The imperial concubine nodded in agreement, giving the head palace maid a look of approval. "You're right, I can't rush this. Besides, there are plenty of people who want to deal with Sheng Lengshuang and that brat. I just need to sit back and reap the rewards."
The head palace maid flattered her, "Your Highness is truly wise. I can only think of instigating others to target Sheng Lengshuang and Prince Mo, not of enjoying the fruits of their labor."
The imperial concubine glanced at her freshly painted red nails with a hint of arrogance. "If you could think of that, you should be in my position. Serve me well, and you'll be rewarded handsomely in the future."
"With Your Highness's words, this servant is willing to go through fire and water for you."
"Good. Keep a close watch on the various palaces. Those people will surely make a move. Oh, and don't forget to keep a close eye on Consort Ning; she's a good pawn."
The head palace maid acknowledged the instructions and promised to keep a close watch on everyone.
...
One day.
Sheng Lengshuang was reviewing account books when Mo Lingxi arrived, holding a list.
"Take a look. This is the revised betrothal gift list. If you're unhappy, I won't bring it up again," Mo Lingxi handed the list to her.
Sheng Lengshuang wasn't unhappy. She looked at the betrothal gift list and found it even more extravagant than the previous one. "Have you emptied the entire Ming Rui Prince's manor?"
Any single item on this list would be enough to cover the expenses of an ordinary family for several years, and that's with good food and drink.
Mo Lingxi teased himself, "What can I do? To coax my wife back, I had to empty the entire manor. Even then, my wife might not be willing to return with me."
Sheng Lengshuang placed the betrothal gift list on a small table and quipped, "I never knew Prince Ming Rui had such a humorous side."
Mo Lingxi couldn't gauge her thoughts. "Are you happy or unhappy? No, I should ask, are you agreeing or not agreeing?"
"Have you asked my parents' opinion?" Sheng Lengshuang retorted.
Upon hearing this, Mo Lingxi said he was going to find his future in-laws and then dashed off.
Sheng Lengshuang shook her head and continued looking at the account books. Although her parents had told her to agree to Mo Lingxi sooner rather than later, at this crucial moment, they wouldn't agree to her marriage so easily.
Just as Sheng Lengshuang had predicted.
When General Sheng and his wife learned of Mo Lingxi's intentions, their expressions were not good. General Sheng's face was long and stern, looking as if he were about to fight Mo Lingxi to the death.
Mo Lingxi: "...General Sheng, Madam Sheng, please look..."
He had thought that winning over his wife would be the hardest part. Now he realized that his wife's approval was incredibly easy to obtain; the real challenge was his future parents-in-law.
Madam Sheng shot a glance at General Sheng and said to Mo Lingxi with a faint smile, "Prince Ming Rui knows that marriage requires the decree of parents and the words of a matchmaker."
Mo Lingxi understood the subtext and tensed his body. "Yes. As Madam Sheng said, my marriage with Sheng Lengshuang must be by parental decree and a matchmaker's word. May I know Madam Sheng's intentions...?"
Madam Sheng picked up her teacup and took a sip before speaking slowly, "My husband and I have only one daughter, and she is a daughter we finally found."
Mo Lingxi's heart hung in suspense. He nodded. "Madam Sheng is absolutely right. How about this, after my marriage to Sheng Lengshuang, we move back to the Sheng residence to live?"
Where they lived was not important; the most important thing was to be able to marry his wife.
Madam Sheng's smile deepened slightly, but she said, "His Highness Prince Ming Rui is of the royal family. How can he live in our Sheng residence? It is neither proper nor reasonable. More importantly, I do not wish for my daughter to be subjected to unpleasant gossip."
Mo Lingxi guaranteed, "Madam Sheng, I will handle these matters. I promise that Sheng Lengshuang will not suffer any ill repute."
Perhaps he should try to win them over one by one, starting with her father?
Madam Sheng said meaningfully, "How about, after Prince Ming Rui has resolved these matters, we discuss this again? No, this matter should not be discussed by Prince Ming Rui. It is neither proper nor reasonable, don't you agree?"
Mo Lingxi glanced at the silent General Sheng and thought that his mother-in-law was truly skilled at managing her husband, and his wife was indeed her daughter, equally skilled at managing her husband.
"Madam Sheng is absolutely right. This was my mistake. After I have handled these matters, I will invite a matchmaker."
Madam Sheng was quite satisfied with his attitude. "That would be best."
She picked up her teacup again.
Mo Lingxi understood immediately and found an excuse. "I'll go and ask Sheng Lengshuang for her thoughts. I won't disturb General Sheng and Madam Sheng any further."
He nodded and left.
"Madam, you let this brat off so easily?" General Sheng gritted his teeth.
Madam Sheng put down her teacup and lightly chided him with a speechless expression, "Why are you acting like that child?"
General Sheng huffed angrily, "That's our only child! We can't agree so easily."
Madam Sheng said with a wry smile, "...Do you think I *want* to agree so easily? But he is Prince Ming Rui, the Emperor's most trusted uncle. What if we go too far and anger Prince Ming Rui, or displease the Emperor?"
"Besides, your precious daughter clearly wants to marry him. Are you going to stop her?"
General Sheng wasn't unaware of these things; he was just upset. "I just don't want to agree so readily."
Madam Sheng shook her head. "Don't worry, your precious daughter won't agree to marry him so easily. She might even find a way to torment Prince Ming Rui. Just wait and see."
With Lengshuang's skills in managing her husband, even she, as her mother, felt inferior. Look how obedient she had made Prince Ming Rui; he would never go east if she told him to go west, and he was very chaste in his personal life.
...
Seeing Mo Lingxi's dejected expression, Sheng Lengshuang knew he had failed, and she was not surprised. "Prince Ming Rui still needs to work harder."
Mo Lingxi: "...Wife, not only are you not comforting me, but you're also stabbing me in the heart."
Sheng Lengshuang slapped away the approaching prince and closed the account book. "You know I don't fall for your tricks. What did my parents say?"
Mo Lingxi sighed and relayed Madam Sheng's intentions. "I'll go to the palace later and ask the imperial matchmaker to come. The proper procedures must be followed."
Sheng Lengshuang had never experienced the ancient customs of three matches and six rites, but she knew that the process was very tedious and time-consuming. "Even if the proposal is successful, the wedding won't be held for several months."
Hearing this, Mo Lingxi's face turned as dark as ink. "Several more months? I wish we could get married tomorrow!"
Sheng Lengshuang chuckled. "Do you dare to skip the three matches and six rites?"
Mo Lingxi dared not, not at all. "We must follow them!"
Hearing his gritted teeth, Sheng Lengshuang laughed unapologetically. "Instead of wasting time bothering me, why don't you hurry and find a matchmaker? You should ask the Emperor for help."