Too high to reach

Chapter 277 Each Goes Their Own Way
Early the next morning.

The Crown Prince and Crown Princess took the main seats.

The two were clearly in good spirits, and the Crown Prince asked them considerately as soon as they met, "Did you sleep well last night?"

"I'm fine, don't worry," the Crown Princess replied gently, her face flushed.

"I need to send a letter to both my mother and your family today, to make them happy. Besides, you'll be working very hard for the next year or so. You'll probably be too busy with household chores..."

The Crown Princess quickly replied, "It seems to be alright so far."

Before the Crown Prince could speak, Consort Zhang stood up. "Your Highness!" she exclaimed. "I'm so bored, I'd like to serve Your Highness and assist the Crown Princess in managing the household!"

She didn't sleep well at all last night, and even now, her mind is still preoccupied with how to resolve this matter. Upon hearing the Crown Prince's words, she immediately jumped forward to vie for power.

The Crown Princess paused in her smile. Although she was kind-hearted, she was not stupid.

What did it mean for her that this person was going to manage the household? She secretly glanced at the Crown Prince, wondering how to break the deadlock.

The Crown Prince smiled and looked at Consort Zhang, seemingly somewhat tempted.

"Your Highness, Your Majesty, Madam Mo has arrived," a maidservant announced at the door.

"Quickly, invite her in!" The Crown Princess quickly shifted the focus, her tone cheerful and polite. "I'd like to see what this younger sister looks like..." She glanced towards the door, ignoring Consort Zhang who was standing there.

The intention to stop talking halfway through the sentence was quite obvious.

Knowing that she was newly pregnant, the Crown Prince did not want to upset her, so he gestured for Consort Zhang to sit down.

Consort Zhang's face was gloomy, and she was very dissatisfied.

Today, Mo Yuan wore a green dress, her cheeks were rosy, her eyes were full of affection, and she still had an air of innocence and naivety.

Everyone's eyes turned to her... she was indeed quite good-looking.

A prayer mat was placed between the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess. Mo Yuan lifted her skirt and knelt down.

A maid brought her a cup of tea, which she took and turned to the Crown Prince, saying softly, "Your Highness, please have some tea!"

The Crown Prince looked at Mo Yuan with a smile. Although... he was quite happy. "Okay." He took the tea and took a sip.

Then he took a brocade box from the person next to him, opened it, and inside was an exquisite pearl hairpin.

"Thank you, sir!" Mo Yuan accepted the gift with both hands and turned to place it on the tray in Chunhua's hands.

He took another cup of tea and offered it to the Crown Princess, saying, "Your Highness, please have some tea."

The Crown Princess was in a great mood and readily accepted the gift. She took a sip of it and then took a jade bracelet from the maid and handed it over.

"Ha, it seems the Crown Princess really likes her, look how generous she is!" the Crown Prince joked.

"This is truly a wonderful item," Mo Yuan said excitedly as she accepted it with both hands. "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

"Your Highness has said it's a double celebration, how could I not offer my congratulations?"

The prince burst into laughter again.

Next, the nanny beside the Crown Princess gave Mo Yuan a brief introduction to the concubines and other women present.

Apart from Consort Zhang, who had a gloomy face and showed no positive reaction, the other consort and two or three other ladies of rank were quite polite. Those without rank even stood up to bow to her.

After some fuss, the Crown Princess smiled and said, "Although I haven't known Princess Qi for very long, we get along quite well. It must be fate that you've come to accompany the Crown Prince."

Our most important task is to serve the Emperor and Empress, and attend to the Crown Prince. Nothing else is of great importance. You can settle in comfortably; if you need anything, just let me know.

"Yes," Mo Yuan replied.

Consort Zhang, however, wore a mocking expression: "The Princess Consort of Qi that Your Majesty mentioned always looked down on us concubines. But who would have thought that her own sister would become a concubine! Indeed, people say one thing and do another. Next time we meet, I'll have to ask her what she thinks."

"Your Highness is too kind!" Mo Yuan laughed. "The word 'concubine' also depends on whose concubine. His Highness the Crown Prince is handsome and refined, possessing both literary and martial talents. How can an ordinary person compare to him?"

She looked at the Crown Prince with reverence in her eyes, "To be able to stay by the Crown Prince's side, let alone be a lady of rank, even being a concubine or simply a maidservant to serve you would be an unparalleled honor."

"You're so shameless!" Consort Zhang cursed without hesitation.

The Crown Prince was pleased to hear Mo Yuan speaking so leisurely, but was interrupted by Consort Zhang. He frowned and said, "Alright! These past two days have been filled with good news. Who are you trying to impress with that gloomy face first thing in the morning?"

Consort Zhang, when she gets angry, even dares to act arbitrarily towards the Crown Princess.

However, in front of the Crown Prince, especially in front of others, he dared not be too presumptuous.

She could only force a smile, "You're right, sir! I was just joking around with the new girl."

Although she admitted her mistake, the Crown Prince's thought of having her assist the steward was quickly forgotten.

Seeing Consort Zhang's humiliation, Mo Yuan was secretly pleased. "I was in danger, but fortunately the Crown Prince bravely rescued me. Moreover, the Crown Prince, with his extraordinary appearance, allowed an ordinary woman like me to enter his residence and accompany him. I am overjoyed. What I didn't expect was... that Her Highness the Crown Princess would personally go to request a title for me." As she finished speaking, her eyes reddened. "It is evident that Your Highness is of noble character and truly a virtuous helpmate to His Highness the Crown Prince. On the day I entered the residence, Your Highness discovered that you were pregnant. It is clear that those with kind hearts are blessed by Heaven. From now on, I will certainly be obedient and serve His Highness the Crown Prince and Her Highness the Crown Princess wholeheartedly."

The Crown Prince laughed heartily, "Yuanyuan is right! As expected of Seventh Sister-in-law's older sister, your insight is indeed extraordinary!"

The Crown Princess nodded in agreement: "Your Highness is right. This younger sister is different from the others; she has made you laugh several times this morning."

"Alright! I have to go now. There's not much to do in the next few days, so take some time to rest. Don't overwork yourself!" he instructed the Crown Princess.

"Don't worry."

Everyone stood up to see the crown prince off.

Upon arrival, the matter of having someone else help with household chores was not mentioned again.

Consort Zhang looked at the Crown Princess with a sinister gaze, scrutinizing her belly.

Now, things like "Mo Yuan Mo Fang" are no longer important.

That's what's important.

Mo Yuan had already sidled up to the Crown Princess, joking and laughing with her eyes narrowed, when suddenly she caught Zhang Consort's gaze fixed on the Crown Princess's belly...

……

Since Li Jing was so confident that he could do it, Mo Yi planned to go home and talk to her uncle and aunt again.

They also brought Li Jing along, without telling each other beforehand. They only had Meng San with them and returned as if they were visiting relatives.

The Mo family dinner hadn't started yet, and Mo Rushan was in the living room asking the children about their homework.

They were startled when they saw them arrive.

Then, Li Jing and Mo Yi suddenly saw Liu Nian among the children!
The three of them couldn't help but stare at each other blankly.

“You…” Li Jing swallowed back the words “How did you get here?” that were about to escape his lips.

Liu Nian's eyes sparkled, she pursed her red lips, swayed her small body, and smiled shyly.

"What are you doing here?!" Mo Yidai Li Jing asked.

Mo Bao said, "Sister, this is my classmate Anian, she told you about him."

Liu Nian hesitated, her head slightly lowered, her gaze drifting upwards and sideways towards Li Jing. "I... I came to the Mo family to freeload a meal. A Bao said they're making lion's head meatballs today..."

Looking at his sleazy appearance, Li Jing thought he was less reliable than the chubby boy next to him.

He couldn't help but feel angry. He looked around and asked in a low voice, "Did you come here by yourself?" He didn't see any guards.

"No, no, no!" Sensing the danger in the voice, Liu Nian quickly said, "Uncle Wu is with me. He's playing chess with Uncle Mo in the dining hall. Father will come to pick us up in a little while..."

Mo Yi sensed Li Jing's emotional change, but didn't understand why...

Meng San gave them a half-smile, then turned and headed towards the canteen. Lion's head meatballs? Not bad, he loves them…

Mo Rushan quickly said, "Your Highness and Princess Consort haven't had dinner yet, have they? Please have some with us!"

Li Jing didn't say anything and walked towards the dining hall.

Mo Rushan bowed and scraped as he tried to follow, but Mo Yi said, "Uncle, I have something to tell you."

"Yi Yi, what is it?" Mo Rushan stopped in his tracks, watching the prince's retreating figure.

"What are your plans regarding your second brother's marriage?"

“Sigh…” Mo Rushan turned around and sat down. “In June, once he finishes this matter, he might get a promotion. That would make things better.”

"You can't just keep waiting like this. You're being promoted level by level. When will it ever end?"

"Too……"

"Now, I have someone in mind. Would you like to hear his name?"

Mo Rushan suddenly realized that the prince had come along; could it be related to him?
Just then, Madam Zhuang came in. "Yiyi, Master, dinner is ready."

"Aunt, this is a good opportunity for you to listen as well."

"what's up?"

"What was your impression of Miss Zhou Jiu who came that day?"

"That girl... is pretty. She seems quite delicate and arrogant, but once you get to know her... she's quite easygoing."

"So, how about she become Second Brother's wife?" Mo Yi asked with a mysterious smile...