Too high to reach

Chapter 327 Blackie Goes First
Mo Yuan left through the moon gate, her steps light and quick.

Her eyes kept darting around, as if afraid someone would see her.

It wasn't until she entered her own room that her legs went weak and she almost fell over.

Qiuyue, quick-witted and agile, steadied her: "Your Highness! You've had too much to drink, haven't you? Oh dear, why is your back wet? Is it raining outside?"

"It's nothing, I just sweated a bit," Mo Yuan said in a weak voice. Only then did she realize that her clothes were soaked with cold sweat.

Chunhua came over and said, "You'll feel better after sweating. But don't catch a cold. Hot water is ready. I'll help you wash and change into dry clothes!"

Mo Yuan stared blankly at the two of them for a moment, then smiled wryly, "Okay."

As she walked toward the bathroom, she instructed, "Qiuyue, keep an eye on the door... If the Crown Prince comes, tell him that I've caught a bit of a cold and I'm afraid of getting a fever, so I need to cover myself up to sweat later."

"Hey!"

Once inside the small bathroom, she dared not think of anything. Chunhua helped her wash up and change into her nightgown.

She sat on the bed and told the maids to rest. Only when the room was empty did she realize she was trembling slightly.

Blinking, somewhat confused, "...Isn't this a bit much? I just finished talking to that brat! Is she really planning to use me and then discard me?"

Now how to do?
What else can I do?
Suddenly, she chuckled, quite pleased with herself: knowing this secret, she no longer needed to cry or be afraid.

Let's analyze this: If the crown prince wins in the future, I'm doomed. Perhaps not even until then...anytime, anywhere...

But if he loses... he'll probably still die!
Oh no, oh no... I really went to the wrong place.

Wealth and status are blinding; who would have thought this would happen... That day, Consort Zhang almost slashed her own face. It turns out, the fate of a nobody truly isn't in their own hands.

What should I do?
She couldn't even lie down, so she got up, took the oil lamp, and went to the chess table in the outer room.

On the chessboard, there was a game set up at some unknown time. She picked up the black and white pieces one by one and put them back into the jar.

Black goes first...

I am weak, but God let me know the outcome... so I guess I have an advantage?
My index and middle fingers are pinching a black bean...

Which way should we go down?

……

That day, Mowen returned home feeling extremely exhausted.

The next morning, while having tea with Grandma Xu, I felt alternating chills and fever.

Suddenly everything went black, and she leaned forward, almost falling... Luckily, a maid caught her.

"Oh dear, what's wrong? Quickly, go and fetch a doctor!" the old lady exclaimed anxiously.

Mo Wen felt a surge of blood rushing to his head, and forced a smile. "I guess I didn't sleep well. I'll get some rest when I get back."

"You should help her back first, and let the doctor go directly to the yard to take a look."

She didn't insist any further. The two maids helped her back to her room, where she collapsed onto the bed and couldn't get up.

What's wrong with me? She lay in bed, her mind racing, clutching the blanket tightly...

"Congratulations, Third Madam, you are pregnant again." The old doctor bowed and offered his congratulations after examining her.

Upon hearing this, Mo Wen was startled and touched her lower abdomen.

Compared to the joy and satisfaction she felt when she first learned she was pregnant... now, she showed no sign of happiness whatsoever...

……

The properties and silver recovered from Consort Feng's side were all handed over to Mo Yi.

Mo Yi and Granny Zhao did a rough inventory, and then had someone organize Princess Zhou's dowry, taking stock of everything. They then compared it to the previous dowry list…

Any items that have been used or damaged must be written off. Also, any changes to the properties or farmland must be re-registered and the total amount estimated.

Then, the total amount of the original dowry is estimated, plus the interest accrued over the years.

The difference was made up by the silver and property deposited into the treasury.

Finally, it was bound into a book. Mo Yi thought for a moment and then had someone invite Li Xiangling over.

As a result, Zhou Jiu also came.

Mo Yi pushed several ledgers in front of Li Xiangling. She smiled and said, “Xiangxiang, you’ve probably heard about what’s going on in the manor. You’re still young, and there are probably many things you don’t understand. But these things will be handed over to you sooner or later, so you can listen first. Ajiu can also listen in; if there’s anything you don’t understand, you can ask directly. Or you can ask the Prince and Granny Zhao…”

Li Xiangling and Zhou Jiu exchanged glances and nodded. "Please speak." "Your mother's dowry has always been in Aunt Feng's hands. Over the years, things have changed. For example, the fabrics and medicines have been used up, the jewelry has been broken or replaced, and some have been given away as rewards. The houses and estates have also changed for some reason. Therefore, the dowry list doesn't match the actual situation."

Furthermore, your mother's shops will generate rental income. The land and estates also produce annual output. All of these have been re-integrated. Your father, according to the upper limit, has provided subsidies... Therefore, your mother's dowry is considerably larger than when she entered the household.

This is for you to keep. From now on, Granny Zhao will arrange for someone to manage it specifically for you. I will check the accounts regularly and irregularly. Your father said that once you are able to manage it yourself, he will hand it all over to you.

"You have a copy of this, and your father has a copy. Then, your maternal relatives will also be invited over, and if there are no problems, they will receive a copy as well. Your mother summoned you here now, firstly to reassure you, and secondly to see what your thoughts are."

Li Xiangling opened a page and looked at it. "Mother, when do you plan to talk to my maternal family?"

"Your father has been busy lately, so we'll have to see which day he sets."

Li Xiangling blinked but didn't say anything.

"Xiangxiang, go back and think about it. If you have anything to say, you can talk to me, ask Granny Zhao, or you can simply talk to your father."

"Mother, let Xiangxiang go back and take a look first. After she's done, she can report this to her maternal family, okay?"

Mo Yi was a little surprised, but still nodded: "Of course! You can say whatever you want. As long as it's reasonable, your father will definitely agree. Even if it's unreasonable, he'll listen to you and explain."

"Thank you, concubine."

"We're family, no need to be so polite."

Li Xiangling and Zhou Jiu went out. "Ninth Aunt, Consort Mo and Consort Feng do things differently."

"Yes, completely different. Xiangxiang, what do you think?"

"Thinking about your dowry..."

Zhou Jiu laughed, "Little girl, this is not something you should be thinking about. I am a daughter of the Zhou family, and the Zhou family will give me a dowry according to the rules."

Li Xiangling shook her head, "Your maternal grandparents have many children and grandchildren, and they are not satisfied with your marriage... Not to mention that your family won't contribute much, even your fifth uncle and aunt..."

Zhou Jiu was moved. "Xiangxiang, you really don't need to think about these things. My dowry may not be much, but the Mo family isn't picky. Going to the Mo family is about living an ordinary life. As long as the Zhou family gives according to the rules, I'll be content."

In truth, she had no other choice: her father disrespected her mother, her mother was timid and cowardly, and her father had squandered almost all of her dowry. Sometimes, when they were short of money, they would even deduct her monthly allowance... She lived in the Prince's mansion, but her family didn't give her a single tael of silver.

But she didn't care about any of that; she was happy as long as she received the dowry from the government.

Choosing Mofan means wanting to live an ordinary life.

“I’m young, what would I do with so much property and money? As the eldest daughter of the Prince’s family, who would mistreat me? So, I want to use some of this to supplement Ninth Aunt’s income. But, I have to set aside this portion first, and then tell my maternal family. I can’t let them know.”

Zhou Jiu's eyes were wet...

……

Zhang Debao has changed a lot; he is now calm, reserved, and takes his work seriously.

When riding across the street, one should not look to the side.

Even the clothes she wore were mostly blue and without any embellishment.

Those I associate with now are all ambitious people. My relationship with Mo Fan remains good, and my relationship with Liang You is also quite good now.

Behind him were several henchmen, all of whom were once spoiled brats.

Now, he's considered "someone else's child".

He had just arrived at work that day and hadn't even entered the house yet.

“Young Master Zhang…” a woman’s voice called out. He turned his head and saw a young woman wearing a veil, which she gently lifted…

"You are... Chunhua?"

"This servant is Qiuyue..."

Zhang Debao felt a little nervous and walked over to ask in a low voice, "What happened?"

"The young lady said she has something urgent to discuss with you. Tomorrow morning, she'll be here..." She handed over a note. "She said: If you're free, please come. If not, we'll see when you have time..."

Zhang Debao didn't say anything, just stared at the tips of his shoes.

"The girl also said: 'Don't put me in a difficult position, even if you can't go. She understands...'"

Zhang Debao turned his head and looked at the long street, bustling with people...

After a while, he sighed softly, "Tell her I will go."