Too high to reach

Chapter 139 Zhao Family Birthday Banquet
The second branch of the Mo family has undergone significant changes.

Everyone seems so busy that they don't even have time to sit down and talk.

As for Mo Yi and his daughter, they're hardly ever home.

Wang and Mowen were also busy with the dowry arrangements.

Wang Xiujuan had a falling out with her brother-in-law and Mo Yi, but she treated her niece quite well. She helped with errands and taught her as she went, worried that Mo Wen would have trouble managing things in the future. So, during this period, Mo Wen was very efficient in her work.

After a busy day, Wang felt bitter when she thought about her marriage, which existed in name only, just before going to bed.

Mo Yi knew that she was going to visit the Zhao family.

Deep down, she wanted Mo Yi to let Mo Wen go with her. That would be visiting the late Empress's maternal family and Prince Qi's maternal family. Building good relationships there would be very beneficial for her daughter's future.

But as the date approached, Mo Yi showed no intention of doing so at all.

Instead, I heard that Mo Yuan was preparing a birthday gift for the old lady.

Why would you rather bring your cousin than your own sister?

Wang was furious, but dared not call him over and start cursing as she had done in the past.

Thinking back, it seems I didn't say more than a few words to Mo Yi throughout the entire spring.

How did our family end up like this?
"That brat, she's a real troublemaker! She treats Mo Yuan better than her own sister! She's a complete ingrate..."

Mo Wen continued tidying up her work, pretending not to hear.

"Wenwen, I want you to go and see the Zhao family... After all, they are such a family. If you get along well with them, you will benefit from their relationship with the Xu family in the future."

"Hmph... Forget it, Mother." Mo Wen didn't even raise her head: "She didn't mean it that way, and I certainly didn't! Don't you understand? Our sisterhood is over!" Although she said this, Mo Wen was still very conflicted and anxious.

Just as my mother said, the Zhao family is no ordinary family, and we will definitely see them in social situations in the future.

At that time, familiarity and unfamiliarity will make a difference!

But things have come to this point, and even if she did, she wouldn't give the princess a chance! Fine, she won't bother with that; who's afraid of who? She'll live her own life from now on!

However, seeing Mo Yi and Mo Yuan, dressed beautifully and smelling wonderful, getting into the car and leaving that day, only she knew the bitterness and regret she felt.

……

The Zhao family lived not far from the Qi Prince's residence.

The house was large and elaborate. It had a garden, a pond, and a small training ground.

However, most of the men in the Zhao family were in the military, and when they returned to the capital, they did so in shifts, and there was almost never a time when all of them were in the capital at once.

Therefore, the house appears large, sparsely populated, and somewhat empty.

Li Jing has returned, but there are still many things to do. So even though it's the old lady's birthday, everyone except his two cousins ​​remains in the local army.

The palace coup that year dealt a significant blow to the Zhao family.

Ten years have passed, and he still hasn't recovered. He rarely interacts with outsiders and lives a secluded life behind closed doors.

For such an important event as today, only a small number of relatives and friends were invited.

Consort Feng and Consort Tian from the Qi Prince's Mansion, along with Princess Wenxiu, Li Shaofeng, and Consort Tian's daughter Qian'er, arrived first.

The matriarch sat upright in the main hall.

Today, she wore a deep red floral and butterfly-patterned long gown and a black pleated skirt, looking very festive.

She wore a jade hairpin on her head and a jade bracelet on her wrist, with no other ornaments.

Although the old man had a full head of white hair, he had a youthful face despite his white hair.

Her daughters-in-law have all passed away, and now her granddaughters-in-law, who are Li Jing's maternal aunts, are taking care of her.

Also present were great-granddaughters-in-law, granddaughters, great-granddaughters, great-great-granddaughters, and a whole host of women.

They were all dressed up from head to toe, presenting a scene of worldly wealth and luxury.

The old lady was in high spirits and had already read them all. She had a really good memory and could remember them all. After reading them, she praised them one by one...

Two concubines from the Prince Qi's residence went out, accompanied by three children and followed by a large group of servants. As soon as they entered, there was a huge crowd of people.

Consort Feng and Consort Tian stepped forward first to pay their respects: "Wishing the Dowager Madam a happy birthday!"

"You've arrived! Please have a seat!"

Then, Princess Wenxiu led her younger siblings forward to kowtow: "Grand Ancestor, may your happiness be as vast as the Eastern Sea and your longevity as enduring as the Southern Mountain!"

This is the fifth generation. "Xiangxiang, come here quickly and let the ancestor take a look..."

The matriarch first extended her hand to Princess Wenxiu...

"Look at my Xiangxiang! She's all grown up! She looks so pretty, and the little top she's wearing today is lovely too!"

Princess Wenxiu wore a pink butterfly-patterned dress and a jeweled lock.

She looked at the old lady, her expression also somewhat agitated.

Today, Zhou Jiu, who has always been by my side, did not come.

After the Emperor bestowed the marriage upon them, the two of them secretly shed a tear.

Although Zhou Jiuniang was beautiful, her life at home was far from easy. Her father, the youngest son in the Zhou family, had a bad temper and favored his concubine over his wife. Her mother, unable to bear a son, was timid and cowardly. She had no say in anything at home, not even matters concerning her own courtyard, which were decided by her aunt. She was constantly sickly and paranoid, always secretly harassing Zhou Jiuniang and spreading her unfounded suspicions.

Princess Wenxiu had always lived in the Zhou family, and although they treated her well and her life wasn't difficult, she was still living with her maternal family... and gossip had to be heard. Zhou Jiuniang and she had been together since childhood, and their relationship was somewhat intertwined.

She genuinely hoped that Aunt Jiu could be her mother.

But it didn't work out... The Zhou family's cunning scheme failed, and Zhou Jiu Niang, being shy, went home.

This made Princess Wenxiu feel disgusted with that person from the Mo family from the bottom of her heart.

Yesterday, Consort Feng specifically told her that the future princess would also be visiting the Zhao family today. She instructed her to be polite and courteous, so as not to be impolite, so that the family could get along better in the future.

Although she didn't reply, she felt even more dissatisfied.

Seeing the deep affection and concern in the old lady's eyes, I almost burst into tears...

Shao-ge grew up carefree and had no interest in the white-haired old lady in front of him. He turned his head and stared at the little boy from the Zhao family, intending to go over and play with them.

"Shao-ge'er..." the old lady called, but he didn't hear her.

Consort Feng quickly gave him a gentle push, "Shao-ge'er, the Ancestor is calling you!"

Shao Ge'er blinked his eyes, clenched his little fists, and bowed again, saying in a childish voice, "Happy birthday to the Ancestor!"

This amused the old lady, who asked, "Has the Prince returned?"

Consort Feng replied very gently, "The Prince returned the day before yesterday evening and went to the morning court today. He was thinking of you and sent me ahead. I estimate he will arrive soon."

Her tone and expression... made Aunt Zhao a little worried: Consort Feng had been in charge of the household for several years and had even given birth to Shao Ge'er.

This time, Qilang chose a girl from a humble background and a young age to be his queen.

This mansion is going to be in chaos... I'll have to ask Zhao Hui about this when she arrives...

"Grandma, look! The Prince instructed Liniang to prepare a birthday gift for you..." Her maidservant held up a tree of red coral. "It's so bright red, it'll add some joy to your birthday banquet!"

The old lady squinted at it, "Such a large and of such high quality red coral is rare! Your Highness is so kind! It would be great if you could come and visit this old lady more often, instead of going to such lengths!"

“You are our pillar of strength. We are showing our respect, not spending money! This is my way of showing our respect to you!” Consort Tian said with a smile, presenting a string of peacock green beads with both hands.

Although the beads are not large, their color is extremely rare!
The Tian family's businesses are truly widespread... Just look at their spending!
Consort Feng harbored resentment, knowing that she always flaunted her wealth and sought the limelight.

Because that red coral was a gift from the Prince of Qi's residence, Consort Tian's actions were completely unnecessary!
Fortunately, she was prepared. She smiled and said, "I can't compare to Sister Tian's wealth and generosity. This was made for you by Li Niang herself!" She took out a forehead ribbon.

"Good, good, good!" The old lady told the maid beside her to put it away. "You are all so filial! Please sit down. Xiangxiang, Shaoge'er, and Qianqian... I'll tell you, your Aunt Yunqing made candied hawthorns by hand, and they're chilling in the ice cellar. We'll take them out to eat in a bit!"

What child wouldn't love to eat this? They all nodded in agreement.

After all that fuss, everyone finally settled down.

It seems that he hasn't arrived yet... Consort Feng looked around but couldn't find him. She wondered what kind of person he was...

Hmph! The legitimate heir definitely has an advantage!

The old lady pulled Li Xiangling first, and talked to her the most.

My brother Shao is still in line!

She got angry again, but then she realized: What's wrong with me lately?
"Auntie, Shao-ge wants to eat candied hawthorn!"

These two aunts, one named Zhao Yunqing and the other Zhao Yunkai, were about fifteen or sixteen years old. They looked quite alike, with round faces, big eyes, and having practiced martial arts, they possessed a rather heroic and spirited air.

"Ancestor, Yunqing has taken them to get candied hawthorns!" Zhao Yunqing said readily.

"Go ahead, go ahead! Be careful, don't go near the water, and don't climb the artificial hill!"

"Yes!"

At the main gate, Granny Zhao and the Mo sisters arrived and were getting off their carriages.

But then another group of people arrived from the side.

The leader was a man in a black horse and black robe, with a cold and stern face.

Upon seeing this, Granny Zhao said to Mo Yi, "The Prince has arrived!" and went to greet him.

“Granny Zhao…” Li Jing dismounted.

"Granny Zhao!" someone else shouted from the side, "What a coincidence, we've run into each other at the door." It was Li Chang.

Mo Yi whispered to Mo Yuan, "His Highness Prince Qi has arrived..."

After saying that, she walked forward, and Mo Yuan quickly followed behind.

Finally, I'm going to see that important person in person...

Sorry for the late update.

Actually, I've been sleeping very poorly lately. I'm afraid to stay up late, so I go to bed early, but I just can't fall asleep. I just lie there with my eyes wide open, and then I end up sleeping in the next day. I have no energy all day.

I usually set up the framework the day before, get up at six in the morning, and then refresh it twice. I post the article around 8:30.

But this vicious cycle has made it impossible for me to keep up.

I'm trying...

(End of this chapter)