Tao Lengshuang and the other two looked towards the sound and saw Mo Lingxi returning amidst the wind and snow.
"Why did you come back?" Tao Lengshuang walked over, gently brushing the snow off him, her heart aching. "In the middle of winter, you shouldn't come back if there's nothing important. What if you catch a cold?"
Mo Lingxi indicated he was fine and turned to glare at Aunt Shen the Second and Aunt Wang the Third. "From now on, your two families are not to come here. If anything happens, we will not help again."
Tao Lengshuang said nothing, as she felt the same. Although Aunt Shen the Second and Aunt Wang the Third had helped her a lot, she had also helped them considerably. Now, their sons had framed her as a bringer of misfortune. If not for her hidden guards and the medicinal powder, she would have been burned to death.
Aunt Shen the Second and Aunt Wang the Third also knew their relationship with the Mo family was severed, especially since their sons had done something harmful. After apologizing repeatedly, they left, their bodies weary.
When Tao Lengshuang and Mo Lingxi returned home, they saw Xiao Feng running towards them joyfully, clinging to Mo Lingxi's leg.
"Daddy, you're finally back! So many bad guys bullied Mommy. Daddy, you have to beat them away!" he complained indignantly.
Mo Lingxi scooped up his son, weighing him. He promised to drive away the bad guys. "Xiao Feng has grown a bit during this time. It shows your mother has taken good care of you."
Xiao Feng nodded vigorously, filled with pride. "Xiao Feng has a very, very great mommy! Mommy is so, so good to Xiao Feng."
Mo Lingxi, holding Xiao Feng with one arm and Tao Lengshuang's hand with the other, entered the main hall. The family sat by the fire, discussing matters.
Tao Lengshuang looked at Xiao Feng rolling on the heated brick bed with gentle eyes and softly asked Mo Lingxi, "Did you come back because of the misfortune-bringer incident?"
Mo Lingxi, seeing her in good spirits and health, felt a bit more at ease. "One reason is this matter, and the other is to see you and Xiao Feng."
Tao Lengshuang's heart warmed, and her smile deepened. "Xiao Feng and I are fine, and I can handle this matter. You must be very tired from coming back."
"I'm not tired," Mo Lingxi said, holding her hand, his gaze burning as he looked at her. "Nothing is more important than seeing you and Xiao Feng safe. I missed you both."
Just as Tao Lengshuang was about to say something, she noticed Xiao Feng watching her and Mo Lingxi on the bed with great excitement. She couldn't help but laugh and playfully tapped his head.
"You're so sharp for your age!"
Xiao Feng stuck out his tongue and chuckled. "Mommy and Daddy have a good relationship, and Xiao Feng is very happy. But Xiao Feng won't disturb Daddy and Mommy anymore." With that, he trotted back to his room.
With the hidden guards watching and being in their own home, Tao Lengshuang and Mo Lingxi were not worried about Xiao Feng.
"Speaking of which, Xiao Feng should be attending private school, but with the current situation..." Tao Lengshuang frowned, worried. "Even if there were private schools, I wouldn't dare send Xiao Feng. I can only teach him at home."
Mo Lingxi stroked her head and gently comforted her. "I'll send some brushes, ink, paper, and books. After some time, I'll arrange a tutor for Xiao Feng." Previously, he had taught Xiao Feng literacy and martial arts, but now he was too busy to continue.
Tao Lengshuang softly agreed and asked about the current situation, wanting to understand more to prepare for the future.
Mo Lingxi did not hide anything from her and detailed the current state of affairs. Most regions were experiencing famine to varying degrees, and many common people were heading towards Dongdu or prosperous cities, suffering countless casualties along the way. If it weren't for the dead of winter, various diseases and problems would have arisen. However, many places were already experiencing uprisings, and bandits were rampant, making the lives of the common people unbearable. The current emperor was aware of these issues but was only concerned with his own pleasure, completely disregarding the well-being of his subjects.
Tao Lengshuang listened, her brows furrowed tightly. She once again thought of poisoning the emperor, that damned incompetent ruler!
"I will handle this matter properly. The results will be known by spring at the latest."
Mo Lingxi's words startled Tao Lengshuang, her eyes wide with alarm. "You... have you really decided to do this? It would be good if it succeeds, but if it fails, the consequences would be unimaginable."
Mo Lingxi was acutely aware of the consequences of failure, his eyes darkening slightly. "I am even more aware of the consequences of not doing this."
Tao Lengshuang fell silent for a long time, then slowly sighed. "Yes, if we don't do this, the consequences will be even more severe." The situation was already so chaotic, and the emperor still did nothing, only indulging in his own pleasures. If this continued, the situation would worsen and reach a point of no return.
"I will handle these matters."
Mo Lingxi did not want her to worry about these things, so he changed the subject. "I will arrange the misfortune-bringer incident. There are follow-ups to this matter."
Tao Lengshuang knew there were follow-ups. She snorted, "With the calculations and malice of the Black Hand, how could there be only one move? And the misfortune-bringer aspect can be greatly exploited." She just didn't know what subsequent trick the Black Hand had in store.
Mo Lingxi whispered his deductions into her ear. Tao Lengshuang almost jumped up in shock, her voice rising slightly, "Is that true!?"
Mo Lingxi put his arm around her shoulder and patted her to comfort her. "This way, you can be completely resolved. More importantly, this method can reassure the emperor and many common people."
Tao Lengshuang thought about it with a somber expression and realized it was indeed the case. "It can kill multiple birds with one stone."
Mo Lingxi hummed and reassured Tao Lengshuang not to worry too much. He would handle the matter properly, though Tao Lengshuang might encounter some trouble. Tao Lengshuang didn't mind trouble as long as no major incident occurred. However, given the current situation, it was impossible to avoid major incidents, and significant events might even occur. She needed to prepare for contingencies. If all else failed, she would take Xiao Feng and hide in the mountains until things blew over.
"Given how the villagers treated us, how about you and Xiao Feng move to Hehua Town or Dongdu?" Mo Lingxi brought up the matter of moving again.
Tao Lengshuang still refused. She reasoned, "Moving to these two places makes it too easy to be surrounded. In the village, if something truly happens, I can still take Xiao Feng and hide in the mountains."
Mo Lingxi understood this point, and his brow furrowed. "But if you and Xiao Feng stay here, I can never feel at ease."
"You don't need to say more about this. I have a plan."
"...You just have too many plans."
Tao Lengshuang rolled her eyes at Mo Lingxi and ignored him. Mo Lingxi rubbed his temples, truly unable to do anything about her. He then brought up another matter. "I also returned this time to properly handle the matter of the imperial marriage decree."
Upon hearing about the imperial marriage decree, Tao Lengshuang felt a pang of discomfort and distanced herself from Mo Lingxi. "Even if you annul the imperial marriage decree, what of it? The emperor can still bestow a marriage in the future or forcibly arrange beautiful women for you."
Mo Lingxi was aware of these possibilities and understood what needed to be done to handle these matters properly. "I want you to be at ease."