Zi Cheng took a cup of wine from the head eunuch and raised it high, "I toast you! My brave soldiers, I await your triumphant return! I hope you all return without a single loss!"
Mo Lingxi and the other generals took a cup of wine from the eunuchs and raised them equally high, "Your subjects will surely return whole and unharmed!"
Everyone sprinkled the wine on the ground before mounting their horses.
Mo Lingxi glanced at Sheng Lengshuang and Xiao Feng in the crowd, bowed to Zi Cheng once more, and rode off first.
The vanguard followed closely behind.
Sheng Lengshuang watched Mo Lingxi's departing figure with worried eyes. She opened her mouth, wanting to say something but unable to utter a sound, only able to fix her gaze on his retreating form.
It was as if by doing so, she could alleviate her worries and unease.
At this moment, Sheng Lengshuang could not hear the cheers and farewells of countless people to the vanguard. She wished time would stop, or that war would simply vanish, so that the two most important people to her would not have to go to the battlefield.
But she knew this was impossible.
Only when Mo Lingxi's figure was no longer visible did she slowly retract her gaze and look down at Xiao Feng before her.
"Mother?" Xiao Feng, sensing her gaze, looked at her with concern and confusion.
Sheng Lengshuang gently shook her head to indicate she was fine, and holding his hand, she walked with the flow of people.
Amidst the vast crowd, continuous soft sobs and worried murmurs reached Sheng Lengshuang, making her feel uneasy. War brought endless pain and broken families.
"Mother, I will stay with you," Xiao Feng squeezed her hand.
Sheng Lengshuang stroked his head, mustering her spirits, "Mother is fine."
Xiao Feng was still worried, and he was also very worried. It would be so good if Father and Maternal Grandfather did not have to go to war.
When the mother and son returned to the Sheng family, they saw the servants busy with preparations. Sheng Lengshuang knew this was for her father's departure for the campaign, as her father would lead the main army later.
The mother and son went to Madam Sheng's courtyard.
Madam Sheng and General Sheng were chatting and packing small items.
"Leng Shuang, are you alright?" Madam Sheng was very worried about her daughter.
Sheng Lengshuang hummed, "I'm alright. Mother, you don't need to worry about me. Even though I don't want Mo Lingxi to go to war, it cannot be changed. This campaign requires his participation."
Madam Sheng felt even more heartache. She had experienced her husband going to war and serving on the border in her younger years, so she was not as flustered now, but Leng Shuang...
"Prince Ming Rui is the commander-in-chief. The commander-in-chief usually does not engage in battle, but is responsible for overall command and strategy. You don't need to worry too much."
Sheng Lengshuang pursed her lips. Based on her understanding of Mo Lingxi, he would definitely lead the troops into battle himself.
Having the current Prince Ming Rui personally lead the troops would greatly boost morale and serve as a deterrent to the enemy to a certain extent.
"Father, Mother, I want to move to the manor. With the two armies at war, I want to plant more grain and other provisions, just in case."
Madam Sheng looked at her husband.
General Sheng pondered for a moment and thought it was a good idea, "It will be a great relief for me if the three generations of you move to the manor. At least you will have something to do and won't be lost in thought all day."
"Maternal Grandfather, Xiao Feng is not moving to the manor," Xiao Feng patted his chest and explained, "Father instructed me before he left that I am to stay in the palace to assist my Imperial Brother, so I will be moving into the palace."
"This..." General Sheng and his wife were not entirely in agreement, and they looked at Sheng Lengshuang.
Sheng Lengshuang pressed her slightly tired brow, "Father, Mother, since Mo Lingxi has made arrangements, let's follow his wishes. It is likely that His Majesty has agreed to this matter."
His Majesty was eager to groom Xiao Feng early so that he could shirk his responsibilities and live a comfortable life as a leisurely emperor.
Upon hearing this, General Sheng and his wife could not object. They felt very sorry for Xiao Feng. Such a young child had to bear so many responsibilities. It seemed that being born into royalty was not truly a good thing.
"If Xiao Feng is not going to the manor, then Mother and I will move there," Sheng Lengshuang said, "The family should also buy more supplies to prepare for any unforeseen circumstances. As for the rest, I believe His Majesty will make the decisions."
General Sheng thought the same, "Leng Shuang, you and your mother take care. I will be staying in the military camp for the next few days and will then lead the main army to the border.
"At that time, the three generations of you should not come to see me off. I do not like such scenes."
Sheng Lengshuang knew he was afraid of being reluctant to part. She nodded in agreement, "Father, you must be very careful. Think of your family in everything. Also, I have prepared a lot of medicinal powders and pills."
"If Father is short of anything, write to me, and I will prepare more."
General Sheng gently patted her head with his large hand and sighed, "Originally, Father intended to accompany you three all along, but who knew such a thing would happen. Rest assured, I will return safely."
He added, "And I will bring Prince Ming Rui back safely."
Sheng Lengshuang said, "Good."
That day, Sheng Lengshuang sent Xiao Feng into the palace, and then she and Madam Sheng moved to the manor to temporarily reside.
Sheng Lengshuang was responsible for making medicinal powders and pills and arranging for people to plant grain, while Madam Sheng was responsible for purchasing various supplies, seeds, and the like, and making arrangements for the remaining matters.
The mother and daughter divided the work, and by staying busy, they did not often dwell on those thoughts.
Sheng Lengshuang, accompanied by two maids, went to the mountain where bamboo was planted, contemplating what else to raise there to send to the border later.
But what should she raise?
Looking at the chickens, ducks, and geese happily scurrying around, she stood still, pondering the matter, while the voices of the two maids reached her ears.
"These chickens, ducks, and geese have grown so well. They should start laying eggs soon, shouldn't they?"
"The older ones can, but the young ones can't for now. Hey, hey, hey, last time I heard a maid in the mansion mention a method for making salted duck, which is said to be delicious."
"Can you make it? Oh, right, salted duck eggs are also very delicious."
Hearing "salted" and "salt," Sheng Lengshuang remembered something very important: salt!
This was an indispensable item.
If someone were to tamper with it, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Sheng Lengshuang ordered her hidden guards to go to the palace to report this matter to the current emperor. Then, she began to think about refining salt.
Privately refining salt was illegal. If she could obtain the emperor's permission, then refining salt would not be illegal.
The problem now was, where could she find a place to refine salt?
Sheng Lengshuang knew that this matter could not be rushed. Planting grain and other provisions was more important, so she continued to wander the mountain, thinking about which grains and vegetables to plant, and how to preserve them.
Just as Sheng Lengshuang was busy, General Sheng also led the main army to the border.
This time, Sheng Lengshuang, Madam Sheng, and Xiao Feng did not go to see General Sheng off, as per his wishes.
However, Madam Sheng and General Sheng went to a Taoist temple in the outskirts to pray and obtained several peace amulets.
Sheng Lengshuang noticed that many ladies and young mistresses visited the Taoist temple, but there were very few young gentlemen.