Chapter 185 The Sachet, A Token of Love (1/2)

It was not that she felt bad for Mo Xuemin. If the two daughters of the Mo Manor could only become concubines, then Mo Xueyan, whom she doted on the most, who was the daughter of a businessman, would not be able to marry well. They had come to the capital so that Mo Xueyan could go with Mo Xuemin to the banquet. There, she would be able to gain knowledge or perhaps find a good marriage.

However, she did not expect Mo Xuemin to keep getting into trouble. Even if her reputation was not ruined, it was not stellar. If she let Mo Xueyan follow Mo Xuemin around, it would drag down Mo Xueyan's reputation. It would not be appropriate for Mo Xueyan to follow Mo Xuetong around either. Firstly, Mo Xuetong had just come to the capital and her health was poor. She did not know many people in the capital and usually needed someone to take care of her. Where would she find the energy to introduce Mo Xueyan to good people?

Furthermore, while Mo Xuetong was young, she looked beautiful, gentle, and delicate. The Old Madam knew that men like girls like this the most. Mo Xueyan was not as beautiful as her and was not even as beautiful as Mo Xuetong's maids. Who would take notice of her?

She had come to the capital to find Mo Xueyan a good marriage and to send Lan Xinru before Mo Huawen. She wanted her to become Mo Huawen's wife.

Whether Mo Xuemin became a concubine or not had nothing to do with the Old Madam. However, when she realized that it would affect Mo Xueyan's marriage, the Old Madam was determined to object to it. Even if Mo Xuemin had to become a nun or had to die at home to maintain her innocence, the Old Madam would not allow her to become a concubine at the Duke Zhenguo's Manor. As such, she insisted on defaming Sima Lingyun's character.

“Mother, I understand what you mean. I will definitely find another way to deal with this matter since we have already had a falling out with Duke Zhenguo's manor, and Qiong'er and Min'er do not want to marry him. While my daughters might be concubine's daughters, they can still become the legal wife of some lower-ranked officials. The Duke Zhenguo's Manor cannot treat them any way they want.” Mo Huawen felt disgusted by Sima Lingyun, and he was determined to settle this matter.

“Alright, then that's decided. After all, you men are more knowledgeable about things outside the manor. I am an old woman of the inner courtyards and cannot help you much. But, look at your inner courtyard now. There isn't even an official home keeper. The young ladies of your household were all taught by concubines and they all want to become one. It does not reflect well on you. Right now, the only one who has good prospects is Tong'er. You must not let those Aunties lead her astray.” The Old Madam changed the topic and sighed.

“Mother, your teachings are right. My inner courtyard is indeed a little messy. I have already told the aunties not to go to Tong'er's Qingwei Garden if they do not have business there. I plan to clean out a courtyard. Qiong'er has been with Auntie Qing all these years and hasn't improved. She might as well move out alone. There are a few empty courtyards in the north-west area. While it's rather unfrequented, it is also very quiet. It is a good place for a person to cultivate her moral character. Qiong'er and Min'er can both stay there.” Mo Huawen felt angry when he thought of how Mo Xueqiong was to become Sima Lingyun's concubine.

The Old Madam knew of that corner. She had wanted Lan Xinru to go there. However, it was too desolated, so it had not happened. She had not expected Mo Huawen to place his two daughters there. She knew that he was furious this time. As such, she sighed and nodded.

She said, “Since you have already decided, then do that. It is just that you have to have a proper mistress in your inner courtyard. Luo Xia has already pa.s.sed away for more than a year. You have been a widow for so long, it is considered answering to the General's Manor. I have only heard of wives remaining a widow for their husbands and never the other way round. Furthermore, the inner courtyard is in such a mess. Even if you do not think for yourself, you have to think of the children. After the new year, the children will be serious about getting married. Do you intend to have a concubine deal with all of that?”

“Mother, please let me consider this!”

Mo Huawen was also feeling troubled. A concubine managing the wedding in the manor was not really appropriate. There were some families who allowed concubines to manage the inner courtyards. But that was because the legal wife had pa.s.sed away and there was no mistress to take charge. However, when weddings were being arranged, the legal wife had to be the one managing it, or the concubine had to be wedded and made legal before she could appear in public.

Mo Xuemin was not young anymore and Mo Yufeng was at an age when he should be considering marriage. It would not be considered early for Mo Xuetong and Mo Xuemin to consider marriage. When he thought of that, Mo Huawen felt even more troubled. He thought of making Auntie Fang his legal wife in the past so that it would be easier on his children. Firstly, Auntie Fang was the mother of his only son. Secondly, Auntie Fang knew how to behave and treated Mo Xuetong and Mo Xueqiong well on the surface.

She treated them carefully and was kind and gentle toward them!

Furthermore, Auntie Fang's family background was good. She was the legal daughter of the Yu Family. As long as her family background was revealed to the public, it would be normal for her to become the legal madam of the Mo Manor. Who would have expected Auntie Fang to be so vicious though? Mo Huawen no longer had any intentions of making Auntie Fang his legal wife. Even though the Yu Family had made many hints, both secretly and blatantly, he pretended not to understand.

Later, he did not even agree to meet the Yus even when they came to the manor. His intentions were already clear. The relatives of a concubine could not really be considered true relatives. He was the master of the Mo Manor and did not intend to welcome them. Even though the people from the Yu Manor would still come to b.u.t.ter up to Mo Huawen occasionally, they rarely mentioned the matter. The Yu Family had just come to the capital and did not have many connections. They did not dare to bring up the matter too often.

“Then you had best get to it. I think that that girl, Xinru, is not bad. She truly likes you and has liked you and only you for a long time. She is filial and behaves like a n.o.ble lady. Even though her family has fallen, she is still considered a young miss from a good family. It will not shame you to take her as your legal wife.” The Old Madam's words made Mo Huawen, who was still frustrated, shudder.

Tong'er was right. The Old Madam truly intended to match him up with Lan Xinru!

Mo Huawen saw that the Old Madam was doing this for his own good. He would not forget the kindness she showed him when he was a child.

As such, he often turned a blind eye to the Old Madam's doings.