Chapter 198 Mo Xuemins Secret Meeting (2/2)

She stood up quickly and went to greet her father. She had only just reached the door when Mo Huawen picked up the curtains and entered. He was in good spirits.

“Tong'er, the situation at home recently has been tense and Old Madam did not feel comfortable spending the new year here. In a few days, I will invite a few of our relatives who live in the capital over and we can liven things up.”

The Old Madam had been in a bad mood ever since the incident with Lan Xinru. She kept sighing, and it made Mo Huawen feel guilty. Besides, it was rare for the elderly woman to spend the new year in his home. He had to make her feel at ease.

Mo Xuetong served tea to Mo Huawen herself.

“Father, it's your decision how to handle things, but do you still have the scented pouch I asked you to return to Auntie Xu Yan? Aunt Xu Yan asked me about it this morning. I said you've returned it already, but she did not believe me!”

He had already used the scented pouch to deal with the Old Madam. How was he going to return it?

Mo Huawen flushed, and he took a drink of tea to hide his awkward expression.

He coughed.

“I don't know where I placed the pouch. I haven't been able to find it since I left the courtyard.”

“What do we do!” Mo Xuetong looked at him with wide, sincere eyes. “The reputation of a girl is very important. If someone with bad intentions took it, it would kill her!”

“But it would be such an unlikely coincidence, right?” Mo Huawen coughed again.

“Why not? This is a matter of life and death. Father, I have to go look for it.” Mo Xuetong stood up, looking very anxious. “Father, you said you lost it after you left my courtyard? Maybe it's still in the garden. Even if it's not in the garden, it should still be in the manor. I have to ask the servants to all look for it.”

She headed to give instructions to Mo Lan.

“Tong'er, don't worry.” Mo Huawen tugged on Mo Xuetong's sleeve. “Since you are worried about your Aunt's reputation, then you shouldn't make such a show out of it. If someone has ill intentions towards her, it would make things worse.”

Of course, he knew where the pouch was. Old Madam had gotten it when Lan Xinru had upset him, and his mother insisted she was the best person to best candidate for the matriarch of Mo manor. Mo Huawen had gotten so angry he'd shown her the pouch, declaring it belonged to a girl he had feelings for and that Miss Lan was not a good match. Old Madam Mo had nearly fainted in rage.

She'd taken the scented pouch away, saying that it was immoral for a government official to be exchanging secret gifts with a girl. He had not minded then. He'd thought that he had stopped the Old Madam from forcing him to marry. Now that Mo Xuetong suddenly asked him for the pouch, where was he going to find one?

Furthermore, if Mo Xuetong made a show of finding the scented pouch in her courtyard, the Old Madam would find out about it. If that happened, she would insist he marry Lan Xinru.

Mo Xuetong pouted.

“But what should I do if I can't look for it?”

“It's alright. I'll deal with it. I'll try to find it secretly.”

Mo Huawen's laughed dryly, but his forehead was covered in nervous sweat. How was he going to find it? The old madam would never return it to him. He thought he'd managed to dodge the bullet then, not realizing he'd triggered another that was heading towards him now.

“Please act fast, Father. I heard that Grandmother is picking out a husband for Aunt Xu Yan. If you still do not find it by then and ruin her marriage, you have to take responsibility for it.” Mo Xuetong said worriedly.

She looked at the nervous sweat on her father's forehead and had to stifle her laughter. Instead, she kept staring at him in silent worry.

Mo Huawen's expression grew even more unnatural.

“It's alright, it's alright. I will take responsibility for it,” he agreed, not really paying attention to the meaning.

“Father, are you really going to take responsibility for Aunt Xu Yan?” Mo Xuetong's worried expression relaxed as she cried joyfully. “That's great. Father, if you marry Aunt, she will treat me well. And I won't have to worry that my new mother will make things difficult for me and bullying me.”

“Oh…” Mo Huawen was speechless.

“Father, if Aunt becomes my mother, she can come help take care of me. Ever since Mother pa.s.sed away, I've felt so afraid.”

She looked up, eyes clouded with tears. Even though she smiled warmly, it made Mo Huawen's heart ache.

Tong'er did not have a mother to dote on her and he did not have time to take her outshopping or to see friends. He knew how his consorts treated her. His heart softened, and he reached out to hold her close, patting her gently on the shoulder..

“Tong'er, if you like Aunt Xu Yan, shall we invite her to the manor to keep you company?”

Xu Yan was gentle, polite, and gracious. When she saw him, she didn't act like a lovesick fool like Lan Xinru. Besides, she truly treated Tong'er well. She kept Tong'er company over the past few days and treated her very well. When he came over the last time, he could hear Tong'er's laughter from the courtyard entrance. It had been a long time since he had heard Tong'er laughing so happily.

Thinking of that laugh, his decision was made. Things had already gone this far. He would choose her to become his wife.

“Thank you, Father!”

Mo Xuetong laid in Mo Huawen's embrace. The joy spread across her face like a flower in bloom.