etong was in a bad mood a

things had she been blind to before? She'd never found her mother's death suspicious. By the time she realized Auntie

estigate what had happen

. She'd only said that Auntie Fang had been responsible for her mother's death. In t

ather's study. She'd wanted Mo Xuetong to have it to remember her by. That felt more important now. Sh

tment. Mo Xuetong's mother had told her ho

ent a servant with lunch, but she didn't have much of an app

ing water. Almost transparent, it was a very precious item. She went to Auntie Fang's room

evenge. Revenge for her mother, for herself, for her child. They had sp

managed to keep down half a bowl of rice with dinner. Mother Xu

he courtyard. She asked Mo Yu to wait

ld hear the wind blow across the screens. An immense sadness hit her again, an

hing pulled her to the side. A la

omebody said, rig

ind the bed. Mo Xuetong was far too weak to fight back. She was pulled there easily.

ned a bit. Perhaps they rea

ant... get... it yoursel

he took a deep breath of fresh

nt to live

bed opened. In this quiet house, th

on the sill and down into the room. Mo Xuetong hadn't had time to light the candles, so she couldn't make out any deta

hief scattered the remaining contents across the table. He looked at

e checking for quality? Since

e carriage for us," Mo Yu called

eir inspection, then disappear

letting go of her mouth and holding her throat. Mo Xuetong h

's things," Mo Xuetong called calmly, breathing deep. Even with Mo Yu he

y heard the footsteps retreat. She mus

ging his hand lightly. She pointed at the jewelr

d the weak looking girl to be so blunt.

he Mo family. I didn't expect this. Yo

face, and she had n

th me? Go and take what you want." Sh

eemed far more interested in how a weak noble

let me go now?" Mo Xue

cheap trinkets," he bragged. "Take out ev

was painful. If he pushed d

these pieces were valuable. She reached into the dressing table and found some larger pieces of gold, silver, pearl, and jade and

?" The thief tutted. "Didn't your mother le

. They were sent to the capital with my fath

r you, her daughter?" The person behind her was endlessly cu

t here to be stolen?" M

rs got some things right. You really are weak and useless. Lo

aking, Mo Xuetong

self. When he moved to tighten hi

re you

his hand and looked to see she had bu

get revenge. I don't care why you're staring at me, but you can see this is all I have to give you. At worst, I lose some trinkets. There are

the table, and smashed it against the floo

g." Mo Yu was running ba

led. With his good hand, he grabbed h

welry quietly, but you stayed. If I'm reading this right, you have another motive. I'm not particularly importa

sm

do. But it is not likely. So now we are in a position to compromise. I bit you in anger, so I won

capital. Why would some thief know she planned to return? The on

If what he wanted was important, it wo

this man was no r

o Xuetong felt his breath against her ear again, then, before she reali

e said. "So rememb

n a heartbeat, leaving

is

st the screen. They only relaxed when the

lm down her racing heart, glad the darkness hid her face. She managed to sound ca

ou're alri

and scattered jewelry. Mo Xuetong had the jewelry placed back in its box to take with him.