Too high to reach

Chapter 326 Speaking of Faces and Slapping Faces
Mo Yuan stood alone by the lake, her thoughts in turmoil.

Her clothes fluttered in the wind; it was quite beautiful.

Until two girls she knew saw her and asked her to come over and talk to her.

Then she overheard some gossip: "Did you see that one over there? Her name is Liu Yucui. She just came to the capital from Jiangnan. I heard she's discussing marriage with the Zhang family, the family of Marquis Zhongyong!"

Just as Mo Yuan had managed to compose herself, she heard this sentence again: Zhang Debao?
Someone asked on her behalf, "Is it with that guy named Zhang Debao?"

"Yes, nobody used to think highly of him, but I've heard he's on the right path now."

"I've never seen this person before."

"She just came back from Jiangnan. She's the eldest daughter who lost her mother and has lived with her maternal grandparents since she was little. I heard she's very capable!"

"No wonder, she looks a bit like Madam Zhang..."

Mo Yuan looked at the woman. She was of medium height and very thin. Her face and temperament were unremarkable... She really did resemble Madam Zhang, neat and upright.

For a moment, she felt that everything was so meaningless...

She forced a smile and slipped away to the flower room. It was deserted now. The pastries on the table looked beautiful, and she tasted one, but couldn't find any flavor. So, she opened her bag…

This is still from Mo Yi's shop.

Hmph, I just threw so much silver into her shop a few days ago.

I knew earlier...

As she thought about it, she angrily took out her handkerchief and, in the blink of an eye, devoured all the pastries on the plate.

After that, nothing could arouse her interest.

After finally returning to the mansion, he went to the Crown Princess's room first.

"Your Majesty, I'm back." She said listlessly.

The Crown Princess was showing signs of pregnancy, so she only went to the palace occasionally and didn't go anywhere else.

"How was it? Was it fun?"

"It's not fun..." Mo Yuan sighed, there was no good news at all.

The Crown Princess smiled. "Princess Qi went too, didn't you? Didn't you ask her what happened at the manor a few days ago?"

"Hmph... She wouldn't tell me. The moment I inquired, she scolded me a few times."

Mo Yuan's expression is a bit like her younger sister when she was little... "Alright, go back and rest."

Mo Yuan walked towards her own courtyard. Suddenly, she remembered the pastries in her bag: she wanted to take them to Xiao Shuan!
When they arrived, they found that the person guarding the place was not Xiao Shuan'er.

"Your Highness, the Crown Prince is not here at the moment." The man bowed very politely.

"Oh. It's you. Where's the one who's usually here?"

“This servant switched shifts with him; he’s here at night.”

"I see... Didn't Master say when he'd be back?"

"Your Majesty, this servant does not know."

Mo Yuan scoffed inwardly, "This person's 'rules' are actually quite good; he won't even let you have any snacks!"
I returned to my own little courtyard.

Actually, Mo Yuan is quite a boring person. She dislikes needlework, reading, and accounting, and has no household chores or external businesses to worry about. She even has too many clothes and jewelry to wear…

At most, I can play chess by myself for a while, but if I'm feeling restless or agitated, I won't be able to concentrate...

After sitting there for a while, I went to bed.

I slept so soundly that I didn't even eat dinner.

When I woke up, I saw the lights were on in the room. "Someone come here!"

Chunhua and Qiuyue entered. "Your Highness, we didn't dare wake you, but you slept for quite a long time. Are you hungry?"

"It's alright." The two maids helped her up.

When they got to the outer room, they saw the dishes laid out on the table but didn't have much of an appetite.

Qiuyue lit a small stove, intending to heat up the porridge for her. "Never mind, I don't want porridge. Just warm a pot of Shaoxing wine for me."

The Mo family has a habit of drinking Shaoxing wine, and she was influenced by this from a young age, so she can also drink some.

Qiuyue agreed, put water in the small pot, and sat on the small stove.

Chunhua brought a small jar of wine from the storeroom. She opened the lid, scooped the wine into a small pot with a ladle, and added two preserved plums.

Then, put the small wine jug into a small pot to warm it up, "It'll be ready in a little while."

Mo Yuan rested her chin on her hand, watching them work methodically, but her mind was filled with thoughts of Zhang Debao…

That girl, she's got a really bad look about her, she looks like she's about to die. Madam Zhang is definitely looking for a wife for her son based on her own appearance.

But she didn't even consider that someone like her was not good enough for him.

What's the point of spending your life with a woman like that?
Zhang Debao is a good person, he shouldn't...

The wine warmed up quickly, and Qiuyue took it out, poured it into a purple clay cup, and handed it to Moyuan.

She took it with her slender hand, brought it to her lips, and took a small sip. Instantly, the pent-up frustration in her heart seemed to open up and dissipate.

Looking at this luxurious house...

The Eastern Palace has a Crown Princess, secondary consorts, wives, and concubines—more than ten in total, a veritable garden of beauties…

Now that the Crown Princess is pregnant, the Crown Prince takes it very seriously. Whenever he returns to the inner courtyard, he always goes to sit with her for a while first.

Sometimes, he would simply rest in the front study.

So, it's considered good if I can stay in her room twice a month.

Although the Crown Princess treated her very kindly, it was only out of courtesy; they weren't sisters. She could be informal with her, but she also couldn't be too presumptuous and say everything.

As for the others... she became a concubine, and everyone was dissatisfied. Countless people hoped she would make a mistake, and they didn't associate with her. She, who loved to talk, could only talk to the maids.

On long nights like this, even the slightest sound from inside the house seems very loud.

In the future, if I move back to that big courtyard, I'll be even more lonely, right?

As she drank, she laughed again. If she had a mother-in-law like Mrs. Zhang… she'd probably have a lot of worries. Zhang Debao comes home every day, either to comfort his mother or to comfort her.

...She recalled the past, when she and Zhang Debao were together, they would talk non-stop. She would say whatever she wanted, and he would tell her all sorts of strange tales he had heard outside...

If that were the case... I wouldn't have ended up like this with Mo Yi.

Alas, people choose one kind of life, and they lose another...

Would it be better to have a child?
He drank while thinking about these things.

After finishing one pot, I heated up another. Having finished both, I felt much better! I swayed as I stood up: "Xiao Shuan's home tonight; I'll bring him some snacks."

"I'm going out for a walk."

Chunhua quickly tried to follow.

"You all rest! You don't need to follow me, I'll just take a walk in the garden."

"Your Majesty, you've had two jugs of wine today! Be careful not to fall, and don't go near the lake."

"Don't worry, I can drink two more pots and I'll be fine!"

She came out alone, carrying her small bag containing snacks.

It was early autumn, and the nights were slightly chilly. She walked gracefully, a smile on her face.

We arrived at the front study.

Although the footsteps were light, Xiao Shuan'er still heard them and asked softly, "Who is it?"

Peeking in, she exclaimed, "Your Majesty!? What brings you here at this hour? Is something the matter?"

"It's nothing..." Mo Yuan said with a smile, "I went to visit someone today, and the pastries at that restaurant were especially delicious. I bought a few for you."

Xiao Shuan'er couldn't hide her joy: "Thank you so much, Your Majesty! Wow, so much?"

"Two pieces of each would be too much... Is the Crown Prince here?" She glanced into the study.

"Yes, I'm here. Ninth Master is here, we're drinking and talking!"

"What did you say? I want to eavesdrop..." Mo Yuan quietly sidled up to her.

"It's dark over there, watch your step." Xiao Shuan'er didn't take it seriously, opened his bag, took out a pastry and put it in his mouth.

After entering the main gate, there is a small vestibule. Between it and the living room, there is a carved door.

The door was practically useless; you could hear clearly what the people inside were saying.

The Crown Prince and the Ninth Prince did not discuss official business; they continued drinking and chatting idly.

One minute they're talking about who's been demoted, who's going to get into trouble. The next minute they're talking about which private brothel has a new girl.

Mo Yuan listened with great interest.

Then, the Qi Prince's Mansion was mentioned again.

"They say that concubine swindled money from the household. Ha, who knows what really happened. Probably because that concubine had a son and couldn't stand Princess Qi, so she did something..."

"Who knows! It even went to the government office, really... I sent someone to inquire, but they didn't say anything. I guess it's just a formality to get that property back legitimately."

The Ninth Prince suddenly chuckled, "You're quite something, keeping Princess Qi's sister by your side..."

"Hehe..." The Crown Prince laughed: "Mo Yuan is more interesting than Princess Qi. Princess Qi is too old-fashioned and too monotonous."

Mo Yuan frowned slightly and pursed her lips. How come men of such high status also like us women, enjoying talking about these things?
"What, you've really fallen for this Consort Mo? But what kind of situation is this?"

Mo Yuan blinked, composed herself, and wanted to hear what they would say.

"Hey, what do you mean by 'like'? She did something small, so I'll just flatter her and make her happy so she'll do things for me again."

Mo Yuan's heart started pounding...

"One title of Lady isn't enough? You also need a Concubine..."

"So what if she gives it to me? She's not the principal wife. It's easy to give it to her today and take it back tomorrow," the Crown Prince said dismissively.

Mo Yi frowned deeply.

"That's true..."

The Crown Prince then slowly said, "Initially, I just wanted to annoy Li Jing, but I never expected it would come in handy. Once she's no longer useful, dealing with her won't be difficult at all!"

Upon hearing this, Mo Yuan's eyes widened...

"Then let's not have any more children..."

"No way, I don't lack children, why would I let her have one?!"

The effects of the alcohol have completely worn off...

Terrified, Mo Yuan dared not listen any longer and quietly backed away, afraid of making a noise and being discovered by the people inside.

After leaving the small hall, she quietly walked up to Xiao Shuan'er.

Xiao Shuan is still eating in silence.

She grabbed Xiao Shuan, signaling him to be quiet.

Under the dim light, Xiao Shuan looked puzzled.

"They're talking about serious business. Don't tell them I'm here, or we'll both get punished."

Xiao Shuan didn't speak, but nodded.

"Give me back my snacks! And don't tell anyone I was here..."