Chapter 188 - The Secret Behind her Mother’s Sudden Death (2/2)

She clutched the opening of her sleeves tightly and her body shook. Mo Xuetong felt as if she had fallen into a deep and dark trap. Her heart and her body were falling downwards, but there was no end…

Did her father mean that her mother wanted to die?

“Father, why?” Mo Xuetong did not try to avoid it anymore. She looked straight at Mo Huawen with her deep dark eyes. He tried to avoid her gaze under the light. Her eyes were sad but determined. She was going to find out everything about her mother’s death, no matter what. What exactly happened to her mother? There were so many things involving her mother that was really weird.

The ruined courtyard in the General Manor, her mother’s sudden death…

“Tong’er, there are some things… you don’t have to know too much about… if we could tell you about it… your mother and I would have told you about it long ago…” Mo Huawen regretted his rashness. He had already said what he did. How could he have told her daughter that? Her daughter would only be happy if she did not know about it. He had promised Luo Xia that back then.

He must not drag Tong’er into that whirlpool, no matter what. What happened in the past was in the past. There was no point in pursuing it any further.

“Father…” Mo Xuetong still wanted to speak.

“Tong’er, it is getting late. Go back first. You should rest more since your health is poor.” Mo Huawen did not wait for Mo Xuetong to say anything else. He stood up and said to the people outside, “Mo Yu, Mo Ye, come and help Miss back.” Then, he ignored Mo Xuetong who stood there with tears falling down her face. He turned around and returned to his room. His footsteps were hurried, he was trying to flee.

“Father, Father…”

Mo Xuetong’s eyes were filled with devastation and tears trickled down her face.

Mo Yu hurried up to hold Mo Xuetong when she saw how sad she was and how she looked as if she was going to fall. She comforted her, “Miss, let’s go back first. Old Sir is going to rest now. Let’s talk again tomorrow if there’s anything you want to say.”

They had been standing outside through it all. Even though they were far away, they could still hear some things vaguely.

Why was her father so afraid of talking about her mother’s death!

Sadness rushed up and the pain that she kept hidden deep in her heart surged. She picked up the wine flagon beside her and poured it into her mouth. Mo Ye and Mo Yu wanted to take it away from her but were afraid of hurting her hands. When they finally took it from her, Mo Xuetong had already drunk half of it. The wine flagon fell onto the ground with a dull thud and rolled into the corner.

Her body went limpid. Mo Ye reacted quickly and caught her.

“Miss, Miss, are you alright?”

“I’m fine. This wine is quite good… I want more.” Mo Xuetong tried to stand. Her mind was hazy but she felt as if her heart was much lighter. It was no wonder so many people liked to drink. So wine had such properties. She reached out and shook Mo Yu’s hand which was holding on to her.

“Miss, you can’t drink anymore. You’re already drunk!” Mo Yu persuaded her.

“I’m drunk? How is that possible…? I’m not drunk. Mo Yu, I want more. Being drunk is great. I am no longer unhappy and am not that sad anymore…” Mo Xuetong smiled brilliantly like a blooming flower. However, tears started sliding down her cheeks again.

“Take Tong’er back and take care of her. Get the kitchens to make her hangover soup.” Mo Huawen sighed from inside the room. He was clutching on to the letter that had been dampened with Luo Xia’s tears. He was determined once more. Luo Xia had mentioned in her letter again and again not to bother with what happened then. Tong’er was just her daughter and no one was to hurt her.

Mo Huawen only walked outside when he saw the two maids half-helping, half-carrying Mo Xuetong back. A servant had already come to pick up the tables. Mo Huawen sat in front of his study table and read the letter Luo Xia had left him over and over again. Mo Huawen’s eyes welled up with tears. He thought of the first time he saw the beautiful girl and how he had lost his heart to her then.

When he first heard how the General Manor had agreed to marry their eldest legal daughter to him. He was overjoyed and excited then. He was just a measly officer then and was not good enough to be her husband. He thought that he would have no other desires if he had her in his life. However, he had not thought that they would be separated by the veil of death now.

Luo Xia had not managed to escape fate. Tong’er must not be embroiled into this and must not become someone else’s chess piece. This was all that Luo Xia asked of him. She was their only daughter and Luo Xia only hoped she would be safe and happy. Everything else did not matter.

He kept the letter and hid it in a secret corner of his desk. There was a portrait there as well. He undid the portrait, revealing a girl who was smiling warmly. She seemed as if she were going to walk out of the portrait.

Mo Huawen caressed the girl’s face with his finger. He was deep in thought and a smile appeared at the corners of his eyes without him noticing…

“Cousin, Cousin. It’s New Year’s Eve. I made a few dishes. Shall we eat together?” A slender figure stood outside in the light. Her smile was as beautiful as a blooming flower and her dress was patterned with red flowers. Just like the day they first met, he felt as if she had stepped out from a portrait. He could not help but look up and at her.

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