Too high to reach

Chapter 88 Make Good Use of It
Li Jing led his men to the Cangzhou camp.

After employing a combination of carrot and stick tactics, leaving his own people in charge, he returned to the capital.

Back at the manor, Meng San reported a few things, then said, "Your Highness, regarding the Liu family's matter, I entrusted it to Mr. Song, and he has already taken care of it!"

"What Liu family?"

"It's that Liu family girl who was yelling at you at Dajue Temple last time! Hey, they didn't stay idle when they got back. They spread the news, saying that Miss Mo ran into a man's arms, and that the man was vulgar and vicious..." Meng San said with a laugh.

Li Jingru glanced at him, but he remained oblivious.

"The man was unhappy with the woman's frivolous behavior, so he punched her and broke her nose!"

"Her nose was broken?" Li Jing thought: The girl's nose bled a lot at the time, she must have hit the weapon that was given to Anian.

Although I saved someone, I accidentally broke a little girl's nose... which was something I didn't expect.

"It's not broken! The skin isn't even broken. It'll be fine once the swelling goes down with some medicine. However... the marriage with the Liang family is off..." Meng San shook his head and sighed.

Li Jing frowned and looked at him: What the hell are you shaking your head and sighing about? What's it to you?

"Your Highness! Why don't you take this girl in? Oh, no, I heard she's just over fifteen. You can't be an old cow eating young grass!"

Li Jing looked at him, puzzled. "Have you been getting punished less lately, and are you feeling restless?"

Meng San quickly covered his mouth and said through his fingers, "Mr. Song asked Lord Wang to find fault with the Liu family. The men of the Liu family are being investigated at home! You can deal with them as you please!"

Li Jing snorted coldly: "You're bored. Why don't you take over Zhao Chengying's post in Cangzhou for two years?"

"Master, I want to stay with you..." Meng San stammered, it was almost unbearable to watch.

I have no idea where he got all that kung fu from!
"Who are the members of the Mohist school? Tell me... Don't exaggerate!" With things going smoothly in Cangzhou, Li Jing was in a particularly good mood.

Amidst Meng San's rambling, Li Jing summarized:
A family that studies and becomes an official, a humble and honest household, relying on no powerful or influential family.

She's only fifteen; it would be fine to get married in two more years.

He is honest, docile, and obedient, and causes little trouble.

Hmm... He remembered that day, he was almost knocked unconscious, but he didn't make a fuss or cry... he was quite composed.

Thinking back to his father's pressure a few days ago, the Grand Princess, and the families who persistently sent him invitations, and how even his close friends had been pressured by their families to come, they now stood around hesitantly, as if they wanted to say something but couldn't…

The Empress and Granny Zhao held thick volumes of pictures and documents...

Everything they did was aimed at securing his position as princess!

Being constantly bothered like this is really annoying!
Hmph... This Mohist school... should be considered a useful shield!

At least it gives me some peace and quiet.

If you choose her, first arrange the marriage, then get married in two years, and then take things one step at a time. If you don't want to marry her by then, just find her a good place to live!

And by giving her uncle and father a helping hand... that would be a form of compensation.

Hmm! That's a good idea.

"Go and fetch Granny Zhao!"

Granny Zhao has arrived.

“There’s something…” Li Jing said, explaining his thoughts.

Granny Zhao was surprised and embarrassed: "Your Highness... Actually, on this point, I think a little differently from you." Under normal circumstances, she would just agree and do whatever the prince asked.

"Please speak, Granny!" Li Jing was very accommodating.

"Cultivate oneself, regulate one's family, and bring peace to the world. You're still missing one link in regulating your family! Your previous wife was sensitive and delicate, not a good match for you. But not every girl is an unsuitable match!"

Several recent events have made Granny Zhao increasingly believe that Consort Feng is rather unfit for public life.

The problem is that she gave birth to the prince's eldest son and also controlled the household affairs.

Therefore, even if one is dissatisfied, one must still give her some face. It's not appropriate to confront her, criticize her, or complain to the prince.

He could only secretly make arrangements for the concubines...

This can't go on forever!

The prince needs a virtuous wife who can keep him in check; otherwise, Consort Feng will become a disaster in the future!

But she couldn't say that now, so she had to find another excuse: "After all, you don't have a princess or a legitimate son. Why not marry a good one this time? Don't underestimate the power of the inner quarters; their benefits to you are not to be underestimated!"

The prince remained unmoved.

"I know what you're thinking, but Her Majesty the Empress, His Highness the Crown Prince, and our Princess all wish that you can live well while avenging them!"

Li Jing replied, "My greatest wish is to vent this anger in my heart. Otherwise, I won't be able to get along with anyone. Besides, nothing is more important than helping Anian ascend to the position! Granny, everyone is selfish. If I have a legitimate son, and that day really comes, who can face it calmly?"

"Your Highness, it's not that bad..."

"My queen and her family are all subject to my word, and they have no right to disagree!"

"Have you ever considered that having a princess of good status could also help Nian-ge'er?"

"He only needs me! He doesn't need anyone else! Granny, everything in this world has a price tag. What do people really want from someone they can actually use? If a girl in the family gives birth to a son, then they'll be after that son's future!"

If heaven knew that everything I've struggled and worked so hard for was for Nian-ge'er... who could bear it? What kind of trouble would arise?! I can't... let Anian go through that situation again." He lowered his eyes, his thick eyelashes concealing his worries.

"But the Emperor might not agree to the Mo family girl you mentioned."

"Once I get my hands on the Cangzhou camp, I'll ask for the rest! Ha, the palace defenses, eight thousand of the finest soldiers, the best equipment. Under my father's personal control. If I were to ask for more later..." He chuckled, "What would he think?! Having a commoner princess consort, he'd be thrilled, wouldn't he?!"

"I didn't really intend to get it; I was just bargaining! I haven't been in court for many years, and my influence isn't as deep as theirs. But you have to understand, at any time, it's military power that matters!" He said with a sinister look on his face.

Granny Zhao said gently, "Your Highness, I truly hope you can find a woman you are compatible with. If you're worried about getting involved in so many relationships, then I have a good candidate here. Family background doesn't matter; it's simply because this girl is good. You know Sun Liang..."

"Alright, Granny! I really don't want to get distracted by this. This Miss Mo, it's not necessary to marry her. Let's just settle things first, and then no one else will bother me! In two years, if we don't get married, we'll make proper arrangements for her."

Seeing that the prince had thought things through so clearly, there was no point in saying anything. She could only nod and say, "I understand what you mean, but... even if we don't get married, as long as we are involved with you, the Mo family and Miss Mo will be different. Miss Mo, you can't just stay out of it, or you'll make a fool of yourself!"

"Heh! With me behind you, who dares to laugh?" The prince said impatiently. "You must know what people's hearts are like long ago, Granny. If we actually get that position and then give it to Anian, tell me, who in this world would agree to it besides me? Rather than having trouble later, it's better to avoid this now!"

"Yes! I understand!"

"Besides, I'm not that interested in matters of the heart. Less trouble is better!"

"I understand your thoughts perfectly. This Miss Mo absolutely cannot be so easily frightened and at a loss for words when she's in front of the Emperor and Empress. Let me take a look at her; as long as she's not completely clueless, I'm sure I can mold her into a useful person!"

Li Jing nodded in satisfaction: "I believe you on this!"

(End of this chapter)