Too high to reach

Chapter 74 Climbing High and Gazing Far
Mo Yi had just left the courtyard when she ran into Liang You, who was looking for her.

"My little sister!"

"Brother Liang You!"

"Why did you take so long?" Liang You asked, somewhat worried.

“It’s alright. Brother Liang You…” Mo Yi wanted to make up her mind to settle things with him.

Before she could speak, Liang You hurriedly said, "Sister Yi, listen to me: I'm the one who dragged this into this whole mess. I'll try to fight for it again."

"Brother Liang You, listen to me carefully: the basis for our marriage has changed significantly. It's perfectly normal for the Lady of the Marquis to arrange your marriage for the sake of the Marquis's family."

The path you are about to take is completely different from what you've been on before. Therefore, even if our marriage doesn't work out, you don't need to feel guilty.

She raised her hand to stop Liang You from speaking.

"To be honest, a girl like Zhang Xianlin is more suited to be the Marquis's wife. I'm just afraid that if you insist on this, it will affect your future. Even if we get married, what good days will we have? You've already done your best to advocate for me in front of the Marquis's wife. Now, shall we just let things take their course?"

“Sister Yi…” Liang You was anxious and sad.

Mo Yi smiled and said, "If Madam Hou thinks I'm capable, then I'll have her approval and won't refuse anymore. But if she doesn't agree, then... we'll still be friends' children, like siblings from different families, okay?"

Liang You shook his head: "I'm not unaware of the cause and effect of this matter. Since I've brought it up with Madam, I know what I'll be facing. I, Liang You, am not the kind of person who would stop at nothing for the sake of my future. If I were that kind of person, I'm afraid Madam wouldn't take it seriously..."

Mo Yi nodded in agreement, but then said, "You shouldn't be focusing on this right now; there are more important things to do. Internally... the Liang family members have just entered the Marquis's mansion, and they're all cousins, treating each other with brotherly affection. But the competition will only intensify as time goes on. It might even... be dangerous. Because... the stakes are too high! Externally, you have to support the Marquis's mansion. Although I don't know exactly what that entails, the burden won't be light. You have to prove to the Marquis's wife that you can handle it!"

"I know!"

"Let's put this matter aside for now. Whether it succeeds or not, I will wish you all the best!"

"Don't worry..." Liang You said the same thing again.

……

After leaving Qingfeng Pavilion, Mo Yuan first went back to the Mo family's side room.

They're resting here after listening to the sutras in the main hall of the Liu family.

She took out a pearl bracelet and showed it off, "Mother, look! It was a gift from the Lady of the Marquis!"

Madam Liu took it, quite delighted: "Wow, such a big piece, such a beautiful luster, it's truly a fine item! Madam Hou, you're quite generous! Did you get the right one?"

Mo Yuan laughed: "That's not all! My daughter also beat that Wang Xiaowei at chess. She was so arrogant at first, but she ended up looking so pathetic! She even overturned the chessboard, it was hilarious!"

"Really? My Yuanyuan is really capable! Have fun, right?" Mrs. Liu looked at her daughter with affection.

"I'm so happy! After my game of chess, I noticed that the Lady of the Marquis was much kinder to me! Mother, I'll bring you some food later, so please rest here!"

"Mommy isn't hungry, there are some snacks here. Just have fun by yourself!"

Mo Yuan looked at her mother and felt a surge of warmth in her heart.

On the way back to the canteen, I ran into Mo Yi and Liang You.

"Sister, have you made arrangements with Third Aunt?" Mo Yi asked.

Mo Yuan glanced at her and realized that Mo Yi had even told Liang You about her mother's visit? Wow, the two of them were really close. If Mo Yi really did marry into the Marquis's mansion, then she'd probably be attending events like this often, right? Touching the bracelet on her wrist, she nodded: "Don't worry! There will be tea and snacks..."

That's why people need to go out and broaden their horizons.

Just now, Wang, who was still dissatisfied with Mo Yi, was called aside by Mo Wen and muttered a few words to him seriously.

Although Mo Wen was quite jealous of Liang You's closeness with Mo Yi, she was still furious at Old Madam Liang's contempt for the Mo family!
Hearing her daughter say this, Wang realized what was going on, but she was still muttering to herself...

Mrs. Liang came over and said, "Sister Wang, I'm sorry about earlier. My mother-in-law sometimes speaks without thinking... Please don't be angry."

Madam Wang immediately smiled: "I'm close to you and I like You-ge'er, how could I hold it against her! Although she's your stepmother, she's still your mother-in-law. I know it's difficult for you. But... that girl Mo-yi is usually very filial to her father and can't stand others talking about her. She's not usually like this. Please don't take it to heart!"

“I think Yi Yi has a great personality! She’s straightforward!” Mrs. Liang nodded.

Mo Wen sighed once again, thinking how fortunate she was to have such a mother-in-law. Thinking of the Xu family… she wondered if those two mothers-in-law would be easy to deal with.

Everyone settled down in the dining hall. Today, a few people were feeling down. Liu Yuan was suppressed by Mo Wen, and Wang Xiaowei was humiliated by Mo Yuan. At this moment, their expressions were not good.

Yuan Huixian saw Mo Yuan and waved to her, "Sister Mo Yuan, come sit here!" Mo Yuan was overjoyed; her social life was about to begin?
So he restrained himself and sat obediently next to Yuan Huixian, the two whispering in each other's ears.

As soon as Mo Yi sat down, Madam Wang asked, "Where have you been? What did Liang You say to you? Tsk, tell me quickly!"

Why is she saying all this here? What is her mother thinking? Mo Yi ignored her!

The ink pattern is on the other side of the Wang family's house, quickly tug it...

Everyone sat down and began to eat. It was customary not to talk while eating, so although there were many people, it was very quiet.

We finished eating in no time.

Lady Hou said, "I am very pleased to see so many outstanding young ladies! In a few days, when the peonies in the manor bloom, I will send out invitations to everyone to come and admire the flowers!"

Everyone laughed and agreed.

"The weather's nice today! And since we've come all this way, any of you ladies who want to go hiking should go check it out! You can also rest for a bit before heading back. Or, if anyone wants to head back to the city right away, that's fine too! There are lights and fireworks in the city tonight. It's good to go back early!"

So that means today's business is over? No one has made a decision yet?
The Mo family members looked at each other.

Madam Wang said, "It's a rare treat to come all this way, so you lot can go to the Heavenly King's Hall if you want! I'm going back to my room to rest!" Then she pulled Mo Yi aside and whispered, "If Liang You goes too, don't forget what your mother taught you..."

Mo Yuan looked at the palaces halfway up the mountain and said coquettishly, "It's too high, I'm not going!"

Yuan Huixian felt she and Mo Yuan got along particularly well. "If you don't want to go, then just stay home! I'll send you an invitation later, inviting you to come over to our house. You absolutely have to come!"

"Okay!" Mo Yuan agreed, genuinely happy: everything is difficult at the beginning! Once you've started, things will get better.

Wang Xiaowei felt stifled. She didn't want to go, but Wang Xiaoyang insisted, so she had no choice but to go with him. Fortunately... she secretly glared at Mo Yuan, thinking that the bitch wasn't going.

The girls were heading to the Heavenly King Hall halfway up the mountain.

You can climb the steps, which is a short route. Alternatively, you can take the slope and slowly detour.

The girls all chose to walk along the slope, chatting and laughing all the way.

Liang You followed at the back, hands behind his back, a smile on his face, watching the brightly dressed girls ahead.

Seeing that he was walking at the back, Liu Yuan wanted to make some effort, so she also walked slowly, hoping to find an opportunity to talk to Liang You again.

Unfortunately, Liang You was very shrewd. He would either walk a few steps faster or simply stop and look around by the roadside. Even though they had already reached the halfway point of the mountain, they still hadn't found an opportunity!
Climbing to a higher vantage point reveals a completely different view. Gazing into the distance, one can vaguely make out a small river. Beside the river lies a village, where wisps of smoke still rise from chimneys past noon.

The branches near and far were covered with a light pink tinge. The air was extremely fresh, with a slight breeze but no cold.

The girls felt comfortable after walking out with a light sweat.

There were also many people enjoying spring outings on the platform.

"Winter's chill has faded, and spring's gentle warmth lingers. In the mountain temple, peach and plum blossoms sprout new buds. As I walk until I'm slightly sweaty and think the road has ended, suddenly I see smoke rising from chimneys, and realize that there are homes hidden in the world beyond..."

Liu Yuan stood not far from Liang You, reciting a poem offhand, which drew cheers from everyone. Nearby, other hikers admired the beautiful woman and her talent.

After walking around for a while, Yuan Huixian said, "Let's go downstairs. We're sweaty, and it'll be easy to catch a cold if we stay still." With that, she chose to walk down the steps, which were a bit steep, but the path was shorter.

Suddenly someone called out, "Liang You?"

Upon seeing this, Liang You immediately smiled and replied, "Brother Qian Liang!" and went to greet him.

The girls ignored them and continued walking. Mo Wen followed behind Yuan Huixian, followed by Mo Yi.

The other girls followed suit one after another.

The steps are steep, somewhat irregular, varying in height and width, and some are even broken.

Girls are all wearing skirts, so you have to be extra careful.

As they were walking, Wang Xiaoyang shouted, "Look! An eagle!"

Everyone looked up at the sky.

But Mo Yi suddenly felt a sharp shove on her back...

(End of this chapter)