Too high to reach

Chapter 228 Due to Identity
In the days that followed, the prince and Mo Yi each went about their own business.

The shop opened on the sixteenth day of the first lunar month, so Mo Yi didn't care about the Lantern Festival at all.

She visited Qizhenlou several times, but she wasn't entirely satisfied with some of the shop's layout and details. She wanted to buy some nice flowers to decorate, but the flower market wasn't open yet.

There was a small greenhouse in the mansion, which Bai Mei went to see. She came back and said that there were several pots of flowers in bloom.

Then Bai Mei was sent to tell Consort Feng that she wanted to use these potted flowers. A little while later, when she went out, someone was sent to deliver them to her carriage.

As a result, after waiting in the car for a while, Bai Mei arrived with the people from the flower shop.

Looking at the expression on the girl's face, he asked, "What's wrong?"

Bai Mei said, "That Song Mama, she's so slow and hesitant..."

Mo Yi smiled and didn't bring it up again; she had more urgent things to do.

Manager Zhao had someone on hand, so he gave her a female clerk in her early twenties. These days, he's been familiarizing her with the goods... Whenever she has a spare moment, Mo Yi also personally explains the features of each item to her so she can introduce them to customers.

The female official was very serious, but I had never dealt with her before, so it was a bit difficult for me.

Moreover, one person is a bit too few.

Mo Yi felt anxious; she wished she could be there to sell things. Even Aunt Yun would be fine!

But that's impossible...

Seeing her expression, Manager Zhao advised, "Generally speaking, business won't be very good in the first month of the lunar calendar. It won't start to get better until March, so Your Highness, please don't worry."

“I know that. The shop didn’t open for three months back then. This one will be better no matter what. And in the first few days, I sent out notices to some friends, like the Zhao sisters and relatives. Then… let them slowly build up the reputation.”

Manager Zhao chuckled, "Your Majesty's idea is quite good!"

"Could you spare this space for me?" Mo Yi asked, pointing to the area between the two shops.

"No problem, what will you use it for?"

"Set up tables and chairs, and lay out tablecloths... those tablecloths are sold in the shop. Set out a few bowls of snacks and tea sets. When the guests arrive, have the shop assistants serve tea."

"Don't worry, we always have snacks and other refreshments available."

"I heard that Rose Garden's jam pastry and Li Ji's mint candies are the most popular right now. I asked the shop assistant to order some before."

"Your Highness, those jam-filled rose pastries aren't cheap. You haven't even opened for business yet, and you're already spending so much!" Manager Zhao teased her again.

"You surely understand the reasoning behind this! After eating, drinking, and having a good time chatting, how could you not buy anything?"

Manager Zhao laughed heartily, "Don't worry, I can prepare all of these."

Just then, Mo Rusong arrived with Aunt Yun.

"Third Uncle? Aunt Yun, what brings you here?"

"Your Majesty!" The two bowed respectfully.

“Your Highness, your father said that Yunniang should come and help out on the opening day. So your third uncle brought her here. Please tell her what you need.”

Then, Manager Zhao went off to drink tea and chat with Mo Rusong. Mo Yi looked at Aunt Yun, feeling quite pleased. "I was just thinking about this! I didn't expect you to actually come!"

Aunt Yun whispered, "I really, really wanted to come. I talked to the Third Master about it before, but he didn't agree. Today, the Second Master spoke to him, and he reluctantly agreed. I personally handled these goods, so I know them best."

"Thank you, Aunt Yun. With you here, I feel much more at ease. Father also bought a boy and a girl, both twelve years old. Look at them, they're good-looking and clever. Please take care of them when you have time. Once they're capable, we won't have to show our faces in public anymore. And don't worry, I'll pay them."

"Shh... Don't tell the Third Master about this!" Aunt Yun winked, clearly delighted. "Also, in public, you can call me Aunt Yun."

"No, I want to call you Master Yun!"

……

Li Jing received the invitation from the Prince of Yong'an and brought it in for Mo Yi.

"Prince Yong'an is going to hold a lantern festival at Jingyuan Garden." Taking the thick stack of papers, Mo Yi asked in surprise, "What are these? Invitations?"

Upon opening it, I found it was a post, but not an ordinary one.

Pictures and text included...

The above details the arrangements for the evening of the Lantern Festival, beginning with the statement: "Due to the large number of attendees and the heavy traffic, please follow the prescribed entry procedures."

"There are things like this?" Mo Yi was particularly interested in these things and looked at them seriously. Hmm, although the wording was polite, the content was quite forceful.

He clicked his tongue in admiration, "I must say, the Prince of Yong'an's lantern festival is truly novel and exquisite. Look, this is a map of Jingyuan Garden. It marks the four main gates, the placement of the lanterns, and the location for the fireworks. The stage... I haven't even been there yet, but I already have a general idea of ​​what it's like. This is all hand-drawn, the paper still smells of fragrance. The paint... it's practically a painting itself. Tsk tsk, the skill..."

Li Jing only glanced at the post after receiving it before bringing it in.

Now that he'd heard about all these tricks, and seeing his wife's shocked and fascinated expression... he chuckled inwardly. Yong'an, that scoundrel, was all alone, yet he was busy making things to please women.

What's wrong? !

"Hmph, that guy has money! Such a nice garden, it's empty most of the year."

"Doesn't he rent it out to others?" Mo Yi asked curiously.

Li Jing glared at her, "Who's like you, always thinking about making money?"

Mo Yi's inner thoughts: A well-fed man doesn't know the hunger of a starving man!
"Your Highness, does he not need to maintain an army?"

"He also has some, not much, three thousand men, left to him by his father. His father and the Emperor were brothers. It is said that he was greatly favored by the Empress Dowager, and when he passed away, most of his private property was given to him. If he lives..." Li Jing didn't continue, probably because it was still uncertain who would sit in that position.

"I haven't paid much attention to Prince Yong'an... but I know he has money and businesses. Hmph... I wonder why he's putting on this lantern festival?"

"Your Highness, you can't say that! If he doesn't do it, where are we going to see the lanterns? Jingyuan is really just a short walk from our home. Why don't we skip the carriage and walk there?"

"Are you planning to go?"

"Oh? You don't want to go?! Your Highness, I've never seen a lantern festival like this before. Besides, the invitation says that the Prince Qi's residence can bring as many people as they want. There's no food on site, so we can eat at home and then walk over. The road is wide and there aren't many people, so we can fully experience the festive atmosphere by walking."

Seeing how happy she was, Li Jing smiled but said nothing.

“Your Highness, look…” Mo Yi pointed, “There will be singing and dancing, lanterns, and lake lanterns, and finally fireworks. How beautiful it would be to watch fireworks by the lake! Xiangxiang and the others will be very happy.”

Li Jing was to set off for Cangzhou early on the sixteenth day of the first lunar month, so he hadn't originally planned to see any lantern festival.

but now……

That guy is really something, showing off with such a stupid post!

So he relented, "Fine, let them all go then. Remember to make sure they wear thick-soled shoes and warm clothes. For the fireworks, they don't need to dress too extravagantly; I remember there's not even enough room to sit at Jingyuan..."

"Yes!" Mo Yi was clearly pleased. "I'll have someone tell everyone in each courtyard right away. Ah, it's so good to have money! Such a nice garden, and it's been empty all year round!"

"Are you envious?"

The message was relayed to all the courtyards. When Consort Feng heard this, she was surprised that the invitation had ended up in the hands of the Princess.

Did the prince receive it?
Such a big event, bypassing her own concerns, made her restless again.

Consort Tian and her daughter were happy, but the other concubines were even happier, as they rarely had the chance to go out.

However, Aunt Mei's maid came and said that Aunt Mei was not feeling well, so she wouldn't be going.

Thinking about how Aunt Mei had only paid her respects briefly these past few days and hadn't even come twice, her expression clearly showed her displeasure.

I was busy with my own work and didn't have time to ask...

After thinking for a moment, Mo Yi sighed softly: as the mistress of the house, she couldn't just ignore it completely.

So, he took Hongyan to Aunt Mei's courtyard.