Chapter 233 - The Secret Relationship between the Princess Royal and Mother (2/2)

“Father, what does the Empress mean?” Mo Xuetong looked away from the luxurious and beautiful bolts of cloth. Her expression turned grave. She had seen such cloth before in her past life, but she had only just seen them. The Duke Zhenguo’s Manor gradually prospered under Sima Lingyun and the Emperor gradually thought highly of him.

The Emperor had gifted them with some items on the d.u.c.h.ess’ 50th birthday. Amongst the items were bolts of cloth such as this. It was said that not many were given to the palace as a tribute and there wasn’t enough of such cloth to go around to the consorts the Emperor favored. The Empress had given the d.u.c.h.ess’ two bolts of such cloth, which was very generous. So what had she done now for the Empress to give her four bolts of such cloth at one go?

“Tong’er, you said that the Princess Royal wanted to adopt you as her daughter. I have already discussed it with the Princess Royal. It will happen on the 15th of the month after spring. The Princess Royal said that you should not go anywhere and if there is a banquet invitation from the palace, you should not go and say that you are feeling poorly.” Mo Huawen reached out to pat Mo Xuetong’s head, his expression was grave.

Mo Xuetong looked up with lively eyes in shock. She told her father what the Princess Royal said to her on the very same day. However, her father had not said whether he agreed or not then. It had only been two days and her father was already done with his discussion with the princess.

The fragrance from the incense at the window drifted through the room. In the smoke, Mo Huawen’s expression was somber and a little blurred. A hint of worry flashed through his eyes. Even though he did not understand what the Empress wanted, it made him very wary. The Empress would not be nice to an official’s daughter for no rhyme or reason.

So what did the Empress want?

The consort-selection was coming. Tong’er had a good reason not to partic.i.p.ate in it. It had only been two years since her mother’s pa.s.sing. She could join in it if she was ordered to. Just like how the Emperor could call on an official to work for the nation and not mourn even when an elder in a highly-regarded official’s family pa.s.sed away.

The problem was that his daughter had only just returned from Cloud City. Furthermore, she was so young, so what need did the Empress have for her?

“Tong’er, the Princess Royal used to be good friends with your mother. If you have her protection, there are many things that you will not need to do.” Mo Huawen looked at his daughter meaningfully. His eyes were filled with love for her.

No matter what, he would not allow his daughter to be in any form of danger again.

“Father, why didn’t Mother tell me about the Princess Royal?” Mo Xuetong tugged on Mo Huawen’s sleeve and asked in confusion.

This was a nagging thought she had had for some time. She felt that there was something more behind this!

“Your mother grew up with the Princess Royal. Their relations.h.i.+p was different from others… Your mother once said that if you are really in trouble, you can find the Princess Royal and ask her for help.” Mo Huawen frowned deeply. He continued, “However, your mother also said not to tell others about her relations.h.i.+p with the Princess Royal.”

They must not let others know about her relations.h.i.+p with the Princess Royal? What was her mother hiding?

“Then why is the Princess Royal taking me as her adoptive daughter now?” Mo Xuetong pressed tightly. No matter whether it was her mother or the Princess, they both tried to hide their past. So why was the princess bringing it up now?

There were some things that had been kept from Mo Xuetong. Now, she felt as if she could catch a glimpse of light!

She wanted to find out the truth even more!

“The Princess Royal told me that you are growing up and are beautiful. If you grow up any more, there would definitely be trouble. Even though I am a third-grade official in the capital, I do not have much power here and cannot protect you. She was a close friend of your mother’s and she could not bear to see you…” Mo Huawen looked at Mo Xuetong. He knew very well how his daughter looked. Her childish face was growing more and more beautiful.

She was young in the past and rarely interacted with others. Others did not know about her. However, she was growing older and she was now in the capital where the wealthy and n.o.ble were gathered. She would attend banquets from time to time. And people had already said that if Tong’er were to grow up more, she would definitely surpa.s.s the greatest beauty of the capital from the Ling family.

If one was extremely beautiful and did not have sufficient power for protection, then it would lead to tragedy.

Luo Xia had been ill-fated. How would she allow her daughter to end up with the same ill-fate? Mo Huawen secretly decided that he would not allow his daughter to suffer one bit no matter what happened.

“Father, do you know exactly what Mother and the Princess Royal’s relations.h.i.+p was like?” Mo Xuetong could not help but press him for an answer when she saw his sad eyes. Her mother had hidden more than one thing from her. No matter what she did, she always had a hidden motive. What was her mother’s goal in this? Mo Xuetong did not know, but she had a feeling that everything her mother did was for one thing.

She would definitely be able to find out her mother’s end goal as long as she continued investigating!

She had died without knowing what happened in her past life. This time, she would definitely investigate till the very end…

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