Too high to reach

Chapter 161 Anxiety before marriage
Moda returned from the academy to prepare for the autumn imperial examinations.

As soon as I entered the house, my wife was giving birth.

"Midwife, go quickly and call the midwife!" "Quickly boil some water!"

"Hey Mo Qing, get out of the way!"

"Quick, quick! I've caught him!"

"Quickly, go and simmer some ginseng soup!"

Wang is someone who likes to make a fuss when things happen, and this is her first grandchild, so the whole yard was filled with her screams, causing chaos.

Moda looked nervous and paced back and forth outside the delivery room.

Mo Yi couldn't continue her work and ran over to keep her brother company. "Big brother, don't worry."

I offered him dry words of comfort, but in my heart I was thinking, "Life is really something, everything seems to be coming together at once. I think my brother will definitely pass the imperial examination and have a son, a double celebration!"

"Whatever it is, just give birth quickly! Don't let it drag on like this." Mo Da completely lost his usual composure.

After a whole night of turmoil, at dawn, the eldest grandson of the Mo family was born.

After washing and wrapping them up, they were carried out. Wang rushed over and hugged them tightly, while Mo Ruhai watched from the side.

Both of them were overjoyed, finally no longer wearing cold expressions like before.

Once the news spread, the gift-givers arrived.

Needless to say, the Wang family came, bringing both people and gifts.

Zhao Mama, dispatched by His Highness Prince Qi, also arrived, and immediately presented a gold-inlaid jade lock crafted by a master craftsman.

At a glance, you can tell it's quite expensive.

Mo Yi was also quite surprised: she had seen this before, from the Qizhenlou, made by a master craftsman, and the purchase price was over a thousand taels...

In addition, there were six pairs of gold and silver ingots, leather goods, tonics, and a whole host of other items.

They completely outshone the Wang family's carefully prepared offerings.

Granny Zhao added, "With a new baby in the house, it will definitely be lively. The eldest son will be taking the exam soon, and staying at home will inevitably distract him. The prince specially asked me to arrange a small courtyard. It's very close to the examination hall, fully equipped, and there are people to serve him. The eldest son should move there."

Everyone was extremely excited and expressed their gratitude.

Then, Mo Yi also discovered that after the banquet, the prince had been sending things over frequently.

Especially the various fresh fruits. You see, chicken, duck, fish, and meat are common, but fruits are rare and are usually eaten by high-ranking officials and nobles. Now, the Mo family got to try quite a few of these delicacies with her.

She also noticed that Zhao Mama was now speaking to her with a particularly gentle and respectful attitude, unlike before when she was so businesslike.

Just then, Zhang Debao arrived, grinning and congratulating him, also bringing a cartload of goods.

A few days ago, he actually went to the Imperial Guard and spent time with Mo Fan.

Under his sweet talk, Mo Fan came to regard him as a good brother.

He would follow Mo Fan home whenever he had nothing to do.

Mo Yuan kept a respectful distance from him, chatting and laughing with him. She accepted all his compliments and praises, and would even exaggerate his abilities in just a few words.

But there was nothing real, not even a definite answer...

Zhang Debao, however, remained without complaint or regret.

The Xu family sent Granny Xu to perform the proper third-day-after-birth ceremony and offer congratulations in a very formal manner.

Nothing else. Not even a shadow of Xu Ke.

Compared to this, Mo Wen's already anxious heart became even more uncertain.

Immediately afterwards, Moda confidently stepped off the field.

In three days, it will be Mowen's wedding.

Mo Ruhai carefully selected two items from the good stock he hadn't sold, intending to give them to Mo Wen and his son-in-law. The new shop was doing even better business than before, so he planned to give them another thousand taels of silver.

After making up his mind, he went to discuss it with Mo Yi, who nodded in agreement: "Once our Qizhenlou shop reopens, I'm afraid we won't be able to keep it a secret from our family and mother."

"Father knows, don't worry!"

Mo Wen was quite surprised to receive the private money from her father.

Even someone as selfish as her felt a little embarrassed. "Father, my dowry isn't small. My uncle picked out the best gifts from the recent gifts we received and added them to my dowry. I know you don't have much money, so please keep it for yourself."

“If it’s given to you by your father, then of course you can afford it.”

"Your sister is getting married soon, please save some for her..."

“Don’t worry about Mo Yi. She can manage on her own! Besides, these things are like pebbles in water in the Prince’s mansion. But you’re in the Xu family, with two mothers-in-law, many sisters-in-law, and many servants. You have to take care of things everywhere and spend money everywhere.” Hearing this, Mo Wen felt awkward and her anxiety deepened.

Recently, several major events in my family have occurred, and when compared, the differences become very obvious.

Your Highness Prince Qi, and Zhang Debao... Zhang Debao is nothing yet! Look at him running around doing chores.

Let's look at Xu Ke again...

The unease in my heart became increasingly difficult to suppress.

Are the girls just incredibly lucky?
Or was Xu Lang treating him too coldly?
Unable to sit still any longer, she went to find Mo Yi.

Without any formalities, she said directly, "Sister, I have something I'd like to ask Granny Zhao for advice. I wonder if it's convenient for her."

Mo Yi sensed that Mo Wen looked unwell and quickly said, "I'll have Bai Mei go and ask her right away."

Bai Mei went out for a while and returned quickly: "Granny Zhao invites Miss Mo to her home for a chat."

It was the same room where Mo Yi had her classes, and this was Mo Wen's first time there.

Granny Zhao put down the account book in her hand and stood up to greet her, "My place is a mess, please make yourself at home, young lady!"

"I'm sorry to bother you, Granny. This is some orange peel that my uncle just brought. It tastes bitter at first, but it soothes the throat after drinking it."

"You're too kind, young lady. Please speak freely about what's on your mind."

After the two sat down, Granny Zhao asked.

Mo Wen hesitated, unsure of what to say.

Granny Zhao didn't urge her, but lit incense and started brewing tea.

The wisps of smoke from the cigarette brought a sense of relief to Mo Wenwen. "I was eager to see you, but I didn't know where to begin. Perhaps it's because the wedding is imminent, there are so many things to do, my mind is in turmoil, and I feel uneasy. I can't sort it out..."

Granny Zhao smiled, "Women all feel this way when they get married. My husband and I have worked together since we were little. We know each other inside and out, and we're definitely attracted to each other. But before the wedding, I was nervous too. I even inexplicably lost my temper with him once."

"Really?" Mo Wen asked curiously.

"Of course it's true. You'll go from being a girl loved by your parents to a housewife who has to take care of her husband, serve her in-laws, manage household affairs, and socialize with others. In the future, you'll also have to have children. Every day, your identity changes when you go out and come home, so it's natural to feel nervous."

"Before, you thought about how outstanding Young Master Xu was, and you were even smug about getting this marriage. But now, you will be living with him day and night. There will be affection, but more than that, you will have to deal with the mundane details of family life, as well as his temper and pickiness. There may even be concubines."

Furthermore, becoming a daughter-in-law under one's mother-in-law's control is no easy feat. Even though both Mrs. Xus have good reputations…

“Yes…” Upon hearing the word “concubine,” Mo Wen’s hand clenched again. “I met Madam Xu once before, at the Empress Dowager’s birthday celebration. She seemed to be a well-educated and dignified person. As long as you don’t do anything out of line, she won’t treat you badly when you’re dealing with her.”

"I've had contact with both the matriarch and Madam Xu before. The matriarch comes from a prestigious family and had a generous dowry. She was a bit arrogant when she was young, but she's become much gentler as she's aged. She's had a smooth life, so she's naturally kind to others."

Madam Xu has given birth to three sons, all of whom are quite successful. Therefore, she is confident and understanding. There are no bad rumors about either of them. Your two sisters-in-law are also from respectable families. You can rest assured about all of that.”

"Yes……"

"Does the young lady have any further doubts?"

Mo Yuan didn't know how to say it, and she really couldn't bring herself to say it.

When we got engaged, I felt that we were the ones who had chosen each other!

But later, something happened...

How can I put it? She herself couldn't describe it, so how could she ask Granny Zhao?

Am I being too dramatic?

She had analyzed the people around her, including her parents' marriage, and was determined not to repeat their mistakes.

The confidence and pride I had when I got this marriage proposal seem to have vanished now.

He became like the wind drifting past a kite, unseen and ungraspable.

She remained silent for a long time...

"Young Master Xu is quite outstanding among the young men of the capital," said Granny Zhao.

"It's not just about his background and appearance. What's more valuable is his dedication to his career and his willingness to endure hardship."

Girl, you should know that those of similar status to him are almost all playboys from the capital. They live extravagantly, spending their days partying with friends. The smarter ones among them can rely on their families: pulling strings, selling information, helping others settle disputes, or even taking a stake in something.

The fools only know how to eat, drink, gamble, and play with hawks and horses. Therefore, Xu Ke is the most outstanding young man in every aspect!

Upon hearing Zhao Mama's words, Mo Wen smiled slightly.

"Mowen, if what I'm about to say doesn't suit your ears, just listen to it and let it go. Anyway, these words are only known to you and me, besides heaven and earth."

Mo Wen clenched her fists again, "Please speak, Granny..."

(End of this chapter)