Too high to reach

Chapter 240 Who can't do that?
The Fourth Princess Consort chatted warmly with the Empress Dowager.

He spoke in high and low tones, but every sentence revolved around Xiang Qing. Sometimes it was praise, sometimes a question, and he would occasionally mention Xiao Shiwu.

The Empress Dowager listened with a smile, occasionally replying, but mostly changing the subject.

As she spoke, the Fourth Princess glanced at Mo Yi, and then... "Grandmother, you don't know yet, do you..."

Mo Yi's heart skipped a beat. Why was she looking at me like that?
"The shop that Princess Qi just opened, I heard, specializes in selling things for young ladies. Oh my, I heard business is booming, most of the noble ladies in the capital went there, and they all left with their bags full. I just wonder... did Fourth Sister-in-law bring anything back for Miss Xiangqing when she went to the palace today?"

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager turned her head and looked at Mo Yi with pleading eyes.

"..." Mo Yi didn't bring anything. She had considered bringing something for Consort Dong when she went to the palace this time. But she hadn't considered Miss Xiang Qing... she didn't even recognize her!

The Fourth Princess Consort was clearly stirring up trouble out of nothing, but how could the Empress Dowager take it seriously?

Who said they wouldn't openly make things difficult for me?!
Trouble... She looked blankly at the Fourth Princess Consort, then at the Empress Dowager, and said in a slightly embarrassed voice, "I'm sorry, Grandmother... your granddaughter-in-law didn't come with her."

The Empress Dowager's face fell instantly. She turned away coldly, lowering her eyes. She didn't speak, but her displeasure was obvious.

This kind of emotional shift is quite childish...

The Crown Princess gently gestured to the Fourth Princess to stop talking.

But the Fourth Princess Consort pretended not to see it. "Oh dear, Seventh Sister-in-law, don't just think about the Imperial Concubine. I saw you've given her several gifts. Our Miss Xiangqing is the Empress Dowager's darling. Filial piety comes first; even Father Emperor has to show her respect!"

The Ninth Princess, standing nearby, watched the spectacle with a half-smile.

Mo Yi explained in a low voice, "Grandmother, the gift that Fourth Sister-in-law mentioned for the Imperial Concubine was actually something the Imperial Concubine liked to wear, so we gave it to her directly."

This argument was not convincing, and the Empress Dowager ignored her.

"The things that Fourth Sister-in-law mentioned, my shop has quite a lot of...Grandmother, I just married the Prince and haven't been to the palace many times. I didn't know that you had this Miss Xiang Qing by your side. I listened to Fourth Sister-in-law talk about her for a long time, but I still didn't understand who she was talking about."

"Miss Xiang Qing is our Empress Dowager's own grandniece. She's been by the Empress Dowager's side for several years now! Ha, fine, if you say you don't know, then you don't know!" the Fourth Princess said sarcastically.

"Fourth Sister-in-law, I really don't know." Mo Yi looked at her and said seriously, "When we came to the Empress Dowager's palace for the family reunion, we didn't see Miss Xiang Qing. The Empress Dowager is both our grandmother and the Empress Dowager of the world. She told me about the people and things around her, and I took it all very seriously. She didn't say anything..." She stared straight at the Fourth Princess, "I can't just ask around, can I?"

The Crown Princess shuddered, almost bursting out laughing, and quickly covered her mouth with her handkerchief.

"You!" The Fourth Princess blushed deeply.

She had been asking random questions, and only after the Empress Dowager fell silent did she realize what was going on...

"Grandmother," the Crown Princess stepped in to smooth things over, "I've heard about Seventh Sister-in-law's shop; it sells purses and such that young girls like. I was just telling Seventh Sister-in-law that I'd like to take Li'er there to have a look sometime."

Those things aren't very expensive, but there are many of them and they're fun. Little girl, it'll be more interesting if you choose them yourself. In my opinion, one day when you let Xiang Qing leave the palace, Li'er should go with her!"

The Empress Dowager immediately became happy and clasped her hands together: "That's good, that's good! When you take Li'er there, call Xiang Qing too. Anytime is fine! Qi Lang's wife? Show them all your good things then."

The atmosphere eased, and they started gossiping again.

The Fourth Princess was displeased by Mo Yi's actions and stopped talking.

After a while, the Empress Dowager got tired and sent them away.

Normally, for the first day of the lunar month, one only needs to visit the palaces of the Empress Dowager and the Empress. If the husband's mother is still alive, he can go by himself.

It doesn't matter about the other concubines.

But Consort Dong refused and sent someone to pay her respects as well. The Emperor agreed, so now we have to go to her again.

On the way, the Crown Princess whispered to Mo Yi, "There are no princesses of marriageable age in the palace. Li'er and the others are supposed to have classes arranged, but it hasn't started yet. Only the Fifteenth Prince is attending school, along with a few tutors. There are only a few more people during large classes."

Miss Xiang Qing is the Empress Dowager's grand-niece, and they are very close. The Empress Dowager dotes on her and has always kept her by her side. If she goes to school, it's probably with Xiao Shiwu. Perhaps… the Empress Dowager is reluctant to discuss this matter.”

Now, Mo Yi understood. She had heard that the Empress Dowager's family had suffered misfortune, with the main branch almost dying out, leaving them with no one to promote. Furthermore, due to the past events, it was not advisable to promote anyone openly.

Therefore, her grandniece's marriage to a prince in the future will most likely be a new beginning.

However… Mo Yi thought for a moment. The Empress Dowager was willing, but which prince would be willing?
The Qian family has no money or power... Oh, they probably want to find a childhood sweetheart?

However, if you really want to gain significant benefits, you'll have to marry the crown prince...

Lost in thought, they arrived at the palace gate of Consort Dong.

Her maid was at the door, seemingly waiting for them. But the maid said, "Your Highnesses, our Imperial Concubine is a little tired today. Please make yourselves at home."

Everyone thought, "Perfect! It saves us from going in and not knowing where she might find fault with us."

Just as he nodded and was about to leave, the palace maid said, "Princess Qi, our Lady says you are welcome to come in."

"..." Mo Yi paused for a moment, smiled at the Crown Princess, and then said to the palace, "I'll trouble you to lead the way, Aunt."

The Fourth Princess glared at her, then tossed her handkerchief and left.

Upon entering, a warm fragrance wafted towards you, and there you saw Consort Dong, her hair loose, wearing a purple-red satin jacket, leaning against the couch, her little feet tucked into a wool blanket, eating candied fruit.

It's so lazy and carefree.

"Your Highness, Imperial Concubine!" Mo Yi stepped forward and bowed to her.

Consort Dong glanced at her sideways, looked at her for a while, and then said, "Sit down."

"Thank you, Your Highness." Mo Yi sat down, and after a brief look around, she was somewhat dumbfounded. The things in Consort Dong's palace were so dazzling that they almost blinded her.

Each item was a rare and precious treasure, some of which even Mo Yi did not know what they were.

It surpasses even the furnishings in the Empress's palace!

Consort Xiao Dong, though in the midst of it all, remained so relaxed and unconcerned, as if this was how she was born to live her life.

"My God, Your Majesty, this place is just like a heavenly palace, and you are like a fairy..."

"Tch! You speak so rustically... You're uneducated and make a fuss over nothing!" Consort Dong rolled her eyes at her.

Mo Yi chuckled, "You've shocked me, haven't you!"

"Pour her tea!" Consort Dong ordered, seemingly quite pleased with the words.

"Your Majesty, on the day my shop opened, two very important customers came! Their spending was both shocking and hilarious. Were they people sent by Your Majesty?"

"I haven't been to your shop, how would I know who you're talking about?" The Imperial Concubine took out some candy.

"However, I have considered all the possibilities for a long time and even questioned Granny Zhao in detail... but I still don't know who could have done such a thing. Then I thought, only Your Majesty could do it."

Consort Dong chuckled, "Your little stuff, how much silver could it be worth? The capital is a murky place; there are plenty of people who can buy things like this!"

"But none of them have your discerning eye, Your Majesty!"

"Hmph! Flattery! Mo Yi, you seem quite honest. But I know you're shrewd!"

"Your Majesty, you have truly misjudged me. How could I possibly be so clever? On my very first visit to pay my respects, I offended the Empress Dowager."

"What's wrong?!" Consort Dong's eyes lit up.

"Sigh, Fourth Sister-in-law was chatting with the Empress Dowager, and every time she mentioned the girl named Xiang Qing who was by the Empress Dowager's side..." Mo Yi said, looking at Consort Dong.

Consort Dong's eyes flickered, but she didn't say anything.

"Fourth Sister-in-law always asks where that Miss Xiang Qing goes to class, who she takes classes with, and so on. I've been listening for a long time, but I'm still confused. I don't know who Miss Xiang Qing is. I've been to the palace several times, but I've never seen her, and no one has ever mentioned her to me."

As a result, my fourth sister-in-law said, "My shop sells things that young girls like. She asked if I had brought any for Miss Xiangqing. The Empress Dowager looked at me… and when she heard I hadn't, her face darkened. It terrified me…"

"Hmph...that gossipy woman! I hate her the most!"

Consort Dong was indeed angry.

It must be that the Fourth Princess Consort knew that the Empress Dowager intended to set up Xiao Shiwu and that girl Xiang Qing as childhood sweethearts... She's just watching the show!
Humph……

When he learned of the Empress Dowager's plan, he was furious.

Is it possible for my precious son to marry an orphan girl in the future?

What a joke!

The Qian family has neither manpower nor wealth. That girl isn't even as good-looking as their precious son!
marry her?

crazy!

But... after he found out, he consoled himself.

The old beggar woman, having spent years navigating the palace, outlived everyone else even after her son's death, eventually rising to the position of Empress Dowager. Who knows what trump cards she holds?

It's perfect for my Chen'er.

Anyway, Chen'er is still young... It's not too late for him to get married in another seven or eight years. Why not use this matter to lure the Empress Dowager and get her to do things for Chen'er?

As for the future...

If Xiao Shiwu's affair goes through, what's one more Qian Xiang to settle accounts for? If we don't make her empress, who will dare to say a word?

It's uncertain whether that old beggar woman will even live to see that time!

Let's take it one step at a time.

That's how she managed to tolerate it.

But... that old beggar woman always lures Little Fifteen to her palace with food, making him stay with that girl... Shameless! It's truly disgusting!
That vile Fourth Princess Consort knew about this and was just stirring up trouble to watch the show!

it is good!
Her beautiful face was filled with ruthlessness: I'll show you what happens when you join in the fun!
"Hmph...that's no good, always stirring up trouble...don't worry, I'll deal with her for you later!"

After saying that, she looked at Mo Yi with disdain... "As for the Empress Dowager... you must remember, she wasn't born of her own flesh and blood, so her influence is ultimately limited."

After saying that, she even raised an eyebrow seductively...

She tells me everything… Mo Yi nodded nervously, but pressed her finger to her mouth, afraid that she would continue to say these outrageous things…

But in his heart he was thinking, "It's just stirring up trouble, anyone can do that."

In fact, Consort Dong was also a straightforward and somewhat naive person.

Baozi, how about just one chapter today?

There are quite a few words.