Too high to reach

Chapter 199 To Become an Imperial Concubine
We had lunch at the Zhou family's house at noon.

The Zhou family's dishes are light yet refined.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Mo Yi took a few bites without much interest.

After the meal, they said their goodbyes and left. Li Jing went straight to take care of some business, while Mo Yi first escorted Li Xiangling home. She then went out again, wanting to visit her parents' home.

With the Chinese New Year approaching, Mo Rushan's official business has been completed. Now, he spends his days just eating and socializing.

He was at home making arrangements for the New Year when he saw Mo Yi return, dressed quite formally, and he was startled: "Your Majesty, what brings you here?"

Mo Yi was embarrassed. Was her uncle going to talk to her like this?
"Uncle, I was just accompanying the prince on his outing and stopped by to check on things. It's nothing. Is my father home?"

"He went to deliver donkey meat to the Song family's sons. Yesterday, the Prince's mansion sent another cartload of New Year's gifts... The Prince treats you very well."

"Did you eat the donkey meat?" Mo Yi asked curiously.

"Yes, we've eaten. The kitchen made a hot pot. It's so nice to eat on a day like this. Zhang Debao even had dinner at our house, and he was so happy!"

Mo Yi grinned; the girl's mother was practically coming to their door...

"Is everything alright at the Prince's residence?"

"Everything is fine, don't worry."

In just a short while, the Zhuang, Wang, and Liu families, along with Mo Yuan and Mo Qing, all arrived.

With the King of Qi as an example, Xu Ke also put in some effort, and he had the New Year's gifts sent to the Mo family this year increased significantly.

These past two days, her two sons-in-law have been bringing things to the house, and Wang Shi was quite pleased with herself, even smiling at Mo Yi. "Yi Yi, is there something you need to do back home?"

"Mother, have you heard about Brother Liang You's matter?"

"Huh? No? What's wrong?" Wang really didn't know.

"Yesterday, an imperial decree was issued, authorizing Brother Liang You to inherit the title."

"Ah! Is this really true?" Wang exclaimed in surprise.

"It's true, the imperial edict has been issued."

Upon hearing this, Mo Rushan was overjoyed. "Great! It's wonderful that it's being issued right before the New Year!"

Wang became anxious, "This...such a big thing, how come I haven't heard about it!"

"The decree was issued just yesterday, and it hasn't even reached you yet!"

"That's true... I guess your aunt doesn't know either. I'll send someone to deliver a message right away! Oh, that's great! And also, get some donkey meat for your aunt's family."

I wonder how much donkey meat the prince gave us, it's being distributed everywhere... "Mother, don't worry." Mo Yi said calmly.

Wang looked at her expression... "What's wrong? Is there anything else?"

"Your Majesty has also bestowed a marriage upon Brother Liang You, to Princess Wenfang, the granddaughter of the Grand Princess Fengcheng... The Grand Princess Fengcheng passed away yesterday. I went with the Prince to pay my respects."

"This..." Madam Wang blinked, "The Grand Princess's granddaughter, a county princess? My goodness! Liang You has truly risen to the top in one step!"

Mo Yuan frowned. "Is it the one we met last time?"

“Yes…” Mo Yi replied calmly.

"Sigh... How could this happen?!" Mo Yuan complained.

"What's wrong?" Wang asked, puzzled.

"Second Aunt, we met that county princess at the Empress Dowager's birthday celebration last time."

"You know her? How is she?" Wang asked, pressing for an answer.

Mo Yuan pouted: "Not good at all! Ugly, bad-tempered, always causing trouble. And doesn't seem very smart either!"

"Hey, you don't understand!" Madam Wang said knowingly. "It's perfectly normal for a lady from a high-class family to have a temper." "But from what I can see, she just doesn't like us and is targeting us at every turn. We haven't done anything to her... yet she's actively picking fights. Her maid almost pushed me over!"

"Is this the stupid girl you mentioned when you came back?" Liu asked.

"I see..." Wang Shi said worriedly, "Then why did the Emperor bestow such a person upon you..."

Mo Rushan frowned: "Alright! You can't say that."

Mo Yi was troubled and couldn't say much to Li Jing, so she couldn't help but tell her family: "Mother, you don't know. Back then, this county princess was engaged to Lady Liang's own son, the heir of the Marquis of Jing'an. Later, the heir died in battle. The princess's mansion, afraid of delaying their daughter, hurriedly came to cancel the engagement. Tell me... what must the Marquis's wife have felt at that time, having lost both her husband and son?"

“That’s not very fair… Yi Yi, why don’t I talk to your Aunt Liang about this?” Wang was still anxious.

"Don't mention it. It will only make Aunt Liang anxious. Besides... Brother Liang You will probably have to go through the adoption process. After that, he will be a member of the main branch, the son of the Marquis. The Madam is wise. She can see what kind of person the County Princess is and she can control her."

"Let's not talk about that. Let's also let your aunt know. She probably doesn't know yet... I'll have them bring some donkey meat over..." After saying that, Wang hurriedly went to make the arrangements.

After a few more casual words, Mo Yi pulled Mo Yuan aside and said, "There's something I want to tell you..."

"What's wrong?" Mo Yuan was in a good mood. She would be able to visit the Marquis's residence again!

“Yesterday, I met Zhang Debao’s mother.”

Mo Yuan glanced at Mo Yi sideways, "Why are you making it so mysterious? If you ran into them, you ran into them!"

“Zhang Debao’s mother knows about your affair,” Mo Yi said coldly.

"Your Highness, you mustn't speak carelessly! What business do I have with him?!"

"Aren't you just pretending? Do you think you don't know what Zhang Debao's feelings for you are? Do you think you don't know how much money he's spent on you?"

Mo Yuan frowned: "He never said he had any feelings for me, so of course I didn't know! As for the money... some was given to me, and some was given to the family. Why is it that it's me who has something going on with him?"

"Hmph! I saw Madam Zhang clearly. She's a formidable character. I hope you dare to say that to her!" Mo Yi was furious at Mo Yuan's affected manner.

"Of course I dare to say it!" Mo Yuan sneered. "I didn't try to seduce him, nor did I ask him for money. He's willing to befriend the Mo family and get along well with my second brother. What does it have to do with me?"

Besides… he was originally a spoiled brat, and a bit of a simpleton… He only got a proper job after meeting Second Brother. Yesterday, while we were eating donkey meat hot pot, he was saying, “After the New Year, those two are going to get promoted!” Isn’t it because he knows us that he’s so motivated? If I were his mother, I’d personally bring gifts to thank him…”

"..." Mo Yi couldn't hold back any longer and burst into laughter, tears streaming down her face.

They are sisters after all; they have the exact same approach to solving problems.

If Zhang Debao's mother heard this, she would definitely be so angry she'd vomit blood.

"What are you laughing at?" Mo Yuan patted Mo Yi. "Mo Fan has already reminded him to be frugal with money. Don't send so many gifts to our family; it's not proper etiquette. The Mo family can't afford to reciprocate."

But that silly boy said: "My old friends always made me spend money on everything, and no one ever tried to stop me! This money isn't much, but look at that idiot... You didn't see how happy he was eating that donkey meat hot pot!"

"Sister, in my opinion, Zhang Debao is a really good person. His family background is also a step up for us. Why don't you just agree?"

"I don't want to..." Mo Yuan pouted.

"Why?" Mo Yi was truly exasperated.

“I’ve inquired about it; his family’s title isn’t hereditary. His father died, and unless he gets a great stroke of luck, it’s gone… I still want to be a Lady of the Imperial Decree!”

"So what kind do you want?!"

“Anyway, we need to have status… Hey, Mo Yi…” Mo Yuan’s eyes lit up, “How about the Fourteenth Prince who’s always with the Prince? We two, sisters become sisters-in-law…”

"..." Mo Yi quickly waved her hand, "Absolutely not! First of all, Fourteenth Prince intends to marry the Zhao family girl. Secondly, although he has the title of prince, he probably doesn't have as much money as Zhang Debao!"

"How can you compare them like that! Zhang Debao has never done anything wrong before, and his money comes from his parents, doesn't it? The Fourteenth Prince is the Emperor's son, and his mother is already a concubine. If he finds another good reason in the future... hey, that would be a different story... Your Highness the Princess... how glamorous would that be?"

Mo Yi thought that even if she went to offer her condolences, she would have to be personally received by the eldest daughter-in-law of the princess's residence...

"It's very glamorous..." He shook his head and sighed...

(End of this chapter)