Too high to reach

Chapter 137 Then and Now
These days have been the most fulfilling period of Mo Yi's life.

I leave early and return late every day.

Wang had a lot to say, but she didn't get a chance to ask.

Song Jiafu and the others have moved to a new place, each with their own room. The two brothers can finally stop sharing a bed at night!
The courtyard also has a kitchen and an outhouse, and it's not far from the shop.

Now that Li Qi has his own room to work in, he no longer needs to dust his bed before going to sleep.

Song's wife moved in with her child and lived in the back seat. They also hired a maid to take care of the family's daily needs. Now, she could stay home, take care of the child, cook, and receive a monthly allowance.

After the marriage was arranged, Mo Yi discussed it with her father and sent a letter to the Song family in their hometown, telling them about the various news from the capital.

Some time ago, the Song family sent a letter saying that they had promoted the Mo family landlord and that their niece was going to marry into the royal family, and that this news was being spread everywhere.

Those people who used to cause trouble after failing to buy land from the landlord have recently quieted down.

However, the aforementioned acquisition is still underway...

As the shop was about to open, the Song brothers put on brand-new blue cloth shirts, black shoes and white socks, their beards were clean-shaven, and their hair was neatly combed; they looked very energetic.

When regular customers came to support the business, Mo Yi prepared small gifts in advance, which they could take upon arrival.

Everyone was chatting and laughing in the shop and at the entrance, creating a lively atmosphere.

They opened for business on the same day, and business was good without any maintenance.

The Song brothers learned their lesson and maintained a polite yet distant relationship with the other shop assistants. They were diligent but not overly solicitous. They avoided handling any money matters and kept a close eye on their own belongings.

He's obviously an experienced guy.

Having reached this point, Mo Yi was very satisfied, and she seemed even more radiant...

Mo Yuan was puzzled. What was wrong with this girl? Was she doing something like running a business?

He was itching to know, but fearing that Mo Yi would be angry, he dared not inquire.

This was utterly embarrassing for her, the "informed source"...

Mo Yi was bursting with confidence. At Granny Zhao's place, several maids served her tea and snacks in different ways every day.

He's very productive.

Mo Ruhai took some and found a craftsman outside to try processing them, and found some that suited his taste. Now, Li Qi didn't have to rush to finish the work.

The father and daughter decided to observe for a while longer. If business continued to be this good, they would call Song Jiayou back. He had been working outside for many years, specifically in charge of sourcing goods. That would change everything!

With everything arranged smoothly, Mo Yi was also quite exhausted.

Granny Zhao noticed everything and told her to rest at home for two days.

The weather is lovely; it just rained and the sun is out again. Mo Yi is trimming the flowers and plants in her newly moved-in yard. She's brewing tea on the veranda, enjoying this rare moment of leisure!

"Fifth Sister..." A soft, timid voice came from the courtyard gate.

She turned around and exclaimed, "Aunt Yun?!"

The person who came was Aunt Yun, who lived in the next courtyard.

After Aunt Yun entered the Mo family, Liu Shi still managed to harass her for a while. All these methods were things Liu Shi had heard and seen in her maiden home.

Even she and her aunt had experienced it and deeply resented it.

Liu used it to deal with others with ease, and felt quite pleased with herself.

At that time, it was not uncommon for dragon slayers to become dragons themselves.

Sometimes Mo Rusong would try to stop him, and sometimes he couldn't.

However, no matter how much Liu made a fuss, she couldn't reach the two boys.

It is protected by ink as thick as a mountain.

The older one is seven years old and now goes to school with Mo Bao.

Mo Rushan also hopes that more children in his family will excel in their studies.

Especially now that the Mohist school is rising steadily, outstanding disciples are even more important.

Seeing that her son was alright, Aunt Yun was able to bear it.

Later, good things happened in the family, and Mo Yi became successful and was even willing to take Mo Yuan with her.

Overjoyed, Liu spent her days making things for her daughter to give as gifts when she went out socializing. Her desire to cause trouble for Aunt Yun faded.

Aunt Yun's life has improved, but she still doesn't leave the hospital on weekdays.

Even the blazing fire ahead couldn't affect her. "Did Aunt Yun want to see me about something?"

Aunt Yun was a little nervous and spoke in a low voice: "His Majesty has bestowed this marriage upon me, and I haven't had a chance to congratulate you yet!"

"Thank you, Auntie."

"The Fifth Sister is beautiful and kind-hearted; she deserves this wonderful marriage."

Mo Yi smiled and said, "Auntie, have a cup of tea."

“I wouldn’t dare trouble Fifth Sister. I’ll do it here… It’s like this: Miss, look, these are some handicrafts I make every day, such as handkerchiefs, purses, forehead bands, socks and the like.”

Mo Yi took it and examined it carefully: "Wow, Aunt Yun did a beautiful job. The shape is neat, the colors are well-matched, and the stitching is perfect!"

"If you like these, young lady, they're yours for the taking."

"My aunt worked so hard to make this, how could I possibly accept it?"

"This is something I did to pass the time, it's nothing special..."

"Does Auntie have something to ask of me?"

"Please excuse my poor appearance, Fifth Miss... I wonder if you have prepared your dowry, wedding dress, and invitations yet? Would you like my help?"

"I don't need to make my own wedding dress and veil. I heard from Granny Zhao that they will be custom-made."

"Oh... well, I wonder if there are any embroidery shops in the capital that would accept these kinds of handicrafts. I really can't go out, and I don't want to trouble Third Master."

"Does your concubine need money?"

"No, no, no! Firstly, I feel uneasy being idle all day. Secondly, when my family suffered misfortune, Third Master rescued me without even shoes on. I had no dowry at all. Although I won't have to worry about food and drink with Third Master, I still have to think about my sons. The third branch of the family is the weakest, and they are all born out of wedlock. In the future, they will go to school, take exams, and get married. I have to do my part to help them."

“I admire your kindness, Auntie.”

Actually, Aunt Yun had always left a good impression on Mo Yi. She'd heard that Aunt Yun was desperate at the time, and her third uncle, wanting to repay a favor, had no choice but to take this path.

She's usually well-behaved and never causes trouble. She even cares about her son...

Just like my third aunt, she is also excellent at needlework.

But before that, she would throw tantrums and make a scene every day, refusing to do any work.

“I’ve been going out quite often lately, so I’ll take the opportunity to ask around for you… Auntie, your needlework is so good, these little things are quite useful. You can make them whenever you have free time, there’s always a way to make a living.”

Aunt Yun was delighted. "Thank you, young lady."

……

Mrs. Song quietly entered the room with a smile on her face.

"Your Majesty, that matter has been settled!"

"really?"

"Isn't that right?" Madam Song leaned closer and said mysteriously, "Butler Wan is a handsome and learned man. These past few years, the head butler hasn't been in charge of much affairs; he's been handling everything inside and outside the mansion! He must have amassed quite a bit of benefits. He goes out to social events dressed impeccably, always at high-end restaurants, where people treat him like royalty!"

Such an outstanding person, yet he married the sickly, ugly woman from Granny Zhao's house. A toad has truly eaten swan meat!

If it weren't for his family's misfortunes, Steward Wan would surely be a high-ranking official by now, with beautiful wives and concubines—how glamorous that would be! But now, he's sleeping in the same bed with that ugly, old-looking woman. And he even has to bear children with her… He must be utterly disgusted all these years!
Hmph, they still don't dare to take a concubine... How can the Empress feel good about this?
In the manor, countless maids are hoping for his wife's death so they can become his second wife!

Song's mother spoke with a malicious expression, indulging in her verbal sparring.

It's hard to believe how miserable she was when she was with her husband: being dragged by the hair and beaten in the street by her husband, and being abused in various ways by her mother-in-law.

Things really are different now...

Consort Feng rested her chin on her hand, but she listened with great interest.

"Your cousin is really something else, she did a great job. That girl, Youyou... I'm already smitten! She has fair skin, a beautiful face, and a slender figure, oh my... her charm is irresistible! She's even better than the last one!"

She was referring to the late Princess Consort of Zhou.

Consort Feng's eyes flickered, and a smile appeared on her lips.

"I heard she's proficient in all the arts—music, chess, calligraphy, and painting—which is exactly what Steward Wan wanted! He's clearly taken it to heart, renting a courtyard and settling her in. For three whole days! There wasn't a room... she was dazed when she came out, and Youyou... she's completely drained!"

Song's mother chuckled mischievously.

"He hasn't been home for three days. I wonder what he told his sickly, ugly wife? Humph! What a spineless bastard..."

"Hmm. That's good! This is just the beginning..." Consort Feng said coldly.

Granny Zhao, if you knew what I was going to do, would you regret it?
(End of this chapter)