Her expression turned serious, her tone displeased. "I have never harbored any intention to harm you, yet you constantly suspect me and even wish for my demise."
"You have acted this way, and yet you expect me to help your nephew with the่ (gu) curse? It's utterly laughable."
Perhaps, this was the mindset of those in power.
In the eyes of those in authority, if the lives of a small portion of people could be sacrificed to maintain the stability of the greater situation, they would not hesitate to do so.
Mo Lingxi slowly shook his head, his face ashen. "You don't understand."
"Uncle!"
The young man quickly approached and bowed half to Tao Lengshuang. "Doctor, please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Zicheng."
Zicheng glanced at Mo Lingxi, his face etched with worry. "Doctor, you truly don't understand."
Catching sight of the curious and confused Xiao Feng with his peripheral vision, he motioned for him to return to his room. These matters were not yet suitable for Xiao Feng to know; he was still too young.
Tao Lengshuang also asked Xiao Feng to leave.
Despite his curiosity, Xiao Feng obediently returned to his room and stayed there, reading.
Tao Lengshuang invited Zicheng to sit in the main hall to talk. She wanted to understand some things about Mo Lingxi.
It wasn't to understand him as a person, but for the sake of herself and Xiao Feng, to avoid being entangled in needless trouble.
Mo Lingxi naturally followed and sat in the main hall.
Zicheng looked at Mo Lingxi again before slowly speaking to Tao Lengshuang. "Everything my uncle has done is for the entire Eastern Jin dynasty and for me."
"My uncle's situation is rather complex and dangerous, so if anyone or anything suspicious or out of the ordinary appears around him, he will, to be safe, want to resolve it.
Doctor, do you understand what I'm saying?"
Tao Lengshuang was indeed surprised, her gaze towards Mo Lingxi shifting slightly. She had initially thought this man was from a noble family or a court official, but now it seemed that was not the case.
No wonder this man possessed such noble elegance in his demeanor, aura, and even his words and actions.
Coupled with Mo Lingxi's injured state at the time, being forced to marry the original host, and frequently going out, she understood the complexity and danger of the situation even more.
Perhaps, the matter of divorce needed to be put on the agenda.
She did not want to live in constant fear and with the possibility of losing her life at any moment due to Mo Lingxi.
"I understand."
She let out a breath, still relatively calm, her hands slowly tightening. "But, my understanding does not give him a reason to harm me."
"I believe I have done nothing to wrong him... I made many mistakes before, but I have corrected them and contributed a great deal to this family."
She pointed at Mo Lingxi, her face cold, and continued speaking to Zicheng. "If it were you, after being repeatedly suspected and even threatened with your life, would you foolishly continue to help him?"
Zicheng remained silent for a long moment, then slowly shook his head. "What my uncle did this time was indeed wrong."
"Although he was considering the Eastern Jin dynasty and me, he should not have done such a thing and hurt your feelings."
Tao Lengshuang waved her hand, dismissing the slight discomfort she felt. "I have no feelings for him, so there are no feelings to be hurt."
"You..." Mo Lingxi paused, then continued, "I hope you can consider the greater good of the country and help Zicheng with the curse."
Tao Lengshuang said with great sarcasm, "The greater good of the country?"
"I can barely eat enough or wear warm clothes, and my life is constantly at risk. You speak to me of the greater good of the country?
Mo Lingxi, you can sacrifice everything for your country's greater good, that is your affair. Please do not involve me. I only wish to live a peaceful life with Xiao Feng."
Mo Lingxi was about to say more, but Zicheng stopped him with a look.
Zicheng held his forehead, looking speechless. He truly had reason to suspect that his uncle lacked emotional intelligence, saying such things at this moment.
This was akin to adding fuel to the fire.
"Doctor, may I speak with my uncle alone?"
Tao Lengshuang grunted in annoyance and walked out of the main hall.
"Uncle."
Zicheng looked at Mo Lingxi with a complex expression. "Imagine the scene where your wife runs off with the child, leaving you alone."
"Do you truly have no feelings for the doctor?"
Mo Lingxi wanted to say no, but the words caught in his throat.
In his mind, Tao Lengshuang's cold and disgusted expression lingered, causing a slight discomfort in his heart.
"Uncle, I have interacted with the doctor twice."
Zicheng held up two fingers and said solemnly, "The first time I met her, I was also surprised why you chose her. Later, I learned from a strategist."
"But I do not believe the doctor is the person the strategist described.
During our second encounter today, I found her to be a very intelligent and sensible person. She has likely never harbored any intention to harm you."
Zicheng also advised Mo Lingxi that if he truly had no intention of spending his life with the doctor, he should divorce her sooner rather than later, to avoid implicating her.
The doctor was also a good girl; she shouldn't be dragged down by Mo Lingxi for her entire life, living like a widow.
Mo Lingxi felt a pang of unease upon hearing this and shot Zicheng a dagger-like glare. "You want me to divorce her?"
Zicheng, startled, repeatedly denied it, explaining that he wasn't suggesting his uncle divorce her but was considering various factors.
Besides, his uncle had wanted her life; who would choose to continue living with him?
Now, Mo Lingxi finally understood the crux of the issue. He did not believe his own thoughts were wrong.
The higher-ups did not know he was here, nor did they know he was alive and well, even secretly helping Zicheng.
If they found out, the consequences would be unthinkable.
Considering many factors, he suspected Tao Lengshuang was not wrong.
"Uncle, your thoughts are not wrong, but have you considered the doctor's perspective?"
Zicheng felt a bit weary. "Children are the most sensitive. Look at how Xiao Feng is willing to protect the doctor but not you, and even goes against you for her sake."
"What does this indicate? It indicates that the doctor is genuinely thinking of this family.
Who hasn't made mistakes? Both you and I have made mistakes. Making mistakes is not terrifying; what is terrifying is making mistakes and not repenting, and then doing even more wicked things."
These words stirred considerable ripples in Mo Lingxi's heart, and he began to reflect on his actions.
In fact, he had seen Tao Lengshuang's changes, her goodness, and knew she had changed.
However, it was precisely because her change was so significant and rapid, from treating him poorly to suddenly being extremely good to him, that he had become so suspicious of her.
But Zicheng had a point. If Tao Lengshuang truly wanted to harm him, there had been countless opportunities.
"Uncle, go and have a good talk with the doctor. Don't let things remain so strained."
Zicheng said sincerely, "If you are not planning to spend your life with the doctor, you should make it clear. A young lady cannot afford to be kept waiting."
Mo Lingxi gave him a cold look and walked out.
Zicheng rubbed his nose and muttered softly, "As expected, my uncle's heart is as elusive as a needle in the sea."
The fact that his uncle was contemplating divorce yet treated him like this was truly too much.
A certain uncle found Tao Lengshuang, who was tending to the chickens and ducks in the courtyard. "Shall we talk?"