Mo Lingxi arranged for hidden guards to keep an eye on things, then entered the杂货铺 with Tao Lengshuang and her son to pick out items.
However, the hidden guards returned shortly.
"Master, Madam, something has happened with Sheng Li."
The hidden guard reported in a low voice, "A Jin threatened Sheng Li, and said if Sheng Li dared to do anything she shouldn't, he would no longer help her. Sheng Li agreed."
Tao Lengshuang narrowed her eyes, unsurprised by Sheng Li's agreement. "Find a way to have Sheng Li come see me."
Without even asking Mo Lingxi, the hidden guard retreated to carry out the task.
After the hidden guard left, Tao Lengshuang realized something was amiss and asked Mo Lingxi, "Did you have the hidden guard call me Madam?"
Mo Lingxi, holding Xiao Feng's hand, softly hummed in affirmation. "It should have been this way long ago."
Tao Lengshuang wanted to say something but stopped when she saw the shopkeeper approaching, realizing this was not the place to talk.
After the three finished buying their items, the shopkeeper helped deliver them to the pharmacy.
Subsequently, the trio arrived at Qingfeng Restaurant and sat in a private room, eating and waiting for Sheng Li.
As the owner of Qingfeng Restaurant, Mo Lingxi received a report from the shopkeeper about various matters while dining, including the sales situation of Tao Lengshuang's medicinal pills.
Upon hearing that the He family could not stir up any trouble, and that she herself had plenty of problems, while her medicinal pills were selling very well, Tao Lengshuang's mind was racing with calculations.
The better the pills sold, the more money she would earn, and thus she wouldn't have to worry about not having enough funds after buying the pharmacy.
Mo Lingxi took the bank notes from the shopkeeper and handed them to Tao Lengshuang. He then turned and instructed the shopkeeper on a few matters before letting him leave.
Tao Lengshuang counted the bank notes, her eyes shining brightly. "Wow, over three hundred taels. It seems there are truly many wealthy people in Dongdu."
She took out a ten-tael bank note and handed it to Xiao Feng, smiling. "This is your New Year's money. Mother didn't give you any for the New Year, so this is to make up for it."
Xiao Feng, seeing such a large sum of money for the first time, his eyes widened roundly, and he kept exclaiming in awe, "So much money!"
"With so much money, will Xiao Feng save it, or buy things for Mother?"
Seeing his conflicted and adorable expression, Tao Lengshuang said gently, "This money is yours, Xiao Feng. You can spend it as you wish, but Mother hopes you will use it for good causes, okay?"
Xiao Feng obediently nodded, deciding to save the money. If Mother truly moved them in the future, having such a large sum would be a great help to Mother.
Tao Lengshuang served him plenty of dishes, not paying much attention to Mo Lingxi.
This made Mo Lingxi a little jealous. He sighed inwardly, wondering when Tao Lengshuang would be so good to him.
"Eat more."
He served dishes to both Tao Lengshuang and Xiao Feng, saying softly, "If you want to eat anything in the future, come to Qingfeng Restaurant."
Tao Lengshuang politely declined. She didn't want to develop a habit of being waited on hand and foot, nor did she want Xiao Feng to become dependent.
Mo Lingxi didn't insist. He understood Tao Lengshuang's personality very well; the more he insisted, the more unwilling she would be. This matter would have to be approached slowly.
As the three were eating, the door to the private room was forcefully opened, followed by Sheng Li's hurried voice.
"Tao Lengshuang, you..."
When Sheng Li saw Mo Lingxi sitting there, looking at her with a chilling gaze, she flinched and retreated.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'll knock. I'll knock right now."
She quickly closed the private room door and knocked lightly, "Excuse me, may I come in?"
Tao Lengshuang said, "Come in," and saw Sheng Li walk in with a forced smile, even closing the private room door thoughtfully.
She told Xiao Feng to eat obediently and glanced at Sheng Li indifferently. "Miss Sheng, what brings you to find me?"
With Mo Lingxi, a formidable presence, present, Sheng Li dared not show any temper and stood there trembling.
"It's like this, I heard my appearance might have some issues?"
Since taking the powder given by Tao Lengshuang, her appearance had basically recovered, and her weight was gradually decreasing.
She could not allow herself to return to her previous state.
Tao Lengshuang put down her chopsticks, wiped her mouth with a napkin, and said slowly, "Didn't I tell you before? You need to take the powder I gave you regularly, otherwise, you will become even uglier and fatter."
Sheng Li covered her face in horror and shook her head vigorously. "No, no, no, please don't do this to me."
Tao Lengshuang showed no pity. "What did A Jin discuss with you?"
Under the threat to her appearance and figure, Sheng Li confessed everything.
A Jin wanted Sheng Li to find a way to kill Tao Lengshuang the next time she visited, saying that this way Tao Lengshuang would not be able to enter the Sheng family's door, and Sheng Li could preserve everything she had.
He also told Sheng Li to quickly deal with General and Madam Sheng, and that manpower would be arranged for Sheng Li.
"A Jin threatened me, saying that if I didn't comply, he would no longer care about me. Now, he is the only one who can help me."
She wasn't unaware that A Jin was using her, but now A Jin was the only one who could help her; everyone else detested and distanced themselves from her.
Tao Lengshuang sometimes couldn't understand Sheng Li's thoughts. Knowing that A Jin was using her, Sheng Li still listened to him obediently. Anyone with a bit of sense would know what to do.
"Since A Jin wants you to do these things, then do as he instructed. Perhaps it can help me deal with A Jin's subordinates, don't you think?"
Saying this, she handed Sheng Li two packets of powder. "One packet will make you more beautiful, and the other will alleviate the poison you've been afflicted with."
Sheng Li happily accepted them, repeatedly promising to handle the matter properly, and then left with light steps.
Tao Lengshuang looked at her retreating figure, thinking of visiting General and Madam Sheng later. Firstly, to see them, and secondly, to discuss this matter with them.
Therefore, after finishing their meal, Tao Lengshuang and Mo Lingxi, along with the child, quietly went to the manor where General and Madam Sheng lived.
General and Madam Sheng were very happy to see the trio, especially Madam Sheng, who pulled Tao Lengshuang and examined her closely.
"Why have you lost some weight? Are you not eating well?" Madam Sheng was very concerned. "I have some money..."
"Madam Sheng, I have lost weight, not because I'm not eating well." Tao Lengshuang smiled and interrupted her, then took her pulse. "Madam Sheng, please rest assured, I am taking good care of myself."
Seeing that her complexion and spirits were very good, Madam Sheng was more at ease. "Is this your child?"
Tao Lengshuang pulled Xiao Feng to Madam Sheng and introduced him. "This is my son, Xiao Feng. He is over four years old, almost five, a very well-behaved and sensible child."
Xiao Feng was a bit awkward and nervous. He clutched his clothes with both hands and greeted them in a childish voice, "Hello, General Sheng. Hello, Madam Sheng."
General and Madam Sheng took an immediate liking to Xiao Feng the moment they saw him.
General Sheng picked up Xiao Feng and weighed him, smiling broadly. "You've grown well, a good boy. You look a lot like your parents."
His features also resembled Madam's somewhat.
Madam Sheng took out many gold lock pendants and other items and stuffed them into Xiao Feng's hands. "Your grandmother is giving these to you."