Too high to reach

Chapter 188 I Really Want to Count
After the two returned home, Mo Yi went to her room to rest as usual.

Li Jing still went to the front study.

After waking up from a nap, Mo Yi wondered what to have for dinner. Li Jing sent someone in to say he had to eat in the front study. Perfect! Mo Yi told Bai Mei to tell the cook to make her some porridge for dinner.

Although Consort Feng had come to her senses, she still kept an eye on her. Hearing that she wanted porridge for dinner... she felt a little disdainful.

Dinner was delivered in the evening; besides porridge, there were four side dishes and four desserts…

With Mo Yuan and Mo Wen present, none of the three of them would be able to eat this. Thinking about yesterday's dishes, they only used about half… what a waste!

When Li Jing returned, Mo Yi was already fast asleep. He scratched his head... Was she just tired these past two days, or had she simply lost the habit of waiting for her husband? So he washed up and lay down beside her to sleep.

The next morning, we were going to the Zhao family to meet our relatives.

The weather isn't great; it looks like it's going to snow.

"I'll accompany you to see the old lady, and then I'll head straight to Cangzhou. It'll snow soon, and the roads will be difficult to travel. After you eat at the Zhao family's, come back on your own."

"Okay, how many days will you be gone?" Mo Yi asked as her maid was doing her hair and makeup.

"It depends on the weather, it should take three days. But if there's heavy snow, it might take another two days."

"Hmm. Have the people accompanying you been arranged? And what should we bring on the road..." Mo Yi really didn't know.

"Everyone has been arranged. Things on the road are usually handled by those in front. If you don't understand these things, you don't need to worry about them. Li Chang is going along this time too."

After getting ready, the two headed outside. Halfway there, they encountered Consort Feng and bowed to her. Li Jing paused, "Is there something you need?"

Consort Feng smiled and said, "I heard that Your Highness went out today. It's too cold, so I prepared a set of leather leg warmers for you to wear so your legs don't get cold."

“It’s already prepared…” But Li Jing still took it, “Thank you for your thoughtfulness, you can go ahead and get back to work…”

After saying that, he took Mo Yi and left.

Consort Feng watched their retreating figures with an unchanged smile...

In the carriage, Mo Yi suddenly asked, "Your Highness, what did you say..."

"What is it?" Li Jing asked casually, her mind preoccupied with something else.

"Hmm... do you think there's a possibility between Sister Yunqing and Fourteenth Brother?"

"What's possible? Oh, you mean..." Li Jing looked at Mo Yi with amusement. So young, and already married herself, she's already thinking about being a matchmaker... That's really something...

"Last time, when we were all talking together, I saw the two of them laughing and joking, and I found them quite pleasing to the eye. I heard that Sister Yunqing is not yet engaged, and Brother Fourteen is of the right age. Why haven't you thought about this?"

Li Jing smiled and said, "That's because Fourteenth Prince's mother is of low rank and has no dowry. Fourteenth Prince has no real position and only receives a stipend. Even if the house in his residence is leaking, he has to report to the Imperial Household Department to get money for repairs. But someone as unfavored as him, who would care for him in the short term? It's all thanks to his mother's financial support or my help that they can make ends meet. It's not good for Sister Yunqing to suffer after marrying into such poverty."

But now… Consort Liang's position is secure, so her treatment has improved considerably. Little Fourteenth, I'll remind the Emperor after the New Year to find him a substantive post. That will be much better. You should ask your aunt about it when you have the chance later.”

"Yes. But...won't my aunt laugh at me?"

"Yes," Li Jing teased her.

The two men laughed.

When they arrived at the Zhao family's residence, Zhao Yunqing and Zhao Yunkai, dressed beautifully, greeted them at the second gate.

Upon seeing him arrive, he quickly bowed and said, "Cousin!"

He then moved closer to Mo Yi, winking and saying, "Greetings, Your Highness!"

"Your Highness is so beautiful! You look gorgeous from head to toe!"

Mo Yi smiled with her face down.

The two Zhao girls secretly glanced at Li Jing: his expression was much gentler. Look, he's changed after marrying the girl he likes!

Once inside, Old Madam Zhao sat in the main seat, attended to by her two granddaughters-in-law and several great-granddaughters-in-law.

Li Jing and Mo Yi stepped forward and knelt down, saying, "Great-grandmother, Li Jing and his wife Mo Yi kowtow to you."

The old lady was quite agitated. "Get up quickly! Come... let the old lady take a look..." She stretched out her hands. The two men stepped forward, and the old lady took their hands and examined them closely. "Good children!" she said with extremely gentle eyes.

"From now on, the two of you must live a good life together. Mo Yi... This old lady has lived for so many years, and her eyesight is not for nothing. Although we haven't known each other for long, this old lady knows that you are a smart and strong girl! Qi Lang is working very hard. The burden is too heavy, and sometimes he is inevitably careless. I hope you understand and take good care of him."

"Yes! Mo Yi will certainly remember the old lady's teachings and will take good care of the prince!"

“The old lady trusts you.” She beckoned, and a maidservant handed her a box. “The silver notes in this box, and the things in the box next to it, are from the old lady’s private property, allocated to Qilang. They’re being given to you today. Keep them safe…”

Mo Yi turned to look at Li Jing, and seeing him nod, she accepted the gift with both hands. "Thank you, Great-Grandmother."

How much is this box of silver notes worth? I really want to count them...

"Great-grandmother, I have to go to Cangzhou. I'm afraid it will snow, so I won't be able to have dinner with you. Let Mo Yi keep you company!"

"Then hurry up and go. If it snows, walk slowly. If you can't, rest for the night on the road."

"Okay. Don't worry." Li Jing greeted her aunt, glanced at Mo Yi, and left.

Mo Yi sat obediently beside the old lady and presented her with the headband she had made for her.

After listening to her rambling on and on for a while, I let the old lady rest for a bit before the meal.

After sending the person away, Madam Zhao chatted with her over tea.
"You're young and inexperienced. It's normal to feel uncomfortable during your new marriage; everyone goes through this process. Concubines and concubines are common in many families. Just remember to follow the rules and don't worry about it too much."

The Prince has devoted himself entirely to official duties, and over the years, he has never spoiled anyone to the point of disregarding the rules. You can rest assured about that.

Mo Yi nodded slightly.

"I don't know how much Zhao Hui told you, but the former Princess Zhou was once the most outstanding lady in the capital. Not only was she beautiful, but she was also very talented. She could play the zither, write calligraphy, and compose poetry with ease."

Looking at Mo Yi's blinking eyes, which showed curiosity but no ill intent, Madam Zhao sighed softly: This girl is truly reliable.

"However, the prince and she did not get along well."

"Please tell me more, Aunt. Mo Yi also wants to know more about the Prince."

"Hmm... the prince's temperament... He and our Princess Ming'an are twins. Princess Ming'an, when she was very young, was so adorable with her little mouth. The emperor doted on her the most. But the prince didn't start speaking until he was over two years old, and he often uttered one word at a time. So, he developed a rough temper. He often gets physical if he can't get through to someone in three sentences."

At that time, the most favored concubine in the palace was the First Consort Dong, now the cousin of the Second Consort Dong. She was truly... even more beautiful than the current Second Consort Dong. She gave birth to Prince Li Zhen, the emperor's darling. That mother and son were endlessly troublesome in the harem, bullying everyone they encountered. The only ones they dared not provoke were Princess Ming'an and a prince.

Princess Ming'an was extremely intelligent. She knew the palace rules by heart and even the imperial laws perfectly; no one could out-argue her. As for the Prince… he was clumsy with words, but he was a skilled fighter…”

At this point, Madam Zhao smiled, yet with a hint of sadness. "Oh, look at me, where did I get to? That's just how the Prince is. He prioritizes official duties; everything else depends on others. Princess Zhou is sensitive and loves romance. She's always a bit melancholic and craves her husband's unconditional love. Actually, she's a good person, but she and the Prince just don't get along. Neither of them knows what the other is thinking... They're drifting further and further apart, and neither of them is happy."

Everyone thinks their marriage is perfect, but they just can't seem to get along. What I mean is, the prince is a bit stubborn, which is useful in official matters. But when it comes to marital relationships, he's a bit unreasonable.

“I see you are not old, but you are shrewd. Since ancient times, women have relied on their husbands and sons to make a living, and often neglect themselves. They never think about what they will do when their husbands and sons can no longer be relied upon.”

Our Zhao family places great importance on the upbringing of our daughters. From the matriarch to Yunqing and the others, each one of them has achieved great things. Looking at you, you seem to have quite the makings…”

“Mo Yi thinks so too. It’s certainly good to have the protection of parents, brothers, husband, and son. But one shouldn’t be too dependent on them. Otherwise, things will become unbalanced. I’m afraid that’s what happened to Princess Zhou…” Mo Yi smiled.

"Yes. That's the right way to think! Good child... The old lady has a good eye for people."

"Aunt, on the way here, the Prince mentioned Sister Yunqing. Have you made any plans regarding her marriage?"

"There are a few interested parties, but we haven't been clear about the details yet, and we're still looking... There are always things we like and things we don't like."

"Then... what do you think of the fourteenth brother?" Mo Yi asked.

"Huh?" Madam Zhao was somewhat surprised.

"His Highness said he hadn't planned this before because his fourteenth brother lacked a proper reason for marriage, his mother's rank was low, and his dowry wasn't substantial. He feared that Yunqing would suffer if she married him. But now, Consort Liang's treatment has improved in every way, and after the New Year, His Highness even said he would find a good position for his fourteenth brother. That would be much better than before. If you and Yunqing could take a liking to him..."

Madam Zhao was very moved. "Your Highness is always so prudent in his actions. I've watched Fourteenth Prince grow up; he's like family to me, so I never thought about this... It's not that I look down on him because he's poor. Perhaps... we could ask Yunqing about it later?"

“I’ll go ask her…” Mo Yi said excitedly…

(End of this chapter)