Too high to reach

Chapter 108 Keeping to One's Duty
"These are the jewelry prepared for the young lady..."

On two large trays, various ornaments were neatly arranged. Next to them were several brocade boxes containing sets of jewelry.

It's so beautiful! Moe loves this the most.

Various materials, colors, and shapes—it's truly a feast for the eyes.

I don't know if she gave it to me after she finished wearing it, or if she, like a mother, quickly took it back...

As he was lost in thought, his gaze suddenly sharpened...

In the corner of the tray, quietly resting, was the blue agate that Manager Zhao had swindled out of...

With a sudden burst of excitement, Mo Yi grabbed it and examined it closely. Yes, it was it!

For a moment, it was hard to believe; how did it get here?
Did Granny Zhao buy it at Qizhenlou?
How much silver did she spend?

Is it also a thousand taels?
Probably not, Granny Zhao isn't that stupid. Granny Zhao... Manager Zhao...

"Miss Mo?" This was the third time Granny Zhao had called her.
What's that girl doing with that unremarkable piece of blue agate?!
"Oh! Granny, it's hard to imagine... Do the ladies and princesses in the palace wear these things all day long?"

Granny Zhao answered casually, "These are considered everyday clothes for banquets in the palace. The empresses and princesses wear them almost every day. For important occasions such as weddings and sacrifices, the attire is much more elaborate! When the late empress got married, her dress alone weighed over ten pounds! Princesses, noblewomen... and ladies of high rank and daughters of noble families also need to dress like this when hosting banquets. As for everyday wear, it's up to personal preference..."

"But Granny, I'm afraid I won't be able to walk in these clothes!"

Mo Wen and Mo Yuan were secretly annoyed. Look at how naive she is! Even if that's what she thinks, she shouldn't say it like that!
The old man laughed, “Young lady, no! You’ll see when you put it on! It looks absolutely beautiful! And once the clothes are made, you can walk, sit, and move around without any hindrance.”

"You can choose jewelry based on the clothes you've already chosen, or you can find jewelry you like to match your clothes. In short, do whatever makes you happy!" Granny Zhao said generously.

Mo Yi looked around, letting go of the pressure. "Granny Zhao, Mo Yi is not old, and comes from a humble family. Her father has no official rank. Entering the palace was just a lucky break, but her attire should not deviate from her family background. Besides... I am of ordinary appearance, neither a stunning beauty nor possessing the elegance of Xi Shi."

At the same time, although she is not very old, she is already considered a young woman.

Considering that overly bright colors might appear ostentatious and superficial, while overly plain colors might be considered impolite in the palace.

The fabric should not be too shiny, or too complicated and heavy, as that will make you look older.

The style should be simple, elegant, and easy to move in.

"Look, this fragrant hibiscus has a somber color, it's not suitable. The Shandong silk is bright and lustrous, also not suitable. And the brocade with gold and silver threads is too ornate, no good. The fabric I want to choose is like this..."

The old man said, "This is chiffon."

Mo Yi smiled at him: "Chocolate and jacquard satin, combined together, make it like this. Twill silk as the base, with blue gauze on top, make it this style. The style that the Imperial Concubine brought out is indeed very beautiful. But Mo Yi is not worthy to wear it, if she rashly wears it, it will look like it was borrowed!"

Even Mo Wen laughed when she said that.

“Granny, Mo Yi is not an outstanding girl, and she doesn’t want to make a name for herself in the palace. She just wants to enter the palace steadily and properly, pay her respects to the Empress without any mistakes, and then come out safely.”

"As for accessories..." She walked over and decisively picked up "her own" item. "Blue gauze with this pendant would look beautiful."

Granny Zhao smiled; this girl really knew what she wanted.

The only word from beginning to end is "duty"!
That's great.

Feng Liniang had asked her the same question before.

What she chose was not her duty, but the image she wanted to project: elegant, quiet, gentle, and obedient.

Being intelligent enough, she immediately thought of the corresponding element: the prince's domineering presence and unquestionable authority.
Unfortunately, at that time, I didn't see her intentions. I just thought it was a disguise made by an orphan girl with a wandering background.

She nodded: "Miss Mo's thoughts are very thoughtful. Let's settle on two sets as you've chosen. As for the next two sets, Master Jiang will help recommend some!"

Mo Yi bowed slightly: "Then I'll leave it to Master Jiang!"

The old man chuckled, "Please rest assured, young lady, it will definitely suit you perfectly, be easy to move in, and look good!"

Granny Zhao glanced at Mo Wen and Mo Yuan. These past few days, the two of them had been very diligent and hadn't done anything to disrupt Mo Yi's classes.

Although I don't know enough about their character yet, they are definitely studious and ambitious girls.

She liked this kind of girl and was willing to offer help within her means. "Miss Mo, this time, we can only make it for Miss Mo Yi. Master Jiang's products are quite expensive. A single garment costs at least tens of taels, and hundreds or even thousands of taels are common. I didn't come here with the budget for either of you. I hope you won't mind."

Mo Wen quickly said, "Granny Zhao, you're too kind. It's an honor for us sisters to be able to attend your classes. We wouldn't dare ask for more! Besides, time is so tight, it's already very difficult for you to do a good job for your younger sister."

"Thank you for your understanding, ladies! If you want clothes like these, these ready-made garments can be left here for a couple of days so you can take a look at the designs. Using your own fabrics and your usual tailors, the price can be reduced by 90%!" After she finished speaking, she glanced at Master Jiang.

Master Jiang quickly waved his hand: "Madam! What are you saying! It can't possibly come down to that much! Please don't ruin our shop's reputation! These costs are not low!"

Everyone laughed...

"The clothes must be ready a day in advance!"

"Yes! Then we won't keep you any longer. We'll be going now!"

Master Jiang and his men packed up and left, but they actually left behind two sets of clothes.

Mo Yuan and Mo Wen didn't stand on ceremony. They stepped forward, placed a clean handkerchief on their hands, and examined the items closely.

When they heard the price, they were truly heartbroken. A thousand taels of silver for clothes? That was a joke; a whole family couldn't afford that much in a year.

If they won't make it, I can only copy the design.

Mo Yuan looked at her with disdain: "Mo Yi, the way the Imperial Concubine brought her out was so beautiful! You should have chosen lotus root-colored satin and gauze to make it. Walking on the street, it would be like the wind blowing through a lotus pond, how beautiful!"

When she said that, Mo Wen nodded in agreement. No matter what, it was indeed beautiful.

Mo Yi disagreed: "Sister, it's important for a person to know their own limitations!"

……

At the Prince's residence, Consort Feng was trying on clothes. These were the clothes she would wear when she entered the palace on the second day of the second lunar month.

The clothes were nice, but she was a little unhappy...

Because the person who came to deliver the clothes to her today wasn't Master Jiang. And the tailor who helped her try them on didn't explain why Old Man Jiang hadn't come!
Do they take her so lightly?

This is simply unreasonable!

"The armpit area is a bit too loose. It makes you look sloppy!" she said coldly.

Seeing her displeasure, Song's mother immediately snapped at the shop's chef! "Didn't Her Majesty tell you last time? Why is it still like this? Where is Chef Jiang?"

The female tailor quickly smiled apologetically: "Master Jiang had some family matters to attend to today and couldn't come to the shop. He was afraid of delaying Your Highness's fitting, so he had this lady deliver it first. If Your Highness finds this place unsatisfactory..."

She said with some difficulty, "Your Majesty, in this area, you also need to consider that if it is too tight, it might cause some obstruction when stretching your shoulders and raising your arms!"

Consort Feng remained silent with a cold expression.

"What nonsense are you spouting? As an empress, don't you consider these things? I'm telling you to change it, so just obediently change it! I see your output is getting worse and worse! And you don't even have a good attitude! If this continues, I think you can forget about working here!"

This Song Mama was actually a distant relative of Consort Feng. After getting married, she gave birth to a daughter. Her mother-in-law was wicked, and her husband was cruel; the beatings and suffering she endured were indescribable. In the end, she begged Feng Liniang for help.

Feng Liniang essentially bought her and her daughter and kept them by her side to work.

Years of suffering eventually transformed her into a dragon.

Now, Consort Feng's personal servants are running rampant in the inner quarters. Even Consort Tian and the steward don't respect them! Many things Consort Feng doesn't want to do herself are handled by them. If anything goes wrong, Consort Feng only punishes them lightly. Therefore, no one dares to offend them!
She would even beat the maids who served her.

He followed Consort Feng's lead without question.

At this moment, seeing that the Empress was unhappy, he began to speak increasingly harshly and spittle-flecked to the master.

The tailor quickly said, "We'll change it right away! We'll change it right away, it definitely won't delay Your Highness from wearing it. How about we accept these?"

After enduring a commotion from Madam Song, Consort Feng finally nodded. "Alright, that's settled! We can change it if we don't like it!"

(End of this chapter)