"The more the envoys from Southern Jin do in the Eastern Capital, the more beneficial it is for our Eastern Jin, isn't it?" Mo Lingxi said, as if victory was within his grasp.
Sheng Lengshuang curved her lips into a shallow smile. "As expected of Prince Mingrui. So, you had everything arranged. No wonder you let the envoys from Southern Jin cause trouble in the Eastern Capital."
She patted Xiao Feng and then gestured towards Mo Lingxi with her chin. "Xiao Feng, did you learn that? You need to be like your father, thinking ninety-nine steps ahead for every one step you take. More importantly, you must anticipate your enemy's thoughts and intentions beforehand and make your deployments."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Feng chimed in, "Then why hasn't Daddy managed to win Mommy over yet?"
Mo Lingxi felt a stab to his heart. This little padded jacket was leaking wind quite severely; it seemed it was beyond saving.
Sheng Lengshuang burst into laughter. "That's different. When you grow up and find a girl you like, you'll understand why your father hasn't won Mommy over yet."
Xiao Feng, half-understanding, asked, "But Daddy is so amazing, yet he can't win Mommy over. Isn't that strange?"
Sheng Lengshuang patiently explained, "To use an inappropriate analogy, Mommy is like learning. You're skilled at archery and riding, but your classmates aren't. Archery and riding are the most difficult things for them, and they can never learn them, no matter how you explain. But can you call them stupid?"
"No, they are very capable in other areas. Therefore, you can't judge a person by one thing, and everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. For example, your father isn't good at pursuing someone."
Xiao Feng understood a little. "So that's how it is. Since Daddy is so bad at chasing Mommy, when can he be with Mommy again?"
Sheng Lengshuang's eyes curved upwards, and she smiled noncommittally. "Are you helping your father pursue Mommy?"
Xiao Feng shook his head like a rattle drum. "No, no! Mommy misunderstood. I'm on your side. How could I possibly help Daddy chase you?"
Sheng Lengshuang put on a 'I've seen through your little schemes' expression but didn't dwell on the topic. Xiao Feng, indeed, was taught by Mo Lingxi; he was truly cunning.
After they finished their meal, Mo Lingxi gave Xiao Feng a few instructions and then headed to the palace.
Yangxin Hall, Side Hall.
As soon as Mo Lingxi walked in, he saw the restless envoy from Southern Jin. He bowed to Zi Cheng and said, "Your Majesty."
Zi Cheng smiled and invited him to sit. "Uncle, the envoy from Southern Jin insisted on seeing you before they would discuss official matters, which made me barely eat any lunch."
Mo Lingxi swept a indifferent glance at the envoy from Southern Jin, his voice betraying no emotion. "You may speak."
The envoys from Southern Jin exchanged glances, none willing to step forward first. During their time in the Eastern Capital, they had deeply understood Prince Mingrui's methods.
Mo Lingxi's tone grew a bit heavier. "Hm?"
The envoys from Southern Jin almost knelt. They stammered,
"Your Highness Prince Mingrui, a princess from our Southern Jin has been murdered, and the culprit has yet to be found. Does Eastern Jin owe Southern Jin an explanation?"
"Yes, regarding Princess Zhi Ya's matter, your Eastern Jin has been dragging its feet. It was previously discovered that Miss Sheng had something to do with Princess Zhi Ya's incident."
Mo Lingxi leaned back against the chair with his legs crossed, his every movement exuding nobility and superiority. "Then what do you want?"
Zi Cheng picked up his teacup and took a sip, appearing to be uninvolved. This matter was for his uncle to worry about; he was responsible for watching the show.
How comfortable.
The envoys from Southern Jin exchanged another look.
"Your Highness Prince Mingrui, we don't ask for blood for blood, but we hope Eastern Jin will give us an explanation."
"With an explanation, it will be easier for us to report back to Southern Jin. His Majesty has been very enraged and saddened since learning of Princess Zhi Ya's murder."
Mo Lingxi's eyes held a mocking glint, and his tone turned several degrees colder. "I don't want to hear nonsense."
The envoys from Southern Jin mustered their courage. "Your Highness Prince Mingrui, we demand that Eastern Jin compensate Southern Jin."
Mo Lingxi thought to himself that they had finally gotten to the main point. "What kind of compensation does Southern Jin want?"
Unsure of Mo Lingxi's attitude or intentions, the envoys from Southern Jin set their sights on Zi Cheng.
"Your Majesty Wenzong, you are the heavens of Eastern Jin. Please compensate Southern Jin."
How could Zi Cheng not know that the envoys from Southern Jin were trying to sow discord? He waved his hand. "I am not involved in this matter. It has been fully entrusted to my uncle. If you want to discuss compensation, find my uncle."
He wished his uncle would handle matters so he could relax. How could he be swayed by a few words from the envoys of Southern Jin?
The envoys from Southern Jin didn't know if Zi Cheng truly trusted Mo Lingxi or if he was feigning it to make Mo Lingxi lower his guard.
"Your Majesty Wenzong, we have spoken with Your Highness Prince Mingrui, but we still need to speak with you. It would be better to speak with you from the very beginning."
"Yes, Your Majesty Wenzong should make the final decision directly. It would be good for both Southern Jin and Eastern Jin."
Zi Cheng's smile thinned, and he showed a hint of impatience. "Do you not understand my words? If you don't understand, I will arrange for someone to teach you properly what it means to understand."
The envoys from Southern Jin were truly afraid that Zi Cheng would resort to torture, so they dared not provoke further for the moment.
"Your Highness Prince Mingrui, how do you plan to compensate Southern Jin?"
Mo Lingxi replied, "Before we discuss compensation, let's first discuss what you have been doing in my Eastern Capital."
The envoys' eyelids twitched. What did Prince Mingrui mean by that? Could it be that he had found out about their clandestine activities?
Impossible, impossible!
They had acted with extreme caution and left no traces. It was impossible for them to be discovered.
"Your Highness Prince Mingrui, please do not speak nonsense. We have been very well-behaved during our time in the Eastern Capital and have done nothing we shouldn't have."
Mo Lingxi let out a cold laugh. He glanced at the chief eunuch.
The chief eunuch bowed and handed a document to Mo Lingxi with both hands.
Mo Lingxi threw the document at the feet of the envoys from Southern Jin, his voice laced with menace. "Take a good look at the 'good deeds' you've been doing in my Eastern Capital recently!"
The envoys from Southern Jin had a very bad premonition. Several of them dared not pick up the scattered documents. Judging by Prince Mingrui's words, had he really found out about their secret activities?
How could this be possible?
Seeing that they refused to look, Mo Lingxi directly ordered the imperial guards to escort them and force them to look. "Let our Southern Jin envoys take a good look at the unsavory things they have been doing in my Eastern Capital recently."
The envoys from Southern Jin were escorted by the imperial guards and forced to look at the documents on the ground.
When they clearly saw the contents of the documents, their minds went blank, and their faces turned deathly pale. Prince Mingrui had indeed found out about their secret activities!
"This is fake! This is slander!"
"Yes, this is slander! We would never do such things."
Facing the envoys' outright denial, Mo Lingxi remained unhurried. "I have more physical evidence here, and even witnesses."