Sheng Lengshuang flung him away, "Stop trying to impress me. I'm telling you, your efforts to impress won't help with this."
Mo Lingxi steadied her again, still in good spirits. "Yes, yes, you're right. These efforts won't help with this."
His demeanor made Sheng Lengshuang lose her temper. "Alright, get to work."
Mo Lingxi gave Xiao Feng a look, and the father and son quickly grabbed their hoes and got to work.
Sheng Lengshuang took the tea cup from the maid and took a sip of water, then picked up her hoe to continue working. Xiao Feng truly lived up to being Mo Lingxi's son; in these matters, he was almost identical to Mo Lingxi.
By noon, Mo Lingxi and Xiao Feng were busy preparing meals. Sheng Lengshuang clicked her tongue, seeing how the father and son were really trying to impress.
After the meal was ready, the three sat on a thin blanket, eating and chatting.
As they talked, Mo Lingxi brought up a matter. "I've discussed with His Majesty, and we've decided to publicly announce the theft of the late emperor's remains. I suspect the late emperor's remains are already gone."
Sheng Lengshuang was startled. "Why do you say that? No matter what, those are the remains of several late emperors. No matter how insane Zhou Wenxing and the others are, they wouldn't dare do anything untoward to the late emperor's remains."
Mo Lingxi's brow furrowed slightly. "Who can be sure if those are the late emperor's remains?"
Sheng Lengshuang understood. She touched her cool neck. "That's true. It's just a pile of bones, and no one can identify if those bones belong to the late emperor. Besides, even if they don't, no one would dare to say so."
Those were the late emperors, not ordinary people. Regardless of whether they identified them correctly or not, if something went wrong, at best they would lose their lives, and at worst, their entire families would be executed.
Mo Lingxi hummed. "Even if they put in the remains of their own ancestors or wandering spirits, no one would recognize them. Once the plan is successful, publicizing this matter would bring about enormous impact and consequences."
Sheng Lengshuang narrowed her eyes. "I must say, the mastermind has a brilliant plan. But there's one thing I don't understand: why is the mastermind doing this? Is it to bring down the royal family? What benefit does this bring to the mastermind?"
Mo Lingxi was also unsure. He comforted her. "We'll find out sooner or later. Thinking too much now is useless. I'm telling you this so you can be careful and not fall into the mastermind's schemes."
Sheng Lengshuang said she would pay more attention. She bit the end of her chopsticks, thinking. "You say, if the envoys from the Southern Jin Dynasty caused some trouble, would the mastermind make a move?"
Mo Lingxi served her some food, indicating she should eat more. "It's not that simple. I'll handle this matter properly. You focus on your own affairs."
Sheng Lengshuang nodded. It was indeed best for her not to meddle in these matters. After all, she was just the daughter of a minister, and meddling in these affairs would be bad for her and her family.
After the meal, the three rested for a while before continuing to hoe the land.
They worked until evening, then took a carriage back to East Capital.
Upon arriving at East Capital, Sheng Lengshuang temporarily decided to visit the academy. The academy had already finished classes at this hour, but many people were still there.
Xiao Feng was sent back to the Sheng family first, to prevent him from finding excuses to linger at the academy.
As Sheng Lengshuang and Mo Lingxi alighted from the carriage, they saw many people standing at the main entrance of the academy, some of whom were children.
"I really want to get into the academy. My neighbor's child got into the academy, and in a short time, there have been great changes. Not only can they read, but they've also learned a good trade. It makes me so envious."
"Who here doesn't want their child to get into the academy? The academy is not only free, but it also teaches reading, writing, and trades. But it's not easy to get into the academy. There are assessments in all aspects, and those who are not up to par will be expelled."
"Yes, yes, a relative of a relative of a relative of mine, his child was lucky enough to get into the academy, but then he stole chickens and dogs at the academy and bullied classmates. He was expelled and now regrets it immensely."
Hearing this, Sheng Lengshuang and Mo Lingxi entered the academy.
As they entered, they happened to see several children holding wooden swords, playfully gesturing.
"The teacher said that if I can beat you next time, he'll make me a very, very beautiful wooden sword. You can't envy me."
"Hmph, why would I envy you? I'm the top student in our class. It's almost impossible for you to beat me."
"You can't be arrogant. The teacher said that arrogance is a bad thing. If the teacher finds out you're arrogant, you won't get any good results."
Watching the children run off happily, Sheng Lengshuang smiled and nodded. Just from this, she could tell that the children at the academy were living well.
"I think as long as the academy remains, in ten years or so, the Eastern Jin Dynasty will be very different."
The two walked slowly.
Mo Lingxi: "Let alone ten years, there are already some benefits now. These children have offered many useful suggestions to the teachers. Especially the children, although their ideas are wild and imaginative, it is precisely because they come from poor backgrounds that they can better understand what the common people truly need."
Sheng Lengshuang had the most experience with this. In her previous life, how many children from humble backgrounds changed their fate through education.
"It depends on whether the court can continue to run this academy."
Mo Lingxi told her not to worry. "Whether it's me or His Majesty, we are willing to continue running this academy. In ten years or so, when everyone sees the benefits brought by the academy, no one will want to close it."
Sheng Lengshuang thought that the people in power were watching the academy, and the academy had achieved results. Who would dare to clamor to close the academy? That would be no different from seeking death.
After touring the academy, Mo Lingxi sent Sheng Lengshuang back to the Sheng family.
However, on his way back to Prince Mingrui's mansion, he was stopped by Sima Min.
"Greetings, Your Highness Prince Mingrui." Sima Min bowed slightly, her head lowered.
Mo Lingxi didn't give her an extra glance and said coldly, "Is there something?"
To this day, Sima Min still didn't understand why Mo Lingxi would choose someone as lowly as Sheng Lengshuang. Sheng Lengshuang grew up in a village; what good could she possibly have? If it weren't for the Sheng family, she would be nothing in this East Capital.
Yet, she was suppressed by this lowly person and became a laughingstock in their circle.
"I've come to talk to Your Highness Prince Mingrui about Zhou Wenxing. I intended to speak with Miss Sheng earlier, but Miss Sheng doesn't pay me any mind." She gave a wry smile.
Mo Lingxi was unfeeling, or rather, he was like this towards all women except Sheng Lengshuang. "It's my wife who doesn't pay you any mind. Given what you've done, if my wife weren't kind-hearted, you would have perished long ago. And now, you come to meet an unrelated man late at night."
Sima Min's face turned red and white. "Please forgive me, Your Highness Prince Mingrui."
It must be that wretched Sheng Lengshuang who slandered her in front of Prince Mingrui. Very good!
Mo Lingxi didn't want to say anything more to this woman. "Do you know Zhou Wenxing's whereabouts?"
Sima Min said, "Yes." "I found out by chance. It's too late today. I'll visit Your Highness Prince Mingrui tomorrow, alright?"