Chapter 31 Shifting the Blame to Auntie (1/2)

Something had indeed happened at the back courtyard. A few maids went to check up on Shuang Ye when she did not wake up. However, when they pushed the door open, they saw a figure in white suspended in the air. They screamed and ran outside. A few of the braver older servants came to undo the ropes but Shuang Ye had long died and her body had stiffened.

Mother Xu sent someone to report it to Mo Huawen.

Someone had died in the manor, inside Mo Xuetong's Qingwei Garden. This maid was also the one Mo Huawen was looking for. His expression changed immediately and he stood up silently.

”Old Sir, we discovered this on Shuang Ye.” The maidservant gave him a letter shakily.

Mo Huawen opened it with a grave expression. When he read it, his expression grew darker and darker.

Shuang Ye was dead? Mo Xuetong was shocked. She did not believe that Shuang Ye had committed suicide. She glanced at Mo Xuemin at the side and indeed, saw a trace of satisfaction in her eyes. Did Mo Xuemin do it? How did she manage to extend her reach into Qingwei Garden? Was she missing something?

”Shuang Ye committed suicide. Go and inform her family to come and get her.” Mo Huawen read the letter, waved his hand and ordered the maidservant to leave.

”Yes.” The maidservant left hurriedly.

”Father, Shuang Ye killed herself in my courtyard. Why...” Mo Xuetong looked up in shock.

”It's alright. It has nothing to do with you. She knew that she has done something disgraceful and was afraid that she would be punished.” Mo Huawen stroked Mo Xuetong's hair dotingly. His expression was grave. How could it be so coincidental?

”Father, then, my thing...won't there be no proof then?” Mo Xuemin sat by the side and flicked her handkerchief, starting to tear up again. She naturally knew that she had to pretend to be completely wronged and fought to speak before Mo Xuetong. She was afraid that Mo Xuetong would ruin her plans again.

”Min'er, don't go out during this period. Stay at home and read some teachings for ladies.” Mo Huawen finally believed Mo Xuemin when he saw how sad and helpless she was. He comforted her. The only person who could prove Min'er's innocence was dead. Mo Huawen could only hope that the negative rumors would disappear by themselves after some time. Fortunately, Sima Lingyun had no evidence against Min'er.

”Yes, Fater.” Mo Xuemin wiped the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief. She looked at Mo Xuetong smugly.

Mo Xuetong smiled coldly to herself. Did Mo Xuemin think she will get through this just like this? She turned around and said to Mo Huawen gently,

”Father, Shuang Ye was a third cla.s.s maid by Auntie's side at first. She's only been in my Qingwei Garden a few days. There are still many things of hers at Auntie's Lihua Garden. Get people to give those things to her as well. She's quite pitiful!” Mo Xuetong looked sorrowful. ”Even though she's been with me for only a few days, we were still master and servant for a while.”

She was saying that Shuang Ye's mistress was likely to be Auntie Fang!

Mo Xuemin knew that things were going pear-shaped. Her smug expression froze and her face paled. She had only wanted to get herself out of the situation but did not expect Mo Xuetong to use Shuang Ye's ident.i.ty to place the blame on Auntie Fang.

”Min'er, is the third cla.s.s maid from Auntie Fang's side?” Mo Huawen did not notice Mo Xuemin's odd behavior. His expression had cooled.

A third cla.s.s maid was only responsible for cleaning in her own courtyard. How did Sima Lingyun get to know her? Unless Sima Lingyun had visited Auntie Fang's Lihua Garden. But why would a Duke's son go to a concubine's courtyard? There was something suspicious there...

”Father, even though Shuang Ye is a maid, but because she was not born in this family but outside, she would leave occasionally...” Mo Xuemin answered hurriedly. This was the only plausible reason Mo Xuemin could think of right now. In such a situation, how could she answer her father's questions? Could she say that Shuang Ye and Sima Lingyun were brought together in Auntie Fang's courtyard?

Mo Xuemin knew that she should explain the situation gracefully and in a poised manner so that Mo Huawen would believe her. However, she could not explain clearly and only said that Shuang Ye had nothing to do with Sima Lingyun. She could not do that. That would only implicate herself and she had just extricated herself from the situation with much difficulty. She had to continue to get Mo Huawen's love, so she had to continue to maintain her appearance of being graceful and intelligent.

”Father, Shuang Ye's incident definitely has nothing to do with Auntie. Auntie has been in charge of the inner courtyard for so many years. How can something like this happen? Eldest Sister, don't you think so?” Mo Xuetong looked at Mo Xuemin, seeking her agreement.

Mo Xuemin was still smiling gently, but deep down inside, she wanted to grit her teeth hatefully. The opportunity she had painstakingly crafted had been before it had even started. Then, she had been implicated in a scandal regarding her reputation. Finally, Shuang Ye had died after much difficulties. But then, she realized that things were not going as planned. Auntie Fang was Mo Xuetong's final goal.

Did being in charge of the inner courtyard mean that Auntie Fang could have something to do with Sima Lingyun without allowing Mo Huawen to discover it? Mo Xuetong was too vicious!

The two of them had already fallen out because of what happened at the Repayment Temple. Mo Xuemin wanted to tear off Mo Xuetong's mouth when she saw how she pretended to be concerned and kept mentioning Auntie Fang. This time, Mo Xuetong had even asked her about the matter. How should she answer the question?

His concubine who had been in charge of the inner courtyard could possibly be in a relations.h.i.+p with another man. Any man would not be able to bear it. Mo Huawen would also be furious even if there was not any evidence.

”Alright, both of you, go back. I still have things to do.” Mo Huawen felt anger surge up his chest that almost exploded at his two daughters. He was no longer suspicious at Mo Xuemin but was now suspicious of Auntie Fang. This was partly because Mo Xuemin's reputation had always been good, and also because he felt that Auntie Fang was the most likely person to have a relations.h.i.+p with a man if someone in the manor was doing that.

The two girls did not dare to say much and left the study when they saw Mo Huawen's grave expression and knew that he was not in a good mood.

”Third Sister, Shuang Ye died in Qingwei Garden. Did you know nothing at all about it?” Mo Xuemin stood under a tree and looked at Mo Xuetong coldly after they left the study. Her eyes were filled with hatred that could not be hidden. No matter how stupid Auntie Fang was, she was still her birth mother. The damage to her would not be small if bad rumors were to be spread.

”Eldest Sister, do you mean that I had something to do with Shuang Ye's death? Does she also have something on me?” There was no one else there and their two maids were a distance away. Mo Xuetong smiled coyly, her eyes filled with laughter as she said the word 'also'.

The smile looked like a challenge to Mo Xuemin. She was enraged. There was no one else here and she did not need to pretend. She glared at Mo Xuetong viciously and smiled coldly, ”Third Sister, you're really sly. I've underestimated you.”

”Eldest Sister, I really admire you. Qingwei Garden of mine is really not safe. If I have time, I have to report to father. I have to ward against many in the entire Mo Manor.” The sun shone on Mo Xuetong's face. Her beautiful face looked clean and radiant. She smiled gently and looked like a blossoming flower more beautiful than the flowers in the garden.

Then, she curtsied slightly to Mo Xuemin and brought her maid out of the garden.