Too high to reach

Chapter 308 I Believe You
"how could this be?"

Even the experienced and worldly-wise Li Jing was somewhat stunned by today's unexpected turn of events.

Mo Yi calmly analyzed, "If it really was Consort Feng who did it, then her purpose is nothing more than two things. One is that she is worried that the matter will be exposed and bring shame to the Prince's Mansion, so she came to solve it for you. The other is that she has been by your side for many years and has a childhood friendship with you. She also understands you and has been managing the affairs of the Prince's Mansion for you. Your first wife has passed away. If you are fortunate enough to make her the principal wife and let Shaoge'er become the eldest son of the legitimate wife, it is quite possible... The temptation is too great."

Li Jing paused for a moment, lost in thought. "To be honest... if we hadn't met, there was a possibility that she could have been made the official wife. Because Zhou Li is a well-known lady from a prestigious family in the capital, with both beauty and talent. But we didn't get along well. After that, I didn't really want to get married. If I were to marry again, I would definitely choose someone who would make things easier."

"You just married someone who's easy to deal with!" Mo Yi tried to ease the tension.

Li Jing smiled and stroked her cheek. "Yes, far more than that. I've married a virtuous and capable wife. Feng Liniang... she has a son. She manages the household well, is gentle, and makes no mistakes. If Your Majesty insists that I marry her and make her your official wife, it is indeed an option."

“Your Highness,” Mo Yi said, her expression turning serious again. “You bear the burden of a blood feud and are busy with important matters outside. You dislike complicated family affairs and rarely indulge in romantic relationships. I can understand these things. But Consort Feng is audacious, ruthless, and cunning. She dares to fight and grab, and she is also good at scheming. She has done such a big thing, and even Granny Zhao failed to discover it. She should not be underestimated. Don’t forget Consort Zhang of the Crown Prince’s residence…”

“I understand…” Li Jing pinched the bridge of her nose. “Let me think about it…”

After a while, he called softly, "Yi Yi?"

"Ok?"

"I have something to tell you..."

"You say."

“A-Nian… he is my elder brother’s posthumous child…”

Just as I thought! Ah Nian's identity is indeed extraordinary... Mo Yi understood and nodded.

"Aren't you surprised?" Li Jing was surprised again.

"Not surprising. Thinking about some things that happened before, and the way you spoke to him just now... I knew he was more than just Lord Liu's son..."

"How can you be so smart?" Li Jing ruffled her hair.

Mo Yi smiled. "Just being thoughtful. Dajue Temple, are you going to see him too?"

"Yes. So, our connection originated from him."

“I even saved him… I pulled him out of the lake. Looking back now, it all happened in an instant…”

"I know." Li Jing found himself getting goosebumps too. "So, thank goodness for you..." He hugged her tightly again.

"Yi Yi, everything I've done all these years has been for him." Li Jing looked at Mo Yi intently.

"He was the most important person in my life. Winning that position was the meaning of my life. But now, things are different. I have you. There is another person I care about. Mo Yi, I want to formally ask you for a favor."

"You say."

"If we win that position, how about giving it to Anian? Then, I'll be yours completely."

"You don't need to ask me to do this. I'm willing and support whatever you do."

Li Jing hesitated, "I believe you. But you probably don't know how alluring that position is. For it, blood ties, kindness, and righteousness will all be thrown aside. Especially after you have a son."

"What you're saying doesn't make sense. Such a captivating thing, why did you go to such lengths to acquire it, only to think of giving it to Anian? Why not keep it for yourself and then pass it on to your son? If you can do that, why don't you trust me?"

"I believe you..."

……

In the Queen Mother's Palace.

The old lady looked at the little Consort Dong crying beside her with a mixture of worry and amusement.

The Empress sat casually to the side, neither humble nor arrogant.

"Your Majesty, you must stand up for me! I've never suffered such injustice in my entire life." "Alright! Stop crying," the Empress Dowager said disdainfully.

"Her Majesty the Empress has been quite domineering these past few days. She can beat or punish us as she pleases. If Your Majesty doesn't intervene, I'll make a scene right now in front of the Emperor!"

"Sigh, how old are you all? Your children are all adults, how can you still act so impulsively? Little Dong, never forget your place. The Empress always acts with reason and evidence, and never abuses her power. Besides, in this harem, the Empress is the one who calls the shots."

"And what about you?!" asked Consort Dong.

"..." The Empress Dowager choked for a moment, "Alright! Normally, the Empress doesn't hold grudges against you for matters big or small, but don't forget the hierarchy of seniority! If you continue to act so unreasonably, I won't care anymore."

"Your Majesty, I wasn't being unreasonable. I only spoke to Princess Yu'an. But can you blame me for saying that? Just because others didn't say it doesn't mean they didn't want to."

Princess Yu'an... now that she's considered a legitimate daughter, she should have the air of royalty. But what happened... at the grand gathering held only once every four years, so far away. Even the Emperor himself was there. And there were officers and soldiers from all directions, and yet, she made a complete fool of herself in public..."

"Shut up! Haven't you knelt enough yet?" The Empress couldn't take it anymore.

"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, look at the Empress..." Consort Dong became even more enthusiastic, "Princess Yu'an was born and raised by Her Majesty the Empress. How can Her Majesty not bear any responsibility for her behavior? The Emperor was lenient and did not pursue the matter, but I have never seen Her Majesty reflect on her actions! The Empress is supposed to be setting an example for us, is this how she acts?"

The Empress sneered, "That's exactly what I did, what can you do about it?"

"Huh?" Consort Dong blinked, feeling as if she had only just met the real Empress today.

The Empress Dowager was also somewhat surprised, but the smile on her face remained unchanged.

"Then don't blame me for saying this. A princess, forcing someone to be her husband, and then being humiliated in public... I've never heard of someone so shameless and cowardly."

"Guards!" The Empress pointed at Consort Dong, trembling with rage. "Slap her!"

Having learned her lesson, Consort Dong tried to get closer to the Empress Dowager, saying, "What is the Empress trying to do? This is the Empress Dowager's palace!"

The Empress picked up a teacup and smashed it at Consort Dong.

Consort Dong screamed, and a palace maid stepped forward to block her.

"Very well! I'm disciplining a concubine, and someone dares to obstruct me! Guards..."

"Alright!" The Empress Dowager's face finally darkened.

The Empress also turned her head and looked at the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager looked back at her, then let out a long sigh, "You two are really something... Xiao Dong, you go back to your palace first. I can't control you anymore. I'll ask the Emperor to come in a bit. Let's hear how the Emperor decides to handle this."

Consort Dong felt that if she stayed any longer, she might really suffer a loss. She nodded in agreement, turned around, and left.

The room fell silent, each lost in their own thoughts.

Finally, the Empress Dowager sighed, "Empress, no matter who you look at it from the bottom of the sky, it's still Yu'an's fault. I know you feel sorry for her suffering when she was young. But she is, after all, a princess, and she must maintain her dignity. The Emperor, however, is bound by rules. He didn't punish her this time because Dongfang's fault was greater. But doesn't the Empress understand? In his heart, the Emperor is protecting him."

Besides, is this matter over? Dongfang is back! He has the Seventh Prince backing him up, and the Emperor doting on him. Who is he afraid of? With Yu'an's temper, she'll probably cause even more trouble next, and then what? Empress, can you handle the aftermath?

These words touched on the Empress's heart.

"Your Majesty, actually, your daughter-in-law is also saddened. Yu'an has been quiet and well-behaved since she was a child. As she grew up, she was good in every way. She has never been arrogant or domineering because of her status."

She was polite to everyone in the palace, even to the troublesome Consort Dong, she never uttered a single word of dissent. But… whenever she encountered Dongfang, she would become confused. No matter how many times she was advised, using both gentle and forceful methods, she just couldn't change. "Empress Dowager, why don't you talk to the Emperor and ask him to issue an edict separating them? I said I'm afraid I can't control Yu'an…"

The Empress Dowager sighed deeply, "What a tragedy! Never mind, I will invite the Emperor over later and speak with him."

"Thank you, Queen Mother."

"What are you thanking me for? What is our relationship? What would an old woman like me want? I just want the Crown Prince to be safe and sound... so that trivial matters don't affect him!"

"Your daughter-in-law trusts you," the Empress replied softly.