"Uncle, the ambition of the Northern Yuan Dynasty is truly great. Not only have they set their sights on you, but they're also targeting Auntie."
He truly admired the Northern Yuan Dynasty for daring to pluck hairs from a tiger's head; it was tantamount to seeking their own demise.
Mo Lingxi's expression was calm, his voice devoid of any fluctuation: "Isn't this quite good?"
Zicheng understood and felt no sympathy for the Northern Yuan Dynasty: "Uncle, we don't need to deal with the Northern Yuan Dynasty ourselves; the other kingdoms are there."
Mo Lingxi said indifferently: "Reveal the Northern Yuan Dynasty's schemes to the other kingdoms, and within a few days, the other kingdoms should arrive."
This was precisely what Zicheng was thinking. He suddenly remembered something: "Uncle, haven't you appeased Auntie yet?"
Mentioning this, Mo Lingxi pressed his forehead, quite helplessly: "It's all because of these kingdoms that my wife is unhappy and unwilling to reconcile with me. She's also worried about similar incidents happening again."
Zicheng stroked his chin and offered a suggestion: "Uncle, I suggest you appease your father-in-law and mother-in-law first. I heard that your father-in-law and mother-in-law don't favor you."
"Auntie values her parents greatly. If you can appease your father-in-law and mother-in-law, why worry that Auntie won't reconcile with you."
Mo Lingxi found this reasonable and pondered it carefully: "Do you have any good methods to help me appease my father-in-law and mother-in-law?"
Zicheng: "...General Sheng and his wife care about Auntie. Simply put, General Sheng and his wife hope Auntie's life is peaceful and joyful, without so many troubles and dangers."
"Uncle might as well show your best. Perhaps you can gain the help of General Sheng and his wife."
Mo Lingxi didn't understand: "Show what?"
Zicheng: "Show how you diligently resolve troubles, and your attitude towards Auntie. You must show it for General Sheng and his wife, and Auntie to see your sincerity."
"Uncle, the more it's like this, the more you need to show it, not just do it silently. As the saying goes, no matter how much you do, it's not as useful as how much you show. Look at those young ladies, why do they like playboys? Because they know how to talk and present themselves."
Mo Lingxi thought it over and felt more and more that Zicheng was absolutely right. Those young ladies liked playboys precisely because playboys knew how to talk and present themselves.
"Uncle, there's a good opportunity now. Isn't the Northern Yuan Dynasty trying to scheme against Auntie? You help resolve this matter, but make sure General Sheng and his wife, and Auntie, know how you resolved it. The process should be a bit more convoluted."
"Thank you, Your Majesty. I'll treat you to a drink after this is done."
Zicheng smiled and agreed. Although his uncle wasn't very sentimental, who could help it when his uncle had fallen for Auntie? As a nephew, all he could do was help.
...
The next day, early in the morning.
Sheng Lengshuang took Xiao Feng to the outskirts. She planned to plant some things on the mountain, striving towards her goal of becoming a landlady.
Xiao Feng was perched on the window, chattering excitedly.
Sheng Lengshuang's eyes were gentle as she cautioned him to be careful not to fall. She hadn't asked him to stay quietly in the carriage; children were like this, there was no need to restrain them excessively.
"Mother, Father is here again!"
Hearing her son's unhappy voice, Sheng Lengshuang looked in the direction he pointed and saw Mo Lingxi leaning over and looking at her: "Oh, King Mingrui, aren't you busy receiving envoys? Why have you come to me?"
Mo Lingxi was full of indulgence: "Wife..."
Sensing Sheng Lengshuang's gaze, he changed his words: "You and Xiao Feng are going out, how can I not follow? As for the envoys, the Ministry of Rites will receive them; I'm not needed."
Nothing was more important than accompanying his wife and son.
Sheng Lengshuang's eyes brightened, and her smile turned sweet: "Xiao Feng, have you noticed that Father is becoming more eloquent?"
Xiao Feng nodded vigorously, hands on his hips like a little adult: "Mother, you must not be fooled by Father again. Xiao Feng tells you, a man's mouth is a deceiving ghost, especially men like Father. They are best at using sweet talk to deceive women."
Mo Lingxi: "..." This was truly his good son.
Sheng Lengshuang covered her mouth and chuckled: "Xiao Feng, you are also a little man."
Xiao Feng patted his chest: "Mother, Xiao Feng is different from those stinky men... Right, Father is also a stinky man. Xiao Feng is Mother's son, and will protect Mother. I will never make Mother sad in my life."
"Unlike Father, this scoundrel, who makes Mother sad and brings so much trouble to Mother."
Mo Lingxi felt utterly weary. He truly lived up to being his good son, constantly stabbing him in the heart.
"Xiao Feng, you misunderstand Father."
Xiao Feng 'slapped' the carriage window curtain shut and said indignantly: "I haven't misunderstood Father at all. I saw it with my own eyes, and Father still won't admit it. He's too bad."
Mo Lingxi: "...Sheng Lengshuang, quickly control our son."
Sheng Lengshuang lightly flicked Xiao Feng's forehead and said to Mo Lingxi: "Where did Xiao Feng go wrong?"
Mo Lingxi was choked: "Alright, alright, it's all my fault. I promise I won't do this again in the future."
Sheng Lengshuang snorted and ignored him.
Mo Lingxi found that appeasing his wife was truly difficult.
The three arrived at the foot of the mountain.
Sheng Lengshuang glanced at the steward and more than a dozen helpers standing at the foot of the mountain, smiling faintly: "I presume the steward has clearly explained my rules to you. If anyone is unwilling, you may leave now."
Not a single helper was willing to leave. They had finally found such good work; anyone who left would be a fool.
Sheng Lengshuang reiterated her rules. She disliked those who slacked off or engaged in infighting. Those who worked diligently would receive more rewards. If anyone did things they shouldn't, or played tricks and schemes, the consequences would be more than just dismissal.
"This is the planning map I drew."
She took the drawing from a maid and had the steward show it to the helpers: "You will cultivate according to the planning map. Once the cultivation is done, you will plant. If you have any questions, ask the steward directly."
The helpers all agreed and then, led by the steward, went to their respective work areas.
Sheng Lengshuang saw Xiao Feng excitedly hopping, so she had a maid take him to play.
Xiao Feng cheered and ran off: "Mother, Xiao Feng will be good and won't run far."
Sheng Lengshuang knew her son's temperament. She had the secret guards watch Xiao Feng more closely, and then walked around with Mo Lingxi.
Mo Lingxi quietly spoke of the Northern Yuan Dynasty's schemes, reminding Sheng Lengshuang to be cautious: "Tell me if anything happens."
Sheng Lengshuang was not surprised that the Northern Yuan Dynasty would target her and said with a sneer: "Why is the Northern Yuan Dynasty in such a hurry? This doesn't fit the Northern Yuan Dynasty's character."
Mo Lingxi took her hand, but Sheng Lengshuang shook it off.
"King Mingrui, don't be so forward. Men and women are different."
Mo Lingxi knew she was referring to the presence of the Northern Yuan Dynasty envoys, which made him dislike the Northern Yuan Dynasty even more: "As my wife says, the Northern Yuan Dynasty is a bit hasty. Perhaps it's related to others eyeing our Eastern Jin Dynasty, or perhaps..."