Chapter 196 Breaking News. The Imperial Consort Selection (1/2)

There was a hotpot in the center of the table because it was the winter. There were also some fruits such as mandarins.

The maids peeled the mandarins and served them to their mistresses.

Chen Ya'er turned around and smiled at Ling Rui'er. “Elder Sister Ling, why isn't Second Miss Ling here today? I heard that Her Majesty dotes on her the most. I heard that she treats Second Miss Ling even better than First Miss Ling?”

“Her Majesty, my aunt, naturally dotes on my elder sister more than First Sister. How could First Sister's character and beauty compare to my elder sister's? My aunt has always liked my elder sister since she was young. I went to the palace to visit my aunt with my elder sisters some time ago. My aunt even gave my eldest sister and a pair of really exquisite earrings. Only my sister received earrings and a pair of jade bangles.” Ling Rui'er glanced at Mo Xuetong with satisfaction.

“Ling Mingyan is the legal daughter of Duke Ding's First Wife. Ling Fengyan and Ling Rui'er are legal daughters of the duke's second wife. They usually do not get along.” Luo Mingzhu said to Mo Xuetong softly as she pa.s.sed a golden mandarin to the maid behind her.

No wonder the way she addressed them was so complicated. Their relationship was very different!

Mo Xuetong accepted a slice of mandarin Mo Yu pa.s.sed her. She placed it to the side. She did not like eating mandarins, so she gestured at Mo Yu to stop peeling them.

Chen Ya'er said enviously. “Miss Ling, I met your sister at the Empress Dowager's banquet. She is beautiful and poised. It's great to have an elder sister like that!”

Ling Rui'er grew even more pleased and she glanced at Mo Xuetong. Then, she said loudly, “That's right. Having an elder sister like this is definitely something to be proud of. If I have an elder sister who is immoral, I would be too embarra.s.sed to leave the house.”

She was talking about Mo Xuemin!

“Younger Sister Ling, are you talking about First Miss Mo?” You Yue'e said meaningfully.

The incident had already become a big deal. Even though a few days had pa.s.sed, it still had not died down. One of the parties involved was the Marquess of Zhengguo while the other was the famous talented daughter of the Mo Family. Furthermore, it was a scandal. Even though Mo Xuemin had appeared to be protecting herself, the reputation of a woman was very important. Mo Xuemin's reputation was considered to have been ruined. If she did not marry Sima Lingyun, she could only become a nun.

“I heard that First Miss Mo used to be a gentle, elegant, beautiful and talented woman. She used to be publicly acknowledged to be a beauty. However, her reputation has gone downhill since Third Miss Mo entered the capital!” Ling Rui'er said with a laugh.

She was implying that Mo Xuemin's current predicament was caused by Mo Xuetong.

They were going to gang up against her!

Mo Xuetong smiled lightly and replied, “It can be seen from here that the so-called beauty and talent is not really so. One must not believe in rumors so easily.”

Ling Rui'er had only been flaunting about how her elder sister was the most beautiful woman in the capital. This statement from Mo Xuetong was like a slap to her face! Her expression changed immediately and she said furiously, “Third Miss Mo, what do you mean?”

“Miss Ling, I am saying whatever it is you mean.” Mo Xuetong said lightly. Her eyes were as clear as water and showed no signs of relenting. If she were to endure being bullied, she would not need to attend any gathering with the n.o.ble ladies of the capital in the future. She would forever be a joke to them.

People were like this. If they accepted being bullied, others would come and continue bullying them! If she did not teach the first person who bullied her a lesson, trouble would come one after another in the future. She was not willing to appear weak before the socialites of the capital here today.

“Third Miss Mo, is whatever that happened to your sister something worthy of praise! Younger Sister Ling, do not be angry. Your elder sister did not embarra.s.s you and there is no need to be angry at someone who does not matter.” You Yue'e laughed coldly. She appeared to be trying to helping Ling Rui'er out.

Luo Mingzhu said coldly, having finally found an opportunity to speak. “Second Miss Ling was a great help to the Ding General Manor. I heard that she was out drinking with the two Princes on New Year's Eve. There are so many royals out there. It must be hard to choose from!”

Not only did Ling Rui'er's expression change significantly, but You Yue'e also flushed brightly too. Ling Fengyan's encounter with the two princes on New Year's Eve was no secret to the other n.o.ble families. Everyone knew what that meant, but n.o.body said anything about it. Duke Ding was laughed at because of Ling Fengyan, and Ling Fengyan's reputation was also damaged.

Even though Mo Xuemin's reputation had been damaged, she had fought hard against Sima Lingyun. Ling Fengyan, however, flirted with the two princes. She was not any n.o.bler than Mo Xuemin.

If one were to really consider that, none of them could speak bad about the other…

“Alright, alright, since we have all come together today, let's not talk about anything that would damage our relationships. First Miss Mo is really pitiful. Who would want something like that to happen! Second Miss Ling is both beautiful and talented and would naturally have many admirers. That is not something that we can talk about. Look, everyone's in a bad mood because of this talk. Let's talk about something happier. Sisters, look at the pins that I brought here today. What do you all think?” w.a.n.g Xiuxiu tried to appease everyone. She smiled and clapped her hands.

One of the two maids who followed her around cleaned up the cutlery before her. She took out a clean handkerchief and laid it on the table. The other maid brought out an exquisite jewelry box and placed it on top of the handkerchief.

w.a.n.g Xiuxiu smiled and opened the box. There were a few smaller jewelry boxes inside the big box. She stood up and laid out the boxes. There were seven of them.

“Elder Sister, your things are so exquisite. Are these a set?” Shen Qianxiu stood up and smiled with her hands covering her mouth.

“Of course. They are a set. I have put in much effort to get people to make them. There are no others like these. I hope that you all will like it.” w.a.n.g Xiuxiu opened the boxes. There were slender gold pins in the box. The pins had different flowers on top. There were moutan peonies, Chinese peonies, orchids, plum blossoms, chrysanthemums, lilies, and flowering apple blossoms. They all looked different but were all beautiful.