Too high to reach

Chapter 371 Tacit understanding
Busy as we are, the New Year is just around the corner.

Mo Yi's pregnancy has basically stabilized. She is much more energetic than she was a few days ago, can eat and drink well, and doesn't feel tired when doing things.

For the New Year's Eve palace banquet, she only brought Consort Tian with her.

The gifts sent by the Prince of Yong'an are always generous, and this year is no exception.

He entered the palace very early and first went to the Empress Dowager's palace to deliver gifts.

The Empress Dowager was already dressed in her finest attire, had her jewelry brought out, and was chatting and laughing with Qian Xiangqing.

Upon hearing from the palace maids that the Prince of Yong'an had arrived, the Empress Dowager's smile deepened. "Quickly, invite him in!"

When Prince Yong'an entered, he took off his black sable cloak, stepped forward to pay his respects, said auspicious words, and presented his gifts.

The Empress Dowager was both pleased and moved: "It's you! Year after year, your affection for me has never diminished. You know, when people get old, they become useless and can't help others anymore... People smile on their faces and say they are filial. But in their hearts, they may not be without resentment..."

Prince Yong'an sat quite close to the Empress Dowager: "Your Majesty, you're overthinking it! The Emperor is a very filial son; which of his descendants would dare to disrespect you?"

"That's true, but Grandmother is feeling uneasy!"

"Everyone is busy, but their hearts are full of goodwill towards you. I'm all alone here, but I have some spare money and plenty of time. In the future, if you have any ideas, just ask me!"

"Very well! I've remembered that! Oh dear! Look at me... Xiang Qing, quickly pay your respects to the Prince of Yong'an!"

Qian Xiangqing was not particularly beautiful, but she had been raised in luxury since childhood and was taught by a group of people.

Everyone respected the Empress Dowager when they were by her side.

Therefore, she developed the demeanor of a well-bred young lady.

After Prince Yong'an entered, she stood to the side, listening to the two men talk with a smile.

Upon hearing the Empress Dowager mention her, he stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Xiang Qing greets Prince Yong'an."

Prince Yong'an looked at her with great politeness and seriousness, and nodded slightly: "Miss Xiangqing... after all, she is the Empress Dowager's own granddaughter, and you raised her by your own hands. Her demeanor is quite extraordinary. In another year or two, when she grows into a young lady, she will definitely be a model of elegance in the capital."

"You flatter me." Qian Xiangqing's face turned red.

"As long as she is well-organized and follows the rules, that's fine!" The Empress Dowager looked at her with loving eyes.

“This…” Prince Yong’an took a small box from his side.

He got up, walked to the Empress Dowager's side, opened the box, and inside were two jade pendants.

"I found this piece of jade by chance. What's amazing is that one side is green and the other is yellow. I found a skilled craftsman who separated them and carved these two pieces into jade ornaments. I'll give this green piece to my cousin Xiang Qing. And this other piece..."

He handed it over, and the Empress Dowager subconsciously took it to look at it.

Prince Yong'an sighed, "My nephew's life has been quite fulfilling under the guidance and care of the Empress Dowager and the Emperor. The only downside is his temperament; he's prone to being stubborn. It's hard to change that now that he's middle-aged."

Fortunately, aside from being filial to you and the Emperor, I don't have many other worries. When Xiao Shiwu first entered school, he was pure-hearted, intelligent, kind, considerate... and also good-looking.

He and the Empress Dowager both laughed.

"It really hurt me to the core. Later I found out that the Empress Dowager took even better care of him than his birth mother, Consort Dong. On this matter, my grandson and I were on the same page. This yellow piece was reserved for him."

The Empress Dowager blinked and nodded, then smiled sadly: "What else can I possibly do now? I've weathered all the storms. Looking back, everything seems so beautiful, but in the end, it's all for naught."

You are all capable and able to plan for yourselves. Only Xiao Shiwu and Xiang Qing... are too young and lack a strong family background. Their birth mother is also frail... I truly can't rest easy about them when I close my eyes."

Prince Yong'an shook his head: "Please don't say that. By the time you pass away, they will all be grown up...and have children. You'll still be able to hug them."

The Empress Dowager's heart pounded as she listened. "Although I am unaware of the affairs of the previous dynasty, I am not stupid... To be honest, the fifteenth prince may not be able to live the same life as you."

Prince Yong'an nodded in agreement, "My feelings are the same as yours... I haven't been working in vain all these years. Giving them some support is still possible. As for the palace, we still have to rely on you..." The Empress Dowager smiled confidently, "As the saying goes, fish have their paths, and shrimp have theirs. I've been in the palace for many years... Even if the Empress is capable, it doesn't necessarily mean I won't have a place!"

The two spoke in hushed tones for a long time. They seemed to say nothing, but in fact, they said everything, understanding each other without words.

When Prince Yong'an came out, he encountered Consort Dong on the road, who was with his son, Xiao Shiwu, on their way to the Empress Dowager's palace.

Li Chen had a very good relationship with the Prince of Yong'an. "Uncle!" Upon seeing him, he ran over with a smile.

The way Prince Yong'an looked at him was filled with an indescribable emotion.

Consort Dong, draped in a sable cloak, slowly approached, looked him up and down, and quietly asked, "Why have you lost so much weight?"

"Don't worry, everything is fine," Yong'an said gently.

"Fifteen, go pick a few plum blossoms for your mother, so she doesn't fall." Consort Dong sent her son to the roadside, and the palace maids behind him, worried that the Fifteenth Prince might fall, followed him.

"Don't lie to me, is something going wrong?" Consort Dong asked.

Prince Yong'an looked at his beloved woman... "She's fine for now, no need to worry."

Consort Dong shook her head: "...Before, you always made the decisions on important matters. But lately, I've been feeling uneasy. Seeing how haggard you look...why don't we back down? It's best to protect ourselves!"

Prince Yong'an turned to look at Xiao Shiwu. He dared not look at her for too long, lest others know his feelings.

"At this point, there's no turning back."

"Is it still not too late to back down? I can talk to the Emperor and ask him to grant Chen'er a fiefdom. Once the Emperor dies, you can take Chen'er and leave. I'll then find a way to run away and reunite with you..."

Yong'an laughed, "But I'm not willing! The Emperor and Empress have ruined everything I have. I must get compensation! How could I let the Crown Prince have his way so easily! I'd rather Li Jing get it!"

Everything I've done is for Chen'er. Otherwise, killing the Crown Prince to avenge the Empress wouldn't be difficult for me. Just don't worry about it, and enjoy your food, drink, and clothes..."

"I live the most luxurious life in the world. I have so many rare and precious treasures that the storeroom can't hold them all! I have so many clothes that I can't even count them all... But what's the point of all this if no one I love appreciates them?"
Even if it's just simple food and drink, as long as I'm with you and watching Chen'er grow up, I'll be content.

“My silly girl, you’re just thinking that way now. Real coarse linen clothes will make your skin itchy. Coarse tea tastes strange, and bland food will scratch your throat… In the future, you’ll look down on me for being useless and regret it.”

"No way! Besides, with your talent, how could we possibly fall to that level? You're more gifted than ten emperors combined. Wherever we go, you'll protect me from the wind and rain!"

"What about our Chen'er? He can be the emperor, you can be the empress dowager, and I can be the regent. Wouldn't that be better?"

After saying that, he bowed very respectfully and went to talk to Xiao Shiwu!

In the distance, Mo Yi entered the palace and was heading this way.

This year's dinner party seemed to have a rather lackluster atmosphere for everyone.

The Emperor is still feeling unwell...

Mo Yi and Zhao Yunqing had endless things to say. Consort Liang watched and smiled as Li Chang chattered on and on.

The Crown Princess was heavily pregnant and ready to give birth at any moment, so she didn't come.

Princess Yu'an felt unwell for some reason. She entered the banquet hall, sat down behind her small table, and saw the cold dishes laid out on it.

She felt nauseous...

Ah!? She suddenly remembered something...

My mother-in-law is back, and she loves to talk!
Another thing has come up to interrupt my writing, though there's definitely an element of making excuses involved.

tired……