Chapter 155 - A Chance Meeting, Annoying Marquess Mingguo (1/2)
Chapter 155 A Chance Meeting, Annoying Marquess Mingguo
The banquet was held at the Rain Pavilion in the imperial garden. The Rain Pavilion was decorated differently from other places. There was an average-sized lake in the middle and there were two islands next to each other in the lake. At the closest point between the two islands, one could cross between the two with just a step. The slightly larger island was on the left and that was where the male guests were seated. The slightly smaller island was on the right where the female guests were seated.
For everyone’s enjoyment, the Emperor and his officials were seated by the lake. Those on the islands were all young people. They would not feel restrained by their fathers and would be able to have fun.
There were a few decorated pleasure boats that traveled between the islands and the lakeside, sending those on the sh.o.r.e to the islands. Because there were not many boats, there were men and women on the boats. The women would be sent to the island on the right first before the men were sent to the island on the left. Then, the boats would return to the sh.o.r.e to pick up other people.
Mo Xuetong and Luo Mingzhu arrived by the lake at the peak hour. Some of the ladies and gentlemen were huddled together because they wanted to go to the islands. They gathered together with familiarity. Some young ladies were there with their brothers, so it was not that inappropriate. The Emperor and officials had yet to arrive, so the seats by the lake were empty, and there were no parents to watch them. It was a very relaxed atmosphere. Some of the young ladies and gentlemen who were not in a hurry to go to the island gathered under the trees and chatted.
“Younger Sister Tong, look, there’s my brother. Let’s go there and talk to him.” Luo Mingzhu pointed at Luo Wenyou who was not far away with a smile. There were men and women in the group he was in.
The two arrived to find that Qin Yufeng, Qin Yuxuan, Luo Wenyou, You Yuecheng, and a few other n.o.ble ladies were there. The first person to approach them was Qin Yuxuan. His handsome eyes shone as he asked worriedly in a soft voice, “Tong’er, have you healed from your injuries? Do you still feel unwell?”
The two had not met since the incident at Qingliang Temple. He was asking worriedly about the injury she had sustained then.
“Many thanks, Cousin Xuan, for your concern. I have long healed from that minor injury.” Mo Xuetong smiled at him gently. Then, she curtsied to Qin Yufeng and Luo Wenyou who approached. The others followed them and everyone greeted each other.
Mo Xuetong only found out then, that the beautiful girl in pink was You Yuecheng’s younger sister, You Yue’e. The other beautiful girl in the blue dress was called Jiang Yu’er, and the pretty one was called Ai Xue.
Mo Xuetong’s gaze could not help but be drawn to Sima Heyan, who was standing right at the back. This was her first time seeing Sima Heyan since her rebirth. Sima Heyan was wearing a light purple silk dress. There was red embroidery on the edges of her collar and sleeves, making her look adorable.
Sima Heyan’s life was difficult in her past life. She became her brother’s stepping stone towards power. Sima Heyan still lived at home when Mo Xuetong first married into the Sima manor. However, the two did not have many interactions. Sima Heyan married a month after she married into the Sima manor. In this month, Mo Xuetong was a new wife and was cowardly. She was afraid of making mistakes and saying the wrong thing. Sima Heyan, on the other hand, was busy with her impending nuptials.
If one were to really look into it, they would found the two had only exchanged a few words. Even though Mo Xuetong could sense from their limited interactions that Sima Heyan did not like her, she did not get along well with her cousin Yun Yiqiu as well. Mo Xuetong recalled that Sima Heyan always looked down on others.
Mo Xuetong did not have any other feelings about her. She could only sigh and say with pity that Sima Heyan did not have any choice but to marry either. She had to be married after being plotted against by Sima Lingyun.
“Is this Third Miss Mo? You are indeed beautiful. My brother keeps mentioning you, and now that I’ve seen you, you are even more beautiful than he says.” Sima Heyan approached her from behind You Yue’e, holding on to Ai Xue as she sized Mo Xuetong up, her head c.o.c.ked to the side curiously with a smile.
She had truly heard her elder brother mentioning the young ladies from the Mo family. In the past, her brother praised First Miss Mo, but when Third Miss Mo appeared in the capital, her elder brother started praising Third Miss Mo. What had caused such a huge change in her elder brother? Sima Heyan was really curious.
Mo Xuetong’s clothes today were very plain. Mo Huawen knew that she was still in her mourning period. He had already requested for her to attend the banquet, and it would be inappropriate for her to dress in bright colors. As such, he had especially told Auntie Qing to pick clothes that were elegant but plain.
Because her health had been well taken care of recently, while she had not matured much physically, she possessed the beauty of a young girl. On her porcelain face was a pair of large, clear eyes. Her long lashes fluttered under the light. Her pert nose and red, luscious lips seemed to glimmer. Her mesmerizing lip color complemented her innocent, and yet seductive appearance.
Even You Yuecheng, who had always hated Mo Xuetong, could not help but find his eyes s.h.i.+ning at her sight. He turned around sharply as he tried to control his heart which had suddenly started to beat wildly. His lips tightened as he pursed them.
He had always hated Mo Xuetong. He felt that the girl was too fake and too vicious. He liked girls like Mo Xuemin, who was gentle and talented. He did not like girls who were so vicious that they would want to kill their Aunties and unborn sibling. Her eyes were still so clear and touched the depths of the hearts of those who looked into them despite having done something so vile. You Yuecheng felt a deep-seated dislike for her.
How dare a woman like this pretend to be so innocent in front of others! He could not help but frown.
The others did not notice You Yuecheng, but Mo Xuetong saw him clearly. The obvious disdain and hatred on You Yuecheng’s face did not affect her at all. Like how You Yuecheng felt towards her, Mo Xuetong did not like him at all. Ever since she heard the private conversation between him and Mo Xuemin, she started to despise him. Birds of the same feather flock together. He was a great liar, just like Mo Xuemin.