Too high to reach

Chapter 126 Each Family's Own Affairs
The next day, Mo Rushan left his post.

He was clever and meticulous, and he packed up Gui Xiangchun's pastry boxes.

I gave a portion to my colleague, and soon...

Everyone knew that his niece had been summoned by the Empress and that the Empress had bestowed many fine gifts upon her.

Moreover, during the Lunar New Year, his niece went on a pilgrimage with her mother and encountered danger, but was saved by a benefactor. Only now has it been discovered that the benefactor was none other than His Highness Prince Qi!

Everyone listened, and it felt just like what was written in the book.

They all offered their congratulations and pulled him aside to ask him all sorts of questions.

Some clever ones sensed the trick... a hero rescuing a damsel in distress... Whether it's a serious ancient text or a folk tale, the outcome of such an event will most likely be the same...

So, one of his lovers asked him directly.

Mo Rushan was overjoyed, but he shook his head vigorously, "You absolutely mustn't say such things!"

"Nothing!"

"My God, what are you thinking? You're terrifying!"

"You mustn't say that again, or I'll become a laughingstock if others hear it."

"Don't say that my niece is only of plain appearance. Just look at the Mo family, how could they possibly be related to Your Highness? If Your Highness knew this, he would be angry."

"...Why did Her Majesty the Empress see her...? Her Majesty must have a deeper meaning, which is beyond our comprehension."

That day, I didn't do any work, and my face ached from smiling so much.

He returned home feeling quite pleased with himself, only to find that his second son, that simpleton, wasn't there. He then pulled Mo Rusong aside and whispered: "Several people have analyzed that His Highness Prince Qi has 'that' kind of intention."

The two brothers dropped all pretense of being scholars, rubbing their hands together and chuckling foolishly. If it were true...

As a reward from the Empress, Mo Rushan decided to give two boxes of bird's nest to his three eldest daughters, plus the pregnant Zhou, with each receiving half a box.

As for the other items, keep them in the public treasury for now, and we'll discuss them later.

This time, Wang was furious and even developed a fever. She refused to call a doctor and just stayed in her room, ignoring everyone.

Hearing from Mo Wen that Mo Rushan had directly dealt with the Empress's rewards, he was furious.

This should have been the second wife's property, right?!

In the past, she would have definitely scolded her husband and argued with Zhuang Shi, insisting on getting at least half of it for herself. It would have been a glorious addition to Mo Wen's dowry in the future.

But now, she would neither waste words with her husband nor take anything she had gained because of Moe.

Does she care?

...It's definitely rare... She pinched her hands, blaming all her unpleasantness on her husband and Mo Yi.

Mo Yi asked her father to take her out to look at the shop. "Everything else is secondary. Our own affairs are the most important!"

The father and daughter spent most of the day out and didn't return until evening.

Seeing the half-eaten box of bird's nest in the room, Mo Yi thought for a moment and then asked Xiangzhi to take it to her sister-in-law. She figured half a box wouldn't do much good for her, so she should let her pregnant sister-in-law eat it.

Zhou was delighted to receive the gift and returned it. She even praised Mo Yi to her husband, who had just entered the house: "A few days ago, Fifth Sister sent some cotton cloth to make clothes for the baby. It's so fine and soft. I heard that she has the least amount of money, yet she has such a kind heart."

Everyone says Mo Wen is generous, but I've never received a gift from her. And Mo Qing is even worse; I just heard she was crying and making a scene with her mother because she didn't get any bird's nest."

Mo Da looked at Zhou Shi with a wry smile... She used to never talk about such nonsense.

What's wrong?
It turns out that he hadn't planned to go to the academy before the autumn examination.

I'm so bothered by trivial matters that I feel unsettled and want to leave again.

……

When Wang Xiujuan returned, she was furious.

All my years of kindness have been wasted. I'm not going to care about anything anymore!
Suddenly remembering that he hadn't told Madam Liang about Mo Yi's trip to the palace, he quickly had someone write a letter and send it over.

Mrs. Liang was also shocked when she received the letter. So many things had happened these past few days.

It was King Qi who saved Mo Yi…

She immediately took the letter and set off for the Marquis of Jing'an's residence.

Lady Hou read the letter, lost in thought: No wonder they couldn't find the man they sent to inquire about that day. So it was this man…

Then I remembered: Liu Yuan was talking nonsense there that day, and even blocked "this person" from leaving. Then, a few days later, the Liu family got into trouble. Although the investigation found nothing serious, they were still demoted and had their salaries reduced.

The Liu family was still wondering where this unexpected disaster had come from; could it be the work of this person?!

The Queen's intention in summoning Mo Yi...

Looking at the honest Mrs. Liang, Lady Hou said, "Liang You has been training at the western suburban camp these days and is not at home. It's best not to tell him about this matter for now. Also, don't mention the matter of Prince Qi rescuing Mo Yi at home." "Huh?" Mrs. Liang didn't understand.

“That girl Liu Yuan blocked His Highness Qi from leaving, and then the Liu family got into trouble, didn’t they? Although it may not be related, it’s better to avoid trouble. After all, that old lady is your mother-in-law.”

…………

Just two days ago, the Crown Prince inquired about the Mohist school.

Because it was so inconspicuous, it took me a long time to find the person.

After investigating three generations, the Crown Prince finally confirmed that they were just from an ordinary family.

Finally, even the astute Crown Prince figured out Li Jing's true intention in arranging the marriage: it was a delaying tactic.

The goal is to find a girl from a humble family and get engaged to her first! Since she's young, we can postpone the wedding and plan for the future!

He inquired about it: Grand Secretary Cheng's eldest granddaughter was only thirteen. She was pure and virtuous, and proficient in all the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.

The great-granddaughter of the Duke of Anguo, also thirteen years old. She was as beautiful as a peach blossom and had a graceful demeanor.

The girls from the scholarly and martial families are excellent in every way, but they are too young.

When he's two years older and it's time to arrange a marriage, that scoundrel will break off his engagement with the Mo family woman again.

Given the Mohist school's situation, breaking off an engagement would be easy...

That fellow is truly cunning!

……

"You haven't changed your mind yet?" the Emperor asked with a stern face.

"Father, what you're asking is..." Li Jing feigned ignorance.

"Are you really going to marry that Mo family girl?"

"Since you insist that your son get married, then your son shall marry her."

The Emperor said coldly, "What do you mean I have to force you to get married? Are you marrying me for my sake?"

Empress Jiang, standing beside him, smiled more sincerely. "Your Majesty, children and grandchildren have their own blessings. Since Qi Lang has taken a liking to Miss Mo, you should grant his wish!"

The Emperor grew annoyed. "Hmph, just one condition: if you agree to this, then live a good life. Don't always have that gloomy face, like I owe you something!"

The Empress smiled and shook her head, glanced at the Emperor, and then asked, "Seventh Prince, when do you plan to get married?"

"She's not that old, let's set the wedding date for next autumn!"

Upon hearing this, the Emperor thought, "It's only the beginning of spring this year, and he's already gone after just two years?"

"Father, if you take the beginning and end into account, it's a little over a year!"

The Crown Prince is right; he's just trying to stall. The Empress sneered inwardly… Let's talk about it after the engagement!

The Emperor is angry. This wretched child has never pleased me since he was a child, and he is still the same now that he is old.

Sooner or later I'll find a fault with you and punish you severely, so you'll know what true respect is!
"Your Majesty, grant the marriage first, and then we can proceed slowly!" the Empress advised gently.

"Father, I still have official business to report." It was Li Jing who was the first to show impatience.

The Emperor glanced at the Empress: "I will have them draft the decree in a moment."

The Empress was pleased and took her leave with a smile.

“Recently, I received a tip that there was some unrest at Hanshan Mine, but it has been suppressed. However, there are several large mines there with tens of thousands of miners. I’m worried that they might get together. My son has to keep an eye on things, and if necessary, he’ll have to take some people over there.”

The emperor's attitude also became serious: "Why wasn't it reported?"

The father and son started talking about business.

……

Mo Ruzhen, who was far away in Tongzhou, received a letter from Mo Ruhai first. She opened it and read it for a long time, but couldn't understand it. "When did I have to interfere in Mo Yi's marriage?"

Half a day later, another letter arrived from Wang, and sure enough, Mo Yi's birth date and time were included with it.

"What are these two arguing about?" A thought suddenly came to mind, and there was actually someone suitable.

However, Mo Ruhai's letter clearly revealed his anger.

This is ridiculous...

She threw the letter in the drawer; she couldn't be bothered to bother with it...

(End of this chapter)