When the commoners learned that there would be a substantial reward for finding or capturing suspicious individuals, they began searching everywhere, bringing their families along.
In a short time, quite a few suspicious individuals, including members of the Black Hand and spies, were discovered or apprehended by the populace. This also provided Mo Lingxi and Sheng Lengshuang with many useful clues during their investigations.
As the citizens were happily searching for suspicious people, envoys from other nations arrived at Dongdu one after another.
Sheng Lengshuang, having learned of this from Mo Lingxi, furrowed her brow slightly. "The envoys from Beiyuan Dynasty seem very quiet these days, but in reality, they are secretly inquiring about various matters concerning our Dongjin Dynasty. Now that envoys from other nations have arrived, it's likely they will join forces to do something."
Mo Lingxi gestured for her not to worry too much. "These few nations are outwardly harmonious but inwardly divided."
Sheng Lengshuang looked puzzled.
Mo Lingxi explained that it was due to the Emperor's empress and concubine positions. "Compared to my position as the legitimate wife, these nations are more inclined to find ways to have their marriage alliance princesses marry the Emperor and become the Empress of Dongjin Dynasty."
Sheng Lengshuang understood the crux of the matter after a moment's thought. "Indeed, the position of Empress is not only noble but can also be deceptive, thereby creating a rift between you and the Emperor. This method is better and more effective than scheming against you."
Mo Lingxi nodded. "Currently, all these nations have two plans in mind: one is the Emperor's empress and concubine positions, and the other is my position as the legitimate wife. Each of them hopes to achieve multiple objectives with one move, thereby gradually annexing Dongjin Dynasty."
Sheng Lengshuang was very worried, her brow furrowed. "Now that the envoys from several nations have arrived, if we refuse, and these nations truly join forces to attack Dongjin Dynasty, what shall we do?"
Mo Lingxi reached out to smooth the wrinkles between her brows, gently comforting her. "This matter is not as dire as you think. These nations are outwardly harmonious but inwardly divided, and they all wish to annex Dongjin Dynasty. A little instigation is all that's needed for these nations to begin to contend with each other."
Sheng Lengshuang knew she wasn't very knowledgeable about these matters and didn't offer any rash suggestions. "That's good. By the way, I won't be attending the palace banquet tonight. I don't want to listen to those people's incessant chatter."
Mo Lingxi responded with an "Alright." It was good that his wife wouldn't be attending the palace banquet, lest those people set their sights on her and cause her unnecessary annoyance.
Sheng Lengshuang saw a maidservant walk in and asked, "What is it?"
The maidservant bowed and said, "Eldest Miss, an eunuch has been sent from the palace to escort you and Prince Mingrui into the palace, stating that His Majesty wishes to see you both."
Sheng Lengshuang and Mo Lingxi exchanged a glance. At this time, what matter could the Emperor have with them?
Yangxin Hall, Side Hall.
As Sheng Lengshuang and Mo Lingxi stepped into the side hall, they saw the envoys from various nations looking at them, and they immediately understood the reason for the Emperor's invitation.
"Uncle, Aunt, please come and sit," Zi Cheng said with a smile, inviting the two to sit and introducing the envoys present one by one.
Sheng Lengshuang nodded faintly and sat in her chair. She had intended not to attend the palace banquet tonight, but the envoys from these nations had found such a way to summon them. It seemed the benefits she could bring were substantial.
Mo Lingxi sat in the seat beside her, not sparing the envoys from the various nations even an extra glance.
"Why didn't Aunt bring Xiao Feng to the palace?" Zi Cheng said with a chuckle. "I was thinking of playing with Xiao Feng. I haven't seen him in quite some time."
Sheng Lengshuang rolled her eyes at him. "Your Majesty, you saw Xiao Feng just yesterday. How can you say you haven't seen him in quite some time?"
Zi Cheng was not annoyed. "Aunt, as the saying goes, a day apart feels like three autumns. Doesn't that count as quite some time?"
Sheng Lengshuang knew he was deliberately stalling for time with the envoys from various nations, so she played along. "It's not like seeing a lover that a day apart feels like three autumns. Your Majesty, please stop misusing idioms."
Zi Cheng laughed heartily and chatted with Sheng Lengshuang about Xiao Feng.
As they were chatting, Sheng Lengshuang's peripheral vision caught sight of a lean, old man standing up. A smile played on her lips. See, someone couldn't wait any longer.
"Your Majesty Wenzong," the old man, one of the envoys from Xiyue Dynasty, bowed to Zi Cheng. "Your Majesty Wenzong, our Xiyue Dynasty wishes to seek peace talks with Dongjin Dynasty. What are Your Majesty's thoughts?"
The other nations truly did not expect Xiyue Dynasty to propose peace talks right away, which made all the envoys start calculating.
Zi Cheng propped his head with one hand, his smile unchanged as he looked at the old man. He said indifferently, "Oh? Xiyue Dynasty has such intentions? I thought Xiyue Dynasty intended to take advantage of the situation to do something to our Dongjin Dynasty."
The old man's heart sank, but he showed no outward reaction. "Your Majesty Wenzong misunderstands. Our Xiyue Dynasty and Dongjin Dynasty are allies. How could we do such a thing to Dongjin Dynasty?"
Xiyue Dynasty was militarily strong, but it lacked various resources and often had to plunder other nations' resources to ensure the stability of its people's lives.
Zi Cheng nodded. "So that's how it is. If you hadn't mentioned it, I wouldn't have known that our Dongjin Dynasty and your Xiyue Dynasty are allies. Since Xiyue Dynasty wishes to seek peace talks with our Dongjin Dynasty, then your Xiyue Dynasty must show sincerity."
The old man presented a gift list with both hands. "Your Majesty Wenzong, this is the sincerity of our Xiyue Dynasty for peace talks. Please review it."
Zi Cheng opened it and looked at it, then handed it to Mo Lingxi and Sheng Lengshuang. "Uncle, Aunt, do you think I should agree to the peace talks?"
After Sheng Lengshuang and Mo Lingxi read the contents of the document, they exchanged a look. They had to admit that Xiyue Dynasty had truly invested heavily this time.
The document outlined the benefits offered by Xiyue Dynasty. Not only did Xiyue Dynasty guarantee that it would not do anything detrimental to Dongjin Dynasty for a hundred years after forming an alliance, but it would also help Dongjin Dynasty maintain stability.
"Your Majesty, it might be advisable to negotiate with Xiyue Dynasty," Mo Lingxi said calmly, placing the document on the small table.
Zi Cheng nodded with a smile and said to the old man, "Tomorrow, I will discuss this matter with you during the morning court."
The old man's eyes darted around, and he lowered his head slightly, responding, "Yes."
"Your Majesty Wenzong," the envoy from Nanjin Dynasty could not hold back. "Your Majesty Wenzong, my Emperor wishes to propose marriage to Miss Sheng."
As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere instantly became as quiet as a chicken.
Zi Cheng greatly admired the courage of Nanjin Dynasty. He glanced at his uncle. Would his uncle lead troops to attack Nanjin Dynasty in anger?
Sheng Lengshuang suppressed the urge to roll her eyes, a sarcastic curve playing on her lips. Nanjin Dynasty's plan was truly audacious.
Mo Lingxi's expression was eerily calm, his voice unwavering. "The Emperor of Nanjin Dynasty wishes to propose marriage to Sheng Lengshuang?"
Despite his very calm demeanor, the envoy from Nanjin Dynasty's legs started to tremble, and he dared not even look directly at Mo Lingxi. "Replying to His Highness Prince Mingrui, my Nanjin Dynasty's Emperor does have this intention."
Sheng Lengshuang received a reproachful look from Mo Lingxi and spread her hands innocently. It wasn't her fault, and besides, Nanjin Dynasty was trying to scheme against her, not genuinely propose marriage.
Mo Lingxi gritted his teeth, his gaze like icy daggers directed at the envoy from Nanjin Dynasty. "Your Nanjin Dynasty truly knows how to calculate."