The secret guard said, "Prince Rui has recently been selecting a marriage for Princess Anning."
Upon hearing this, Mo Lingxi immediately understood the Emperor's intentions. His cold eyes were filled with a murderous aura, "Did His Majesty say anything else?"
The secret guard knelt on the ground, his clothes instantly soaked with cold sweat, "His Majesty also said that even if one party falls ill or passes away, this imperial marriage decree must still be carried out, stating that it is for your and Princess Anning's own good."
Mo Lingxi let out a cold, sarcastic snort, his brows and eyes tinged with blade-like chill, "The Emperor's calculations are truly clever."
"His Majesty has been too idle lately. You all help him find some entertainment, don't let His Majesty be too idle."
The two secret guards responded with a "Yes" and retreated with bowed heads.
Mo Lingxi frowned and paced back and forth in the room, feeling somewhat vexed. If Tao Lengshuang found out about his betrothal, she might distance herself from him.
However, this matter could not be kept from her.
If he hid it from her now, she would only be more upset when she found out later.
After much deliberation, Mo Lingxi finally decided to tell Tao Lengshuang about the imperial marriage decree and had her return to the room.
When Tao Lengshuang learned of the imperial marriage decree, a trace of sadness and discomfort overflowed in her heart. She pursed her lips and remained silent for a long time.
She had known all along that even after dealing with the matter of bestowing beauties, the Emperor would find other ways to make Mo Lingxi marry someone else.
Ultimately, they were destined to part ways.
She clenched her fists tightly, her fingers turning white, as if this would make her feel a little better.
"Mo Lingxi, now that you have been betrothed, let's proceed with the divorce procedures as soon as possible." She managed to say this in as calm a tone as possible.
It was truly ironic to receive such news on New Year's Eve. Was this a sign that her days in the coming year would be terrible?
"Divorce? Don't even think about it!"
Mo Lingxi's voice rose a few octaves before he softened it, "Tao Lengshuang, I will never divorce you in this lifetime."
Tao Lengshuang gave a bitter smile and said rationally, "You say you won't divorce, but are you going to defy the imperial decree? His Majesty's decree is very clear: even if one of you or Princess Anning dies, the marriage decree must still be carried out."
Unless the Emperor was replaced by someone who sided with Mo Lingxi, this imperial marriage decree could only be lifted.
But replacing an emperor was not an easy task.
"Tao Lengshuang."
Mo Lingxi knelt in front of her, held her hand, and looked directly at her, "Give me some time, and I will definitely handle this matter properly."
Tao Lengshuang tried to pull her hand away but failed, sighing softly, "Mo Lingxi, you still don't understand. It's not about whether the betrothal can be resolved."
"Last time it was bestowing beauties, this time it's a marriage decree. What will it be next time? How many times can you resolve these things? Even if you can resolve them, I don't want to go through this anymore. It's too tiring. I just want a stable and peaceful life."
Mo Lingxi tightened his grip on her hand, his gaze resolute, "The peaceful life you want, I can give you. But the divorce you desire is absolutely impossible."
These words angered Tao Lengshuang so much that she kicked him to the ground and growled in a low voice, "You say no divorce, so it's no divorce? This isn't something you can decide alone."
Mo Lingxi was not annoyed; he dared not be annoyed at this moment. He knelt in front of her again, "I know you're upset. You can vent your anger on me, but don't mention divorce again. It makes me uncomfortable to hear it."
"You are truly amusing!"
Tao Lengshuang's face turned ashen. She poked his head forcefully, "You're uncomfortable hearing it, but I'm even more uncomfortable! What does His Majesty mean? He can't stand to see you well, so he bestows beauties and decrees marriages. Does he think I'm dead?"
Hearing this, Mo Lingxi's mood suddenly improved. His thin lips curved slightly, "Don't be angry. I will resolve the marriage decree and any future matters."
"You still don't understand," Tao Lengshuang said calmly, having composed herself. "Mo Lingxi, once, twice, three times... after so many times, even the best feelings will be worn out. Moreover, there is no affection between us."
"More importantly, I don't want to be tossed around and schemed against like this again and again. I want to live a stable and peaceful life."
Perhaps from the very beginning, she had made a mistake.
She should have chosen to separate from Mo Lingxi when she transmigrated. Then, perhaps none of these things would have happened.
Mo Lingxi understood that Tao Lengshuang was unhappy and knew how troublesome these matters were, "I will give you..."
Tao Lengshuang raised her hand to interrupt him, refusing to continue the conversation, "I'm a bit tired and want to be alone for a while."
Mo Lingxi knew she didn't want to talk and also didn't want to continue being with him.
He sat silently beside Tao Lengshuang with a stern face, occasionally looking at her with an indescribable gaze.
One glance.
Another glance.
Yet another glance.
...
Tao Lengshuang's forehead veins throbbed, and her anger surged, "Mo Lingxi, are you done yet? Are you done?"
Mo Lingxi still didn't speak, continuing to look at her with that gaze.
Unable to stand it, Tao Lengshuang yanked open the door and strode back to the main hall to warm herself by the fire, leaving the scoundrel Mo Lingxi alone in the room.
Mo Lingxi had just rubbed his temples when he heard his son's soft voice.
"Daddy made Mommy angry again. Mommy looked so scary just now with her stern face."
Little Feng toddled over to Mo Lingxi, climbed onto his lap with effort, and looked puzzled, "Daddy, why do you always make Mommy angry? If you make Mommy angry, Mommy won't be good to you."
Mo Lingxi flicked his forehead, his eyes gentle, "You're a wise child. Daddy has some troublesome matters that made Mommy unhappy. Daddy will resolve them as soon as possible."
Little Feng gave a "Oh" as if he understood but didn't, then exclaimed, "That's strange. Why does Daddy have trouble that makes Mommy unhappy again? Can't Daddy resolve these troubles in advance?"
Mo Lingxi felt as if he had been enlightened. He rubbed Little Feng's head and praised him, "Little Feng is so smart!"
Yes, he could prevent or resolve troubles in advance.
Little Feng gave himself a thumbs-up and grinned, "Little Feng is the best! Daddy, you have to coax Mommy well. Mommy is the easiest to coax."
Mo Lingxi thought to himself that his wife was not easy to coax, and he was still thinking about how to appease Tao Lengshuang.
After much thought, he finally came up with a good idea.
So, when it was time to rest at night, Mo Lingxi sat on the bed, looking at Tao Lengshuang, who was organizing boxes, with a gentle gaze, "I have a medicinal field. I'll give it to you."
"No reward without merit," Tao Lengshuang replied curtly without looking back, refusing him.
Mo Lingxi was not discouraged and added, "All the industries under my name are unconditionally yours."