Too high to reach

Chapter 64 My Intuition Was Off
From that day on, Wang and Mowen stopped paying attention to Moyi again.

What if this really falls through? Mo Yi's mind was in turmoil…

Mo Ruhai, unaware of what had happened, came to ask, but Mo Yi didn't answer and instead started talking about business.

"Mr. Zhang's contract expires in six months, so let's hold off for now. These days, shops are gradually opening. We'll find a middleman to introduce us, and then go ask around at the shops we liked before. If we find something suitable, we'll open two stalls."

Let Song Jiafu stay at the old stall and introduce the new shop to familiar customers. Song Jiaxing will oversee the new location; he seems to have practiced enough. You brought back quite a few finished products, and with Li Qixin's new ones, we should be able to get started!

“Alright! Although Dad didn't show up in person, he sent Song Jiaxing to deliver the New Year's gifts to Boss Zhang. He should…”

Mo Yi wrote down the conditions for the shop she wanted, and Mo Ruhai took it, then called Song Jiaxing and they started running around.

Before we knew it, it was the fourteenth day of the first lunar month.

As soon as Mo Wen entered the door, she heard Wang Shi say, "Qiu Hong, go to the front and find the steward. Ask him how the car arrangements are going for tomorrow. It's a long way, and there are some mountain roads. We need to check the car carefully so it doesn't break down on the way. Also, make sure the donkey is fed properly..."

Is this a trip to Dajue Temple? I'm furious: So all my cursing was for nothing, and we still have to go?

Looking again at the ground, there were two rattan boxes containing the things Wang would need for her trip.

He thought to himself: "Even if we try to stop them now, it's probably too late."
"Mother, are you arranging the trip to Dajue Temple?" she asked curiously, pretending nothing was wrong.

Wang nodded: "Yes! Your aunt still can't go! Sigh, I was hoping she would be my pillar of support!"

"Mother, your daughter wants to go with you and my sister too!"

"Wenwen, why don't you... stay home and prepare your dowry?" Madam Wang said with some difficulty. "Your aunt isn't going, and neither is your father. I'll just take that brat and deal with it!"

“Mother! These past few days, I’ve been packing things, and it’s been exhausting and stressful. Besides, the Xu family’s matter is settled, and I’d like to offer incense to thank the Bodhisattva. And… Mother, I really care about my sister! I want to stand up for her and give her my support!”

"Hmm. You really should go and offer incense. But... I'm worried that after what happened before, Mrs. Liang might feel uncomfortable seeing you again."

"How could that be, Mother? The two families didn't say anything explicitly at the time; it was just a secret discussion between the two of us. Even Auntie might not know much, let alone Mrs. Liang! When I marry into the Xu family, Mrs. Liang will definitely want to maintain a good relationship! Liang You needs a powerful person to support him if he wants things to go smoothly!"

"Oh, Wenwen, you're so thoughtful! Sigh, I think... maybe that brat still has a chance!"

"What's wrong?" Mo Wen looked at her mother with her beautiful eyes.

"If it doesn't work out, there's no point in making this trip tomorrow."

Mo Wen breathed a sigh of relief: What kind of reason is that?! But she didn't refute it, and simply nodded: "It really is!"

“Your father said last time: the Jing’an Marquis’s mansion is declining, and to revive it, we must choose a capable person. Liang You has the title of Xiucai (a scholar who passed the imperial examination) and has also practiced martial arts for many years. How many people can be so talented in both literature and martial arts? If he inherits the title, then I’m afraid… even the Marquis’s wife will have to listen to him carefully and try to win him over!”

It's best not to... these are my inner thoughts.

"Alright, then you can come with me tomorrow!"

When Qiu Hong returned, Wang instructed her again: "Go to the Fifth Miss's room and tell her to dress up properly tomorrow!" She was already afraid of that maid, fearing that if she called her over, she would be angry with herself again.

The next morning, Mo Yi was all dressed up.

She was still wearing the same torn dress, and she wore a peony hairpin carved from hibiscus stone in her hair.

When I got to my mother's room, I saw that my father was there too.

Neither the couple spoke, but carefully examined Mo Yi. After a while, Wang nodded carelessly: "It'll do!"

Mo Ruhai, full of admiration, was quite dissatisfied with his wife's attitude: "How can you call it 'just so-so'? Yi Yi is so beautiful! Young girls should be fresh and natural like this!"
Wang gave her husband a disgruntled look, then looked at Mo Yi's head and asked, somewhat puzzled, "What's that on your head?"

"I brought these back last time. You all have them too, right?" Mo Ruhai said calmly.

"I don't remember having any. Don't you always have a secret stash of money and show favoritism towards her?"

Mo Ruhai sneered: "She's my most beloved daughter. What's wrong with favoring her? Aren't you biased? Does Wenwen have everything that Yiyi has? It's just a matter of a few copper coins, and you're making a fuss about it?!"

"You!" Wang exclaimed in surprise. "Oh, what did I just say? You've just launched into such a long string of refutations? That's really impressive!"

When Mo Yi saw that Madam Wang was being stubborn again, she quickly went over and said, "Mother, your hairpin is a little asymmetrical!" She then helped her adjust it.

Wang was also dressed up carefully today, so she shifted her attention and stopped arguing with her husband.

Why aren't you wearing gold earrings?

Mo Yi said, "Gold earrings don't quite match the clothes and the hairpins in my hair!"

"You're such a busybody!" Wang looked her over again and went into the inner room.

“I have something to do today and can’t go with you. You need to be careful. If Liang You doesn’t work out, I’ll find you someone better! Don’t make yourself suffer too much…”

"Yes, Daddy!"

Mo Ruhai gave a few more instructions and left. Wang Shi came out and said to Mo Yi, "Mrs. Liang likes outgoing and cheerful girls. You're usually too quiet! You're practically a loaf of smoke. Today, you have to say a few more words."

Also, be proud in front of other girls. They're good, but we're not bad either... When you're with the Lady of the Marquis, smile more, be polite, and don't talk too much!

One minute they want me to talk more, the next they want me to talk less. What's going on?! Mo Yi nodded helplessly.

Wang was still nagging: "If you have the chance, talk to Liang You in private. You, just like this..." She raised her eyebrows and winked uncomfortably, and even taught Mo Yi according to her so-called experience.

Then he opened the small box in his hand, "These pearl earrings..."

Holding it up to Mo Yi's ear, he said, "Put this on, and it'll brighten your face instantly. I wonder how those girls dress up; they'll all be so glamorous."

"Although you can't compare to your sister, don't let others surpass you too much! The hairpin in your hair, though novel, isn't anything valuable. But these pearl earrings were a gift from your aunt for Mother's birthday. They're quite nice! I've never worn them!"

"Wearing it like this changes everything! I borrowed it from you, so you have to return it to me when you get back! Don't lose it, you hear me?!"

She tugged at Mo Yi's ear, and Mo Yi hissed, quickly touching her ear and replying, "I heard you."

"Hey, what's that on your wrist?"

It was woven from small rose quartz beads and various colored silk threads. It matched the jewelry on her head and her clothes quite well. It probably wasn't expensive, but it looked... really beautiful!
"My daughter made this up herself," Mo Yi said, trying to fool her.

"You made this up? I've never seen this before."

"First time wearing it..."

"Hmph! It seems you really have a lot of secrets up your sleeve! You can make this up, but you don't even bother to make one for your mother. You have no filial piety at all. You have sisters! Your older sister knows how to take care of you, but you never think of her when something good happens to you! I've never seen anyone as selfish as you!"

Sigh, she never stops talking...

Mo Yi couldn't help but regret it, thinking, "Why did I bring this thing out?"
She could only explain, "Mother, the beads are all very ordinary; it just took a lot of effort to weave them. They're really worthless... You and my sister wouldn't even look at them."

"Hmph! Look at you, so pathetic! Still trying to explain yourself, are you afraid of what I might do?"

As soon as the curtain was lifted, the ink patterns appeared.

She's dressed like she's going out?

As expected!

Look at her hair and face again, hmm, she even dressed up specially!
She's taller than me, prettier than me, and dresses more elegantly than me.

Once the two of them walked inside, not to mention the Lady Hou... anyone who saw her would lose sight of themselves!

Really good...

"Little sister, I'll come with you and cheer you on!" Mo Wen said with a smile.

Mo Yi thought to herself: Is she going to cause trouble?!
Xiaoxiao didn't intend to respond, but Mowen insisted on asking, "Huh? Moyi, you wouldn't be unhappy about your sister going, would you?"

That's really something: they treat you like a fool, and then expect you to admit it.

Mo Yi looked at her calmly: "It was Mother who took me out. It's not my business who goes or who doesn't. It's just... Sister is so radiant. If the Lady of the Marquis mistakes you for someone else and tries to marry you on the spot, it would be a laughing stock."

If I don't explain it clearly, you'll keep babbling on and on!
Mo Wen was a little embarrassed. She hadn't expected that this brat would dare to stand up to her for the sake of marriage.

"Mo Yi, what nonsense are you talking about? Let me tell you: your sister marrying into the Xu family is your asset. Just hearing about the Xu family... even the Marquis's wife will give you some face. Hmph, let those girls see that so what if the Mo family is small? The girls are all excellent! With your sister, I guarantee they'll be left in the mud!"

What else is there to say?

Resigned to their fate, the mother and her two children picked up the wicker basket and went out the door.

The family car needed to carry people and luggage. Space was limited, so only the mother and her two daughters, plus Qiu Hong, went.

The one driving the carriage was Qiu Hong's older brother.

Throughout the journey, Wang kept talking to Mowen about the dowry.

Mo Yi didn't speak, leaning against the carriage. As the train swayed and bounced, she became drowsy and wanted to sleep. This feeling of being eagerly offered up only to find herself completely out of control was truly awful.

My gut feeling is: Today is going to be unlucky!
The journey wasn't short, but fortunately it wasn't too difficult.

We stopped at a teahouse for a short rest, and it took us more than an hour to reach Dajue Temple.

Just as Qiu Hong helped Wang Shi out of the car, a familiar voice rang out:

"Second sister-in-law..."

(End of this chapter)