Too high to reach

Chapter 84 Frustration and Helplessness
Little did Granny Zhao know that someone was secretly cursing her.

We're having our family reunion dinner at home!
Her husband's surname was Qian, and the couple had two sons and a daughter. One son's surname was Qian, and the other's surname was Zhao.

Several grandchildren.

Zhao Zuo and Zhao You were born to the second son and took the surname Zhao.

Their daughter, Qian Yongle, was also there with her two children. Her son-in-law, Wan Daoping, was in charge of the Qi Prince's Mansion and was usually very busy, rarely home. Their daughter's health had never been very good, and her parents were worried about her, so they let her spend the New Year at her parents' home with her children.

The elderly couple had just finished two drinks when they received a message from Zhou Dong's wife and children.

"They've been settled in Liu Family Alley?" Granny Zhao and her husband looked at each other, both somewhat surprised.

The house in Liujia Hutong was part of Empress Zhao's dowry; it was a three-courtyard house with a garden.

For many years, it had been occupied by Empress Zhao's cousin.

My cousin, Sun, was also a woman of hardship. Her parents died early, and she grew up in the Zhao family. She had a sisterly bond with Empress Zhao.

When she grew up, she chose a suitable husband, a scholar who had passed the imperial examination. She accompanied her husband to a post in another province and had only one son. Her husband died in an accident while in office.

When Ms. Sun returned to her husband's family home, she suffered a lot of mistreatment.

When the news reached the Zhao family, they sent someone to negotiate. The Zhao family was powerful, and the husband's family had no choice but to let her go.

But she wanted to take her son with her, so her in-laws made a condition: leave her dowry behind.

The son is the root of the husband's family, and even the Zhao family has no right to take him away.

For the sake of her son, Mrs. Sun gritted her teeth and accepted it.

After returning to Beijing, she feared that being a widow with a child would not be good for her in dealings with various parties.

Empress Zhao then arranged for her to live here alone. Her son was very successful; he passed the imperial examination and was appointed to a post outside the capital, along with his wife. Worried about the hardships of traveling, he left his elderly mother in the capital. They continued to live in Liu Family Alley!
Why did Feng Liniang include Zhou Dong's family members in the program?

That courtyard is quite large; are two families living together?!

Considering that concubine's personality, she probably wouldn't...

Granny Zhao was still worried, so she put down her chopsticks, packed some glutinous rice balls and gifts, and went to Liu Family Alley with Zhao Zuo and Zhao You as her companions.

He knocked on the door and went in, where he met Zhou Dong's wife, Tu, and her son and daughter.

Tu was of medium height, quite good-looking, and had a hearty laugh.

Granny Zhao was a little embarrassed: "It was rather impolite of me to come so abruptly. Please don't take offense!"

"How could I be surprised? Although I've never met Granny Zhao, my husband has mentioned you many times! He thanks you for your guidance over the years! He says he's been an orphan since childhood and considers you his mother."

Granny Zhao laughed, "It's good that he doesn't blame me for always hitting his hands back then! Those kids were naughty and got beaten a lot!"

“You taught him well! When they first came, my father took a liking to my husband at first sight. He said that he was always clean and tidy, managed his own affairs well, never forgot anything, and spoke in a refined manner, unlike those soldiers.”

After we got married, I discovered that he truly didn't need anyone else to take care of him. He even washed his own clothes when he went out. When I asked, I learned it was all thanks to you, his upbringing!

"Zhou Dong is smart and hardworking, and has won the prince's favor. He has achieved what he has at such a young age. You and the children have a bright future ahead of you!"

"That was because the prince appreciated him, and he also benefited from everyone's help."

This Tu family member is quite the socialite.

Before I came back, my husband said that the accommodations in the capital were cramped and expensive, and that I should make do for a while until he arrived.

I never expected the concubine to arrange things so well! Such a magnificent residence, with all the food, supplies, and staff provided—I can move in right away and don't have to worry about anything! Oh my god, I'm so grateful! The other day when I went to the Prince's residence to offer New Year's greetings, I didn't see the Prince and didn't get a chance to properly thank him!

Granny Zhao had already discovered that Madam Tu and her son were living here. What about the concubine? After thinking for a moment, she decided not to ask directly. "There will always be opportunities. I just came to check on things today. We have plenty of time in the future."

As she took her leave, the maidservant beside Granny Zhao said, "Madam, I've inquired. The concubine moved out just two days after the Prince returned to the capital. She said she was temporarily moving to Machang Xiejie. The move was quite hasty… This Mrs. Zhou, the house was empty when she arrived. She doesn't know anything about what happened before." Thinking of the concubine's hurried departure before the New Year…

Her son wasn't around, and she was tidying up all by herself. What must she have been feeling!

Furthermore, although Zhou Dong is a trusted subordinate of the Prince, he's not high enough to live here! If he's staying here, what about the others? What is Feng Liniang up to?
A surge of anger rushed to Zhao Mama's head. She took a deep breath, saw that there were still gifts in the carriage, and said, "Let's go now!"

The courtyard on Machang Xiejie Street belongs to the Zhao family and is much smaller than the courtyard in Liujia Hutong. The location is quite good, and it's also very well-maintained.

Occasionally, relatives or friends from my family come to Beijing on business and stay here.

He knocked on the door, and after a while an old woman opened it. "Oh my, it's Granny Zhao! Please come in quickly!"

A little maid was following behind her. As soon as she heard who it was, she ran inside.

As Granny Zhao walked inside, she saw a large pile of things covered with tarpaulins in the courtyard. They probably hadn't had time to tidy up, or there was nowhere to put them.

"Granny Zhao? What brings you here at this hour?" A woman came out to greet her.

"Madam! Happy New Year!"

"happy New Year!"

This woman was none other than Concubine Sun.

"I've been so busy with the Prince's return these past few days that I haven't had a chance to talk to you. I only found out today that you've moved here!"

The woman smiled and said, "We moved here last year! Come sit down, I just cooked some glutinous rice balls, would you like a bowl?"

Seeing the slightly messy room, Granny Zhao could not suppress her anger and remained silent. It had been many years since she had been so angry.

Madam Sun saw through his intentions and said gently, "Here's what happened: Yunqi wrote that he's going to the capital this summer to report on his duties and has already secured a position in the Ministry of Personnel. He asked me to look for a suitable courtyard nearby, and to decide whether to rent or buy it."

For so many years, I've lived alone in Liujia Hutong. It's too big and too empty; it would be too lonely if it weren't for the occasional visit from a few girls. After hearing Yunqi's suggestion, I moved here first. Compared to Liujia Hutong, this place better meets the conditions Yunqi described.

Moreover, for so many years, I've always wanted to go with him to his new post, so I haven't bought much in the capital, making the move easy.

“Everything is fine here, and the servants have been with me for many years. Yunqi said that his return this time was also due to the Prince’s efforts. Over the years, the Prince has done so much for my daughter and me! Granny Zhao, please don’t trouble him with such a small matter. Otherwise… I’ll be the one who feels most guilty! Do you understand?”

Madam Sun looked at Granny Zhao intently.

Granny Zhao's nose tingled with emotion. "I understand. Here's what we'll do: I'll have Old Qian find another courtyard and furnish it. You can decorate it according to your own wishes. When Yunqi returns, he can move into the new house directly!"

"There's no rush, let's wait for him to come back..."

“Even if he comes back, there’s a whole host of things to do! His daughter-in-law also has children to take care of. You’re doing what you can. Back then, you were quite decisive!”

After thinking for a moment, Mrs. Sun said, "That's fine! He's sent me money over the years. Let Old Qian find a couple more places; I need to take a look!"

"Yes. Then I'll head back now."

The old woman who opened the door saw her out, and Zhao Mama asked with a bad expression, "Tell me what happened."

The old woman glanced into the room: "The other day, someone from the Prince's mansion came to deliver some things and then told our mistress that General Zhou's wife and children would be returning to the capital in a few days. The Prince asked the concubine to make arrangements, but because it happened so suddenly, they couldn't make any arrangements right away. Especially since they have children with them. It's not convenient for them to stay in the guest rooms all the time. They asked if it would be convenient for Aunt to vacate a courtyard for them."

As you know, my wife has been living in Liu Family Alley for so many years for free, without rent, and even provides handyman services. She frequently sends her things! My wife has long felt indebted. If it weren't for my husband being away from Beijing most of the year, we would have moved long ago. Just recently, my husband wrote to us, and my wife said we should move here first, and then figure out a solution once he returns to Beijing.”

Zhao Mama said helplessly, "It's already like this, so you all should take good care of Madam and make sure she doesn't get sick. Don't worry, I'll take care of the rest."

On the way back, I felt this urge to vent my anger, this feeling of being right but unable to express it...

This is absolutely terrible...

(End of this chapter)