Too high to reach

Chapter 417 Extra: The Last Gamble

Unsurprisingly, both Mo Yi and the Crown Prince took a liking to Fan Hongying.

But there are quite a few people here today, and Fan Hongying's parents aren't here either, so I can't be too overbearing.

After a brief conversation, the Crown Prince excused himself and left.

He didn't even glance at the other girls.

This important matter has been settled, and the Crown Prince's opinion aligns with his own, which greatly pleases Mo Yi.

Then he remembered Mo Bao and began to look for a suitable candidate for him with great interest.

Most people didn't notice anything, but Madam Hu noticed the Crown Prince's expression... and the exchange of glances between the Crown Prince and Princess Qi.

Feeling utterly dejected, she returned home, only to find Hu Hua'er waiting for her in the yard.

"Madam, how is the situation?" Hu Hua'er asked with great concern.

Madam Hu sighed, remained silent for a while, and then said, "She must have taken a fancy to the great-granddaughter of the Duke of Xingguo."

Hu Hua'er was extremely discouraged. "What's she like?"

"Hmph, tall and strong, but with an ordinary appearance. His family background is alright, though! Sigh, Mo Yi's taste..."

“Our family background is not bad either. As for being close to the Crown Prince, no one can compare.”

"It's too late..." Madam Hu sighed and shook her head. "In this family, no one but me has this idea! Siwan is about to get married. Can I accomplish such a big thing on my own?"

I told Siwan's eldest uncle, and he replied a few days ago that it definitely couldn't be done. Hmph! It was probably her aunt's idea! She's unwilling to take any risk at all; doesn't she even consider what the situation would be like if it succeeded!

The more she talked, the angrier she became.

“Madam, Hua’er thinks, how can you just sit here and think like this?! Our young lady is about to get married, and no matter who His Highness the Crown Prince chooses, he won’t consider our young lady.”

"Of course I thought of that! But, what can we do about the marriage now? We can't even call it off. Her uncle won't help, and I'm just a woman. I can't exactly send a few people to..." She stopped talking.

"In my opinion... it must be something that has really wronged our young lady. Only then can the engagement be called off... For example, if Young Master Zheng has done something shameful between a man and a woman and we've found out! Then, you and the Crown Prince can cry and beg him to save our young lady..."

"Too late! He's already set his sights on the Fan family's daughter! We can't let Wanwan become a concubine... The old man can't afford to lose face!"

"Hey, did something happen to the young lady? Such a good girl, and so pitiful... Who can say for sure? Madam, I feel we should make one last gamble! Even if it fails, it won't be the young lady's fault. With the Crown Prince's connections, finding someone else would be better than finding Young Master Zheng!"

“That is true…” Madam Hu was tempted again.

“In a few days, it will be our young master’s 100th day! At that time, we will put some medicine in Young Master Zheng’s wine. At that time, Hua’er will do it herself…” Hu Hua’er’s expression was sharp and determined, which was very charming.

Hu's eyes lit up, but then she hesitated. "Nonsense! What about your reputation? Will your husband's family tolerate this? Will you even be able to live then?"

"Madam, Hua'er is just a servant girl, yet she's become an official's wife! She's one of the most prominent women in the entire capital. She'd do anything for you and Miss. Besides... once our young lady becomes Empress, who would dare to gossip? Wouldn't Hua'er have a better life? A marriage arranged casually would be a hundred times better than what she has now."

Mrs. Hu was quite surprised... She looked Hu Hua'er up and down.

What she said wasn't wrong! With looks like that, in other families, she'd probably meet a tragic end. She wouldn't have the life she has now.
"Then... let's discuss it again..."

The two whispered for a while, then Hu Hua'er walked out.

Her birth mother was part of the lady's dowry and was also the one who took Liu Nian out and "lost" her. Later, when the incident came to light... to protect the lady, her mother took the blame herself.

That's how they finally had a good life.

But what if these good days... could get even better?

Based solely on her looks, and the fact that she's easy to manipulate...

Ha, planning for her is planning for yourself!
When Li Jing returned home, Mo Yi told him about Fan Hongying.

He was satisfied with the news even before meeting the person. Li Jing stroked his beard and nodded. "However, that old man, Duke Pingguo, is stubborn and it's not convenient to issue a decree directly to bestow the marriage. Let's write a letter first!"

"Then let Anian write it himself! Hongying is the old man's most beloved great-granddaughter. If we don't show sincerity, he won't be willing to give it to him!"

"Yes. I'll talk to him about it tomorrow. This needs to be done quickly... things aren't looking good with Father!"

“Father has overcome so many obstacles, this one will be no problem either,” Mo Yi comforted him. Li Jing shook his head and remained silent.

This day marked the 100th day since the birth of Grand Secretary Liu's great-grandson. There was no grand celebration, just a small family banquet.

They specially invited the Crown Prince and Li Jing.

Originally, Li Jing told Mo Yi: "I'll be back after a couple of drinks. If you don't want to go, then don't go."

But Mo Yi thought about it... and still came.

It's a family dinner, and the future in-laws, Mrs. Zheng and her husband, will definitely be there.

Madam Zheng was proud of her choice and her early action.

She chatted and laughed with Madam Hu. They were very familiar with each other… so she could sense Madam Hu's reserve and affectation. However, Madam Zheng understood: if she were Madam Hu, she would probably regret arranging her daughter's marriage so early!

But I am not a member of the Hu family!
Her attitude was dictated by her own interests, so at this moment, she was all smiles and showering him with compliments.

Hu was slightly surprised to see Mo Yi arrive...

"Your Majesty..." Everyone greeted her and welcomed Mo Yi to the seat of honor.

After a few casual words, Madam Liu inquired about the Crown Prince's marriage, "Your Majesty must have been busy with this matter these days, but I wonder if there has been any progress?"

Mo Yi smiled and said, "It's making progress. You could say it's basically settled."

Hu's heart tightened, and her smile froze.

Liu Siwan, who was sitting next to her, turned pale, lowered her eyes, and clenched her handkerchief.

"Whose daughter is it?" Old Madam Liu asked hurriedly.

"It's Fan Hongying, the great-granddaughter of the Duke of Pingguo. Madam Liu saw her that day too. She's a very spirited and beautiful young woman!"

"The Fan family... Hongying?" Old Mrs. Liu recalled, "...Why don't I remember her?"

“She went to Qingzhou to stay with her great-grandfather when she was seven years old and has never been in the capital. This time, she came back with her brother… Isn’t that a coincidence?”

"That's such a coincidence! Right at the crucial moment!"

"Yes. Speaking of which, the Crown Prince did meet Miss Fan when he was traveling. She left a particularly deep impression on him. When we met again this time, I could tell from his expression that he was very fond of her!"

Mo Yi smiled brightly, and Old Madam Liu nodded, "Marriage is all about fate!"

Liu Siwan glanced at her mother secretly, then lowered her eyes again.

"The Duke of Pingguo's family is of high standing and has a virtuous tradition. This girl must be exceptional!" Old Madam Liu said with certainty.

“Madam, you’re right. I’ve met Miss Fan a few times these past few days. I’ve found her to be truly capable, handling both public and domestic affairs well. She’s also an excellent cook. Our Anian needs a wife like her!”

"Your Majesty is right! She should be more tolerant... In the future, there will be other people around Anian, and she can't be someone who is jealous and has a bad temper..."

Mo Yi smiled: "So that the old lady knows: A-Nian said he will not consider concubines or mistresses."

"Really?!" Old Madam Liu was quite surprised. She had heard that in the Qi Prince's mansion, only Consort Tian, ​​who had given birth to a daughter, and Madam Mei, who helped manage the household, remained. The other concubines had been given money and released to remarry. The Prince was completely devoted to the Princess Mo before him.

"Your Majesty, is the Crown Prince perhaps learning from the Prince?" Old Madam Liu asked with great humor.

Now, Mo Yi felt embarrassed. "No way! The old lady is teasing me... It was the prince who said that the old Duke has a fiery temper. It's not appropriate to rashly request an imperial decree for marriage. He suggested writing a letter to discuss it first. I had Anian write it, so he could personally propose marriage."

Anian boasted to me for ages, saying that with that kind of letter, he could get it done in no time. But when he actually started writing, he became so anxious, afraid that he might say something wrong and the old Duke would reject it… He scratched his head and pleaded for ages!

Madam Liu laughed even harder, "Good! Young people should have this mindset. Marriage is all about matching social status. It's as if as long as the conditions are right, a good life is guaranteed. That's not true!"

You must understand that life is full of unexpected changes. Only with deep affection and appreciation for your partner can you weather the storms and make life meaningful.

Take my grandfather, for example… He couldn't even make it back for our wedding! For so many years, I've been alone in the capital. If it weren't for admiring his character, his scholarship, and his abilities, and being happy that he could do what he loved, how unbearable would those days have been?”

"The old lady is truly insightful!" Mo Yi praised.

(End of this chapter)