Too high to reach

Chapter 269 Let nature take its course
Prince Qi's Mansion.

As soon as Li Jing arrived home, Consort Feng came to see him.

Although she still maintained a calm and quiet demeanor.

But Li Jing could still tell that she was experiencing some emotional fluctuations.

Consort Feng tried her best to give an impartial account of what happened, but then added at the end, "Actually, it was just a small matter. When Miss Mo was staying at the Prince's residence before, she was a bit picky. But after all, she was a guest of the Prince's residence and the Princess's sister, so we did our best to make her happy even if she had some trouble."

Then she looked troubled and said, "But Your Highness, Miss Mo and Miss Zhou get along very well. They are often with the Princess. It's not that I'm saying anything, but if Miss Mo's behavior affects the Princess, it will be troublesome."

Upon hearing this, Li Jing nodded gently, "There's no need to worry about that. We'll send her back right away, and she won't be coming again."

"Yes." Consort Feng didn't understand what she meant, but insisted on finishing what she wanted to say: "Also, there's been a minor conflict. The Princess Consort..." Consort Feng smiled bitterly, "Instead of trying to calm things down and resolve the issue, she directly asked me for the roster and the ledgers. Your Highness, you entrusted me with managing these things..."

Li Jing paused for a moment, then said, "...I'll ask her again later."

That person just took Zhao Hui's account, has he sorted it out yet? Why is he meddling in household affairs again?
I used to think she was just a money-grubber, but I never realized she was also power-hungry... We haven't spoken for a few days, I'll ask her again later.

Consort Feng was not satisfied with this result. "Then, should we give it to the Princess?"

"Speaking of which, you should submit an account to me every three months, shouldn't you?"

Consort Feng was taken aback. "I always report on time. I used to give it to Steward Wan, but now I give it to Steward Zhao."

"Oh, I forgot to check... Just make a copy for the Princess like that." After Li Jing finished speaking, he noticed that Consort Feng's expression was not good. He thought about how she had managed the household for several years, worked very hard, and done a good job.

So she said gently, "It is a little troublesome... but she is a princess. If we don't mention it, we can let it go, but if we do, we can't ignore it. Everyone has to do their job."

"Yes." Consort Feng felt a sense of helplessness. "Your Highness, is Miss Mo leaving? Has her matter been resolved?"

"Hmph..." Li Jing snorted coldly, not intending to gossip about these things: "Go back and have someone invite the Princess Consort here!"

"Yes." Consort Feng could no longer stay, so she bowed and withdrew.

A short while later, Mo Yi arrived. "Your Highness."

"Hmm, sit down." Li Jing said in a light tone, "As for Mo Yuan's matter... in the end, she was given a fourth-rank imperial title and then entered the Crown Prince's residence as a lady."

A fourth-rank imperial consort is like something falling from the sky; it's not a low rank at all!
"Your Highness?!" Although this outcome was within Mo Yi's expectations, it was still somewhat hard to accept. "Didn't you dislike this? How come..."

"Hmph, I don't like it..." Li Jing's face darkened. "Who am I to her? If she and her parents wanted it, could I stop them? Now, I've swallowed my pride and secured a title of Lady of the Imperial Decree for her, so she wouldn't be in such a sorry state. What? You're still not satisfied?"

He raised his eyebrows and asked.

"No! No..." Mo Yi waved her hands, her experience limited, and she didn't know how to answer for a moment. "Your Highness has gone to such lengths for her, and I am very grateful. However, it is a little hard to accept that things have come to this."

"The result is already very good..." Li Jing thought about it and found it funny.

Normally, even if brothers were to exchange beauties, they'd be wary. They'd usually ignore them for a while before sending them away. But here, the Crown Prince has brought my sister-in-law into his service…

Isn't he worried? What's wrong with him?!
He looked at Mo Yi, his hand unconsciously stroking a jade piece...

He wouldn't share that idea with Moyti.

But if that silly girl who thinks she's suddenly become successful could realize this, have the ability to do something, and protect herself...

In the future, when a real fight breaks out, I will leave her a way out.

Otherwise, just let nature take its course.

Mo Yi's face was tense as she blinked, thinking about this and that. Finally, she sighed and said, "Your Highness, I once told my family that if Mo Yuan came to this point, they would have my parents move out of the house."

A few days ago, I had Song Jiaxing find a courtyard house outside, but because I didn't know how things were going, we haven't signed a contract yet. Now…”

Li Jing waved her hand to interrupt her, "You are a married woman, and it is up to your family to decide what to do. You can help, but don't try to be the head of the household. I have my own plans for this to work out. You don't need to worry about it too much."

“Oh.” Mo Yi looked at him, somewhat puzzled.

"As for how you sisters will get along in the future, that is a lesson you, as my queen, should learn. There were reasons why I chose you as my queen in the first place. Later... you have pleased me in every way."

You can do nothing and simply be a pampered princess, and I won't have any objections. But if you want to stand shoulder to shoulder with me and gain my favor... then you'll have to put in a lot of effort." Mo Yi's eyes reddened. "I understand."

"No need to rush, I will give you many opportunities." Li Jing looked at his little wife, thinking it was about time to go back to sleep.

Mo Yi had no idea what he was thinking. When she returned from the front yard, she found that the Mo family had sent Qiu Hong away again.

"Qiu Hong, does the family already know?"

"Your Majesty, we know. Master sent me to tell you that Third Madam's brother has arrived and brought a three-courtyard house in the East City, which has been transferred to Third Madam's name. Then everyone discussed it and decided that the Third branch of the family will move there so that Fourth Miss can marry from there."

Mo Yi felt somewhat relieved upon hearing this. This outcome was the simplest and most to her liking.

"Then, Uncle, will you agree to move out?" Mo Yi knew about the relationship between the two of them.

"The Third Master has agreed and has already started preparing."

"So... when did Mo Yuan enter the Crown Prince's residence?"

"After half a month."

"So soon?" Mo Yi was surprised again.

On second thought, this is normal. It's not like getting married; there aren't that many procedures to go through.

I hope she won't regret it.

"I'll take her home first thing tomorrow morning. Also, go home and see if Aunt Yun is home; have her come over. If she's at the shop, have Master go there and call her over."

"Yes."

After Qiu Hong left, Mo Yi opened his account books and storeroom.

Now that she's gone, it might be difficult to see her again. What kind of gifts could I send to make her feel better when she enters the manor?
This is the only time.

If anything happens again, you'll have to suffer the consequences of your own actions; there's nothing I can do to help...

Just as I was tidying up, Aunt Yun arrived.

Mo Yi didn't stand on ceremony. "Your third uncle's family is moving into your third aunt's house. What are your plans?"

Aunt Yun didn't even go to the shop today; she was just worrying.

She could see that now, the Third Master had no temper at all when facing the Third Madam.

If she took her son with her, she didn't even know if she could still go to the shop. And given the Third Madam's temper and nature, how would she treat her? What would happen to her two sons?
She worked in the shop and had heard plenty of stories like these.

"Your Highness..." She pondered for a moment, then gritted her teeth, "Yunniang is thinking of having the Third Master give Yunniang a letter of release from her concubine status."

Mo Yi felt somewhat relieved after hearing this.

“I followed the Third Master back then because I had no other choice. I couldn’t bear to be a concubine. I followed you out to work because I wanted to protect myself and be independent. Now, I’ve made up my mind to leave the Third Master.”

"Yes. I called you here to discuss this matter. Your decisiveness shows you're intelligent. But what about your two sons..."

“Yunniang hopes that Your Highness will tell the family to let the two of them stay here, with the master and mistress taking care of them.”

Mo Yi nodded: "That is indeed a method, but Uncle and Aunt may not be able to agree."

"Your Majesty, could you please tell your family?"

Mo Yi thought to herself: By calling you here to ask these questions, I'm meddling in family matters.

The prince just told me to mind my own business...

Aunt Yun continued, "I just hope they can go to school like Bao-ge, and that no one will bully them. I'll continue working for you and earn money to support them both. I've been very happy working for you during this time. I get what I put in. I don't want to rely on you and your mistress for a living. Even if it's a bad reputation and a bit hard work, I'm happy to do it."

Mo Yi nodded: "Since you've made up your mind, I'll help you!"