Tao Lengshuang stroked his head, only to hear Mo Lingxi's words and feel utterly speechless.
"Xiao Feng, what if the other party is a noble and powerful young master from a prominent family? You have no status, and they can bully you as they please," Mo Lingxi said.
Xiao Feng tilted his head, looking at his father with a hint of helplessness. "Daddy is so silly. Xiao Feng learned medicine and poison arts from Mommy, so I can use medicinal powders."
Mo Lingxi choked. "But they have powerful families backing them, and they can deal with you anytime."
Xiao Feng replied, "Then Xiao Feng will give them a terrifying poison, so they won't dare to do anything rashly again."
Mo Lingxi realized he couldn't even win an argument against his own son. In Xiao Feng's mind, any problem that could be solved with medicine or poison was not a problem, and there was no problem that medicine or poison couldn't solve.
"Xiao Feng, keep your father company," Tao Lengshuang said.
Xiao Feng looked confused. "Daddy is such a big person, with countless servants attending to him. Does he still need Xiao Feng to accompany him? Xiao Feng should be accompanying Mommy."
Tao Lengshuang asked Xiao Feng to talk with Mo Lingxi.
Xiao Feng obediently said "oh" and then jabbed at his father's heart. "Daddy, Mommy will find a good stepfather for me in the future, so Daddy doesn't need to worry."
"Pfft!" Tao Lengshuang choked on her own saliva and couldn't stop coughing. What strange things was Xiao Feng saying?
Mo Lingxi's forehead veins throbbed, and his entire face turned green. "Xiao Feng, is someone pursuing your mother?"
Xiao Feng hummed. "It seems so. Anyway, Mommy told everyone that Daddy died of illness. I heard from the neighbors that many people want to marry Mommy."
Mo Lingxi looked coldly at Tao Lengshuang and said through gritted teeth, "You told everyone I died of illness?"
Tao Lengshuang coughed lightly, her eyes darting away. "It was unavoidable. For Xiao Feng's reputation, I had to tell everyone you died of illness. I couldn't possibly say that you kicked me and Xiao Feng out."
Mo Lingxi felt like he couldn't catch his breath, his teeth grinding audibly. "Can't you wish me some good fortune?"
Tao Lengshuang responded, "...Where have I not wished you well? Wasn't that just a lie? Besides, you're here alive and well, and nothing has happened. Why are you so fierce? Are you showing off how loud your voice is?"
Mo Lingxi's aggressive demeanor immediately subsided. He put on a smile. "Well, I wasn't being fierce, I just spoke a bit loudly. I'll be mindful of that in the future."
"Exactly. You shouldn't tell everyone I died of illness anymore. It's not good, is it?"
Tao Lengshuang crossed her arms and leaned back in her chair, her legs crossed. "Please don't force yourself into the narrative, okay?"
Mo Lingxi nodded. "I promise I won't force myself into it anymore. Can we also not..."
Seeing Tao Lengshuang's gaze turn cold, he rubbed his nose. "Well, I was just saying, Xiao Feng has been quite well-behaved recently."
Xiao Feng thought, *Does Daddy not realize how silly he sounds?*
Tao Lengshuang didn't want to argue with Mo Lingxi. "That's all I mean. If you feel your pride is hurt, you can divorce me. I have no objections."
Mo Lingxi would be insane to divorce his wife, let alone when he wasn't insane. "Look at you, saying such nonsense. How could I possibly do such a thing?"
Tao Lengshuang countered, "Then I'll divorce you, or we can have a separation."
Mo Lingxi declared, "Impossible!"
Tao Lengshuang frowned. "Then tell me, what will it take for you to let go?"
Mo Lingxi stated that letting go was impossible. He softened his tone. "Tao Lengshuang, I can resolve all your concerns. We don't have to separate. You should also think about Xiao Feng."
Xiao Feng chimed in, "Xiao Feng will be fine with Mommy. You don't need to consider Xiao Feng for anything else."
Mo Lingxi felt like he was about to have a heart attack. His son truly wasn't on his side. At this crucial moment, Xiao Feng wasn't helping him.
"Xiao Feng, do you really want Daddy and Mommy to separate?"
Xiao Feng opened his wide, watery eyes. "No, Xiao Feng just wants Mommy to be happy. If Mommy is happy, that's more important than anything. Can't Daddy understand this crucial point?"
Mo Lingxi felt as if a sword had pierced his heart. Truly, his good son.
"But, Daddy can protect Mommy better."
A question mark slowly appeared above Xiao Feng's little head. "Didn't Daddy bring Mommy a lot of trouble and danger? Besides, Mommy and Xiao Feng were so happy when we were out on our own, and Mommy could handle those troubles."
Mo Lingxi sighed, realizing that going through his son was a dead end.
Xiao Feng obediently served Tao Lengshuang some food and then asked about something he considered very important. "Daddy, Mommy is about to divorce you. Shouldn't your family property be split half and half with Mommy? Mommy works very hard to raise Xiao Feng."
Mo Lingxi pressed his temples and said weakly, "You can have me bundled up and given to your mother as well."
Xiao Feng said with disdain, "No, no. Daddy is too troublesome. Mommy will have to take care of you too. Daddy should let those pretty sisters take care of you instead."
Mo Lingxi wearily complained to Tao Lengshuang, "My son is so harsh on me."
Tao Lengshuang raised an eyebrow and casually said, "Oh."
Mo Lingxi pleaded, "...Aren't you going to comfort me at all?"
Tao Lengshuang thought, *Comfort? A grown man needs her comfort? Isn't he ashamed?*
Mo Lingxi sighed softly. "Divorce is impossible, and so is divorcing each other. It will never happen in this lifetime. I will not be separated from you."
Tao Lengshuang found it troublesome and clicked her tongue. "Then let's just endure each other and see who lasts longer."
Mo Lingxi almost coughed up blood. "Is it necessary to be like this?"
Tao Lengshuang used an analogy. "Where you are is like this private room. If I go back with you, I'll have to stay in this room forever, with my words, actions, food, and clothing all conforming to the rules."
She pointed outside the window. "If I don't go back with you, I can enjoy the vast world and do what I want, without having to pay too much attention to my words and actions. If it were you, which would you choose?"
Mo Lingxi almost got drawn into her logic. "Tao Lengshuang, is it possible you're overthinking things? Look, those wives and young ladies from prominent families also have their own businesses, and they can do what they want."
Tao Lengshuang replied, "Look at them, aren't they all bound by their status and position? Every word and action must conform to their identity... Alright, there's no need to continue this topic. The path you and I must take is different."
Mo Lingxi declared forcefully, "We'll just pave a single path."
Tao Lengshuang was left speechless.
Mo Lingxi continued, "I know your concerns and thoughts. I promise you, after you return, nothing will change. You won't have to change anything for me, and your status and position will not become a restraint."
"Give me a chance, okay?"
Tao Lengshuang fell silent, unsure how to answer Mo Lingxi.