Sheng Lengshuang's eyes were dim as she glanced at Mo Lingxi, her hands constantly clenching. Sometimes she wondered if these things would have happened if Mo Lingxi had been an ordinary noble son, or the child of a wealthy merchant.
But conversely, in many matters, he wouldn't have been able to resolve them so quickly, and their family would have faced more trouble and danger.
She sighed, "Mo Lingxi, even if you can resolve the peace marriage once or twice, can you prevent war? Can you destroy the other nations in the shortest time with the least cost?"
Before Mo Lingxi could answer, she shook her head with displeasure, "You can't. Even if you are the God of War, you can't. The most crucial point is that once war breaks out, my Eastern Jin Dynasty might face a joint attack from several nations. Therefore, the best method is to agree to the peace marriage and maintain temporary peace."
Mo Lingxi understood these things better than anyone, but agreeing to a divorce and separating from Sheng Lengshuang was absolutely impossible.
"This matter... this matter might have a good solution. Let's not divorce for now, alright?"
Sheng Lengshuang was very calm, so calm that she felt terrifying even to herself. "I'll only ask you one question: if we continue to drag this on, won't the nations eventually go to war?"
Mo Lingxi fell silent again.
"Little Aunt," Zi Cheng coughed lightly, trying to smooth things over. "Little Aunt, I think it's better to wait and see about the peace marriage. Although several nations are requesting a peace marriage with my uncle, it's not certain if it will ultimately happen."
How could Sheng Lengshuang not know Zi Cheng's good intentions? Feeling a bit weak, she leaned back against the chair and softened her tone, "Why does the Crown Prince say these words to coax me? You also know that even without this peace marriage, other nations will find ways to delay Mo Lingxi."
"The two generals who deter other countries for my Eastern Jin Dynasty are my father and Mo Lingxi. Moreover, he is the most deterrent. If Mo Lingxi can be held back, it will greatly help other nations in attacking my Eastern Jin Dynasty."
Zi Cheng was speechless.
"Mother, Xiao Feng will always be with you." Xiao Feng lay on Sheng Lengshuang's lap, patting her with a heartbroken expression. "Mother, don't be sad. Don't be sad. After Mother divorces Father, Xiao Feng will find a better husband for Mother."
Sheng Lengshuang gently stroked his head with a tender smile, "It's Xiao Feng who understands how to care for Mother. You truly are Mother's little cotton-padded jacket."
Mo Lingxi: "...Xiao Feng, your father hasn't even decided to divorce your mother, and you're already eager to find a next one for your mother?"
Xiao Feng put his hands on his hips and said righteously, "If Father doesn't plan to divorce, does that mean he doesn't have to? Even I, a child, understand that due to the situation and various circumstances, Father only has the path of divorce."
"If Father doesn't divorce, not only will he be unable to protect Mother and me, but he will also put the Eastern Jin Dynasty in great danger. Does Father want to see this scene?"
The child's questioning left Mo Lingxi speechless. He pursed his lips, his gaze fixed on Sheng Lengshuang.
"Let's divorce." Sheng Lengshuang hugged Xiao Feng, avoiding Mo Lingxi's gaze. "Even if we drag it out, it will still be divorce in the end. It's better to part on good terms now and avoid an awkward situation."
Mo Lingxi still disagreed. He held her hand, "Wife, give me some more time. I will strive to resolve this matter."
Sheng Lengshuang struggled for a while, but ultimately still chose divorce. "I just said, even if you resolve this matter now, what about next time, and the time after that?"
"Mo Lingxi, do it for me and Xiao Feng. You... let go."
Mo Lingxi refused to let go, nor could he. "Wife, I will resolve these matters. Please don't leave me, alright?"
Sheng Lengshuang knew that further discussion was futile. She withdrew her hand, picked up Xiao Feng, and said to Zi Cheng, "Crown Prince, please talk to Mo Lingxi properly. My son and I will take a walk outside the palace."
Before she finished speaking, she had already left with Xiao Feng.
Mo Lingxi was about to chase after her when Zi Cheng stopped him.
"Uncle, it's not that I want to break you and Little Aunt apart, but the situation is like this." Zi Cheng frowned and sighed. "If it weren't for natural disasters and man-made calamities, Uncle and Little Aunt wouldn't need to make such a sacrifice."
Uncle finally found someone he liked, and then this happened. Anyone would feel bad.
Mo Lingxi's eyes were filled with blade-like coldness, his fists clenched with a cracking sound, and an extreme chill emanated from him. He understood all these reasons, but letting go was truly too difficult.
His wife was the only woman he had ever liked, and the first. He wanted to spend his life with her, but fate was cruel.
"Uncle, let go for now," Zi Cheng advised. "In the current situation, if Uncle refuses to let go, the incident of refugees surrounding Little Aunt might happen again."
"What worries me even more is that those people in the dark will take this opportunity to scheme against Little Aunt and Xiao Feng. Would Uncle want to see this?"
Mo Lingxi raised his hand to stop him, his expression unreadable.
Zi Cheng did not persuade further. He knew that no matter how much he persuaded, it would not be as effective as Uncle figuring it out himself.
This matter would be difficult to handle as long as Uncle was unwilling to let go.
Mo Lingxi was not unaware of the trouble and danger of this matter, but every time he thought about divorcing and watching Sheng Lengshuang leave him, his heart felt as if it were being cut by a knife.
After thinking for a while, he walked out and saw Sheng Lengshuang playing with Xiao Feng.
In the warm sunlight, a young woman in a simple and elegant brocade dress was smiling and playing with her son. The sunlight cast a golden glow on her, making her appear even more beautiful and captivating.
Looking at Sheng Lengshuang like this, Mo Lingxi truly couldn't let go. But he knew all too well that if he couldn't let go, many dangers would arise in the future, even plunging the Eastern Jin Dynasty into war.
Tao Lengshuang noticed Mo Lingxi's gaze. She nodded at him and continued playing with Xiao Feng.
"Princess Mingrui, Young Master Mo."
Upon hearing Princess Nan Ning's voice, Sheng Lengshuang stopped her actions and smiled politely at her, "Does Princess Nan Ning have something?"
Princess Nan Ning curtsied and smiled gently, nodding. "I've come about the peace marriage. I received a secret letter from my father, which states that several nations are negotiating in secret and have not yet joined forces."
Sheng Lengshuang's heart sank, and a coldness appeared at the corners of her eyes. "Princess Nan Ning, what is your purpose in telling me this?"
Princess Nan Ning expressed her desire to do Sheng Lengshuang a favor. She gazed at the clear blue sky with a distant look. "Princesses like me, who are sent for peace marriages, will not have a good ending here and will have a very difficult life if they have no one to protect them."
"I don't want to compete for anything, nor do I want to snatch anything. I am not willing to scheme for the Northern Yuan Dynasty. I just want to live a peaceful life. But to live a peaceful life, I need someone to help me, and Princess Mingrui is the most suitable candidate."