Tao Lengshuang truly did not want to recall the absurd events of last night. She herself didn't know how Mo Lingxi had succeeded in the end, nor how long he had tormented her.
But she understood a saying: men truly cannot go hungry for too long, or they will indeed become like wolves and tigers.
"Xiao Feng, don't listen to your grandmother's nonsense. Mother didn't sleep well last night, it's not like that," she gently shook her head at Madam Sheng.
Xiao Feng was a little disappointed but then immediately crawled to the carriage window to play, "Oh, Xiao Feng is used to it. Who told Father he couldn't coax Mother well? It's all Father's fault."
Tao Lengshuang chuckled, but her eyes darkened slightly.
"Lengshuang."
Madam Sheng took Tao Lengshuang's hand and whispered, "Have you not made up your mind, or do you have other concerns?"
Tao Lengshuang indicated she had both. She sighed, "Godmother, I really don't like this current life. I prefer the days in Shilipo Village."
"Although life in the village wasn't easy, at least I didn't have to face schemes every day, or worry about the people around me betraying me at any moment."
In her previous life, due to her youth and excellent medical skills, she had faced countless schemes, conspiracies, and dangers. That was why she now hated such a life so much.
She didn't want to live a life full of schemes and without peace of mind anymore.
Madam Sheng understood best, as she had lived such a life since childhood. "It's better now. If the Crown Prince ascends the throne in the future, the schemes and dangers around you will only increase."
"When your Godfather became a great general and was deeply trusted by His Majesty, there were constant schemes, especially from those who wanted to marry their daughters to your Godfather."
At that time, those people used countless underhanded methods, not even caring about their own daughters' reputations, just to marry their daughters to her husband.
Tao Lengshuang felt very uncomfortable listening to this and even less inclined to continue living her current life. "Godmother, I cannot share my husband with other women, nor can I scheme against others for a man."
"I want to open a pharmacy, teach more people medical skills, and pass on the medical knowledge I possess."
Madam Sheng looked appreciative. "I suggest you don't overthink these things. Let them happen naturally, and just do what you want to do."
"Who knows when you'll figure it out? Moreover, the more important thing is to be happy. Life is only a few decades long; you don't need to mistreat yourself for others."
Tao Lengshuang greatly admired Madam Sheng. In this era, it was truly rare for a godmother to have such thoughts and principles.
"I'll listen to Godmother and won't think about these things too much. I'll focus on my pharmacy and teach more people medical skills."
Madam Sheng smiled and nodded. "If you want to teach medical skills, why not teach poor children and orphans? They will be a great help to you in the future."
Tao Lengshuang understood instantly and had an idea. She thanked Madam Sheng repeatedly, "Godmother, you are truly a good mother!"
Madam Sheng affectionately patted her head, regretting again that Tao Lengshuang was not her biological daughter and also wondering where her own daughter was.
Now, she didn't wish for much, only that her biological daughter could be well. She would even be willing to shorten her own lifespan for it.
The three chatted and laughed.
When they arrived at Zhujia Village, Tao Lengshuang helped Madam Sheng and Xiao Feng out of the carriage. She saw the desolate and bleak Zhujia Village and frowned.
She asked a hidden guard to scout ahead, asking Madam Sheng and Xiao Feng to stay put and remain vigilant. Zhujia Village was so desolate; she didn't know if anyone still lived there.
No matter how anxious Madam Sheng was, she understood that the best course of action was to wait for the hidden guard to clarify the situation.
"Lengshuang, do you think we can find your sister?" she kept looking around. "This place, I don't know how your sister managed to get here. I can't even imagine the hardships she went through."
She truly regretted it.
So many clues had told her that Sheng Li was not her biological daughter, yet she had ignored them, causing her own daughter to suffer outside for so many years.
She was not a good mother.
Tao Lengshuang could understand her feelings and thoughts and comforted her, "Godmother, sister might not be here. Don't be too anxious."
How could Madam Sheng not know this? But she really wanted to find her biological daughter and was willing to exchange her own life for it.
Seeing her like this, Tao Lengshuang opened her mouth and said, "Godmother, what if your biological daughter is right beside you?"
Madam Sheng suddenly grabbed her hand and asked urgently, "Lengshuang, do you know something? Tell me quickly, where is your sister?"
Tao Lengshuang gently patted her hand and said slowly, "Godmother, don't be anxious. This is not a good place to talk. When we get back, I'll tell you slowly."
Madam Sheng also knew this was not a good place to talk, but she was eager to know. "Lengshuang, tell me now..."
"Mother, there are bad people!" Xiao Feng suddenly shouted.
Tao Lengshuang turned her head and saw over a dozen masked men appearing around them. She thought to herself, it was indeed a trap.
Her first instinct was to shield Madam Sheng and Xiao Feng behind her and ask the hidden guard to protect the three of them.
But the masked men did not attack.
"Madam Sheng, Princess Mingrui, our master would like to invite you as guests," the leading masked man stepped forward and said politely.
Tao Lengshuang sneered and said calmly, "This is the first time I've seen someone invite guests in this manner."
"We will not go with you," she said, secretly scattering medicinal powder from her sleeve.
The leading masked man was not annoyed and directly threw out a bomb, "Doesn't Madam Sheng want to know where your biological daughter is?"
Tao Lengshuang stopped Madam Sheng with a look and said to the leading masked man, "Are you sure you will tell me where my godmother's biological daughter is?"
The leading masked man knew very well how difficult Tao Lengshuang was to scheme against. He then said the same thing to Madam Sheng.
Madam Sheng would not go with these masked men. No matter how much she wanted to find her biological daughter, she wouldn't be foolish.
"I will not go with you."
The leading masked man then said, "If your biological daughter is in our hands and facing imminent danger?"
"Godmother, don't believe him. I know where your biological daughter is," Tao Lengshuang said preemptively.
Madam Sheng hesitated and struggled. She worried that her biological daughter was indeed captured, but she was also afraid that these people were lying.
"Madam Sheng, please. I will let you see your biological daughter," the leading masked man made a gesture of invitation. "Madam Sheng, please."
As Madam Sheng took two steps, Tao Lengshuang grabbed her.
"Godmother, don't go. I'll take you to find your biological daughter. She's not in these people's hands."
Madam Sheng naturally trusted Tao Lengshuang more. Hearing this, she held her hand. "Lengshuang, let's go now, okay?"
Tao Lengshuang had just nodded when she heard the leading masked man say.
"Since the three of you are unwilling to be my guests, I will have to resort to special measures."