"Regarding the marriage alliance, is Princess Mingrui truly willing to divorce? Do you not care about Prince Mingrui?"
Tao Lengshuang smiled faintly, her expression betraying nothing. "Princess Nanning, your question is rather strange. It was your Northern Yuan Dynasty that used all sorts of means to propose this marriage alliance, and now you ask me such a question? Don't you find that odd?"
Princess Nanning also acknowledged the strangeness. "But I want to know, what is Princess Mingrui's attitude?"
Tao Lengshuang found it peculiar. "Princess Nanning, what is the significance of asking this? Regardless of my attitude, as long as the Eastern Jin Dynasty lacks sufficient capability to resolve the disaster victims' plight, they can only agree to the marriage alliance."
At this moment, Princess Nanning realized how terrifyingly calm Tao Lengshuang was. Unlike the wives of noble families or imperial consorts who would try to find solutions or win over their husbands when faced with such a situation, Princess Mingrui clearly understood what needed to be done for her own good and for the Eastern Jin Dynasty, without letting her emotions cloud her judgment.
Such a woman was indeed worthy of Prince Mingrui's affection.
"I understand Princess Mingrui's meaning."
Tao Lengshuang said calmly, "Did Princess Nanning come to see me solely to ask about this matter?"
Princess Nanning shook her head, then nodded. "When I came for the marriage alliance, I had already heard many things about Princess Mingrui. It wasn't until I met you in person that I realized hearing about someone is not as good as seeing them."
Tao Lengshuang maintained her usual expression. "Rumors, nothing more."
Princess Nanning felt a sense of emotion. If a woman like Princess Mingrui were born into a prominent family, her life would likely have taken a different turn.
"Is Princess Mingrui unwilling to accept this?"
Tao Lengshuang replied, "That depends on what aspect Princess Nanning is referring to."
Princess Nanning said, "Being robbed of your man like this."
Tao Lengshuang chuckled. "I don't care for someone who can be easily snatched away. Moreover, I'm not someone who can't find a good man to marry. Why would I hang myself from one tree? It's simply not worth it."
Princess Nanning found this theory novel and quite sensible. "It seems now that it is Prince Mingrui who is unwilling to let go. I now understand why Prince Mingrui is unwilling to let go."
"If I were a man, I would also choose a woman like Princess Mingrui."
Who wouldn't want a sensible, capable, and resourceful wife who also possessed medical skills, and most importantly, had a clear head in important matters?
Tao Lengshuang shrugged. "What about Princess Nanning? Are you truly willing for this marriage alliance?"
A trace of sorrow colored Princess Nanning's eyes. "Whether I am willing or not is irrelevant. Once my father's decree is issued, I must be willing, even if I am not. Throughout history, few women in marriage alliances have met a good end."
Tao Lengshuang uttered a soft "Oh" and did not pursue the topic further.
Catching sight of a maidservant entering out of the corner of her eye, she asked, "What is it?"
The maidservant bowed. "Eldest Miss, Miss Sima is here to see you. Do you wish to see her?"
Tao Lengshuang glanced at Princess Nanning and then instructed the maidservant to bring Sima Min in.
Not long after, Sima Min and her servant arrived in the main hall, led by the maidservant.
Sima Min smiled faintly and bowed. "Princess Mingrui, Princess Nanning, I hope I am not disturbing you?"
Tao Lengshuang replied that she was not and invited Sima Min to sit. "May I ask why Miss Sima has come?"
Sima Min took a wooden box from her maidservant and handed it to Tao Lengshuang. "Princess Mingrui, this is the money our family has raised. We thought it could be used to help the disaster victims."
Tao Lengshuang did not accept it, a slight smile playing on her lips. "Miss Sima should have given this to the Crown Prince..."
"This is my private contribution to Princess Mingrui," Sima Min interrupted, adding apologetically, "I wish to atone for my past mistakes. Now that Princess Mingrui is facing difficulties, I wanted to help in any way I could."
Tao Lengshuang propped her head with one hand, her gaze dark as she looked at Sima Min. "Miss Sima, we are not related, and I am not facing any difficulties. I cannot accept your kindness."
Sima Min placed the wooden box on the small table, indicating she had no ulterior motives. "I made mistakes before, but I have thought it through. I will not do anything foolish in the future."
"Furthermore, my family is already arranging potential suitors for me. Perhaps I will be married before long. What I am doing now is also for my own future."
Tao Lengshuang still did not accept it, stating that Sima Min should consider it part of her dowry. She dared not accept anything from Sima Min, not knowing what the consequences might be.
Sima Min shook her head with a hint of helplessness but did not have her maid retrieve the wooden box. She then smiled at Princess Nanning. "Princess Nanning is truly a beauty. I had heard much of your beauty, Princess Nanning, and seeing you today, I find that rumors could not capture even a third of your loveliness."
Princess Nanning smiled elegantly. "Thank you for your compliment, Miss Sima. However, in my opinion, my beauty cannot compare to Princess Mingrui's. Besides, true beauty lies in the spirit, not just the skin. Truly beautiful people radiate beauty from within, like Princess Mingrui."
Tao Lengshuang remained unfazed and said calmly, "Princess Nanning flatters me too much. I am nowhere near as good as you say. In my eyes, Princess Nanning is the truly great beauty."
She was quite adept at polite exchanges of compliments.
The three engaged in a round of reciprocal praise.
Listening to them, Tao Lengshuang found such interactions increasingly distasteful. People who were clearly wary of each other had to pretend to be amiable and exchange compliments.
Just then, she saw Mo Lingxi returning and raised her eyebrows in surprise. "Why are you back?"
Mo Lingxi walked directly to her, not even glancing at Princess Nanning or Sima Min. "I was worried you might be bullied, so I came back to check on you."
Tao Lengshuang found it amusing. "I was just chatting with Princess Nanning and Miss Sima. How could I be bullied?"
Mo Lingxi lightly tapped her forehead. "I'll accompany you around. If you don't want to deal with these people in the future, you don't have to. You don't need to force yourself."
Tao Lengshuang felt a warmth spread through her heart, and she smiled. "Look at what you're saying. I never force myself."
The two chatted as if no one else were present. Princess Nanning did not seem to mind, as a princess sent for a marriage alliance should have no room for emotions. Sima Min, however, couldn't help but steal a few more glances.
Just as Sima Min was about to speak, an eunuch rushed in.
"His Highness Prince Mingrui, something has happened in the palace! His Highness the Crown Prince requests your immediate presence in the palace!"
Upon hearing this, Mo Lingxi knew it was a serious matter. Unwilling to leave Tao Lengshuang to deal with these two alone, he took her with him to the palace.
Sima Min watched as Mo Lingxi led Tao Lengshuang away, not even sparing her a glance. "Princess Nanning, you saw it too. Prince Mingrui only has eyes for Princess Mingrui. Even if you marry Prince Mingrui through this alliance, you will ultimately not find happiness."
Princess Nanning said meaningfully, "And do you think Miss Sima can find happiness?"