Too high to reach

Chapter 196 Obtaining Treasure by His Mother
The next morning, Li Jing was all ready to go to the morning court session when the messenger arrived with news of a death.

Princess Fengcheng is gone.

Because she was quite old and often ill, no one was surprised.

Li Jing immediately sent someone to inform Consort Feng to prepare according to the rules.

He also told someone to tell Mo Yi that after returning from court, he would take her to pay her respects.

Mo Yi had already washed and dressed, and upon hearing this, she looked for plain-colored clothes.

After everything was tidied up, just as she was about to see the other concubines besides Consort Feng, Granny Zhao arrived, "Your Highness."

"Granny Zhao?" Mo Yi looked up and saw Granny Zhao wearing a dark blue cloak and several white jade hairpins in her hair. "Are you coming with me and the Prince?"

The others all stood up when they saw Granny Zhao.

"Yes, I came as soon as I heard the news." Granny Zhao then greeted Princess Wenxiu and Consort Tian.

Then she turned to look at Mo Yi, who was dressed in a simple beige dress and adorned with a few pearl hairpins. "You look quite appropriate, but as a newlywed, this is how it is for your first time going out to socialize."

"Yes, let's go to the front yard and wait for the prince to finish court."

After everyone had left, Granny Zhao made a point of speaking a few words to Princess Wenxiu.

Then, the two walked towards the front yard.

"Your Highness, we have received the medicine that Hongyan sent. Thank you for thinking of us," said Granny Zhao gently.

"It's nothing much, just an estimate from the pharmacy doctor. It's probably not that accurate or detailed. I'm just thinking it's better to be prepared, in case there's a shortage when we need it."

"Yes, the supply outside is definitely not as complete as in the capital, and the medicine is definitely not as good as that from Tongjitang."

The two then began to talk about Princess Bong-sung.

"The princess's husband passed away years ago, and now that the Grand Princess has also left, the future of the princess's residence depends on the Emperor's will. None of her children and grandchildren are very successful. When the property ran into trouble, it was our Prince who helped."

"That Princess Wenfang... seems to have quite a fiery temper."

Granny Zhao smiled calmly, thankfully the prince's idea was correct. Princess Wenfang was far inferior to Mo Yi. Moreover, the Mo family was on the rise, while the princess's mansion... once the princess left, if no one could hold on, the brothers would divide the family property, and that would be the end of it all.

Consort Feng was leading people to deliver the funeral gifts to the front study.

Upon seeing the two women, she quickly stepped forward, saying politely, "Your Highness, Granny Zhao."

Mo Yi nodded, and Zhao Mama returned the bow gently, "Your Highness, Consort."

"This is the list of gifts, Your Highness, please take a look." Consort Feng handed over a plain sheet.

"Thank you for your hard work." Mo Yi accepted it.

This Feng Liniang... her work and attitude are both quite good! Granny Zhao was a little surprised, she hadn't had a chance to ask the Princess how she was getting along with her.

Li Jing returned, changed her clothes briefly, and set off with Mo Yi and Granny Zhao.

Consort Feng was left behind...

The princess's residence was already adorned with white banners, indicating that preparations had been made well in advance and everything was in perfect order. As soon as I stepped out of the carriage, several people came to greet me. They were neatly dressed and had solemn expressions.

The group entered, and inside the mourning hall stood a large, dark, lacquered coffin. Various offerings were laid out, and wisps of incense and ashes rose into the air.

The monks chanted sutras nearby, and the bells and drums sounded in unison.

The three people bowed and paid their respects, and the family members returned the bows.

There were quite a few children and grandchildren present. Although they were grieving, they maintained proper etiquette and there was no wailing or crying.

After the formalities, Li Jing was pulled to the front by the men to speak.

Several women from the princess's residence accompanied Mo Yi... Granny Zhao introduced them from the side.

Upon hearing this, I realized they were the eldest son and granddaughter-in-law of the princess's household. My status was certainly not low!

She didn't know what to say, but with Granny Zhao by her side, she immediately felt no pressure.

The women in the family were keeping vigil. Mo Yi looked around and actually saw Princess Fangfang.

She must have been very sad; she was dressed in mourning clothes, her eyelids were red and swollen, and her nose was red as well.

Princess Wenfang sensed someone watching her, raised her head, and met Mo Yi's gaze... She seemed to be startled for a moment, then lowered her eyelids without any expression.

Hey! Sure enough... Mo Yi just couldn't stand her.

People kept coming to offer their condolences, so Granny Zhao told the women from the princess's residence to go about their business and accompanied Mo Yi to the side.

The doors of the large side rooms outside the mourning hall were wide open, charcoal braziers were lit, and tea tables were set up. Many women were already sitting and talking. Maids and servants in mourning clothes were bustling about serving tea. When someone saw Granny Zhao, they came up to greet her. Granny Zhao then introduced them to Mo Yi one by one.

Beside her, a woman in her thirties was carefully looking Mo Yi up and down.

After watching for a while, she walked over gracefully and said, "Madam Zhao, it's been a while."

Granny Zhao looked at her and said, "Madam Zhang? It's been a long time... How are you and the Earl?"

"It'll have to do." Madam Zhang glanced at Mo Yi, "This one..."

"Your Highness, let me introduce you. This is Madam Zhang from the Marquis of Zhongyong's household. She is our Prince's newlywed wife."

"Princess Consort Qi. My apologies for my rudeness!" Madam Zhang bowed respectfully. Then, she said calmly, "Please allow me to introduce myself. I am Zhang Debao's mother..."

Mo Yi, who had initially regarded the woman in front of him as someone he needed to get to know, was trying hard to remember her face and name.

Upon hearing this, I learned it was Zhang Debao's mother... and then I saw Madam Zhang outside the mourning hall, also smiling meaningfully...

Is there anything else you don't understand?!

Mo Yuan was playing hard to get with someone's son while swindling him out of his money. Now look what's happened—her mother's come looking for her.

She kept cursing Mo Yuan in her heart... but what could she do?
"Mrs. Zhang, I've heard of you before, but this is the first time we've met."

Mo Yi spoke calmly, while also sizing up the lady...

He was in his early thirties, very thin, with thin eyebrows and slanted eyes. His eyes weren't large, but the pupils were dark and shiny... with a shrewd look in them.

The mockery on her face was probably something she was used to...

"Oh? Your Highness has heard of me?"

"Yes. Your young master and my second brother are acquainted and get along very well. My second brother told me that when Young Master Zhang saw that he had gone to the Imperial Guard, he followed him there. Since then, the two of them have been on duty together, and after their shifts they even practice together and strive to improve themselves. They are very much favored by their superiors!"

"..." Madam Zhang was speechless for a moment.

So angry!

A mother doesn't know what kind of person her son is.
He was lazy and averse to work from a young age and had no ambition.

He's neither good at academics nor at sports; he's always sleeping in late or going out to play, and he's unwilling to bear any pressure whatsoever...

The husband is in poor health, and the couple only has this one son, whom they cherish like the apple of their eye. They can't reason with him, and they can't bear to punish him. All they can do is accumulate more wealth for him and find him a suitable wife.

You could try to find him a wife, but there's no one he'd like!
They look down on people and speak very rudely, unaware that they have offended many.

Her husband failed to bring honor to the family, and her son was a good-for-nothing. No truly good family or good girl would even consider him.

Unexpectedly, a few days ago, my son suddenly had a change of heart and insisted on joining the Imperial Guard.

I thought he was only enthusiastic for three days, but I didn't expect him to be doing such a good job after more than half a year.

Even those who used to look down on him heard about it and sent word to him.

The two of them were so happy they burned so much incense!
But... he actually went after the Mo family girl.

The couple discovered the clue in the bracelet and secretly interrogated the servant. Turns out, they'd known each other for quite some time!
They never interfered with their son's expenses; as long as he didn't gamble, it wasn't a big deal.

Only after this investigation did they discover that the foolish son had sent quite a lot of things to the Mo family!

From this, it seems that neither the Mohists nor that girl are law-abiding.

Upon further inquiry... the Mo family seemed alright, nothing particularly troublesome...

Especially in the past year, the man was promoted and passed the imperial examination, and the two girls married into high-ranking families, which can be considered respectable.

She considered herself intelligent, insightful, and open-minded. She wasn't too picky... if her son liked it, that was fine too.

But the person himself must see it!
But as soon as I mentioned it to my mentally challenged son, he shook his head vigorously...

Tell me to leave it alone!
I'm his mother! This is a major life event; if I don't take care of it, who will?!

Just as I was looking for an opportunity, I ran into Princess Qi... Before I could even say anything, this princess accused the Mohists of leading my son to make progress...

What else can I say but express my gratitude?
She's so mean!

However, this aggressive way of speaking is also a sign of insecurity...

Ah, could it be... that Miss Mo Yuan, is there really something wrong with her?

……

(End of this chapter)