Xiao Feng would not accept it. He stuffed the item into Madam Sheng’s hand, shaking his head repeatedly. "Thank you, Grandma. Xiao Feng cannot accept this. Mother said one should not accept gifts without earning them."
Madam Sheng liked him even more. She gently pinched his cheek. "Our Xiao Feng is such a good child. This is not a valuable item; it's a welcome gift from Grandma."
Xiao Feng still refused, saying very seriously, "It may not be valuable to you, Grandma, but it is very, very valuable to Xiao Feng. Xiao Feng has never seen anything so beautiful and precious."
"Madam Sheng, please do not give Xiao Feng such valuable things," Tao Lengshuang said with a gentle smile. "This child grew up in the village. If he were to suddenly receive so many good things, it's hard to say he wouldn't be spoiled."
Upon hearing this, Madam Sheng took a longevity lock and gave it to Xiao Feng. "I will keep the rest for now. When Xiao Feng comes to play again in the future, Grandma will give it to Xiao Feng, alright?"
Xiao Feng, seeing Tao Lengshuang nod, finally accepted the longevity lock. He politely thanked Madam Sheng. "It's a very beautiful longevity lock. Xiao Feng has never seen one before."
Seeing how he cherished it, Madam Sheng felt a surge of emotion. These items were originally prepared for Sheng Li's child, but she had never had one, so they had all been put away.
"In the future, Grandma will show Xiao Feng more beautiful things and make our Xiao Feng the happiest child in the world."
Xiao Feng tilted his head and said in a milky voice, "Xiao Feng is already the happiest child now. I have Father and Mother, and lots of meat to eat, so I can eat my fill." kuAiδugg
Madam Sheng felt a pang of sympathy for him. What a good child! If he had been born into a wealthy family, he would have grown up pampered.
After a while, Tao Lengshuang had Xiao Feng sit in a chair to play and began discussing the Black Hand's schemes with General Sheng and his wife.
"I suspect the Black Hand will make a move against you both soon. Please be extra careful."
General Sheng's face darkened, his voice filled with anger. "If there is a next time, I will not let Sheng Li off."
Madam Sheng sighed repeatedly with a worried expression. "Many times, my husband and I wonder, even if Sheng Li was taught wrongly since childhood, she wouldn't be so selfish and so cruel. But this is her true nature."
Mo Lingxi wanted to say something, but Tao Lengshuang stopped him with a look.
Tao Lengshuang understood what Mo Lingxi wanted to say, but now was not the time. Firstly, they did not have conclusive evidence, and secondly, General Sheng and his wife still felt a shred of guilt towards Sheng Li.
Under such circumstances, if they were to speak of the switch of daughters, it was hard to say what kind of situation would arise.
"General Sheng, Madam Sheng, please do not be sad. How Sheng Li is does not matter. The most important thing is that you both are well," she comforted them.
General Sheng and Madam Sheng felt the same way. They could no longer discipline Sheng Li and did not wish to discipline such a daughter anymore. From now on, they would let Sheng Li do as she pleased.
Perhaps, only when Sheng Li ruined herself would she regret it.
Madam Sheng, in a bad mood, played with Xiao Feng, and General Sheng also joined in. The three of them had a very happy time.
Seeing this scene, Tao Lengshuang's eyes dimmed, and she felt a pang of bitterness, her hatred for the Black Hand growing. If the switch of daughters was true, then the Black Hand was truly despicable, making her miss out on so many years with her biological parents.
Most importantly, if she had not transmigrated, the original host would have been deliberately raised to be like that by the Black Hand, ultimately dying miserably.
"We will find out," Mo Lingxi said softly.
Tao Lengshuang slowly shook her head and whispered, "Actually, finding out is not the most important thing. The most important thing is to deal with the Black Hand. We cannot let the Black Hand continue to be so arrogant."
Mo Lingxi understood and hummed in agreement. "I have already narrowed down the scope. I believe it won't be long before we uncover the identity of the Black Hand."
Tao Lengshuang, however, said, "Instead of you narrowing down the scope, it would be better to investigate along the lines of Sheng Li and A Jin. If I were the Black Hand, I wouldn't have any grudges with General Sheng and his wife. On the surface, I would help General Sheng and his wife, or remain indifferent."
Mo Lingxi had his own view. "Even the smartest hunter leaves traces."
Seeing that he had a plan, Tao Lengshuang did not pursue the topic further and smiled as she watched General Sheng and his wife play with Xiao Feng.
After about an hour, Tao Lengshuang and Mo Lingxi, father and son, took their leave.
As they were getting into the carriage, General Sheng asked Mo Lingxi to speak aside.
"Your Highness Prince Ming Rui, I see a certain distance between you and the doctor."
Mo Lingxi did not hide anything and sighed, "Status."
General Sheng understood immediately, fully aware of the issue of social standing. "Actually, resolving this matter is not difficult. If the doctor has made contributions to the nation, he can be rewarded by His Majesty. As for other matters, even for a princess, people will gossip."
"Whether you and the doctor care or not, it doesn't matter how much those people say."
Mo Lingxi understood all of this. "The problem is, Tao Lengshuang insists that I clearly understand my true feelings for her. I have not yet figured this out."
General Sheng smiled. "Perhaps you should consider who you want to spend your life with, and then you will understand the doctor's true intentions."
He had to admit, the doctor was very insightful and understood what she truly wanted.
Mo Lingxi didn't quite grasp the meaning of General Sheng's words. He frowned, nodded, and then got into the carriage.
General Sheng and Madam Sheng watched Tao Lengshuang and the other two leave with great reluctance.
Inside the carriage.
Tao Lengshuang held the sleeping Xiao Feng and glanced at Mo Lingxi, who was lost in thought. She did not ask what he was thinking.
It was Mo Lingxi who spoke first. "If I said I wanted to spend my life with you, would you be willing?"
Tao Lengshuang's hand, gently patting Xiao Feng, paused. She hid the ripple in her heart and asked instead, "Are you willing?"
Mo Lingxi said uncertainly, "I think I am willing. For now, I want to spend my life with you."
Tao Lengshuang bit her red lips hard, her voice dropping slightly. "See, you haven't thought it through, yet you ask for my thoughts. This is very unfair."
At first, Mo Lingxi didn't think there was anything wrong, but upon closer consideration, he realized something was amiss. "You're not… unwilling to be with me for a lifetime, are you?"
Tao Lengshuang smiled faintly. "As I just said, if you haven't figured it out, how can you expect me to do it? Also, once you've thought through things with me, we can discuss this."
Mo Lingxi could hear her displeasure and knew she didn't want to continue this topic, so he agreed.
He touched Xiao Feng's face and began discussing the child's future. "For now, in Dongdu, I'm thinking of hiring a tutor for the child to teach him properly about studies and etiquette."
Tao Lengshuang did not refuse. She knew this was for Xiao Feng's benefit. "Can I learn too?"
Learning more, especially the etiquette here, would not be detrimental to her.