Sheng Lengshuang was somewhat surprised. "Weren't we saying we'd expose Zhou Wenxing's theft of the late emperor's remains? Why hasn't it been revealed yet?"
Mo Lingxi chuckled. "This matter isn't something that can be easily revealed. It needs to be properly prepared before it can be made public. After all, it involves the late emperor's remains. If it's not handled properly, it will have a significant impact on the royal family and His Majesty."
Sheng Lengshuang understood and said, "So, it's almost ready now?"
Mo Lingxi nodded. "It's almost ready. We'll take advantage of this opportunity to see if we can find any useful clues or capture Zhou Wenxing."
Sheng Lengshuang and Madam Sheng exchanged glances. Capturing Zhou Wenxing would likely not be easy, but now that there was an opportunity, they hoped to catch him.
If they couldn't capture Zhou Wenxing, it would be good to at least resolve him.
In any case, Zhou Wenxing could not be allowed to continue living, nor could he continue to be manipulated by shadowy figures.
...
When the news of Zhou Wenxing's theft of the late emperor's remains was made public, it caused a great uproar.
"Has Zhou Wenxing gone mad? His Majesty assigned him to guard the imperial mausoleum, and he actually stole the late emperor's remains and committed such a disrespectful act. He truly deserves to die."
"I heard it's related to Madam Sheng. I heard from a relative of a relative of mine... a distant relative who works for the Sheng family, that Zhou Wenxing is infatuated with Madam Sheng and firmly believes they are a pair. He's been trying everything to break up Madam Sheng and General Sheng, and even harmed their child for this reason."
"Damn it! Is Zhou Wenxing mentally unstable? Everyone knows that General Sheng and Madam Sheng grew up together and have a very deep affection for each other. Who does Zhou Wenxing think he is, trying to break up the Sheng couple?"
"The problem now is that Zhou Wenxing has the late emperor's remains. If his demands are not met, that lunatic might destroy the late emperor's remains."
The public was discussing the matter everywhere, and many people were searching for Zhou Wenxing's whereabouts, partly to claim the reward and partly out of anger at Zhou Wenxing's actions.
For a time, the public order and atmosphere in the Eastern Capital improved significantly, with even petty thieves and troublemakers decreasing.
If anyone caused trouble or did something they shouldn't, they would be scolded by the public or handed over to the Jingzhao Prefecture yamen.
Sheng Lengshuang, having learned this from Mo Lingxi, was in the mountains planting medicinal herbs with her son and Tail.
She glanced at the diligent Mo Lingxi, her eyes flickering. "Your royal family should offer some benefits to the common people, such as access to schools or money. With benefits, the people will be more motivated, and it will be easier for us to find Zhou Wenxing's whereabouts."
Mo Lingxi finished planting the herbs and asked if she was planting them correctly. He then said, "All these matters have been arranged. It's estimated that the people will receive benefits in the next two days."
Sheng Lengshuang couldn't help but sigh, truly worthy of someone who played power games in the royal family, having thought of all this. "Still no clue about Zhou Wenxing's whereabouts?"
Mo Lingxi handed her a waterskin and told Xiao Feng not to cause trouble. "I've investigated all of Zhou Wenxing's concubines and illegitimate children, as well as his clansmen. I haven't found anything suspicious, and no one has harbored Zhou Wenxing, but..."
Sheng Lengshuang drank some water and wiped the sweat from her forehead with an embroidered handkerchief, looking up at the sky. The weather was gradually getting warmer.
"But what?"
Mo Lingxi replied, "After the Zhou family was raided, their servants were either sold or redeemed themselves. Among those who redeemed themselves, a few are quite strange. I suspect they have had contact with Zhou Wenxing and have sent people to watch them."
Sheng Lengshuang nodded. "Compared to concubines and illegitimate children, redeemed servants are less likely to be suspected. This shows that Zhou Wenxing had made arrangements long ago."
Mo Lingxi had considered this. "You don't need to worry too much. I believe we'll find Zhou Wenxing's whereabouts soon. Zhou Wenxing is so valuable that many people want to use him to gain something."
Sheng Lengshuang understood this all too well and frowned. "Human hearts are always like this."
"What are you worrying about?"
"I'm not worrying about anything. These matters are not for me to worry about. I'm thinking about when I can resolve these issues and do what I want to do in peace."
Just as Mo Lingxi was about to comfort Sheng Lengshuang, he saw Xiao Feng approaching her.
"Mother, just focus on doing what you want to do. Leave all the troublesome matters to Father. If Father can't handle them well, then Mother shouldn't pay him any mind."
Sheng Lengshuang found this amusing, while Mo Lingxi's handsome face darkened. This was truly his good son.
"Xiao Feng, aren't you afraid your father will deal with you again?" Sheng Lengshuang said jokingly.
Children really don't learn their lesson. Xiao Feng had been disciplined by Mo Lingxi so many times, yet he still dared to say such things in front of him.
Xiao Feng glanced at his father's expression and said to Sheng Lengshuang, "Xiao Feng has Mother to protect him. Father wouldn't dare do anything to me."
Mo Lingxi let out a cold snort and scooped up Xiao Feng with one hand, walking to the side. "Wife, I'll take our son to have some fun. We'll be back shortly."
"Mother, save me!" Xiao Feng wailed loudly. "Mother, Father is going to kill your son! Please come and save Xiao Feng."
Sheng Lengshuang shook her head and continued planting medicinal herbs, ignoring the father and son's playful banter.
Mo Lingxi carried Xiao Feng to a place where Sheng Lengshuang couldn't see him and looked at him with a stern face. "You're quite pleased with yourself, aren't you?"
Xiao Feng was extremely obedient, shaking his head like a rattle drum. "No, no, no, Father. I was wrong. Can you forgive me?"
If he had known that his mother wouldn't help him, he would never have offended his father.
Mo Lingxi saw through his son's little thoughts at a glance and flicked his forehead twice. "Xiao Feng, your mother's poison has not been cured. If you continue to not help me like this, your mother might really marry someone else. Do you want a stepfather?"
The thought of that possibility sent a shiver through Xiao Feng. "No, no, no! Xiao Feng doesn't want a stepfather! Father, I understand. I won't do this again in the future."
He wanted to help Father win Mother over; he absolutely couldn't let Mother marry someone else.
He didn't want a stepfather!
As the saying goes, a stepfather often brings a stepmother.
Seeing that he understood, Mo Lingxi breathed a sigh of relief. "You need to say more good things about me to your mother. That way, your mother can remember those past events sooner, and then Father and I can reconcile."
Xiao Feng nodded his little head heavily. "Father, don't worry. I'll handle this well and get Mother to agree to reconcile with you as soon as possible."
Mo Lingxi patted his head. "Alright, let's go back and continue helping your mother plant medicinal herbs."
The father and son returned to the place where they were planting medicinal herbs.
Sheng Lengshuang saw the father and son returning, chatting and laughing, and knew that they had resolved their "differences." "Xiao Feng, how did your father bribe you?"
Xiao Feng leaned in and grinned. "Father gave Xiao Feng very, very big benefits."
He gestured to indicate "very, very big."