Chapter 42 Miss Ling Mingyan (1/2)

Even though the Empress did not have any sons, she was in a position of power. No one dared to defy her. Even if a prince were to inherit the throne, she would still be the Empress Dowager. As she had no sons, she could avoid the fights in the palace. After all, no matter what, she would still be respected as the Empress Dowager. This would definitely allow those from the Ding General Manor to rest a.s.sured.

However, this was only what is on the surface. As for what was really happening, no one really knew. It was indeed a regret to not have any sons. Even though she would be the Empress Dowager, she was still upset to not have any sons. She did not interfere with the matters of the concubines but was focused on praying to Buddha and living in purity.

Mo Xuetong frowned slightly. Ling Mingyan's words were full of challenge. She had just returned to the capital, so how had she offended Ling Mingyan? This was her first time attending a banquet and it was organized by the palace. If she clashed with Ling Mingyan because of this matter, someone would definitely use it against her. It would also show that she was being petty and that she had a nasty character.

If the Empress found out about it, it would impact her negatively. However, if she did not say anything, others would think that she was cowardly and weak, and that they could bully her. She was stuck between a rock and a hard place. This was not something Ling Mingyan, whom she had nothing against, could do. She looked around and indeed, a familiar figure approached them from a fake mountain in the distance. Mo Xuemin was coming!

She smiled gently and elegantly and came to a decision. She said, ”Older sisters, don't fight anymore. How did this Miss get to know me? Why have you come to find me?”

Everyone looked at Ling Mingyan suspiciously when they heard her say that. Even though they had guessed that this was the useless and untalented main daughter of the Mo Manor, this was still the first time they have met her. How did Ling Mingyan know who she was at first glance? Listening to what Third Miss Mo was saying, she did not know Ling Mingyan. So how did Ling Mingyan know that she was the Third Miss of the Mo family!

Some of the people looked at Mo Xuetong pityingly when they thought of how she was being challenged the first time she attended a banquet and how Ling Mingyan was being so arrogant for no reason. It was obvious that she had been egged on by someone! Third Miss Mo had been plotted against!

”Do you really think n.o.body knows who you are? First Miss Mo told me that you are her sister. Are you not going to admit that?” Ling Mingyan tilted her chin up in disdain and smirked. Ling Mingyan had been angry ever since she found out that this was the person who had brought up her past mistakes and had made You Yuecheng unhappy and refusing to marry her.

A long time had pa.s.sed since the incident in which she had knocked someone down with her horse. The matter had slowly been buried as the Ding General Manor tried to hide it. However, You Yuecheng witnessed Third Miss Mo knocking down someone at the city gate and had gone home to refuse the marriage offer from the Ding General Manor. The prideful Ling Mingyan seethed with hate.

She had liked You Yuecheng since she was a child. She had presented herself as You Yuecheng's fiancee to others long ago and accompanied You Yuecheng everywhere. You Yuecheng hated her because she had knocked down someone because of who she was. He had not brought her along when they went out to the countryside. When he returned, he had refused the marriage proposal the two manors were discussing. Ling Mingyan had come today with anger in her heart.

She was intentionally making things difficult for Mo Xuetong. If this woman had not knocked down someone with her carriage, You Yuecheng would not have been reminded of the past and be so unfeeling. It was all this woman's fault. She would not let her off easily.

”Did Eldest Sister tell you to give me a hard time and even told you I was here? That's impossible. Eldest Sister isn't such a person.” Mo Xuetong pretended not to understand the hostility in Ling Mingyan's words and intentionally misunderstood her. Her eyes looked frightened and she c.o.c.ked her head and bit her lips, her eyes teary as if she had been incredibly wronged!

”What is it, are you afraid that your Eldest Sister will tear through your lies? You're afraid, aren't you? I was the one who brought your Eldest Sister into the palace to tear through your mask. I want to see if you will still dare to s.h.i.+rk your responsibility after knocking someone down and killing them. Do you really think the capital is lawless?” Ling Mingyan was satisfied seeing Mo Xuetong being afraid. She raised her chin righteously, looking as if she had found justice. She had long forgotten that she was the one who had killed someone by knocking them down.

Everyone was surprised when they heard that!

In a pavilion not far away, Mo Xuemin, who had been secretly watching frowned angrily. She scolded Ling Mingyan for being so stupid to tell others that. Didn't that imply that she had something against her sister so much to ruin her reputation in the palace? Even if her younger sister from the main branch had done something wrong, she, as a concubine's daughter could not say anything.

Furthermore, even if she had done something wrong, the family should settle it behind closed doors. This was an embarra.s.sment to the Mo family for her to do this outside. This was not something the magnanimous and gracious Mo Xuemin would do. You Yuecheng, who was standing by the side looked at her with a suspicious glance. Mo Xuemin felt like slapping Ling Mingyan's mouth off.

Who was You Yuecheng? He was the Ming Duke's son! His status as the duke's son was completely different from Sima Lingyun's. He was from a truly n.o.ble family while Sima Lingyun was from a dest.i.tute family that only retained its n.o.ble name. The difference between the two was as wide as the distance between the sky and earth. Mo Xuemin had always wanted the handsome Ming Duke's son. However, Ling Mingyan had always been between them and she did not dare to do anything. She could only behave coyly and gently towards him. However, she was certain that You Yuecheng rather liked her.

However, she felt that You Yuecheng treated her somewhat coldly after the incident at the city's gates.

She could not let Ling Mingyan ruin her reputation at this time.

”Is that Third Miss over there? What happened? Is someone bullying her?” She pretended not to see You Yuecheng's suspicious glance and tugged on Mo Jin, asking her in an urgent manner.

”It is Third Miss. I think Miss Ling said something to her. There are many people surrounding them and I can't see clearly.” Mo Jin immediately got to attention and tip-toed, looking over there.

”Is it Miss Ling Mingyan? Is she bullying others?” She said this somewhat worriedly.

”Yes!”

”Then let's go down quickly. We must not let anyone bully Third Sister.” Mo Xuemin pulled Mo Jin and they left together. She tripped on her long dress because she was in a hurry, and she started to fall. You Yuecheng who had been standing beside her helped her to steady herself. The suspicion in his eyes had faded and he asked with concern. ”Slow down. Are you okay?”

Mo Xuemin blushed as she held on to You Yuecheng's hand. She wanted to stand up, but sprained her ankle in her hurry. Then, she fell against You Yuecheng's chest and said, ”I'm fine.” She hurried to steady herself but could not, looking rather pitiful.

”Don't panic, that third sister of yours is not easy to deal with. She won't be missing your help, and you might even make matters worse.” You Yuecheng smiled warmly. It was rare to see him smile.