Too high to reach

Chapter 410 Extra: He Deserved It
Mo Yi was slowly flipping through a stack of picture books and lists on the table.

Although Li Jing said there was no rush, she still entrusted the matter of betrothing the Crown Prince's wife to Mo Yi early on.

They brought over a pile of picture books, had her select them twice, then let him look at them, and finally let the grandson of the emperor take a look. Once everyone had chosen, they would all meet to finalize the selection.

So complicated… Mo Yi shook her head and complained, “Even choosing a wife yourself wasn’t this difficult…”

But talk is cheap; work still needs to be done.

Fortunately, she had attended quite a few banquets over the past two years. She had a general impression of the girls in the catalog. But when it came to choosing, she realized that, to be fair, she thought they were all quite good.

But once it's settled... it seems like everyone can find fault with it.

Finally, I realized that I was limited by my position and responsibilities... and it wasn't simply the girl's problem.

What if I'm wrong?
What if they don't fare well in the future?
One can't help but think: those who love playing matchmaker must have quite a big heart...

"Your Highness, I'm here!" A sweet voice called out, and a young woman adorned with pearls and jade, with a pregnant belly, appeared at the door.

"Why are you here?" Mo Yi asked helplessly.

"Why do you seem to be looking down on me? What are you doing?" The one who came up to me with a smile was none other than Mo Yuan, the young mistress of the Zhang family.

That's right! Mo Yuan married Zhang Debao...

three years ago.

Li Jing released her from the prison ahead of schedule.

At that time, the Crown Prince's faction had not yet been convicted, so she had no explanation. Publicly appearing in public would certainly draw criticism.

At the time, the Liu family was eager to sever ties with Mo Yuan and also felt sorry for the courtyard they had given away. The day Zhang Debao brought Mo Yuan back, the Liu family came to cause trouble and drive her away, and they came twice more afterward.

Although things didn't escalate to such an ugly level again... the Liu family was determined to get the courtyard back.

Because they were certain that even if Princess Qi helped Mo Yuan escape punishment, if the Crown Prince's ship sank... her life would be over.

If they manage to escape punishment by sheer luck, that's the best they can hope for.

Given her background, what future could she possibly have?
She can't get married anymore... Who would dare to marry her?

What respectable family would want something like that?

Let alone her, what kind of life do all the women in the world lead without a good husband?
Even if the Mohists were benevolent, they would only offer her food. If they were ruthless, they would simply send her to a nunnery...

In that case, why should they be polite?
Liu and Mo Rusong truly showed their friendship in times of crisis; once they had swallowed the fat meat in their mouths, they were unwilling to spit it back no matter what.

Mo Rusong, without moving an inch, simply brought out the King of Qi and his wife, and even used his own elder brother as a shield...

Mo Rushan is now considered a high-ranking official.

The Liu family was afraid, but unwilling to give up, so this tug-of-war went on and on.

It would be inconvenient for Mo Yuan to go back to her hometown, so she actually planned to move into the house that Zhang Debao arranged for her.

But after Mo Yi's scolding, she understood.

"Don't make it sound like I'm his mistress," she muttered to herself.

"If that's the case, Madam Zhang will look down on me even more..." His eyes darted around as he thought of a plan.

Finally, we went to the estate that Mo Yi had arranged for us.

Living on the estate was quite comfortable, carefree, and she could get up whenever she wanted. She was very good at getting along with people whenever she wanted. She brought Xiao Shuan'er's family to serve her. With a little spending, everyone on the estate revolved around her…

Whenever Zhang Debao had a day off, he would come to see her, bringing her food, drinks, clothes, and everything else he could need.

Later, the case of the Crown Prince was resolved.

Mo Yuan is granted a pardon for her significant contributions and is permitted to leave the manor and return to her family home...

The emperor was so angry about this that his beard bristled. “What great achievement… wasn’t it all instigated by your wife? Favoritism… this is outrageous!” He wouldn’t stand for it.

Finally, Li Jing privately spoke to the Emperor about the Crown Princess's two children, saying, "It was Mo Yuan who pleaded for them. That woman does have some sense of justice." Only then did the Emperor fall silent...

Previously, Li Jing had a subordinate who had been seriously injured and could no longer fight or have children. The family owned some meager land and could still make a living. So Li Jing adopted the brother and sister as his children.

He wasn't told the brother and sister's true identities, only that they were orphans. He also said that he would send someone to visit them every year and bring them some money. The implication was that the prince would keep track of their well-being, and that he wouldn't have to support them.

The man was somewhat surprised when he saw the two disabled children. But he himself was in the same condition, and it was already difficult enough for him to have children to support him in his old age. Not to mention that the children also provided their own living expenses.

So, he happily agreed.

Before leaving, Zhang Debao picked up Mo Yuan and went to see the two children.

The boy was still a baby and knew nothing. The girl, however, was already quite sensible…

Seeing her, Mo Yuan felt both sad and uneasy.

But that little girl, after all, was personally raised by the Crown Princess, and she was sensible. Although her eyes showed confusion and fear, there was no resentment.

Mo Yuan gave the siblings a wet nurse and a maid, and also slipped them some silver.

On the way back, he remained silent.

Upon arriving at the village, they immediately started drinking...

As the alcohol took effect, he grabbed Zhang Debao and said, "The Crown Princess is the most respectable woman I have ever met. Really, she has never done anything evil. Whenever an official's family is in trouble and comes to her for help, she will help them resolve the issue."

In times of famine, she donated money and goods, distributed porridge, and built charitable halls. She was never harsh on her concubines… If it weren't for her, I would be dead! She helped me so many times! Such a woman… yet she suffered such a fate simply because she was someone's daughter or someone's wife… Why is the world so unjust?

She cried uncontrollably, and Zhang Debao felt distressed. "You saying that makes me feel terrible too."

“…Debao.” She looked at him through her drunken eyes, “Moyuan, I’m not a good person…selfish, vain, unrealistic…”

"No, don't talk about yourself like that..."

"Really! I mean it..." she said, feeling helpless and ashamed.

Zhang Debao's heart is filled with a sense of uncertainty and uncertainty...

"But everyone I've met has been a good person. My mother, though she's incompetent, lacks discernment, and has a harsh nature, has always been devoted to me..."

And then there's the Mo family… As you know, the Mo family didn't have an easy time before. It was my eldest uncle who single-handedly supported the three of us. At least I didn't have to resort to needlework to make a living. But even making a piece of clothing or a hairpin required a lot of planning…”

Zhang Debao was heartbroken, thinking to himself: If only I had met her sooner.

I may not be able to do other things, but I won't let her worry about a piece of clothing or a hairpin...

Mo Yuan sniffed and took another sip of wine. "Then there's Mo Yi... Actually, she doesn't agree with my words, actions, or thoughts. But she's really helped and supported me a lot. You know... it's a good thing for women from families like ours to marry into the royal family, but..." She shook her head, "...it's not so easy to gain a foothold. Look at what happened later, there wasn't a single one of them in the palace who fared well..."

She stopped talking, then continued, "But Mo Yi really misses me. But I... I'm useless, ambitious but unlucky, I insisted on getting involved in this mess... and as a result, I almost died... and I'm afraid I'll drag the Mo family down with me. This is simply..."

After she finished speaking, she buried her face in her arms on the table and sobbed, her shoulders shaking with grief.

"It's alright. Everything is over..." Zhang Debao gently patted her shoulder and said very tenderly.

“Debao…” Mo Yuan lay motionless and said in a muffled voice, “Actually, the person I’ve wronged the most is you! You don’t know how much I regret it… I’m not even human!” After saying that, she stood up and slapped herself.

"No!" Zhang Debao grabbed her hand, his heart completely broken. "Don't say that. As the saying goes, wealth and status can be blinding. Look at this case, all the people involved are of high status, yet they are ruthless and heartless for power, treating human lives as nothing."

They were all carefully nurtured by their families, meant to bring prosperity to the world and honor to their clans. But look at them, what have they done? You, a mere young woman, simply want to dress nicely, to go out and admire the flowers, to visit guests. You haven't harmed anyone… So, you don't need to belittle yourself!”

He spoke with increasing confidence, "Especially since you are a grateful person who saved the Crown Princess's two children. That's no easy feat! Otherwise... such young children, let alone being sentenced to death... even if they were exiled, how could they survive? And how much suffering would they have endured?"

"You're just a girl from a humble family, wanting a better life, but fate has played a cruel trick on you... I... I won't look down on you..."

...What can be done?

Maybe he deserved it...

One chapter again today... One chapter a day, so easy.

(End of this chapter)