Sheng Lengshuang's blunt words gave Sima Min no face at all, but no one present sympathized with Sima Min, nor did anyone speak up for her.
The disdainful and spitting gazes of the ladies and young ladies present were almost palpable, and they pointed fingers at Sima Min.
Sima Min's eyes truly welled up with tears, her whole body aching with hatred, yet she could do nothing to Sheng Lengshuang. Everyone knew that although Sheng Lengshuang had divorced Prince Mingrui, she was still highly regarded by him, and the Sheng family itself was favored by His Majesty, so she was not someone whom the powerless Sima Min could offend.
"In the past, Miss Sheng and I had some misunderstandings. I hope to resolve these misunderstandings today."
In the future, she was determined to make Sheng Lengshuang be pointed at by a thousand fingers.
Sheng Lengshuang truly did not want to deal with Sima Min. She suppressed the urge to roll her eyes and said, "Miss Sima, please use your brain. Our relationship is so bad, do you think I would forgive you with just a few words?"
"Or, in your opinion, no matter what you do, as long as you say a few unconvincing words, others must forgive you?"
Sima Min indeed thought so. She, as a county princess enfeoffed by His Majesty's imperial grandfather, held a noble status and was always sought after in her circle.
If it weren't for Sheng Lengshuang's despicable methods that stripped her of her county princess title, she wouldn't have fallen to this state.
"Miss Sheng, you're joking. I never thought that."
As Sheng Lengshuang was about to ask Sima Min to leave, she saw Mo Lingxi walking over out of the corner of her eye and smiled, "Why are you here instead of discussing matters with His Majesty?"
Mo Lingxi glanced indifferently at Sima Min, his eyes gentle as he walked in front of Sheng Lengshuang. "Is she here to cause trouble for you?"
Sheng Lengshuang shrugged, indicating she wasn't sure. "She said a lot of strange things. Who knows what she wants to do."
Mo Lingxi's displeased voice carried a cold edge. "You don't need to be polite to her in the future. If she bothers you, just deal with her. I'll back you up."
Sheng Lengshuang noticed Sima Min trembling with anger and smiled faintly, "With Prince Mingrui's words, I am reassured. I was really afraid you would be overly sentimental..."
"If I were to be sentimental, it would be for you," Mo Lingxi cut her off.
Sheng Lengshuang gave him an appreciative look, signaling him to properly talk to Sima Min, lest Sima Min continue to harbor unrealistic fantasies, thinking she could marry Mo Lingxi without Sheng Lengshuang.
Mo Lingxi protected her, looking coldly at Sima Min. "Miss Sima seems to think too highly of herself."
Sima Min dared to confront Sheng Lengshuang, but she didn't even have the courage to look directly at Mo Lingxi, especially the imposing Mo Lingxi at the moment.
"Please forgive me, Your Highness Prince Mingrui. I came to resolve misunderstandings with Miss Sheng, and I have no other intentions."
Mo Lingxi: "Do you think I would believe that?"
Sima Min bit her lip, tears welling up in her eyes. "Your Highness Prince Mingrui, I really came to resolve misunderstandings with Miss Sheng."
Seeing this, Mo Lingxi became even more disgusted with her. "Who are you putting on this act for?"
The ladies and young ladies present looked at Sima Min differently.
"Look at her like this. His Highness Prince Mingrui only said a few words to her, and she's already putting on this wronged and pitiful act, trying to seduce His Highness Prince Mingrui in public."
"I've seen through Sima Min. When His Highness Prince Mingrui wasn't doing well before, she was extremely disgusted and tried every means to break off the engagement. Now that His Highness Prince Mingrui is doing better, she's shamelessly throwing herself at him. She's truly disgusting and calculating."
Sima Min, who had been pampered since childhood, could no longer bear it and ran away crying.
However, her running away only worsened her reputation, and the reputation of Prince Rui's mansion also suffered.
Sheng Lengshuang clicked her tongue as she watched Sima Min run away. With such psychological resilience, she still dared to scheme against her; it was truly laughable.
"Why did Prince Mingrui come over?" she teased with a smile.
Mo Lingxi flicked her forehead lightly. "I came to check on the situation, and I also have something to tell you. Were you bullied?"
Sheng Lengshuang indicated that she would never be bullied.
Mo Lingxi was relieved and walked with her to a corner to discuss matters in a low voice.
"His Majesty and I just discussed it. We want to try using His Majesty's Empress and concubine positions."
Sheng Lengshuang touched her chin, her eyes slightly narrowed. "It might not succeed."
Mo Lingxi: "The chances will be much higher."
Sheng Lengshuang understood. "Did His Majesty really agree to do this?"
Mo Lingxi nodded calmly. "This is also for the good of Dong Jin. His Majesty would naturally agree."
Sheng Lengshuang didn't quite believe it, always feeling that Mo Lingxi had a hand in it. "Did you do something?"
Mo Lingxi, who had indeed done something, showed no emotional change. "Look at what you're saying. How could I do such a thing? His Majesty brought it up himself."
Sheng Lengshuang still didn't quite believe it, but she also knew she wouldn't get any useful information, and more importantly, she needed to resolve the current matters.
"The envoys from several countries who are coming to congratulate us will arrive soon, right? Tell me, will the princess of marriage alliance be among them?"
Mo Lingxi couldn't be sure about this. "It's possible. If that's the case, then arrange for Consort Ning to come forward."
Consort Ning was the Princess of Nanning, who was enfeoffed as Consort Ning after the new emperor ascended the throne.
Sheng Lengshuang's heart felt blocked by a surge of anger, unable to go up or down, making her feel extremely uncomfortable. "What if several countries insist on you for the marriage alliance?"
Mo Lingxi had considered these possibilities. He comforted her, "I have arrangements. I only have one principal consort, so who should that be? Several countries would not be willing for a princess of marriage alliance from another country to stand above them."
Sheng Lengshuang raised another question. "What if several countries have already made their arrangements, what will you do then?"
Mo Lingxi said this was impossible.
Sheng Lengshuang looked confused.
Mo Lingxi patiently explained, "If it were you, would you be willing for another country to step all over you? More importantly, several countries are an alliance of interests. Everyone wants to pay the smallest price and gain the greatest benefit, so why would they give another country an opportunity?"
Sheng Lengshuang thought carefully and realized it was indeed the case. Even if several countries had outwardly agreed, they would still have their own hidden agendas to achieve what they wanted.
"We still need to be more careful, just in case."
Mo Lingxi repeatedly assured her that he would be more careful and cautious. "When the envoys from several countries arrive, they will definitely target you, so you also need to be more careful."
Sheng Lengshuang understood the reason after a moment's thought. She was the former Princess Mingrui's consort and the only child of the Sheng family, so it was not strange for several countries to target her.
"Are we going to attend the palace banquet?"
Upon hearing Mo Lingxi's question, Sheng Lengshuang was surprised. "Can we not attend the palace banquet? Tonight's palace banquet is the first one after the new emperor's enthronement. By rights, everyone should attend."
Mo Lingxi: "...Actually, His Majesty doesn't really want to hold a palace banquet. He doesn't like these things."
Sheng Lengshuang: "Why do I feel like it's you?"