The jailer lowered his head and said humbly, "Replying to Miss Sheng, Sima Min is related to your kidnapping case and has been imprisoned here."
Upon hearing this, Sheng Lengshuang felt no sympathy for Sima Min. "Sima Min, you want to see me, what do you want this time?"
Sima Min truly hated Sheng Lengshuang, especially seeing her still so radiant. The more she saw, the more she hated her. If it weren't for this slut Sheng Lengshuang, she wouldn't have gone from a noble county princess to an ordinary noble lady, let alone ended up in this state. It was all Sheng Lengshuang's fault!
"Miss Sheng, the kidnapping really has nothing to do with me. I don't like you, but I wouldn't do something so wicked," she said pitifully.
Sheng Lengshuang frowned, somewhat impatiently. "Are you just going to spout this nonsense to me?"
Sima Min almost gritted her teeth. She knew very well that the only one who could help her get out was Sheng Lengshuang. "Miss Sheng, I can make an exchange with you."
"Exchange?" Sheng Lengshuang's interest was piqued. She looked down at her coldly. "You're already a prisoner, what can you possibly exchange with me?"
Sima Min, lying on the ground in a sorry state, had to look up at Sheng Lengshuang. This posture made her feel deeply humiliated and unwilling. "I know something about Zhou Wenxing, like where Zhou Wenxing is hiding."
Sheng Lengshuang stared at her for a long time, then suddenly smiled. "This is quite interesting. You know where Zhou Wenxing is hiding but haven't said anything, and you've endured so long before coming to me. I have to suspect your intentions."
Sima Min gripped the straw on the ground forcefully, suppressing the hatred, anger, and murderous intent in her heart. "I originally intended to negotiate with Prince Mingrui using this condition, but he wouldn't listen to me at all, and his attitude towards me was extremely poor."
Sheng Lengshuang didn't believe a word and sneered, "Do I look like a fool? You've been tortured here. If you truly knew where Zhou Wenxing was hiding, would you not have told Prince Mingrui?"
"Sima Min, tell me something I'm genuinely interested in."
Sima Min: "I really know where Zhou Wenxing is hiding."
Sheng Lengshuang: "Then tell me where Zhou Wenxing is. If I really catch Zhou Wenxing, I'll let you go."
Sima Min took a deep breath. "I'll tell you after I'm released."
Hearing this, Sheng Lengshuang turned and left. She would be foolish to agree to Sima Min's terms.
"Sheng Lengshuang, don't go. As long as you let me out, I'll tell you where Zhou Wenxing is," Sima Min called out loudly.
Sheng Lengshuang's footsteps didn't falter, and she soon left the Ministry of Justice's prison. Standing at the main entrance, she thought for a moment and decided to wander around, hoping to catch a big fish and also to clear her mind.
As a result, before she could even get into her carriage, she saw Mo Lingxi approaching, which immediately put her in a foul mood.
"Why did you come out alone?" Mo Lingxi asked with a hint of reproach. "It's so dangerous now. You should have brought more people with you if you were going to come out."
Sheng Lengshuang ignored him and went straight to the carriage, instructing the coachman to head towards the bustling market.
Mo Lingxi didn't dare to get into the carriage. He rode his horse alongside. "I know you're impatient with me and don't want to see me, but I'm worried about your safety."
Sheng Lengshuang remained indifferent, pondering how much truth there was in Sima Min's words. Perhaps Sima Min really knew where Zhou Wenxing was hiding. The reason Sima Min hadn't said anything before was that she hadn't been rescued yet. Was Sima Min trying to use Zhou Wenxing's hiding place to scheme against her? It was possible, but not definite. She needed to test Sima Min further.
Upon arriving at the bustling market, as soon as Sheng Lengshuang alighted from the carriage, she heard many citizens excitedly shouting.
"Hurry, hurry! The imperial court is distributing porridge over there. If you're late, there won't be any!"
"The official distributing porridge said that anyone facing hardship can go. The porridge is a full bowl of white rice, and it looks so delightful."
Hearing this, Sheng Lengshuang became interested. Under Mo Lingxi's protection, she followed the crowd to the porridge distribution site. It was in an open area. Several large porridge pots were set up, along with baskets of steamed buns, mantou, and flower rolls. The Nine Cities' Military Command was present to maintain order. The line for porridge stretched as far as the eye could see.
"It's good to be under the current emperor. The porridge distribution has never stopped, and now there are such good steamed buns and mantou."
"Yes, yes! Look at those steamed buns, they're big and tempting, and the mantou, so white. This is the first time I've seen such good steamed buns and mantou."
Sheng Lengshuang glanced at the man beside her. She hadn't expected his execution to be so swift. In such a short time, he had arranged for people to distribute porridge here.
"There are no sweet potatoes in this porridge distribution," Mo Lingxi whispered. "His Majesty and I have discussed it, and we've decided to save the sweet potatoes. When we have more sweet potatoes next year, we'll give them to the common people for free cultivation."
No matter how much Sheng Lengshuang disliked Mo Lingxi, she wouldn't act rashly. She nodded. Indeed, doing so was the best course of action. Seeing the common people happily receiving porridge, her mood also improved.
"How long will the porridge distribution last?"
Mo Lingxi: "It will continue until the harvest. Only after overcoming this difficult period can the people's lives truly improve."
Sheng Lengshuang breathed a sigh of relief. She was afraid the porridge distribution would only last a few days.
Mo Lingxi escorted her towards the carriage. "Tomorrow's morning court will discuss the matter of sweet potatoes. Be careful, the three kingdoms might approach you."
Sheng Lengshuang widened the distance between them and quickly got into the carriage. Just being in his presence made her feel uncomfortable. She would need a good wash when she got back.
Mo Lingxi: "..." He had been disliked by his wife again.
...
The next day, at the morning court.
The court officials saw that the envoys from Xiyue, Beiyuan, and Nan Jin were also present, and they knew that something significant would be discussed at today's court. Indeed! Zi Cheng smiled at the envoys from Xiyue and Beiyuan and dropped a bombshell. "My Dongjin has always been friendly with Xiyue and Beiyuan. To show our sincerity for peace, my Dongjin is willing to gift sweet potatoes to both countries, but..."
The word "sweet potatoes" hit the calm lake like a stone, creating huge waves. The envoys from Xiyue and Beiyuan never expected Dongjin to be willing to gift them precious sweet potatoes. Those were sweet potatoes! For years, they had tried to discuss sweet potatoes with Nan Jin, but all attempts had failed.
"Your Majesty Wenzong, isn't this inappropriate?" The envoy from Nan Jin couldn't sit still and asked urgently.
Zi Cheng glanced indifferently at the envoy from Nan Jin. "Who I, the Emperor, choose to gift sweet potatoes to is a matter between me and Dongjin. It is not for Nan Jin to dictate."
Upon hearing this, the court officials began to retort to the envoy from Nan Jin.
"Oh, look at Nan Jin's audacity. It's big enough to encompass all of Nan Jin. When did Dongjin's affairs become Nan Jin's business to blabber about?"
"Your Majesty, Nan Jin has ill intentions. We must not let Nan Jin off lightly."
"Nan Jin has always been shameless. To think that Dongjin, favored by heaven, has sweet potatoes, and Nan Jin actually claims Dongjin stole them from Nan Jin. It's truly detestable."