Too high to reach

Chapter 174 A Response is Needed
After apologizing to the Xu family, Liu Yue returned home and went to his parents' room first.

Today was a really busy day.

After the guests left, his two sons, Liu Jian and Liu Nian, were chatting and laughing with the two elderly people inside the house, enjoying a harmonious atmosphere.

His wife and daughter were not there.

Upon seeing her son return, Madam Liu asked with concern, "How did it go?"

"Old Master Xu was very polite. He chatted with his son for a few minutes. It's nothing!"

Old Madam Liu was still upset and looked at Liu Yue reproachfully, "Tell me about what happened today!"

Liu Yue didn't want to talk about it anymore, saying, "There were too many people here today, so it's understandable that I didn't have time to attend to everyone."

"Hmph... Your wife changed her clothes three times during one banquet! Was it really necessary..." The old lady was exasperated.

"Jingmei has always liked it this way, it's not a big deal, so please don't be picky..."

"But you still need to handle your own affairs properly! At least you didn't cause a major disaster. If that stupid girl from the Sun family had really hit Granny Xu, how would you have handled it? Would you have been able to just offer a simple apology? You would have ruined your father's birthday banquet too!"

When Grand Secretary Liu heard this, he gave his wife and son a disapproving look.

He was too embarrassed to say it in front of his grandson: Isn't it because you spoiled this unfilial son so much that he's become so good-for-nothing?
"Grandfather, what does this sentence mean..." Liu Jian quickly pointed to the book and asked a question to divert his grandfather's attention.

Liu Nian, mischievous as ever, smiled with her eyes crinkling, wishing that the old man and woman would scold their father more, and that other man too...

“Jingmei knows she was wrong…” Liu Yue spoke up for his wife.

"She knows she was wrong?" The old lady was furious. This was blatant lying. "I doubt it! Didn't you see what happened? A guest almost got into trouble at home, and she didn't seem to care at all! She even implied that Third Madam Xu shouldn't have gone there. Even Madam Xu was unhappy when she heard that!"

Liu Yue's peach blossom eyes flashed, and he also felt helpless. "Mother, nothing serious has happened after all, so please don't say any more."

Upon hearing this, Old Madam Liu felt even more aggrieved, as if she were the one looking for trouble to make things difficult for her daughter-in-law!

"Just keep spoiling her like this! Sooner or later..."

Previously, her husband was often away from home, working long hours. She was left to raise their son alone, spoiling him excessively. As a result, he became stubborn, playful, pleasure-seeking, and unambitious.

Because of this, her husband complained a lot.

However, at least they didn't cause too much trouble, so they were relatively safe.

How could I have married someone like this!

"There's something else..." The old lady remembered something else: "Hu Jingmei and Madam Zheng are getting along very well. It seems she's taken a liking to her young master Zheng. How old is Siwan? Is there any need to be in such a hurry? Young master Zheng is still in school; we don't even know what his future holds!"
I don't know how Madam Zheng managed to please her; I've mentioned it twice already. Today I saw them whispering together again. Logically, as a mother, it's not bad for her to find a partner early, but I really don't feel comfortable with how your wife behaves.”

Liu Yue wasn't exactly known for his good temper; after listening for a while, he'd had enough...

“Mother…” he frowned.

Liu Nian sidled up to her: "Grandmother, why are you only talking to Father and ignoring your grandson?"

The old lady hugged him tightly. "Why are you ignoring me?!"

……

When they got home, Mo Yuan told Mo Yi what she had said to Zhang Debao: "The Sun family has fallen on hard times, with neither wealth nor power. They still have some connections thanks to their ancestors' influence. Sun Ying'er is always sucking up to people, acting as their lackey, and her behavior is very unseemly. She's often used as a pawn, doing all sorts of things, big and small. Sometimes, she actually manages to get some benefits for the family."

Several noble ladies were present today, and even a princess came, but I couldn't find out who she was with.

Young Master Zhang also said, "Her family is weak; they wouldn't actively seek out enemies if it didn't benefit them. Today, someone must have been behind it."

Mo Yi wondered, "Who could it be?"
The next day, she went to find Granny Zhao and told her about it.

Granny Zhao thought for a moment, "Back then, quite a few people were interested in Xu Ke. I know of several, all of whom were quite good in terms of family background and talent. Later, Xu Ke got engaged to your sister, which was quite unexpected. If I felt this way, then the families and girls who were interested in him would feel even more so."

Sun Ying'er has always played this role within their small circle. She'll step forward if someone offers her something... so the matter with Mo Wen might be similar.

Mo Yi nodded. "At the time, I didn't know Sun Ying'er's identity. I only saw that she was well-dressed and had a strong personality. I protected my sister, partly because I wanted to wait for Madam Xu to find out and come to my rescue. Also, I was representing the Qi Prince's Mansion, so I had to be firm. I was thinking that if the other party was really a formidable character... then the Prince would have to mediate afterwards. So I should talk to the Prince about this."

She wanted Zhao Mama to greet the prince.

“The Prince is in the capital right now. You can send someone to tell him when he’s free, and then you can meet him in person!” Mo Yi hesitated for a moment, “I…”

“Young lady, I’m not trying to be mean, but you are the future princess. Our family is different from others; whether it’s our businesses or the household affairs, we have dedicated people to manage everything. This doesn’t mean you can just enjoy yourself. Rather, it means you don’t need to do everything yourself. As long as you have some sense of strategy and can recognize talent and appoint people accordingly, that will suffice.”

Take this Qizhenlou restaurant, for example. It has a manager, an accountant, a head chef, and young assistants. You only need to know where there might be oversights, conduct spot checks regularly, and review the accounts at the end of the year—that's enough.

Mo Yi lowered her eyes and nodded slightly, without saying a word.

Granny Zhao continued, "Our Prince started managing the household on his own when he was just over ten years old. For so many years, he has never had a moment's rest. He has been out there braving the elements, fighting, working, and getting injured. He also has to guard against unexpected events and people... He has really worked very, very hard."

The prince is strong-willed yet reserved. He prefers to shoulder burdens alone and doesn't easily voice his concerns. I can't honestly say that the prince is easy to get along with. But it's precisely because of this that we should feel even more for him, right?
Previously, marriage was still a long way off, and I wasn't in a hurry to tell you. I only thought that the Mo family's perspective would be limited for you. Learning more and doing more things would benefit you and the Prince's future. Everything else could be taken slowly. But now... I'm afraid the wedding date is approaching.”

Mo Yi's heart skipped a beat.

The question she wanted to ask but hadn't had a chance to, was asked by Granny Zhao.

For a moment, I really didn't know how to respond.

Is she getting married...?

"Granny...who will decide on the marriage? And when will it be?" she asked anxiously. She couldn't tell whether she was willing or not, because it felt like something she would think about in the future.

"The process is complete. All preparations are proceeding smoothly. You can even try on your wedding dress now..."

"Ah... I thought it was still early." Her mind was a complete mess.

Granny Zhao remained silent.

Although the reason why Mo Yi was sent to the Liu family on behalf of the prince was because Anian had mentioned wanting to see her several times.

But now that the prince has accepted her, once this kind of thing starts, it will happen more often in the future.

Having a formal identity makes it legitimate.

"But, Granny, I'm afraid my family won't be able to bear to part with me..."

"Is it because your father can't bear to part with her? She's not marrying into another family, so we can see each other anytime she wants." Granny Zhao was very assertive.

"This news is shocking! Granny, my little shop hasn't even opened yet!"

"That shop is for you to learn from; once you understand one thing, you can learn everything. Don't get distracted by the trivial. Even I can see that the Prince has taken notice of you. You should respond!" Granny Zhao's dissatisfaction was evident...

"You're absolutely right, I did overlook that." Mo Yi said somewhat guiltily.

"I'm glad you understand."

"There's something else. I met Princess Yu'an at the Liu family's residence. She said she wanted to invite me to her palace as a guest..."

"After receiving the invitation, you replied that you would go with me." Granny Zhao frowned. What was Yu'an up to now?
After that, Mo Yi was stunned for a long time.

After the engagement, the prince showered us with gifts and money, and there was also the matter of the Qizhenlou restaurant... The training from Granny Zhao and Manager Zhao, the maids, the second brother, and the social interactions—everything from head to toe was provided by the prince.

I found myself caught up in it all, busy and fulfilled every day, with endless things to do.

If she had felt some panic before, now she didn't even have the energy to think about whether she could accept all of this, or whether she should respond to him...

Intuitively, he has everything, is omnipotent, and doesn't need me.

But how could she not have thought that Liang You had made a purse for her back then!

After figuring this out, she broke out in a cold sweat.

Mo Yi, you really are...

Me, still writing today, and my dear reader, are both true lovers!
On New Year's Eve, I wish everyone good luck and good health!

Between words, I'm still eating braised beef... and Ximeng's big beef shank...

I haven't finished writing the second chapter yet, I need to go check on the pot first.

(End of this chapter)