Too high to reach

Chapter 197 She Has a Good Life
The Jing'an Marquis's residence in the early morning.

Upon receiving the news of the princess's death, Madam Liang was sending someone to invite Liang You back so that he could accompany her in paying his respects.

Liang You had been away for several months and had just returned to Beijing.

His parents missed him, so Mrs. Liang let him go home and stay for a few days.

As a result, instead of Liang You returning, people from the palace arrived.

After saying this, the visitor took away the Lady Hou's memorial and told her to wait for news at home.

When Liang You returned, he saw Lady Hou grinding grain in the room.

"lady."

"Liang You! Someone from the Emperor's side has come and asked me to write a memorial requesting that you inherit the title," Madam Liang said urgently, her expression complex.

"Really?!" Liang You was overjoyed. For the past year, he and his wife had been working towards this goal. "But... why would the Emperor bring this up himself?"

"I don't understand either, so I didn't ask."

Although Lady Hou had made her plans and had decided on Liang You, and Liang You did not disappoint her.

However, it was not easy for the emperor to approve hereditary titles, especially those that came with military power.

They've been finding fault with it and refusing to let it be continued, which has happened quite often before.

Moreover, some families have no legitimate sons, and even illegitimate sons are not allowed to inherit titles.

Moreover, the Liang family has adopted a son...

We must be fully prepared before we can even open our mouths to the Emperor.

The original plan was for Liang You to lead the Liang family army in the grand martial arts competition next summer. If they achieved good results, they would then apply to the Emperor for assistance. Since Prince Qi was willing to help, this would give them a reason to ask.

Liang You went out a few days ago to arrange this series of things.

Unexpectedly, the Emperor took the initiative to send someone over. Why was that?
Neither of them had time to offer condolences. They talked while waiting for news, their hearts filled with anxiety, wondering what would happen next.

Then, it was said that this should be a long process, but unexpectedly, the imperial edict arrived at the door in no time.

Liang Youcheng has been granted a title!
He inherited the title without even going through the adoption process!

Lady Hou and Liang You knelt down to express their gratitude, overjoyed.

However, following this, another imperial decree was issued: Princess Wenfang, granddaughter of the Grand Princess, was betrothed to Marquis Liang You of Jing'an. She was also granted the title of Second-Rank Imperial Lady. The Grand Princess was to marry within three months of beginning her mourning period.

Madam Liang and Liang You were shocked again... They looked at each other, suppressed their emotions, and sent away the eunuch who was delivering the imperial edict.

The two sat down and remained silent for a long while...

Liang You was stunned, but Madam Liang was already furious!
Why does this never end?!

Is Princess Wenfang unwanted?!
Princess Fengcheng, what a shameless person! You deserve to die!
To die on the 27th of the twelfth lunar month is truly disheartening...

His chest heaved, he trembled with rage...

“Madam…” Liang You felt conflicted and embarrassed. He turned to look at his wife, whose face was deathly pale.

Then it dawned on me: this county princess was originally betrothed to my cousin...

"Madam, please don't be angry."

But when Lady Hou thought of Liang Qian, tears streamed down her face. "I really feel sorry for Qian'er. He's gone, and we can't even let him rest in peace? I also feel sorry for you... Such a good thing has turned out like this! I was wondering what the Emperor meant, but I never expected to find out here."

We were all perfectly prepared, and His Highness Prince Qi even said he would look after us... We could inherit the throne legitimately! Now, it seems like we're only doing this because of the Princess's favor.

This is utterly outrageous! To get married during the mourning period... That damned old woman, why didn't she die sooner or later…”

Seeing his wife like this, Liang You could only suppress his emotions: "Madam, the imperial decree has been issued and cannot be changed. Let's think of something to do..."

"What should we do?" Madam Hou's face twisted into a sinister smile. "Hmph... Go find Uncle Cheng first and get busy with the inheritance matter. We didn't anticipate this, so things are quite chaotic. The house will be bustling with activity during the New Year..."

"That princess's residence..."

"I don't have time!" Lady Hou said coldly. She watched Liang You leave...

Hmph! Did you think that entering the Liang family's door would necessarily be a good thing?
They're trying to turn me into a wicked mother-in-law!
……

At the Princess's residence, Madam Zhang was still exchanging veiled insults with Mo Yi.

"During the New Year, I would like to invite Your Highness, Young Master Mo, and the sisters of your family to my home. I wonder if Your Highness would do me the honor?"

Mo Yi said shyly, "Thank you for your kindness, Madam Zhang. However, as you know, I'm new here. This is my first time spending the New Year at the Prince's residence, and I don't know what the palace and the Prince have planned. I'm afraid my date might clash with your family's banquet."

"That's alright, Your Highness. Go back and check the arrangements. We'll hold it whenever you're free. There are no outsiders, just relatives and friends... The Mo family will also send out invitations."

This... Mo Yi was a little embarrassed and could only nod, "That's fine then..."

No sooner had he finished speaking than an imperial edict arrived.

Everyone stood quietly at a distance, watching the princess's people take turns pointing.

He expressed his appreciation for the princess and outlined arrangements for her funeral, granting her some preferential treatment. However, she would no longer be entitled to the Grand Princess's stipend. She could stay at the princess's residence for another three years, until her own house was ready and vacated.

After all that, there was one last thing: a marriage was bestowed upon Princess Wenfang.

Marquis Jing'an, Liang You!?

Mo Yi's face turned pale upon hearing this.

Marquis Jing'an... Brother Liang You has inherited the title? I was just overjoyed...

Wenfang County's main wife?
How could this happen?
This is clearly a wonderful thing, so why was such a wife given to him?

Princess Wenfang was of ordinary appearance, shallow and arrogant. She lacked tact and discretion in her actions…

How can I be worthy of Brother Liang You?

Seeing the two maids help Princess Wenfang up and walk towards the backyard.

Judging from her calm demeanor, she must have known beforehand.

This is a mixed blessing... I really feel sorry for him.

On the way home, Granny Zhao told Li Jing about the matter, "It seems that Princess Fengcheng asked the Emperor for a favor."

"The Liang family originally planned to wait until Liang You demonstrated his true skills during the martial arts competition next summer before requesting a title. They never expected the Emperor to intervene like this..."

Looking at Mo Yi, he noticed that his little wife looked quite unhappy and found it amusing: "Why are you so serious?"

When asked, Mo Yi felt a little guilty, but she was honest, "I've met Princess Wenfang twice. I felt she was arrogant and powerful, and didn't know what she was doing. Could she really shoulder the responsibilities of a Marquis's wife?"

"She's pampered by the Grand Princess Fengcheng, and because of her... she's impatient in her actions. Sigh..." Zhao Mama sighed, and seeing Mo Yi looking at her expectantly, she recounted how she had been so eager to distance herself from Liang Qian after his death.

Mo Yi became even more anxious upon hearing this: This family is disrespectful and fickle; how could they be worthy of Liang You?

But she couldn't say those words again.

"Madam Xu is a shrewd woman. Although the marriage is a done deal, with her in charge... things will be alright," said Granny Zhao.

"Granny Zhao, I plan to take Mo Yi and Xiang Xiang to the Zhou family tomorrow to meet them and give them a New Year's gift. You should come too."

"Yes."

That night, before going to bed, Li Jing noticed that Mo Yi was still a bit down, so she teased her, "What's wrong? Still worried about your brother Liang You?"

Mo Yi blushed deeply. "What are you saying... It's not that I'm worried about Liang You. It's just that... Madam Hou is magnanimous and dignified, and Brother Liang You is a good person. But Princess Wenfang... her life is too good. You saw it last time... her actions are distasteful."

“Little girl, that’s all the perspective she has…” Li Jing yawned, “Luckily you’re not like that… Go to sleep!”

Mo Yi didn't sleep well that night.

Liang You's image kept flashing before her eyes, making her feel both bitter and aching...

(End of this chapter)