Too high to reach

Chapter 5 Daily Life of the Mo Family
The Mohists would always have dinner together unless it was windy or rainy.

Today, my uncle had a business dinner outside.

My father has gone out and hasn't returned. My third uncle is away from home most of the time.

My older brother is at Xishan College and hasn't started his holiday yet.

The only men in the house are Mo Fan and Mo Bao.

Mo Yi had something to say to her aunt, so she went to the main courtyard of the eldest son's house for dinner early.

In the dining room, only Aunt Zhuang was sitting, seemingly looking at the accounts.

"Aunt!" Mo Yi greeted her with a bow.

"Hmm!" Zhuang responded casually, without even lifting her eyelids. She wore a casual padded jacket, her hair loosely styled in a bun adorned with silver hairpins. Two carved silver bracelets adorned her wrists. Clean and neat, but truly unrefined.

My aunt was an ordinary-looking and talented woman, but she had a dowry befitting her status.

Both of my older cousins ​​married well. However, my second older cousin, Mo Fan, was not very academically inclined and was far inferior to my eldest brother in many ways.

She had a limited amount of money, managed household chores, and also had to deal with two troublesome sisters-in-law.

Therefore, my aunt usually doesn't give me a friendly look.

Just as she was about to mention the daffodils, she heard footsteps behind her. When she turned around, she saw her mother had arrived, followed by Mo Wen and Mo Qing.

Seeing this, Mo Yi herself found it funny; her estrangement from her mother was truly evident in every aspect.

Despite her thoughts, she quickly bowed and said, "Mother. Elder sister. Xiao Liu..."

Today, Madam Wang gave Mo Yi a serious look and hummed in agreement. She then turned and called out, "Sister-in-law!"

My mother had a large dowry, and her family owned various shops, so she was dressed much better than my aunt! Mo Wen was still wearing the same green dress as before, and as she passed by, she gave me a meaningful look.

What does that look in his eyes mean?
Mo Qing's personality was just like her maternal grandmother's; she was not very stable. She casually called out, "Auntie!" and sat down with a thud.

Before Wang could even sit down, Liu came in.

The Liu family married her off according to the standard terms for a concubine's daughter, without any additional provisions!

Therefore, among the three sisters-in-law, although her family background was not low, her dowry was the smallest.

However, her aunt, who gave birth to her, was extremely cunning. The wealth she had accumulated during her time in favor was quickly transferred to her own brothers' families outside the palace.

So much so that when the concubine died, the principal wife came to investigate and found that there was almost nothing left in the house.

Although the brother was not very capable, he was not a bad person at heart. When Liu got married, he returned everything to her.

These were all things my mother said in private, when she was badmouthing my third aunt...

So, although Auntie San's dowry on the surface wasn't much, she did have some savings on hand.

Especially the jewelry, there's a lot of it, and it's all pretty good!

At this moment, Third Aunt was also dressed neatly, as if she were going to a banquet outside. Behind her, Fourth Sister Mo Yuan was quietly following.

According to Mo Yi, this fourth sister doesn't look like her third uncle and third aunt; she probably looks like her deceased "maternal great-aunt."

She had an oval face, bright, slanted eyes, slender shoulders, a slim waist, and round hips, with fingers as thin as bamboo shoots.

Not only was she beautiful, but she also possessed a captivating and alluring charm that the other girls in the Mo family lacked and could not learn.

Mo Wen and Mo Yuan are rivals, and it's common for them to compete against each other.

For example, today, Mo Yuan probably knew that Mo Wen was wearing green. So, she also wore a bright green dress to the competition.

Although she wasn't as strikingly beautiful as Mo Wen, her figure was as graceful as an expensive vase. Her watery eyes and charming smile probably outshone Mo Wen.

Normally, Mo Wen's face would look ugly, and he would even say sarcastic things.

But today, she sat there calmly, her eyelids slightly lowered, her expression reserved, without any reaction.

This is wrong!

Mo Yi was puzzled. She took a sip of water and then turned to look at her mother.

Her mother-in-law, her back was much straighter today, and she was putting on a bit of a pose.

However, they seem to have no desire to show off.

What's going on? Something good must be happening, right?!
But on ordinary days, whenever something good happens, my mother starts showing off endlessly.

How come I was able to control myself today?

Mo Yuan deliberately lingered by the Mo tattoo as she walked past, calling out to the two aunts in a sweet voice.

"Third Sister!" she called softly with a smile...

Mo Wen nodded with a forced smile.

Footsteps echoed outside; Mo Fan and Mo Bao had arrived.

Two teenagers came in, started yelling at the top of their lungs, and then sat down with a thud.

Mo Fan glanced at the table and saw Mo Yi looking at him too. He grinned and subtly pointed to the small bag he was carrying…

He must have brought her something delicious! Mo Yi winked at him happily.

Before even sitting down, Liu glanced at the table. Tonight's dinner consisted of: fried tofu with scallions, pickled vegetables, a plate of scrambled eggs, steamed buns made with two kinds of flour, small red bean buns, and multigrain porridge… She pursed her lips.

When family members are not home, dinner is extremely simple.

On her way back, Wang bought some braised beef from Wuxiangzhai. She just wrapped up a piece and had the cook cut it, but only served it to the boys' table.

Mo Fan and Mo Bao were frowning as they looked at dinner, but they only smiled when the braised beef arrived.

Liu's face darkened, and she said in a strange voice:
"Oh, Mo Yuan, the food is good today. I've been feeling a bit feverish these past few days, so I'm eating some light, vegetarian food to cleanse my stomach."

Mo Yuan smiled, exuding charm, and gave a barely audible reply.

Liu glanced at Zhuang, then scanned everyone with her eyes before finally turning her head to stare at the beef on the table.

Zhuang said calmly, "That beef was bought by your second sister-in-law herself from outside to make extra food for the boys."

Liu sneered, "Is that so?! Oh, Mo Yuan, who told you not to be born a man? Your mother is useless, and your father... ha! He's practically useless! As long as you don't starve, that's all that matters!"

Finally, Madam Wang couldn't help but open her mouth: "The three sisters, Mo Wen and Mo Yuan, eat the same food!"

This is indeed true.

But Liu retorted quickly: "Yes! Those three of them have taken advantage of Mo Yuan! Otherwise, with only a few children, why would they need a bite?"

These words infuriated Wang, who thought to herself: "It's almost the same price, so why do I never see you buying any?"

She took a breath, ready to retort, when Mo Wen gently nudged her.

Wang seemed to remember something, smiled, and stopped talking, focusing on her food.

Liu is so calculating in every aspect that it's really annoying.

Originally, the money that the second and third wives paid into the public treasury was the same.

But my third uncle is rarely home; it's just my mother and me.

The second wife has five children! The couple always eats at home. Is it fair to pay the same amount of money?
Actually, Mo Yi knew that her mother had promised the Mo family benefits when she married into the family!

Because the Wang family came from a purely peasant background who later became merchants. The mother was barely literate!
Even the Mohists, at their worst, were families who farmed, studied, and held official positions. My father, back then, was a learned scholar with rosy lips and white teeth.

She won't marry into the family if you don't offer her any benefits!

The Mo family was able to afford three courtyards. Even if the houses weren't great, they were still considered well-off among officials in the capital. This was undoubtedly related to my mother's marriage into the family. This way, the marriage arrangement would be more balanced!
The mother was a strong-willed woman, and when Liu made a scene, the "wealthy and powerful" Liu didn't hold a grudge and generously contributed more to the public funds.

Moreover, he often bought food for his family, but it was mostly for the boys.

Liu had no son and couldn't benefit from this, so she was very angry...

Mo Yi glanced at Mo Yuan... This fourth sister is the most interesting; she's especially good at pretending to be stupid, as if she knows nothing.

They were eating intently, taking small bites.

Mo Qing's eyes darted around, looking at this and that; she was happy whenever there was excitement.

As for Mo Wen... she ate more slowly and elegantly than usual today.

Something must have happened!
After surveying the scene, Mo Yi focused on eating.

(End of this chapter)