Chapter 162 - Trapped In Trouble After The Feast (2/2)

Sima Lingyun’s smile froze on his face. It was not a small thing to let others know it’s only a ‘s word’s difference, “Sis, you’re a young woman from the Zhenguo Duke’s manor and should admit your own fault. Do you want me to invite our mother here?”

The Zhenguo Duke’s manor couldn’t bear such a rumor.

The elder brother who used to speak gently to her was scolding her in public and wanted to invite her mother to crucify her. Though Sima Heyan was a proud girl, she began to worry, and tears filled her eyes. “Brother!” she cried.

Imperial Concubine Wen coughed and tried to cover it up for her. “Okay, now that the truth is clear and it is only a small mistake made by the lady from the Zhenguo Duke’s manor, we shall forget about it. You should be careful about what you say from now on.”

She wanted to let it go, but knew Imperial Concubine Su wouldn’t. She looked up at Imperial Concubine Su and began to speak, but was interrupted by the empress.

“It seems that the young miss from the Duke Zhenguo’s manor is ill. She shouldn’t have come here when she feels ill. Hold her arms and take her out in case that something happens and disturbs the emperor.”

The empress understood what they meant now. The feast would be over soon, and if it was known to all that such a thing happened, she would be disgraced. She had just appreciated Mo Xuemin’s poem in front of everyone before it was revealed the poem wasn’t really hers. Her reputation as the empress would be completely ruined. Besides, if the emperor knew it, he would think she was useless. And Imperial Concubine Su would say something to the emperor coquettishly. She just couldn’t hold her anger back and took it out on Sima Heyan.

If it hadn’t been for her, her feast wouldn’t have been such a joke.

Being scolded in public like that, Sima Heyan knew she was in in the empress’ bad books, and no other ladies of the court would be friends with her. Even worse, her marriage would be badly influenced. Sima Heyan’s face turned pale, and when she noticed her brother’s cold eyes, she felt so sad that she just knelt down and let her tears stream down her face.

There came a noise indicating the feast hosted by the emperor had ended.

The empress stood up and coldly glanced at Sima Heyan and Mo Xuemin, then headed to the lake with the nannies. The s.h.i.+ps waiting there were different from those when they came. These were all large s.h.i.+ps which could contain hundreds of people. The feast on the right island had also just ended, and everyone was headed to the s.h.i.+ps.

The emperor and the officials were waiting by the river bank. They didn’t leave, because there would be a lantern show after the feast which catered to the young people of the court. Those maids by the bank all went to find their masters.

The emperor and empress left with the company of Imperial Concubines, and this place was filled with young people.

These lords and ladies didn’t have to behave themselves, because the emperor wanted them to have as much fun as normal people and would also appear in the lantern show in the palace. So they should just act like they were in the normal streets and markets, relax, and have fun. The entire palace was lit up like as though it was daytime. The beautiful clothes and sweet voices added to the atmosphere.

Those who were familiar relatives would chat and appreciate the lanterns together. There were no family members watching them, so they felt relaxed.

Mo Xuetong had just stood still by the corner of the river bank when Mo Ye came along. Before they could talk, a maid holding a lantern appeared under a tree and waved at her.

“Miss!” Mo Ye was nervous.

“Don’t worry. Let’s go have a look.” Mo Xuetong’s eyes darkened and she comforted her with a smile. Mo Ye was not Mo Yu or Mo Lan, and she was diplomatic. She could easily deal with a maid.

Mo Xuemin was watching Mo Xuetong and saw her leave with the maid. A cold, vicious smile emerged on her lips and she waved at Mo Xiu to come to her. Then she pointed to Sima Lingyun and said, “Go ahead and leave him there. Tell him that I’m already here.”

Mo Xiu obeyed her order and quietly walked in Sima Lingyun’s direction.

Mo Xuetong took Mo Ye to the maid and saw her signaling to keep up.

They walked to a small path. There were not many lanterns on the path but only a few of them which were dimly lit and appeared cold.

Mo Xuetong suddenly stopped her steps, holding Mo Ye’s hand to stand still and asked. “Do you know who that lord is?” By then she was already on the small path, and what happened inside couldn’t be seen from the outside. This secluded place was so different from the outside. Only in this place did she realize it was still winter, and her dress rustled in the wind.

Seeing that Mo Xuetong didn’t go ahead, the maid felt anxious and answered her impatiently. “Miss, you’re supposed to go along quickly. This path leads to Qingfang Pavilion. That lord asked me to get you here after he got out of the s.h.i.+p, and it will be too late if you don’t set out right now.”

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