Too high to reach

Chapter 265 Changed your mind
The visitors were Zhao Zuo and Zhao You, both of them covered in sweat.

"What happened?" Li Jing's eyes narrowed.

"Your Highness... My uncle sent a message by carrier pigeon. He said that my aunt... she has passed away..." Zhao Zuo finished speaking, tears streaming down his face.

"When?" Li Jing asked in surprise.

"According to the letter, it should have been four days." Zhao You choked up.

Li Jing felt sad: "Did you write to your grandparents?"

"I just received the message, and haven't had a chance to deliver it yet... I don't know what to say." Zhao Zuo was sad and worried. Her aunt had been in poor health since childhood, and her grandmother doted on her the most. If she knew, she would be heartbroken...

"If I had known this would happen, I would never have let her go!" Zhao You said, very agitated.

With a sigh, Li Jing instructed someone, "Go to the back and tell the Princess to pack her things quickly and come with me!" He then said to Zhao Zuo, "I will go and talk to them myself."

Mo Yi was inside the house, her eyes darting around, planning to go to the front to talk to Li Jing.

But what to talk about? How to talk about it?
The princess has arrived, and Mo Fan and the others have also arrived. Where should we begin to discuss this without it seeming too abrupt...?

The awkward situation between them and the prince needed to be resolved.

Before she could even sort things out, the maidservant led the servant in.

"Your Highness, the Prince has received news that Zhao Mama's daughter has passed away while she was away. The Prince wants you to pack your things and go with him to the Zhao family."

"When did this happen?" Mo Yi asked anxiously.

"This servant is unaware. The message was sent back via military transport and carrier pigeons, and it should be from the last few days."

"understood."

Mo Yi quickly asked Hong Yan and the others to find her a simple dress, tidied herself up briefly, and hurriedly left.

Consort Feng, residing in Changhui Pavilion, also received the news. She dismissed all the irrelevant people, leaving only Mama Song behind.

The two men looked at each other and smiled.

"Wan Daoping is really efficient!" Consort Feng expressed her satisfaction.

"Oh, Your Majesty, that woman is about to give birth. You see, he plans to marry her. He needs to allow plenty of time. If they've been away for a few years, a child with an age difference of one or two years is easy to fake, but too many years won't do. So, we need to act quickly."

Besides, Wan Daoping is a high-ranking official there; who would want to bring a haggard-looking woman along when he goes out for social engagements? Moreover, Qingsong (Wan Daoping's personal attendant) is quite clever; he's certainly come up with plenty of ideas!

"This is so satisfying! I've been suppressed by that old hag for so many years..." Consort Feng was extremely happy today.

"Exactly! Doesn't she realize that if she's not on your side, what good can come of her?" Mrs. Song flattered with a grin.

"Sigh... One shouldn't be too kind-hearted. I was always thinking about how she helped me back then, and I didn't act sooner. As a result, one wrong step led to another. If it weren't for her helping Mo Yi, could that girl from a humble family have become a princess? If Your Highness had delayed a little longer and allowed me to have another son or daughter, I probably would have succeeded."

Mother Song flattered her profusely: "With your intelligence and talent, you might just be able to succeed in the future!"

Let's take it one step at a time!

"Your Majesty!" a maidservant reported from outside.

"Come in!"

A maidservant came in and reported, "His Highness is going to the Zhao family in person to deliver the message, and has sent someone to the main courtyard to invite the Princess Consort."

Consort Feng's face fell. "I know, you may leave."

As the maid left, she snorted and said, "See? They're really putting on airs for her, and she's still acting all sullen. If it's something important, we should take her with us!"

"Your Highness, why don't you go too? Wouldn't it be more satisfying to see Granny Zhao heartbroken and in tears?"

"It really is!" Consort Feng stood up, looking down at her simple attire today. "Tell me, why did I have to dress like this today, going out to announce a death without changing my clothes? It's like I had a premonition!"

"Indeed! I truly admire Your Majesty. You planned this for years. Now, you've accomplished it without making a fuss! No one doubts you, and you're even enjoying the show."

The two of them walked out the door, chatting and laughing, only to run into Hei Yi hurrying towards them...

As soon as Mo Yi turned the corner, she saw Consort Feng and her mother, Song, both of them smiling.

Consort Feng and Madam Song were startled, and their smiles quickly vanished.

"Your Highness!" Xiang Moyi bowed.

Mo Yi nodded at her without saying anything, and didn't stop walking.

Consort Feng followed closely behind, "Your Majesty, I just heard that it's about Chang Le, isn't it?"

"I'm not sure yet," Mo Yi said, preoccupied and not wanting to say more.

Consort Feng cursed inwardly, but continued to follow behind.

Li Jing was already waiting in the courtyard. When she saw Mo Yi arrive, she said, "Let's go!" Then she saw Consort Feng.

"Your Highness, I wish to go with you. Granny Zhao... she must be very sad. I want to keep her company at this time," Consort Feng said with a sorrowful expression, her eyes glancing at Mo Yi out of the corner of her eye.

She was worried that Mo Yi had seen her laugh.

Mo Yi didn't look at her, and was helped into the carriage by the maid.

Feng Liniang was trained by Granny Zhao and they were quite close, so Li Jing nodded: "Then let's get in the carriage!"

When Mo Yi saw that Consort Feng had really arrived, she thought to herself: "That smile just now, and that grief now... she really changes her expression quickly!"
I used to think she valued her power as a housekeeper and was always busy for the sake of power. I never imagined she was so good at pretending.

It seems I've been so focused on the shop that I've neglected this aspect.

It needs to be changed.

She asked softly, "Your Highness, when did this happen?"

“About four days ago,” Li Jing replied.

"Granny Zhao doesn't know yet, does she?"

Li Jing sighed softly, "Yes, I'll go and talk to her myself. Yongle is very good..."

"Yes!" Consort Feng recalled, "From a young age, she was frail and often fell ill, yet she still knew how to take care of those around her. She and Wan Daoping were a loving couple. Despite her frail health, she still bore him a son and a daughter."

"What a beautiful day! What a pity. I wonder how heartbroken Granny Zhao is." After she finished speaking, she wiped her eyes with a handkerchief, as if she were shedding tears.

Actually, she was quite angry: she had finally managed to get on the prince's good side by inviting him to her room for a couple of drinks, and everything was prepared—wouldn't it all be for nothing?

That sickly old man, he wouldn't even let me die in peace!
Before long, the car arrived at Granny Zhao's house.

When Zhao Zuo and Zhao You got home, they couldn't help but cry.

When the gatekeeper saw them arrive, he quickly opened the gate and welcomed them inside.

Some people even ran in to deliver the message.

The elderly couple from the Zhao family, their son, daughter-in-law, grandson, granddaughter, and grandson-in-law—the whole family—were preparing to eat.

Hearing that the prince had arrived, Granny Zhao was somewhat surprised and hurriedly went out to greet him.

"Your Highness. Your Highness... Consort Feng? Your Highness, what brings you here?"

Li Jing walked up to her without saying a word.

"Haven't you eaten yet? Should we leave some for you?" Granny Zhao sensed something was amiss.

All that could be heard was Li Jing's low voice saying something... Mo Yi clenched her hands tightly.

Consort Feng stood behind Mo Yi, silently observing everything before her, thoroughly enjoying herself…

Granny Zhao was much stronger than Mo Yi had imagined, and she didn't cry out.

Li Jing personally helped Granny Zhao sit down.

In fact, his suffering was no less than that of Granny Zhao.

He has lost loved ones many times before.

Zhao Zuo went up to help his grandfather.

Granny Zhao's expression was filled with sorrow. "Your Highness... Yongle is disobedient! I told her not to go..."

Li Jing said, "Yongle knew the journey would be arduous, and she knew how harsh it would be outside, but she still chose to go. That's because she had someone she cherished more and was more willing to accompany her... So it's not too tragic. You should think positively..." Li Jing advised.

"Yes. I understand." After calming down for a while, Granny Zhao finally couldn't hold back her tears.

The adults and children in the family were all silently shedding tears.

Mo Yi comforted her, "Grandma, don't be too sad. Your grandson and granddaughter both depend on you."

Granny Zhao nodded to Mo Yi, "I know everything. Next..." She sighed, "Your Highness, I want to handle her funeral arrangements myself."

Li Jing nodded: "Okay. You take Zhao Zuo and Zhao You and have them prepare everything tomorrow."

"Zhao Zuo can come with me. We'll prepare early tomorrow morning and leave at noon. Please trouble Your Highness to send a message to Wan Daoping."

"Okay," Li Jing nodded in agreement.

Granny Zhao calmed down completely. "This trip will take at least a few months. I have a few things to take care of... Your Highness, why don't you leave them to the Princess for now?"

Upon hearing this, Consort Feng quickly said, "Granny, the Princess has never done these things before. Why don't we hand it over to Liniang for now? It's only temporary anyway, and you'll have to return it to her when you get back. Liniang has worked for you longer and is more familiar with you than the Princess. What do you say, Your Highness?"

She went to see Li Jing.

Actually, this matter was of no concern to Li Jing.

One of them, Feng Liniang, is family.

Furthermore, these matters will be managed by Granny Zhao until the Princess has a child. This will save her from having to go through all that trouble when she is pregnant and giving birth.

Moreover, when handing it over to the princess, it needs to be further detailed, including items for Anian.

"Your Highness, let me do it!" Mo Yi said frankly.

In the past, she would have waited for Li Jing to make a decision and would not have taken the initiative to compete.

But now, I've changed my mind.

“My shop is on track now, so I have some free time. I’ve learned from Granny Zhao and Manager Zhao for so long, and I’ve also had practical experience. Taking over is no problem.”

"Okay, it's settled then." Li Jing nodded in agreement.

Consort Feng's hands clenched together inside her sleeves. That vile woman, she's utterly hateful…