Reborn: Femme Fatale First Daughter (PART 1)

Chapter 197

Chapter 197 The Odd Flower

"Elder Sister Ling, we asked you to talk about what the imperial consorts in the palace wear. Why are you talking about this instead?" Chen Ya'er flushed red. They were all unmarried young ladies. It really was a rather inappropriate topic.

Ling Rui'er, however, had already been embarrassed several times today. She felt that she had to flaunt everything she had right now to put Mo Xuetong back in her place.

"The imperial consorts have all been worrying about it for days. They are not only picking for His Majesty, they are picking for the princes as well," she said with satisfaction. "My aunt has been so busy these past few days. She even told me to see if there is anyone suitable amongst my friends. I think everyone here is beautiful and has a high enough status. You are all good candidates. I shall tell my aunt tomorrow."

Her statement made all the young ladies flush red.

"Younger Sister Ling, you are confused. How could we presume to be involved with matters of the palace?" You Yue'e muttered, still bright red.

"How are you not involved? My aunt said that all daughters of officials who are fifth grade and above, between the ages of thirteen and seventeen, and are beautiful and virtuous have to enter. I think most of us here are." Ling Rui'er looked at Mo Xuetong provocatively. "There are some people who are lacking in virtue and Aunt must quickly remove her from the selection. Otherwise, she would just be an embarrassment when she enters the palace."

She was implying that it was impossible for Mo Xuetong to be selected. She spoke as if she was going to make the final decision and select the consorts for the emperor and princes.

Mo Xuetong did not intend to argue. She honestly wanted to ignore her. She had heard many sarcastic and mocking remarks in her past life. These sorts of comments didn't bother her in the slightest.

"It can't be. That would mean that the selection would be extended to the whole nation." Shen Qianxiu said, her eyes wide with confusion. "Didn't His Majesty once say that he would not waste the effort and money of his people on this?"

"How could this be a waste of people's effort and money? Besides, the selection won't be that wide. The main thing is to find consorts for the three princes. My aunt said that there is no proper mistress in the princes' manors, so they must pick well this time."

Ling Rui'er kept mentioning her aunt. Even though she was talking to everyone, she kept glancing at Mo Xuetong. It was obvious she was showing off. The conversation turned to the consort selection of the princes and Mo Xuetong stayed quiet, only exchanging a few words with Luo Mingzhu.

It was a small gathering of girls. The conversation was not out of place. What was strange was that this group normally did not get along. The daughters of the Four Great Manors were all present with the grand secretariat's daughter being the mediator. It was an entirely different level than the usual gathering of noble ladies.

Wang Xiuxiu had also intentionally gotten Ling Rui'er to talk about the selection. On the surface, they seemed to only be guessing who would enter each manor, but the underlying conversation was which prince His Majesty favored.

Mo Xuetong discreetly paid attention to the conversation.

The banquet ended only when the maids came to tell the young ladies that the lady of their manor wanted them home.

Mo Xuetong accompanied Luo Mingzhu and sent them off at the courtyard entrance. She did not send them off any further. They were in the General Manor and she was not considered the host.

Ling Rui'er lifted her head up high and did not even look at her. You Yue'e continued holding hands with Chen Ya'er, but Chen Ya'er seemed as if she wanted to say something else before she was pulled away by You Yue'e. Shen Qianxiu said goodbye to her politely while Wang Xiuxiu organized for them to have peach blossom wine on her birthday.