Chapter 673: The Peasant Girl’s Splendid Manor
Chapter 673: The Schemes of Planting (2)
Seeing his indifferent cousin, Xiao Ruiyuan didn't argue. If it weren’t for Yan’er, he wouldn't believe that he could be swayed by someone. Yet, this kind of "swaying" was something he was willing to accept, savoring it like a sweet indulgence.
The conversation between the brothers ended abruptly. Xiao Ruiyuan's resolve to kill Prince Heng remained unchanged. By the time he left Chu Heng's quarters, he had already formulated a preliminary plan, which would be further refined after interrogating the bandits.
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The news that the Mo family had raised five beasts spread like wildfire within half a day, causing a huge stir in the village. It wasn't because the twelve households had deliberately spread the word, but because the children who had been rescued overnight were so astonishing. Villagers who came to inquire quickly learned the details, and it was impossible to keep the five beasts a secret.
Compared to the families who had their children rescued and thus had more goodwill than fear towards the five beasts, others in the village were more afraid than appreciative. Fortunately, the Mo family held a high status in Liuyang Village, and their prestige was significant. The five beasts had not caused any harm to the village and had even saved a group of children. Although many were frightened, they simply avoided the Mo family's estate and did not demand that the Mo family get rid of the beasts or return them to the mountains.
Those who resented the Mo family, however, did not have such restraint. Whenever something adverse about the Mo family emerged, they were the first to jump at the opportunity to spread rumors and stir trouble. This time was no exception. They went around brainwashing people, claiming that the Mo family raising ferocious beasts had ulterior motives and intended to drag others into their schemes to resist the Mo family.
Moreover, under the instigation of Wang Shi, who had been expelled from the village and harbored deep resentment, a plan was devised. They went to Yang Bao's house to create trouble, demanding that Yang Bao force the Mo family to sell the five beasts and distribute the proceeds as compensation for the villagers' fear.
Yang Bao was not about to agree to such shameless demands. As long as the five beasts did not cause trouble in the village, he would turn a blind eye. If the beasts did cause trouble, the Mo family would take responsibility, and it was none of his concern. Why would he risk offending people for something he had no stake in?
These few households were not willing to accept this and went to the old Mo family to discuss ways to deal with the Mo family. Wang shi, who had a deep-seated grudge against the Mo family, suggested that Hong Shi should go to the city to seek help from her daughter, Mo Yongxi, who had married into a wealthy family and had connections with influential people.
Hong Shi, eager for any chance to discredit the Mo family and seize the opportunity to make a name for herself, agreed readily. She packed a few changes of clothes and carried a jar of pickled vegetables from the previous summer, which had already rotted, and went to the Fang family to find Mo Yongxi.
Mo Yongxi, who had married a man with a preference for men and had remained untouched herself, was deeply resentful. Moreover, since Young Master Fang seldom returned home and when he did, treated her poorly, Mo Yongxi had been increasingly rebellious, though the Fang family, worried about public scandal, tolerated her behavior because of her connections.
Despite her disdain for Hong Shi, the Fang family did not refuse her visit. They greeted her with forced smiles and accepted the jar of pickled vegetables, which was promptly discarded into the cesspool by Madam Fang's servants.
Hong Shi was led to Mo Yongxi’s room, where Mo Yongxi was sitting at her vanity, applying eyebrow pencil. Seeing Hong Shi in the mirror made her hand tremble involuntarily, ruining the meticulously drawn eyebrows. Furious, she slammed the eyebrow pencil on the vanity, breaking it into two pieces.
Startled, Hong Shi quickly went up and gently patted Mo Yongxi's back: “Why are you throwing such a big tantrum? Don’t you want to see your mother?”
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