She recognized many of the ladies and young ladies as family members of military generals, understanding they were all there to pray for the safety of their loved ones.
According to her mother, many generals' sons and grandsons had joined the battlefield in this war, along with many civil officials' sons and grandsons.
Although the battlefield was dangerous, it was the best opportunity to enter officialdom, and such military achievements were the greatest guarantee for oneself and one's family.
The mother and daughter returned to the estate, and Sheng Lengshuang began making medicine while Madam Sheng reviewed the account books, contemplating how much money they could allocate for supplies and food.
"Since your father left, my heart feels so empty," Madam Sheng sighed softly. "It's been many years since a war broke out, and with this sudden conflict, I feel uneasy."
Sheng Lengshuang understood perfectly. "Mother, no matter how much we worry, it's useless. It's better to focus on what we can do; perhaps it can help Father and the others a lot."
Madam Sheng knew this, but she couldn't help but worry. "Lengshuang, talk to me, my heart is unsettled."
Sheng Lengshuang reached out to feel her pulse and comforted her, "Mother, don't think so much. To put it bluntly, thinking more won't help and will only tire you out."
Madam Sheng said with concern, "I worry about you even more. Since this incident, I've been wondering if it was right or wrong to arrange your marriage with Prince Mingrui."
"If you hadn't discussed marriage with Prince Mingrui, perhaps you wouldn't be in this situation now."
Sheng Lengshuang withdrew her hand and gave Madam Sheng a pill. "Mother, you've been too worried lately. You need to relax and stop having such wild thoughts."
"As for my relationship with Mo Lingxi, it's possible we would have ended up together even without Mother's matchmaking. Even if we hadn't discussed marriage, with his personality, he would have found a way to reach this point."
Madam Sheng's brow was furrowed, and she couldn't help but sigh. "Mother knows, but she still feels pained for you. You've suffered so much since you were young, and now..."
Her words trailed off.
Sheng Lengshuang held her hand and said softly, "Mother, I don't feel like I've suffered. My life was a bit difficult before, but at least I learned a lot."
"Mother, please don't think about it so much. Let's prepare more things, just in case."
Madam Sheng nodded. "Lengshuang, if there's a chance to accompany the army, would you want to go?"
Sheng Lengshuang's eyes lit up. "Mother, can I accompany the army?"
"I'm not entirely sure. Years ago, I accompanied the army for a while. However, there are many taboos when accompanying the army, and the military camp is full of men, which presents many inconveniences."
"Even so, if there's an opportunity, I'd like to accompany the army. It would put my mind at ease."
Madam Sheng understood perfectly. "Your medical skills are good, so you might be invited to be a military doctor in the future. However..."
She paused, then added, "There is a distinction between men and women. If you were to become a military doctor in the camp, facing so many men, it's hard to say whether Prince Mingrui would have any thoughts about it."
"Even if he doesn't, after hearing so much gossip from others, it's easy for him to develop thoughts."
Sheng Lengshuang was quite open-minded. "Mother, if Mo Lingxi is that kind of person, I won't marry him."
"I don't want to be subjected to his groundless accusations or cold words because of a little gossip."
Madam Sheng felt that was reasonable and decided not to press the matter further. Lengshuang was their only child, and she could live very well even without marrying.
At worst, Lengshuang could take a husband who would live with them.
...
In the palace, in an extremely remote and desolate palace, within the hall.
Sima Min glared fiercely at Awu, suppressing her anger. "You said you wouldn't be discovered, but I was found out, and now I have to hide here."
Awu was no longer very interested in the woman before him and was somewhat impatient. "Who told you not to listen? You kept scheming against those imperial consorts. Do you think the Emperor and the others are stupid?"
Sima Min didn't believe she had done anything wrong. Her goal was to become Empress, so she naturally had to deal with consorts of higher rank. "I don't care, you have to find a way to make me Empress."
She could no longer tolerate her current life and wanted to return to the noble life she had before.
Awu found her rather distasteful. If this woman were not useful to the master, he would not tolerate her arrogance here.
"If you want to become Empress, you must follow my instructions obediently. If you continue to disobey like before, I will no longer manage you."
Sima Min truly hated her current life, but she hated Sheng Lengshuang even more. "I heard Sheng Lengshuang moved to the estate? This is a great opportunity, you must catch her for me. I want to torture her with my own hands."
"If it weren't for that bitch Sheng Lengshuang, how could I have ended up like this? It's all her fault!"
Awu: "Do you think Sheng Lengshuang is easy to catch just because she moved to the estate? She's followed by countless elite royal guards, and even the maids who serve her know martial arts."
"However, there's an opportunity now that can let you collect a little interest."
Sima Min's spirit perked up, and she asked sinisterly, "What opportunity?"
Awu looked up at her slightly. "Isn't Young Master Mo in the palace? If you can get close to him, do you think you can collect a little interest?"
Just thinking about the scene made Sima Min extremely excited. "I want to make Sheng Lengshuang suffer!"
...
On this day.
Sheng Lengshuang had something to discuss with Zi Cheng, so she went to the palace to find him.
When she arrived at the side hall of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, she happened to see Xiao Feng approaching and immediately broke into a smile. "Xiao Feng!"
"Mother!" Xiao Feng threw himself into her arms and said affectionately, "Mother, are you staying in the palace today? I haven't seen Mother for a long time."
Sheng Lengshuang smiled and agreed.
She glanced at the palace attendants serving Xiao Feng and noticed a few unfamiliar faces, her brow furrowing slightly. She took Xiao Feng's hand and entered the side hall.
After the mother and son paid their respects, they sat in chairs.
Sheng Lengshuang noticed that Zi Cheng looked a bit tired, with bloodshot eyes, and advised him, "Your Majesty, please take care of your health and get more rest."
Zi Cheng took a sip of strong tea and waved his hand, indicating he was fine. "I'm still young, I can manage. Besides, the war between the two armies is of great importance, and I need to make more arrangements."
"Little Aunt, is there something you need from me?"
Sheng Lengshuang mentioned the matter of refining salt. "I have a method here that can refine better salt. However..."
Zi Cheng: "Little Aunt, please speak freely."
Sheng Lengshuang: "I was thinking about the war on the border and the potential shortage of salt. I was wondering if this formula could be sent to the border as a precaution?"
Zi Cheng and his ministers had already considered this. He hummed in acknowledgment. "I have already ordered people to control all these supplies. Little Aunt, show me your method; it might be useful."
Sheng Lengshuang handed him the formula. "Your Majesty, may I refine some salt? Not for sale, but for family use and to send to the border."