She brought Xiao Feng to his courtyard and arranged for hidden guards to protect it, then pondered the recent events.
On the surface, it appeared this person intended to refine her and Xiao Feng into puppets. However, in reality, it was likely that the shadowy figure had said something to this person, piquing their interest in the mother and son.
If that were the case, it would mean the shadowy figure was desperate to eliminate her.
Was the shadowy figure planning something and felt she was in the way?
Sheng Lengshuang had a gut feeling that things were not that simple, but she couldn't articulate it clearly. She filed the matter away in her mind.
"Xiao Feng, were you frightened?" she asked gently.
Xiao Feng shook his head. "Mother, I wasn't frightened. It's just, that old man looked a bit scary. Could he be a walking corpse?"
Sheng Lengshuang chuckled. "No. It's likely that to extend his lifespan, he used some rather extreme methods, which caused him to become like that."
"Mother, what are extreme methods?"
"For example, using certain special medications. Xiao Feng, you must remember this: no matter what kind of medicine it is, even one that prolongs life, it has certain harmful effects. As the saying goes, all medicine has some toxicity, do you understand?"
Xiao Feng nodded in understanding. "Mother, why hasn't that old man died if he used these medicines?"
Sheng Lengshuang wasn't entirely sure. "I haven't taken his pulse, so I can't determine the reason. But from his current condition, he might not be considered truly alive."
Xiao Feng tilted his head. "Like those puppets?"
"Perhaps."
"Then isn't he seeking his own demise?"
Xiao Feng's intense curiosity did not annoy Sheng Lengshuang. She patiently explained, "He can refine puppets, so he likely has a way to maintain his sanity. However, maintaining sanity is temporary. Once the poison invades his brain..."
She pointed to her head. "That person will also turn into a puppet without consciousness."
Judging by the old man's condition, it was evident he had experimented on himself with poisons extensively.
It might have been fine at first, but over time, various problems would surface. If it continued longer, it would cost him his life.
This was good for her; she wished for people like that to die sooner.
...
As soon as Mo Lingxi returned, he learned of the incident from the butler. He pulled Sheng Lengshuang and her son aside, looking them over. "Are you both unharmed?"
Sheng Lengshuang assured him, "With the hidden guards and my medicinal powder, those puppets couldn't get close to us."
Mo Lingxi, confirming Sheng Lengshuang and her son were safe and sound, felt relieved. "It was my oversight. I didn't expect these people to dare trespass into the prince's manor to abduct someone. I will strengthen the manor's security and ensure similar incidents do not happen again."
Sheng Lengshuang smiled. "Strengthening the manor's security is useless. I don't live in the Mingrui Prince's Manor. Besides, if someone wants to harm a person, there are always ways and means."
Mo Lingxi understood this point very well. "Perhaps we could do this..."
"You don't need to say more, I won't move in," Sheng Lengshuang interrupted him.
Mo Lingxi rubbed his nose. "It would be best if your parents moved in together. That way, there would be no fear of anything happening, don't you agree?"
Sheng Lengshuang ignored him. She leaned down and said to Xiao Feng, "Mother has to go back. Be good and listen to your father. In a couple of days, Mother will pick you up and take you back to the Sheng family."
Xiao Feng desperately wanted to go back to the Sheng family with his mother, but he dared not speak up after his previous misbehavior. "Okay, Mother. Mother, be careful on your way."
Sheng Lengshuang gave Xiao Feng a few more instructions, refused Mo Lingxi's offer to escort her, and left.
Mo Lingxi and Xiao Feng looked at each other.
"Father, you are truly too useless."
"If you're so capable, then keep your mother here."
Xiao Feng crossed his arms and huffed. "I'm just a child, how much use can I be? Father, you are an adult, a mature adult, and you can't even keep Mother. You've disappointed me greatly."
Mo Lingxi didn't want to say anything more to his troublesome son and turned to leave.
"Father, you need to hurry. If you don't hurry, what if Mother is taken away by someone else?"
Xiao Feng's words made Mo Lingxi stop abruptly. He looked at Xiao Feng coldly. "Someone is pursuing your mother?"
Xiao Feng was speechless. "Father, isn't that stating the obvious? My mother has beauty, status, and capability. If it were you, wouldn't you pursue my mother? Not to mention, my maternal grandfather is deeply trusted by my imperial brother, and the Sheng family is so honored."
Sometimes he didn't know what his father was thinking; it was all so clear.
Mo Lingxi pondered, feeling that Xiao Feng's words made sense. In that case, he not only had 'internal worries' but also 'external threats'!
"Xiao Feng, do you know who is pursuing your mother?"
Xiao Feng: "...How would I know? My maternal grandfather, grandmother, and mother wouldn't tell me these things. Father, instead of overthinking, it would be better to figure out how to appease Mother."
"Father, you have too many troubles. Mother won't easily reconcile with you."
Mo Lingxi sat down in a chair, gesturing for Xiao Feng to sit as well. "Tell me what you know."
Xiao Feng showed disdain. "Father, can you be more spirited? You're chasing your wife, and you need me, your young son, to help you. Aren't you ashamed?"
Mo Lingxi's expression was calm. "No shame. You are my son. If you don't want a stepfather, you'd best help me win back your mother."
Another day of being annoyed by his father. Xiao Feng said, "Father, don't throw tantrums. Learn to start from what Mother cares about. For example, arrange farming matters and school matters for Mother in advance."
Mo Lingxi thought about it and slowly nodded. "You're right. Throwing tantrums is no longer effective. Now, I need to focus on what your mother cares about to win her back quickly."
Mo Lingxi patted his head, his thin lips curving slightly. "As expected of my son, you're so smart."
Xiao Feng rolled his eyes. "Father, are you praising me or yourself?"
"Both."
"Heh!"
Mo Lingxi didn't care about Xiao Feng's attitude. "Your mother is coming to pick you up in a couple of days, isn't she? Help me find out who is pursuing your mother so I can clear the external threats."
Xiao Feng agreed. "Father, you need to resolve those troubles quickly. Even without external threats, with so many troubles, Mother won't agree to reconcile with you."
He didn't want a stepmother or stepfather; he only wanted his parents to get back together.
Mo Lingxi knew this well. His eyes turned cold. "Things are not that simple. The most troublesome one is the person hidden in the dark. Once she is dealt with, all matters can be resolved."
Xiao Feng chimed in, "Father, you could pretend to have some trouble, perhaps that person will show themselves."
Pretend to have trouble?
An idea popped into Mo Lingxi's mind, and his gaze towards Xiao Feng shifted slightly.
Xiao Feng hugged himself tightly. "Father, what is that look? What are you planning to do?"