However, on the way to Wuxuan Residence, Shen Mo kept thinking about this "unrealistic dream".
Just like last time, and like all the servants, she lowered her head and carefully stepped into Rong Yue's hall. Just as she was about to bow, she unexpectedly heard two exclamations, both saying the same thing.
Shen Mo looked up in surprise, and saw Jiang Suyi, then Gu Buju. They said, "You are Shen Mo?"
She didn't know where she got the courage from, she only knew that she did two things: turn around and run!
"where you go?"
The four cold, desolate words emanating from the head of the table instantly shattered Shen Mo's courage, causing her to stop in her tracks, unable to take another step.
"Oh right, you actually came. Where are you going? So you're the Shen Mo that Brother Yue mentioned who can play strange tunes. Stay and play with me. You can only watch them play chess from the sidelines." Jiang Suyi, completely unaware of the situation, pouted and dragged back the stunned Shen Mo.
As she passed by Gu Buju, Shen Mo narrowed her eyes, waiting for his questioning and punishment. However, even when she reached Rong Yue, Gu Buju remained silent. Shen Mo secretly turned back to look at his thoughtful face. For the first time in front of everyone, she lost her patience, opened Jiang Suyi's hand, bit her lower lip, and knelt down in front of Gu Buju with a thud.
"I was confused and offended you. I apologize. I will accept whatever punishment you want. However, this is my fault and has nothing to do with anyone else." Having witnessed Rong Yue's masterly behavior of not allowing servants to overstep their bounds, Shen Mo assumed that all young masters and ladies were the same. As long as they took the initiative to admit their mistakes, they would be punished hastily, and Mo An would not be implicated.
However, after lying prostrate on the ground and waiting for a long time, what he received was not Gu Buju's judgment, but Rong Yue's two-word rebuke: "Play the flute!"
The hall fell silent. Shen Mo was so shocked by the sound that he forgot to lower his head. He was shocked by Rong Yue's sudden anger and by the fact that Gu Buju and Jiang Suyi in front of him had normal expressions.
"Young master, my hands are injured, I'm afraid I can't make it." She finally found her voice.
"fruit!"
"This servant's hand..."
"roll!"
This was the exact same face as in her previous life, yet he treated her with a completely different attitude. In the spacious hall, Shen Mo stared blankly at him, remembering the man who would personally take her to and from school regardless of wind or rain.
Jiang Suying noticed something was wrong with the stunned Shen Mo and was afraid that she would burst into tears at any moment. She quickly tugged at Rong Yue's sleeve and said, "Brother Yue, don't frighten your sister."
"Fine, I don't want you to ruin my mood." Rong Yue flicked his sleeves and pulled Jiang Suying away.
Shen Mo stared at her swollen, bandaged finger, and realized that it didn't seem to hurt as much anymore. She thought she had angered Rong Yue, but dramatically, she didn't know why.
"Tsk tsk, how strange."
Shen Mo turned around at the sound and found Gu Buju still standing there. Perhaps because of Rong Yue's provocation, Shen Mo, who had begged Gu Buju for mercy a moment ago, said angrily the next moment, "What's so strange about it!"
“A normal little girl would have cried long ago if Rong Yue scared her like that, why do you seem to have no reaction?” As he spoke, he suddenly leaned closer and stared into Shen Mo’s eyes.
"You...you don't blame me for kicking you?"
Gu Buju's lips twitched. "You're so boring. I didn't even mention it, but you keep bringing it up. Are you deliberately trying to embarrass me? Let me tell you, my master said I'm a medical prodigy. I'm not going to fight with a wild girl like you. I'm leaving." Before leaving, he warned her not to tell anyone.
"Just now... why was Young Master angry?" Shen Mo called out to him.
"You're not only wild but also stupid. Do you even know whose territory this is? It belongs to Rong Yue! Think about it yourself, have you even glanced at him once since you came in? You've been treating me and Su Yi like the main characters. He's never been ignored by his servants before. If he's not angry, he's not Rong Yue." Gu Buju smiled indifferently and left.
She remained immersed in the moment for a long time, unable to extricate herself. It turned out that the only people who could smile and be tolerant towards her were other people's young masters and ladies, but not her own young master Rong!
She still couldn't figure out the problem when she got home and heard Mo An sobbing from inside the house. Without thinking about it, she suddenly pushed open the door and saw clothes scattered all over the floor, Mo An's terrified face, and the same arrogant butler Rong Si.
Seeing that it was the young Shen Mo who barged in, he recklessly tried to strip Mo An of his last piece of undergarment. In her desperation, Shen Mo didn't have time to admire her amazing ability to recognize this disgusting man she had only met a few times. She grabbed an oil lamp from the side and threw it at the man.
The technique was precise, hitting the mark in one fell swoop. Blood began to trickle down Rong Si's forehead. Seeing the red stain gradually spreading on the white bedding, Shen Mo felt extremely disgusted. This beast had ruined their oil lamp and their bedding. But thankfully, he hadn't ruined her Aunt An.
"Get out!" Shen Mo didn't know that Rong Yue could give this word to someone else in just one day. However, she knew that this word, which had not frightened her, would not frighten Rong Si either. But Rong Yue's "Get out" could alarm Gu Buju, and hers could alarm the neighbors. Rong Si left dejectedly, and that was enough.
This must have been a painful experience for Mo An. How could she be helped to pull herself together? Should she keep quiet about it? Or should she offer gentle comfort? However, before Shen Mo could finish expressing her thoughts, a familiar hand wrapped around her waist, and then she was lifted into the air and pulled into Mo An's arms.
"Don't be afraid, Amo. Aunt An is fine. Amo doesn't remember anything. Aunt An will make new clothes for Amo tomorrow. Very beautiful new clothes..." While Mo An was still strong, she used this method to erase all the filth from Shen Mo's heart. In her eyes, Shen Mo was only six years old, and everything seemed so easy.
Perhaps everything will turn out as Mo An said. Perhaps Shen Mo will pretend she has no memory of this for the rest of her life and remain a pure and sensible girl in Mo An's heart forever. However, this is just a possibility. All these possibilities collapsed in an instant when Mo An solemnly told Shen Mo two years later that he had a message to tell her.
Because Moan said, "I'm pregnant."
Chapter Six Strangers
"Ah Mo, there's a little brother here. Do you like him?" Mo An gently placed Shen Mo's hand on her still-flat belly, her face filled with the tender light of maternal love as she gazed intently at her.
Shen Mo no longer wanted to ask why she was so sure it was a boy; she only knew that Mo An was waiting for her to say "I like you."
"Hmm." A faint smile appeared on her face. She could be shameless with Mo An, but she couldn't bring herself to openly say that she liked him, especially after learning that the child's father was Rong Si.
“Rong Si will treat us well, A Mo. In the future, you will be able to have beautiful clothes and shoes like other girls.”
Looking at the expectation in Mo An's eyes, which hid genuine relief, Shen Mo suddenly realized that two years really could make a person forget everything, even the shame of being taken from a woman. But why, even after eight years, whenever she saw Rong Yue's increasingly approaching face, did the words "I want to choose the third one in the next life" still come to mind?
"Aunt An, are you two getting married?"
Upon hearing this, Mo An immediately gave her a hard knock on the head. Clutching her aching head, she glanced sideways and saw Mo An smiling happily. She noticed Mo An pretending to scold her, saying, "You little girl, you're being indecent." But in the end, Mo An kissed her cheek and said that because of the child, the wedding would be held in the next few days.
The next day, Shen Mo spent the entire day in the kitchen lost in thought, but finally decided to go find Rong Yue.
Two years have made Rong Yue more mature and handsome, and Jiang Suyi more beautiful and charming. Even Gu Buju has changed. He would immerse himself in the herbs and then look up and smile at Jiang Suyi, saying, "This is good for your complexion."
However, for them, at least for Rong Yue, Shen Mo was just an unchanging little maid in the Rong family, the same when she was six and the same when she was eight.
So when she heard the three of them laughing, Shen Mo paced back and forth outside the hall again and again. Only after she had seen Jiang Suying and Gu Buju leave from behind the tree did she purse her lips and walk to the door, weakly calling out "Young Master".
"Come here and copy this notice ten times for me. I need it urgently tomorrow." Before Shen Mo could speak, Rong Yue didn't even raise his head. After giving the order, he buried himself in his desk.
Shen Mo was certain he didn't know she was the visitor, because for the past two years, Rong Yue hadn't allowed her to touch anything other than the jade flute. She could have loudly told him, "Young Master, I am Shen Mo," she could have explained her purpose for coming, but instead, she quietly sat down and traced his handwriting stroke by stroke.
How did you get here?
As expected, Rong Yue's questioning and doubtful gaze confirmed Shen Mo's guess. She lowered her eyebrows in understanding, stood up, bowed, and explained, "It was Young Master who instructed me to copy the notice."
"Where is my page?" Rong Yue squinted and took the Xuan paper from her hand.
Seeing Rong Yue's gaze shift from helplessness to suspicion, and then from suspicion to surprise, Shen Mo suddenly felt that if it weren't for Mo An's news, today would have been a very good day. Yet, she still patiently said, "This servant does not know."
"How do you know how to write my characters?" Rong Yue became the first person to ask this question.
Shen Mo had expected him to ask that question, but she hadn't anticipated that he would grab her hand so excitedly. She knew that it was a servant's hand, and that the person in front of her was the noble Young Master Rong. Shen Mo stared blankly at those eyes so close to hers, and the depth of their gaze left her speechless.
Seeing Shen Mo's expression, Rong Yue realized he had lost his composure and quickly released her. "From now on, you will stay here and draft documents for me every day." With a single sentence, he decided her fate—this was Rong Yue's unique domineering nature. And it was from this moment that Shen Mo began to indulge him, until many years later, she indulged herself to the point of losing herself.
"But I used to work in the kitchen..."
"No need to go again. After you finish copying it ten times tonight, stay in the next room. Recently, most of the affairs in Ningcheng will be handled by the Rong residence. Remember to be available whenever needed."
When Mo An came over, she overheard this. She apologized to Rong Yue tremblingly, saying, "A-Mo is ignorant, young master, please don't take it to heart."
Rong Yue stared at Mo An, seemingly thinking for a long time before remembering that Shen Mo had grown up with Mo An. He simply said, "Go help her move her luggage over," and then said nothing more.
Shen Mo opened her mouth as if to say something, but ultimately gave up. She had already achieved her goal of seeing Rong Yue, and she had also achieved her wish not to disturb Mo An's life. At this moment, she wanted to tell Mo An, "Look, I am actually capable of taking care of you and supporting myself." She was afraid that saying it would put Mo An in a difficult position, and even when it involved her chastity in the future, Shen Mo never gave Mo An a single bit of that consideration.
Mo An walked into a man's arms, and Shen Mo spent her days with pen and ink, wearing the clothes and shoes that Mo An would send her from time to time. Shen Mo looked at Rong Yue in front of her and couldn't help but feel confused. Why was it that, even though they were both given a window by God, she could understand Mo An, but could never understand Rong Yue?
In fact, she should have realized long ago that Rong Yue kept her in the study not because she was Shen Mo, but because among the things he disliked, besides useless servants, was writing, and the situation in his previous life seemed like it would never happen again.
Rong Yue became increasingly reliant on Shen Mo in the study. Whenever he needed to write something, Shen Mo would always write it for him. He didn't even care that Shen Mo was still an eight-year-old child. Several times, he forced her to write from morning till night. Later, when he didn't like the handwriting in a book, he would call Shen Mo over and copy it from beginning to end. Shen Mo's indulgence made him completely unaware of his own recklessness.
Everything happened so naturally. She couldn't remember when Shen Mo became Rong Yue's follower, or rather, she couldn't be called a follower. He would just occasionally take her with him when he went to the Rong family's shops and stores. The reason was simple: Shen Mo was his writing tool. Apart from that, Rong Yue was at ease, and Shen Mo had gotten used to not thinking about it.
"Young Master Rong!"
"Young Master Rong!"...
In fact, Shen Mo enjoyed the feeling of being admired by everyone while following behind Rong Yue. Even though she was wearing awkward men's clothing and was just an accessory, it at least proved that the person she cared about was shining. This feeling was like someone praising a plant, and that plant grew up in her own home.
Just like in her past life, she smiled and raised her chin, a smile of pride. Later, someone told her that it was just pride, nothing more, and she believed it.
Thinking about all this, she tripped and fell in her panic when a horse sped by. She thought she touched Rong Yue's hand as she fell, and when she landed, she looked up sharply. Thankfully, Rong Yue was standing there unharmed. Only then did she feel the pain in her bottom. Gritting her teeth, she dusted herself off and got up. What came into view was a pair of firm yet stubborn eyes. The owner of those eyes was a teenager in tattered clothes, staring intently at Rong Yue.
"Hand it over!" Rong Yue's voice carried a unique authority that Shen Mo was all too familiar with. He had been violated, and he was furious with shame.
However, the boy in front of him seemed completely oblivious. "Pay what?"
"Don't try to be clever, hand over my purse right now!"
Rong Yue's purse? Wasn't it on her? Shen Mo touched her waist, and it was indeed gone! She couldn't help but look at the stranger in front of her who might have stolen it.
"You dare to take Young Master Rong's things?"
"You brat, hand it over, and Young Master Rong might spare you from seeing the officials."...
In Ningcheng, never underestimate the influence of the Rong family. Rong Yue's two simple sentences became an undeniable fact. All the onlookers began to show their goodwill and judgment in front of Rong Yue. So at this moment, the boy's words, "Anyway, I didn't take it," sounded so jarring.
"Chen Mo, search."
At that time, the term "body search" was permissible, especially since it came from Rong Yue's mouth. Therefore, given that everyone agreed, it was clear that Shen Mo had made a very foolish move.
She didn't know where she got the courage from. All she knew was that when she saw the raggedly dressed boy in front of her, she finally understood why the twenty-year-old Shen Yue had reached out a warm hand to the eleven-year-old Chen Xiaomo. No wonder she had never seen Shen Yue's parents. She sadly realized now that Shen Yue must also be an orphan.
His feelings for her were like Shen Mo's feelings for this young man—a feeling of shared suffering!
Back then, Chen Xiaomo was also stubbornly and firmly defending her own things, which Shen Yue called her bottom line. Therefore, the current Shen Mo would never allow this bottom line to be trampled on, not even by Rong Yue. So when she pulled the boy away from the crowd, she also stubbornly glanced at Rong Yue. It's unknown how much Rong Yue remembered from that glance, but it was deeply imprinted in the eyes of the boy beside her.
If Shen Mo's thoughts hadn't been so unusual, and her change of heart hadn't been so sudden, perhaps she wouldn't have been able to take away the person everyone knew had stolen the Rong family's young master's purse. If Rong Yue had said "Stop them" back then, Shen Mo wouldn't have gotten far at all. However, Rong Yue did nothing. Years later, when someone mentioned it, the resolute and successful Rong Yue actually said two words: regret.
Shen Mo didn't know how long she had been running. Her mind was filled with the image of Rong Yue standing there dumbfounded, so she didn't notice the person next to her obeying her. She just wanted to run farther and farther away, as if that would allow her to shake off the disbelief on Rong Yue's face. When she finally stopped in a small alley, she shook off the person's hand and took her last breath before she suffocated.
"You believe me?"
Upon hearing the expected question, Shen Mo suddenly burst into laughter, a laughter so bright it seemed to eclipse the world. She was certain this was the most joyful laugh she had ever had in the eight years since she transmigrated, right in front of this impoverished stranger, right after crossing Rong Yue's bottom line.
After a long while, Shen Mo finally raised her head and looked gratefully at the sensible young man who hadn't bothered her. "I like your eyes." No one would doubt the truthfulness of Shen Mo's words when she spoke.
"Protect the strength and stubbornness in your eyes, or I will regret it." At this moment, Shen Mo seemed to be possessed by Shen Yue, and she was completely educating a child with dignity like Chen Xiaomo in the manner of an elder.
"May I ask your name, Miss?" The other person finally spoke again just as Shen Mo was about to walk away.
Chapter Seven: The Bottom Line
Shen Mo could have ignored him, the one who made her unable to face Rong Yue, and could have walked away gracefully. However, his eyes flashed through her mind. When she turned back again, Shen Mo was all smiles. She said, "Xiao Mo, my name is Xiao Mo." Then, without waiting for his reply, she walked away.
But in reality, she had no idea where she was going. Rong Yue would definitely complain that she had embarrassed him in front of everyone, and he would be waiting with a dark expression for her to obediently go back and accept punishment. It might even implicate Mo An.
Her steps came to an abrupt halt. Thinking of Mo An, she thought of the detestable Rong Si, and was momentarily stunned. Her Aunt An now had someone to protect her; her Aunt An was no longer that vulnerable, lonely woman. So she could wander the streets without any worries. When did even this become a source of happiness and contentment? She touched her face and realized that she seemed to have smiled too much today.
But when her legs ached and her vision blurred, she realized that she couldn't leave the Rong family mansion. At least there was Mo An and Rong Yue there, but outside? There seemed to be nothing but endless silence and endless noise.
So when she stepped back towards the Rong residence, her steps were exceptionally firm, and when she knelt at the door of Rong Yue's study, her mind was exceptionally clear. He would be punished sooner or later; why not make Rong Yue suffer a quick death?
Shen Mo clearly saw the fleeting surprise in Rong Yue's eyes when he came out and saw her. Shen Mo smiled slightly. In that instant, she successfully pushed Rong Yue back to his bottom line.