Chapter 198 Mo Xuemins Secret Meeting (1/2)

Mo Xuemin received the letter from the fifth princess at night. She slipped out the back door and boarded an inconspicuous carriage by the road. The horses pulled her down several turns until she arrived at a store filled with exquisite jewelry. The cases inside the newest and best hairpins, bracelets, bangles, and earrings.

Even though it was late at night, there were still a few madams and young ladies in the shop.

A nanny in her late forties waited at the entrance. She looked at Mo Xuemin loftily and gestured for her to follow. She led her down a narrow alleyway and up a small, unlit flight of stairs. Mo Xuemin followed her up into the dark.

When she reached the top of the stairs and went around the turn, she was blinded by the sudden light.

Mo Xuemin shielded her eyes with her sleeves. That was when she saw a door to a private room in front of her. There were a few large palace lanterns hanging in front of the door and four well-dressed palace maids standing respectfully. A palace maid with a round face looked at Mo Xuemin coldly.

“Wait outside.”

Mo Xuemin stood outside for about fifteen minutes when the round faced palace maid returned.

“The princess wants you to go in.”

Mo Xuemin did not dare to say much. She lowered her head respectfully and entered.

The fifth princess was the empress' only biological daughter. Mo Xuemin had seen her from afar but had never spoken to her. She knelt and greeted the princess, staring at her beautiful dress that shone like iridescent clouds.

“I heard that your third sister knows Sir Bai very well, so well that he even once entered her bedroom to treat her?” the fifth princess asked softly, placing her hand on a string of pearls.

Mo Xuemin did not dare to offend the princess.

“Sir Bai was indeed invited over last time my third sister fell ill,” she said carefully. “My third sister was unconscious, and Sir Bai stayed until she awoke. It was already very dark by then.”

Mo Xuemin had gotten all the details from the servants her mother had sent to Mo Xuetong's room.

“Are there usually any interactions between the two of them?” The princess' eyes shone with hatred. She was above this girl in ever way, so why did her cousin show concern for this minor n.o.ble and not the beautiful princess in front of him?

“I do not know if they ever meet. My third sister is always very careful and will not let me discover anything. But there is one thing…” Mo Xuemin seemed to hesitate a little.

“Tell me!” The cold order was accompanied by the sound of pearls slamming onto the table. She sounded stern and angry. Mo Xuemin shuddered.

“The day, when she entered the capital, Sir Bai was the one who helped Third Sister out,” she said quickly. “I do not know if they started anything then!”

She though she'd acted as if she was only guessing, Mo Xuemin had pretty much accused Mo Xuetong of a secret affair. Her lowered head hid the cold smile on her lips. Mo Xuetong had no chance against the princess. It was an open secret among n.o.ble ladies that the fifth princess was interested in Bai Yihao. If she saw Mo Xuetong as a threat, the princess would not let her off easily.

“How dare you. Are you implying Sir Bai some s.l.u.t who goes around meeting women?” She threw the string of pearls and it slapped across Mo Xuemin's forehead. Mo Xuemin was stunned by the a.s.sault and she hurriedly kowtowed.

“I would not dare, I would not dare! I am only speaking the truth on Your Highness' orders.”

Her pale and delicate forehead was red and swollen, but she did not dare to stop kowtowing.

The fifth princess' expression grew warmer when she saw Mo Xuemin fear and respect.

“Stop. Tell me, what do you want me to help you with?” she asked more softly, looking satisfied.

“I dare not ask for much. I only hope that I can serve Your Highness.”

Mo Xuemin was secretly delighted. And her worries gradually eased. With the fifth princess' help, it would not be so easy for her father to send her to Sima Lingyun's manor. She would not allow herself to become Sima Lingyun's woman just like that.

After the incident, Duke Zhenguo's family would only fall further into ruins. If she had once been fond of the gentlemanly Sima Lingyun, she was now disgusted by him. His name felt like accidentally swallowing a fly. She would never marry such a stupid and useless man. With Duke Zhenguo's manor on the decline, Sima Lingyun was not even worthy to be her backup plan.

She would not marry Sima Lingyun and die with Duke Zhenguo…

Of course, she also knew that the princess was arrogant. She might not succeed if she asked the princess directly, so she focused on seeming loyal. If the fifth princess wanted to deal with Mo Xuetong, Mo Xuemin was her best weapon. If she wanted to use Mo Xuemin, then she would have to protect her.

“Take the pearls. They're a gift from me.”

The fifth princess did not agree, but she didn't refuse the offer either She stood up, her beautiful dress sweeping by Mo Xuemin's face indifferently. The servants from the palace walked behind her, only leaving behind a string of round pearls that fell to the ground.

Mo Xuemin picked up the pearls. A dark look crossed her face. Auntie Fang still had a chance. So did she. She could not afford to waste it.

In Qingwei Garden.

Mo Lan distributed the little gifts that Mo Xuetong brought back. Not only did everyone receive a scented pouch, they each got the tael of silver inside. The female servants all received two flowers as well. Everyone was delighted and, when they saw the senior maids walking out, they greeted them with excitement. A few older female servants took leave from Mother Xu to bring the flowers home for their daughters.

Mo Xuetong rested for a while. Finally, a maid came to report her father was home.