Too high to reach

Chapter 247 Always a Family Feast
The next day, there was a small family banquet at the Prince Qi's residence.

Those who came were all Li Jing's subordinates.

Most of these people knew Zhou Dong, and it had been many years since they last saw each other.

They patted each other on the arm when they met, very affectionately.

Especially the twelve I grew up with. To this day, some are dead, and some are disabled.

Zhou Dong is considered one of the more successful ones among them.

Consort Feng and Zhou Dong officially met and exchanged a few polite greetings.

When Madam Tu saw Consort Feng, she was all smiles, calling her "Consort" this and "Consort" that, full of flattery.

The women and children at the scene were all relatives of those people. Consort Feng recognized most of them, but she didn't remember most of the children because they grew up so fast.

Originally, she didn't want Shao Ge'er to know these children.

That's not necessary.

He'll be attending classes with the princes and grandsons, and his future social interactions will be with those people. And these... are all considered servants of the Prince's household. Can Shao'er really associate with them?
But now, things are different. These are the help his son provides.

In order to win over Zhou Dong, she paid special attention to his son and daughter today.

The women present had all received her kindness in some way.

Actually, when Granny Zhao was in charge of the household, she would also reward these families. Their husbands and fathers were risking their lives for the prince. It was only right that she take care of their families.

However, after Consort Feng took over, she increased the amount. She was even more generous to those who were useful, like Lady Tu.

Anyway, it doesn't cost her any money...

Therefore, all these women were full of enthusiasm when facing Consort Feng.

Zhou Dong saw all of this and felt even more strongly that this was how a prince's wife should be, maintaining these relationships for the prince.

When Mo Yi came in, everyone except Li Jing stood up.

Since it was a family dinner, Mo Yi didn't dress up specially.

She wore a beige silk spring shirt and several pale pink coral hairpins on her head.

She felt light and cheerful.

"Greetings, Your Highness!" Everyone bowed to her.

Mo Yi smiled and said, "No need for formalities, everyone! We're all family here, please sit down!"

She walked up to Li Jing and said, "Your Highness."

Li Jing gestured for her to sit down next to him. "Although we haven't gathered everyone yet, this is still a fairly large group. Let me introduce you to him; this is Zhou Dong, who just got back."

When Mo Yi came in, Zhou Dong and Consort Feng exchanged a glance.

For a while, he silently observed the new princess. She certainly didn't resemble the princess he remembered. However, she appeared peaceful and gentle, unpretentious, and without the arrogance of someone who had gained power.

It's not too bad.

But what does it mean to have preconceived notions?

In the end, he still thought that Feng Liniang was more like a princess than she was. Regardless of his true feelings, he still respectfully bowed, "Zhou Dong greets Your Highness!"

Mo Yi nodded and smiled, without saying a word.

Li Jing pointed to a few people and said to Mo Yi, "These people all grew up with Granny Zhao. Zhou Dong is brave and resourceful. No matter what the matter is, big or small, he will do a great job."

"Your Highness is too kind," Zhou Dong said modestly.

"To receive praise from the Prince, one must be exceptionally outstanding," Mo Yi said with a smile.

"Don't dare."

Next, Li Jing introduced everyone present to Mo Yi one by one.

They were all grown men, and they rarely saw each other on a regular basis. Mo Yi only exchanged a few polite words before returning to the women's table and taking the seat of honor.

The old woman Zhao, standing beside him, pointed to the female guests and then introduced them to Mo Yi one by one, and even made a special mention of Madam Tu.

"This is Zhou Dong's wife, whom he married while he was in office. I met her for the first time when she returned to the capital last year. Now, Zhou Dong has a family, a career, a wife, and children," Zhao Mama said with great emotion.

Mo Yi nodded: "Talented people emerge in every generation, each leading the way for hundreds of years. Zhou Dong..." She looked at Zhou Dong's son and daughter. "He has the ability to build a stable future for his children."

Madam Tu smiled and said, "Our master is favored by the Prince, and we women and children are cared for by the Empress. That's why we have such a good life today!"

Consort Feng smiled faintly, glancing at the children's table. Each family had raised their children well. They were all respectful and polite to Shao-ge'er…

……

Princess Yu'an finally sent an invitation, inviting Mo Yi to a banquet at the princess's residence.

Since Li Jing was away from home for the past two days, she took her maid with her and went there.

The princess's residence wasn't large, but it was complete with pavilions and towers, and was very exquisite. Upon meeting, Princess Yu'an showed her around her home, with its many courtyards, winding corridors, and picturesque scenery at every turn.

It was completely different from the homes Moyi had visited before.

It was as if it had been made for a princess... and she was full of praise.

"Today, we'll have dinner in the flower hall! Right there..."

Turning past a small hall, you come to a flower bed. The peonies inside are in full bloom, emitting a faint fragrance.

"These flowers are blooming so beautifully!" Mo Yi examined them closely. "So this is what the flower bed is like!"

This flower bed was dug into the ground. All the flowers are planted in large pots, but they look like they were planted in the ground.

Princess Yu'an laughed, "Isn't my idea good? Once the peonies have faded, we can replace them with other flowers. We can display whatever flowers are in bloom, so there will always be flowers to see!"

"What a brilliant idea! Did the princess come up with it?"

"Yes! It's an exaggeration to say that there are flowers in all four seasons in my household, but there are definitely flowers in three seasons. In a few days, we will be displaying lotus flowers."

Mo Yi estimated that she spent a lot of money on this every year, and sighed, "The princess really knows how to enjoy life."

"Of course, my dance troupe is quite famous. You'll see it in a moment. There are very few troupes in the capital that can come here to feast their eyes."

Passing through the flower bed, you'll find the flower hall. Inside, several people are already drinking tea and chatting.

Everyone greeted Mo Yi when she arrived.

Among them were the Ninth Prince's wife, two princesses, and two young women. Mo Yi had never seen them before.

“This is my good friend…” Princess Yu’an introduced.

One of them was a princess whose husband had died, and the other was a granddaughter-in-law of a duke's family.

The two were dressed in luxurious clothes, and they bore a striking resemblance to Yu'an.

"Today, just the few of us, let's have a good drink!"

Nobody put on airs; they were all chatting and laughing.

"I've heard about your shop, but I haven't had a chance to check it out yet. Is this bag from your shop?"

Mo Yi then took out some items from her shop. "Yes. And this... is for the princess. The Imperial Concubine has something similar."

Everyone knows about Consort Dong's taste and extravagance; whatever she likes is always exceptional.

Princess Yu'an received it and expressed her gratitude.

Suddenly, the faint sound of string and wind instruments came from behind the screen.

Mo Yi surveyed the flower hall, which was octagonal in shape. It had folding doors running from top to bottom. Now the doors were all open, and sheer curtains hung down.

There wasn't much furniture inside, but it was all in unusual styles, and the whole room was filled with a luxurious fragrance.

The flower hall is small and cannot accommodate many guests. It's more like a place where a princess gathers with her close friends.

Low tables and stools were arranged around the perimeter, leaving a circular space in the center covered with a large carpet.

Now, it is late, and the surrounding lights are on, making it bright.

Princess Yu'an asked, "Would you like some grape wine?"

Mo Yi refused, saying, "I can't hold my liquor. One glass and I get dizzy and lightheaded."

"Practice more; these kinds of occasions are no fun without alcohol."

"Really, that won't work. I'll just have tea."

Princess Yu'an didn't try to persuade him further, thinking to herself: This man is mediocre and uninteresting. I think he's wasting his time!

Everyone sat down, and then the dishes were served.

"My family's roasted pigeon is quite good, but it tastes best when paired with wine. Pour her a glass!" Yu'an instructed the maid.

Mo Yi didn't refuse again, but she didn't intend to drink it either.

Looking at the dishes in front of me: a roast pigeon, a small dish of crystal aspic, salt and pepper peanuts and dried anchovies, beef in a clay pot, fried fish pieces, and some lightly mixed side dishes. Sea cucumber and shark fin soup was simmering on a small clay stove next to me. There was also a plate of desserts: meat patties, baked flatbread, pea flour cake, and red date and red bean rice cake, each one tiny, so small you wish you could eat it in one bite.

There's a fresh flower in the vase on the table.

The menu wasn't extensive, but it was visually appealing.

"The princess's life is truly exquisite..." Mo Yi exclaimed sincerely.

"These are just simple dishes. Those who come here are my closest friends. There are never more than ten guests at a time. The food isn't particularly fancy, but my wine and dances are arguably the best in the capital..." Princess Yu'an said proudly.

The others nodded in agreement.

Just then, the dancer entered...

Something came up at home, and it's getting late. Sorry.