"Indeed, even the imperial consorts don't use it. Some people foolishly rely on this so-called 'son-birthing' folk remedy, and they deserve their fate."
"Oh dear, I must tell my relatives not to use this so-called folk remedy anymore. It's simply deadly!"
"How fortunate, how fortunate. I was thinking of using it for my daughter-in-law, but thankfully my old man dissuaded me. Otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable."
The middle-aged woman cried out, slapping her thighs, "You've all been bought off! You've all been bought off by that poisonous woman! My poor daughter-in-law..."
"Stop your clamor. If you truly cared for your daughter-in-law, would you have said such things? Take back your disgusting tears," a young wife interrupted her indignantly.
The surrounding people began to scold her. No matter how much the middle-aged woman could throw a tantrum, she was no match for so many people. Yet, she lingered, still hoping to extort some money from Tao Lengshuang.
Tao Lengshuang knew her intentions and didn't rush, waiting for the coroner to finish the examination.
After the coroner finished, he reported, "She died from difficult childbirth. A detailed examination revealed that she was over-supplemented before delivery, and took a variety of strange medicines. Even her intestines were black. It was sheer luck that she was able to give birth."
The onlookers gasped. Black intestines, how much medicine had she consumed? It was clear that the mother-in-law, in her desire for a grandson, had completely disregarded her daughter-in-law's life.
Tao Lengshuang said to the constables, "Two constables, the truth is now clear."
The two constables also understood that the matter had nothing to do with Tao Lengshuang and that the middle-aged woman was simply causing trouble.
"No, no, she's a demoness! You've all been bewitched by her," the middle-aged woman insisted stubbornly. "She's the one who killed my daughter-in-law and grandson! My daughter-in-law and grandson cannot die in vain!"
No one paid her any mind, not even the constables bothered with the matter anymore.
Left behind were the middle-aged woman, her daughter-in-law, and the wailing child.
Tao Lengshuang closed the door of the apothecary and returned to the backyard to care for Xiao Feng.
That afternoon, she learned the middle-aged woman's fate from her neighbors.
"She was divorced by her husband. Her husband had already disagreed with her giving her daughter-in-law so much medicine. She even emptied their savings to give her daughter-in-law all sorts of supplements. Now, look at this mess. The child is the most pitiful. I heard she was abandoned in the wilderness. In this weather, she certainly wouldn't survive."
Tao Lengshuang sighed, feeling great sympathy for the child. The child had suffered greatly, and such incidents would not be uncommon.
If she had the ability in the future, she would open a charity hall to shelter women and children who had nowhere to go, at least ensuring they could survive.
For now, she lacked that ability.
Tao Lengshuang suddenly thought of Mo Lingxi. With Mo Lingxi's status and position, this matter could be handled. But she didn't want any further entanglement with him.
Meanwhile, Mo Lingxi, unable to wait for Tao Lengshuang and Xiao Feng at the Sheng family residence, left after saying he would return. At the main entrance, he encountered Princess Anning.
"Your Highness Prince Ming Rui."
Princess Anning, with her elegant demeanor, curtsied with a faint smile. "I am here to see the Princess Consort of Prince Ming Rui. Is she present?"
Mo Lingxi's expression was icy and impatient. "From now on, you are not allowed to approach my Princess Consort again. Stay far away from her."
Princess Anning took two steps back, her face turning pale. "May I ask, Your Highness Prince Ming Rui, where have I offended you?"
Mo Lingxi became even more impatient. "Princess Anning, do not treat everyone as a fool. For the sake of Prince Rui, I will not pursue this matter, but that does not mean I will not deal with you."
"This is your final warning."
With that, he mounted his carriage and left.
Princess Anning, leaning on her maid for support, barely managed to stand steady. She bit her lip unwillingly, glanced at the Sheng family residence, and then got into her carriage.
"Your Highness, I wonder what kind of bewitchment that Tao Lengshuang has cast upon His Highness Prince Ming Rui, that he would protect her so fiercely," the maid said, curling her lips in disdain.
Princess Anning also wished she knew. It was common knowledge that Prince Ming Rui detested women and had no one by his side for many years, yet he treated Tao Lengshuang so differently.
"Go and do something for me," she whispered to her maid. Such a good opportunity now, she absolutely could not let it pass.
Two days later, a rumor began to spread.
It caught Mo Lingxi's attention, and he immediately went to the Sheng family residence to explain to Madam Sheng.
"Godmother, I swear on my honor, I am not as the rumors claim, intending to abandon Tao Lengshuang for a new love. I am already investigating this matter."
Madam Sheng knew that Mo Lingxi was not that kind of person and sighed. "What good is your explanation to me? What matters most is what you think, what are your true feelings?"
Mo Lingxi said earnestly, "I want to spend my life with Tao Lengshuang."
Madam Sheng pressed her forehead. "Do you simply want to spend your life with her, or do you want to spend your life with her for other reasons?"
Mo Lingxi was confused. "Is there a difference?"
Madam Sheng was quite weary. She pressed her temples. "I finally understand why Lengshuang was so unwilling to be with you. With your attitude, it's strange that Lengshuang would be willing to be with you."
Mo Lingxi asked, "Please tell me, Godmother."
Madam Sheng explained, "Look at those couples who appear harmonious but are not, and those who sleep in the same bed but have different dreams. They also 'spend their lives together.' Like your Godfather and I, who are loving, we also 'spend our lives together.' What kind of 'spending your lives together' do you want?"
Now Mo Lingxi understood. "Naturally, I want to live a loving life together."
Madam Sheng scoffed lightly. "Without affection, how can there be a loving life together? To have a loving life together, both individuals must love each other and support each other."
Upon hearing this, Mo Lingxi's eyes brightened as if he had a sudden epiphany. "Godmother, is it because of my unclear attitude that Tao Lengshuang left with Xiao Feng?"
Madam Sheng thought to herself that he wasn't entirely foolish. "That is one reason. Another is that your status and position cannot provide Lengshuang with enough security."
"Lengshuang doesn't want those riches and honors. She also dislikes being confined to the inner courtyard."
Mo Lingxi said urgently, "Godmother, I will not confine her to the inner courtyard."
"You will not, but societal criticism will confine her to the inner courtyard. Prince Ming Rui knows better than anyone how much harm societal criticism can cause."
"I understand."
"Prince Ming Rui hasn't fully understood yet. Come and find me when you've figured out your true feelings for Lengshuang."
Mo Lingxi replied with an 'Okay.' "Godmother, please take care of yourself. If Tao Lengshuang and Xiao Feng return, please convey a message for me: I will be waiting for them, mother and son, at the Prince Ming Rui's mansion."
Madam Sheng nodded. "Prince Ming Rui, think it through carefully. This is very important for both you and Lengshuang."
Mo Lingxi, having now understood this, indicated that he would think it through and then took his leave from the Sheng family residence.
Upon returning to the mansion, he learned that Zi Cheng had arrived, and he immediately went to the study.
"Why have you come here?"
Zi Cheng chuckled twice. "It's because the doctor isn't here. I wanted to get medicine from my little aunt, but I had no choice but to find you, my little uncle, first."
"Little uncle, haven't you found my little aunt yet? Are you waiting until the day you receive a wedding invitation from her?"