Chapter 417 Meeting King Chu in the Palace

“Tong’er, Yuran is still young. If he has only you by his side, others would gossip about him. He is a prince and is of n.o.ble status. Furthermore, look at his character. He is also a young man. He would like it if there were more women by his side. He still dotes on you now because you are newlyweds. However, after this…” Consort Zhao leaned into Mo Xuetong as if she was confiding in Mo Xuetong.

“My Lady, did His Highness… did he say something?” Mo Xuetong’s face was pale. She looked up with her gentle little face pitifully. The corners of her lips shook and she appeared to have been shocked by what Consort Zhao said.

“Yuran did not say anything. He only said that the women in his manor do not please him. Sometimes, he does not even feel like returning to the manor. Tong’er, think about it. Is Yuran going back to the manor lesser and lesser? Does he return very late sometimes?” Consort Zhao saw and felt that Mo Xuetong was easily bullied and her words grew even more serious.

Compared to before Feng Yuran was more serious in his work. He naturally could not be compared to before. There were occasions where he would return to the manor. However, Consort Zhao lived deep in the palace and only became public after so many years. Her understanding of Feng Yuran’s comings and goings could not be explained.

Mo Xuetong grew suspicious. However, her expression grew more and more fl.u.s.tered. She blinked and seemed as if she was about to cry. She twisted the handkerchief in her hands, looking as if she was depressed and upset by the questions so much so that she could not speak.

She had always been gentle and charming and seemed even more pitiful now. After a moment, she looked up, looking as if she was feeling extremely aggrieved. However, she still tried hard to smile and said, “Many thanks, Consort Zhao, I… I…”

She could not speak when she saw Consort Zhao’s concerned gaze. Her eyes reddened immediately.

“Tong’er, you do not have to worry. Yuran will treat you well. Anyway, you are his legal wife. He is still young and his character is still changing. He might like this today but like something else tomorrow. That’s normal.” Consort Zhao appeared to be benevolent and kind. Her smile was full of concern for Mo Xuetong and she seemed to be completely on Mo Xuetong’s side.

“My Lady, what, what should I do?” Mo Xuetong continued to pretend to be pitiful, looking as if she did not know what to do.

“Tong’er, you don’t have to worry. I already told you that since you have to bring others into your manor, you might as well bring in someone from your family. First, the two of you can take care of each other, and she can also help you to keep a firm hold on Yuran’s heart. Tong’er, do you have any unmarried sisters? If two women can serve a husband, it would be good.” Consort Zhao smiled winningly.

Since Consort Zhao knew that Feng Yuran had been returning home very late these days, she would definitely know about the sisters of the Mo Manor. She was just playing hard to get. Mo Xuetong laughed coldly to herself but did not show that to Consort Zhao. She looked as if she would listen to whatever Consort Zhao said. She thought about it and said shyly, “My sisters are all married.”

“Then are there any close female relatives?” Consort Zhao said temptingly.

Mo Xuetong already understood why Consort Zhao had asked her to visit today. A flash of coldness appeared in her eyes. The sisters of the He family were interested in Feng Yuran. Things were already like that and they still dared to think about him. First, it was the younger sister. Now that the younger sister was in trouble, they were going to swap out the sisters and marry He Yuxiu, who had a bad reputation, to Yu Mingyong.

That would leave He Yufen to be placed with Feng Yuran!

Mo Xuetong looked up. She suddenly reigned in the tears in her eyes. She said, fragile, but also graciously, “Many thanks for your concern, Consort Zhao. I will go home and ask His Highness for his opinion. If His Highness really wants to… I, I will not stop it. I will leave everything up to him.”

“Ah…”

“My Lady, it is getting late. I shall return home now. When, when I am free, I will come and visit you again.” Mo Xuetong curtsied to Consort Zhao respectfully. Then, she held Mo Lan’s hand as if she could not bear her sadness and left dejectedly, forgetting all about etiquette.

Who would have thought that Mo Xuetong would leave at this juncture?

“My Lady!” Caichun ran after them and then turned around when she saw that their goals had not been achieved.

“Come back!” Consort Zhao’s expression was cold as she growled softly.

Caichun returned to Consort Zhao’s side hurriedly. She waved her hand and the other servants left respectfully.

“My Lady, why didn’t you say anything about the First Miss of the He family!” Caichun asked hurriedly when she saw that everyone had left.

“Do you think Consort Xuan doesn’t know?” Consort Zhao’s expression was grave and a hint of anger flashed in her eyes. Even though Consort Xuan was young, she would understand what Consort Zhao meant as long as she was not stupid. She pretended not to understand and found an excuse to leave. How could Consort Zhao not be angry?

“Since Consort Xuan understands, how dare she go against your will?” Caichun always thought that Consort Zhao was favored and felt that His Majesty cared a lot for her mistress. When she heard that Mo Xuetong had intentionally pretended not to understand, she was furious.

“Hmph!” Consort Zhao grew even angrier when she heard that. A hint of viciousness glinted in her eyes. She had given Mo Xuetong a way to live, but it was alright if she did not want it. It was better if her niece could become Consort Xuan. It would also be easier for her to control Feng Yuran. Anyway, she had to keep a tight reign over Feng Yuran.

Her greatest disadvantage was that she did not have any children. With Feng Yuran in her hands, she would be able to climb up onto the lofty place as Empress.

Since Mo Xuetong was not smart enough to block her way, she would, of course, kick her away.

“Have someone prepare the gifts and send it to King Xuan Manor for Consort Xuan. Say that I like Consort Xuan a lot.” After all, Consort Xuan had been through some storms. She gradually reigned in her anger and looked up. She took a sip of her tea and said with a cold slight smile. “Say that Consort Xuan likes the tea here, so I’ve given her some.”

“Yes, My Lady!” Caichun understood immediately. She went in and took out the tea leaves inside as well as the gifts that had already been prepared. She told the eunuch who had been waiting outside to come in and send the tea leaves and gifts to King Xuan’s Manor.

Mo Xuetong and the two maids left Mingyue Palace. Mo Ye kept looked behind them vigilantly. She held Mo Xuetong’s hand and took the chance to say softly, “My Lady, no one came after us. Will Consort Zhao just let you go like that?”

“How is that possible? Consort Zhao has not gotten what she wanted yet before we threw her plans into chaos. She must hate me so.” Mo Xuetong said lightly. She accepted the handkerchief Mo Lan handed her and dabbed at the realistic tears that had emerged from the corners of her eyes.

Mo Lan was shocked and she said urgently, “What shall we do then?”

“Since Consort Zhao planned to use us and now think that I am a thorn in her side, she would probably want to get rid of me. She is deep in the palace, so how will she succeed in infiltrating King Xuan’s Manor without help!” Mo Xuetong smiled, her eyes shone brilliantly.

No matter in her past life or in this, Consort Zhao and the He family were destined to be Feng Yuran’s enemies. Then they would make their move earlier.

Having decided that, she had intentionally led Consort Zhao into expressing her intentions. However, she had stopped Consort Zhao at the end and did not allow her to mention He Yufen. She did not seem as if she would let Consort Zhao control her at all. Consort Zhao had already revealed her hand but was stuck at the final step. How could she not be infuriated?

If Consort Zhao was angry, she would definitely be extreme in her reactions and lose all rationality. This would help Mo Xuetong in finding information. Mo Xuetong would much rather believe that Consort Zhao was involved in Consort Xian’s death.

The three of them left the palace and pa.s.sed a corridor at the corner. Mo Xuetong stopped and narrowed her eyes at a figure in dark green. She stood there and watched as the man approached.

“Greetings, Your Highness, King Chu.” Mo Ye and Mo Lan greeted him.

“Rise!” His voice was gentle, elegant, and as casual and warm as usual. He did not appear to be too familiar with Mo Xuetong but was not cold either. His handsome eyes turned to land on Mo Xuetong’s beautiful face. For a moment, he seemed dazzled.

Ever since Mo Xuetong saw Feng Yuxuan, he was known to be righteous, gentle, and elegant. With this good reputation, he was always compared to Feng Yuran. However, no matter how much Feng Yuxuan tried to repress it, Mo Xuetong could still see the desire hidden in his eyes. This man had a deeply repressed cold-bloodedness and unfeelingness.

Mo Xuetong was no stranger to Feng Yuxuan’s desire. It was a desire for the throne. After numerous struggles in the palace, he had already thought of the throne as his. However, compared to the other two, he did not have much support in the back of the palace. Even though Consort Su’s maternal family was powerful and wealthy, they could not compare to the significant power of the Ding General Manor.

That was why he needed to win the praises and support of those in and outside of court with his gentleness and scholarly appearance.

Without all that, he only had the ident.i.ty as the eldest royal son. What else could he use to fight with the Ding General Manor? Judging by the current situation, he had the upper hand. If the Third Miss of the Ding General Manor were to marry him and become the new Consort Chu, the Ding General Manor would support him.

Feng Yulei and Feng Yuzhen were already defeated because Feng Yuxuan had the support of the Ding General Manor.

“Your Highness, King Chu.” Mo Xuetong curtsied to the side. Her luminous face was pointed to the side, blocking the impolite stare of Feng Yulei. She had hidden half her face, but it made her seem even more gentle and charming.

“Consort Xuan, where did you come from?” Feng Yulei smiled gently. His eyes were dazed. He could not help but be attracted to her since the first time they met. He was going to take her for himself given that she was not well known. When he succeeded in getting the throne, he would marry her. However, who would have thought that she would become known to all just after returning to the capital?

He did not want to get rid of her. However, she was now involved in the fight for the throne. He had no choice but to plot against her and use her as a chess piece!

If she stayed as a sheltered woman, a n.o.ble young lady of the Mo Manor who knew nothing, would he have done that?!

But she was now his sister-in-law. She was Feng Yuran’s wife. His eyes were filled with grievances. She should have been his. She was his.