The Eldest Daughter of a Rural Family
Chapter 964 - 217: Pei Qin is Dying_2

Chapter 964: Chapter 217: Pei Qin is Dying_2

"I’ve suffered a bit of an injury, so I can only recuperate with warmth, and thus am a bit fearful of the cold," Pei Qin said with a smile.

Jiujiu and Xixi were playing with their mother over there.

Second Madam Zheng praised her, "Ms. Mo really looks remarkable, just like General Mo. When she grows up, she’ll surely be a beauty!" She had seen Mo Heng before.

First Madam Zheng slightly frowned, thinking her to be tactless. Saying she looks like General Mo, and looks remarkable—isn’t that implying Pei Qin is ugly?

There, Second Madam Zheng had already shifted the topic, "Does Lady Mo have only these two daughters?"

"Yes, just the two of them," Pei Qin answered.

"Lady Mo and General Mo’s daughters are so remarkable and beautiful, you should have more! You’ll enjoy the blessings of having daughters in the future!" Second Madam Zheng complimented with a smile, as her gaze moved from Pei Qin’s face to Xie Yi’s face. After sizing her up, she thought Xie Yi looked fresher and more remarkable than Pei Qin and changed her mind.

Pei Wendong was only Pei Qin’s brother; even if he had prospects in the future, at most he’d take the imperial examinations to become a minor civil servant, which would take many years to make a mark. Mo Heng was already a Fifth Rank General, and there were still campaigns against the Rong Clan to be waged. Once the supplies were ready, there would surely be a battle. With real military achievements, he could become a powerful Great General at a young age.

It wasn’t that cold anymore, yet Pei Qin still wrapped herself up so tightly. With the room heated so much, she must have contracted a terrible disease. Even if she didn’t die, she would likely be dragging along, and she hadn’t had a son yet. Both daughters were remarkable-looking, and given their birthright, they would bring in great dowries once married off.

Why follow along with Pei Wendong? Better to stick with Mo Heng and grab the readily available glory and wealth. That way, they could bask in reflected glory and gain a powerful backer. Moreover, Mo Heng had looks like a Celestial God, far outshining Pei Wendong! Although Pei Wendong had saved Xie Yi, causing rumors about her reputation, nothing substantial happened, and not many people knew about it. Once Xie Yi married Mo Heng, no one would dare mention it again.

Seeing Old Lady Zheng about to mention Pei Wendong, she quickly winked to stop her, then started expressing gratitude towards Pei Qin.

Old Lady Zheng knew she often had schemes and tended to favor her, so she took the excuse of feeling stifling in the chest from the heat to visit the restroom.

Second Madam Zheng hurried to attend to her.

Once in the restroom, Second Madam Zheng whispered her thoughts into her ear.

Old Lady Zheng was taken aback, "This won’t do, will it? Quite a few people know about it!"

"What won’t do! Think about the ins and outs, and you’ll understand," Second Madam Zheng felt it was very feasible. Mo Heng wasn’t very old, and looked even younger.

"That one is still around, and Xie Yi is... " Old Lady Zheng hesitated uncertainly.

Second Madam Zheng was unconcerned, "Looking at the situation, how long can that one last? Xie Yi now has no father, no mother, nothing—does she still want to play hard to get!? Once that one is gone, a seat will immediately be filled by a lady from a distinguished family; Xie Yi won’t even be in line!"

That indeed made sense. Although Mo Heng had left the Mo family, his military achievements had established his position in Capital Jingcheng. He had become a favorite of the Emperor, and even the Crown Prince was courting him. His future prospects were boundless. If Pei Qin died, he could even marry a woman from the Royal Family. Someone like Xie Yi, even if Magistrate Xie didn’t die, wouldn’t be suitable even for the position of the second wife.

Old Lady Zheng weighed the options again and again, and after careful consideration, she felt the plan was feasible.

The two exchanged glances, understanding the situation completely.

Second Madam Zheng hurriedly had a maidservant send a message to Second Old Master Zheng, asking him to be mindful of his words and to delay discussing the engagement with Pei Wendong. After all, Xie Yi was in mourning, which gave them an excuse.

Pei Qin thought they had come to take Xie Yi away, and they would directly propose the engagement and hand over Xie Yi and Xie Ze to them. But after a long discussion, they hadn’t mentioned this, and Pei Qin, feeling somewhat weak, let Xue Dong take them to have a meal.

Second Old Master Zheng had received the message and thought there had been some emergency in the inner courtyard. He didn’t bring up the engagement with Pei Wendong during the meal either.

After the meal, Second Madam Zheng paid special attention and saw Huang Qiu send medicine to Pei Qin in the inner room, which further confirmed her suspicions. Pei Qin was not spirited even when talking, and with such big bowls of medicine to drink, she was probably just clinging to life; it seemed she wouldn’t live long.

That day, the family didn’t rush back to Jingcheng but found an inn to stay in.

Pei Wendong thought they were discussing taking the Xie Yi and Xie Ze siblings away, so he saw them to the inn.

"Was there something in the inner courtyard? Why didn’t you insist on discussing the engagement?" Second Old Master Zheng asked directly.

Second Madam Zheng looked at him with a smile beginning to curl at her lips, "Of course, it’s a good thing!"