Chapter 9: Venturing into the Garden

"Eldest sister, you actually pushed Mother down!"

A sharp, shrill voice rang out before the courtyard. The dainty and charming Mo Ruyan stood at the entrance, pointing an accusatory finger at Mo Liuli. The servants trailing behind her hovered around her in terror, shielding her from the wind and snow, attending to her as if she were a young deity.

Hearing her accuse the eldest young lady, the servants trembled, bowing their heads so low they dared not even glance into Liuli Garden.

Lady Leng had been suffering from a severe cough and was already unsteady on her feet. When Mo Liuli had pulled and then released her, she had naturally tumbled to the ground—a scene witnessed by the passing Third Miss, Mo Ruyan.

Hearing Mo Ruyan’s disrespectful outburst, Lady Leng sat on the ground, half-propped up by her arms. With tears still wet on her cheeks, she looked toward Mo Liuli, her heart filled with shock at her daughter's actions.

Mo Liuli, gripped by intense pain, could barely register Mo Ruyan’s clamor; she only knew that a woman was making a scene outside the courtyard. Frowning, she broke into a cold sweat from the agony. Receiving her mother’s look of innocent reproach, she squinted and retreated a few steps until she could lean against a pillar. With one hand cradling her abdomen and the other bracing herself against the vermilion wood, she pressed her lips together and remained deathly silent.

Because Mo Liuli’s back was turned to the gate, Mo Ruyan could not see her expression clearly. Seeing that she made no move to help Lady Leng, she began to shriek again.

"Mo Liuli, has a dog eaten your conscience? It’s freezing out here—hurry up and help Mother up!"

Mo Ruyan stomped her feet in agitation, yet she dared not set foot inside Liuli Garden. Her concubine mother had told her just days ago to grow closer to Lady Leng, so that Lady Leng might agree to her adoption. She had said that if she were officially listed as Lady Leng’s daughter, she would have a chance to marry into the royal family.

Thus, she could not let this opportunity to curry favor with Lady Leng slip by. However, fearing the strict rule that forbade entry into Liuli Garden, she dared not rush in rashly. If Mo Liuli continued to ignore Lady Leng, she would have a perfect excuse to enter, and no one would be able to hold it against her.

Mo Ruyan’s shouting reached the ears of Mo Yuan nearby. His face darkened; he brushed aside Luya, who was following him, and sprinted toward Liuli Garden.

Unable to hear Mo Ruyan’s voice over the howling wind and snow, Luya was confused by her master’s sudden haste, but she clutched her basket of supplements and pastries and quickened her pace to keep up.

Seeing that Mo Liuli remained unmoved, Mo Ruyan smirked with triumph. She took a step forward and dashed toward Lady Leng. "Mother, Yan'er is here to help you." After pulling Lady Leng to her feet, she dutifully smoothed her skirts, then turned to look at Mo Liuli with a feigned expression of distress and indignation, ready to confront her.

"Yan'er, what is the meaning of this? Who gave you permission to enter this garden!" Mo Yuan arrived in a fury, his eyes immediately falling upon Mo Ruyan, who was supporting Lady Leng.

Few people knew that Mo Liuli had lost her internal strength, and given her pregnancy, her situation was particularly delicate, necessitating strict isolation. The rule forbidding anyone from entering Liuli Garden was known to everyone in the Mo household. Seeing his third daughter barge in only added to his irritation, and he roared at her, venting his pent-up frustration.

Mo Ruyan shuddered at Mo Yuan’s shout. Afraid to meet his gaze, she tried to hide behind Lady Leng. "Father, it... it was eldest sister who pushed Mother down. I was just so worried that I broke in to help her."

Upon hearing this, Mo Yuan intended to ask Lady Leng for the truth. However, seeing the way Mo Ruyan was supporting her and recalling the sounds he had heard from outside, he decided to let the matter slide for the moment.