Tao Lengshuang stopped, squinting at Princess Nanning. She had to admit, even in simple attire, Princess Nanning was still a beauty, and one with a unique charm.
"Princess Nanning, you are also just a princess sent for a political marriage. What makes you so confident your father will agree to let you stay?" she asked calmly.
After this period of interaction, Princess Nanning had come to understand just how extraordinary the peerless beauty before her was, and that she was far from the rumors.
"That is my affair. I have my own ways to make my father agree to let me stay, and even to send grain and livestock to the Eastern Jin Dynasty for free."
Tao Lengshuang's gaze changed upon hearing this. This Princess Nanning was truly remarkable. It was likely she herself had orchestrated the proposal for marriage.
With such capability and intellect, if Princess Nanning had not wished to come for the marriage, there would have been plenty of ways to resolve the matter. Yet, she had come.
"What favor does Princess Nanning wish to ask of me?"
Princess Nanning cautiously glanced around, lowering her voice. "Consort Mingrui, this is not a good place to talk. May I come to find you later tonight?"
Tao Lengshuang agreed and left first.
Princess Nanning watched her retreating figure, then suddenly sighed. Everyone envied her for being a favored princess, having everything she wanted since childhood and not having to curry favor with anyone. But who knew how precariously she lived?
In the treacherous imperial palace, a single wrong word, a small mistake, or any seized handle could lead to death.
It was too oppressive.
Meanwhile, after paying respects to Emperor Ming, Tao Lengshuang knelt beside Mo Lingxi, burning joss paper. She glanced at the purely white palace hall and sighed softly.
Mo Lingxi placed an extra layer under her knees and whispered, "Go back and rest later. I'll be here."
Tao Lengshuang hummed softly. She didn't mention Princess Nanning's visit in a place with so many eyes, but she heard someone shouting.
"The Crown Prince and Prince Mingrui are murderers of His Majesty!"
Tao Lengshuang looked up and saw a young man in mourning clothes, held tightly by two eunuchs, yet still struggling and shouting.
"The Crown Prince and Prince Mingrui are murderers of His Majesty! These two are traitors and rebels; everyone should strike them down!"
Without Tao Lengshuang needing to ask, Mo Lingxi quietly told her that this was one of the Emperor's sons, likely being used as a pawn.
She saw imperial guards gagging the man and dragging him away forcefully. Many people had varied expressions, some looking at the Crown Prince and Mo Lingxi as if they were traitors. Tao Lengshuang frowned slightly.
"I'll have someone escort you back. This place needs to be dealt with." Mo Lingxi helped her stand and ordered a squad of imperial guards to escort Tao Lengshuang back to the palace to rest.
Tao Lengshuang knew her staying would be useless and would only distract Mo Lingxi. After reminding him of a few things, she was escorted back to her palace by the imperial guards.
Only after she had gone far away did Mo Lingxi begin to settle scores. "This King never knew anyone dared to shout so loudly during the national mourning, and say such things. Does he think this King's methods are too lenient?"
Everyone except Zi Cheng kept their heads bowed low, fearing they would be the first to be dealt with by Mo Lingxi.
Mo Lingxi's first target was the imperial guards and palace staff who had allowed the imperial prince to make such a scene. He then ordered a thorough investigation into who was behind the scheme.
"My patience is very limited. I do not wish to be bothered by this matter repeatedly. If there is a next time, you know the consequences."
Everyone panicked and repeatedly agreed. Some, despite their own ambitions, dared not speak another word at this time. Even those princes and grandchildren dared not show their faces.
"Uncle's methods are still too lenient," Zi Cheng said, standing up with the eunuch's support, his eyes sharp. "I believe since these people have so much free time, they should all kneel here and repent to His Majesty."
"During this time, no food or drink is allowed."
Everyone inwardly lamented their misfortune but could not resist and had to obediently accept the order.
Mo Lingxi and Zi Cheng exchanged a look, then returned to kneeling and continuing to burn joss paper.
Zhou Wenxing, among the court officials, secretly glanced at Mo Lingxi, contemplating how to seize this opportunity to reclaim Madam Qi and eliminate Tao Lengshuang, thus fulfilling his long-held wish.
Now that Prince Mingrui and his consort were in the palace, and that dog Sheng Tianchun was outside, it was the best time for him to make his move. However, he could not leave the palace for now.
Furthermore, he was being watched by Prince Mingrui, so he needed to find a foolproof method.
As he pondered, he thought of a good plan and chuckled sinisterly. How could he have forgotten about these two?
...
Afternoon.
Madam Sheng was playing with Xiao Feng in the courtyard. An unshakeable worry lingered in her eyes, and she sometimes zoned out.
"Grandmother, Grandmother?" Xiao Feng waved his hand in front of her, concerned. "Grandmother, are you not feeling well? I see Grandmother zoning out often."
Madam Sheng assured him she was fine. "I am worried about your parents. The palace is in chaos right now, and I fear something might happen."
Xiao Feng was also worried. He said like a little adult, "Grandmother, don't worry. My father is so capable, he will surely protect himself and my mother. What we need to do is wait for them to return home safely."
Just as Madam Sheng praised him, she heard the hurried voice of a wet nurse.
"Madam, this is bad! Many disaster victims are attacking the residence. You and young master, hurry and leave through the back door!"
Madam Sheng's face paled with alarm. She quickly shielded Xiao Feng and headed towards the back door. She calmly asked the wet nurse, "Suddenly, why are the disaster victims attacking the residence? Where are the guards and the hidden guards?"
The wet nurse beckoned some hidden guards and household staff and said urgently, "It seems to be related to Sheng Li. I don't know the specifics. The message came from the front courtyard, saying disaster victims are attacking the residence."
Madam Sheng's steps faltered. She sensed something was amiss and ordered a hidden guard to scout the situation, then hid with Xiao Feng in a temporarily safe place.
"Madam, do you feel something is wrong?" the wet nurse asked softly.
Madam Sheng cautiously scanned the surroundings and whispered, "During the national mourning, disaster victims wouldn't be foolish enough to attack a residence. If discovered, it would be a crime punishable by death for the entire clan."
"Moreover, we haven't seen the actual situation, only heard from the front courtyard. Wet nurse, don't forget what happened with the maid betraying me earlier. I think there's a big problem here."
The wet nurse considered it and felt it made sense. This was during the national mourning, not ordinary times. Generally, no one would be foolish enough to do anything during the national mourning.
"Does Madam think this is Zhou Wenxing's trick?"
Madam Sheng couldn't say for sure if it was Zhou Wenxing's trick. "In any case, it's right for us to be careful. Let's wait for the hidden guard to gather information and then decide."
When the hidden guard returned with the information, Madam Sheng learned the truth.