The envoy from Southern Jin was on the verge of kneeling, trembling as he said, "Your Highness Prince Ming Rui, one cannot speak like that. As the saying goes, a beautiful lady is sought after by gentlemen. Miss Sheng is such a fine woman, it is only natural for my Emperor to wish to marry her."
"Furthermore, Your Highness Prince Ming Rui has no relation to Miss Sheng and has no right to make decisions for her."
Mo Lingxi narrowed his sharp eyes, "Southern Jin is truly remarkable!"
The envoy from Southern Jin wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, "Thank you for your praise, Your Highness Prince Ming Rui."
He then bowed to Sheng Lengshuang, "Miss Sheng, my Emperor sincerely wishes to marry you. May I know your thoughts on this matter?"
Sheng Lengshuang raised her hand to stop Mo Lingxi, her gaze indifferent as she looked at the envoy from Southern Jin, "I am rather puzzled about one thing. Your Emperor of Southern Jin has never met me, so on what grounds does he wish to marry me?"
The envoy from Southern Jin replied, "Replying to Miss Sheng, it is because His Majesty has heard of your various deeds that he has conceived the idea of marrying you."
Sheng Lengshuang let out a long "Oh," "But I have another question. Your Emperor of Southern Jin heard of my deeds and immediately wants to marry me; isn't that too hasty?"
"Miss Sheng, this is not hasty."
"Not hasty? But Southern Jin has an Empress. To seek marriage is a privilege reserved for a principal wife. Then, what position do you intend to place me in Southern Jin?"
"If Miss Sheng is willing, my Emperor is prepared to welcome you as a Noble Consort."
Sheng Lengshuang scoffed, "A Noble Consort? No matter how good the title of Noble Consort sounds, it is still a concubine, and a concubine from another country at that. Do you think I am so brainless as to abandon my rightful position as a principal wife in my own country and become a concubine in your Southern Jin?"
The envoy from Southern Jin stated, "Miss Sheng, one cannot say that. If you were to marry into our Southern Jin, it would bring great benefits to both countries."
Sheng Lengshuang let out two dry laughs, "Actually, I quite admire the structure of your brain. To have the audacity to utter such shameless words in public. If the stability between two countries requires a weak woman to maintain it, then what is the army for?"
"Little Aunt is absolutely right!" Zi Cheng gave a thumbs up, "The stability between two countries is not maintained by a single woman."
"Southern Jin remains as shameless as ever," Mo Lingxi said coldly.
The envoy from Southern Jin had investigated Sheng Lengshuang and Mo Lingxi before his arrival. Upon hearing this, he calmly replied, "The three of you are mistaken. If matters between the two countries can be resolved peacefully, it would be excellent for both the populace and the dynasty."
"After all, no one wishes for war or for the people to suffer."
Mo Lingxi's eyes flashed with blade-like coldness. He then kicked the envoy away, "Since Southern Jin has spoken, it would not be proper for our Eastern Jin to show no response!"
"Come, drag all the envoys from Southern Jin out and hang them on the city walls for the people of Eastern Jin to see what Southern Jin intends to do."
Immediately, eunuchs stepped forward and forcibly dragged the envoy from Southern Jin out.
"Your Highness Prince Ming Rui, we are officials of Southern Jin. You have no right to treat us this way."
"Your Majesty Wen Zong, Your Majesty Wen Zong, we are envoys, envoys sent to congratulate you."
Zi Cheng lowered his eyes, picked up his teacup, and took a sip, "This tea is quite good today. Reward them!"
The head eunuch smiled, "This servant accepts the decree! To receive His Majesty's reward is the fortune of those servants."
Zi Cheng added, "It is also because they brewed the tea well. This tea suits my taste today."
The head eunuch offered a few more flattering remarks.
Zi Cheng took a few more sips of tea and, in a good mood, said to the envoys from the other countries, "Do any of you have any other matters?"
The envoys from several countries realized that His Majesty Wen Zong was very protective of Sheng Lengshuang. If they wanted to marry Sheng Lengshuang for their respective countries, it would not be easy, but not impossible.
The envoys from several countries stated they had no other matters and took their leave, citing excuses.
After the envoys from several countries departed, Zi Cheng snorted, "All of them are thinking of using my uncle and aunt to achieve their own schemes."
Sheng Lengshuang remained calm and said indifferently, "For these countries, it is such a good opportunity that they would naturally seize it. Even if they fail, it will not significantly impact them. If they succeed, the benefits are immense."
Mo Lingxi grunted, "All these countries are harboring such calculations. However, with Northern Yuan ahead, there's no need for us to do much. We just need to wait."
Sheng Lengshuang and Zi Cheng understood this. The reason Southern Jin and Western Yue were in a hurry was because Northern Yuan had arrived earlier, and moreover, Princess Nan Ning of Northern Yuan was Consort Ning.
"Uncle, while you have time, try to coax Aunt more and strive to get her to agree to reconcile with you. I will handle the rest."
Sheng Lengshuang glared at Zi Cheng and said irritably, "Your Majesty, mind your own business and stop instigating Mo Lingxi."
Zi Cheng shrugged, "Aunt, that's not right. How am I instigating Uncle? I am helping the two of you, lest someone's wicked plot succeeds."
Sheng Lengshuang rolled her eyes several times, "Alright, the most important thing now is to find a way to handle the matters with these countries. These things can be discussed later."
"My wife is right, I'll listen to you." Mo Lingxi gave Zi Cheng a look and changed the subject, "From the clues we've recently uncovered, the mastermind uses wealth, sex, and power to bribe others, thereby achieving their goals step by step. However, none of these people know who the mastermind is."
Zi Cheng stroked his chin, contemplating, "The fact that the mastermind can use these to bribe people indicates that this person has considerable power and great capability. This scope is still very broad."
"Now that this matter has escalated so much, I fear the envoys from several countries will take the opportunity to do something. We must guard against it."
Sheng Lengshuang replied, "I think it's better to let the countries stir up trouble than to guard against it."
Mo Lingxi added, "If these countries don't make a fuss, how can we catch them red-handed?"
Zi Cheng suddenly realized and lightly clapped his hands, "My uncle and aunt are indeed wise. This matter should indeed be handled this way. We are currently in a passive position. If we can catch the countries red-handed, we will gain the initiative."
Mo Lingxi's eyes showed a cold glint, "We need to make things even bigger."
The three of them discussed the matter.
After they had reached an agreement, Zi Cheng's mood was exceptionally good, "Uncle and Aunt, you two might encounter a lot of trouble during this period. Please be careful."
Sheng Lengshuang and Mo Lingxi assured them they would be careful, and then they took their leave.
After leaving the palace, Sheng Lengshuang looked up at the clear blue sky and let out a long sigh, "Sometimes I think that life in Shili Slope Village was actually quite good."
Back then, although life was simple, there were fewer schemes and dangers, and she didn't have to deal with so many things every day.
Mo Lingxi put his arm around her shoulder. After comforting her for a few sentences, they saw Luo Yang appear not far away.