Chapter 7: Trouble is Coming

Early the next morning, Madam Wang once again took the family carriage and went out.

Madam Zhuang was generally easygoing; when the carriage wasn't in use by the household, she didn't mind others using it a few extra times.

However, no sooner had she left than Madam Liu found out.

"She took the carriage out again? What on earth is Wang Xiue up to these past two days?"

She hadn't even gotten to the bottom of yesterday's news, and now there was something else?

"Does she think the family carriage is for her personal use every single day?"

Madam Liu had no close relatives and spent her days idle.

Come to think of it, she was quite skilled at needlework. Early on, Madam Zhuang had wanted her to lead the others in doing some sewing. It wasn't about earning money, but rather saving the expense of having it done outside, right?

As it turned out, as soon as she took charge, everything fell into chaos.

The drama was endless, and in the end, they had to give up on the idea!

But since she was idle, there wasn't a single thing in the house she didn't pry into.

Although Mo Rushan held a humble government post, he was well-learned, and there were always fellow scholars visiting or people coming to ask for advice. No matter how little, there was always some benefit to be had.

Madam Liu had to keep an eye on that...

Madam Wang’s maiden family was in business and owned many shops; they were always sending people over with this or that.

She had to keep an eye on that, too...

Whenever she caught wind of anything, she had to investigate. No matter what, she had to squeeze some benefit out of it.

The three branches had agreed that, aside from public use, the family donkey cart would be rotated among them.

But Madam Liu rarely went out, and she felt she was losing out if she used it less.

She kept a close watch on Madam Wang; if she used it one extra time, Madam Liu would be sure to make a fuss.

At this moment, flicking her handkerchief, she went straight to find Madam Zhuang: "Sister-in-law, I want to use the carriage to go out."

Madam Zhuang knew she was just looking for trouble and said patiently, "The second sister-in-law had something urgent come up today and took the carriage out. If you aren't in a hurry, use it tomorrow. If you are, it’s fine to hire a sedan chair from outside."

"Sister-in-law, that’s not how you say it, is it? Regardless of whether it's urgent or not, rules are rules! My business isn't urgent, so the second sister-in-law's is? If she's in a hurry, she should find her own way; she can't keep encroaching on mine!"

"Fine, fine, I'll talk to her later." Madam Zhuang didn't want to engage.

But Madam Liu wouldn't let it go, dragging up old grievances and rambling on endlessly.

...

"Is Fifth Sister in her room?" A soft, gentle voice suddenly asked outside Mo Yi's door.

Mo Yi was in her room, working on decorative knots with Xiangzhi.

These knots were extremely laborious and difficult to weave; if they weren't done right, they had to be undone and started over. The two of them had spent a long time to make just five, but they were quite beautiful.

Hearing Mo Yuan's voice, Mo Yi thought to herself: Why is she here?

Oh no, could it be that last night's business was discovered? That shouldn't be...

"Fourth Sister?" she asked hesitantly.

"Mm. It's me!" The voice remained soft and slow.

Mo Yi quickly signaled for the maid to open the door and went to the threshold herself.

"Fourth Sister, it's so cold out, why are you here?"

Mo Yuan stood prettily at the door. Seeing Mo Yi, she pursed her lips and smiled, "It's nothing, just came to see Fifth Sister. Don't overthink it!"

After saying this, she squeezed into the room, and a not-so-elegant scent wafted over, nearly making Mo Yi sneeze.

She hurriedly stepped aside.

Mo Yuan entered the room and cast a glance around... frowning in disdain: "Look at this place, there's barely room to step!"

Mo Yi followed behind her and said honestly, "Some flowers are afraid of the cold, so they have to be brought inside."

"Oh. My, how fragrant! Is that the scent of narcissus?" Mo Yuan asked.

"Yes." Mo Yi replied, though she felt incredibly depressed inside.

The blooming plant had been taken to Mo Wen, so how much fragrance could be left in the room?

Even if there was any, it had been masked by the smell on her body.

It seemed the matter of sending the flowers yesterday had leaked.

Not wanting to discuss it with her, she could only play dumb: "Does Sister want some almond soup?"

She didn't like Mo Wen or Mo Yuan.

Usually, the two of them competed over everything and bickered daily, but it rarely involved her.

Mo Wen was her own sister, strong-willed and backed by their mother, so she couldn't be avoided.

And Mo Yuan... she couldn't be underestimated either.

"Don't bother! Sit down and talk for a while! I was wondering why Xiangye was carrying such a fragrant thing yesterday; it was to deliver narcissus to Third Sister, wasn't it?"

Since she wouldn't take the bait, Mo Yuan brought it up herself.

"..." Mo Yi felt helpless.

Although the three branches were squeezed into one large compound, they were actually separated, like a triangle.

The second branch connected to the first branch on the left and the third branch on the right through a small alley.

The third and first branches connected at the other end.

For her to go to Mo Wen's room, she didn't even need to leave the second branch's courtyard.

For Mo Yuan to know this news, she must have passed through the moon gate and run into the second branch's courtyard!

That would be fine during the day, but in the dead of night, cold and dark...

Puzzled as she was, she couldn't avoid it, so she replied, "Yes."

She added an explanation: "These narcissus were bought by Eldest Uncle, and he asked me to help grow them. Before the New Year, Eldest Uncle wants to take them to give away. Two of them didn't grow very well, so I gave them to Third Sister."

Mo Yuan wiped the side of her nose with a handkerchief, "Oh, so that's how it is... My, I hadn't even gathered the courage to ask, and you've already blocked me!"

"Fourth Sister, although I am the one growing the narcissus, I really am not the one who decides. Flowers are expensive this year, and Eldest Uncle didn't buy many; these are all there are. Giving you a pot wouldn't be a big deal, but I'm afraid there won't be enough when Eldest Uncle needs them, and I won't be able to explain."

Mo Yuan’s lips curved, but the smile had vanished from her eyes, "Fifth Sister, you don't have to be like this, do you? How is it that Third Sister gets the ones that didn't grow well, but when it comes to me, there's nothing left?!"

"Fourth Sister..." Mo Yi didn't want to offend her, "How about this: when Eldest Uncle returns tonight, I'll ask him, and I'll try my best to spare a pot for you."

Mo Yuan's eyes immediately turned red.

"You don't have to do that..." she sniffled aggrievedly, "It's just me. I usually feel that Second Aunt dotes on Mo Wen and spoils Mo Qing, but is unkind to you. In the Mo family, we two share a similar plight, and I am willing to be close to you."

"..." Mo Yi was speechless again. When did you ever share a plight with me?

And when were you ever close to me?

"But I didn't expect... to put you in a difficult position. It's my fault! It seems that a biological sister and a cousin are different after all!"

She was tearful, nearly stamping her feet in distress.

"...Where is this coming from? Please don't cry..." Mo Yi was caught between laughter and tears.

Mo Yuan was truly relentless; tears welled up and fell, and she held her handkerchief to her cheeks to wipe them.

"Fourth Sister, Fourth Sister!" Mo Yi immediately gave in, "How about this, I will go ask Eldest Aunt right now. Whatever Eldest Aunt says you can take, that's what you'll take, alright?"

Mo Yuan, however, remained immersed in her own emotions: "I know... the third branch has no wealth or power, and no one looks up to us. Father... I don't even remember the last time I saw him. Mother and I are so pitiful... unwelcome everywhere. I know the cold looks of others. But I thought... Fifth Sister was different! You have truly broken my heart..."

Mo Yi was usually quiet and reserved.

Her mother always called her a "dull gourd," or a "withered thing" when she was annoyed.

Over time, everyone thought she was soft-natured and honest.

Actually, that wasn't the case.

She just felt... it wasn't necessary.

Looking at Mo Yuan, it was as if she had done something terrible to her!

Where did this even come from!? She was annoyed now, so she stopped coaxing her and kept her head down, saying nothing.

"Fine! I'll leave then!" After her accusation, Mo Yuan stood up abruptly and walked out.

At the door, she paused.

It seemed she wanted to give Mo Yi a chance to "turn over a new leaf."

But Mo Yi was truly annoyed—why was she working so hard only to be unappreciated? So, she didn't take this "opportunity."

Mo Yuan saw that she didn't stop her! Didn't soften! Didn't give her the narcissus!

Disappointed and heartbroken, she left...

(End of chapter)