Too high to reach

Chapter 198 Family Ties
Zhou family.

Apart from the old master and old lady, everyone else stood at the second gate of the mansion, waiting to welcome Li Jing and his wife.

When Madam Zhou saw Zhou Jiu in the crowd, she sighed: "This girl has lost a lot of weight, which makes her look even more delicate and frail."

Since the affair didn't work out, the family had some complaints about Li Jing, and probably even more about Jiu Niang. Especially since she inexplicably lost to a girl from a humble family, everyone felt that she was too useless!

As for Madam Zhou herself, she didn't care too much.

The former princess Zhou Li was her biological daughter, and Xiang Xiang was her biological granddaughter.

Zhou Jiu is the daughter of the fifth brother in the family. The fifth husband and wife are such a nuisance.

If it really happens, Xiangxiang will probably not be able to escape these troubles either.

Xiangxiang grew up on his lap and was very close to him. She was also the eldest daughter of the prince, with a bright future ahead of her. He needed to ensure she got along well with his granddaughter. Therefore, from any perspective, he couldn't allow her to make a living under the Mo family's control.

Even if that girl from a poor family isn't bad-hearted, who knows what kind of person she'll become!
Moreover, stepmothers and stepdaughters are natural enemies...

...And then there's the future wedding; all these things need to be prepared in advance.

After the New Year, when the weather gets warmer, we'll bring Xiangxiang back...

I have plans for all of these things in mind.

Zhou Jiu stood in the crowd with her head down, feeling completely lost.

Her mother beside her was whispering to her, as if she heard everything but didn't take it to heart.

Although her father, Master Zhou, was the legitimate son, he was the most useless member of the Zhou family. He had little ability, a bad temper, and acted undignifiedly.

Her mother, Mrs. Zhou, was soft-hearted and suspicious. Not only was she incompetent, but she also failed to give birth to a son, while her husband's favored concubine gave birth to two! Therefore, she felt inferior to others in every way.

She both respected and feared her husband.

He both hated and feared his aunt.

She was suspicious all the time, and even if old women and maids were talking and laughing in the distance, she would think they were laughing at her and talking about her.

She can't even manage things in her own courtyard; every time she tries, she makes a mistake. Madam Zhou grew impatient, initially teaching her, then scolding her. She dared not argue, but would hide in her room and weep, then pull her aside to recount all the injustices she had suffered…

My older sister is already married, and my mother's only hope is that I can marry into the royal family so that I can finally hold my head high.

However, after years of planning, it didn't work out.

"...I'm telling you, your father is going to ask the Prince for help regarding Zhou Yanhui (his illegitimate son)...Tell Xiangxiang to tell the Prince: Ignore him! Do you hear me?"

The sound was a bit too loud... Madam Zhou turned her head and gave the mother and daughter a stern look.

Mrs. Friday immediately shut up.

Zhou Jiu was filled with sorrow. Her mother had told her about the Zhou family's plans countless times, and she always came up with some unreliable ideas, making the entire Zhou family keep an eye on her.

Finally, I also thought that in the future I could marry a prince... and be with Xiangxiang for a long time. I could escape my mother, help her, and stop her from tormenting me and others like this.

But to her surprise... the prince didn't want her! She could only slink back home.

Others, at least to my face, haven't said anything.

Meanwhile, his parents, who should have loved him the most, were the ones making the most noise, saying hurtful things without a care in the world, showing no remorse whatsoever.

Now, after being glanced at by the First Madam, she felt even more nervous.

She was hoping her family would arrange a marriage for her as soon as possible, no matter who it was, good or bad, preferably... someone far away.

A procession of carriages and horses came clattering in and stopped at the entrance.

Master Zhou stepped forward with his eldest son, all smiles.

Li Jing, dressed in a black fur cloak, calmly stepped out of the carriage and smiled slightly at the Zhou family father and son.

His handsome appearance made Zhou Jiu feel like he was being pricked by needles.

"Your Highness!" Master Zhou led everyone in bowing respectfully.

“Father-in-law, elder brother…” Li Jing nodded.

Next, Hongyan stepped out of the carriage. She nimbly got off and then turned around to help Zhao Mama.

Finally, Moe came out.

All the women of the Zhou family focused their attention on her... and then, they were all somewhat dismissive: she was just a woman who wasn't ugly, not to mention Zhou Li back then, she was far inferior to Zhou Jiu!
Why! ?
Such a good son-in-law! It's just a pity that his daughter died young. Madam Zhou's eyes welled up with tears. After Mo Yi got out of the carriage, he turned around and, together with Hongyan, helped Li Xiangling get out of the carriage.

The little girl landed and exclaimed, "Grandmother, Ninth Aunt!" Although she walked over in a proper manner, her voice was filled with joy.

"Xiangxiang! Oh, Granny Zhao! It's been so long..." Madam Zhou said with a smile.

Li Jing got out of the carriage and didn't move until Mo Yi came over. Then he said to the Zhou family patriarch, "This is the princess. I brought her here to introduce her to the family."

Everyone bowed to Mo Yi again, saying, "Your Highness."

"Don't be so polite," Mo Yi said with a smile.

In the crowd, she spotted the beautiful and refined girl at a glance. This must be Zhou Jiu, who often accompanied Xiangxiang.

It looks so good... Why is the prince unhappy about it?

"Your Highness, Your Highness, let's go inside and talk," Madam Zhou said, making the arrangements.

"Please come in!" Master Zhou said with a smile, "The old master and the old lady have been happy all morning to hear that you are bringing the princess."

Zhao Mama pointed to the carriage and said to Zhou's eldest grandson's wife, "The prince and princess have brought some New Year's goods. Please arrange for someone to unload them."

Li Xiangling had already moved closer to Zhou Jiu, taking her hand, "Ninth Aunt..."

"Hey... Xiangxiang, are you alright?" Zhou Jiu asked, carefully looking her over.

"Hmm..." The two huddled together, whispering something.

Although the Zhou family's garden was not large, it was exquisitely built. Pavilions, terraces, and winding paths led to secluded spots; every detail had been carefully considered. It resembled a Jiangnan garden from a painting.

Upon entering the main house, a wave of heat carrying the scent of daffodils wafted towards you...

Grandpa Zhou and Grandma Zhou sat in the main seats.

"Your Highness..." Old Master Zhou was over seventy years old and very thin. He wore a fine cotton robe, his white hair was adorned with a jade hairpin, and he had a very handsome appearance.

Li Jing was very respectful to the two elderly people. She bowed to Mo Yi and introduced her to them.

The old man looked at Mo Yi with a warm smile and a gentle tone, exchanging a few polite words.

Grandma Zhou is over seventy years old, with delicate skin, bright eyes, and a slightly plump figure; her face is wrinkle-free. She must have been stunningly beautiful in her youth.

No wonder everyone says Princess Zhou is beautiful; all the Zhou family members present are quite good-looking.

Mo Yi sat down next to Grandma Zhou, who scrutinized her closely, thinking to herself with some disdain: she was far inferior to her poor eldest granddaughter.

But the old lady didn't show it on her face, and spoke to Mo Yi in a soft voice, "I have never seen Your Highness before."

"We're not a good match, so of course we won't meet," Mo Yi thought to herself with a smirk. "I haven't seen you before. You look so radiant!"

"I'm getting old, and I'm always complaining of aches and pains here and there..."

The men didn't leave either; they gathered together and talked.

Granny Zhao sat down next to Mo Yi and introduced the women of the Zhou family one by one... "This is Madam Zhou Wu and Miss Zhou Jiu."

On Friday, Mrs. Zhou stared at Mo Yi with wide eyes... thinking to herself, why should her daughter lose to her?
Seeing her like this, Madam Zhou frowned again.

Right now, Li Xiangling is standing next to Zhou Jiu again; the two of them really have a good relationship.

“A few days ago, Xiangxiang said she missed her great-grandmother and Aunt Jiu. Today, she came with the prince to get acquainted with the family. If Xiangxiang wants to visit you in the future, I will pick her up and drop her off.” Mo Yi was not pretentious and spoke with a smile: “Miss Zhou Jiu, some friends and sisters will be coming to visit during the New Year. Xiangxiang and I both hope you can come.”

Miss Zhou said softly, "Thank you for the invitation, Your Highness..." She saw Madam Zhou nodding out of the corner of her eye, so she asked again, "May I ask which day it is?"

"It's scheduled for the fifth day of the month. But if Miss Zhou Jiu is free, she can go earlier and stay for a few days to keep Xiangxiang company."

Miss Zhou was somewhat stunned: Could it be that this princess was unaware of the Zhou family's original plans?
She even wants me to move in... Doesn't she feel uncomfortable about that?

Thinking back to the days I lived in the Prince's mansion, although I was living under someone else's roof, no one bothered me. I was with Xiangxiang all day long... and I slept very soundly at night.

Unlike at home... my father would pick a fight with my mother over the slightest thing.

Her mother grabbed her, hid inside the house, and cried out about all sorts of injustices, trying to get her to stand up for her...

But what could I do? I was just a girl.
So she nodded: "Okay."

(End of this chapter)