Yangxin Hall, side hall.
Upon entering the side hall, Tao Lengshuang saw not only Zi Cheng and Mo Lingxi, but also several court officials. She paused, then offered a respectful curtsy, neither subservient nor arrogant.
"Greetings, Crown Prince." What was going on?
"Little Aunt, please dispense with the formalities." Zi Cheng coughed lightly, covering his mouth, and glanced at Mo Lingxi. He handed a document to Tao Lengshuang. "Little Aunt, please read this document first, and then we can talk."
Tao Lengshuang grew even more confused.
However, after reading the document, she understood the reason. She frowned slightly and looked at Mo Lingxi. "What is Prince Mingrui thinking? The document clearly states that if you are willing to divorce your wife for a political marriage, the Northern Yuan Dynasty will send ten thousand catties of grain to help our Eastern Jin Dynasty overcome this difficult period."
Before Mo Lingxi could say anything, several court officials began to persuade him.
"Please, Prince Mingrui, consider the greater good! Our Eastern Jin Dynasty is in dire need of grain. Ten thousand catties of grain will not only help us overcome this crisis but also ensure our people have enough to eat."
"Prince Mingrui, please think of the common people. So many refugees have starved to death simply because they couldn't get a bite to eat. Now there is an opportunity to help the refugees; please seize it."
Mo Lingxi's expression was as cold as frost. He flatly refused, "I will absolutely not divorce my original wife."
Seeing this, several court officials knelt before Tao Lengshuang, begging her to voluntarily request a separation. "Please, Princess Consort Mingrui, think of the common people and the refugees. If this grain is obtained, the refugees will not have to worry about starving to death."
Just as Tao Lengshuang was about to say something, she heard Mo Lingxi's angry reprimand.
"Silence!"
Tao Lengshuang raised her hand to stop Mo Lingxi from getting angry. She was very calm, not showing the expected distress or sadness. "Mo Lingxi, they are also thinking of the nation and the people. Why do you blame them?"
"You are not allowed to request a separation!" Mo Lingxi stared at her with fierce eyes. "If you dare to do so, see how I deal with you."
Tao Lengshuang pinched her brow and gave Zi Cheng a meaningful look.
Zi Cheng nodded more clearly and asked the court officials to withdraw first.
The court officials had no choice but to retreat.
"Mo Lingxi, have you considered what position you would put me in if you truly refused the political marriage?" Tao Lengshuang asked very calmly.
"Yes, Uncle, if you don't divorce or separate, you are essentially putting Little Aunt in a fiery trial," Zi Cheng sighed with a worried frown. "The lives of so many refugees depend on a single thought from you and Little Aunt."
"If you refuse, Little Aunt will become a femme fatale who brings ruin to the country, and countless people will curse her, condemn her, and even try to kill her. Does Uncle want Little Aunt to suffer such things?"
How could Mo Lingxi not know these things? He pursed his lips tightly, his fists clenching until they made cracking sounds. "I will not agree to a separation, nor will I divorce her."
Tao Lengshuang took his hand and said softly, "Mo Lingxi, I understand your feelings for me, but please think of the many refugees. I also do not wish to become a femme fatale, nor do I want so many refugees to starve to death because of me."
This matter was no longer about whether she wanted to separate or not; she had to separate. Otherwise, she would not only become a femme fatale but would also implicate the Sheng family and Xiao Feng.
Mo Lingxi still refused. "I will resolve this matter."
Tao Lengshuang did not understand the specifics of the relations between countries. She also knew that the Northern Yuan Dynasty's intentions were not good. However, during the Eastern Jin Dynasty's difficult times, they had no choice but to accept the Northern Yuan Dynasty's offer.
"How will you resolve it? Can you produce ten thousand catties of grain in a short period? The root of the problem is still the grain."
She had plenty of grain in her spatial medicinal garden, but she couldn't take it out.
In this difficult time, if she were to suddenly produce so much grain, how would she explain it? It would also attract the attention of those with ulterior motives, bringing unnecessary trouble.
Mo Lingxi was resolute in his refusal.
"Uncle, Little Aunt, the princess from the Northern Yuan Dynasty for the political marriage is already on her way," Zi Cheng dropped this bombshell.
Mo Lingxi and Tao Lengshuang both looked at him sharply.
Zi Cheng flinched and sighed. "I didn't want to say it, but since Uncle is so firm, I had to mention it."
"The Northern Yuan Dynasty is determined to have this political marriage this time. You both know their true intentions without me having to say."
Tao Lengshuang felt a pang of discomfort, and more so, bitterness. "Let's separate."
"Mo Lingxi, let's have a clean separation. We can still be friends when we meet in the future. You know that, in the current situation, this is the only path for us."
Upon hearing this, Mo Lingxi's dark eyes were tinged with scarlet. "I do not agree..."
"Are you going to disregard the lives of millions of refugees?" Tao Lengshuang interrupted him.
Mo Lingxi fell silent.
Tao Lengshuang patted his shoulder and said gently, "Let's separate."
"Uncle, Little Aunt, I think it would be better this way," Zi Cheng proposed a compromise. "Let's wait for the princess coming for the political marriage to arrive, test her intentions, and then decide if you two should separate."
"If the princess coming for the political marriage can stand on our side, things will be much easier."
Mo Lingxi and Tao Lengshuang exchanged a look. They knew that for now, this was the only option, otherwise, separation was the only path.
Tao Lengshuang pinched her brow, asking with some annoyance, "When will the princess coming for the political marriage arrive?"
Zi Cheng estimated, "If it's fast, she'll arrive in about a month. If it's slower, about two months."
"Given the current situation, the princess will arrive within half a month at the latest. This is a matter of urgency."
Tao Lengshuang gave a cold "Mm" and asked, "Which princess from the Northern Yuan Dynasty is coming for the political marriage? Can you tell me about the relationship between the Eastern Jin Dynasty and the Northern Yuan Dynasty?"
Zi Cheng answered truthfully.
This time, the princess coming for the political marriage from the Northern Yuan Dynasty was Princess Nan Ning. Princess Nan Ning had been a beauty from a young age and was skilled in human relations, thus earning the favor of Emperor Wen of the Northern Yuan Dynasty.
It was truly unexpected that Emperor Wen would send her for a political marriage. Everyone knew that princesses sent for political marriages never had good outcomes, yet Emperor Wen was willing to send her.
As for the relationship between the Eastern Jin Dynasty and the Northern Yuan Dynasty, it was outwardly peaceful, but in reality, both were looking for opportunities to annex the other.
However, the Eastern Jin Dynasty had been in a poor state in recent years. Maintaining internal stability was already difficult, let alone dealing with external affairs. Therefore, other countries had been coveting it, all wanting to annex the Eastern Jin Dynasty.
If it weren't for Mo Lingxi's deterrence, other countries would have already gone to war.
"Little Aunt also knows our situation. We have serious internal problems and have encountered a disaster. If we directly refuse the Northern Yuan Dynasty, the consequences..."
Tao Lengshuang understood perfectly. Simply put, the Northern Yuan Dynasty was exploiting the Eastern Jin Dynasty's current inability to refuse to plot against them and achieve their own goals.
"In the current situation, let's first see what attitude this princess coming for the political marriage has, and then decide what to do."
She paused and added, "If this Princess Nan Ning intends to follow the Northern Yuan Dynasty's wishes for the political marriage, then Mo Lingxi and I will have to separate."