Too high to reach

Chapter 208 All Comes with a Price
After leaving the Mo family, Xu Ke helped Mo Wen into the car.

"I have something to do, you should go home first," Xu Ke said softly.

“Alright. If you need a car, I’ll have one from home take you back,” Mo Wen said gently.

"No need, I'll ride a horse."

Mo Wen smiled and agreed, only then noticing that Xu Ke's horse had been following behind the carriage when they arrived.

The carriage curtain was lowered, the wheels turned, and Mowen closed his eyes.

The secret joy I felt just now when I saw my husband immersing himself in the lively atmosphere of the Mohist school vanished instantly...

Where can he go on the second day of the Lunar New Year?

If it's a relative's or friend's house... and there's something they can't tell me, then don't bring gifts, don't bring servants...

Why does it feel so awkward?

I really want to go and see...

The moment the thought crossed her mind, she was startled. How could a woman like her possibly be capable of following him? What if she were discovered…?

Having someone else do it... Mo Yi popped into my mind. The prince has many capable men under his command; he should be able to handle it.

But how could Mo Yi and the prince know about such a thing?
I let out a long breath, composed myself, went home, and went straight to the old lady's main courtyard.

The old lady went to rest after dinner, but the married daughters who had moved away were still there. They were all talking in the main house…

Upon seeing her arrive, Madam Xu looked outside and asked, "Where is Xu Ke?"

Today, there are also husbands of women who have married out of the country. We can't let people say that we're too picky or that we're ignoring people. Xu Ke has to go and keep them company when she comes back.

“My husband said he has some things to do and will be back in a little while.” Mo Wen smiled without any reservations.

Madam Xu smiled and nodded, but then frowned slightly as she turned her face away...

On the second day of the Lunar New Year, the day when married daughters return to their parents' home, whose house can he visit?

This is getting more and more unpredictable!

This son is really something... From birth, he's never been sick, never picky about food, never caused trouble, and his studies have never been a worry. Back then, the eldest son even got a beating from his father-in-law. Xu Ke, her father-in-law, and husband simply couldn't find anything wrong with him.

How come you're all grown up now, yet you keep doing such inexplicable things!

Later... we'll have to have his older brother keep an eye on things!
……

Princess Yu'an sent a letter to Xu Ke on the first day of the month, asking him to meet her at the small courtyard, but she did not say what the matter was.

But the first day of the Lunar New Year is the day Xu Ke stays at home with his grandfather and father, so how could he possibly run away?

Therefore, he postponed it until today.

Just now, while dining at the Mo family's residence, everyone drank heartily, even King Qi downed many cups.

How could he not stay for a meal?
The wine was indeed excellent, but towards the end, I started to feel uneasy, worried that the other person might get impatient and cause trouble.

Sometimes, she can be quite a handful...

The thought crossed my mind again.

Princess Yu'an was never in a good mood during the Lunar New Year.

Everyone else has their own things to do, but she doesn't.

She won't go to the Dongfang family. Staying close to the Empress will only get her scolded. She'd rather go to the Crown Prince's residence or her uncle's; she gets annoyed by those children.

Drinking and watching singing and dancing in the mansion only amplifies the loneliness.

I couldn't get an appointment with Xu Ke yesterday, and he's late again today. Thinking about everything I've planned for him, I feel particularly resentful.

The resentment was slowly building up...

At that moment, Xu Ke arrived.

He was worried that the princess would get angry, so as soon as he came in, he rushed over, hugged her tightly, and covered her mouth with his, not letting her say a word...

They tore at their clothes and started acting crazy.

But... I don't know if the pressure was too great just now, or if the stimulation is too little now.

Xu Ke discovered that he wasn't as "tough" as he thought...

Worried that the princess would notice, he turned her over and pinned her down with his legs...

The princess was so oppressed that she writhed and cried out, her cries growing louder and louder, which finally aroused Xu Ke's interest.

After arguing for a while, the two finally lay down on the bed to talk.

"Hmph... Accompanying your wife back to her parents' home, you're really enjoying your life." The princess was pleased, and her temper wasn't so bad anymore.

"Sigh!" Xu Ke sighed deeply. "There's really no other way. If it weren't for Prince Qi, I could have just shown my face and left. But not only did he go, he also drank for half the day. How could I possibly leave?"

Princess Yu'an gave a disdainful snort.

“My parents would keep asking me questions, and I had to give them an answer. When I got to the Mo family, oh my god…” Xu Ke shook his head, “A huge, horde of people, it was so annoying. Even with a cold face, they still came up to chat with me, I’m speechless…”

In truth, Xu Ke's feelings weren't entirely like that. The Mo family was visibly rising in prominence; Mo Rushan's scholarship was solid, and he could engage in any conversation. His father-in-law… was gentle and refined, not talkative, and not annoying. Mo Da had passed the imperial examination and was full of pride. Mo Fan was still his colleague; although they weren't in the same department, they had mutual acquaintances and many topics to discuss. Even that chubby little boy was rumored to be going to the Imperial Academy.

His most disliked mother-in-law, Wang, had a fawning smile on her face, but she didn't come near him.

The Mohists had few rules; they laughed and talked loudly, saying whatever they wanted. It wasn't like being at home…

The reason he said this now was that he knew that as long as he behaved this way, the princess wouldn't make things difficult for him.

Thinking of this, I felt a pang of sadness: I used to despise people like this the most...

My heart feels heavy. If I keep going like this, what will be the end?
Thinking about that part of my body that took a while to react...

If it were any other woman… as he touched the soft flesh of the princess's waist, it would probably be time for him to think of a way to get rid of her, right?
Then one can have a legitimate son, take beautiful women as concubines, and eventually, life must return to normal...

But she is a princess...

The future of the two of them is probably in her hands.

Thinking of this, I couldn't help but feel a little annoyed, and then I heard the princess say, "Aren't you going to ask me why I sent you here today?" Her tone was light.

"Very well, I'll ask. May I ask, Your Highness, what are your orders for summoning me here today?"

Princess Yu'an giggled, "There's some great news!"

"Please speak, Your Highness!"

"Father, let my elder brother, the Crown Prince, preside over next year's grand martial arts competition!" Princess Yu'an said smugly, glancing sideways.

"Really?" Xu Ke's face immediately turned serious.

"Of course! Would I lie to you about something like this?"

Xu Ke sat up and said happily, "His Majesty truly values ​​the Crown Prince... Then, what about my matter? Princess, have you spoken to the Crown Prince about it?"

Princess Yu'an smiled but did not answer.

"Princess, please tell me..."

"I love you so much, how could I not tell you?"

"The Crown Prince agreed?" Xu Ke's eyes lit up.

"Of course, the Crown Prince only has one younger sister, me..."

"That's great!" Xu Ke exclaimed excitedly, pressing the princess down on top of him and tickling her with his fingers...

Princess Yu'an particularly enjoyed being teased by him, giggling repeatedly.

After commotion for a while, Xu Kecai said, "I'm afraid the princess doesn't know, but I entered the Imperial Guard from a very high starting point. At the time, many people thought I got in through connections."

But I put my heart into it, and everything I did was impeccable. So, I was promoted not long after. But if I wanted to get promoted again in the same position, it would be difficult, and besides, I would be too conspicuous.

Therefore, I need a stepping stone, something I can leapfrog to. Like a major skills competition! If I go in, finish, and don't immediately return to my original department, but instead take a short break elsewhere before stepping back... my advancement will be much faster.

"Hmph! You stinking men are all the same. When it comes to official positions and power, you can't see anything else."

She's probably talking about the Crown Prince...

"Hehe..." Xu Ke lay down again, "It's only right that His Highness the Crown Prince is happy about such a good thing."

"Then you'd better think carefully about how to thank me."

"What does the princess want?"

I want you!

"Am I not a princess?"

"Hmph, what's mine... I don't want you to have a wife anymore."

Xu Ke was speechless.

"What, you're reluctant?" The princess's face immediately fell. "I only found out about this news when I entered the palace on New Year's Eve, and I immediately pulled my brother, the Crown Prince, aside to talk about you. If you want to go, how could others not want to? It's glamorous, easy, and beneficial, and you can also build connections. The Crown Prince should give such a good opportunity to someone useful to him!"

I begged him for ages before he finally said it.
Xu Ke, you need to understand that you can't have all the benefits; everything comes at a price!

"Princess..." Xu Ke called out helplessly.

After a moment of silence, he sat up straight and said sincerely, "I remember all your kindness. And I feel the same way about you."

I don't like Mo Wen, but I need a wife. If not her, then someone else. This is not a decision I can make myself. Besides, I always listen to the princess in this matter! Otherwise, why would I marry a woman from the Mo family?

"Ha, so what if she's a woman from the Mo family? Li Jing married her anyway."

“He is the King of Qi, and he can make his own decisions. But I can’t! Even a glance from my grandfather makes me bow my head and think about where I went wrong. The marriage with the Mo family is the biggest decision I can make. And that’s only because my grandfather hasn’t interfered, but even my mother has her suspicions. What am I supposed to do now?”

"I'll let you kill her!" Princess Yu'an's eyebrows shot up.

"And then what?" Xu Ke immediately retorted, "She now has a princess sister and the Prince of Qi. If she dies, won't anyone investigate? If my affair with the princess is exposed again, wouldn't that make us look like murderers?"

"I am not afraid!"

"How can I not be afraid? Even if I get through this hurdle, what's next? I'm afraid my mother won't even discuss it with me, and will just arrange a marriage for me right away!"

Princess Yu'an was emotional, and Xu Ke was speechless...