Tao Lengshuang quickly composed herself, her expression laced with worry. "Is it something serious?"
Mo Lingxi leaned in and wrapped his arms around her waist, kissing her with reluctance. "His Majesty intends to depose Zi Cheng. If this matter is not handled well, it will cause great chaos."
Tao Lengshuang's brow furrowed. Forgetting her own concerns, she asked, "Why would His Majesty want to depose the Crown Prince out of the blue?"
"It's all conspiracy theories. His Majesty doesn't want others to encroach upon his power or covet his position."
"I see. Then be careful."
Mo Lingxi assured her he would be careful. He caressed Tao Lengshuang's face with lingering affection and gave her a long kiss. "Once this is settled, I will return and continue what we left off."
Tao Lengshuang's lips twitched. She felt a pang of dissatisfaction, realizing that men always remembered such things.
"Go and attend to your business quickly."
"There's no rush for this particular moment."
Mo Lingxi pushed her onto the kang and they shared an intimate moment before he reluctantly let her go. "Why don't you come with me?"
If only there were more time. At this very moment, he and Tao Lengshuang were enjoying themselves, and she would have been completely his.
Tao Lengshuang lay on the kang, feeling weak and speechless as she looked at him. "Prince Mingrui, can you stop thinking about this all the time? If you really can't help yourself, you can find a few concubines. I wouldn't mind."
Mo Lingxi's gaze turned cold, and he said displeasedly, "What nonsense are you talking about? Am I that kind of person?"
"When I have time, I'll deal with you."
Tao Lengshuang: "...Go and attend to your business. I want to sleep for a while."
Mo Lingxi kissed her, gave her a few more reminders, and then left with his guards.
Tao Lengshuang lay on the kang, her eyes unfocused as she stared at the ceiling beams. After a while, she finally mustered some energy.
She had to gather her spirits; she had many things to do and needed to prepare for the future.
As she was preparing medicine, Xiao Feng came bouncing in.
"Mother, Xiao Feng is here to help you."
Xiao Feng brought a stool and sat in front of Tao Lengshuang, trying his best to assist her. "Mother, how long will Father be gone this time?"
Tao Lengshuang paused in her medicine preparation and suddenly asked, "Xiao Feng, if Mother takes you away from here, and you might never see your father again, only living with Mother, would you be willing?"
Xiao Feng looked confused, tilting his head. "Aren't Mother and Father doing well? Why is Mother suddenly saying this?"
Tao Lengshuang pursed her lips and said solemnly, "Your father has been betrothed. In the near future, he will marry a woman of suitable standing."
"If Mother continues to stay by your father's side, it's hard to guarantee that his new wife won't have any ideas. So, Mother wants to take you to live somewhere else."
Xiao Feng was so shocked that his expression became uncontrollable. He put his hands on his hips and nodded angrily, "Mother, let's move. Let's move to a place where Father can't find us. Then Xiao Feng will help Mother find a better man to make Father angry."
Tao Lengshuang was amused and touched. She hugged her son warmly. "If Xiao Feng follows Mother, you will suffer a lot. You might not be able to live the good life you have now."
Xiao Feng patted his chest, declaring he wasn't afraid. "Xiao Feng is a little man, and I can earn money for Mother."
Tao Lengshuang could see that Xiao Feng was trying to cheer her up. Children didn't want their parents to separate, but she and Mo Lingxi were destined to part.
She glanced around the familiar main hall and sighed softly. "It's time to prepare for our departure."
Because of the "disaster star" incident, staying here would undoubtedly bring more trouble and danger.
Xiao Feng hesitated for a second, then cast his father aside. Father had so many women, but Mother only had him. He wanted to follow Mother and protect her.
"Mother, where are we moving?"
Tao Lengshuang hadn't thought of that yet. Moving was just a thought. "When Mother decides, I'll discuss it with Xiao Feng, okay?"
Xiao Feng nodded obediently. "Mother, it's chaotic outside. If we're going to move, let's move to Hehua Town or Dongdu."
Tao Lengshuang stroked his head, a sense of hesitation and apology welling up within her. Her selfish decision was not good for Xiao Feng, but she truly didn't want to continue like this with Mo Lingxi.
"Mother will consider it carefully."
She couldn't just think of herself; she had to consider Xiao Feng too.
Furthermore, she didn't have much money. The money she earned was basically used to buy supplies.
Without enough money, no matter how much she wanted to move, it wouldn't be possible.
Therefore, before moving, she needed to earn a sum of money sufficient for her and Xiao Feng to live without worrying about food and clothing for a period.
She needed to think carefully about how to make money. She couldn't rely solely on the pills, as that was a business Mo Lingxi knew about. In the future, she wouldn't be able to depend on him.
Meanwhile, Mo Lingxi was unaware that Tao Lengshuang was contemplating moving away to avoid him. He and his guards had rushed back to Dongdu at the fastest speed possible, quietly arriving at the Crown Prince's residence and meeting Zi Cheng, who was confined there.
"Uncle."
Zi Cheng was on the verge of tears. "Princess Anning has ruined me! She knew my situation was difficult and still came to find me. Couldn't she be more sensible?"
He had clearly rejected Princess Anning last time, stating he couldn't help her. Who knew she would still come looking for him, only to be discovered.
He was truly furious.
Mo Lingxi's brow furrowed. He summoned Zi Cheng's attendants and asked for details. "Zi Cheng, the issue here...?"
Zi Cheng nodded and sighed. "How could I not know Princess Anning was being manipulated? But she also knew the situation and my predicament, yet she still came to find me. It's clear she only cared about herself and not others' lives."
Because he had recently been effective in rectifying various cities, several princes were watching him closely and had often spread rumors.
Mo Lingxi tapped the armrest of the chair lightly with his fingers and said, "It's not that simple."
"Princess Anning, who has endured for many years, wouldn't make a mistake at this time. I'm afraid deposing the Crown Prince is just the beginning."
Zi Cheng understood immediately. "Uncle means it's aimed at you?"
Mo Lingxi said coldly, "I'm afraid it's not just aimed at me. It's a multi-pronged attack."
Zi Cheng exclaimed, "Oh, I see. Deposing the Crown Prince implicates a series of factions, leading to a dragnet, killing those who should be killed and resolving those who need to be resolved. No one will stand in the way."
He clapped his hands. "Brilliant, brilliant! I must say, this multi-pronged attack is a truly brilliant strategy. It's just that I don't know who is playing this trick."
Mo Lingxi hadn't figured this out yet. "It's a good opportunity to use your situation to resolve the betrothal, so Tao Lengshuang doesn't have a lingering issue in her heart."
Zi Cheng: "...Uncle, I'm your nephew, after all."
Mo Lingxi: "Isn't a nephew meant to be used like this?"