Too high to reach

Chapter 130 Individual Reactions
Prince Qi's Mansion.

The news of the arranged marriage spread from the front study to the backyard.

Consort Feng was so shocked that she had to ask several times before she understood.

Since there was no one else in the room, she smashed the teapot on the ground, shattering it into pieces...

The noise startled her, and she sat down in a daze. How come she hadn't received any prior notice?

A commoner woman becomes a princess?
why?
If the prince hadn't agreed, the emperor wouldn't have issued this decree. So why did he agree?
Choosing such a princess is no different from elevating oneself to the position of queen!

In the distance, the faint sound of children's laughter could be heard. Was that Shao-ge'er?

There's still no difference...

He doesn't care about me at all.

He didn't even have his only son!
Her heart ached so much she couldn't breathe, and tears streamed uncontrollably down her face...

They would rather elevate a commoner with no connection than give Shao Ge'er the status of a legitimate son.
Why?! She clutched her collar, gasping for breath...

Why treat my son and me like this? Over the years, haven't I done enough? Haven't I been good enough?
In that instant, she forgot all her gratitude, appreciation, admiration, longing, and reverence for the prince.

Wipe your eyes, Feng Liniang, don't panic...

He whispered to someone to clean up the broken pieces in the room, and then sent someone out to gather information.

Over the years, she has managed to keep key positions in the backyard under her control. She also has reliable people outside the home and maintains several good friendships.

Not long after, news began to arrive, but not in large quantities.

If it weren't for the arranged marriage, it would have been really difficult to find out about the Mohist school in the capital.

"I heard that this Miss Mo fell down the steps while offering incense with her mother, and the Prince happened to be passing by and saved her. That's why..."

Consort Feng found it laughable. Was this supposed to be a reason? What a load of rubbish!

"I went to see the Mo family's courtyard. Oh dear, it's so simple, crooked and disorganized. The Mo family is indeed a scholarly family! But the girls aren't particularly famous. Moreover, this girl's maternal family is surnamed Wang. They used to be farmers, now they're merchants. They're just somewhat wealthy, not even close to being nouveau riche!"

"She has an older sister who recently got engaged to a nice man!"

Well, she's not the eldest daughter yet.

Consort Feng listened silently, analyzing the news: the Mo family was not even as good as her original family.

The main branch of the Feng family produced a Crown Princess!

My cousin is your sister-in-law, and I have become your queen. Your eldest son has become the legitimate heir.

From both a moral and logical standpoint, isn't this better?

If I were to marry a woman from a respectable family, although I would be heartbroken and life would be troublesome, at least I would be able to understand the situation.

Who told me I had no one to support me?
But what does one of these count as?
She can't do anything, she did nothing, yet she sat at the head of the table and made me bow?

How can this be?
At this time, news of Song's mother also came to light.

"My lady, I've finally found out something! It turns out that Zhao Mama was busy with this matter the other day!" Song Mama said mysteriously and angrily.

Consort Feng calmed down... She raised an eyebrow, her eyes narrowed, exuding both domineering and composed aura.

"Go on!"

"You know, our prince saved this future princess, right?"

"How could I not know?" Her tone was contemptuous. What kind of shameless slut would throw herself at a man like that!

"The prince saved her, and a few days after returning, he sent Granny Zhao to the Mo family to teach Miss Mo the etiquette for entering the palace. On the day she entered the palace, Granny Zhao also took her there! Last time Consort Tian came back from the palace, she said she saw Granny Zhao with a girl, who was probably going to see the Empress!"

Madam Song's tone was also fierce; she also hoped that Consort Feng could become the Empress! Wouldn't her life be better then?
Consort Feng narrowed her eyes. So, they'd been keeping this from me all along!

But she didn't even consider: why would someone hide this from you... she never even thought of you!
She closed her eyes: That's right! It must be thanks to Granny Zhao that a commoner girl could enter the palace without being impolite.

Zhao Hui, why did you do this to me?

Are you really not afraid of offending me and getting into big trouble?

……

The news of the arranged marriage also reached the ears of Grand Princess Fengcheng.

The position she had been vying for for her granddaughter had fallen through, leaving her both anxious and angry, and she suddenly fell ill again. Although Li Jing had politely declined her advances earlier, she hadn't given up.

When the Jing'an Marquis's family fell on hard times, she was eager to annul the engagement, all because she wanted the position of Princess Consort of Qi.

Her family has a complicated and messy relationship with the King of Qi!
The granddaughter is definitely the best choice for the princess!
She had been trying to maintain this relationship for some time, and when she asked the Emperor, he seemed unsure about Prince Qi and didn't respond. However, she believed the chances of success were still quite high!

Unexpectedly, he was given a commoner girl whose identity he had inquired about for a long time but did not know.

The marriage has already been arranged, so there's no point in asking about these things anymore. What will happen to the granddaughter?
Just then, the family's grandson returned from the western suburban camp and mentioned that the Liang family members had also gone there for training. Among them was a man named Liang You, who seemed to possess both literary and martial talents. It was said that Lady Hou held him in high regard.

After the annulment of the engagement, the eldest princess really didn't pay much attention to this marquis's mansion that had no heir.

Now that I hear this, is it going to be a son inheriting the title?
Since things haven't gone well with the Prince of Qi... let's go back to the Marquis's residence.

Although he was only an adopted son, he still had soldiers and property, and he lived a decent life.

So she sent her eldest daughter-in-law to the Jing'an Marquis's residence to probe with words, hoping to continue the marriage alliance between the two families with the future Marquis.

Lady Jing'an was naturally unhappy!
After her husband and son died, her family rushed to distance themselves from the situation, showing no regard for their own feelings at the time.

Therefore, Lady Hou made it clear that the Hou family couldn't concern themselves with such matters at the moment. Besides, those who might inherit the title in the future were likely already married. They couldn't afford to delay Princess Fengcheng's granddaughter…

The messenger then tactfully explained that while the Lady of the Marquis's plan to establish an heir to inherit the title and continue the family line was commendable, the Emperor's approval depended on a specific circumstance. Even if someone were to petition the Emperor to seize power, it would likely be difficult…

However, if the marriage between the two families can continue, the Grand Princess will do her best to ensure that the title is officially implemented.

This combination of soft and hard tactics infuriated Lady Hou: This family is truly cold-hearted and treacherous.

Therefore, the refusal was made even more explicit.

Unexpectedly, her refusal did not deter the Grand Princess.

The old lady wrote directly to the emperor, complaining and pleading.

Out of respect for the old lady, the Emperor agreed that if the heir to the title of Marquis was unmarried when the Marquis's family applied for the title in the future, he would grant them a marriage by imperial decree.

Of course, neither Lady Hou nor Liang You knew any of this.

Liang Yougang returned from the western suburbs with some venison.

His father loved this dish, so he took it home on the way.

As a result, when his parents saw him, they hesitated to speak...

When asked, he refused to answer.

Finally, his younger sister Liang Xin pulled him aside and said, "Brother probably doesn't know yet, but the Emperor has bestowed a marriage upon Sister Mo Yi!"

Liang You didn't understand at all. Seeing his questioning expression, Madam Liang sighed and said, "His Majesty has decreed that Mo Yi be given to Prince Qi as his principal wife."

"A marriage bestowed by the Emperor? The Princess Consort of Prince Qi? How is this possible?"

"Alas! You don't know yet, the one who saved Mo Yi at Dajue Temple was none other than the Prince. Perhaps that's the reason..."

The image of the man in the cotton robe appeared in Liang You's mind; he had immediately sensed that the man possessed an extraordinary air about him...

It turns out to be the King of Qi...

Mo Yi was able to marry such a husband... His heart ached terribly, and he turned and hurriedly returned to the Marquis's residence.

Lady Hou sighed when she saw his anxious expression.

"Have you heard?"

Liang You felt a sudden emptiness in his heart, his eyes reddened, and he sat down blankly, "Is this really true?"

"Prince Qi is the legitimate son of the Emperor's first wife, Empress Huiren. You were still young when the incident happened, so you probably don't know..."

Lady Hou felt both anxious and saddened as she recalled the calamity of the past. She only told Liang You what she could.

Liang You truly didn't know any of this; just listening to it made him feel terrified.

“Liang You, the so-called responsibility for saving Mo Yi and marrying her is just an excuse. I don’t know His Highness Qi’s true intentions. But in the royal family, nothing is simple! This marriage is uncertain for Mo Yi’s future! This is not a simple matter of personal feelings, so don’t be too sad. We have to take it one step at a time!”

If Liang Yougang felt heartbroken when he first found out, now he's worried about Mo Yi...

Sigh, Liang You is a good person, and I'm the stepmother...