Chapter 27 Plot Within a Plot. Using Her Illness to Plot (1/2)

Mo Xuetong's illness raged. She had a fever that night and was dazed from it.

Her health had always been poor. When they had been in Cloud City, she had stayed behind because of her ill health. She had also been so ill that she could not get up. Even though she had recuperated and had gotten better at the Qin Manor, her health was still weaker than others. She could not bear being submerged in cold water at the beginning of winter. When the maids hurried to help her change and lie down, she fell unconscious.

She only felt her body burning and her entire being felt like a fish being grilled on a stove. Even though she was unconscious, she still felt terrible and felt like dying. She felt as if she could not breathe. After some time, there was a sense of coldness that came from her forehead which allowed her burning body to regain some consciousness. She called out softly subconsciously, ”Water, water.”

Someone came immediately to help her out. Cool water slid down her burning throat. It felt like a clear stream and immediately, she felt as if she had escaped from death. She opened her eyes slightly but could not see clearly the person in front of her. Everything before her seemed to be shaking and she could not see clearly. The person's face seemed somewhat familiar, but her cloudy mind did not allow her to identify the person.

The person placed her down gently and felt her forehead to test her temperature. She was annoyed and swatted at the hand in annoyance. She muttered something, turned around and shut her eyes weakly before falling back asleep.

This time, she did not feel as uncomfortable as before. However, the person pulled her towards the outside edge of the bed. She was annoyed and tried to flip to the inside and even hugged her pillow and fought the person. However, she was still too weak and the person pulled her towards themselves. Something slid down her throat and she opened her mouth subconsciously and drank a few more mouthfuls of water.

When she laid down again, the person did not bother her.

This time, she slept until really late in the day before she opened her eyes weakly.

”Miss, you're awake? You're really awake!” There was a happy sob. She knew it was Mo Yu at once.

Mo Yu brought her some water and she took a sip of it. Mo Xuetong asked hoa.r.s.ely, ”What time is it?”

”It's just been one night. It is noon now. I have already done the blessings for Madam in the morning. I will go again in the afternoon.” Mo Lan said with a sob. She knew that her mistress had entered the water tank because of her. Mo Ye could only take one person with her and her mistress was worried that her injuries would be aggravated.

”Mo Lan... don't cry. Go, send word to the manor... say that I'm ill and cannot get out of bed. I can't even pray for blessings for my mother...” Mo Xuetong said softly as she closed her eyes and leaned on Mo Ye who was holding her up.

”Miss?”

”Go.” Mo Xuetong did not open her eyes. Her long lashes remained over her pale face. She looked like a porcelain doll. She was so fragile it was as if she was going to break at a touch. However, there was strength in her weak voice that did not allow anyone to object.

”Yes. I'll get Shuang Ye to send the letter.” Mo Yu turned to leave.

”Come back!” Mo Xuetong opened her eyes forcefully. Her eyes were very clear and she did not look like a patient who had just awoken.

Mo Yu had just reached the door. She turned around to look at Mo Xuetong in confusion.

”Get Qiu Ling to go... Keep Shuang Ye behind...” A faint smile appeared on Mo Xuetong's dry lips. If she did not keep Shuang Ye behind, then the show could not go on.

Mo Lan knew that her mistress was planning something when she saw that Mo Xuetong was energetic even though she was weak. She hurriedly asked Mo Yu to do as she was told.

In the Mo Manor.

Mo Xuemin copied the ”Cla.s.sics for Women” really quickly. She had finished copying it by the morning. She sent it to Mo Huawen's study the moment she finished to show that she had not slept the entire night.

Mo Huawen was settling work in the study. Even though he was not a high ranked officer, he was a trusted officer of the emperor and had served Emperor Zongwen before his ascension. As such, he was very trusted by the emperor and seemed to be about to be promoted. Some of the First and Second ranked officers were also very polite to him.

Official doc.u.ments handed to him to settle were truly useful doc.u.ments and not random tasks given to the descendants of n.o.bles who had no abilities.

”Father.” He heard the gentle and yet fearful voice while he was being troubled by the doc.u.ments. ”Can your daughter enter?”

He looked up to see Mo Xuemin at the door. He had always been pleased with his eldest daughter. However, she had done a few stupid things recently. He had heard about the incident at the city gates after it happened. He had not even asked what happened when she caused trouble by bringing Sima Lingyun into her sister's inner courtyard.

Were all these things done unintentionally? Luo Xia had left behind that music score to Tong'er. The only ones who knew about it that were not family was Auntie Fang. Who else would spread the news about it and how did Sima Lingyun come to know about it?

Mo Xuetong bowed tearfully, looking ashamed when she saw Mo Huawen humming and not speak. She did not enter the study and had not even spoken when she already showed how sad she was. She said, ”Father, it is all Min'er's fault. I should not have told Fourth Sister about Third Sister having the music score. I don't know when Fourth Sister told His Excellency about it and I caused ruin to Third Sister's reputation. It is all Min'er's fault.”

”You told Qiong'er about it?” Mo Huawen asked softly.

”Father, if you don't believe me, you can ask Fourth sister about it. Her maids and my maids were all there. I only brought it up in pa.s.sing while we were chatting. I didn't expect it to cause so much trouble. Father, it is all my fault. Please punish me.” Then, she raised the ”Cla.s.sics for Women” that she copied high up above her head.

Mo Huawen saw that she seemed to be speaking the truth and looked haggard. Her eyes looked bloodshot. She had copied the cla.s.sics so quickly and he knew that she must not have slept to do that. He thought of how she had always been obedient and sensible, and had always been generous. The servants in the manor would praise her occasionally. She would not do something to frame her younger sister.

”Come in.” His expression softened and he nodded.

”Yes, Father!” Mo Xuemin was helped up by Mo Jin. Her body shook slightly as she stood up and she almost fell.