Too high to reach

Chapter 281 281 He fooled her
Although the Crown Princess punished Consort Zhang.

But Mo Yuan couldn't get over it either, so she stayed in the house for two days.

Consort Zhang was also furious and collapsed, so the Crown Prince went to comfort her.

The Crown Princess, who usually didn't care about such things, reminded him, "Your Highness, Sister Mo is the one who has truly been wronged. If she is really injured or loses her life, how will you explain it to Seventh Brother and Seventh Sister-in-law? We went to great lengths to bring her into the manor, and she was murdered in just two days."

"Don't even mention Seventh Brother, you won't be able to answer Father Emperor either! It would seem like we did it on purpose... But such a thing would only bring you harm and no benefit, so who would do it on purpose?!"

After the Crown Princess became pregnant, she became a bit irritable.

However, the crown prince actually took these words to heart.

When I went to Mo Yuan's room, I saw that the wounds on her face had healed, and she was still as white as porcelain.

But he looked listless as he lay in bed, lacking his usual vibrancy.

Then he sighed and said, "I know you've been wronged. But..."

"Although I am the Crown Prince, there are many things I cannot control. Consort Zhang, although she has a different status because she has given birth to two sons for me, actually owes her position in the household more to the strong support of her uncles and brothers from her maternal family."

Mo Yuan looked at him with her beautiful eyes.

"Hehe, before you entered the manor, you must have imagined me as living a life of luxury and ease, right? Alas... it's not that simple. I'm buried in official duties all day long! Even so, there are still many capable people who can serve me and are quietly helping me."

Otherwise, I couldn't keep up even if I didn't eat or sleep all day!

He pinched Mo Yuan's nose... So beautiful!

"Therefore, no matter what, I have to be lenient with her a little."

You grew up in a well-off family, and you had no exposure to these things before. You should know that since ancient times, royalty has never been one to risk everything for a woman! Basically, everything revolves around power and profit.

Although you are beautiful and witty, often making me laugh, unlike any other woman I've known, I can't be by your side every day to protect you. And some people, even if they do something wrong… for now, I can't punish them too harshly.

"Don't even mention me; even Father Emperor has many unavoidable circumstances. If you don't want to suffer humiliation, my favor alone isn't enough; you must become strong yourself."

Mo Yuan blinked blankly, "Then... Your Highness, what should I do?"

She didn't wait for the Crown Prince's reply, but continued, "Self-reliance means power and wealth. Yuanyuan comes from a humble background, but thanks to her parents' love, she has managed to accumulate some wealth. However, this only allows her to dress herself up nicely; the amount is far beyond what you would consider valuable."

"Speaking of power... Yuanyuan only has two relatives with high status because her sisters married well..." She caught a glimpse of the Crown Prince's piercing gaze out of the corner of her eye.

"...Could we keep them on our side and get your brother-in-law and sister's husband to help you?!"

The Crown Prince laughed heartily: "The Xu family, they're a family of integrity. Your sister married someone who wasn't the eldest son, so she can't make that decision. As for the Qi Prince's mansion..."

He pondered, "My seventh brother is no ordinary person. I'm afraid your sister knows nothing about him and has no authority over him."

"You wouldn't know this!" Now, Mo Yuan understood even more clearly. "My sister can marry a prince. She can't be an ordinary person! If Prince Qi doesn't like her or isn't happy about it, with that dark face of his, who would dare to get close to her! I'll have to think about this carefully..."

"Haha! You, you! Such a little girl, so intelligent and clever, you truly are beautiful inside and out!"

Mo Yuan blushed at the praise, "Since I'm following you, of course I have to climb the social ladder myself!"

The Crown Prince nodded in deep agreement, but then held her close and whispered, "These things can't be forced. And we can't make a big fuss about it, or it will backfire. That seventh brother... even Father can't do anything about him. If he finds out what you're thinking, it could be very dangerous!"

“Oh…is that so? Then…I’ll take another look and think of a better way…” Mo Yuan’s eyes sparkled.

This made the crown prince feel pleased.

"Good Yuanyuan, no wonder the Crown Princess protects you so much, you really are a lovely person!"

"Your Highness, is Yuanyuan allowed to leave the manor often? According to the rules, she can't go anywhere."

"Considering how much you've suffered, you should discuss this matter with the Crown Princess. I will speak to her on her behalf... As long as it's within reason, no problem! This is my Yuanyuan's exclusive right!"

Mo Yuan hugged the Crown Prince's neck and thanked him profusely.

The crown prince showered her with sweet words and showered her with affection.

The next morning, after the Crown Prince left, Mo Yuan watched his retreating figure and smiled calmly.

They want me to gather information in the Prince of Qi's residence so that I can be used by him, right?

This is probably why he went to such lengths to get me into his residence? He even went through so many roundabout ways!

I thought it was something mysterious and profound... Turns out, all men are the same!

Get up, wash up, and get ready.

Looking in the mirror, the handprint on her face was long gone, but it was deeply etched in her heart.

This time, when the Crown Princess went to the palace to pay her respects, she specially brought Mo Yuan with her.

I met the Ninth Princess at the entrance of the Empress's Palace.

Upon seeing the Crown Princess, the Ninth Princess immediately came forward to inquire, "How are you?"

"Everything is fine," the Crown Princess said with a smile. "This is..." The Ninth Princess looked Mo Yuan up and down.

"It's my younger sister who recently entered the household; I brought her here so that Mother Empress may have a look at her..."

"Oh, the one you like so much... must be Princess Qi's sister, right?" Princess Jiu covered her mouth and laughed, showing great disdain.

Mo Yuan bowed respectfully and stood behind the Crown Princess without saying a word.

The lady-in-waiting led them into the Queen's palace, where Mo Yi had already arrived.

Upon seeing the Crown Princess, the Empress immediately ordered her to be greeted, "Why are you here? Didn't I tell you to stay home and rest?"

“Your daughter-in-law seems to be doing quite well. Today, I’ve also brought your new sister-in-law to meet you.”

Mo Yuan stepped forward, knelt down, and paid her respects to the Empress.

"Get up!" the Queen said, looking at her. "Moyi, isn't this your sister?"

"Your Majesty, this is my cousin," Mo Yi replied respectfully, without any emotion.

"Yes. We're all relatives, so let's keep in touch." The Empress said simply, and then had a lady-in-waiting deliver a brocade box.

Mo Yuan accepted the gift with both hands and thanked them generously.

Although she wasn't scolded by Granny Zhao like Mo Yi, her manners were clearly not quite right.

But he remained calm and composed, and his demeanor was poised and natural.

She was even more composed than when Mo Yi first entered the palace!
Mo Yi watched this unfold and was somewhat convinced: her courage was indeed greater than hers...

After exchanging a few pleasantries, the Empress dismissed them, as she was to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager.

The group headed that way, and the Empress specially ordered a carriage to escort the Crown Princess.

Mo Yuan walked up to Mo Yi and said, “Yi Yi…you know about my situation, right?” Her voice was soft, mournful, and pitiful.

"I don't know what you mean. How would I know what's going on in the Crown Prince's residence? Even if I did, I couldn't interfere. People always have gains and losses... With your intelligence, you probably already thought of that!" Mo Yi said coldly.

Mo Yuan's eyes reddened. "I almost had my face slashed by Consort Zhang, and I almost lost my life. You really don't care?"

Mo Yi didn't say anything, but quickened her pace and walked forward.

It's true she wants to restore her relationship with Mo Yi, but it's also true she's been so shocked and wronged that she wants to confide in a reliable family member. She didn't even tell Zhang Debao the truth!
Unexpectedly, Mo Yi really ignored her... How could she be so heartless!? Mo Yuan's eyes reddened, but she held back her tears.

Upon arriving at the Empress Dowager's palace, the Empress Dowager was still all smiles. "You've all arrived?! Have you gone to see your mother yet?"

Everyone answered with soft chuckles.

Only after being reminded by the nanny beside her did the Empress Dowager realize, "Oh dear, I already told you, I forgot again! The Crown Princess is pregnant? Come sit here quickly!"

She reached out her hand, and the Crown Princess stepped forward.

"Grandma..."

"How are you? You look great."

"My granddaughter-in-law is feeling fine! You can rest assured."

"Be careful... Tell Grandmother what you want to eat. Quickly, go check my private treasury and see what delicious food I have left. Pick out a few things to take back to her!"

"Keep it for yourself, sir! Your granddaughter-in-law hasn't even had a chance to show you any filial piety yet, and you're already thinking about us all the time."

"That's only right..." The Empress Dowager looked around and saw Mo Yi and Mo Yuan, "These two are..."

Mo Yi stood up and bowed again: "Grandmother..." She always felt that this old lady was strangely tired, and asked her every time.

If you're convinced she's faking it, then upon closer inspection, the signs will be very obvious...

The old woman quickly introduced it again.

"Oh, it's the seventh son's wife. Good! And that one..."

The Crown Princess then gave another introduction.

The Empress Dowager said happily, "This little girl is beautiful! I like her."

She then turned to the Crown Princess and said, "I've always known you're a magnanimous matriarch. Of all my granddaughters-in-law, you've done the best... In a family like ours, jealousy and pettiness are unacceptable. You must manage the household well for your husbands. Such a beautiful woman—you must treat her even better." She pulled the Crown Princess aside and gave her these instructions...

"Grandmother, your granddaughter-in-law is doing a great job too. She's also providing good food and drink for all the people in Ninth Prince's courtyard!" Ninth Princess Princess teased repeatedly.

Mo Yi listened, feeling extremely embarrassed...

Mo Yuan's expression remained unchanged, but she understood Mo Yi's embarrassment.

No wonder she wouldn't talk to me...

How can I restore my relationship with her?