Too high to reach

Chapter 141 It's all about fate
"Grandma, this is my fourth sister, Mo Yuan!"

Mo Yi introduced her to the old lady.

Granny Zhao secretly observed Mo Yi's first social interaction in the crowd, and she seemed to be behaving quite steadily.

Mo Yuan put on a charming smile, stepped forward and curtsied, sincerely flattering her: "Only after seeing the Old Madam did Mo Yuan realize what 'white hair and youthful face' really meant! And only then did she realize that white hair could be so beautiful!"

Everyone covered their mouths and laughed at what he said.

Consort Feng sneered inwardly: "People from such humble backgrounds, trying to be charming and ingratiating in public, how shameless!"
The old matriarch was delighted, pointing at Mo Yuan and saying to her eldest grandson's wife, "This girl is beautiful, and she speaks even better! She does resemble Yun Qing and the others quite a bit..."

Compared to her own granddaughter, is this a compliment?

Mo Yuan took out an embroidered item: "This is a gift for you, please don't think I'm clumsy."

"Let me take a look..." The old lady was very obliging and took it personally.

It's an embroidery piece, a pine and crane design, which doesn't seem particularly special at first glance. However, the composition and technique, if done by a young woman herself, are quite remarkable…

At least from top to bottom, the Zhao family can't find even half of that level of competence.

"Did you embroider this?"

"Yes." Actually, it was one of the embroidered pieces that Liu had been doing while being confined to her room by Mo Yuan.

She carefully selected an outfit for the birthday banquet.

But now she readily admits that she embroidered it herself. And she does so without batting an eye, completely open and honest.

"Such a young age, yet such a strong foundation! Good children... Just from the two of you, we can see that the Mo family's upbringing is quite excellent!"

That's incredibly high praise.

It seems that with age, the eyesight has indeed deteriorated... Mo Yi smiled and expressed her gratitude, but inwardly she felt helpless. She couldn't possibly control Mo Yuan, could she? These lies just came out of her mouth so easily!

Consort Feng was furious again. The headband she gave her was indeed made by herself, stitch by stitch.

Just now... the old lady never praised me like that!
"Grandma, you're too kind!" Mo Yuan was flattered by the compliment.

Everyone thought: No wonder the prince took a fancy to the Mo family girl, isn't that right? Even the old lady has confirmed it!

Once this part was over, Granny Zhao stepped forward and said, "Let me introduce you, Miss Mo. This is our Prince's eldest aunt and second aunt..."

Then, the main members of the Zhao family were introduced one by one.

The only men in the household were two distant uncles who were responsible for managing the family affairs.

In addition, there were two cousins ​​who had just returned with the prince, and two or three other young boys.

It really is a big family, and the family atmosphere is particularly good. No one showed any disdain or unfriendliness towards Mo Yi.

"That's what good upbringing looks like!" Mo Yi thought to herself, secretly praising.

Then, the two concubines were introduced...

Actually, everyone felt a little awkward.

It would be fine if they got married, but they haven't yet...

The two concubines were older and held official titles.

Mo Yi is young and has no official title. But in the near future, she will become the mistress of two concubines.

How should one greet someone?

Moreover, generally speaking, it is normal for a concubine to call the princess "elder sister".

But... there's a several-year age gap, how can I bring myself to call him that?
"This is Consort Feng," introduced Zhao Mama. She had given birth to the eldest son, so her status was naturally higher.

Consort Feng was of delicate appearance, and her attire was dignified and gentle. Her clothes were made of expensive fabrics, but the styles were not elaborate. The jewelry she wore was not cheap, but it was all very proper. Her overall image was similar to that of the other wives of the Zhao family.

Consort Feng forced a smile: "Miss Mo!"

"Consort Feng." Mo Yi felt awkward. She had just lost her baby fat, so how did she become the mistress of these two and the mother of the three little devils next to her?
This group of people still revolves around the prince... I dare not think any further.

Not just them, everyone present found it funny.

What is Your Highness trying to achieve?

They all went to look at Li Jing, but he sat there solemnly, his face showing no sign of anything amiss, silently and attentively watching everything.

Ok.

After introducing Consort Tian, ​​he pointed to Princess Wenxiu...

"Miss Mo, this is the eldest daughter of our royal family, Princess Wenxiu. Her nickname is Xiangxiang."

Princess Wenxiu performed the customary bow without speaking. Her manner was clearly polite and respectful, but lacked any real intimacy.

"Xiangxiang." Mo Yi tried her best to sound friendly, but actually, her toes were practically digging into the ground.

“Shaoge’er is the prince’s eldest son, born to Consort Feng.”

Shao Ge'er, still too young to understand, bowed to Mo Yi as was customary. "This is the Prince's second daughter, nicknamed Qianqian, born to Consort Tian."

Qianqian wasn't as pretty as her older sister; her eyes weren't big, and her nose bridge was flat. She probably wasn't very sensible either, and was quite innocent. Following her mother's instructions, she bowed to Moyi.

Although this young girl, Qianqian, is of average appearance, her attire is anything but.

She even got a daughter-like look with Consort Tian.

Both mother and daughter wore purple jadeite bead necklaces, with a pure color, and each bead was round, smooth, and translucent.

It looks expensive.

They really spare no expense in dressing up their little girl.

Mo Yi then recalled that the last time she saw Consort Tian in the palace, she was wearing a jade-green beaded necklace.

Zhao Mama hadn't started explaining the affairs of the Prince's Mansion to her yet, so she couldn't understand how this Consort Tian could be so extravagant.
Could it be that the prince favors her?
Thinking about this, my face started to burn.

Next, I got to know several more important relatives and friends.

Then the old lady said, "Alright, that's enough for everyone. We've all gotten to know each other quickly through talking and joking around. You all keep having fun, I need to go inside and relax for a bit!"

Li Jing wanted to help him up.

"Just have the maids come. You talk to your aunt."

People can play mahjong, pitch-pot, and there are bands playing music a little further away... or chat in small groups.

Consort Feng instructed her attendants to take care of Shao Ge'er, then went over to Granny Zhao and said, "Granny, Liniang would like to have a word with you."

Granny Zhao nodded, and the two walked for a while before arriving at the flower hall.

Upon entering, Consort Feng curtsied to Granny Zhao.

"Why be so polite, Consort? Let's sit down and talk."

Consort Feng sat down, somewhat embarrassed: "Granny Zhao, what happened last time was my fault. Later, I wanted to find an opportunity to apologize to you, but I was a little hesitant..."

She adopted a rather approachable and humble attitude, and Granny Zhao remained silent, waiting to see what she wanted to say.

“Li Niang is someone you watched grow up. We are not only master and apprentice, but also work for the prince together. In my heart, I still consider you family… I’m a bit willful in my words and actions, and I don’t think things through.”

Granny Zhao touched the flower arrangement on the table; these were not her true feelings at all.

She probably couldn't bring herself to say what was on her mind, could she?

“These past few years, the Prince has been away a lot, so I've been managing everything in the inner quarters. I encounter all sorts of things and all sorts of people. It's often very tiring and stressful, and sometimes I get impatient and angry. Gradually, I've developed a habit of being the only one who has the final say. That day, I was upset about something and lost my temper. Please don't be offended, Granny, it won't happen again!”

She cautiously sought reconciliation.

However, Granny Zhao didn't know what she wanted to hear from her. Sometimes, right and wrong are simply a matter of different perspectives.

Helpless, he nodded slightly: "The Qi Prince's mansion hasn't been established for many years. The prince's hard work is evident to all. But what he faces is something we probably neither know nor can help him with."

Therefore, let's just do what we can do diligently and conscientiously, so that the Prince has no worries. Consort Feng, you have the ability and the will to do things, and I have no objection to that. Shao-ge'er is the Prince's eldest son, intelligent and healthy. As the saying goes, a mother's status rises with her son's, so your life and position are beyond question.

I didn't hold a grudge against you for what happened last time. We're on the same page now, and things will remain the same from now on.

"I knew you wouldn't blame me..." Consort Feng smiled brightly, "I've read what you wrote, and I have no objections. I told the Prince when he returned. The wedding date is still undecided, and it's time-consuming and laborious, so it's indeed time to get started. Well... shall we discuss it again later?"

"it is good."

In the other room, Li Jing's aunt was talking to him.

Only a few family members knew about Liu Nian's affairs, and it was inconvenient for him to come on a day like today.

But he had already secretly come to the mansion a few days ago: "Oh dear, he's managed to charm the old lady so much that the maid opened the storeroom several times. That little chatterbox, he even praised the hairpin I'm wearing, I just can't do anything with him. This time, do you want him to go with Zhao Yunjie and the others?"

Li Jing was taken aback for a moment, "I didn't say that! He's still young, he'll go in two years."

"This kid! He really told me that, and even said it was your idea."

Both of them felt somewhat helpless.

Just then, a maidservant said at the door, "Madam, the Old Madam requests your presence."

"I'll go take a look. Why don't you go outside and talk to them?"

“Aunt, please call Mo Yi over. I want to say a few words to her.”

"Oh! That's it!" Auntie beamed, and after coming out, she said to her trusted maid, "Hey, that little one, looks like she's caught his eye. She even knows to say a few words to her! The previous one didn't..."

I can't continue now that I've only gone halfway through.

The girl sighed, "It really is all about fate when it comes to people!"

"Tch! You little brat, you think you know about fate now?"

(End of this chapter)