Mo Lingxi lightly flicked his forehead, "You truly are your mother's little padded jacket, always thinking of her."
Little Feng nodded repeatedly, happily saying, "Mother treats me so well, always thinking of me."
"Unlike Father, who thinks about so many things. Little Feng isn't saying Father doesn't treat me well, just not like Mother... uh, it's like he's always thinking of Little Feng? That's not right either, Little Feng doesn't know how to put it."
Mo Lingxi understood and stroked his head, "In the future, can you help Father coax Mother?"
"Only after coaxing Mother will you have younger siblings."
Little Feng didn't agree immediately, instead pondering for a while, "Does Father truly want to be with Mother? Father used to dislike Mother so much."
Mo Lingxi understood the true meaning behind his words, as children express themselves directly, "Father..."
"Father should think about it carefully. Little Feng thinks you haven't thought it through," Little Feng interrupted him, turning back to continue copying the Three Character Classic.
Mo Lingxi was stunned for a moment, "Why does Little Feng say that?"
Little Feng glanced at him and said very earnestly, "Little Feng can see it."
"Father isn't as good to Mother as Uncle Zhu's father is to his wife. Uncle Zhu's father always puts his wife first."
Mo Lingxi felt as if a veil had been lifted, and he finally understood why Tao Lengshuang was unwilling to accept him. Even a child like Little Feng could see it, yet he hadn't.
"Little Feng, you've helped Father a great deal. How about Father gets you a little pony next time?"
Little Feng excitedly jumped in front of him, tugging at his clothes eagerly, "Really? Really? Father is really going to give Little Feng a little pony?"
Mo Lingxi confirmed it was true and even said Little Feng could choose it himself. He did own several horse farms with many fine horses.
Little Feng jumped with excitement, cheering, "Hooray, hooray! Soon, Little Feng will have his own little pony. I'm so happy!"
Seeing his son so happy, Mo Lingxi's gaze softened. Children's happiness was so simple.
"Mother!"
Little Feng hopped in front of Tao Lengshuang, swaying his body, "Mother, Mother, Father said he's going to give Little Feng a little pony, a little pony! Little Feng is so happy."
Tao Lengshuang was infected by his smile and her mood improved. She exclaimed in surprise, "A little pony? Mother is so envious! Will Little Feng's little pony let Mother pet it?"
Little Feng eagerly agreed, saying the little pony would let Mother ride it first.
Tao Lengshuang glanced at Mo Lingxi, who had just entered. She spoke to Little Feng with gentle eyes, showing no intention of acknowledging Mo Lingxi.
Mo Lingxi was not annoyed. He sat relaxed on the bench, a casual smile on his thin lips, watching the mother and son chat.
Such days were truly good, without schemes, disputes, or deception, only warmth and comfort.
However, by nighttime, Mo Lingxi felt uncomfortable.
"Why are we sleeping in separate beds?" he asked Tao Lengshuang with a dark expression.
Tao Lengshuang raised an eyelid and said indifferently, "To prevent you from doing anything you shouldn't, I've decided to sleep separately from today onwards."
"If you don't like it, go find another woman to keep you company."
Mo Lingxi's face twitched, "You're the only woman I have, where would I find another?"
He paused, then added, "Fine, it was my fault today. Let's talk after you've calmed down."
Tao Lengshuang was surprised, then understood, "What's the use of your sweet talk... Alright, I don't want to talk about this with you anymore. Little Feng and I are going to rest."
Mo Lingxi cast an envious glance at his son and returned to his room with a bitter sigh, lying alone on the kang, lost in thought.
What were his true feelings for Tao Lengshuang?
In the past, he had found her very detestable and guarded against her, due to the way that Tao Lengshuang had wantonly hurt and insulted him and Little Feng. He had planned to deal with her once his objectives were met.
But this Tao Lengshuang was different. She genuinely cared for Little Feng, no longer did those wicked things, always considered the family, and even cared for him.
With constant interaction, he gradually developed the thought of being with her and living a warm and comfortable life.
Why did he have such thoughts? Why did he want to be with her?
Mo Lingxi turned over, his brow furrowed as he pondered the matter, but he couldn't figure it out, which led to him not sleeping at all.
Thus, at dawn, Tao Lengshuang saw Mo Lingxi looking slightly fatigued.
"What were you doing last night? Don't tell me you actually went looking for another woman?"
Mo Lingxi's expression froze, and he rubbed his temples, "Do I look like that kind of person?"
Tao Lengshuang shrugged, "You can know a person's face but not their heart. How would I know what kind of person you are?"
Mo Lingxi didn't want to argue with her about it, "Last night I was thinking about why I want to be with you. I thought about it all night."
Tao Lengshuang stared at him blankly for a moment, "You..."
She said one word, then didn't know what else to say. She thought he wouldn't think about it, but unexpectedly, he had thought about it all night.
"I should have figured it out," Mo Lingxi looked directly at her, "Can you wait for me to figure it out?"
Tao Lengshuang wanted to say no, but inexplicably, she said yes. After saying it, she regretted it.
Seeing her regretful expression, Mo Lingxi chuckled, "You agreed, so you can't go back on your word. I'll tell you when I've figured it out."
Tao Lengshuang lightly tapped her own mouth. She didn't know what had happened, but inexplicably, she had agreed.
"Take your time to think. I need to go cook, and I have to go out later."
"Should I help you in the kitchen?"
"As you wish."
Tao Lengshuang and Mo Lingxi went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. Shen Ershen and the others tactfully did not disturb them, all thinking to let the couple have some private time.
After breakfast, Tao Lengshuang asked Shen Ershen and the others to help look after Little Feng. After giving Little Feng some instructions, she and Mo Lingxi left the house.
The two took a carriage to the Eastern Capital and headed straight for a courtyard.
On the way, Tao Lengshuang noticed many more patrols from the Nine City Military Guard on the streets and inquired about it.
Mo Lingxi explained that the number of refugees was increasing, and the current emperor was worried about his own safety, so he had arranged for the Nine City Military Guard to patrol and apprehend any suspicious individuals.
Tao Lengshuang looked again at the sparse pedestrians and the few shops that were open, and her heart felt heavy. If this continued, something truly serious would happen.
"Don't worry, I will protect you and Little Feng," Mo Lingxi reassured her.
Tao Lengshuang shook her head and sighed. It wasn't about whether Mo Lingxi could protect her and Little Feng.
Mo Lingxi understood, stroking her head, "Don't worry, everything will get better."
Tao Lengshuang knew that everything would get better, but the period before the situation improved was the most difficult and dangerous.
With heavy hearts, the two arrived at the courtyard arranged with General Sheng and his wife.
When Tao Lengshuang looked at General Sheng and his wife up close, she realized she bore a strong resemblance to the couple, but she did not show any abnormality.