The soldier was exhausted, yet he knelt on the ground and recounted, "Your Majesty, the specifics are unknown. All we know is that the Southern Jin Dynasty declared war without any warning. If the general had not been prepared and constantly vigilant, this surprise attack by the Southern Jin Dynasty might have succeeded."
Upon hearing this, Zi Cheng realized the gravity of the situation. He instructed the chief eunuch to help the soldier to a place of rest, then turned to Mo Lingxi, "Uncle, let us discuss matters in the Imperial Study."
Mo Lingxi also understood that the border war was the most pressing issue, and interrogating Sima Min could wait.
He picked up Xiao Feng with one hand and instructed Sheng Lengshuang, "Wife, you stay here for now. If you need anything, instruct the palace staff. It's possible that Xiao Feng and I will have to stay in the palace today."
Sheng Lengshuang's brows furrowed, and her heart felt uneasy. "You go ahead and attend to your business. I won't run around. At most, I'll have a chat with Sima Min."
Mo Lingxi added a few more words of caution, then followed Zi Cheng with Xiao Feng.
The commander of the Imperial Guards was left behind to look after Sheng Lengshuang.
Sheng Lengshuang was anxious, and with no more time to spare for Sima Min, she asked, "Sima Min, what else do you know?"
Sima Min, who had been contemplating the war, flinched at Sheng Lengshuang's voice. "I've told you everything I know. Sheng Lengshuang, now is not the time to discuss these matters. The most important thing now is to resolve the outbreak of war."
Sheng Lengshuang genuinely admired her thought process. "What does the outbreak of war have to do with you, an wanted criminal?"
Seeing Sima Min's expression falter, with a hint of resentment, she continued, "If it weren't for all of you causing so much trouble, would so many things have happened, giving others an opportunity to take advantage?"
"Back then, when several countries came for peace talks, you people didn't hesitate to use the people from those countries. Did you ever consider these consequences then? No! You only ever thought of your own interests.
Even now, you're still thinking of your own interests. The only reason you're talking about the war is to save your own life and interests."
Her thoughts exposed, Sima Min gritted her teeth. "So what? Aren't you afraid of death? Besides, everyone acts for themselves."
Sheng Lengshuang sneered, "I'm not like you, who would kill their own father for personal gain and even lead to their family's downfall."
The Sima family had truly fallen, and the reason was Sima Min.
With Sima Min being a wanted criminal, the Emperor would never employ anyone from the Sima family. Other families would seize the opportunity to suppress the Sima family, thus leading to their downfall.
Sima Min casually shrugged, "So be it, if we fall."
As long as she was alive, she could revive the Sima family at any time.
Sheng Lengshuang could guess her thoughts and knew that no amount of words would change someone like her. "Unfortunately, you'll be dead soon and won't be able to revive the Sima family."
Sima Min's face changed drastically, and she shrieked, "Sheng Lengshuang, you have no right to dispose of me! You don't have that authority!"
Sheng Lengshuang ignored her words and walked to the hall's entrance, gazing at the sky with deep concern. Previously, the Eastern Jin Dynasty had signed a peace treaty with the Southern Jin Dynasty, but suddenly the Southern Jin Dynasty had broken the treaty and declared war. This was a significant issue.
Most importantly, with the outbreak of war, Mo Lingxi and her father would have to go to the battlefield.
The battlefield was so dangerous and unpredictable. She was very worried about Mo Lingxi and her father.
She clenched her fists tightly, thinking of ways to stop this war or make the Southern Jin Dynasty retreat. It would be best if Mo Lingxi and her father did not have to go to the battlefield.
...
At the same time.
In the Imperial Study.
Zi Cheng and Mo Lingxi were examining a map, discussing the current war. Xiao Feng sat obediently to the side, listening.
"Uncle, what do you think is the reason for the Southern Jin Dynasty breaking the treaty and declaring war?" Zi Cheng asked with a grim expression and a slightly hurried tone.
Mo Lingxi pointed to Chengmen Pass on the map, his expression calm. "Without more clues, it's difficult to say why the Southern Jin Dynasty suddenly declared war. I suspect this matter is not as simple as it appears."
Zi Cheng had the same feeling. "Could it be that something has happened to the old emperor of the Southern Jin Dynasty?"
Mo Lingxi narrowed his sharp eyes. "Your Majesty, let's not speculate too much for now. We'll discuss it further when we have more accurate information. The more important matter now is to arrange for provisions and troops."
"I will lead the troops this time!"
Zi Cheng was startled. He glanced at Xiao Feng. "Uncle, this..."
After a pause, he continued, "Uncle, if you lead the troops, what about Aunt? You and Aunt are already discussing marriage."
It was difficult enough for Uncle to finally get Aunt to agree to reconcile, and now such a thing had happened at this critical juncture.
Mo Lingxi pursed his thin lips and sighed, "The war is more important now. Your Aunt will understand me. Besides, it's not too late to get married after I return."
Sheng Lengshuang had asked him about this issue before, and now it had become a reality.
Zi Cheng understood his distress and self-reproach. He patted his shoulder. "Uncle, after the discussion, you should talk to Aunt properly. The battlefield..."
His words trailed off, and he added, "No one wants this to happen."
Mo Lingxi pressed his temples. He knew how dangerous the battlefield was. If possible, he wouldn't want to go to war, but this time he had to.
"Your Majesty, let's discuss the provisions and the soldiers."
With the Southern Jin Dynasty suddenly declaring war, he had to go and deter them, to prevent other countries from interfering.
Xiao Feng was very unhappy, but he didn't throw a tantrum. He understood very well that this was not a time to throw tantrums, and he also knew that his father had to go to the battlefield.
If only he were a little older, then he could go to the battlefield with his father, take care of him, and stop his mother from worrying.
...
Sheng Lengshuang waited for over two hours, but Mo Lingxi and Xiao Feng did not come to find her. Instead, she learned from the commander of the Imperial Guards that several important officials, including her father, had entered the palace for discussions.
Her mood grew worse, and she even neglected Sima Min.
Not wanting to waste time, she sat in the side hall, continuously preparing various powders. There were antidotes, healing medicines, and remedies for various illnesses, as if only by doing this could she feel a little better.
If only there were no battlefield, how good would that be?
Just then, she was suddenly lifted into the air. Confused, she looked at the commander of the Imperial Guards carrying her out, and instinctively put away all her powders and other items.
"What has happened?"
"Please forgive me, Miss Sheng. There's been a sudden fire!" The commander of the Imperial Guards strode out of the side hall as quickly as possible, reaching a safe location and protecting Sheng Lengshuang.
It was then that Sheng Lengshuang heard the exclamations of many palace staff.
"Quick, quick! Bring more buckets of water! This sudden, unprovoked fire is likely man-made."
"Bring more water over there. Don't worry about Sima Min. The commander said it would be even better if traitors like Sima Min were burned to death."
Sheng Lengshuang looked over and saw that the main hall of Mingyue Palace was engulfed in flames.