Mo Xueqiong knew there was no hiding what she'd done. She began to blurt out the truth, sobbing the whole time.

When she'd gone to Mo Xuetong's courtyard, Mo Xueqiong had seen Mo Xuemin making tea for Sima Lingyun. The two seemed inappropriately close, and Mo Xueqiong immediately got jealous.

Without knowing anything about the situation, she went up and questioned Mo Xuemin. She'd even pushed Mo Xuemin. The two had fallen to the ground and...

Mo Huawen was so angry he was practically smoking. He had always known how unruly his fourth daughter was, but he hadn't expected his eldest daughter to behave like this as well. She'd brought a man into her younger sister's courtyard, even flirted with him. Did she care about her reputation at all?

"Go. Go back to your courtyards. Copy the Classics for Women thirty times. You're not allowed to leave your courtyards unless you finish. Your maids will each be beaten ten times. If they can't even look after their mistresses, what use do they have?"

The maids and servants following Mo Xueqiong and Mo Xuemin knelt down in fright. Mo Xuemin kowtowed.

"Father, can you spare them? They had nothing to do with this matter."

Even Mo Xueqiong's servants looked at her gratefully. Mo Xuemin really did not lose a single chance to make herself look gracious.

"Father, please do as Eldest Sister asks. Eldest sister has always been kind. She cannot bear to see others get hurt," Mo Xuetong added softly, tugging on Mo Huawen's sleeve.

She sounded as if she was defending Mo Xuemin, but it just made Mo Huawen even angrier.

His eldest daughter had always been kind and knowledgeable of etiquette, but apparently not today. Mo Huawen glared at her.

"Ten more strikes to everyone!"

Mo Xuemin knelt and balled her hands into fists. Now everyone was looking at her in rage. Her long fingernails dug into her palms, but a docile smile appeared on her face.

"Yes, Father. I was in the wrong. Please forgive me. I will immediately wash my clothes and light incense. Then I will copy the Classics of Women fifty times. I won't make the same mistake again."

Mo Huawen calmed a bit when he saw the regret in her eyes, but he still suspected she'd been set to ruin sister's reputation. He waved his hand impatiently, gesturing for her to leave.

Mo Xueqiong still wanted to say something, but Mo Yan held her back, and she stomped her feet reluctantly before leaving.

Mo Huawen took a moment to comfort Mo Xuetong, then left Qingwei Garden as well.

Once the courtyard had been cleaned up, Mo Lan made Mo Xuetong another cup of tea. She told Mo Xuetong what had happened in detail. Mother Xu passed by Mo Xueqiong's courtyard while running to the study. Mo Yan came out to ask her why she was in such a rush.

Mother Xu told her that Eldest Miss was with His Excellency in Third Miss's courtyard and that the two had been waiting for more than four hours.

Mo Xueqiong had always been interested in Sima Lingyun. Mo Xuemin had once promised her, privately, that there was nothing going on between her and Sima Lingyun. Now here they were, in the inner courtyard, together, for almost four hours. Mo Xueqiong could not bear it. She'd immediately barged into Qingwei Garden.

With unruly, jealous Mo Xueqiong around, it didn't matter how pure hearted and noble Mo Xuemin pretended to be. She would be dragged into trouble anyway.

Mo He looked at Mo Xuetong curiously, giving her a scented towel for her hands.

"Misstress, why did you not say that First Miss was the one who told His Excellency about you having the music manuscript?"

She had been standing outside the door earlier and heard everything clearly.

"If Eldest Sister he was willing to cover for her, what evidence did I have? It would only make Father unhappy. Things are fine this way." Mo Xuetong smiled, taking a sip of tea and placed the cup on the table. She looked at the pot of flowers that Mo Lan placed at the window.

She didn't have any evidence, but she had trouble believing more than a handful of people could have known about the manuscript. Auntie Fang, who had waited on her mother, almost certainly knew about it. Who else? Her father had been dealing with politics for most of his life, and managed to stand out. among hundreds of officials. He had to know what was happening.

Mo He didn't understand. She had to sit and think for a moment before her eyes brightened. Mo Lan set down her vase and nudged Mo Lan, grinning.

"Hurry and get Mistress's luggage from the carriage. Old Madam gave Miss a lot of good things."

Mo He smacked herself on the head and turned to run out.

"Oh, right! Miss, I'll go and get them from the carriage immediately."

-

In Auntie Fang's Lihua Garden.

Aunt Fang grabbed a porcelain decoration and smashed it at her feet.

"How did that little bitch get into a fight with Xuemin?" she spat. She was not at the inner residence right now, so she'd heard Nanny Li talking about Mo Xuemin's punishment. She'd been angry enough to go confront Mo Huawen but was held back by Nanny Li.

"Fourth Miss ran to Qingwei Garden when she heard that First Miss had gone to Qingwei Garden," Nanny Li explained.

Aunt Fang slowly calmed down and looked at the empty door. There was a cold light in her eyes.

"Did the little slut find out about something?"

"No, Third Miss was not there. There's no way she knew."

Nanny Li was Auntie Fang's confidant, so she knew that Auntie Fang was talking about Mo Xuetong.

"Then why, why does the little slut act so differently from before. Ever since she came back to the city..." She had gotten the upper hand at every opportunity. First at the city gates and then, Min'er had ended up being the one humiliated. Then, the reveal of her "injury". Even the calm Min'er had fallen into her game. Something wasn't right.

"Auntie, you're thinking too much. She's just an orphan who lost her mother. She doesn't have the courage to fight with Auntie and First Miss. She's gotten a few lucky incidents thanks to the Fuguo's. How would she have the ability to plot against you and First Miss? She's just lucky.”

Auntie Fang smiled.

"Hurmph, you're right. Let the little bitch have it good for a few days. Have you sent people to His Excellency's?"

"I got someone to follow him when he left. He guaranteed that nothing will go wrong on his side of things. We will not have another accident like today's," Nanny Li said with satisfaction. Auntie's plans had already been set in motion. The plan today was only to plant an idea in Sir Mo's mind. When the incident finally happened, Old Sir would still act as planned.

They hadn't expected First Miss's punishment, but, once the plan succeeded, Third Miss would be blamed for this too.

"We'll see how many more days that little bitch can keep fighting back." Auntie Fang laughed shrilly. "We'll have to make sure the other little brat suffers too. How dare she fight with Min'er and ruin her plans? Get someone to make Auntie Qing punish her a bit more harshly, teach her to be less stupid next time.”

"I will get someone to do it tomorrow," Nanny Li said with a laugh.

The next day, Mo Xuetong made a lunchbox for Mo Huawen. She knew that Mo Huawen had not returned to the inner house yesterday night and had stayed in his study. It was about time he returned from court. She'd memorized the timing in her last life, back when she'd still been in love with Sima Lingyun.

Indeed, Mo Huawen did not return to the inner house after court. He changed into casual clothing and sat behind his desk, doing paperwork with a frown. When he saw Mo Xuetong's sweet, smiling face at the door, his expression softened.

He sat down and watched quietly as Mo Xuetong took out several dishes. She looked so much like her mother he felt as if he'd gone back in time. He could remember Luo Xia gently placing dishes of porriage on his desk. But now...

"Father, you can eat the porridge now. I heard that you haven't had breakfast yet. And you'll embarrass me if you don't try the dishes I cooked!"

Mo Huawen nodded, his eyes filling with tears.

"Alright, alright. Father will try what Tong'er cooked."

Mo Xuetong set a pair of chopsticks into Mo Huawen's hands.

"Quick, try them, Father."

"Third Miss is really filial. I have come too late," Auntie Fang, interrupting the heart-warming moment between father and daughter. She walked in, hankerchief in hand. Nanny Li was also holding a basket of food.

"Why have you come?" Mo Huawen's expression turned cold immediately. Seeing her just reminded him of her daughter's mistakes yesterday.

"I heard that you have not eaten anything since you came back from court, so I went to the kitchen to make you some food. I didn't expect Third Miss to have prepared food so early. Sir, Third Miss is so filial, you are blessed," Auntie Fang said warmly.

Mo Huawen's expression softened.

"Since you're here, sit down. Let's eat together."

No matter what, Auntie Fang was still considered Mo Xuetong's elder, and she was in charge of the home. He could not disrespect her in front of her juniors. He was angry at her for tricking him, but she worked hard for his household and he had to respect that.

Mo Xuetong, of course, knew Auntie Fang's praise was a lie, but she still smiled and stood up, inviting Auntie Fang to take a seat.

"Tong'er is naturally filial. If Min'er was more like her, then I wouldn't have to worry as much," Mo Huawen said coldly.

"Old Sir, I came here today to submit Min'er's copies of the Classics of Women. Min'er asks that Old Sir doesn't blame her. She can't be filial to Old Sir for now, and asks Third Miss to do so on her behalf."

Auntie Fang smiled and took out a stack of paper. The neat and tidy characters showed how hard the person writing it had tried.

There were ten sheets in that bundle. According to regular speeds, Mo Xuemin would not be able to copy ten sheets unless she did not sleep and copied throughout the night.

Mo Huawen fell silent for a moment.

"What else does she need to do?" he finally asked.

"Min'er wanted to go to the temple of atonement outside the city to pray for Madam. She was going to go tomorrow, but even if she doesn't eat and sleep, she won't be able to finish copying 30 sheets...She would like to know if Third Miss can go on behalf of her."

So that was the plan. Mo Xuetong would get ready for whatever came next.