Mo Lingxi was unsure if this was the case: "Perhaps, or perhaps not. Without more clues, it's hard to say what happened in the Prince Rui case. After all, the shadowy figures have been targeting you all along."
Sheng Lengshuang pondered the matter as she spoke with him: "Regardless, the most important thing now is to follow the clue of Sima Min and investigate the shadowy figures, preferably by dealing with her."
Mo Lingxi shielded her as he led her aside: "Sima Min won't show herself anytime soon. She's well aware of her predicament; if she appears, it'll likely be a dead end for her. Therefore, she'll use others to scheme against you and me."
Sheng Lengshuang picked up the conversation: "For example, the Tao family, who are mere puppets, or Cheng Han! Sima Min sought out Cheng Han back then, which indicates Cheng Han possessed something she desired."
"It was Sima Min who wanted to scheme against you and the Sheng family through Cheng Han. Cheng Han was once the Sheng family's son-in-law and knew quite a bit about their affairs."
"Truly worthy of Sima Min. To scheme against me, she could even exploit her own marriage. This woman will likely never repent, even until death."
Mo Lingxi was unconcerned: "I was thinking, perhaps we could provoke Sima Min a little."
Sheng Lengshuang looked at him: "How do you plan to provoke Sima Min? What Sima Min cares about most are her status and position, and then herself. For her, currently a wanted fugitive, these are less important than her own life."
Mo Lingxi leaned close to her ear and shared his idea: "What if your status were elevated?"
Sheng Lengshuang pushed him away, speaking irritably: "Prince Mingrui, please focus on the important matters and don't dwell on these trivialities; it will rot your brain."
"...You've misunderstood this time. I meant, you could ask His Majesty to confer a title of county princess upon you, to provoke Sima Min."
"Are you sure asking His Majesty to confer a county princess title upon me isn't a way for you to plan for a future reconciliation with me?"
Mo Lingxi fell silent. His hidden intentions had been seen through by his wife long ago.
Truly his wife.
Sheng Lengshuang put on a 'I knew it' expression: "Mo Lingxi, I once said our values might differ. Your desire to reconcile with me might not stem from love, but from a desire to reunite, or to give Xiao Feng a complete family."
"I suggest you think it through carefully."
Mo Lingxi looked at her with sincerity and earnestness: "Wife, I've thought it through clearly, or rather, I've always thought it through. You know my character; if I didn't truly like you, would I go to such lengths and lower myself?"
Sheng Lengshuang pursed her lips without answering.
Mo Lingxi continued: "In your eyes, perhaps our values differ. I admit, when it comes to raising children and certain philosophies, we have disagreements. But you also understand that couples won't agree on everything; there will be certain divergences of opinion."
"As long as we live well together, with marital love and happiness, nothing else matters, right?"
Sheng Lengshuang offered no opinion, her mind crystal clear: "It's true, as you say. However, the most important point is, I don't want to reconcile with you."
Mo Lingxi was struck as if by lightning: "Why?"
Sheng Lengshuang lowered her gaze to the uneven ground and sighed: "You know, I don't want a life filled with conflict and schemes. Although you once said that after resolving everything, you would live the life I desired with me."
"But you know better than anyone that in your position, you can't just do as you please."
Mo Lingxi did not deny this point: "Yes. As you said, in my position, I can't do as I please. I have responsibilities and obligations to bear, and I can't just leave casually. This doesn't mean I'll always be caught in the vortex of schemes."
Sheng Lengshuang looked up at him: "You still don't understand. The schemes I speak of are not just courtly intrigues, but schemes from all directions. As His Majesty's uncle, as long as you are not out of favor and not despised, countless people will scheme against you for their own benefit."
"Many of them will try every means to send their daughters to you. Can you bear to watch me deal with these women every day, or one day, you might be schemed against by a certain family and take a concubine?"
Mo Lingxi wanted to say no, but Sheng Lengshuang interrupted him: "Mo Lingxi, you grew up in the imperial palace and have seen countless conspiracies and tricks. You understand better than I do that some schemes are unavoidable."
"Another point, your kindness to me now is good, but what about in three, five, or ten years? When I'm old and my beauty fades? You will still be Prince Mingrui, favored by His Majesty, with countless young and beautiful women willing to serve you, while I will be an old woman."
When Mo Lingxi met her calm and rational eyes, the words on his lips changed: "Everything you've considered is extremely practical, things I haven't considered."
Sheng Lengshuang exhaled, suppressing the bitterness and闷 in her heart: "You've thought too simply. It's not surprising; you were born into royalty, your starting point is higher than countless others, and you're destined to be superior, so you don't need to consider many things."
"Oh, and one more thing, you people emphasize having many children for good fortune. But have you ever considered that a woman giving birth is a walk through the gates of hell, and she might not survive? Even if she does, you men never consider a woman's postpartum recovery, her emotions, and so on. You only care if her figure has recovered, if she's still beautiful, if she gave birth to a son, and if she can have more sons in the future."
She didn't rule out having two children, provided it wasn't for the sake of having children.
Mo Lingxi felt increasingly like a scoundrel: "Everything you've said is something I've never considered. I only thought about reconciling with you, but I didn't consider these things. It's shameful that I say I like you; this affection is truly too hypocritical."
Just as his wife said, a woman giving birth is a walk through the gates of hell, and so many women don't survive, yet he only thought about her having another child.
Sheng Lengshuang took several deep breaths, allowing her emotions to gradually calm: "Mo Lingxi, the values I speak of are not just about thoughts and opinions, but also about attitudes towards various matters."
"I suggest you think it over carefully before deciding whether to reconcile with me."
Mo Lingxi nodded slowly: "I will reconsider everything. However, I hope that after I've thought it through, you will give me a chance."
Sheng Lengshuang remained silent for a long time: "When you've figured it out, then come and talk to me about it. Perhaps, after you've figured it out, you won't want to reconcile with me anymore."
Mo Lingxi stated he wouldn't: "There are some things I haven't considered, but that doesn't mean my liking for you is fake."
Half of Sheng Lengshuang's heart felt bitter, the other half slightly sweet: "Let's talk about it after you've made up your mind."