Too high to reach

Chapter 47 The Heart's Desire

Li Jing did not begin attending court.

But I wasn't idle either; there were too many things to do, and I ate and slept in the front yard.

The concubines and mistresses in the backyard were getting restless and sent out people to investigate. The courtyard was full of servants and maids wandering around aimlessly.

Consort Feng was the busiest, as she had to receive those who brought gifts, tidy up the courtyard, prepare plenty of tea and meals, and take care of the prince.

Running around in the front and back yards shows their special status.

Right now, in the garden, I saw several maids who served Consort Tian and Aunt Wu loitering around the main courtyard gate.

He was furious and gave her a stern scolding.

The people around Consort Tian, ​​along with little Jingjing, were thinking that if they encountered the prince, they could try to get close to him. The little girl was still quite naive and was frightened by Consort Feng.

The maid took her back and angrily complained to Consort Tian!
The prince had asked Consort Tian to deliver the account books and banknotes to the front courtyard. After reviewing the amounts, the prince was quite satisfied and spoke with her in a very gentle manner.

Although she hasn't been summoned to serve the emperor yet, no one else has been summoned either... hehe, including Feng Liniang.

Everyone is the same, and the Feng family is no exception!

Hearing that her daughter had been frightened to tears, she was very displeased: "Hmph! Just a housekeeper, does she really think she's a princess? She manages so few things, does she think she's something special?! Spending money is nothing, anyone can do that. Can it compare to what I do for the prince?"
"Hmph! This time, the Prince is returning and will soon be remarrying. Does she think she'll be as useless as Zhou Li last time? Just wait and see, she'll get what's coming to her!"

Although he didn't return to the backyard, the prince still took a medicinal bath the night before, and after a massage from the masseur, he slept soundly for a long time.

When I got up again, I felt that the long-term mental fatigue had eased a bit.

Someone came in to report: "Your Highness, Granny Zhao requests an audience!"

"Let her in! All of you, get out." The prince's tone was gentle, clearly giving Zhao Mama face.

"Your Highness!" Granny Zhao entered and bowed, her face beaming with smiles.

"You've arrived? Please have a seat!" The prince became much more casual in her presence.

Granny Zhao sat down. "Your Highness has really had a tough time these past two years."

"He's alright. How is he?" Li Jing didn't mince words and went straight to the point.

"The young master is very well. Even better than before!" Granny Zhao said excitedly.

"I saw him just two weeks ago! He's already up to my ears. He's quite sturdy! And his personality isn't like the Crown Prince's; he's more like you when you were little—agile, energetic, and always teasing the teacher."

He often made the teachers so angry their beards bristled, but they all said he was clever. He learned things quickly and understood them instantly.

Li Jing listened with great interest, a smile playing on her lips and eyes, a rare gentleness in her expression. "I remember Mother saying that my eldest brother used to tease the teacher for more than half a year. But he got better later!"

"It seems that it was a very wise decision for His Highness to explain his true identity to the young master when he was seven years old. At the time, the nanny was worried that he was too young to understand and might not be able to handle it, or that he might even let it slip!"

Recalling those painful memories, Granny Zhao became proud: "He truly is the Crown Prince's legitimate son; his character is impeccable! Ever since he learned about his true parentage, he's not only not afraid or sad, but he's become much more cheerful. He's not upset by that woman's sour face anymore. He's so strong for such a young age!"

Li Jing nodded: "The reason I sent him to the Liu family was that I hoped he could be raised according to the standards of a noble family's scion, and that I could maintain some connections. Although I was there to pave the way for him, the world is full of treacherous people. That position is even more bloody. He needs to experience and be tempered from a young age!"

His heart's desire was for his nephew to get the position that rightfully belonged to him!

For this, I would gladly sacrifice my life!

Granny Zhao was still somewhat indignant. "I heard that now it's Lord Liu and Lord Liu himself who are taking care of him. That woman can't get close to him normally, and can only secretly give him attitude."

Hearing this, Li Jing's face also turned ugly: "Hmph! Stupid woman! If it weren't for the fact that the Liu family father and son are still reliable, I would have dealt with her long ago! Nian'er's homework has also been sent to me. Her handwriting is good, her thinking is clear, and she can be seen to be open-minded. Considering her age and experience, this is not easy!"

His voice was full of concern and admiration.

"Your Highness, the young master is quite handsome! His eyes are clear, beautiful, and bright. His smile is radiant, just like our princess. Nephew Xiao Gu is just perfect!" Granny Zhao was unusually excited, her eyes slightly moist.

Li Jing chuckled to himself, "Women only care about their appearance."

Just like back then, my sister always had a particular fondness for good-looking people. Like that bastard Dongfang!
"I hope he grows up quickly, and once he has mastered his studies, I will be able to take him by my side to gain experience."

The boy they were referring to was Li Jing's elder brother, the posthumous son of the former crown prince. After the crown prince's death, the empress also died.

The Crown Princess, pampered and spoiled by her elder brother, proved to be a capable woman in crucial moments. She knew that even if the child in her womb was born, its survival would be uncertain.

So, she took the medicine and gave birth prematurely. She secretly handed the baby to Li Jing to take away, and then staged a scene where both she and her unborn child died.

Li Jing went to great lengths to take the baby away, but he himself was only ten years old and not yet married. He was helpless in the face of such a tiny bundle of flesh.

It is possible to find a reliable person to take care of him, so that he can have enough to eat and wear, and even go to school properly.

However, men without family support will have limited access to many things, and their horizons will be greatly restricted.

He will eventually sit in that position, and he must have the ability to match it!
Just then, the wife of the Crown Prince's friend Liu Yuetong was about to give birth. So Liu Yuetong took her back. But he certainly couldn't reveal his identity, so Liu Yuetong begged his wife to acknowledge him and tell everyone that she had given birth to twins.

Liu Yuetong's wife, Hu, was someone he had known since childhood. He was easily swayed and doted on his wife. He also loved indulging in trivial matters like spring flowers and autumn moons—quite a frivolous affair.

So when Madam Hu questioned him about the child's origins, he dared not lie, nor tell the truth; he only pleaded, offering no explanation. He begged on his knees…

Madam Hu was proud and somewhat self-important. She noticed a small black mole under the baby's lip… and what a coincidence, Liu Yuetong had one in a similar spot. Her eldest son, Liu Jian… also had one!
Actually, both Liu Yuetong and Liu Jian have moles in other parts of their bodies, quite a few in total, so they are considered people with moles...

But Ms. Hu didn't see it that way. She believed that this illegitimate child was born to her husband and another woman.

But she couldn't bring herself to say it, fearing that if she did, the relationship would be over and life would be unbearable.

Therefore, she felt that she was "enduring humiliation and bearing a heavy burden," and "very strongly" swallowed the bitter pill and agreed to the matter.

She named her Liu Nian, and together with her second daughter, Liu Siwan, they were considered twins.

Once the matter was settled, Liu Yuetong felt everything was alright and was quite happy.

But Hu couldn't get over it and treated Liu Nian very badly.

Liu Yue is a man, so it's impossible for him to manage the inner quarters.

Li Jing was away from the capital for many years and had to avoid suspicion, so he was unaware of many things.

Thus, Liu Nian spent a childhood marked by neglect and even abuse. When he was four years old, Mrs. Hu even took him out and "lost" him...

In his search for him, Li Jing exposed several hidden connections.

To vent his anger, Li Jing broke Liu Yuetong's arm.

Only then were secret guards assigned to Liu Nian.

Originally, they planned to tell Liu Nian about his background when he turned twelve. But looking at this bean sprout-like, somewhat gloomy young boy, they told him ahead of time.

Unexpectedly, from then on, the self-conscious, timid, sensitive, and melancholic boy suddenly became cheerful! He even started to be mischievous!

Thinking of this, Li Jing chuckled: "My elder brother's offspring are all of great value!"

Granny Zhao nodded and smiled, "Your Highness, we'll meet at Dajue Temple on the fifteenth of the first lunar month!"

"Yes. I've found some good things for him and prepared a group of men for him. When we meet, I'll tell him to get to know him slowly, and when he turns twelve, I'll hand them all over to him!"

"We've also prepared a set of staff for the young master to take care of his food, clothing, and lodging. We'll find an opportunity to put them by his side."

"You've always handled these matters well. Zhao Zuo and Zhao You have done very well! They're just a bit too flamboyant. Give them two more years of experience, and then we'll arrange a career path for them!"

Granny Zhao shook her head: "They need the prince's help, so let them follow you. We'll make arrangements for them after the important matter is accomplished!"

"Hmm. Is everything alright at home?"

He knew that although Granny Zhao wasn't often in the mansion these days, she could still find out about important matters if she wanted to know them.

"Everything is fine in the manor; the two concubines and the other maids are all doing well. Concubine Feng is also handling the external affairs quite well. Your Highness, I suppose you're here to bring up the marriage this time you've returned?"

Li Jing frowned...

(End of this chapter)