Too high to reach

Chapter 316 The Mind Follows the Circumstances
"Your Highness, please speak." Granny Zhao composed herself.

Mo Yi then told Zhao Mama about the Princess Consort of Zhou.

This unexpected event was even bigger than the one before... Even the composed Granny Zhao was somewhat stunned, listening in a daze without interrupting.

After listening, she remained silent for a while, and finally pieced together the cause and effect of the matter, and immediately understood: "Your Highness, this is my dereliction of duty."

Li Jing shook his head, "I never expected this either."

Granny Zhao sighed deeply. "Your Highness, I'm afraid we've fallen into a misconception from the very beginning: we treated Feng Liniang as a member of the late Crown Princess's family. Your elder sister-in-law is of impeccable character. That's the kind of thinking we had when we approached Feng Liniang."

She comes from a collateral branch of the Feng family, and her family is not well-off. She only knows a few characters and doesn't understand etiquette. I have put a lot of effort into entrusting her to my subordinates.

Feng Liniang was very hardworking and dedicated. In just a few years, she became a well-behaved and versatile person.

He is willing and capable in his work, and enjoys the trust of his subordinates.

"Your Highness, to be honest... I had already made arrangements for her. I wanted her... to marry Zhou Dong."

Li Jing was somewhat surprised, "Does she know?"

Granny Zhao nodded: "They all grew up together, and some of their classes were even together. They all get along well. Feng Liniang knows this, but she hasn't said anything... I've even thought of her dowry and arranged what she'll be doing in the future."

Unexpectedly, she suddenly became your concubine.

Granny Zhao felt a little embarrassed and stole a glance at Mo Yi.

Li Jing's face was grim: "I know nothing about these things."

"Well... I was a little surprised, but I don't blame her. After all... everyone has their own ambitions. The more she knows, the higher her standards become. Besides, which girl wouldn't want to be by your side?"

Mo Yi wanted to laugh again after hearing that. But feeling it was inappropriate, she lowered her head, clenched her fist under her nose, and secretly grinned.

Li Jing was somewhat embarrassed and angry. She glanced at her coldly and snorted.

“When Anian had an accident, I rushed to take care of her, so I temporarily handed over the backyard to Feng Liniang. She was indeed capable and managed to hold things together.”

I waited until I finished my work there before returning, but she showed no intention of coming back. I checked, and everything seemed fine. Princess Zhou wouldn't do, but Feng Liniang, as your concubine and housekeeper, has a more legitimate claim than I do. Plus, I have a lot on my plate. So, this is the situation we've come to.

Let's talk about Princess Zhou... Both doctors diagnosed it as an acute illness. But even so, the medicine she used, her maids, their residences, and the people they came and went were all investigated. Even Consort Feng was investigated, and nothing was amiss.

There's only one thing... Princess Zhou's illness wasn't treated by the doctor usually seen in the manor. The doctor and medicine were all handled by Afang. With Afang's death, the thread broke. The leftover medicine couldn't be found, but judging from the untaken medicine, there was nothing wrong..."

"Now that you mention it... I underestimated her. She's cunning and ruthless!"

Granny Zhao narrowed her eyes, a fierce glint in them. "Your Highness, Feng Liniang's move was quite clever. Even if it's exposed, she can still tell you it's for your reputation. But in reality, she's after the position of Princess Consort..."

Just then, the housekeeper's wife arrived.

Throughout the journey, Zhao You didn't explain why he had summoned her. Upon arrival, she saw the Prince and Princess and immediately knelt down to pay her respects.

"Get up, sit down and talk," Li Jing instructed.

She stood up, curtsied again, and then sat down on the stool.

Mo Yi didn't recognize her. Upon closer inspection, she was a middle-aged woman with a round face, round eyes, and a ruddy complexion. She wore a gold hairpin and gold bracelets, and her clothes were not particularly elaborate.

Her expression is a bit like her mother's... Thinking of what Xiao Zhao said about her being talkative and cheerful, she must have a loud voice.

Although it shouldn't be said like this... it's true that this woman is quite different from "Butler Zhao," who has slicked-back hair, wears a silk shirt, and has exquisite shoes...

"Granny Zhao, you must be tired from your journey. We heard you were back and were planning to bring the children to visit you after you've rested for a couple of days," the woman said politely. Her voice was indeed quite loud… Mo Yi chuckled inwardly.

Preoccupied with her own thoughts, Granny Zhao skipped the formalities and quickly asked, "Cuigu, what do you know about Yongle and her husband?"

"Cui Gu" was somewhat surprised. "You... what do you mean?"

Granny Zhao asked anxiously, "Does Wan Daoping have any connections outside?"

"This..." Cui Gu glanced at the prince and princess, somewhat hesitant to speak.

This made Granny Zhao's heart sink. "Tell me, it was Her Majesty who reminded me of this."

Cui Gu lowered her voice: "I did see something, but I couldn't get it done. Cui Gu said you should think about it; it might not be true..."

"I know, so just tell me already!"

"That was two years ago. Before A-Lian from Liu Family Alley got married, her uncle said he would give her a hairpin from Zhibaozhai. She asked me to go with her to choose one... We were choosing one on the first floor when suddenly a woman next to us called out: Ruoci? I subconsciously turned my head to look, and... I found a man and a woman coming down from the second floor."

The man was Wan Daoping. The woman stopped when she was called. Wan Daoping... must have seen us; he didn't stop or say anything, just went out, got into his car, and drove away.

The woman then asked the woman named Ruoci, "How did you get here? Who did you come with? How is your family doing?"

Ruoci only said that she had come alone to deliver a gift, and that she had other things to do before leaving in a hurry.

“I was suspicious at the time. Wan Daoping and that woman were clearly together, so why did they run away as soon as they saw us? Their relationship must be unusual. I was so angry that I even chased after them to see what was going on. But the car was already gone; it must have turned a corner.”

"What did that woman look like?" Mo Yi asked.

"She was eighteen or nineteen years old, extremely beautiful, especially her skin, which was so white it shone. Her clothes were simple and plain, but all made of the finest fabrics. The way she walked and talked was that of a well-bred young lady."

I suspected Wan Daoping was having an affair with this woman... so I asked the woman next to me who Ruoci was. The woman said she was a girl from some family, but something happened to her family later.

I wasn't giving up, so I went to ask the manager, but he wouldn't tell me. When I left, I gave the greeter a tip, but he didn't recognize them either, only saying that they had come together.

When I got home, I didn't dare say much. I just asked Xiao Zhao about Wan Daoping, and he praised him highly. I was thinking of saying a few words to you, but when I saw Yongle, she smiled broadly whenever Wan Daoping was mentioned... Given her health, how could I let these things upset her?
Later, Xiao Zhao mentioned to me that a man had met a girl he was particularly attracted to and wanted to take her as a concubine, but was worried that his wife at home might not agree. Immediately, I thought of Wan Daoping.

They sent Cui Gu away.

Mo Yi said, "Granny Zhao, since the Zhao family allows him to take a concubine, why is he..."

Granny Zhao smiled bitterly: "If he were a steward in the Prince's mansion, Yongle would be a good wife. But now that he's an official, he needs a respectable wife to manage the household and socialize with."

"Then...that woman, is she also in the area?" Mo Yi asked.

“It is highly likely…” Granny Zhao recalled that there were some suspicious points when she went there.

"Don't overthink it, just arrange for someone to investigate," Mo Yi said.

Li Jing remained silent, but he frowned.

These two recent events have made him very unhappy.

He spoke in a deep voice: "Things haven't even gotten much out of hand yet, and we've already run into so many problems internally. And these are things that have been going on for years! This is not to be underestimated. Granny Zhao, get ready to start the investigation from within. Go through everyone."

Furthermore, regarding the family matters, discuss it with the Princess and help her take over smoothly. Investigate thoroughly again. Don't rush to deal with Feng Liniang; check who's following her in the front and back courtyards!

Granny Zhao's eyes were cold as she nodded solemnly, "Please rest assured, Your Highness..."

Let's go through them one by one! Let's see just how much there is to do!
She hadn't been this angry in years.