Tao Lengshuang didn't quite understand his meaning: "What do you want to express?"
Mo Lingxi signaled her to wait a moment. He pondered, his brow furrowed at times, his handsome face growing cold at others, and he paced back and forth.
About two quarters of an hour later, he sat beside Tao Lengshuang: "If there were pills to extend lifespan, what choices do you think the emperors of the other countries would make?"
Tao Lengshuang's eyes brightened for a moment, then dimmed: "There won't be such pills. No pill can extend a person's lifespan. At most, it can regulate the body according to the individual's condition, allowing them to live a little longer."
This was exactly Mo Lingxi's point: "The more powerful one is, the more they want to live longer. We just need to leak this news, and I believe we will gain unexpected rewards."
Tao Lengshuang was not so optimistic: "What if the Northern Yuan Dynasty insists on a marriage alliance?"
Mo Lingxi stated that they would wait until Princess Nanning arrived, and he would find a way to make Princess Nanning disagree to the marriage alliance. At worst, he would use some special methods. He would never agree to a marriage alliance.
Tao Lengshuang pressed her forehead, saying they should first observe the situation. She warned Mo Lingxi not to act rashly, emphasizing that he should not do anything he shouldn't.
Mo Lingxi readily agreed and guaranteed he would not do anything he shouldn't.
Tao Lengshuang was very worried that Mo Lingxi would act recklessly and decided to pay more attention to him. She then brought up Zhou Wenxing's matter: "My godmother and I provoked him today. I expect he will make some moves, but I don't know what he will do."
Mo Lingxi's eyes turned cold: "If I'm not mistaken, he will kidnap you and my godmother, and then use you to threaten my godmother into agreeing to be with him."
"There's something I've never told you. My godfather has encountered danger several times. He was attacked by people of unknown origin. Fortunately, my godfather managed to escape each time. My godfather and I both suspect that Zhou Wenxing arranged these incidents."
Tao Lengshuang's brow twitched upon hearing this, and she was very worried about General Sheng's safety: "How much longer until my godfather returns?"
Mo Lingxi said it was uncertain. If they could obtain grain from the Northern Yuan Dynasty, General Sheng would supervise the relief of disaster victims in various places, and it would take at least half a year to a year to return.
Tao Lengshuang really didn't want General Sheng to handle this matter, but she knew that it was most appropriate for her godfather to do it. Her godfather's reputation was well-known, and the disaster victims would be more convinced and at ease if he took charge. Moreover, with her godfather present, those refugees or corrupt officials would not dare to act recklessly, and her godfather could also resolve these matters well.
She must not let her godmother know about her godfather's dangerous situations, or her godmother would worry herself sick.
When evening came.
Tao Lengshuang sat alone in her room, thinking about how to smoothly deliver the grain from her spatial medicinal garden to Mo Lingxi without arousing his suspicion.
Although Mo Lingxi was good to her now, it was hard to guarantee that he wouldn't do something upon learning that she could produce enough grain.
Human nature could not withstand speculation and testing.
As she was thinking, she heard a commotion outside. She went out to inquire what had happened.
The maid bowed and reported: "Reporting to the eldest young lady, it's rats. The weather is gradually warming up, and the rats are coming out to look for food."
Tao Lengshuang's eyes lit up at this. If Mo Lingxi discovered that the rats were hiding grain, things would be much easier.
With an idea, she asked the maid where the rat holes were and how many rats there were.
The maid thought Tao Lengshuang was looking for amusement and explained the situation of the rat holes in detail. She also said that the servants were all looking for the rats, but the rats were too good at hiding, and no one knew where they had gone.
After getting the information she wanted, Tao Lengshuang returned to her room to rest. She saw Mo Lingxi returning out of the corner of her eye and asked, "Are you done with your business?"
Mo Lingxi said no and hung up his outer robe: "The situation with His Majesty is not very stable, and it coincides with the Northern Yuan Dynasty coming for a marriage alliance. It is estimated that all countries are making some moves."
Tao Lengshuang's expression sank, somewhat worried that a war might break out. If a war truly broke out, Mo Lingxi, the God of War, would have to go to the battlefield, but the battlefield was perilous with swords and blades…
"What are you thinking about?" Mo Lingxi put his arm around her waist and sat on the bed: "It's late, we should rest."
Tao Lengshuang's mouth twitched, feeling very speechless: "I say, Your Highness Prince Rui, can't your brain hold anything else? The situation is so bad now, and you're still thinking about these irrelevant things."
Mo Lingxi kissed her: "I will handle all these matters, but for me, the most important thing is to be happy and harmonious with you."
Tao Lengshuang pushed him away, not in the mood: "I'm not in the mood. Go play by yourself."
Saying that, she wrapped herself in the quilt and slept on the innermost side.
Mo Lingxi could not force her. He embraced her, neck and all, into his arms: "Don't worry, everything will be resolved."
Tao Lengshuang sighed and said, "Let's sleep," then closed her eyes to rest. Mo Lingxi wouldn't understand her worries, and it was too early to talk about them now.
...
The next morning.
Tao Lengshuang quietly busied herself for half a day. No one knew what she was doing, nor did anyone dare to approach her.
After she finished, she prepared to go to the pharmacy to check the situation and also thought about recruiting a few doctors.
Madam Sheng and Xiao Feng, as usual, saw Tao Lengshuang off. The three of them walked to the main entrance, chatting and laughing, and saw the Tao family.
"Lengshuang!" Yu Shi cried sadly, wiping her tears: "Lengshuang, your eldest brother is gone. You must seek justice for us."
Tao Lengshuang could see that the Tao family was not genuinely sad or grieving. They wanted to extort money by using the death of the eldest son, Tao, to live a more comfortable life.
"Sheng Li was the one who killed him. Why are you looking for me?" she said coldly.
Yu Shi cried even more sadly: "The authorities are not helping us, Lengshuang. You must teach those officials a good lesson."
Tao Lengshuang was too lazy to argue with the Tao family. Just as she told Madam Sheng and Xiao Feng that she would return later and was about to get into the carriage, Yu Shi grabbed her.
She reached out and pushed Yu Shi away, impatiently saying, "I will not help you, and you should not come looking for me again."
Before her words had even fallen, she saw Yu Shi suddenly spit out a mouthful of blood and fall straight to the ground.
The scene was silent for two seconds, then the Tao family erupted in screams.
"Ah! Tao Lengshuang, you are too wicked! This is your mother, and you actually tried to kill your mother! You are worse than a beast!"
"Tao Lengshuang, we will not let this matter go. We will report you to the authorities and have you arrested."
Tao Lengshuang wanted to step forward to check why Yu Shi had died, but she was blocked by the Tao family. The Tao family also pushed her, cursing and demanding that she pay with her life.
As Tao Lengshuang tried to dodge, she saw the Tao family's second son's family and the eldest son's wife's family spitting blood and dying. This greatly stimulated the remaining members of the Tao family.
"Tao Lengshuang, you murderer! Killing your mother was not enough, you also killed your brother's wife and your nephew and niece! You are worthless!"