Too high to reach

Chapter 194 Having a Plan
The next day, after breakfast.

Today, the prince's concubines will begin their daily greetings.

Consort Tian was the first to arrive, accompanied by the young girl Qianqian. "Good morning, Your Majesty."

"Mother." Qianqian was dressed in her finest clothes and looked quite well-behaved.

"...Please sit down." Actually, Mo Yi was still a little uncomfortable. She was introverted and didn't like to talk much, and she was even less willing to "set rules" for others.

I have to deal with them first thing every morning, and even the things I want to do have to give way to them. Just thinking about it is a hassle.

The three concubines came together.

After exchanging greetings and sitting down, Mo Yi asked, "Is Aunt Mei feeling any better?"

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I'm much better now."

Judging from her complexion, she still doesn't look well.

She came to pay her respects on the first day, even though she was on sick leave, which shows that she is a person who values ​​rules and regulations.

I'd like to add a few more words: "After reviewing your pulse diagnosis, Doctor Zhuang said that everything else is fine, but your spleen and stomach are extremely weak. Medical books say that the stomach meridian governs thinking. Staying cooped up indoors all the time will make you prone to overthinking and worry. When the weather is nice, you might as well take a walk in the garden and soak up some sun. Sweating and relaxing will be good for your health."

"Yes," Aunt Mei replied softly, and then fell silent.

Mo Yi didn't care whether she listened or not, and stopped there.

Mo Yi had never heard either of the two concubines, Xu and Wu, speak. "And the other two concubines... if there's anything you need, you can come to me."

Aunt Xu said softly, "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. Your Highness is kind-hearted, and we live a very comfortable life. If there is anything we need to do, please just tell us."

Thinking back to the handicrafts I received from them when we met, I must say, each one had its own unique style. If only…

Sometimes she really was crazy, Mo Yi laughed, "Okay."

Aunt Yun has a son and hopes to do her part for him so that she can have a purpose in life.

These three people in front of me... are like birds in a golden cage. Without children, and without anything they enjoy doing, even living a life of luxury is meaningless.

But what if we have children... According to custom, for the first month after the wedding, the prince stays in the main wife's room... What will happen in the future?
Thinking about this matter... made her heart feel heavy.

There was someone speaking at the door. Consort Feng had arrived with Shao Ge'er, accompanied by Princess Wenxiu.

Consort Feng greeted the princess with a well-placed smile: "Good morning, Your Highness!"

"Mother!" Princess Wenxiu bowed respectfully.

Good morning. Please have a seat.

Consort Feng nodded to the people next to her, then sat down to one side.

Mo Yi glanced at the group, still feeling a little nervous. "From now on, I will go to the palace to pay my respects on the first and fifteenth of each month. As for me, there are no special requirements when the Prince is not here. It's nice for the sisters to get together and chat. But if the weather is bad or you're not feeling well and can't come, that's alright."

I still have a lot to take care of outside. There will be times when I'm not here while you're here, so don't be surprised. That's the plan for now; we'll see how things go in the future… we'll see after we've settled in.”

"Yes," everyone responded.

"Your Majesty is so kind..."

Everyone agreed that such a princess was far better than one who was aloof, surrounded by strict nannies and quick-witted maids, and who would beat or punish at the drop of a hat.

"Your Highness..." Only Consort Feng hesitated, as if she wanted to say something but couldn't.

"Please speak, Consort Feng."

"It's like this... Every morning is when I'm busy with household chores. I often end up being busy all morning... so..."

Everyone watched with bated breath.

Consort Tian found it amusing. The new official hadn't even made any significant moves yet, and you were already haggling over the price?

"Oh, Consort Feng said she's too busy to come and pay her respects to me..." Mo Yi asked slowly.

"No!" Consort Feng quickly denied, "Your Majesty, it's not like that. I... I was just worried that something important might happen and I'd be late for my morning greetings. If Your Majesty misunderstands, then it's my fault."

"I wouldn't misunderstand something so trivial. What you said does indeed exist. So, that's settled then... If something urgent comes up, have someone come and let us know. If it's not urgent, let's stay together with the sisters."

"Yes." Consort Feng blushed, but she could only agree.

Mo Yi was already prepared for today's situation. There are still so many things she doesn't understand; she doesn't want anything else to pile up on her.

Although the problems that Consort Feng mentioned do exist... it's something that she, as the housekeeper, should adjust herself.

She is a concubine in the household; surely I, the principal wife, shouldn't have to make way for her?
"I have other matters to attend to. If Your Majesty has no further instructions, I will take my leave..." Consort Feng forced a smile. "Alright, go ahead and attend to your business." Mo Yi watched her leave as if nothing had happened.

"Xiangxiang, come here..." Mo Yi called Princess Wenxiu to his side. "Your father should be back today. As for what you mentioned last time, let's wait for him to return and ask him what his thoughts are before making a decision, okay?"

Li Xiangling paused for a moment, then nodded silently without saying a word.

“I have a lot of interesting things in my study. If you’re interested, you can stay and take a look…” Before she could answer, she turned to everyone and said, “I’m all done here. You can stay and chat if you want. If you have something to do, you can go back now.”

Consort Tian smiled and asked, "May I take a look at the treasures in Your Majesty's study?"

"Of course it's convenient. Xiangxiang and Qianqian can play together too."

As soon as Consort Feng stepped out the gate, her face fell. Mama Song dared not offer any further advice. She simply followed silently until they reached Changhui Pavilion, where she said, "Your Highness, perhaps we should wait for the Prince to return and speak to him. What kind of behavior is it to abandon halfway through your work and then rush out to pay your respects to her?"

“Tell him…” Consort Feng sneered, “Don’t underestimate this girl.”

Mo Yi led Consort Tian and several others into the study.

"My God, so much stuff?" Consort Tian exclaimed in surprise.

"There are quite a few, but we haven't had time to pack them up yet!"

"Let the maids do it."

"It's not easy to clean up right now. We need to get someone to make a shelf, and some things will need to be hung up..."

"Huh? These must be the purses made for the princess and Qianqian."

"Hmm. Almost. But each of theirs was only made one-of-a-kind!" Mo Yi looked at the two little girls.

Qianqian was quite outgoing, and Consort Tian picked up something... "Qianqian wants to see too..."

Li Xiangling stood there silently.

“This is also a monkey, Xiangxiang. Look, is yours prettier, or is this one prettier?” Mo Yi handed her one.

Li Xiangling took it; it was a little black monkey, unlike her own: a yellow monkey with a flower on its head. But the black monkey's mischievous appearance was also quite cute.

"Is Your Highness going to do this business?"

"Yes, does Consort Tian have any shops outside?"

"I have shares in some shops, but I don't manage them. They're mostly selling grains, oils, and general merchandise from all over the country. The advantage of having good connections is..."

"The Prince said that when he's not home, you help look after some of his businesses. You must be exceptionally capable..."

Consort Tian didn't mince words: "My uncles and cousins ​​all do this kind of thing. I've been in contact with them since I was little, so I have more access to information. I myself have really never done anything. Seeing that Your Highness can open a shop, I'm quite envious."

Mo Yi smiled, "We won't open until after the New Year. In the future, if you have any ideas for making money, you can tell me. The prince has his own business, and we have ours too."

Consort Tian nodded happily: "Your Majesty and I are thinking the same thing. Alas, once I entered the palace, I couldn't usually go out. The former Princess Zhou..." Realizing she had let something slip, she chuckled awkwardly.

"It's alright, just say it!"

"Your Highness is clearly a magnanimous person. The former Princess Zhou spent her days composing poems, holding tea parties, and flower viewing parties... Even if I had ideas, I couldn't tell her. Fortunately, it was Your Highness who married into the family! I really need to think about what I can do next."

Mo Yi took out charcoal pencils and paper, found a few patterns, and asked the two girls to draw them.

They talked for the entire morning, and then the group went to the dining hall for lunch.

Consort Feng's Changhui Pavilion was right across from the dining hall. Hearing what the maid said, she stood up, lifted a corner of the curtain, and looked outside.

Qianqian ran ahead, while Moyi and Consort Tian walked and talked, occasionally turning back to look at Li Xiangling.

"Look! They...became such good friends so quickly, how could it be a simple relationship?"

Mother Song sneered, "They're just tying themselves to Consort Tian and putting you on the same stage!"

"Judging from her appearance, she should be thin-skinned and indecisive. And Granny Zhao isn't around... but her response probably showed that she had planned it out beforehand."

"Mother Song, you're right. I need to take a longer-term view. Arguing about this little thing is pointless. What good will it do me to make things difficult for her or embarrass her? My son Shao will never be the legitimate heir anyway. If we're going to do something, we have to do it big!"

"You're right to think that way. We were a bit careless with Granny Zhao before..."

The two of them began to discuss it in hushed tones.

Thank you everyone for your donations and votes.

And there's also a bug-catching expert who's been correcting mistakes whenever he has free time these past few days...

(End of this chapter)