Chapter 51 Spending the Night in the Palace

“It is still early, The Empress might have something on later. Let’s wait a little more. As civilians, how dare we do things rashly without Her Majesty’s orders?” Mo Xuemin seethed with anger. Her plot had been in vain. How would she be willing to leave just like that? This was especially when King Chu’s handsome eyes had been focused on her. It was obvious that he was not disinterested in her. She did not believe that King Chu would not like her since she was beautiful.

“Eldest Sister, Father told me that we have to go after the banquet ended. If you wish to stay in the palace, then I will leave first so that Father will not worry.” Mo Xuetong frowned lightly, her eyes sparkled while her expression made it seem as if she felt as if she was put in a difficult place. The ladies by the side heard something that sparked their interest.

The lady who spoke sharply immediately spoke up, “Third Miss Mo, did First Miss Mo not come to the palace with you? She did not even hear Lord Mo’s orders. Could it be that she entered the palace with someone else?”

It was already odd that a concubine’s daughter could attend the Flower Appreciation Banquet. If she had entered the palace with someone else, then it was even odder.

The smile on Mo Xuemin’s face froze and her face suddenly paled. The question, when asked in front of King Chu, made it obvious that she was interested in marrying into the royal family. This was not an easy question to answer. Should she reply or not? While Mo Xuemin had a quick mind, she was stunned by the question and could not answer it.

“Miss, Miss, you’re awake. That’s great. The imperial physician is here.” Mo Jin appeared at just the right time and distracted the others. Everyone turned to look at the entrance of the pavilion and Mo Xuemin heaved a secret sigh of relief. A eunuch and an imperial physician appeared not far away. Mo Jin was leading them towards the pavilion.

The ladies all backed away politely. Mo Xuetong hesitated a little and was about to rise and leave when she heard Feng Yuxuan say, “Third Miss Mo, please don’t leave first. Wait for the diagnosis first and see what the situation is like first!”

Feng Yuxuan had already spoken. It would make her look unreasonable if she left.

Mo Xuetong backed away to stand at a corner.

Mo Xuemin naturally did not have to leave. She sat down and waited for the imperial physician to diagnose her.

The imperial physician did not find anything wrong with her. He only mentioned that she was weak after drinking and had caught a cold. She would be fine after some rest.

This was very well spoken. How long would some rest take? Would she only be able to leave after the dinner banquet ended?

A faint and cold smirk appeared on Mo Xuetong’s face as she lowered her head, watching Mo Jin sending the imperial physician off. Mo Xuemin had even managed to bribe the imperial physician. She was not simple at all!

“King Chu, my eldest sister is unwell. We will have to trouble you to find her a room to rest for a while.” Mo Xuetong looked up at Feng Yuxuan with an awkward expression. Since Mo Xuetong was interested in seducing Feng Yuxuan, then she might as well help her and see if Mo Xuemin would be fated to enjoy being his wife.

“Third Miss Mo, you are too polite. Since First Miss Mo is unwell, why don’t you stay as well to take care of her? Leave together when First Miss Mo is feeling better.” Feng Yuran said politely with a warm smile.

“Many thanks for your kind intentions, King Chu. However, my father is busy. Since my eldest sister is fine and only needs a little rest, I will trouble King Chu to take care of her. I will be very grateful towards you.” Mo Xuetong smiled gently, her eyes as clear and calm as the surface of the lake. They looked clear and innocence, but also naturally charming. A gentle smile of hers was as beautiful as a dream. She was exquisitely beautiful, as if she appeared only in dreams.

Everything around her seemed to come alive because of her smile. Mo Xuemin’s mature and seductive beauty lost its shine beside her, becoming a pale shadow next to her. Mo Xuetong’s beauty was already starting to bloom, how beautiful would she be in a few more years.

Feng Yuxuan narrowed his eyes slightly at the beautiful smiling girl. His smile grew even warmer and he asked gently, “Shall I send someone to inform your father? It is not very nice to have no family members to take care of your sister in her current state.”

Then, he did not wait for her to speak. Instead, he called for a eunuch who answered and went to give orders to another person. Then, he came back to report that he had already gotten someone to inform Lord Mo.

He was evidently trying to make her stay. A flash of hesitance appeared in Mo Xuetong’s eyes. She did not feel that there was any need for her to stay. But since Feng Yuxuan had not waited for her reply and had already made the decision for her, she could not object.

Feng Yuxuan found them two rooms and settled the two before leaving. Mo Jin helped the weak Mo Xuemin into the room with better light to rest, leaving behind the slightly darker room for Mo Xuetong.

“Miss, do you want to rest for a while?” Mo Lan cleaned up the room a little and asked softly.

Mo Xuetong nodded.

She frowned and laid on the couch. She had decided that if anything, she would also pretend to be ill as well. She would not attend the flower appreciation banquet at night later no matter what. She leaned against the pillow behind her and held up a book, flipping through it. It was very quiet in the room, and only the sounds of pages being flipped could be heard.

Mo Lan waited in the room but no one brought in any tea. She thought about it before closing the door carefully behind her to find someone to send her mistress some tea.

“Why don’t you want to leave? Do you want to stay and become a prince’s wife? We can plan together. Even though your status is a little low, you can still be a concubine.” There was a lazy drawl. Mo Xuetong looked up and saw the handsome Feng Yuran who was dressed in purple robes. His smile was mocking and his chin was raised. He smile was devilishly charming.

“Greetings, Your Highness King Xuan!” Mo Xuetong got up from the couch, arranged her clothes and curtsied to him politely. She was behaving very properly and distantly.

Feng Yuran leaped in from the window and sat on a chair beside her. He said with slightly smiling eyes, “I rarely see you being so polite. How about you become my personal maid? That is just as good as being a prince’s wife. A prince’s wife has to invite the prince many times before he would visit her. But if you wish to see me, you don’t have to tell anyone.”

His words sounded infuriating, but she could not do anything about it. As such, she ignored him and asked coldly, “Your Highness, do you have any orders?”

He was the high and mighty King Xuan. She did not think that the two were on such good terms that they can have a casual chat.

“Do you really not wish to leave the palace? Alright, which prince do you want to marry? I can help you tell them. It’s alright if it’s me too. I will ask Father for his blessing and ask him to give you to me.” Feng Yuran tapped the table with his long fingers, a charming smile on his lips.

“I will be very grateful if King Xuan can help me leave.” Mo Xuetong had calmed down then. Even though she did not know why he was looking for her, it was more than likely nothing good. Even though she had not met King Xuan many times, she knew that his emotions swung wildly. Even though he was smiling, his smile did not reach his eyes. He was definitely not like how he seemed on the surface. She had to be careful around him.

“Don’t you want to be a prince’s concubine?” Feng Yuran stared at her deeply with his dark eyes. He seemed as if he would eat her up if she dared to even think about it.

“No!” Mo Xuetong answered obediently.

The corners of his lips raised when he heard her firm answer. He smiled with satisfaction and knocked on the table with his fingers mindlessly. Then, he asked an annoying question, “First Brother is most likely to become emperor. Don’t you want…”

That was treason, how dare he say it openly! Children of the royal family were indeed different. They were way braver than the ordinary person…

“No! I definitely don’t!” Mo Xuetong answered even more firmly. Even though she did not know what he meant, but judging by how satisfied he looked at her previous answers, she had to plod on. Furthermore, she truly did not wish to enter the struggles of the royal family.

Feng Yuran seemed to look truly satisfied with her this time. He took out a fan from somewhere and waved it. Light scattered on his face, twinkling as if it were a prank. He then slowly brought up another matter. “Honestly, if you don’t wish to be a maid, how about you become my princess?”

“…” Mo Xuetong was stunned and struck speechless.

Feng Yuran was in a good mood when he saw her shell-shocked expression. She looked stunned and slightly silly, completely different from her usual charming and delicate self. He was pleased with his prank and waved his hand graciously saying, “It doesn’t matter whether you are really not considering it or if you’re pretending not to consider it. I will allow you to think about it!”

He thought he was dispensing charity! Mo Xuetong forced herself not to bite him. It was not due to her good breeding but because this person was too dangerous.

“Many thanks, Your Highness, for your generosity. I wonder if you have a way to send me out of the palace?” She was on his territory and could not get angry at him. She would tamper down her anger. Mo Xuetong thought to herself darkly. Even though she spoke politely, she looked at him with stubborn eyes and gritted her teeth in secret.

“You really wish to leave the palace?” Feng Yuran leaned back comfortably against the chair and asked.

“Yes. Does King Xuan have any ideas? I thank you for what happened today.” Mo Xuetong answered politely and distantly. She did not wish to be too close to the palace.

“Is my help today helpful?” Feng Yuran was in a good mood and his eyes sparkled. The smile on his face grew even more charming and playful.

“Yes!” Mo Xuetong did not know what he meant, but she would play along.

“Since this is so, how do you plan to thank me?” Feng Yuran smiled like a fox.

“…” Mo Xuetong was speechless. She reached out to rub her pale forehead and asked helplessly, “What does Your Highness want?”

Her foolish and unguarded appearance amused him. Feng Yuran smiled and suddenly sat up straight. He decided to “show mercy” and let the kitten that had obviously become obedient, go. Of course, he would ask her to return the favor. He told her, especially before she left that he would have done her two big favors today if he brought her out of the palace. She had to remember to thank him next time.

Mo Xuetong naturally guaranteed that she was not an ungrateful sort and would definitely repay the favor. Even if she did not, she would not forget. It was only then when Feng Yuran allowed her to pass through the gates.

Mo Lan brought a palace maid in with her. Not long after she served Mo Xuetong tea, a eunuch came to report that Lord Mo is asking Third Miss Mo to hurry home. Since First Miss Mo was unwell, then she should rest before returning. This was the best case scenario for everyone. Mo Xuemin was happy and Mo Xuetong was definitely amenable to this.

Mo Xuemin did not ask Mo Xuetong to stay after Mo Xuetong shared the message with her. She only told Mo Xuetong to be careful. Mo Xuemin was glad that she was leaving. Feng Yuxuan had looked at Mo Xuetong differently, and this had displeased Mo Xuemin.

She had even sent Mo Xuetong out with a smile. Her friendliness was no lesser than what true sisters would show.

“First Miss, would Third Miss say anything to old sir?” Mo Jin asked worriedly when she saw Mo Xuetong and her maid leaving.

“What can she say? Have I done anything wrong?” Mo Xuemin allowed the gentle smile to slide off her face. She smirked and walked back into the room. There was no one around and she did not have to pretend to be the gentle and gracious First Miss Mo anymore!

“But, if Old Sir finds out that you have stayed here intentionally…” Mo Jin was still worried. First Miss had planned to attend the banquet today long ago. If Old Sir found out about her plots, he might not treat her as well as he had before.

“Does that matter. Once I become a prince’s wife, what can he say? No matter how much he dotes on the little slut, I will find a way to get her into trouble.” Mo Xuemin harrumphed and glanced at Mo Jin unhappily. “It’s good that she’s left.”

It was even better now that the little slut left. It was more convenient for her to get her things done!

Mo Xuetong was startled awake by a commotion in the middle of the night. She opened her eyes to see Mo Lan hurrying in. Mo Lan closed the door and approached her bed. When she saw that Mo Xutong was awake, she said anxiously, “Something happened to First Miss in the palace!”