Tao Lengshuang truly wanted to curse Princess Nanning upon hearing her words, but she managed to restrain herself. "Since Princess Nanning insists on being an ordinary person, I shall send you to experience what it's like to be one, and then you can tell me if you still want to be ordinary."
Princess Nanning's eyes lit up, and she excitedly asked, "Can Princess Mingrui truly help me evade my father the Emperor's surveillance and send me to live as an ordinary person?"
Tao Lengshuang smiled without warmth. "You needn't worry about that, Princess Nanning. I have my methods. I only hope you won't regret it."
Princess Nanning declared she wouldn't regret it. She was already eager to become an ordinary person, believing such a life would be wonderfully beautiful.
Seeing her like this, Tao Lengshuang found it increasingly ironic and laughable. It truly proved the saying that some people, while blessed, do not appreciate it, believing themselves to be living in hardship.
After Princess Nanning left, Tao Lengshuang complained to Mo Lingxi, "This is a princess who has never experienced the hardships of the common folk. She always thinks ordinary people live beautiful lives, without worries about food or clothing, with servants to attend to them, and no scheming."
Mo Lingxi put his arm around her shoulder and comforted her, "Once she experiences the hardships of the common folk, she will understand how difficult it is to be a princess."
Tao Lengshuang glanced at him sideways. "I think you rather wish for her to continue working."
Mo Lingxi, understanding her implication, cried out in protest, "Heaven and earth as my witness, I only love you. If I truly wanted an alliance through marriage, would I need to do all this?"
Tao Lengshuang's lips curved upwards, and she let out a soft scoff. "Who knows if you're not thinking of taking them all."
Mo Lingxi swore repeatedly that he had never had such thoughts. "Look, how many ways have I thought of to avoid this marriage alliance. You can't suspect me like this anymore."
Tao Lengshuang pinched his face and, with a sly thought, asked him, "Princess Nanning is quite a beauty. Aren't you even a little tempted?"
Mo Lingxi didn't dare to cry out in pain. He hugged his wife and praised her, "Princess Nanning is nowhere near as beautiful as you. In my heart, you are the most beautiful. Besides, I've barely seen her. How would I know if she's round or flat?"
Tao Lengshuang was somewhat satisfied with his answer and pushed him away. "Alright, during the period of national mourning, take it easy. If you're caught with any handle, it will be difficult for both of us."
As much as Mo Lingxi regretted it, he knew that nothing could be done during the national mourning. "You should leave the palace and go home first tomorrow. I still have some matters to attend to in the palace."
Tao Lengshuang had wanted to go home for a while. She was a little worried about Mo Lingxi. "The palace is still in disarray. Is it alright for you to stay?"
Mo Lingxi assured her it was fine, as everything had been arranged. "The main focus now is to find the real culprit and resolve the issues. All other problems are minor."
Tao Lengshuang couldn't help with these matters, so she could only urge Mo Lingxi to be careful. She was very worried, as the current situation was becoming increasingly unfavorable.
...
The next morning.
As Tao Lengshuang left the palace, she quietly brought Princess Nanning with her. As for the matters within the palace, they would be handled by Mo Lingxi.
As soon as they were out of the palace, Princess Nanning was like a bird released from its cage, looking at the outside world with surprise and curiosity, her face full of anticipation.
Tao Lengshuang gave her a mocking glance and then continued reading her medical book.
When they arrived at their destination, she led Princess Nanning into a courtyard and, as expected, heard her say,
"So small, so shabby!"
This was a courtyard for ordinary people, with three rooms: the master's bedroom, a kitchen, and a main hall. Beside it was an outhouse.
For Princess Nanning, who was accustomed to the luxurious and spacious imperial palace, it was indeed very small and shabby.
Tao Lengshuang handed her a bundle and, without hiding her amusement, said, "From today onwards, Princess Nanning will live here."
"I must remind you, you cannot say you are a princess here, nor can you reveal your beauty. Do not dress elegantly or attractively, as you could be targeted by ruffians at any moment."
She gestured for Princess Nanning to be silent and listen to what was being said outside.
"Didn't a carriage just arrive? Why is it gone? That's a carriage only the wealthy can afford. If we could snatch something, we wouldn't have to worry about food and drink for the rest of our lives."
"Heh heh~~ And if there were beauties, that would be even better. If we ruin a beauty's reputation, wouldn't we be able to marry into noble families? Then we could have any kind of good life we wanted?"
These words made Princess Nanning's face turn pale. Her eyes widened in terror as she covered her mouth, completely unable to believe what she was hearing. This was different from what she had heard and read in books.
Shouldn't the lives of ordinary people involve maids serving them, living in large houses, not worrying about making a living, spending their days composing poetry, and thinking about where to travel?
Seeing her expression, Tao Lengshuang guessed her thoughts. "Princess Nanning, the lives of ordinary people involve worrying about three meals a day, cooking and dressing themselves, and cleaning the house and its surroundings."
"It's not like what you imagined, where you don't have to manage or do anything, and there are no disputes or schemes, just living a leisurely life every day."
If ordinary people's lives were like that, there would be no poor people in this world.
Princess Nanning's already pale face turned even paler upon hearing this. She shook her head, unable to accept it. "No... clearly, ordinary people's lives are not like this. Don't ordinary people have maids serving them?"
This was completely different from the lives of ordinary people she had imagined.
Tao Lengshuang felt that Princess Nanning was a truly spoiled princess, who, instead of enjoying her noble life as a pampered royal, insisted on causing trouble and fantasizing about living an ordinary life.
"Princess Nanning, you are thinking too much. The ordinary life you speak of is the life of noble families. In your opinion, wouldn't noble families have disputes?"
Princess Nanning was well aware of the schemes and filth within noble families. She covered her mouth and squatted down, still unable to accept this immense gap. "How could it be like this?"
Tao Lengshuang looked down at her from above. "Princess Nanning, you still have a chance to change your mind. I can take you back to the palace and let you continue living your pampered royal life."
Upon hearing this, Princess Nanning mustered her strength and stood up. She shook her head and refused, "Thank you for your kindness, Princess Mingrui. I wish to stay here."
She no longer wanted to return to that cold, calculating, and dangerous imperial palace.
Tao Lengshuang let out a scoff and then left with her people. In at most two days, Princess Nanning would understand how difficult the lives of truly ordinary people were.
Princess Nanning looked at everything before her, covering her face in despair. This was truly nothing like the lives of ordinary people she had imagined.
But she couldn't dwell on it, her mind filled with the thought of escaping the palace and being free from constraints and danger.
Taking a few deep breaths, she managed to suppress her unease and despair and, carrying her bundle, walked towards the main hall.
When she saw how dirty and empty the main hall was, she almost cried, "Why is there nothing here?"