Too high to reach

Chapter 83 She crossed the line
As soon as Liu Yue and Liu Nian entered the courtyard, they heard cheerful laughter coming from inside the house.

Many lanterns were hung in the courtyard and under the eaves. When the maid who was tidying up saw the father and son return, she quickly bowed.

"My lord is back! Young master!"

Liu Yue went straight into the house, with Liu Nian following behind him.

His wife, Ms. Hu, was talking to their children inside the house. Although she was over thirty, she was very well-maintained, with fair skin and a beautiful appearance, making her look much younger.

She wore a purple floral butterfly dress and a butterfly hairpin in her hair, which trembled and swayed with her movements, making her look very lively.

His daughter, Liu Siwan, was leaning against him, and his eldest son, Liu Xiao, was sitting on a chair next to them. The three of them were talking about something, and their faces were full of smiles.

When she saw Liu Yue enter, Madam Hu's smile faded slightly, and when she saw the small figure following behind him... her face turned frosty.

She sat up straight and said demurely and softly, "My lord has returned!"

"Daddy!" the girl cried out.

The seated boy stood up and bowed, "Father!"

"Hmm. Are all the lights ready for tonight?" Liu Yue sat down in the main seat with a swagger, displaying the image of a dashing and handsome middle-aged man.

"Father, the lamps have been prepared. Grandfather instructed that they be lit before dinner!" Liu Xiao said.

Hu lowered her eyelids coldly and remained silent.

Liu Nian greeted everyone with a smile: "Mother, elder brother, elder sister!"

Liu Xiao's appearance and demeanor were unlike his father's; every move he made was as serious and upright as Elder Liu. He first looked Liu Nian over properly before smiling and replying, "Second brother!"

The older of the twins, Liu Siwan, glared at Liu Nian first, then smiled, "Daddy, after dinner, would you like to light the lamp with me, okay..."

"Okay! Father will stay with you..."

"It's rare that you still remember what day it is. You've been gone all day without saying a word, and my mother has asked me several times. I don't know how to answer her!"

"Oh, there are some on the estate..." Liu Yue went off to make up some lies to fool his wife.

Liu Siwan, with her sharp eyes and keen observation, immediately noticed Liu Nian's clothes.

She walked over and asked in a low voice, "Where did you tear your clothes again?"

Liu Nian chuckled: "You can see all that? Sister, are you perhaps the reincarnation of Erlang Shen?"

"You're such a chatterbox! I'll tell my mother to scold you later!"

"My most beautiful sister! Don't tell me! It's the gate of the manor that's broken and got scratched."

"Who sewed that on for you? The stitches are really fine!"

"The stitches are much finer than when my sister embroiders a hen!"

"Nonsense! That's an eagle!"

……

Li Jing returned home, feeling physically and mentally exhausted after several days of continuous work.

I ordered hot water and took a nice bath.

Just as she finished dressing, Consort Feng arrived.

Having been back at the manor for so many days, Li Jing has been sleeping in the front study, and hasn't even gone to the room of the beautiful concubine he recently brought back.

Today is the Lantern Festival, and the prince hasn't given any instructions on how to celebrate it. Having served him for so many years, I've never gone out with him to see the lanterns or fireworks.

The best spots for watching fireworks every year are booked well in advance. The Prince's Mansion has never participated!

The scene I imagined of the two of them taking Shao Ge'er out to play never came to pass...

Today, she meticulously prepared a banquet, worried that he wouldn't come home, or that he might stay in the front yard, so she personally went to the front to call him. In particular, she was also concerned about the whereabouts of the set of swords, spears, and arrows.

"Your Highness!?" She appeared with a smile.

"...Something wrong?!" Li Jing was somewhat surprised.

"Sir, today is the Lantern Festival! The backyard is full of lanterns, and we've prepared food and wine. You should at least keep your sisters company!"

"Oh...I almost forgot...Let's go over there in a bit!"

“The streets are bustling with activity! How could you forget that!” Consort Feng’s tone was gentle and affectionate. “Shao’er even drew a lantern for you by hand! It’s a mess… Oh, the banquet in the front yard is also ready. If we keep up the festivities tonight, the New Year will be over, and everyone will be busy again.”

"Hmm." The prince's thoughts drifted away again.

"Also, the 18th of the first lunar month is Old Madam Cui's birthday banquet. Invitations were sent beforehand, and now they've sent someone to inquire again... I should reply by tomorrow." Li Jing frowned. It's just a birthday banquet, why send someone to inquire so many times?

"Take Lady Tian with you and let her take a look. If I have time that day, I will go and see her. But it's not settled yet!"

"Yes. Also... Your Highness, you've been back for so long, shouldn't the manor find an excuse to let relatives and friends gather?"

"Let's wait a while! We'll talk about it when spring arrives and the flowers bloom." He has neither the time nor the inclination right now.

“Yes, Your Highness…” Consort Feng leaned closer, her eyes filled with tender affection, her voice becoming ambiguous, “You’ve returned, but you haven’t yet entered the sisters’ rooms. Our household should have a few more children…”

Li Jing suddenly felt a strange unease. "There have been just too many things going on lately... Alright, I understand!"

He's the kind of person who always does whatever he wants and never considers other people's feelings.

What Madam Feng said sounded a bit awkward; this was something that should have been his princess's concern.

She's gone a bit too far...

Oh, right, he doesn't have a queen yet...

However, after she reminded him, he did feel a bit restless.

Perhaps because his reaction took a little longer, Consort Feng continued, "There's something else... Your Highness, shouldn't we find a teacher for our Shao-ge'er so he can train his muscles and bones? He's been with me since he was little, and I'm afraid he's been raised too pampered."

"Shao'er is a bit too young. His muscles and bones are still too soft, and he's prone to injury if he trains too much. Let's wait another two years!"

"Yes... while sorting through the things you brought back, I saw a few small knives and spears. How about letting Shao'er play with them for a while?"

"Those things are cleverly crafted, but they're real weapons; he can't handle them and might easily get hurt. Let's find him some wooden toys later!"

She had mentioned several things, but none of them had a satisfactory answer! Consort Feng couldn't help but feel a little depressed... and couldn't continue.

"By the way, where did you arrange for Zhou Dong's family to be housed?" Li Jing suddenly remembered this.

"...in the courtyard of Liu Family Alley."

"How come Granny Zhao doesn't know?"

"I had someone speak to Granny Zhao! I guess she's been too busy to receive the message." Consort Feng was a little nervous; she hadn't expected Granny Zhao to go directly to ask the Prince.

"Someone come here!" Li Jing shouted outside.

"Your Highness!" someone immediately responded from the doorway.

Are Zhao You and the others still there?

"Your Highness, we have already returned home."

"Send someone to tell Granny Zhao that Zhou Dong's family has been accommodated in Liu Family Alley!"

Consort Feng blushed slightly. Last time, the prince had instructed her and the nanny to help settle Zhou Dong's wife and children.

However, she thought: Isn't this matter within my jurisdiction? Why do I need to discuss it with Granny Zhao?

On the one hand, she really dislikes Granny Zhao now, and on the other hand... she has her own plans!
Back then, Zhou Dong was very... in love with her, and Granny Zhao also hoped that the two of them could become husband and wife, but she chose to stay by the prince's side.

Whether for his future career or to avoid suspicion, Zhou Dong applied to join the military.

Since then, the two have never seen each other or been in contact.

Now, Zhou Dong has become a capable lieutenant under the prince, a fourth-rank military officer, quite successful...

His wife and children went to Beijing first, and he would return later. He was sure he would get a promotion.

He has already become an asset to me!

Therefore, his wife and children must be properly taken care of.

The house in Liu Family Alley was a grand three-courtyard house. After tidying it up and providing manpower and all the necessary supplies, Zhou Dong's wife, Tu Shi... well, she was so happy she didn't know what to say.

Towards oneself, one flatters and thanks.

What does this little thing mean to me now?
His family background is too humble. If he wants to achieve something in the future, if he wants Shao-ge to be successful, he needs someone to help him.

But at this moment, seeing the prince directly arrange for someone to inform Granny Zhao, she felt uneasy...

Will that old woman cause me trouble again?

She felt a surge of resentment: Why ask the Prince directly about these matters instead of asking me?

The prince is so busy with state affairs that he doesn't even have time to visit the inner courtyard. How could he possibly manage such trivial matters?
She clearly blames me for not consulting her, and deliberately complains about me in front of the prince!
……

(End of this chapter)