Chapter 34 Helping Father Plan His Legacy (1/2)

“We all saw that something was wrong when Third Miss knelt there. But Third Miss would not allow us to tell Old Sir. She said that she could bear with it and she did not want to make you sad...We wanted to tell Auntie but we saw that First Miss who was standing there looked fine and thought that it was uncomfortable for Third Miss because her skin was bad. We did not think that someone was so vicious to want to harm Miss.” Mo Lan knelt on the ground and spoke. She kowtowed as she spoke and tears ran down her face. The tray she raised above her head shone coldly and some of them even had traces of blood on them. It was shocking.

”Old Sir, this has nothing to do with Auntie. Auntie is in charge of the concubines and does everything she can. Auntie does not know anything about the needles on Third Miss's clothing. Auntie had gotten this clothing made for First Miss earlier, but Third Miss had come back so suddenly so she gave it to Third Miss. The needles were sewn into the clothes. Auntie would not try to harm First Miss.” Nanny Li who was standing behind Auntie Fang saw the situation going pear shaped and she quickly knelt down behind Auntie Fang to explain.

”Old Sir, there are needles in Third Miss's clothing. Why don't we see if there are needles in First Miss's clothing? She has been standing there for some time and her clothes...”Mo Lan continued kneeling and pointed at the area under the tree while crying. She had noticed Mo Xuemin hiding in the shadows as she helped Mo Xuetong out after Mo Xuetong pointed her out.

Nothing had happened to her even though she had stood there for so long.

Furthermore, why was she dressed so neatly and standing by the side so early? Could it be that she knew something was going to happen to Tong'er so that she would not be able to welcome the guests as the main daughter?

Mo Huawen understood everything and was even more furious. Veins erupted on his forehead and they twitched wildly. He took a cup of tea by his side and splashed it on Auntie Fang's face. His voice was cold and sinister as he gritted his teeth, ”Servants, take this slut away. What is a concubine doing here!”

They were holding their family rites. They must not air their dirty laundry in public.

Auntie Fang had been frighted by the sudden situation. She trembled. It was as if she had been soaked in ice water. She found it difficult to even speak.

”Old Sir...” Nanny Li made to speak.

”Shut up. Don't think I don't know what you all are planning. Tong'er is my daughter. Don't try to touch her with your filthy thoughts. Go back to your yard and stay there for a month. If anything happens to Tong'er, you'll be the first I blame.” Mo Huawen was furious and his eyes were filled with blood. He could feel his anger rising and he could not control himself. His face was red with rage and he kicked Nanny Li.

Nanny Li hit the pillar on the side. She held her head as she bled but did not dare to moan in pain. She glared at Auntie Fang furiously.

Auntie Fang was not in the mood to care about the old woman. She could not even save herself. She looked at Mo Huawen's green veins and his flushed face and did not dare to speak. Her body felt weak and she allowed to maids to take her away.

No one noticed Mo Xuemin glared at Mo Xuetong who was changing after she got changed and then leaving secretly.

The family rites were still ongoing and the Mo Manor must not embarrass themselves. They had to continue. They had invited so many distinguished guests not to embarrass themselves in front of them.

Mo Xuetong put on the clothes that Mo Xuemin just took off. Even though it was slightly bigger, it was good for her current condition. Otherwise, it would hurt if the cloth rubbed on the needle wounds. She knelt in front of the door again.

She was not allowed to get up while the guests were eating in the hall. What little porridge she had earlier in the morning had already been digested. The scent of the dishes was fragrant and attractive. Mo Yu could not hold still and moved behind Mo Xuetong. She turned to look at Mo Lan when she saw that Mo Xuetong was still kneeling.

She nudged Mo Lan's hand and when Mo Lan looked up, she pointed at Mo Xuetong and then, at her stomach to gesture that their mistress was hungry.

Mo Lan glared at her viciously. She looked inside the hall and gestured that the guests inside were going to come out soon.

Mo Yu shook a little resentfully. She only hung her head listlessly when she hear Mo Xuetong cough lightly.

Even though the guests were eating inside the hall, they were very quiet. The nobility and scholars do not speak while eating or sleeping. Furthermore, the dishes prepared by the Mo Manor did not have any alcohol. It was just regular vegetarian dishes.

Later, the guests all filed out. The two maids helped Mo Xuetong up. She lowered her head and followed Mo Huawen into the ancestral hall. She kowtowed respectfully. The guests all lit incense in the hall. Some recited poetry and the rites lasted four hours before ending.

When all the guests had left, Mo Huawen ordered Mo Xuetong to return to her courtyard. Mo Xuetong was very weak when she returned to her courtyard, she almost fainted.

Mother Xu had already prepared dinner. She hurried to help when she saw Mo Yu and Mo Lan helping Mo Xuetong in. They helped Mo Xuetong, who was hurting all over, in.

Mo Xuetong leaned against the couch. Mo He brought her a cushion to elevate her legs and knelt before the couch to massage her legs with a hot towel.

”Miss, why did you not tell Old Sir that Auntie Fang had not only tried to hurt you with the clothing, she had not even given you a good meal? Furthermore, the mat's lower surface was also made with bamboo. She wanted to make sure that you could not kneel on it for long.” Mother Xu almost wanted to cry when she saw Mo Xuetong's bruised knees.

”Mother, don't worry. Everyone's knees hurt from the kneeling at family rites. I'll be fine after resting for a few days.” Mo Xuetong comforted her with a smile. Mo Huawen had not wanted to let her kneel again in the morning. However, she insisted on kneeling. It would be a disgrace to the Mo family if there were not any children from the main branch of the family kneeling to greet the guests at the Mo family rites.

Perhaps Mo Xuemin could kneel, but why would she give her such an opportunity!