset by the questions so much so that she could not speak.
She had always been gentle and charming and seemed even more pitiful now. After a moment, she looked up, looking as if she was feeling extremely aggrieved. However, she still tried hard to smile and said, “Many thanks, Consort Zhao, I… I…”
She could not speak when she saw Consort Zhao’s concerned gaze. Her eyes reddened immediately.
“Tong’er, you do not have to worry. Yuran will treat you well. Anyway, you are his legal wife. He is still young and his character is still changing. He might like this today but like something else tomorrow. That’s normal.” Consort Zhao appeared to be benevolent and kind. Her smile was full of concern for Mo Xuetong and she seemed to be completely on Mo Xuetong’s side.
“My Lady, what, what should I do?” Mo Xuetong continued to pretend to be pitiful, looking as if she did not know what to do.
“Tong’er, you don’t have to worry. I already told you that since you have to bring others into your manor, you might as well bring in someone from your family. First, the two of you can take care of each other, and she can also help you to keep a firm hold on Yuran’s heart. Tong’er, do you have any unmarried sisters? If two women can serve a husband, it would be good.” Consort Zhao smiled winningly.
Since Consort Zhao knew that Feng Yuran had been returning home very late these days, she would definitely know about the sisters of the Mo Manor. She was just playing hard to get. Mo Xuetong laughed coldly to herself but did not show that to Consort Zhao. She looked as if she would listen to whatever Consort Zhao said. She thought about it and said shyly, “My sisters are all married.”
“Then are there any close female relatives?” Consort Zhao said temptingly.
Mo Xuetong already understood why Consort Zhao had asked her to visit today. A flash of coldness appeared in her eyes. The sisters of the He family were interested in Feng Yuran. Things were already like that and they still dared to think about him. First, it was the younger sister. Now that the younger sister was in trouble, they were going to swap out the sisters and marry He Yuxiu, who had a bad reputation, to Yu Mingyong.
That would leave He Yufen to be placed with Feng Yuran!
Mo Xuetong looked up. She suddenly reigned in the tears in her eyes. She said, fragile, but also graciously, “Many thanks for your concern, Consort Zhao. I will go home and ask His Highness for his opinion. If His Highness really wants to… I, I will not stop it. I will leave everything up to him.”
“Ah…”
“My Lady, it is getting late. I shall return home now. When, when I am free, I will come and visit you again.” Mo Xuetong curtsied to Consort Zhao respectfully. Then, she held Mo Lan’s hand as if she could not bear her sadness and left dejectedly, forgetting all about etiquette.
Who would have thought that Mo Xuetong would leave at this juncture?
“My Lady!” Caichun ran after them and then turned around when she saw that their goals had not been achieved.
“Come back!” Consort Zhao’s expression was cold as she growled softly.
Caichun returned to Consort Zhao’s side hurriedly. She waved her hand and the other servants left respectfully.
“My Lady, why didn’t you say anything about the First Miss of the He family!” Caichun asked hurriedly when she saw that everyone had left.
“Do you think Consort Xuan doesn’t know?” Consort Zhao’s expression was grave and a hint of anger flashed in her eyes. Even though Consort Xuan was young, she would understand what Consort Zhao meant as long as she was not stupid. She pretended not to understand and found an excuse to leave. How could Consort Zhao not be angry?
“Since Consort Xuan understands, how dare she go against your will?” Caichun always thought that Consort Zhao was favored and felt that His Majesty cared a lot for her mistress. When she heard that Mo Xuetong had intentionally pretended not to understand, she was furious.
“Hmph!” Consort Zhao grew even angrier when she heard that. A hint of viciousness glinted in her eyes. She had given Mo Xuetong a way to live, but it was alright if she did not want it. It was better if her niece could become Consort Xuan. It would also be easier for her to control Feng Yuran. Anyway, she had to keep a tight reign over Feng Yuran.