Too high to reach

Chapter 21 The Word "Decent"
When Mo Rushan returned home that evening, he was quite happy to see his second brother back.

The two brothers drank and talked. Although Wang Shi did not allow Mo Ruhai to reveal the news, he felt that since things had come to this point, he should tell his elder brother in advance.

"The Xu family?!" Mo Rushan exclaimed in shock. "I recognize both of you, Lord Xu! We've just never spoken." He was so excited that he stood up and paced back and forth on the ground. "I really didn't expect this!"

He walked over to his younger brother and said, “Lord Xu is very capable and highly regarded by the Emperor. His mentor is Grand Tutor Huang. At his age, with the help of others, it’s not surprising that he will be promoted one or two more times in the near future.”

"All these years, all I've done is lack connections in high places and can't get into the inner circle. In terms of ability, who's worse than me? Is my future really that uncertain?"

"It is said that Najib has passed away, and the two are very compatible according to their birth dates. Since the Xu family is willing, it should be about time."

"That's good, that's good!" Mo Rushan rubbed his hands together. "Such a big matter, why didn't Wang Shi say anything? If she runs into Lord Xu one day, she won't know what's going on! What if she's impolite?! That's really something!"

"After all, it's an honor for our family to marry into this family. If word gets out and things don't work out, we'll lose face big time."

"Indeed! I didn't expect Mowen to marry even better than her older sister! Ruhai, I must say, your wife is quite capable."

Mo Ruhai gave a soft hum, disagreeing.

"Oh, Mo Yi's marriage is almost settled. We know the family before, and the boy has already passed the imperial examination and become a scholar!"

Compared to the marriage proposals with ink patterns, this one seemed quite insignificant, and as expected, Mo Rushan wasn't particularly excited.

She simply nodded: "Yes. Mo Yi is not as good as Mo Wen. It would be quite good if she found someone from a well-off family who is ambitious."

“Yi Yi has her strengths, she’s just different from Wen Wen!” Mo Ru Hai said unhappily.

Mo Rushan nodded perfunctorily: "There are some things to consider when dealing with the Xu family! I have a copy of Mo Wen's dowry list ready. If it doesn't look good, I'll add some more! Don't tell anyone about this!" He planned to keep it a secret even from his wife.

Mo Ruhai was even more displeased that Mo Yi wasn't mentioned at all. "Fine. Mo Yi's ready, I'll show it to my elder brother too!"

Mo Rushan waved his hand, "You two can handle Mo Yi's matter!"

This infuriated Mo Ruhai...

When they returned to their room, Wang was already asleep, pretending to be asleep.

Mo Ruhai pretended not to know anything, washed up, went to bed, and the couple fell asleep back to back.

In the morning, the two did not make up, but they also did not continue arguing.

"I've prepared everything for my family. Please come with me to deliver it!" Wang said.

“Why don’t we have the servants deliver it first? The New Year is almost here. We can go together when Mo Da comes back, so the two elders won’t have to go through the trouble of entertaining them so often,” Mo Ruhai refused.

Wang hesitated for a moment, then said, "Then you must go to my sister's house in person, right?"

"Nonsense! I didn't even go to my father-in-law's house. Go to my sister's house? To prevent my father-in-law from finding fault? Besides, your brother-in-law is in a high position and he must be very busy before the New Year! How could he have time to entertain me?! If I deliver the gifts, he'll have to take the time to talk to me, wouldn't that just be adding to the trouble?"

That didn't sound right, but...

Wang said helplessly, "My eldest sister just helped us accomplish two great things! If it weren't for her, would you have been able to find such good marriages for your two daughters?"

"That's why I carefully selected the best things and brought them back from thousands of miles away to give to them!" Although Mo Ruhai's attitude was very sincere, it made Wang feel a kind of awkwardness.

Before she could speak again, her husband had already walked away with his hands behind his back.

Mo Yi didn't sleep well all night, her mind preoccupied with the Liang family's affairs. When she woke up in the morning, she looked at the trunk she'd dragged into the inner room, shook her head, and told herself to stop thinking about it—she had plenty of work to do!
As a result, Mo Ruhai came again.

"Father?" Mo Yi noticed that her father's expression was not good again.

Mo Ruhai said worriedly, "Yiyi, your marriage to your sister is already quite different. I'm afraid your dowry will also be significantly different. This makes me very uneasy..."

"Father! Why are you thinking so far ahead? Look, the Liang family knows what their daughter is like. Since they've agreed, they won't complain. Just give her a dowry according to the rules, that's enough!"

The father lowered his head and remained silent. "You still don't believe your daughter? Your daughter can earn money and live a good life."

“Yes! Yi Yi, all the money we earn will be your private savings when you get married.” Mo Ruhai realized.

While moved, Mo Yi also thought to herself: If her mother is biased, her father is biased too!

It seems that achieving complete fairness and justice in this world is impossible.

Overall, the most important thing is "decency".

"Dad, the most important thing right now is for you to find time to take your daughter out. The New Year is approaching, and there are still many things to take care of out there!"

"Oh, okay, okay. I'll take you out these next couple of days. Also, Song Jiayou's wife and children have already gone back to that little courtyard. It's a bit crowded, but with Song Qiang and his wife taking care of them, it's alright."

"It would be even better if we bought them New Year's goods and gave them red envelopes later!" Mo Yi said with a smile.

Mo Ruhai was in high spirits at the thought that he could finally bring some benefits to his subordinates.

……

In the evening, Mo Fan brought Mo Da and his wife back.

Upon hearing the news, even Wang rushed out to greet them, showing much more enthusiasm than she did for her husband.

Mo Da was a man with a handsome face, a dashing appearance, elegant attire, and graceful manners.

Wang saw this and was delighted. She grinned, revealing her teeth! Her wife, Zhou, who got out of the carriage later, looked extremely unwell and was barely helped down by the maids.

“Mother!” Mo Da bowed.

"Hey! You're back?" Wang looked at Mo Da with eyes full of admiration!

Granny Wang leaned closer, and the maidservant beside Zhou whispered something to her. Granny Wang quickly turned around and whispered something to Wang.

Upon hearing this, Wang was overjoyed and, ignoring her son, quickly went to help her eldest daughter-in-law. She asked in a low voice what was wrong, and Zhou blushed as she replied.

Wang cried out in pain and quickly helped her inside.

Mo Qing, with her sharp eyes, noticed and mysteriously told her sisters, "Sister-in-law is probably pregnant!"

Mo Yi thought so too, but looking at her elder brother, she shook her head inwardly. He only cared about his own ostentation, neglecting his wife! He wasn't a good man!

They crowded into the house, where the two Mo brothers sat in the main seats. Mo Da formally greeted his uncle and father.

The news that Mo Da's wife was pregnant also spread. Auntie felt a little envious, looking at Mo Fan who was grinning from ear to ear. This silly boy, she wondered when he would get married.

Liu herself had no sons, so she couldn't bear to see others enjoying the happiness of having sons and daughters generation after generation. Her eyes were gloomy, and she muttered something silently to herself.

The men would say a few words, and the women would respectfully greet their elder brother. Sometimes, Mo Da was even more picky than the elders!
Even Mo Yuan abandoned her usual graceful demeanor, bowing her head meekly as she greeted Mo Da. Because, when Mo Da disliked someone, he would immediately lecture them!
Sure enough, he was scrutinizing his younger sisters, starting with Mo Wen, with a serious expression, especially looking at Mo Yuan intently.

Finally, perhaps because he couldn't find anything wrong with it, a slight smile appeared on his lips.

"Here are some calligraphy practice books written by your eldest brother for you sisters. They will be delivered to each room in a little while, so you can all practice them."

He hasn't come back for so long, and all he brings are calligraphy practice books he wrote for his sisters... How shameless of him!
The girls were all unconvinced, but they still had to say with satisfaction, "Thank you, big brother!"

Mo Qing was unhappy; she didn't care about any of that stuff and just rolled her eyes...

Mo Da immediately recognized him and his expression turned serious.

"Qing'er, what happened to your eyes?"

(End of this chapter)