Too high to reach

Chapter 413 Extra: Where the Heart Belongs

"What is Your Highness busy with?" Mo Yuan asked, leaning closer to Mo Yi.

"Where is Zhang Dalang?" Mo Yi ignored her and asked her son directly.

"Madam Zhang brought them herself..." Mo Yuan said sourly.

More than two years ago, she married into the Zhang family while pregnant, causing a sensation and attracting a large audience throughout Beijing...

The strange looks and comments infuriated Madam Zhang, and she didn't even hold a proper wedding.

The wedding of Zhang's only son was so simple and modest that it worried Zhang Debao terribly. He felt sorry for Mo Yuan, but he couldn't go against his mother's wishes. He carefully smoothed things over on both sides.

However, Mo Yuan didn't care about this.

Although the deal was done, she was still a little apprehensive. After all, she had that experience, and she was pregnant... It was better to keep a low profile.

Anyway, she's married into the Zhang family now. Once the child is born, everyone will have forgotten about what happened before.

Then, come out again!
However, the rumors were strong enough that even the emperor, who was recuperating in the palace, heard about them.

He felt pretty good these days. So he called Li Jing over and unleashed his anger… “What kind of mess is this? Why aren’t you doing anything about it? Li Huan has done evil, and he should be punished! But what kind of mess is this? Huh?!”

You just let them run wild? You only let them off the hook because of Princess Qi, right? So, when it comes to you, you can disregard the rules too!

After a good shout, a lot of stale air was expelled, and everyone felt much better.

But Li Jing completely ignored that, and instead brought up disaster relief...

This further angered the Emperor. Unable to vent his anger, he summoned the Zhang couple. They proceeded to berate Lord Zhang with a scathing and unpleasant tone. Ironically, neither of them seemed to be in good health… one coughed as he cursed, while the other coughed as he listened.

The Emperor also instructed Consort Liang to "give Lady Zhang a good scolding."

Consort Liang agreed, but instead of scolding her, she spent a long time trying to persuade her.

As soon as she mentioned Zhang Debao's marriage, Madam Zhang burst into tears, recounting all sorts of grievances and injustices...

Consort Liang, feeling helpless, spent a long time trying to persuade her, saying, "Children and grandchildren have their own blessings..."

But some were happy, such as the Mo family.

Mo Rushan had always liked Zhang Debao and was good friends with Mo Fan, helping each other out a lot. He would help with anything, big or small, in his family. Moreover, he was extremely generous, and his family benefited greatly.

Now that's good, we're not outsiders anymore! Receiving more benefits will put my mind at ease.

However, he still called Mo Yuan over and gave her a serious lecture for a long time.

Mo Ruhai felt that if Mo Yuan found a good match, it would save him the trouble of troubling his daughter.

Mo Rusong couldn't believe that his daughter, who had fallen into despair, could ever turn her life around. Seeing the Liu family shamelessly come to their door again, all smiles and obsequiousness, made him feel pleased. But this time, the Liu family had completely offended Liu Shi; she was preoccupied with her daughter's pregnancy and ignored everyone.

The marriage was arranged, but Madam Zhang never gave Mo Yuan a kind look. She knew all the tricks those wicked mothers-in-law used on their daughters-in-law! But now she had to be careful, considering the child in her womb.

She couldn't punish her or hit her, so she would only sternly teach her a few rules when Mo Yuan greeted her each day. And those words weren't exactly pleasant!

Mo Yuan managed to endure it for several months.

She carried the baby for ten months and gave birth in one day. Perhaps she was a woman of destiny, for she gave birth to a son in one go.

She gave birth to a healthy, fair-skinned, and chubby baby boy.

When Grandpa Zhang saw his beloved grandson, tears streamed down his face, and he hugged him tightly, refusing to let go.

When Madam Zhang saw her grandchildren, those messy things were basically forgotten. But she made the right decision, declaring: "Our eldest grandson should be raised in his parents' room! So that... she won't spoil him!"
Faced with his mother's explosive temper, Zhang Debao didn't dare say a word. Back inside, he worried that Mo Yuan would be angry…

Unexpectedly, Mo Yuan didn't care at all!
Instead, he sneered inwardly: Let her raise it if she wants! It saves me trouble!
How could she possibly mistreat her eldest grandson?

Wherever you live, it doesn't matter where you raise your pet.
Anyway, my son came from my belly. When he grows up and understands, he'll naturally know to be closer to his own mother! Then we'll see how heartbroken you are!
Besides... I can still have more children! Are you going to take them all away?!
Having figured it out, she turned around and advised her husband... "Listen to your mother! She's only doing this for our own good."

So, in the Zhang family: the young couple had a very deep affection for each other. The elderly couple looked after their eldest grandson and didn't cause any trouble. It unexpectedly became the smoothest period of their lives...

Mo Yuan is truly remarkable; look, she's pregnant again! Mo Yi looked at her, sighing inwardly…

"Are all these portraits of girls meant to find a wife for the Crown Prince?" Mo Yuan asked, looking at them.

"Um……"

"Which one have you taken a fancy to? Point them out to me..."

"They're all very nice girls! But when it comes to deciding who to settle on... I really can't make up my mind."

"Let's ask the Crown Prince what kind he likes!" "That's the plan." Mo Yi enthusiastically categorized the items, planning to have the Prince take a look later...

Looking at Mo Yi, Mo Yuan wondered: She could clearly be the empress!
But they insisted on pushing the grandson of the crown prince to the throne!

What were they thinking?! Sigh...

"Has your husband come back?" Mo Yi asked.

Zhang Debao was highly valued and was away on official business a few days ago.

“I received the letter five days ago… He should be back in about ten days! Oh, he mentioned Xu Ke in the letter… saying that he’s coming back!”

"Oh?!" Mo Yi put down the portrait, blinking as she recalled the past. This person, if not mentioned, she'd almost forgotten. She couldn't help but feel a pang of emotion: "More than three years have passed. Kang Ge has grown so much... Mo Wen..."

“My baby said in the letter… said…” Mo Yuan stammered.

"What did you say?" Mo Yi turned to look at her.

“Speaking of Xu Ke…” Mo Yuan looked troubled, “He has a huge scar on his face, and he almost went blind. He’s completely disfigured, it’s quite frightening! He also said his left leg is a little lame, I don’t know if it’s a new injury or if he’s crippled. De Bao even said that if Xu Ke hadn’t called him, he wouldn’t have dared to recognize him! He’s not the handsome young master of the Xu family anymore! I’m scared just listening to him. Remember how handsome he was back then? We all wondered how he could have fallen for Mo Wen. Sigh, so tragic…”

Mo Yi smiled but didn't say anything, thinking to herself: This is considered miserable? Haven't you seen what happened to the people who got close to Li Huan and Yu An!

The Xu family escaped disaster... "I overheard the Prince say that Xu Ke has done very well these past few years. He's taken control of a significant portion of the canal transport! That's no easy feat!"

Mo Yuan didn't understand what it meant, and casually asked, "Right? Then tell me, when he comes back, will Kang Ge'er send him back?"

Mentioning this, Mo Yi also had a headache: "I guess my mother wouldn't be willing... but if it's for early education, it's better to go back to the Xu family!"

After her eldest brother, Moda, had another daughter, her sister-in-law is now pregnant again.

Mo Fan and Zhou Jiu had a son, and she is pregnant again.

The Mohists witnessed their numbers increase and their lives improve day by day.

Of all the children, Mother favored Kang Ge'er the most... She probably poured all her love, heartache, and regret for Mo Wen into him. Even the eldest grandson couldn't compare!

Moreover, it's the same old problem as always... whoever is favored must be identified!
Therefore, Kang Ge'er is sensitive and domineering. He will cry and make a fuss at the slightest thing... His parents are like that themselves... If they don't discipline him, there will probably be trouble in the future.

The two sisters were chatting, unaware that Xu Ke, whom they were talking about, had already quietly entered the capital. At this moment, he was discussing matters with the Crown Prince and Li Jing!
Li Jing was always aware of the progress of his work. The Crown Prince had also met him when he was traveling.

They are all familiar to everyone...

However, Li Jing was still quite moved when she saw him. Back then, Xu Ke had sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, was gentle and refined, and had a touch of aloofness.

Now? Dark-skinned. Robust. Composed with an air of authority.

The scar on his face severed his right eyebrow, and there were marks on his eyelid as well. A little lower, and his eye would have been gone...

Her good looks are completely ruined, but...

Li Jing nodded approvingly: "The Xu family lost Yu Lang, but produced Xu Ke who can stand on his own! Well done!"

Upon hearing this, Xu Ke's eyes welled up with tears. Being able to break free from his brother's oppression and establish his own household was his original wish. He had once thought of using the power of the Crown Prince and Princess, but he almost dragged the Xu family down with him.

And now... he did it all by himself.

"The so-called Yu Lang was just a young and impetuous man. Xu Ke is the one whose heart I truly desire."

I dare not read the comments, and I'm trembling with fear...

I never expected that the ending for Zhang Debao and Mo Yuan would evoke such strong dislike from everyone.

I was a little overwhelmed and regretted it immensely.

It's like adding a dog's tail to a sable coat; it's not worth the effort...

Originally, there was another very important plot point, which was about the deliberation regarding the marriage of the Crown Prince.

Now... after talking to the editor again, we've decided to forget about it.

I'm sorry for the unpleasant experience this has given everyone. Well... I won't go into the reasons and settings behind this writing style anymore.

Let me think about how to wrap this up...

I'm also a follower of the story, so I completely understand how everyone feels. I apologize again...

(End of this chapter)