Tao Lengshuang watched coldly as Sheng Li and Old Master Tao and a few others were exposing each other's faults, neither admitting that the other party wanted to cause trouble, both thinking of pushing the blame onto the other.
From the current situation, it was likely that someone was secretly causing trouble. Otherwise, where did Sheng Li get the Zhuge Repeating Crossbow, and how did she arrange the gunpowder?
As for whether Zhou Wenxing was causing trouble, it was hard to say for now, but this person was the most suspicious.
While Sheng Li and Old Master Tao and a few others were still arguing, the hidden guards had already clarified the distribution of gunpowder in the surroundings and who was hiding there.
Upon learning this from the hidden guards, Tao Lengshuang asked them to quietly resolve these people and to wet the gunpowder with water to avoid any mishaps.
When the hidden guards had almost finished dealing with it, Tao Lengshuang saw Sheng Li and Old Master Tao suddenly turn and run. She immediately ordered the guards to catch them: "Don't let them run!"
The guards rushed over in a swarm, trying to catch Sheng Li and the others.
But—
Suddenly, a group of masked men in black appeared. Some of them protected Sheng Li and the others as they fled, while others engaged with the guards.
Seeing this, Tao Lengshuang knew that the mastermind was here to protect Sheng Li and the others. She had to ask the hidden guards for help and absolutely could not let Sheng Li and the others escape, otherwise, who knew what insane things they would do.
However, Sheng Li and the others still managed to escape.
Tao Lengshuang could only report the matter to the Jingzhao Prefecture yamen, and the Jingzhao Prefecture yamen sent people to search everywhere for Sheng Li and the others.
While searching for Sheng Li and the others, Princess Nanning, led by the hidden guards, found Tao Lengshuang.
In the main hall.
In just two days, the once radiant and elegant princess was now haggard and dirty, like a refugee from somewhere.
"May I ask why Princess Nanning is looking for me?" Tao Lengshuang said calmly.
Princess Nanning heard this and started crying, covering her face.
Tao Lengshuang pretended not to hear, continued to drink her tea, and did whatever she was doing, showing no intention of intervening or offering any comfort.
By the time Princess Nanning had finished venting, it was already more than half an hour later.
"I've made a spectacle of myself for the Mingrui Princess Consort," she said, wiping the tears from the corners of her eyes.
Tao Lengshuang said she hadn't made a spectacle, as it had nothing to do with her, so why would she be amused.
Princess Nanning choked: "...Mingrui Princess Consort, I don't want to be an ordinary person anymore."
The ordinary life she had imagined was completely different from the ordinary life she had experienced, which made her collapse and unable to accept it. But she clearly understood one thing: what she had experienced was the life of an ordinary person.
The beauty of ordinary life was all her fantasy.
Tao Lengshuang was not surprised at all: "Princess Nanning, have you thought it through? If you don't want to be an ordinary person, you will have to return to the palace and continue your marriage alliance mission."
Princess Nanning seriously stated that she had thought it through and would never have such foolish thoughts again.
For the past two days, she had problems even with eating, drinking, dressing, let alone cleaning the house, taking care of herself, or earning some money.
Tao Lengshuang: "This is Princess Nanning's only chance. Since you have chosen to return to the palace, I don't want any more incidents to happen, do you understand?"
Princess Nanning nodded in agreement and promised that nothing would happen again. After this incident, she would not have those foolish and ridiculous thoughts anymore.
Tao Lengshuang said that she would arrange for someone to escort Princess Nanning back to the palace later and that she could rest here for the time being.
Princess Nanning looked at her twice and asked curiously, "Why is the Mingrui Princess Consort helping me? Clearly, it's a good thing for you if I leave the royal family and no longer have to marry into another country."
Tao Lengshuang said that she didn't want the Northern Yuan dynasty's royal family to use this as an excuse to cause trouble.
Princess Nanning understood this and couldn't help but sigh: "The Mingrui Princess Consort is truly amazing. No wonder Prince Mingrui insists on having you."
From the beginning, the Mingrui Princess Consort had already arranged everything and knew that it was impossible for her to truly live the life of an ordinary person, which was why she had looked at her with that kind of gaze back then.
She was just foolishly thinking that by truly leaving the royal family, she could live the ordinary life she longed for.
Tao Lengshuang saw Mo Lingxi return and asked the maid to take Princess Nanning to wash and dress, and then arrange for someone to escort her back to the palace.
Mo Lingxi didn't even glance at Princess Nanning. Looking a bit tired, he pulled Tao Lengshuang to sit in a chair: "I know about the matters at home. I had some things to deal with these past two days and didn't have time to come back. Are you alright?"
Tao Lengshuang shook her head and said she was fine, then asked with concern, "Is the situation in the palace not good these past two days?"
Mo Lingxi said it wasn't that: "The situation in the palace has basically stabilized. The main problem is that the real culprit has not been found, and the clues found still point to me and Zicheng. This matter is not so easy to resolve."
Regarding this matter, Tao Lengshuang had many doubts: "The real culprit killed His Majesty, and could have done many things, but the real culprit did nothing. This is too strange."
"Could it be that the real culprit has a backup plan?"
Mo Lingxi couldn't say for sure: "I'm investigating this matter. Don't worry too much. I'm back today because I need your help with something."
Tao Lengshuang asked doubtfully: "What do you need my help with?"
Mo Lingxi took out a token and handed it to her: "I bought some grain and stored it in a warehouse. Can you help me check if there are any problems with this grain? Then I will arrange for someone to send it to my adoptive father."
"There are many people watching me lately, so it's easy for something to go wrong if I go."
Tao Lengshuang felt that something was wrong and didn't take the token: "Can't you arrange for someone you trust to do it? Why do you have to make me run this trip? Many people are watching me too."
Seeing that she wasn't taking the bait, Mo Lingxi sighed: "You know the current situation. I never feel at ease with others. You are the one I trust the most."
Tao Lengshuang still felt that something was wrong and looked at him twice: "You're not... plotting something against me, are you?"
Mo Lingxi's eyes flickered, and he said sincerely that he absolutely wouldn't: "How dare I plot anything against you? If I make you angry and you ignore me, what will I do?"
Tao Lengshuang pondered this and thought it made sense, so she accepted the token: "I'll go take a look later. It's been a while since my adoptive mother and Xiao Feng have been out, so I'll take them out for a stroll."
Mo Lingxi's thin lips curved, and his deep dark eyes were filled with tenderness: "I have to return to the palace later and can't accompany you. If anything happens, send me a message, and I'll rush over immediately."
Tao Lengshuang hummed in response and then started talking about Princess Nanning: "Have you thought about how to resolve the marriage alliance issue? Now Princess Nanning only has the marriage alliance as her path."
Mo Lingxi told her not to worry: "I have made arrangements for this matter. I expect the Northern Yuan dynasty will proactively refuse the marriage alliance later."
Tao Lengshuang raised an eyebrow, feeling a little relieved: "Then I can rest assured."
Mo Lingxi coughed lightly: "See, I can resolve the marriage alliance issue. What about the matters between you and me...?"