Too high to reach

Chapter 150 Cooling Off

The luggage was brought directly into the house, and the maid started unpacking.

Mother Jiang added, "It's too hot, girls, please wash up first. Dinner will be brought over then. If you're not tired, you can stroll around the garden as you like. Just don't go outside the gate!"

"Understood, thank you for your hard work, Aunt Jiang."

"You're too kind, young lady. We've been burning mugwort in the yard for a few days, so there are no mosquitoes. Don't worry!"

After saying this, Madam Jiang and her entourage took their leave.

The girls looked around; each girl had her own room, and everything they needed was provided.

The bedding was dry and had a faint fragrance. The curtains were made of fine, light blue silk gauze.

Through the gauze window, you can see the beautiful scenery outside.

Living here is like a dream.

Everyone on the bus was covered in sweat, and their clothes were wrinkled. After washing up, they gathered in the central hall.

Even sisters would never live together like this, with everyone in high spirits and the atmosphere very harmonious.

After strolling around the inner and outer courtyards, there were several smaller courtyards further in. One of them, which was quite large and nice, must have been the main courtyard.

I watched the fish for a while, and then played on the swing for a bit.

As expected, Granny Zhao did not return when it was time for dinner.

The maidservant came pushing a cart to deliver the meal.

They served over twenty dishes, one plate after another, over a long period of time!

Each dish was small, but exquisitely presented. Even the plates and bowls were matching sets, incredibly beautiful. There was also a large jar of chilled plum juice.

There were only the maids they had brought with them in front of them, but Mo Yi insisted that they sit at the table to eat.

Everyone ate and chatted, creating a lively atmosphere.

After the meal, the three sisters each took a palm-leaf fan and sat in the courtyard to cool off.

A little while later, another maid brought over a plate of sliced ​​watermelon.

Looking at the starry sky, the three of them sighed... What kind of life is this!

Suddenly, Mo Yuan said, "Mo Yi, is this how you'll live from now on? Then it's a deal, you have to invite me here to escape the summer heat every year! I want to stay for a month!"

She saw the two sisters roll their eyes at her and ignore her.

Mo Yuan thought to herself: Hmph, maybe I'll have such a day in the future, and I won't need you to invite me at all!

The next morning, everyone got up early and started getting dressed.

Mo Wen still looked every bit the elegant young lady. Her forehead was smooth and full, her eyes bright and expressive, she wore a light pink palace dress and the hairpin Xu Ke had given her. She was exceptionally graceful and beautiful!
"Yes, you've recovered!" Mo Yuan looked at Mo Wen and nodded in approval.

Mo Yi was wearing all of Mo Yi's clothes and jewelry for the first time.

The two sisters kept scanning her, with Mo Yuan exclaiming repeatedly. Even Mo Wen finally had to admit, "She really is beautiful!"

Mo Yuan, dressed in a light purple chiffon gown and with simple jewelry, stood there gracefully, exuding an air of elegance and freedom.

Faced with her sisters' disapproval, Mo Yuan looked at them with disdain: "What do you know? Today is for viewing lotus flowers, so it has to be atmospheric, you know? I'm dressed like this, walking by the lake, the wind blowing, I feel like I'm floating on air, do you know how beautiful that is? The lotus flowers are scenery. I am scenery when I view the lotus flowers!"

Mo Yi scratched her hairline, looking somewhat troubled. Mo Wen also said, "You've only been well for a few days, and you're already like this again..." She swallowed the word "superficial."

"Tch!" Mo Yuan rolled her eyes.

Just then, Granny Zhao came in. "Have the young ladies finished getting ready?"

Everyone quickly bowed, and then they looked again... wow! Granny Zhao had also changed her usual dark blue attire and dressed up specially today!

A light gray silk robe, a deep purple gemstone headdress. She looked every bit the noblewoman!
"Oh my god, Granny Zhao, you look so beautiful today, I almost didn't recognize you!" Mo Yuan exclaimed.

The two sisters didn't have such exaggerated expressions, but they still nodded repeatedly.

Granny Zhao smiled and carefully examined the three sisters. "Miss Mo Yi's purse at her waist is very exquisite!"

The two sisters then noticed that Mo Yi's purse not only matched the color of her clothes perfectly, but it was also covered in many small items: beads, seashells... and silk netting, which were particularly eye-catching...

"Huh?! I hadn't even noticed until you mentioned it, Grandma. I've never seen anyone wear this before. Where did you buy it?"

Mo Yi smiled faintly and remained silent... keeping everyone in suspense!

Humph……

Mo Yuan rolled her eyes at her. "Granny Zhao, what do you think of my outfit?" She stretched out her arms and twirled around in place. Then, she repeated what she had just said about being part of the scenery.

Granny Zhao nodded with a smile: "What you say is right, young lady! On an occasion like today, there's no need to be as formal as when entering the palace. It's nice to relax and enjoy yourself by the lake. Every time, some young ladies dress up in a rather unusual way. However, please stay away from the lake, lest you fall in. Otherwise, you'll be soaked to the bone in your chiffon dress, and that would be troublesome!"

After checking each other one last time, they got into the carriage with Granny Zhao.

It wasn't far from the royal villa, but Granny Zhao made the carriage take a detour so she could enjoy the scenery along the way.

There are few crops in this area, only flowers, grasses and trees.

During the journey, there will be a beautiful village every now and then, and then another one after walking a little further.

The three glamorous sisters looked at everything before them and thought of their old, dilapidated courtyard. They felt both guilty and hopeful for the future.

Qingliang Palace was the royal summer retreat, a large complex of buildings, with the main hall located on a small hill behind it. Standing by the railing, one can overlook the lotus lake.

After getting off the carriage, the girls all took out their own paper umbrellas.

Although it's still early, the sun is no joke.

Many families also disembarked from their carriages. Regardless of their age, they were all dressed in their finest attire.

Mo Yuan's actions weren't actually that bad!
However, her beauty still attracted the attention of many young men.

She knew! That's why she had a faint smile on her lips... a look that could charm anyone!

They followed Granny Zhao through the first gate.

Looking to the left, the path winds and the lake can be vaguely seen through the swaying willow branches.

Granny Zhao pointed and said, "That way is the lake. The entire lake is part of the royal garden. If you walk around the lake at your pace, it would probably take two or three hours to get back. However, there are a few carriages that circle the lake. If the young ladies like, they can take a ride!"

"You can play like this?!" The country bumpkin from the Mo family was amazed.

I've almost forgotten all the rules I learned before. I walk slowly, glancing left and right the whole way.

"Watch where you're going, so you don't bump into anyone!" Granny Zhao reminded her.

Further on, we entered the second courtyard, where red carpets were laid out along the path. There were also awnings and light gauze curtains hanging from them.

Inside the pergola were tables and chairs, with snacks and fruits laid out on the tables.

How much money must have gone into all this decorating?!
Granny Zhao pointed to the white marble gatehouse in front of her: "Inside is the first courtyard. Further in, at the highest point, is the main hall. Only officials of considerable rank and noble ladies can enter."

"You guys, stay here today. You can sit and chat with people, or you can go over there..." She pointed to a platform in the distance.

"There are song and dance performances to watch over there. You can also stroll along the lake or take a horse-drawn carriage ride. You can also go boating... However, for safety's sake, it's best not to go. There are reeds along the lake, but as long as you don't get too close, there's no danger. Don't go too far, it will be tiring."

Show this sign to the palace maid at lunchtime, and she will lead you to your seat.

"Miss Mo, the Prince won't arrive for a while. If the Empress Dowager wishes to see you, someone will come to invite you. We've arrived early, so we can play for a bit. The ceremony has begun. Just follow everyone else's lead in bowing. I also have other matters to attend to today and can't accompany you all the whole time. Please take care of yourselves. Representatives from the Zhao family are also here; they've arranged seats for you all together."

At the scene, quite a few people had already arrived, and almost everyone was holding a paper umbrella, some holding it themselves, and some having a girl behind them holding it.

Some people simply sat down in the shade to talk.

It's getting more and more lively.

"I have other things to attend to. If you need to reach me, just have Hongyan call me!"

"Granny Zhao..." Mo Wen quickly called out to her, walked over, and asked in a low voice, "Excuse me, Granny, if Madam Xu comes today, should I go over to pay my respects?"

Generally speaking, for social gatherings like today, unmarried girls usually come with their elders, who then take care of everything.

Now, things feel a bit awkward.

Mo Wen, the unmarried daughter-in-law, took the initiative to go to her future mother-in-law, somewhat eagerly trying to curry favor with her...

Others might find fault and make fun of it...

If she doesn't go, her future mother-in-law is right there, and she doesn't even bother to greet her. It would be fair to say she's rude and ill-mannered.

Mo Wen asked the question, and only then did Mo Yi and Mo Yuan realize...

"Well then... I'll have someone find out who from the Xu family is here. If it's the two Madams Xu, then have Hongyan tell them that you're here today and would like to pay your respects. If they have time, they'll send someone to pick you up. If the Madams Xu aren't here... then let's leave the others be for now."

Mo Wen was somewhat excited and said very sincerely, "I understand. Thank you, Granny, for troubling you."

"No need to be so polite." Granny Zhao smiled, turned, and left...

(End of this chapter)