Xiao Feng's words made the second daughter of the Duan family blush with embarrassment, wishing she could find a hole to crawl into. "Young Master Mo, you've truly misunderstood."
"I admit, I had selfish intentions, wanting a child after entering the Ming Rui King's mansion. But I never intended to compete with Miss Sheng for anything. Everything I've said is from the bottom of my heart."
Xiao Feng detested this woman. "Second Miss Duan, no matter how nicely you put it, it doesn't change the fact that you want to snatch someone else's husband."
"Furthermore, even if you have no selfish intentions now, what about the future? Especially after you have a child, won't you consider your own child's well-being?"
Having learned from his imperial brother for so long, he had a deeper understanding of human nature.
"Xiao Feng," Sheng Lengshuang chided him with a look, then glanced at the second daughter of the Duan family with a cool smile. "Second Miss Duan, what my son said is not wrong. And another point, people are never satisfied."
"Take you, for example. You want to be a concubine in the Ming Rui King's mansion. After your wish is granted, you might be content at first, enjoying your dream life. However, as time goes by, or after you have a child, you won't be satisfied with this life.
You are a daughter born of the main wife. Would you be willing for your child to be born of a concubine? If you gave birth to a son, wouldn't you want to fight for the position of heir for your son?"
The second daughter of the Duan family opened her mouth, wanting to say no. But as the words reached her lips, she found herself unable to utter them.
As a daughter born of the main wife, she had witnessed her father's concubines and illegitimate children vying for more benefits and calculating ways to please her since childhood.
If she had a child, she would be unwilling for her child to be born of a concubine, and would want her child to be born of the main wife.
If it were a son...
She glanced at Xiao Feng, then lowered her head. She probably would want her son to become the heir, not to be suppressed by the legitimate son his entire life.
"See, you can't speak anymore?" Sheng Lengshuang tutted. "Second Miss Duan, you really shouldn't speak so prettily. Your so-called 'no' is based on not having touched your interests yet."
"Once your interests are touched, you'll immediately change your tune."
That's how people are. When their interests are not affected, everything is easy to say. But when their interests are involved, they become a different person.
The second daughter of the Duan family almost tore her embroidered handkerchief. She murmured, "Miss Sheng, eventually, the Ming Rui King will take concubines."
"Now the Ming Rui King says he won't take concubines, but men are fickle. What will you do then, Miss Sheng?"
Sheng Lengshuang smiled faintly. "Isn't it better to ask for a divorce or to be sent away? Women don't have to rely on men. I have skills and businesses, why can't I live the life I want?"
The second daughter of the Duan family was stunned and looked at her in disbelief. "But that's the Ming Rui King. If you truly divorce, the Ming Rui King will make things difficult for you."
Sheng Lengshuang had considered this. "At worst, I'll move far away from the Eastern Capital. The Jin Dynasty is so vast, there must be a place suitable for me to live. I don't need to make myself miserable."
This was the first time the second daughter of the Duan family had heard such a twisted logic, yet it seemed to have some sense. "Then your parents...?"
Sheng Lengshuang did not continue the topic. "Second Miss Duan, I advise you to give up on entering the Ming Rui King's mansion as a concubine. I have a bad temper. If you insist on becoming a concubine in the Ming Rui King's mansion, you will have to bear the consequences."
With that, she took Xiao Feng's hand and left.
At this point, the second daughter of the Duan family clearly understood that she had no chance of entering the Ming Rui King's mansion. Even if she used all her means to get in, Miss Sheng would have plenty of ways to torment her.
She sighed softly. To be honest, she truly admired the Ming Rui King, which was why she disregarded rules, etiquette, and face to discuss this matter with Miss Sheng.
...
In the carriage.
Xiao Feng crossed his arms and said indignantly, "Mother, that Second Miss Duan is too wicked. She actually wants to break you and Father apart. How can there be such a wicked person?"
Sheng Lengshuang was quite philosophical. "This just shows your father's charm."
Xiao Feng: "...Mother, I'm telling you something very serious."
Sheng Lengshuang chuckled. "Xiao Feng, you don't need to be angry. As I said, this is your father's charm. No matter what I do, there will be girls who want to enter the Ming Rui King's mansion."
"Therefore, the key to this matter is not for us mother and son to stop it, but for your father. If your father intends to take a concubine, it will be useless even if both of us try to stop him, do you understand?"
Xiao Feng nodded as if suddenly enlightened. "It's Father who's bad! Father is truly too much, attracting trouble everywhere and causing so much trouble for Mother."
"I'm going to write a letter to complain about Father's excessive behavior!"
Sheng Lengshuang did not object, letting Xiao Feng fuss. Children needed to fuss a bit.
When the mother and son returned to the manor, Madam Sheng, who had been waiting, rushed over and scooped Xiao Feng into her arms. "Oh dear, our Xiao Feng has gotten thinner, poor thing."
Sheng Lengshuang: "..." There's a kind of thinness called 'elders think you're thin.'
"Grandmother, Xiao Feng hasn't gotten thinner, I've gotten stronger," Xiao Feng said, flexing his muscles.
Madam Sheng chuckled. "Yes, yes, our Xiao Feng has gotten stronger. Grandmother misspoke."
She looked at Sheng Lengshuang and asked with concern, "Are you all better?"
Sheng Lengshuang nodded. "I'm almost fully recovered, Mother doesn't need to worry."
Madam Sheng was relieved. "The palace must not agree with your fate. Go to the palace less in the future, lest something else goes wrong."
Sheng Lengshuang agreed.
Madam Sheng continued, "Several ladies and young ladies have come to visit me these past few days, under the guise of buying beauty pills, but subtly inquiring whether the Ming Rui King has any intention of taking a concubine and about the movements in the palace."
"His Majesty didn't select many young ladies in the last imperial selection, and there aren't many concubines in the harem. Those families want to send their daughters into the palace to try their luck for wealth and status."
Sheng Lengshuang frowned, slightly displeased. "The border is at war, and instead of thinking about serving the ruler well, they are all thinking about these things."
Madam Sheng scoffed. "They've enjoyed peaceful times for too long, and the war hasn't reached their doorstep. Naturally, they continue to enjoy their good lives and don't truly care about the border situation."
"Those who truly care about the border are the families of the soldiers, His Majesty, and us."
Sheng Lengshuang said impatiently, "Mother, don't see these people anymore, and have less contact with them."
Just then, a steward walked over and handed Sheng Lengshuang several calling cards. "Miss, a few ladies and young ladies have come to visit, saying they want you to treat their illnesses."
Sheng Lengshuang looked at the calling cards. The husband with the highest official position was the wife of the Tongzhengshi. "Did they bring their young ladies?" httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
The steward replied, "Yes. From what I can see, those young ladies are dressed up elaborately. If one didn't know better, they would think these young ladies are here for a matchmaking session."