"Shut up!" Lin Zequ shouted, clenching his fists. "Do you know the crime of slandering a First Rank Marquis of the current court?"
"Slander? Do you dare say this wasn't your doing?" Su Yunmo's emotions were a little agitated.
"Someone who could design to burn their own daughter to death, what kindness could they possibly have? Let alone the Duke's estate, the lives stained by the things you've done over the years, the number of people is more than just one!"
Lin Zequ's entire body almost erupted with killing intent. Like a leopard in the dark, he flashed in front of Su Yunmo and punched down.
Su Yunmo quickly retreated and dodged.
A pit was smashed into the ground by the force of the punch.
She stabilized her footing, a playful smile on her lips. "So agitated, huh~"
But it was good, this was exactly what she wanted, for him to be flustered. Only then would there be mistakes.
Lin Zequ's eyes emitted a chilling glare. "You know something, don't you?!"
Su Yunmo's heart trembled.
She had been referring to Duke Ying, but Lin Zequ's words seemed to point to more than just Duke Ying.
"You and your mother are truly identical," he suddenly uttered something unclear, his eyes like he was looking at a corpse.
Su Yunmo's pupils trembled, and a thought immediately arose in her heart. "What do you mean? What happened to my mother?"
"Momo!" Su Siyuan ran over from a distance, interrupting their gaze.
Lin Zequ took a deep breath, collected his thoughts, looked deeply at Su Yunmo, and turned to leave.
Su Yunmo watched his retreating back, her hands clenching tighter and tighter.
What did he mean by mentioning her mother?
"Momo, why are you standing here? Let's go play together." Su Siyuan ran over and took her hand, looking up. "Is that Marquis Lin?"
Su Yunmo shook her head, suppressing the unease in her heart for the moment. "What do you need me for?"
Su Siyuan withdrew his gaze, his excitement returning. "Chen Mingmo's birthday is the day after tomorrow, and he's invited us."
"Mm, good news," Su Yunmo casually agreed, her mind somewhat unsettled.
Su Siyuan didn't think much of it and happily pulled her along to play.
In the evening, His Majesty decreed that due to some unusual occurrences in the hunting grounds this year, the autumn hunt would be concluded early as a precaution.
The next morning, the imperial carriage returned to the palace.
Su Yunmo and the others were also sent back to their respective residences.
Since returning from the hunting palace, Su Yunmo had been restless.
Green Vine noticed and asked several times, but Su Yunmo always brushed her off with a casual excuse.
Zi Yuan knew her mistress had something on her mind and understood that at times like these, Su Yunmo needed to process it herself. She reported the news from Xue Hen as usual.
"Although the chief examiner has been decided, Prince Lian seems unwilling to give up. It would be best for Mistress to make plans early."
Su Yunmo was flipping through a medical book, recently researching new pills. "He's truly persistent. It seems this Minister Chen holds quite a bit of weight in Ye Jingcheng's heart."
Because of Chen Mingmo and his brother, she had refrained from acting against Chen Guoxing. Now, it seemed like she should cut the Gordian knot.
"Isn't it Chen Mingmo's birthday the day after tomorrow? Help me prepare a gift."
Zi Yuan acknowledged and withdrew.
A moment later, Green Vine entered from outside.
It was Qian Xue who came to deliver the message, saying Su Yunmo needed to go to the palace tomorrow, as Consort Liang missed her.
Although Consort Liang had recovered quite a bit, her memory was still somewhat confused. While she could recognize Ye Jingyu, she still treated Su Yunmo as her own child.
During the recovery period, it was necessary to cater to the patient's emotions, and Su Yunmo had been playing the role of comforting Consort Liang.
"I know. Tell her I'll be there first thing tomorrow morning."
Green Vine nodded and went to relay the message.
Su Yunmo then prepared some pastries and went the next morning.
From the palace gate to the cold palace was a long way. There was a shortcut along a small path through the back garden.
Su Yunmo usually took this path.
Today, as she was on her way, she was stopped.
The one who stopped her was a young palace maid. She bowed and spoke politely. "Is this Miss Su, the young lady from the Su family? Our Consort Qin requests your presence."
Consort Qin? Ye Jingguang's mother?
Su Yunmo found it a bit strange. What was going on these past two days? The noble ladies of the palace were one after another seeking her out.
She intended to refuse, but then she thought that a young palace maid couldn't make such a decision on her own, so she followed her to see Consort Qin.
Yichun Palace.
Consort Qin, dressed in a pale yellow goose-down long gown with a vibrant red sash around her waist, sat in a high position, exuding grace and dignity.
Su Yunmo observed her fair, delicate face, her long black hair elegantly coiled, her attire noble and refined yet pure, and suddenly understood why she could remain steadfast in this harem.
Consort Qin invited her to sit, had refreshments and fruits served, and spoke in a gentle tone.
"Momo might have forgotten me. I saw you once at the autumn hunt banquet. I found you interesting when you spoke. Today, I was feeling down, and I heard you were in the palace, so I secretly called you over to have some fun."
Would a favored consort summon the daughter of a minister, whom she had only met once, simply because she had no one to play with?
No!
Su Yunmo's eyes flickered, and she remained silent.
Ye Jingguang strode in from outside. "Mother, why did you call me over? I have something to do today."
He looked up and saw Su Yunmo, pausing in surprise. "Why are you here?"
"It was I who called Momo," Consort Qin replied, looking somewhat surprised. "Guang'er, do you know her?"
"Of course, I know her," Ye Jingguang pouted and walked over, kicking the stool Su Yunmo was sitting on.
"Little sprout, you rushed off before we finished talking last time. Where were you going?"
Su Yunmo's eyelids twitched. "I have a name."
"I just like calling you little sprout, what about it?" Ye Jingguang grumbled, puffing out his round cheeks.
Su Yunmo secretly rolled her eyes. "Whatever you say."
Consort Qin was about to scold Ye Jingguang for kicking the chair, but seeing them chatting as if no one else was present, a hint of joy flashed in her eyes.
"It seems you two have a very good relationship. I suppose I don't need to worry about it."
Su Yunmo narrowed her eyes. "Worry about what, Your Ladyship?"
"Nothing, I just feel that Guang'er lacks playmates in the palace. Since you get along so well with Momo, it would be wonderful if you could spend more time together and deepen your bond."
Consort Qin smiled gently, leaving no room for criticism.
But Su Yunmo now completely understood the reason for being summoned today.
It was an attempt to matchmake.
Ye Jingguang tilted his head and grumbled, "Who said I want to be friends with her? I don't care for such a little girl."
Even though she helped Little Five, even though she was cute, and even though she looked cool when she fought.
He pouted and said to Su Yunmo, "I thanked you last time for Little Five, but that doesn't mean I like you. Don't misunderstand."
Su Yunmo glanced at him. "No misunderstanding."
She didn't like chubby cheeks either.
Consort Qin's pleased smile faltered, a hint of exasperation in her eyes. "Guang'er! Momo is so good, and you don't appreciate her? So picky at such a young age!"
Given the Emperor's current favor towards General Su, the daughter of General Su, no matter which prince she married, that prince would surely be highly regarded by the Emperor.
Coupled with the support of the General's estate, this prince would have a boundless future.
This boy truly didn't understand his mother's intentions!
"From now on, you must cultivate a relationship with Momo. I've made up my mind."
Ye Jingyu strode in from outside.
"I heard that Consort Qin has recently been entrusted by His Father to manage palace affairs and is very busy. It's rare to have the leisure to concern yourself with trivial matters like children making friends."