The envoy from the Southern Jin Dynasty asked, "May I ask Emperor Wenzong, where did this sweet potato come from?"
Zi Cheng's gaze turned cold. "If I understand your meaning correctly, you're implying that our Eastern Jin Dynasty stole your Southern Jin Dynasty's sweet potatoes?"
Even if the Southern Jin envoy believed so, he dared not say it. "Replying to Emperor Wenzong, we would not dare. It's just that, as everyone knows, sweet potatoes are only found in our Southern Jin Dynasty. For sweet potatoes to suddenly appear in the Eastern Jin Dynasty..."
Zi Cheng let out a cold laugh. "Your words are quite strange. For now, it seems sweet potatoes are indeed only found in your Southern Jin Dynasty. But who can guarantee that there are no sweet potatoes in the mountains?"
"Furthermore, our Eastern Jin Dynasty planted sweet potatoes months ago. The sweet potatoes now are a gift from the Mountain God, and have nothing to do with your Southern Jin Dynasty."
The Southern Jin envoy did not believe this explanation, but they knew very well that Emperor Wenzong had spoken. If they continued to pester, they would be in the wrong.
"Emperor Wenzong, may I have a look at this sweet potato?"
Zi Cheng, knowing the Southern Jin envoy's intention, handed a sweet potato to the envoy.
The Southern Jin envoy examined the sweet potato again and again, trying to find some evidence, but found none. This sweet potato looked bigger and better than those from the Southern Jin Dynasty, and its color was also much better.
The question was, if these sweet potatoes were not stolen from the Southern Jin Dynasty by the Eastern Jin Dynasty, then where did the Eastern Jin Dynasty get so many sweet potatoes?
Sweet potatoes were only found in the Southern Jin Dynasty.
"Thank you, Emperor Wenzong." The Southern Jin envoy returned the sweet potato, exchanged a glance with his companions, and resolved to find a way to destroy the Eastern Jin Dynasty's sweet potatoes, or to make everyone believe that the Eastern Jin Dynasty had stolen them from the Southern Jin Dynasty.
Zi Cheng put the sweet potato away and said indifferently, "You may withdraw."
The Southern Jin envoy withdrew, unwilling.
Zi Cheng let out a sneer and said to Mo Lingxi, "Uncle, just watch. This matter is far from over."
Mo Lingxi's eyes were filled with a blade-like coldness. "Your Majesty, if the Southern Jin Dynasty dares to do anything, there's no need to show mercy. It's a good opportunity to kill the chicken to warn the monkeys."
Zi Cheng understood and nodded, then brought up another matter. "Uncle, I have been investigating the palace. So far, I haven't found any useful clues, but a small number of people have made some moves."
Mo Lingxi replied, "This matter needs to be investigated slowly and carefully to catch a big fish with a long line."
Zi Cheng understood. "Uncle is right."
He glanced at the sweet potato. "Uncle, how do you plan to reward Xiao Feng this time? If Xiao Feng hadn't gone to the mountains to play, we wouldn't have discovered so much food."
Mo Lingxi's thin lips curved into a smile. "There's no need to specially reward Xiao Feng. He's still young. Rewarding him too much might lead him astray."
Zi Cheng shook his head with amusement. Other families would be overjoyed if their children received imperial rewards, but it was different for his uncle.
When Mo Lingxi returned to the Sheng family from the palace, he found servants constantly carrying in various gifts. Guessing that these were gifts from various families, he went to Sheng Lengshuang's courtyard.
Seeing Sheng Lengshuang looking at the account books, he walked over to give her a massage. "Have many families sent gifts?"
Sheng Lengshuang picked up her teacup and took a sip. "They're just reacting to the news. You already have the Emperor's favor, and now Xiao Feng has achieved such great merit. Those families are eagerly sending gifts, and many are even proposing marriage alliances with the Sheng family."
She had refused them all without exception. She did not want her son to be bound by a marriage, and more importantly, Xiao Feng's marriage should be his own decision.
Mo Lingxi said, "It's all up to you. As for those who sent gifts, you can handle them as you see fit."
Sheng Lengshuang nodded and brought up another matter. "Our family plans to move to a manor in the suburbs. Xiao Feng doesn't like living here; he prefers to live on the manor."
Mo Lingxi asked, "Have you considered how much it will affect Xiao Feng in the future if he doesn't cultivate these skills from a young age, as the heir and future prince of the Mingrui Prince's Mansion?"
Sheng Lengshuang had considered all of this. She pressed her forehead. "We'll move back in a couple of years. I don't want Xiao Feng to grow up in this kind of environment."
Mo Lingxi softened his voice. "I understand, and I know you're considering Xiao Feng's best interests. But in the long run, Xiao Feng will eventually have to live in this environment. We can't let the environment adapt to him; he must adapt to the environment."
"More importantly, one emperor, one court. While the current Emperor favors us, it doesn't mean the next emperor will. Therefore, Xiao Feng needs to adapt to these things early and integrate into this circle."
Sheng Lengshuang sighed. "It's true what they say, every family has its own troubles. Although noble families enjoy honor and comfort, they also have to pay a lot."
Not only did they have to be proficient in all the arts of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, but they also had to learn to use their minds to achieve their goals and win over various factions.
Mo Lingxi said, "I'll handle Xiao Feng."
Sheng Lengshuang said "Alright." After all, Xiao Feng was a boy, and it was better for his father, Mo Lingxi, to teach him. It was just that this child had too much to bear.
Mo Lingxi kissed the corner of her lips. "Don't worry too much. Children and grandchildren will have their own fortunes. Xiao Feng is a little man; he should bear these responsibilities now."
Sheng Lengshuang closed the account book and reminded him, "Don't push Xiao Feng too hard. He's still young; teach him slowly. As for integrating into the circle... we'll find an opportunity later. This cannot be rushed."
"In Xiao Feng's position, he must remain neither arrogant nor impatient, and maintain proper distance from others, lest the Emperor misunderstand."
The Emperor was no longer the Crown Prince he once was. As the highest-ranking person in the Eastern Jin Dynasty, they had to maintain a certain distance and respect.
Mo Lingxi promised to teach Xiao Feng well. "You, why don't you take this time to worry more about me?"
Sheng Lengshuang chuckled. "Do I need to worry about such a grown man as you?"
"Wife, that's not right. Look, Xiao Feng has in-laws, but I only have you. Don't you think you should worry more about me?"
"...Mo Lingxi, how can you say such shameless words so calmly?"
Mo Lingxi stated that he wasn't shameless, but speaking the truth. "Wife, I've prepared the betrothal gifts. When do you think we should get back together?"
Sheng Lengshuang replied, "But I don't want to get back together. My parents are choosing a good family for me. They say I can't be with you anymore."
Mo Lingxi was about to cry. "Wife, you can't listen to your parents. I know there are some troubles, but I will handle them."
Sheng Lengshuang casually said, "Oh."
"Wife, look, among all the young men in the Eastern Capital, no one is better than me, right?"
"And no one causes more trouble than you."
These words were truly hurtful. Mo Lingxi hugged his wife, seeking comfort. "Wife, you've hurt my heart."
Sheng Lengshuang patted his head. "Alright, stop being shameless here. I have something serious to tell you. Have you ever thought about sending sweet potatoes to the Western Yue Dynasty and the Northern Yuan Dynasty?"