Too high to reach

Chapter 351: The truth is out
"That's none of your business!"

Mo Wen said resentfully, "I don't need your favor... How I live is my own business."

Mo Yi glanced at her, turned around, and sat down in her chair: "This matter has nothing to do with me. It was Xu Ke who pleaded with the Prince, and the Prince helped Xu Ke. The reason the Prince did this was because Xu Ke's grandfather, father, and brothers were all virtuous and had made contributions to the court and the people. He couldn't bear to see them being pointed at and laughed at by the world because of Xu Ke's private misdeeds."

"Shut up!" Mo Wen blushed with embarrassment.

Mo Yi ignored her and continued, "And then there's Xu Ke. He has repented. This time, he obeyed the prince's orders because he wanted to risk his life to earn merit and gain the prince's protection for the Xu family."

Her words left Mo Wen speechless, only able to stare blankly at her.

The once quiet and even dull Mo Yi was now sitting there confidently, her expression not stern and her voice not raised, but... without realizing it, that kind of imposing presence from a superior seemed to have seeped into her very bones.

"Furthermore... this is just my guess: judging from the fact that the Prince is protecting the East... Xu Ke is just another item added to the Prince's list of tasks. It has little to do with me or you. Mo Wen, don't take yourself too seriously! Madam Xu was filled with gratitude when she saw me. The Xu family is not for you to speak for!"

Mo Wen's mother-in-law found out too? Mo Wen's heart pounded wildly. When did she find out?

Why didn't you tell me?
How did things turn out like this?!
"And yet, you stormed into my house, all aggressive and menacing..." Mo Yi's face finally hardened with mockery: "Pointing your finger at me and blaming me. Mo Wen, haven't you realized? Things are different now... Do you still want to bully me as you used to, no matter how big or small the matter is?"

“Yes… Your Highness!” Mo Wen sneered, “You’re quite arrogant now… but don’t give me that! You’re fine with me, I don’t care! Don’t show off to me…” She sat up straight.

Mo Yi thought quietly for a while, then suddenly smiled: "Yes, I'm doing quite well now. So, you regret it, don't you? Back at Dajue Temple... if you hadn't let go of my hand just a little... how could I be living the life I have today?"

"Ah..." Mo Wen fainted. She gasped softly, cold sweat pouring down her face, her eyes glazed over.

She found out?!
This is impossible!

“Yes. I know. I’ve always known…” Mo Yi looked at her seriously, her clear black and white eyes shining with an unusual light as she stared intently at Mo Wen. “Back then, you instinctively grabbed me.”

Then you started thinking: Why did Liang You, whom you rejected, get such a great opportunity? You threw away your status as a second-rank noblewoman!

And why is it that this wooden-headed girl, whom you've never paid any attention to and whose looks and character are far inferior to yours, has caught Liang You's eye? For her sake, he's repeatedly pleaded with his family and tried to secure opportunities for her with Madam Liang…

Yes! What's so good about Mo Yi? Why would Liang You go to such lengths for her?
When did this start? Could it be that if you hadn't chosen Xu Ke and instead arranged a marriage with Liang You, he would have been unhappy because he had his eye on your sister?

And Mo Yi, will become the Lady of the Marquis, and be superior to you for life?
No! You don't want to, because you'll regret it to death!

With each word Mo Yi spoke, Mo Wen's face paled a little more.

The previous sallow color faded, and it turned as pale as paper.

My heart feels empty, as if there's nothing left...

She had this feeling throughout her life, once when she was alone in her bridal chamber, and again when she learned about Xu Ke and the princess's affair...

And then this happened...

Mo Yi sat there, calmly recounting the past, stripping Mo Wen bare. "But if Mo Yi were to fall now, it would be so embarrassing. She'd be bruised and battered, her clothes disheveled, maybe even broken an arm or a leg. Madam Liang would definitely look down on her. The marriage would be ruined... Am I right?"

Mo Wen wanted to shake his head, but his body was stiff and he couldn't move.

He wanted to deny it, but his throat tightened and he couldn't speak.

So... she knew all of this.

Mo Yi's face also showed sorrow. "Back then, that man in plain clothes saved me. You must have felt a great sense of relief, right? Mo Yi finally couldn't compete with you anymore. For the rest of my life, I'll have to rely on currying favor with you."

"You even encouraged my mother to write to my aunt in Tongzhou, asking her to close her eyes and arrange a marriage for me at will... in order to prevent me from marrying into the royal family."

Not to mention the countless trivial matters, such as arguing with me over the chest that my grandfather left for his descendants. Not considering that there were other siblings in the family, only wanting to take dowry from my mother. Mowen, that's right. I know all about these things.

Mo Wen felt she could no longer sit still; her hands gripped the chair back tightly, and her whole body trembled slightly…

"The reason I see through things but don't say anything isn't because I'm attached to this so-called sisterhood. Rather, what good would it do me to accuse you of being jealous, ruthless, harming your own sister, selfish, narrow-minded, and disrespectful to your father... and so on?"
How heartbroken would my father be if he found out?

If outsiders knew that the Mo family girls were of such character, would the Mo family men still have a bright future? Would the women still find good marriages?

"I..." Mo Wen's tears and snot were streaming down her face, but she didn't care to wipe them away.

"My mother once complained, saying why I am closer to Mo Yuan than to you."

That's because, although she is selfish, ambitious, opportunistic, and adept at manipulating others, she... isn't envious of her sisters. In fact, she'll even actively help them when it's advantageous to her. Unlike you, who simply can't stand seeing others do well.

“I’ve thought these things through a long time ago. The reason I didn’t hold it against you is because… once I spoke up, there was no going back. I can’t continue to associate with a sister like that, like family.”

So, last time it was you who said it, and this time it's me who said it: Mowen, we will no longer have any contact.

Although Mo Wen had indeed said this to Mo Yi before, and that was indeed his plan.

But... this is something only she can say and decide.

Hearing it from Mo Yi's mouth now is like a knife to my heart. I feel scared, embarrassed, and regretful!
"Let me say a few more words. Xu Ke was the one who pleaded with the Prince himself. He knelt down, kowtowed, and sincerely repented." Mo Yi said this with a cold tone.

Mo Wen recalled that scene and finally burst into tears.

...She genuinely liked Xu Ke, finding him elegant and proud. Yet he did such a thing, kneeling down and begging in such a difficult position...It was like a knife to her heart, more painful than any suffering she could endure herself.

"Although they didn't specify the details, I suspect the princess is pressuring Xu Ke..."

The sight of her own miscarriage and that mass of flesh and blood instantly calmed Mo Wen down. She wiped away her tears and looked at Mo Yi.

"Princess Yu'an and Xu Keyi were only having a secret affair before, without making their relationship public. One important reason was that she still had feelings for Dongfang. But now, the Emperor has granted them a divorce, she is free, and can choose a new consort."

Perhaps Xu Ke is a good choice. The imperial princess has this idea; whether Xu Ke is willing or not, what will become of him? And you, Mo Wen? What will your fate be?

Mo Wen looked at Mo Yi, her face calming down.

"So, all that vanity, competitiveness, and jealousy mean nothing in the face of life and death! That's all I have to say. Go back now!"

Mo Wen's clothes were soaked with sweat. He gritted his teeth, stood up, and turned to walk outside.

Suddenly she turned back: "Daijakuji Temple... I didn't expect you to fall so badly. I regret it..."

"You were just scared, you don't regret it. Besides, what's done is done, what's the use of regretting it?"

Mo Wen turned and left the living room. Du Juan stood nervously at the door. When she saw her come out, she went forward to help her.

At this moment, Mo Wen's steps were no longer weak as usual, and her face was expressionless. She hurriedly went out the second gate and got into the carriage.

He was completely deflated and collapsed in the car.

Dujuan didn't dare to speak, and carefully sat next to her, letting her lean against her...

As the carriage was moving, it suddenly hissed and began to shake violently.