Mo Lingxi's thin lips curved into a smile upon hearing this, his gaze warm as he looked at Tao Lengshuang. "I'm worried about Zi Cheng, and by accompanying him, I can also resolve the uprisings in various regions to prevent major chaos."
Tao Lengshuang finally understood, a hint of worry in her voice. "Then there will be a lot of trouble and danger along the way. You must be extra careful, understand?"
Mo Lingxi nodded in agreement, then in turn cautioned Tao Lengshuang before speaking about his own affairs.
"You know that the current Emperor and I are brothers. There's a significant age gap between us, and furthermore, he is the legitimate eldest son, while my mother was merely a concubine..."
Unable to stop him, Tao Lengshuang was forced to listen to Mo Lingxi's account of his life and experiences.
Mo Lingxi's mother was an unfavored concubine who was murdered while giving birth to him. Therefore, he was raised by a consort who had no children.
However, the consort was not good to Mo Lingxi. While she maintained appearances, she used him as a tool for favor and allowed people in the palace to bully and scheme against him.
If Mo Lingxi hadn't been so patient and lucky, he would have long since turned to dust.
When he came of age, he joined the army, starting as a low-ranking soldier and gradually rising to a high position, gaining some military power.
By then, the current Emperor had already ascended the throne. For various reasons and out of distrust, the Emperor constantly sent assassins after him, while feigning kindness towards him and provoking the jealousy of other princes.
More than five years ago, he was ambushed and injured, ending up in Shilipo Village. The Emperor, believing him dead, even held a celebratory banquet.
"Until recently, when His Majesty learned from someone else that I was still alive, he threw a massive tantrum and had many people beaten to death."
Listening to Mo Lingxi's calm and indifferent narration, Tao Lengshuang's heart ached with a dense pain. How many times must one be disappointed, how much hurt must one endure, to speak of such things with such a tranquil tone?
She reached out and hugged him, gently comforting him. "It's all in the past. Your life will only get better from now on."
Mo Lingxi replied indifferently, "I used to care when I was younger, but I don't anymore. How those people treated me is irrelevant. I only need to live my own life."
"Besides, I have you and Xiao Feng now."
Tao Lengshuang: "...Please don't include me, thank you."
Mo Lingxi ruffled her hair, a subtle smile appearing in his deep dark eyes. "You are my wife. If I don't include you, who else would I include?"
Tao Lengshuang didn't want to dwell on this meaningless topic and asked about the disaster situation in various regions. "Are the conditions in all the places very serious?"
Mo Lingxi's smile vanished, his voice deepening. "There are a few places where it's not severe. But with the state of the court being so chaotic, everything is a mess, and many bandits have appeared, robbing and killing everywhere."
The word "bandits" reminded Tao Lengshuang of the outsiders in the village. "Our village has bandits too."
She gestured towards the outside with her chin. "It's those outsiders... they should be outsiders disguised as bandits. They wander around the village all day and are inquiring about our family matters."
Whether these bandits found them after hearing news or if someone deliberately orchestrated it, it was hard to say for now.
Upon hearing this, Mo Lingxi stated that he would resolve the matter today and told Tao Lengshuang not to worry.
Tao Lengshuang, however, said that if there was a first time, there would be a second. The most important thing was to find out if anyone was behind it, and she asked Mo Lingxi to keep these bandits for now.
Mo Lingxi didn't entirely agree, but he couldn't refuse Tao Lengshuang. He could only caution her and arrange for more hidden guards for her.
Tao Lengshuang hesitated for a moment, then decided not to mention the sweet potato matter. She would discuss it after she had made proper arrangements.
"When can you return next time?"
Before Mo Lingxi left, she needed to arrange the sweet potato matters.
Mo Lingxi misunderstood and sat up straighter. "Probably in a few days. I'll have the hidden guards inform you before I return."
Tao Lengshuang looked at him strangely, wondering why he was suddenly so happy.
She didn't think much of it and handed him all the required medicinal herbs and powders, also preparing some food for him.
Once everything was ready, Tao Lengshuang, holding Xiao Feng's hand, saw Mo Lingxi off.
Mo Lingxi repeatedly cautioned Tao Lengshuang and their son, then reluctantly departed into the wind and snow.
Only when he was no longer visible did Tao Lengshuang lead Xiao Feng back into the main hall to warm themselves by the fire, chatting with Aunt Shen Er and others about the upcoming New Year.
Tao Lengshuang felt a sense of感慨. Several months had passed since she arrived here, and it was almost New Year.
But with the current chaotic situation, she wouldn't be able to celebrate the New Year with peace of mind.
As they were chatting, there was a sudden forceful knocking at the door, accompanied by a嚣张 male voice.
"Open the door quickly, open the door quickly, we're here to pick someone up."
Tao Lengshuang and the others were confused. Pick up whom? Had they come to the wrong place?
Tao Lengshuang left Xiao Feng in the main hall and walked over to open the main door. She saw three or four young men who looked like servants. "Who are you looking for? Have you come to the wrong place?"
The servants looked at Tao Lengshuang as if she were merchandise, their gazes filled with disdain. "We're not mistaken, we're looking for you. Hurry up and come with us. The master is waiting for you at the mansion."
Saying this, two servants reached out to grab Tao Lengshuang.
Tao Lengshuang dodged them and, at the same time, threw a handful of powder, coldly reprimanding, "What kind of ruffians are you, daring to abduct a civilian woman in broad daylight!"
Aunt Shen Er and the others in the main hall heard this. Leaving Li Shi to look after the children, the rest of them rushed out with sticks and brooms.
"How dare you try to snatch someone, we'll beat you to death!"
Aunt Shen Er and the others shielded Tao Lengshuang behind them, glaring at the servants.
The servants hadn't expected so many people to appear and retreated one after another.
"Her family sold her to our master as a concubine. She must come with us today," one servant shouted, feigning ferocity.
Aunt Shen Er and the others knew that the Tao family was capable of such things. Previously, the Tao family had forcefully demanded a divorce from the Mo family, claiming they had found her a good match, when in reality, it was an old, unpleasant man.
"What does the person who said they are my family look like?" Tao Lengshuang asked, narrowing her sharp eyes.
The servants initially refused to speak, but for some reason, they suddenly writhed on the ground in pain, crying out, "It hurts so much, it hurts so much, what's happening?"
Tao Lengshuang said coldly, "I've given you medicine. If you don't speak honestly, I will make you suffer until you die."
Upon hearing this, the servants cursed and threatened Tao Lengshuang.
"Bitch, you'd better give us the antidote, or we have a thousand ways to make your life worse than death."
"Do you know who our master is? How dare you treat us like this? We have plenty of ways to deal with you."
Aunt Shen Er and the others heard this and rushed forward, unleashing a barrage of blows on the servants. "You dare to threaten the Mo family? Today, let's see how we teach you a lesson."