Too high to reach

Chapter 232 Acquaintance in Youth
Mo Fan and Zhang Debao are two brothers in misfortune.

He stood there dumbfounded, watching the Qi Prince's mansion crowd disappear into the distance.

They have official business to attend to and cannot come along…

The graceful figure with flowing hair and a glass lamp in her hand made Zhang Debao's lips curl into a smile.

The bittersweet, fulfilling yet empty feeling was something Mo Fan was experiencing for the first time. His mind was in turmoil, and he even thought: If I could spend this life with a woman like this, my life would not have been in vain.

I will cherish her like a treasure and work hard to earn a good future so that she can live a stable and honorable life.

But… he lowered his eyes, somewhat disheartened. During the New Year holiday, his mother had been arranging marriages for him… If it weren't for the family's improved financial situation raising his mother's standards considerably, he probably would have already settled down…

At this moment, although he was glad he hadn't arranged a marriage, he also felt despair. He was of average family background and appearance, and had no special abilities. How could such a woman be worthy of him?
She's the sister of the former princess, isn't she? She lives either in a royal palace or a grand mansion.

Should she be married into the Mo family's dilapidated courtyard?
Let alone others, even I can't stand it... "Sigh..."

"Sigh!" Zhang Debao was also sighing.

The two exchanged a glance and went back to work.

The lake in Jingyuan is large, but it's located in the capital city, next to the imperial palace, so it's not that big.

One or two hundred lanterns basically surrounded the lake.

Most people who come to see the lanterns also carry lanterns in their hands, especially children. When they meet, they will compare lanterns with each other, whether openly or secretly.

The glass lamp in Mo Yuan's hand emitted a unique, shimmering light. The sight of her and the lamp drew attention from those around them, especially the unmarried young people…

She sensed the gazes, so she maintained her composure perfectly. But in her heart, she was thinking: Wasn't the Crown Prince supposed to be here? Why can't I see him?

Taking advantage of the opportunity to watch the lanterns, she looked around and when a girl she knew came up to talk to her, she smiled in a coquettish and affected manner.

Mo Yi leaned close to Mo Ruhai's ear and whispered, "Father, there's something that's bothering me."

"What's wrong? It's Your Highness..." Mo Ruhai immediately became nervous.

"No. It's Mo Yuan."

"Her? What happened to her?!" Mo Ruhai became even more nervous. His sense of conspiracy and sensitivity made him imagine all sorts of inappropriate behavior the girl had done in front of the prince.

“Don’t worry, listen to your daughter. Back home, my fourth sister helped me a bit. Also… with the changes in the family, my fourth sister has many more marriage options than before. But, given her age, she probably can’t wait to be selective. Nor can she wait for my eldest uncle to get married. So, I’ve brought her along because I want to help her…”

Mo Ruhai shook his head and said, "Yiyi, to be honest, when you were still a young lady, they didn't treat you very well. They even stole your narcissus..." He remembered it all!
"Father, these are all minor matters. Compared to something as important as marriage, they are nothing."

"Repaying evil with kindness shows your noble character. Marrying a prince is a reward for your own good deeds. Your father is very proud of you!" Mo Ruhai smiled, his eyes crinkling.

"But Father... I don't know what she's thinking. I've taken her out a few times, and she's behaved quite well. Most of the ladies and young women like her. Even... some young men get along with her quite well as long as there are no bad rules."

But... that usually doesn't lead anywhere. And those who come to inquire, her daughter can tell at a glance that she doesn't think much of them.

"That young master Zhang, even my second brother said he has a very good temperament. Now, he knows how to do serious things. His family background is even more of a step up for us. But Mo Yuan just won't say anything!" Mo Yi said, sounding quite annoyed.

"Not only that... Look, she just accepted a lantern from Young Master Zhang... She won't listen to reason, and my daughter is really worried about it."

"I see..." Mo Ruhai was rather slow to realize this. Besides, after his daughter got married, no one talked to him about these things anymore...

"Ah."

Mo Ruhai said, "Even if Mo Yuan is willing, she can't accept gifts from others before marriage. If she's not willing, she definitely shouldn't accept them."

"That's exactly right! But between the two of them, since Young Master Zhang hasn't expressed his feelings, Mo Yuan is happy to play dumb. However, one is willing to give, and the other dares to take. How can this continue? If others find out, the reputation of the whole family's daughters will be ruined."

"Tell her to go home! Don't let her stay at your place anymore. This is not something you, as her sister, should be concerned about. You've done your best, and if she doesn't appreciate it, then so be it."

"Yes. My daughter just mentioned it to you, please don't mention it when you get back."

"Alright, Father won't mention it."

"Our shop is opening tomorrow, are you nervous?" Mo Yi smiled again.

"Don't be nervous, your father is very happy. Daughter, you won't have to worry about anything in the Prince's mansion. Just treat the shop as something you enjoy doing; making money isn't the most important thing. It's good enough to have something to do and be able to make friends."

“Father, you’re absolutely right! That’s what I was thinking too. We’ll go there first thing tomorrow morning, since the Prince is going to Cangzhou tomorrow…”

"From what I've observed, the Prince treats you very well." Mo Ruhai was quite satisfied. "Indeed."

Mo Yi went to see Li Jing, only to find that he had left in a hurry and was turning back to stand there waiting.

"Don't stay with your father. This place is so much fun. Go and talk to the prince..." Mo Ruhai urged her.

Mo Yi stepped forward with a smile, and Li Jing asked, "What were you talking about with your father?"

……

The group had almost circled the lake. Suddenly, Mo Bao, who had disappeared somewhere, reappeared, pulling a young boy along.

"Brother-in-law, father, sister, let me introduce you to my classmate."

The young man bowed solemnly and said, "Greetings, Your Highness and Your Highness." He then turned to Mo Ruhai and said, "Uncle Mo, this junior, Liu Nian, greets you."

Liu Nian?!
Mo Yi was taken aback. How did he end up with Mo Bao?
Today, Liu Nian looks like a well-bred young man, completely unlike his usual mischievous and rascal-like self.

Li Jing hummed in agreement, her face as composed as ever, but her eyes held an indescribable tenderness.

Granny Zhao also saw Liu Nian, her eyes flashed, but she did not go forward.

"Young Master Liu...you two were classmates?" Mo Yi asked.

"Yes." Liu Nian nodded slightly. "Xiao Bao is a new student. The teacher said he has a solid foundation in his studies, so Liu Nian is willing to be close to him."

Mo Yi had a gut feeling that something was going on... She glanced at Li Jing, but his expression didn't change.

"When I first transferred schools, Anian took good care of me. She even introduced me to some good classmates." Mo Bao was very happy.

Mo Ruhai was also very happy and clapped his hands, saying with a smile, "Thank you for taking care of Xiaobao, Young Master Liu. You two met as children, you should be good friends for life!"

"Yes." Liu Nian nodded solemnly.

"You are welcome to visit my home anytime you have time."

"Definitely, Xiaobao said the fried pork crackling and scallion pancakes at home are delicious."

Everyone laughed.

Mo Yi smiled and said, "Xiao Bao is very diligent and hardworking in his studies. Young Master Liu, you..."

"Your Majesty, please call me Anian!"

"Okay, Anian..." She wanted to say, "Don't you dare corrupt my little brother," but since she'd already invited Anian...

“A-Nian, you are lively and cheerful, bold and meticulous. You should learn from each other’s strengths and make up for each other’s weaknesses, and encourage each other.”

"Yes. I'll introduce Master Wu to Xiao Bao later. We're going to be well-rounded, excelling in both literature and martial arts!" Liu Nian said proudly.

Everyone looked at Mo Bao, who was as chubby as a little ball... and laughed.

Consort Feng, holding Shao Ge's hand, silently observed everything.

Mo Bao looked at Liu Nian with difficulty, "That's good enough, there's no need for someone to be proficient in both literature and martial arts..."

"Alright, you two go have fun... be careful!" Li Jing said.

"Yes." The two boys bowed, and then ran off.

Mo Yi thought to herself, "Isn't this a bit too much of a coincidence?"
As the group walked forward, Mo Yi quietly asked Li Jing, "Your Highness, do you recognize Anian?"

“I know his father.” There was a strange tinge in Li Jing’s voice.

"Oh..." Mo Yi didn't recognize the words and continued walking forward. Suddenly, she said, "I recognize his mother, Madam Liu!"

She gave a strange laugh... "But I don't really like her!"

Li Jing chuckled...

I have no idea where the next chapter is... I'm in so much pain.