Chapter 6: There is a Hidden Mystery

Dusk had fallen. A young man dismounted at the entrance of a small but extremely luxurious residence.

The gatekeeper hurried forward to welcome him, but the man said nothing and walked straight inside.

Inside the gate, two maids with elegant attire and accessories stood waiting, each holding a magnificent palace lantern.

Seeing him arrive, they curtsied slightly. They didn't speak either, but led the way, their lanterns illuminating the path at his feet.

The dim, yellow light shone upon this man, who was dressed in fine, ornate clothing and stood tall and graceful.

His beautiful eyes held a sense of dominance, and the corners of his mouth carried a hint of cold indifference.

He walked with the measured, steady gait typical of a young nobleman, his cloak swaying with an air of elegance and ease.

Yet, the light playing across his face flickered, making his mood—whether happy or sad—difficult to discern.

He walked straight into the small courtyard at the back without glancing aside, entering the main room directly.

A warm, fragrant breeze rushed to meet him. The carpet was thick, and his footsteps made no sound.

The main room was empty. Familiar with the layout, he turned right and entered the adjacent bedroom.

Purple curtains hung low, and the scent of incense was even heavier here.

A young woman lay half-reclining on a chaise longue beneath the window.

She wore a bright red silk robe embroidered with golden peonies.

Seeing the man enter, she turned, propped her chin on her hand, and watched him with a smiling gaze.

As she moved, the golden threads on her red robe shimmered. The fabric slid down, half-exposing a creamy shoulder...

The man stood quietly at the doorway, neither moving nor speaking.

"How did it go?" the woman in red asked softly.

Taking two steps, the man sat in a chair and said coldly, "As the Princess wishes! My wife is a commoner with no family background! You should be satisfied now, shouldn't you?"

"Oh my... you look quite unhappy," the woman said slowly, her eyes brimming with amorous intent. "Didn't you say that Mo family girl was quite a beauty?"

The man gave a mocking laugh but didn't take the bait, picking up a teacup to take a sip.

"Alright, alright!" The woman in red stood up, walked over barefoot, and pulled the man's hand toward her waist.

The man caught a whiff of a decadent fragrance and felt the supple, resilient waist beneath his hand, yet he remained unmoved.

The woman coaxed him in a gentle, wheedling tone

"This Princess knows: you found a wife from a humble family for my sake. You’ve been wronged, Xu-lang! But... isn't this golden, jade-like body enough of a compensation?"

She giggled coquettishly, lifted a leg, and sat on the man's lap.

Her skirt had a slit, and the man could see that she appeared to be wearing nothing underneath...

In the past, he would have been stirred to excitement.

But today, he remained unmoved, saying with cold, rational detachment, "Princess, there is no need for such courtesy. Didn't you also make a promise?"

"That's right. What I promised, I shall fulfill immediately; I never break my word! However... there is an added benefit today. Doesn't Xu-lang want it?" Her eyes were like silk as she whispered into his ear.

Her breath sprayed into his ear, tickling him... and he began to tense up.

Her bold laughter and full, soft body continued to tease him.

Before long, he could no longer hold back and began to grope her.

"Is what the Princess says... true?" he asked in a low, strained voice.

"Of course it's true! But only today, and only right now... once this village is passed, there will be no such shop!" The woman in red giggled.

"Fine... then I want the Princess to be like this..."

The man's eyes grew hazy, and he pulled her close, breathing heavily...

...

Liu-shi would have a small tantrum every three days and a big one every five; everyone was mostly used to it.

After finishing the meal and wiping her mouth with a handkerchief, Zhuang-shi asked, "Has there been another letter from the second brother?"

"Still the same one from before; I expect it will arrive in these next few days," Wang-shi replied.

Hearing this, Mo Yi’s lips curled into a smile: Father is coming home!

She looked toward Mo Fan, who was also beaming at her, calling out, "I hope Second Uncle returns soon!"

Zhuang-shi gave her son the first smile of the day. "You’re just thinking about the gifts, aren't you!?"

Mo Bao swallowed the last of his beef and chimed in, "I miss Father too!"

Liu-shi jumped back into the conversation: "Sister-in-law, save yourself the trouble of asking. I’ll just say it: Mo Rusong hasn't sent a letter in a long time. Who knows what he’s been busy with out there in the fields? He might even have started another family!"

Zhuang-shi frowned. "There’s a room full of children here; what are you saying?"

"The children are all grown; they should know what they need to know. I think Mo Rusong doesn't want this family anymore!" Liu-shi sneered.

Zhuang-shi set down her handkerchief. "I’ve said it before: if you’re worried, go find him yourself. The third brother is nearly forty; do these matters still need the eldest brother and sister-in-law to manage? If you find the food at home unsatisfactory, why not move to Tongpen Alley and live on your own? You can manage whatever you want to eat yourself!"

These words blocked Liu-shi’s retort.

Not to mention the house in Tongpen Alley, which she had rented out long ago.

Just the thought of moving out meant spending more silver, and the life she’d lead would certainly be worse than it was now!

"Sister-in-law... I was just saying, why bring that up? Who doesn't come home for the New Year? But he hasn't even sent a letter!"

"If he doesn't come home for the New Year, your eldest brother will send a letter!"

The third uncle managed the family’s ancestral land, which was the main source of the Mo family’s livelihood.

When the family split, the eldest uncle, as the firstborn, took fifty percent, including the sacrificial land.

Father and the third uncle each took twenty-five percent.

That land sounded like a lot, but if they sold it, it wouldn't fetch much silver. It probably wouldn't even buy a decent shop in the capital.

The rental income was far less than what they could make managing it themselves.

The third uncle used the excuse of managing this property to avoid coming home.

As the daughter of a dignified fourth-rank official, she had married a farmer, and the key was that he didn't even think much of her... Every time the third aunt mentioned it, she would cause a scene.

A round had passed, and Mother hadn't said a word?

Moreover, there was no mockery on her face, and there was no disdain in Mo Wen’s eyes...

She must have picked up the etiquette she had learned before; her movements were light and slow.

Heh... it seems the marriage prospect is truly settled!

After the meal, everyone returned to their rooms.

"Fifth sister..." Mo Fan secretly called her over, handed her a small package, and whispered, "The new peppermint cakes from Guixiangchun."

Mo Yi mouthed a thank you and quickly tucked them away.

Mo Fan gave a mischievous smile and walked away with his hands behind his back.

To resolve the matter of the narcissus, Mo Yi waited until everyone had left before speaking to Zhuang-shi: "Eldest Aunt, the narcissus that Eldest Uncle asked to be raised have started to bud. By the New Year, they should be in full bloom. If Eldest Uncle wants to give them as gifts, he can start sending them out."

"Good, when your eldest uncle returns, I will tell him," Zhuang-shi replied casually.

By the time she walked back, it was already dark.

Although she was reluctant, Mo Yi wrapped the narcissus in cloth and handed them to Xiangye: "Send these to Eldest Sister. Be careful, don't let anyone else see!"

Xiangye went to Mo Wen’s courtyard, which was one of the best in the house.

"Dujuan-jie," she called out softly.

It was Dujuan, Mo Wen’s maid, who opened the door.

Mo Wen was inside, her heart overflowing with a happiness she couldn't share with anyone, just sitting there, smiling to herself every now and then.

She was too restless to do anything.

Xiangye entered and carefully opened the cloth wrapping, revealing the narcissus inside.

A faint fragrance drifted out. Mo Wen took them and placed them on a small high table. They were beautiful!

Finally, she couldn't help but say to Xiangye: "Go back and tell your mistress: I didn't get these flowers for nothing. There is a great benefit that I have been thinking of for her. As for whether it succeeds in the end, it depends on whether she has the fate for it!"

Xiangye blinked, not understanding.

Mo Wen chuckled: "Just tell her exactly that."

When Xiangye returned, she relayed the message.

Mo Yi was a cautious person; she knew that since Mo Wen said it that way, it must refer to something specific.

But... what could it be?

She thought for a long time, but couldn't figure it out.

"Beep... the carriage is here."

"Where, where?"

"It drove away again..."

(End of chapter)