Too high to reach

Chapter 325 Let it be.
The Zheng family, the family of the Duke of Chengen, was the maternal family of the emperor.

The old lady is still alive; her birthday banquet is in a couple of days.

For such a family, Mo Yi had to prepare gifts and go.

Previously, Consort Feng had been in charge of preparing gifts, but now she had to do it herself.

Although Granny Zhao hadn't managed the household for several years, she still knew about these matters. However, this time she hoped that Mo Yi would handle it herself.

When she actually had to use it, Mo Yi slowly recalled the content of Zhao Mama's previous lectures.

First, consider the other party's family background and the reason for the transaction. Then, examine the past interactions between the two families. Take stock of your own resources, and finally choose something that is both suitable and unconventional.

It seems like there are a lot of requirements, but once you get into it, it's actually quite interesting.

After examining the items for a while, Mo Yi shook her head: "In my opinion, it's better to give gifts that can actually be used. Look at our storeroom, there are 264 vases alone. We can't use them all, and it's not dignified to give them away. They're just sitting in the storeroom collecting dust. But these things were exchanged for with real gold and silver from the manor. Over time, the amount of silver tied up in them will be unimaginable..."

“Yes…” Zhao Mama sighed, “And some of them are only fashionable these past two years. If we wait two more years to bring them out, it will be a foolish waste.”

"yes……"

"When you look at these things, you also need to consider the status of the Prince Qi's mansion. Some families, even if they have given the mansion lavish gifts, do not need to care too much... and should not lower their status."

"There's a lot to learn here. I've selected a few items, so please have Granny Zhao take a look."

On that day, Mo Yi only took her maid with her.

I thought it was just a formality, but when she arrived, everyone was staring at her.

Those with a more distant relationship would stand back and observe, whispering amongst themselves. Those with a closer relationship would even pull someone aside to ask a few questions.

Oh, so the news about my family has already spread throughout the banquet...

He was accompanied into the main house by the lady of the house. In addition to the old lady, several princesses were also there.

As soon as she sat down, the Ninth Princess said, "I knew it! Seventh Sister-in-law has come into the family and she's even letting the concubine manage the household. How could such a thing happen in a family like ours? Turns out, Seventh Sister-in-law has been holding back a big plan!"

The Fourth Princess also laughed: "That Consort Feng seemed quite obedient, but I didn't expect her to be so bold. Now she has not only lost her power to manage the household, but she has also been sent to the estate! It seems that she still doesn't know how to be pragmatic."

"Yes, Seventh Sister-in-law is really something. She looks so honest and unassuming, but she's quite formidable!" Her tone was both teasing and contemptuous.

Mo Yi chuckled softly, "Right? How can a family like ours not be capable?"

The princesses mocked her for being scheming, saying that she could have taken it back openly and honestly, but instead she resorted to underhanded means to punish the mother of the prince's eldest son.

Surprisingly, she actually believed it herself!

"I thought they were praising her!" the Fourth Princess whispered to the Ninth Princess.

"They just don't know the rules..." said the Ninth Princess.

The two were speaking at a moderate volume, just enough for Mo Yi to hear.

"If Ninth Sister-in-law knew proper etiquette, she would know that she is now an honored guest of the Duke of Cheng'en's mansion, not a gossipy woman from the marketplace..."

"You!" The Ninth Princess was furious.

Mo Yi stood up and fanned herself with a handkerchief. "Why is it getting hot again? Grandma, I see some chrysanthemums blooming in the garden. I'd like to go for a stroll."

The old lady was probably a bit senile and couldn't say anything; she just smiled at everyone.

The Ninth Princess glared at Mo Yi with hatred.

She strolled out the door and walked into the garden. Aunt Zhao was talking to a few people when she saw her and quickly pulled her aside. "Has everything been settled? The old lady keeps telling us to ask. But I thought, the Prince is in the capital, nothing serious will happen."

"It's all taken care of. I was just saying... why is everyone looking at me like that? Turns out the news has spread. When Your Highness has some free time, we'll go back and visit the old lady to put her mind at ease."

The two whispered about some details.

Over there, Madam Xu was entertaining guests with her three daughters-in-law. "Third sister-in-law, Princess Qi is over there..." Mo Wen's sister-in-law pointed her out.

"Oh?" Mo Wen seemed to have just noticed. "Mother, I'll go change my clothes first, and then I'll go find my sister and say a few words."

"Go, go..." Madam Xu waved her hand.

Madam Zhao and Mo Yi were having a lively conversation when someone called softly, "Yi Yi? Madam Zhao."

Mo Yi turned her head and saw Mo Yuan, who was wearing a pearl hairpin and a moon-white dress, with a polite smile on her face.

To be honest, the two of them hadn't seen each other for quite some time.

Mo Yi nodded, but didn't seem inclined to say anything more to her.

“Yi Yi…” Mo Yuan leaned closer: “I just heard about Consort Feng’s affair. She did a really good job. I feel so good just listening to it. I knew this woman would end up like this.” As she spoke, she pulled Mo Yi aside. “Well, that’s great. She got what she deserved. Why didn’t you send me a message? I had to hear it from someone else. Look, the Crown Prince’s Palace produced a Consort Zhang, and the Prince Qi’s Mansion produced a Consort Feng…” Thinking about it like this, she felt quite pleased with herself.

“Yes…” Mo Yi said coolly, “So, being a concubine is nothing special. Being killed or imprisoned is quite easy.”

"..." Mo Yuan was taken aback, then gave an awkward smile, "You're just joking with me..." looking at the many people around her.

He then pulled her towards a secluded spot by the lake, saying, "Yiyi, come here, I have something to tell you."

Mo Yi followed her to the lakeside.

"Yiyi, you know about my news, right? There was a bit of excitement at the manor, and I sent you an invitation, but you didn't come. Mowen didn't come either. So, my good news has made you two so disgusted? I've been looking forward to seeing you for ages..."

"Mo Yuan?"

"Ok?"

“We’ve both grown up, and we each have our own lives, with happy times and stressful moments. But to be honest, we’re both pretty busy. Besides, we’ve always had different ideas. We see people and things differently. What I mean is, we don’t necessarily have to be together.”

“Mo Yi…didn’t you say: ‘One prospers, all prosper; one suffers, all suffer’?” Now, being treated like this by Mo Yi, Mo Yuan was also somewhat annoyed.

Mo Yi choked, "...Times have changed, there's no point in talking about it anymore."

"Moyi, are you angry with me?"

"No."

"But why did you say all this when everything was fine..."

"Mo Yuan, you are smart, tactful, and good at planning. You have clear goals and don't care about immediate gains or losses, which shows great wisdom. I admire all of these qualities," Mo Yi said earnestly.

"Ugh... don't talk to me like that." Mo Yuan was getting a little annoyed.

"I'm telling the truth..." Mo Yi was somewhat dazed.

I'm afraid that in the not-too-distant future, we will be mortal enemies. Perhaps, one of us will even die.

“Mo Yuan, we have already embarked on different paths, in different directions, and I’m afraid we can only drift further and further apart. This cannot be concealed by merely being on the surface and being amicable.”

Mo Yuan looked at her for a while, then silently gazed at the lake, where several wild ducks were swimming happily.

What she said isn't wrong; the interests are different now.

The Crown Prince wanted her to gather information at the Prince of Qi's residence, and she did just that, which is why she was given the position of concubine.

It now seems that Moe has become aware of the situation.

A surge of courage welled up from the bottom of my heart. The Crown Prince and the Prince of Qi were both fighting for their own interests, so why couldn't I?
In the past two years, Mo Yi has done well and has indeed helped me out.

But I didn't take advantage of her for nothing.

This is supposed to be a mutual support arrangement, so if you're unwilling... then forget it!
"Hmph." She snorted coldly, "Don't think I don't know! You've always looked down on me... Whenever you try to help me with anything, you never give me a kind look. You even got the Mo family to force my parents out... It's only because the Liu family is trying to curry favor with them. Otherwise, how would they survive outside?"

Yes, you've made something of yourself, and you've helped me a lot. But this is exactly the kind of thing you're talking about—a shared destiny!

Besides... I didn't ask you to help me for nothing! You like to keep score, do the math yourself when you have time! Don't go on and on with your arguments... in the end, you're more ruthless than anyone else!

Mo Yuan spoke with great emotion, her chest heaving and her eyes reddening.

Mo Yi smiled helplessly: "I wasn't finished speaking. You pride yourself on being clever, calculating, and able to win over and manipulate everyone. But you don't know..."

She turned to look at the center of the lake, "Those who truly care for you will be hurt by you. And those... those who seem glamorous and promise you all sorts of wonderful things, what kind of devils are they behind the scenes? How will they take advantage of you..."

Mo Yuan retorted, "That's just how things are in this world. Who isn't used? Who doesn't use others? So far... have I made the wrong choice?"

"So, Mo Yuan, we'll never see eye to eye. Let's leave it at that!" Mo Yi said seriously.

"Don't always act so high and mighty..." Mo Yuan was furious. "Just now, as soon as Mo Wen saw you, she ran to change her clothes. Why? Don't you think about yourself? Is it all someone else's fault?"

“…Okay, okay, it’s all my fault.” Mo Yi didn’t want to argue with her.

But her actions only drove Mo Yuan even more insane and enraged. She wanted to say something harsh, but she suppressed her emotions: "So... no matter what I say or how I beg, you're still going to make this decision?"

Mo Yi looked at her without saying a word.

"……it is good."

Mo Yuan adopted an arrogant attitude: "Fine, let's break up then. Who's afraid of who? This is the last time I'll contact you. Mo Yi, please remember your words... and I will remember them too!"

Despite her words, Mo Yuan's tears still flowed after Mo Yi turned and left.