"According to our investigation, the neighbors on the left have a room that is always kept closed. That family also deliberately stays away from that room."
According to the secret guards, this situation only arose after Tao Lengshuang's family moved in. Fearing that they might alert the enemy, the secret guards did not investigate further.
Tao Lengshuang nodded understandingly, "Investigate the other households as well, in case the mastermind is just trying to create a diversion."
"As for this household, I have a way to find out."
The secret guard responded with an "Understood" and retreated.
...
The next day.
Shen Er Shen and Liu Shi, the mother and daughter-in-law, visited their neighbors, claiming they wanted to exchange flour for some water.
"There's no water, is there? The village well doesn't have much water left either, so I came to the neighbors to get some," Shen Er Shen subtly glanced at the room Tao Lengshuang had mentioned.
The neighbor didn't think much of it, and was happy for Shen Er Shen to exchange more flour for water, even giving her a large amount of water.
"Shen Er Shen, are you living comfortably with the Mo family?" the neighbor asked enviously and with jealousy.
Shen Er Shen was just wondering how to start a conversation when the neighbor offered the topic. She immediately responded enthusiastically, "We eat and drink separately from the Mo family. We can't rely on them for everything, can we?"
The neighbor pouted, not believing her, "I heard that you live with the Mo family and can eat well, and even eat meat. I even smelled the aroma of meat a couple of days ago."
Shen Er Shen repeatedly said that it wasn't her house, but the Mo family's meat made for Xiao Feng. "How can my family afford meat?"
"However, the Mo family has kind hearts. They made meat and shared a little with my family, allowing my family to taste meat. How about your family?"
The neighbor became even more envious and jealous, saying sarcastically, "Shen Er Shen, your family is truly lucky to be able to curry favor with the Mo family."
Shen Er Shen pretended not to understand the meaning of her words, smiling broadly, "That's why I always say that doing good deeds frequently brings blessings."
"Look at me, it's because I often do good deeds that I receive help from the Mo family. You should also do more good deeds in the future."
The neighbor really wanted to curse her out, but considering the next time she needed to exchange water, she suppressed her anger, her face turning red, "Only you, Shen Er Shen, fawn over the Mo family."
Shen Er Shen nodded repeatedly, "You can't envy this kind of good fortune."
Suddenly, she pointed to the locked room and asked, "Why is your room still locked? I remember you don't have enough rooms to live in. Could it be that there's something wrong with that room?"
Her sudden question made the jealous and angry neighbor subconsciously answer, "That's where a guest is staying..."
Before she could finish speaking, she realized what she had said, hurriedly stopped herself, and drove Shen Er Shen and Liu Shi away, "Go, go, go, my house doesn't welcome you."
With that, she slammed the door shut.
Shen Er Shen and Liu Shi exchanged glances, carried the water back to the Mo family, and reported the information they had gathered to Tao Lengshuang.
"From her smug tone, I guess the other party gave her a lot of money," Shen Er Shen said disdainfully, "This family will get what they deserve sooner or later."
Tao Lengshuang thanked them and watched Shen Er Shen and her daughter-in-law leave.
She pondered the matter. A guest... the mastermind had bribed the neighbors and arranged for a subordinate to live there specifically to monitor her family's every move.
This meant that the mastermind had been watching her every move and would strike at the opportune moment.
This person truly wanted her dead.
Seeing a secret guard walk in, she collected her thoughts, "Have you found anything?"
The secret guard said they had found issues with two other neighboring households. Their rooms were not locked, but it seemed like they were doing something illicit. More details were still being investigated.
Tao Lengshuang thought, as she had expected, the mastermind had bribed more than one neighbor to keep an eye on her.
During these difficult times, a little rice, flour, or money would be enough to make these families closely monitor her family's every move.
However, in a way, she could turn the tables and use these households to investigate the mastermind's affairs.
"Keep a close watch on these households. Monitor their every action and small movement, especially when they go out."
The secret guard acknowledged the instructions and went to carry out the task.
Tao Lengshuang thought that the mastermind had likely bribed more than just these few households. Many families in the village might be accomplices of the mastermind, meaning any news about her family would be known to the mastermind.
It was unlikely to turn so many people against the mastermind, nor could she make any significant moves openly. However, she could stir up trouble.
While Tao Lengshuang was contemplating how to stir up trouble, Mo Lingxi was discussing matters with Zi Cheng.
"I haven't seen my uncle for a while, and his aura has become much gentler. It's clear that the doctor's efforts have paid off," Zi Cheng remarked with emotion.
Mo Lingxi's gaze softened slightly. Just as he picked up his teacup, he suddenly looked out at the street and saw Sheng Li, holding an oil-paper umbrella, entering a jewelry shop.
"It's Sheng Li."
Zi Cheng's face showed mockery, "This woman is truly extraordinary. Even though General Sheng has been dismissed, she hasn't changed her ways. She thinks that with the Sheng family as her backing, she can do whatever she pleases."
Mo Lingxi made a gesture, and a secret guard went to handle the matter. He then withdrew his gaze, "The situation is becoming increasingly unfavorable. We need to act quickly."
Zi Cheng understood, his face darkening, "What about selecting the Prime Minister?"
Mo Lingxi heard this and half-closed his eyes, tapping his fingers lightly on the armrest of the chair.
Zi Cheng knew he was considering the matter and turned to look at Sheng Li, wanting to see what she was doing.
Sheng Li was unaware that she was being watched. She had come out today to relax and deliberately show herself to her parents.
She wanted her parents to know that even without their help, she could deal with that lowly village girl, punish those who mocked her, and make her ex-husband's family regret their actions.
After buying a pile of jewelry, as she walked out of the shop, she was intercepted by General Sheng and his wife, who had rushed over after receiving the news.
"Get out of the way!"
Sheng Li held her head high, giving her parents no pleasant look.
General Sheng pointed at her angrily and instructed the servants accompanying him, "Take Miss back. Let's see who can abduct her this time."
Sheng Li tried to escape upon hearing this, but Sheng Li, who was dressed extravagantly and had been pampered for many years, could not outrun the servants. Within a few steps, she was caught by two servants.
"You lowly servants, let me go!" she struggled furiously, but to no avail.
General Sheng, not wanting to be a spectacle, directly acupressure-blocked Sheng Li and then had the servants carry her onto the carriage.
Inside the carriage.
General Sheng looked at her with eyes full of disappointment mixed with self-reproach, his words full of blame, "Are you stupid? Do you have any brains at all?"
"Anyone says they can help you achieve your wish, and you foolishly believe them, foolishly let yourself be used, without even thinking why a stranger would help you for no reason."
When he learned about this matter, he simply couldn't believe Sheng Li was so foolish.