Too high to reach

Chapter 136 Seeking Humiliation
Mo Yi left early, and Granny Zhao also went out.

She was going to the Prince Qi's residence to see Consort Feng.

She sent someone in to deliver a message, and after a while, Song's mother came out.

With a forced smile, she said, "Oh! It's Granny Zhao. Her Majesty has some important matters to attend to today and can't make it. How about you come over tomorrow morning?"

Granny Zhao nodded calmly, "Okay," and turned to leave.

Mrs. Song rolled her eyes at her retreating figure and went back.

"What did she say?" Consort Feng asked, flipping through the account books.

"He didn't say anything, just responded and left."

"Yes... she won't say what she's thinking! That old man! He's probably after the arranged marriage!" Consort Feng murmured softly, closing her eyes.

She hasn't been sleeping well lately, and gets easily agitated over the slightest thing.

I still felt a little dizzy when I woke up the next morning.

After carefully washing and applying makeup, and drinking two cups of strong tea, I mustered my energy, knowing that there were still some difficult people to deal with in a while.

Sure enough, Granny Zhao arrived at just the right time.

"Good morning, Your Highness!" Zhao Mama knew perfectly well the proper etiquette.

Consort Feng was the same... She gave a kind, wry smile: "Yesterday, I had some thorny matters and couldn't find the time to see you. Please don't be offended."

"We are all working for the Prince, so Your Highness, there's no need to be so polite."

Consort Feng didn't like hearing these words, but she remained expressionless: "Yes... Madam, is there something you need?"

"His Majesty has bestowed a marriage upon the Prince. Although the wedding date has not yet been set, there are some things that need to be prepared. The Prince has instructed that the Consort and I will handle the arrangements together. I have come today to report to the Consort."

"Ah? Is that so..." Consort Feng was somewhat puzzled, then thought for a moment before saying, "But the Prince didn't tell me anything before he left. So, you see..."

"I've come today simply to report to you. I've made a list of things to do, in order of importance, so please take a look, Your Highness. Some things need to be taken care of even before they've started."

Seeing Granny Zhao open her personal box...

Is she here to laugh at me?

Didn't my reprimand last time work?
I've come this far, and you still want to look down on me? Do you still think you can slap my hand back then...?

“Granny Zhao, I have managed the Prince’s residence for many years, and I am well aware of all its affairs. Even if the Prince gets married soon, we can prepare immediately. Whether it is a wedding that will attract the attention of the entire capital, or a wedding that is conducted according to the standards for remarrying a commoner, there will be no problem.”

As for what you said about the Prince asking you to work with me... the Prince didn't give any instructions before he left, so it's pointless for me to accept your order now. Let's wait for the Prince to return!
I know: the old nanny is very experienced. Let's wait for the prince to give his instructions, and then we can discuss and decide what to do.

This is a blatant rejection!

Having said all that...

Granny Zhao put the things she had just taken out away away again: "In that case... you guys go out for a bit."

Her attitude was serious and earnest.

Inside the room were Mama Song, Consort Feng's personal maid, and two head housekeepers.

Consort Feng was shocked to see that she dared to order around the people in her room!
Anger slammed into his head.

He calmly picked up his teacup, took a sip, and acted as if he hadn't heard a thing.

These are all her people. If she doesn't speak, how can the others listen? They're all just standing there without moving.

The atmosphere was extremely awkward...

Madam Song pursed her lips disdainfully, glancing at Granny Zhao out of the corner of her eye. Had she truly forgotten who she was? Forget about her title; this was the Prince's residence. The lady of the house was in charge!
What you said is practically worthless!
Granny Zhao was not angry. She turned to stare at Consort Feng and asked, "Does Consort Feng want me to say this in front of them?"

His tone was exactly the same as usual, without any fluctuation.

Consort Feng glanced at her, and her heart skipped a beat.

Suddenly, it felt like the first time I stood in front of her many years ago...

What does she want to tell me?
Nervous, she took a step back. "Are you all deaf? Didn't you hear what the old lady said? Get out!" Her voice was shrill with anger. The women bowed to Consort Feng and withdrew. Mother Song, also waving her handkerchief, stormed off.

There was no one in the room. "Now you can finally speak, right?" Consort Feng asked arrogantly.

"Feng Liniang," Zhao Mama called out to her.

Consort Feng blushed. No one had called her that in all these years.

"Zhao Hui!" she retorted without backing down. "I learned my rules from you. Have you forgotten them after all these years? This is the Qi Prince's residence! I am the mistress of the house!"

"Back then, I was the head of the household, and you were my assistant," Granny Zhao said calmly. "Later, I had to leave the manor on other important matters, so you took over. I returned six months later and saw that you were doing a good job. I also had other things to do, so I left them to you. Right?"

Consort Feng didn't understand what she meant. "That's right! You've already stepped down. I'll take over the Qi Prince's residence!"

"Hmm. But, did the Prince say that from now on you would be in charge of the household and that I would no longer interfere?"

"You? What do you mean?"

"What I mean is: I entrusted you with managing... all the cards, accounts, silver, goods, and people. But the prince didn't say that it would all be under your control from now on, and that it had nothing to do with me."

and so!
If I were to ask you to return all your cards, accounts, money, goods, and people right now, and... I would also want to investigate your accounts over the past few years.

I have that right!

Zhao Mama's eyes were fixed on Consort Feng with a bright gaze.

"What?!" Consort Feng broke out in a cold sweat. "You..."

Granny Zhao gave a rare cold laugh. "The power of stewardship in the Prince's mansion may seem very valuable to you. But in my opinion, everything is important when serving the Prince, big or small. Whoever is suitable should do it."

Normally, if someone gives me a hard time, says something sarcastic, or makes things difficult for me, I don't care at all.

But if your actions... hinder the interests of the Prince's Mansion, then you'll be brought down the same way you got up there!

Consort Feng's face turned deathly pale, and she trembled all over. How dare she? I am the birth mother of the Prince's only son...

Granny Zhao slowly took the contents of the box, walked over, and threw them on the table in front of Consort Feng.

"Just this once, why don't you try again?"

The feeling: danger, fear, falling from a great height... Consort Feng stared blankly as Zhao Mama left.

As she came out of the house, Granny Zhao found it amusing.

In fact, after Consort Feng took over the household management, she gradually replaced her staff. Those who weren't replaced were given generous rewards and won over.

I was aware of all this, but the replacements weren't bad either. Those who were replaced were given proper resettlement.

So, they don't care at all.

Although I didn't dwell on the matter of the medicine packet a few days ago, I was still somewhat dissatisfied.

You can dislike me, you can do things differently from me, but you can't lie!

It's human nature to like being in power; who doesn't? Keep a tight rein on them, and if they do a good job, that's fine too!

The reason for this trouble is that the prince chose Miss Mo as his princess.

She managed the royal palace and gave birth to the eldest son. Therefore, she felt she was ready to become a princess!
This is normal; what's not normal is that she thinks I should help her!
I should become "her person!"

Ha, how laughable! You think you're worthy!

Since she gave up on Zhou Dong and chose to become the prince's concubine, our paths have diverged.

As long as it doesn't jeopardize the prince's interests, I'll tolerate it. Otherwise... Granny Zhao sneered, boarded the carriage, and drove away.

Consort Feng sat there blankly, unable to recover for a long time. She covered her mouth and began to sob.

It felt like I had just returned home when the accident happened...

Granny Zhao is formidable. A touch of sullenness followed by a burst of exhilaration—a delightful surprise...

(End of this chapter)