Princess Anning seemed not to understand Tao Lengshuang's dismissive gesture, her smile unwavering. "Princess Mingrui, I would very much like to deliver this to His Highness the Crown Prince myself, but... how about this, would you accompany me into the palace?"
Tao Lengshuang had no intention of going into the palace. She couldn't quite fathom Princess Anning's intentions. First, Princess Anning asked her to enter the palace, then she asked for her help. What exactly did this woman want?
"Princess Anning, whatever your purpose, please stay far away from my family, can you?" she said, her face hardening with displeasure.
Princess Anning tightened her grip on her embroidered handkerchief, sighing with a hint of hurt. "I know what I'm doing is not right, but you are the only person I can ask, Princess Mingrui."
"My family's situation..."
Tao Lengshuang impatiently raised her hand to interrupt her, instructing her maid to escort Princess Anning and her servant out. "From now on, no one from the Prince Rui's mansion is allowed to visit."
With that, she returned the wooden box to Princess Anning.
The maid responded with a 'Yes' and gestured for Princess Anning and her servant to follow. "Princess Anning, please follow this servant."
Princess Anning had no choice but to follow the maid.
Inside the carriage.
"Princess, look at Princess Mingrui's condescending demeanor, it's truly disgusting," the maid said angrily and resentfully. "She's just a village girl. If she hadn't been fortunate enough to bear a son for His Highness Prince Rui, what would she be? It's a shame she carries herself like this."
Princess Anning did not reprimand her maid, but gave her a chiding look. "Regardless, she is now Princess Mingrui. You must show her respect in the future."
The maid's face showed disdain. "What Princess Mingrui? She clearly stole your position, Your Highness. Everyone in the world knows that His Majesty bestowed a marriage upon you and Prince Rui, and you were only waiting for a propitious date to marry."
"If she hadn't interfered and used despicable means, His Highness Prince Rui would have married you long ago."
Princess Anning couldn't help but sigh, her brows furrowed with worry. "There's nothing that can be done. You must say such things less in the future, do you understand?"
The maid insisted on saying more. "Princess, if you ask me, you should expose Princess Mingrui's true colors. She's just a country bumpkin who used despicable means to bewitch General Sheng's couple, and then bewitched His Highness Prince Rui."
"If this continues, who knows what will happen."
Princess Anning shook her head, indicating she would not do such a thing, and told the maid to stop talking.
The maid said she wanted to help the princess vent her anger.
Princess Anning merely smiled and said nothing more.
Unbeknownst to the mistress and servant, their conversation was relayed word for word to Tao Lengshuang by a hidden guard.
Tao Lengshuang couldn't help but sneer. She knew Princess Anning had ill intentions. So, this woman's true target was Mo Lingxi, and she was deliberately indulging her maid to scheme against her.
"Your Highness, should we do something?"
Tao Lengshuang indicated it was not necessary for now. Princess Anning and her servant had not caused her any substantial harm, and the Crown Prince valued Prince Rui's mansion highly. In this situation, it was not advisable for her to act rashly against Princess Anning.
However, if Princess Anning did not stop and continued like this, then she would not be lenient.
"Inform Mo Lingxi about this."
This was something Mo Lingxi should know about.
At the same time.
Mo Lingxi, who was in the imperial palace, was questioning the hidden guard beside Tao Lengshuang. "Has the Princess gone anywhere recently, or done anything strange?"
The two hidden guards exchanged a glance and both said no. The Princess had warned them not to speak of things they shouldn't, even to their master.
Mo Lingxi understood the situation immediately. He pinched his brow, unable to ask further questions. He had promised Tao Lengshuang that he would not interfere in her private affairs.
"Uncle, are you encountering any difficulties?" Zi Cheng entered at this moment.
Mo Lingxi waved the hidden guards away and said to Zi Cheng, "Do you need something?"
Zi Cheng nodded and spoke about the sweet potatoes. "The Ministry of Agriculture has already achieved initial results, but it will take several more months to harvest. Most importantly, it will take several years for large-scale harvesting."
Mo Lingxi was well aware of this. "So...?"
Zi Cheng: "Uncle, I want to trade with other countries. Using things unique to our country, we can buy sweet potatoes from them and solve the grain problem from the root."
Mo Lingxi had considered this method. "That won't work. We've tried it before."
Zi Cheng also knew this. "Uncle, what if it's related to one's own body?"
Mo Lingxi gestured for him to explain in detail.
Zi Cheng's idea was simple: use the special pills in Tao Lengshuang's possession to do business with other countries.
No one in this world wants to live longer, especially those in power. They all wish for a long life. If there were pills that could help them live longer, then these people might be willing to trade with them.
Mo Lingxi pondered the idea. "We can try, but it might not succeed."
"Uncle, I believe it will succeed. If the powerful are not interested, there will always be others. We just need to find a breakthrough."
"The Crown Prince is becoming more capable of handling matters independently. I hope you will not become a foolish ruler like your father."
Zi Cheng repeatedly assured him he would not, his eyes flashing with coldness. Since childhood, he detested his foolish father, who would do anything for his own pleasure.
"Uncle, what were you asking the hidden guards just now?"
Mo Lingxi frowned. "I want to investigate Tao Lengshuang's recent whereabouts. I suspect she is plotting to leave me without my knowledge. You know, Tao Lengshuang has always wanted a divorce from me and hasn't given up this idea."
Zi Cheng knew this all too well. After much thought, he snapped his fingers. "Lack of security!"
Mo Lingxi looked at him in confusion.
Zi Cheng explained, "Perhaps in your aunt's eyes, you will eventually take concubines and secondary consorts, so your independent aunt made such a choice."
Mo Lingxi nodded. "Tao Lengshuang once asked me a question. She said, if one day, for the sake of the country and its people, I had to take secondary consorts and concubines, what would I do."
Zi Cheng: "How did you answer, Uncle?"
Mo Lingxi: "I remained silent. I didn't know how to answer at the time."
Zi Cheng rubbed his forehead, unsure of what expression to wear. "Uncle, I truly believe you deserve to be disciplined by your aunt. At a time like that, you actually remained silent. I can imagine your aunt's sadness."
Mo Lingxi: "...I truly didn't know how to answer. I didn't want to lie to her."
Zi Cheng nodded in understanding. "Uncle, can you tell me your answer?"
Mo Lingxi: "I am unwilling to take secondary consorts and concubines for the sake of the country and its people, yet I cannot disregard the country and its people."
Zi Cheng understood his dilemma. "Uncle, have you ever considered that the country and its people are not your responsibility, but mine? It is I who should do these things for the country and its people."