Too high to reach

Chapter 63: Parents have shortcomings
Chinese New Year is spent visiting relatives and friends, eating and drinking with guests.

Liu rarely left the house, and neither did Yunniang.

With Mo Bao by their side, the two boys started laughing, talking, running, and playing. Mo Yi quite approved of Mo Bao in this respect, even though he loved to eat and had become a chubby little boy. But he was gentle, intelligent, and eager to learn, unlike Mo Qing, who had been spoiled by his mother.

Mowen took two pieces of clothing to Wang's room, clothes she had never worn before. Given her current status, wearing them would be beneath her dignity: one was grass green, the other bright red, the colors flamboyant and vibrant.

Her face was so pale it was almost bloodless.

She's grown up, and wearing such clothes makes her look absolutely stunning; she can definitely pull it off.

Mo Yi, on the other hand, has a round, rosy face. Wearing such bright colors would only make her look younger and a bit timid.

Wang's aesthetic sense was quite limited. Pulling at her clothes, she said, "This color is truly festive!"

Just then, Mo Yi brought in a garment, a light cigar-colored brocade with lotus leaf patterns and a matching pleated skirt.

After comparing them, Wang said, "Yours is a bit too plain, isn't it? Why don't you wear your sister's red one? It'll be much more eye-catching! Among all the girls, you'll stand out at a glance!"

Based on Mo Yi's understanding of Mo Wen, she would never give her the best clothes.

Looking at it this way, it's even better than I expected! At least the material is quite good, and it's brand new. It's just the color…

Putting aside whether my outfit looks good or not, the key question is: dressed like that... what am I even going to do?!
This time, she should have acted calmly, naturally, and reservedly, instead of acting like she'd eaten bee droppings...

Otherwise, whether or not they've taken a liking to you, others will have something to say!
“Mother, this green one is also very nice. Although it’s already the beginning of spring, the earth hasn’t turned green again yet. Wearing this will make you look fresh and full of life!” Mowen said with a smile.

Mo Yi was too lazy to argue with them anymore: "Mother, my sister is taller than me. This dress is too long for me and will make me look sloppy. Why don't you wear your own?"

Wang acted as if she hadn't heard, and first picked up the red one and held it up to her chest. She was a little puzzled... she had seen Mo Wen try on this dress, and it looked amazing on her!

Compared to this silly girl, she looks so dark and gloomy.

After hesitating for a moment, she held up the green dress and realized things were even worse.

Mingming Wenwen looks quite good in it...

She decisively took back the red one, saying, "Mother thinks the red one is better!"

“Mother…” Mo Yi said helplessly, “There were so many people that day, and it wasn’t good for my daughter to be dressed so conspicuously.”

"What do you know? What does 'eye-catching' mean? It means dazzling, okay? You're already average-looking, if you don't dress up, who's going to notice you! Hey! Wenwen, could you lend her your new leather-collared cloak for a bit?!"

Is that alright? Of course not!
That leather collar is shiny and soft, it's in great condition!
I've heard that wealthy families own such a cloak. It costs tens of thousands of taels of silver. Even though she only has the collar, it's still quite remarkable. Wrapped around her neck, it makes her look exceptionally noble.

It's all done, but she hasn't worn it yet. She plans to wear it after her wedding!
Lend it to Mo Yi?

What are you thinking?

Knowing that she wouldn't agree, Mo Yi didn't respond: "Mother, I still have clothes! They're just not ironed yet, so please don't bother!"

"I've never seen anyone as ungrateful as you! Those girls are all stunningly beautiful and exceptionally talented! You have nothing! What makes you think you can win over the Lady of the Marquis?"

Mo Yi was extremely annoyed and couldn't help but blame Liang You again, wondering why he had caused her so much trouble.
If it's not going to work, then it's not going to work! This is never going to end!

Seeing Mo Yi's unpleasant expression, Madam Wang became even angrier. "I'm doing this for your own good! It's freezing cold, and so far away, I have to go with you! Isn't it all because I'm hoping you'll find a good marriage? You're so indifferent to your own affairs. If you had even half of Wenwen's fortune, I wouldn't have to go through all this trouble!"

Mo Yi continued, "My daughter has another one. I'll put it on for you to see after it's ironed. If that's still not enough... how about this red one?"

"Put it on and let me see!" Wang finally let her out.

On the way back, Mo Yi didn't even put on her cloak, wanting to freeze herself and cool down.

They won't make or buy for me on ordinary days, but when I need something, they complain that I have nothing to wear?

And the ink pattern... Liang You is someone you didn't want yourself.

What, you can't let someone else have it even if it's your own sister?
And Liang You!

It would be so much better to be a simple bookworm! How did I get caught up in all this?

Hmph! Once I get married and leave the Mo family, I will never have anything to do with you again, except for my father!
Back inside, I had no choice but to fuss over my clothes again.

This is made of twill yarn, and the material is quite good, but it's a bit damaged. There's a small, egg-sized snag and tear.

The tailor said that if the clothes are made according to the fabric, this part will appear at the waist.

There's no escaping it.

After finishing the garment, she carefully sewed it up. Then, she used the same fabric to make a flower, finally covering up the damaged area. The fabric was very delicate, and fearing the maid might accidentally damage it, she spent a long time ironing it herself.

When Xiangzhi saw her wearing it, she exclaimed excitedly, "Girl, you look so beautiful!"

Exhausted after a long day, Mo Yi retorted irritably, "I call this pretty? Big sister is the prettiest!"

“The young lady is pretty, but you’re not bad either. She’s fairer than you…and you have a better complexion! She’s a year older than you, and if you keep growing, you might even surpass her in height!”

Whether I'm good-looking or bad-looking won't help me at all!
Mo Yi thought helplessly and went to Wang's room again.

This time, when Wang saw it, her eyes lit up. "Hmm, this one is alright... it's just a bit too tight. Wide pleated skirts are all the rage now!"

"There's not enough fabric. The tailor said this is all we can make! It would be better to wear a thin jacket underneath."

"It won't be too cold after spring arrives. Let's leave it like this... Wait, I remember... Autumn Red!"

She called her maid and went into the inner room. She heard a noise, as if they were rummaging through something.

Mo Wen stared intently at Mo Yi, who too was reminded of the cloth…

After a while, Madam Wang came out with two porcelain plum blossom hairpins. "I think these two hairpins match your dress quite well. Take them and wear them for now, but remember to return them to me!"

Mo Wen suddenly said, "Mother, on this piece of fabric, I have a stained and damaged area. Where is it? It should be..."

She went straight for it.

Mo Yi didn't expect her to make a move, so she didn't dodge and ripped open her belt. Although Mo Yi had sewn it up, it was still quite obvious.

"Here it is! You can see it as soon as you move!"

Mo Yi got angry, pulled him back sharply, and said angrily, "What are you doing?!"

The belt slipped from his hand, and it hurt quite a bit. Mo Wen hissed in surprise.

“Mo Yi!” Madam Wang glared.

Mo Wen was also annoyed: "What am I supposed to do? You go out dressed like this? Does it make people think that the Mo family is so poor that they don't even have a decent set of clothes? Aren't you ashamed?"

“It’s my own loss that’s embarrassing!” Mo Yi retorted.

"Mo Yi, how can you talk like that?!" Madam Wang exclaimed in a panic.

"Mother, look at her like this, it's pointless for her to go!"

"Your sister was just trying to be helpful, what's wrong with you?"

Mo Yi suddenly laughed, a laugh tinged with sarcasm.

"You just grab someone and tear off their clothes without saying a word?! Would you be happy if I treated you like this, sister? If you can't stand to see me doing well, just say so!"

"What do you mean?!" Mo Wen asked, feeling a little guilty.

“Heh…” Mo Yi stared intently at Mo Wen. “Sister, we are sisters, we understand each other. What I mean is, I know what you mean.”

Her eyes were unusually bright, as if she could see right through Mo Wen.

Mo Wen was nervous, her face turned even paler, and her back was sweating.

"Mo Yi! You... are you threatening your sister?" Madam Wang didn't quite understand. "In my opinion, you shouldn't go to Dajue Temple!" Anyone can threaten someone!

“Daughters always listen to their mothers!” Mo Yi said, then turned and left.

"Come back here!" Wang stood up angrily, wanting to pull her back and give her a good scolding.

Mo Wen, however, pulled Wang Shi back, "Mother, let her go!"

"That sly bandit is infuriating! I was so kind to help her, and even found her a hairpin, and she's so ungrateful! She's just like your father, she doesn't appreciate kindness! If you've got the guts, don't go! Qiu Hong, put the hairpin away, throw it away and don't let her wear it!"

Mo Wen's heart pounded: "Mother, her personality has always been like this; there's never a way to talk to her properly. In my opinion, it's better not to go to Dajue Temple! Going there would be a waste of time!"

Madam Wang nodded immediately: "Exactly! I'll have your aunt find her someone on the phone, someone far away! So she won't be around all the time and annoy me!"

Then, she picked up the two sets of clothes and shoved them into Mo Wen's hand: "Take them back, you don't need them anymore! Humph, I'm not going to get involved in this anymore!"

I was quite pleased to receive affirmation from several fellow poets.

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(End of this chapter)