Chapter 3: Night Talk in the Study

(3)

"Little sister, wait for me!" Mo Junming glanced at his mother, stamped his foot, and chased after her.

Other people’s daughters were kept by their parents’ sides and pampered in every way, but his sister had been sent by their father to Yunshan at the tender age of three. She had grown up all alone on that mountain, learning medicine from her master, and could only return home for a few days each year during the holidays.

A girl of only eleven should have been enjoying the warmth of her parents' company, but whenever their mother saw her, she would fall ill, always showing deep disgust and aversion toward her. How could his sister not be hurt inside?

The more Mo Junming thought about it, the more bitter he felt, and he couldn't help but quicken his pace.

Mo Yunluo watched the backs of the two children as they ran off, a surge of sorrow rising in his heart. He then scooped his wife up into his arms and headed toward Liu Garden. Xunyan had returned; from now on, he could no longer let Youning wander around the manor as she pleased.

As they neared Yan Garden, Mo Xunyan, who had been walking with her head down, accidentally bumped into a tree.

"Little sister!" Mo Junming exclaimed. He rushed forward, pulled Mo Xunyan into his arms, and gently rubbed the spot that had turned red from the impact, blowing on it with a face full of distress.

Mo Xunyan’s body stiffened. She stared blankly at Mo Junming, opened her mouth, but could not utter a single word.

"How could you be so careless?" Mo Junming didn't think anything was amiss. He looked up at Mo Xunyan, "Does it hurt?"

Mo Xunyan looked at him as if he were a stranger and shook her head expressionlessly. For so many years, Mo Junming was the first person to show such concern for her injuries; she was indeed unaccustomed to it.

On the first day she woke up on Yunshan, her master had told her that if she wanted to live, she had to pick herself up, for no one would pity her. If you were weak, you deserved to be beaten, and you deserved to die in vain.

Therefore, for the past eight years, she had gone from crying while being beaten, to silently enduring the beatings, to now coldly striking back. Her heart had long since become numb to injury.

No matter how large the wound, as long as it wouldn't kill her, Mo Xunyan wouldn't even let out a groan; she would simply apply some medicine. Yet, Mo Junming’s display of concern not only surprised her but also stirred a strange feeling within her.

"Little sister, you are a girl, more precious than a man; you must cherish yourself." As Mo Junming spoke, he took a small box of ointment from his robes and gently applied it to Mo Xunyan.

"Thank you." Two words finally escaped Mo Xunyan’s lips, though her face remained devoid of expression.

"Silly girl, I am your brother, why thank me?!" Mo Junming raised his hand to ruffle Mo Xunyan’s hair, then took her hand and led her back to Yan Garden.

Gu Nuo and Gu Xi had already tidied up the garden, and Mo Junming pulled his sister around to see what else needed to be added.

"Young Master, Miss, the Master invites you to the study for a meal." Before long, a maid came to deliver the message, and Mo Junming hurriedly led Mo Xunyan to the study.

Mo Yunluo dismissed the servants and sat down at the table with his son and daughter.

"Father, is Mother alright now?" Mo Junming was worried about his mother.

"She has taken her medicine and fallen asleep," Mo Yunluo said in a flat tone.

"Mother’s illness hasn't improved despite all the medicine she’s taken. She’s fine when she’s clear-headed, but when she’s confused, she doesn't recognize anyone." Mo Junming sighed.

"Let’s eat." Mo Yunluo gestured to the food on the table. "Xunyan, eat more."

Mo Xunyan nodded, picked up her bowl and chopsticks, and began to eat quietly.

"The Emperor has issued a decree this time: all officials of the third rank or higher in the capital who have unmarried children between the ages of eleven and twenty must bring them to participate in the royal hunt in ten days' time. Presumably, the Emperor intends to use this opportunity to observe the children of various families, to select consorts for the princes and husbands for the princesses." Mo Yunluo explained in a low voice while serving food to his daughter.