Too high to reach

Chapter 59 Another Turning Point
Upon returning home, Wang went directly to Mowen's house.

The clothes and shoes for tomorrow were hanging in the bedroom, and matching jewelry was on the table. Mowen had just taken a shower, and Dujuan was applying hair oil to her hair…

She looked radiant and glowing. Madam Wang examined her closely and exclaimed, "These clothes and jewelry are a perfect match! Wenwen is so capable!"

Reassured, he went back to his room. Not long after, Wang Wenjuan came to the Mo family's house again, looking excited. "What a coincidence! You just left, and Mrs. Liang arrived! You two arrived one after the other!"

Seeing her sister's expression, Wang's heart pounded, and she quickly asked, "What did you say?"

"Don't rush, don't rush!" Wang Xiujuan sat down to catch her breath. "Here's the thing: Liang You, tell Madam Hou about his engagement to the Mo family!"

"Ah?! Really?! Oh my God! What did the Lady Hou say?" Wang felt like she was about to faint.

"Lady Hou said: Although there was some interest in the Mo family, their horoscopes are not compatible. The birth charts and tokens haven't been exchanged. They're still far from a formal engagement! Now that Liang You has entered the Hou residence, she will have to make the decision about the marriage!"
However, since Liang You had brought it up, she couldn't be too rude. So she compromised: they would meet at Dajue Temple on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. There were also a few other interested families, including Liang's maternal grandmother's niece; perfect, she could meet them all then!

Wang wrung her hands nervously: "Then... Sister, what do you suggest we do about this?"

"What do you mean, what should we do? Let's go!"

“But I’m afraid Lady Hou won’t think much of Mo Yi!” Madam Wang lacked confidence in her daughter.

"Your words are laughable! There's only one Liang You, but there are eight or nine girls who went to meet him. Of course, there will be some he doesn't like! Even the niece from Old Madam Liang's maternal family went, and the legitimate daughter of a third-rank official didn't care. What is Mo Yi? Is she the only one who cares about face?"

Madam Wang nodded quickly: "Sister is right, I'll tell her to prepare clothes and jewelry and dress up nicely!"

"Okay. You decide! I'll go with you that day if I'm free!"

"Sister should go..."

"In my opinion..." Wang Xiujuan leaned closer to her sister and said mysteriously, "Liang You really has his eye on that girl Mo Yi. Otherwise, this matter wouldn't have even reached the Lady of the Marquis's ears. Also... judging from this, Liang You's chances of inheriting the title are not small. Otherwise, how could a Lady of the Marquis, who hasn't even finished the New Year yet, have the time to travel so far to find a match?"

"Really?!" Wang was filled with anxiety.

In fact, Wang Xiujuan was also anxious. If she could marry into the Marquis's family, the Qin family would have to treat her with even more respect!
She thought for a moment, then added, "...When wealthy families arrange marriages, they don't just bring the girls up to see them directly. Generally speaking, they'll chat, ask some questions, give them a gift, and let the girls get together for some fun. There might even be a talent competition. The lady of the house will observe from the sidelines. She can tell a lot about a girl's character from her actions."

"Oh dear, but Mo Yi can't do anything! She's no match for Wenwen!"

Wang Xiujuan was also very worried. "Then let's be honest and not pretend. It would be best if it works out, but if it doesn't, we've done our best."

"Oh!" At that moment, Wang regretted that she had neglected Mo Yi too much.

As soon as Wang Xiujuan left, Wang hurriedly sent a maid to call her husband and daughters.

Mo Wen arrived first. After Wang explained the situation, she asked, "Wenwen, you need to think quickly about what skills you can teach Mo Yi these days. We don't want other girls to be good at music, chess, calligraphy, and painting while she's just a simpleton!"

Why isn't this over yet?
Mowen was a little annoyed!
She said impatiently, "Mother, my piano playing is something I've mastered with a teacher and practiced diligently for years, and even then, it's only barely passable. If it could be learned in a few days, would it still be considered a talent? I'm not one to achieve quick success!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Mo Ruhai brought Mo Yi into the room. Wang Shi thought to herself, "These two are probably talking together again."

I don't know where those words came from!
She glared at Mo Yi before explaining, "My sister got her another chance. Whether it works out or not is up to her!"

Mo Ruhai's expression darkened upon hearing this. "What kind of talk is this? It sounds more like a talent show! What is Liang You up to? Daughter, what do you think?"

Mo Wen scoffed inwardly. Ask her? She'd definitely say she'd go!
Although Mo Yi hadn't experienced much, she was naturally cautious. When her father asked, she said, "Father, Mother, I think... if it weren't for what happened before, going with everyone else wouldn't have been a problem."

Now that Lady Hou knows about this, but she still insists on using this method, it means she doesn't approve of it.

Many girls from respectable families went that day. Perhaps one of them was the Lady of the Marquis's favorite. If she wasn't chosen, then… her daughter would indeed be in a more awkward position than the other girls.”

Before Wang could speak, Mo Wen nodded directly: "That's what I think too. The two families have already reached a pretty good agreement, but now we have to go and be chosen by everyone else. Whether we get chosen or not, we'll both lose face!"

This time, Mo Ruhai actually nodded: "Hmm, that makes sense."

Upon hearing this, Wang became furious, as she trusted her sister the most.

My sister says we should go, so we should go!

Especially... her husband's opposition seemed to ignite her rebellious spirit. "What are you thinking? The Lady of the Marquis invited you, and you're refusing? Who do you think you are?"

Even Old Mrs. Liang, who usually prides herself on her noble birth and puts on airs! I've been to the Liang family several times, and she barely even wanted to see me. But now that she sees the benefits, isn't she stepping forward to grab them? If she hadn't been the first to cause trouble, we wouldn't be in this situation!

So many girls from respectable families go, how much face do you have to be afraid of losing? Just go! Everyone's going there for the good things, who's going to laugh at whom?!

Wang stubbornly insisted, and the more she spoke, the more reasonable she seemed!

Mo Wen was furious. He thought to himself: Didn't you say that this matter was over and done with that day?
Mo Yi and her father exchanged a glance but said nothing.

"...Besides, if it weren't for what happened before, they might not have invited you at all! Humph! If they don't like you, it's not us who will break our promise! If they do like you...this silly girl might actually become a Marquis's wife!"

Then, with a smile on her face, Madam Wang said, "Master! You, Da-ge'er, and our Bao'er, might... be counting on this silly girl!"

She was talking to herself, feeling that a bright future was already upon her...

Mo Wen's face turned red with anger upon hearing this.

But Mo Ruhai actually listened this time! He nodded: "What Madam said makes sense. Mo Yi, listen to your mother. Go and do it!"

Mo Yi found it amusing, wondering which of her words had pleased her father, who changed his mind so quickly!
"Alright, alright! It's settled then. Don't be so stingy! Don't forget, Liang You personally delivered gifts to our family! Unlike other families! I've been watching that young man for years... He has good character and would never be fickle."

Mo Wen's flushed face wouldn't fade, and she secretly blamed her mother for saying whatever came to mind. He doesn't seem to be fickle... but what about me?

Just then, Mo Yi glanced at Mo Wen, which made her even angrier.

"No, she needs to go buy herself some clothes... Oh dear, it's the Lunar New Year, where are any shops still open? Wenwen, do you have any suitable clothes to find for your sister? You two, go back and look for some, and bring them to me so I can take a look. If that doesn't work... go ask your aunt... Hurry up, don't dawdle."

Mo Wen remained seated, a smile playing on her lips but not in her eyes, and said, "Fifth Sister, dress up nicely and outshine all those others!"

Helpless, Mo Yi got up and went back to her room. Mo Ruhai chased after her, saying, "Yi Yi, don't listen to your mother. Just dress neatly enough, given our family background. Don't borrow clothes or jewelry... it'll make us a laughingstock."

“Father is right, that’s what I think too.”

Mo Ruhai, however, was filled with anxiety: "It's my fault... I couldn't even get you a few pieces of jewelry. I know those young ladies from wealthy families, one piece of jewelry could cost more than our family's entire annual budget. I guess... the Lady of the Marquis has high standards!"

“Father! This matter needs to be considered from different angles. The fact that Lady Hou made the decision to promote the Liang family’s son shows that she is a shrewd and capable head of the household. The fact that she personally went to Dajue Temple to meet him shows that she cares about Brother Liang You. How could she decide Brother Liang You’s marriage based on a piece of clothing or a piece of jewelry?”

"That's true... daughter! This is your chance to rise to the top. It's an opportunity your family can't provide. Your mother does have some jewelry, but that won't do..."

“Father, didn’t you just say that we should dress according to our family’s social standing? If I wear something expensive, I’m afraid of losing it or damaging it. If I’m too timid and hesitant, wouldn’t that seem even more petty?”

Mo Ruhai knew his daughter was right. He stopped walking, feeling utterly powerless. Perhaps his wife was right to scold and criticize him all the time.

As soon as they stepped out of the house, Mowen started arguing with Wang Shi: "Mother! Your idea is really not good!"

"What are you saying?!" Wang Shi was not happy to hear it!

"That's exactly right! Our daughter isn't some commodity at the market, laid out for people to pick and choose! If the Xu family knew about this, what would they think of their daughter? They were very serious when they got engaged to her!"
Why do you look down on the Mo family so much when you come to the Liang family? Even if Liang You were a marquis, we shouldn't belittle ourselves!

"Wenwen!" Madam Wang quickly stopped her. "Oh dear, don't say such hurtful things! Now that things have come to this, what good ideas do you have? If you go, you still have a chance; if you don't go, you'll have nothing left."

"Don't worry, the Xu family won't pry into these things unless they have a reason. Besides, if Mo Yi's matter really comes to fruition, the Xu family will value you even more!" Madam Wang smiled broadly again!

These words struck a nerve with Mo Wen: "I don't need it!" He stood up and walked out.

"You silly child! Hurry up and find some clothes for your sister!"

Wang shouted towards the background of the ink pattern...

We'll meet at Dajue Temple! Who else is there?

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(End of this chapter)