Within three breaths, Mo Lingxi appeared before him, carrying a lively rabbit.
"Daddy is so amazing!"
Little Feng turned into a fanboy, clinging to his father. "Daddy, can you catch a few more rabbits?"
This way, Mother wouldn't have to work so hard.
Having appeased his son but not his wife, Mo Lingxi knocked out the rabbit, tied it up, and placed it in Tao Lengshuang's basket.
"Are there any animals you want?"
Just as Tao Lengshuang was about to speak, she felt the envious gazes of Shen Ershen and the other two. Her gaze paused. "What animals can you catch?"
Mo Lingxi said he could catch anything; even tigers and bears were no challenge for him.
Tao Lengshuang had an idea. She looked at him. "Help me catch more small animals like wild rabbits."
Mo Lingxi thought, "She's finally looking at me." "Okay, I'll go catch them now."
After reminding Tao Lengshuang and her son, he walked into the mountains.
"Mo family, are you two arguing?" Shen Ershen asked with concern.
Tao Lengshuang smiled and said it was nothing. What couple doesn't argue? Even teeth and mouths sometimes clash.
Her family matters were complicated and not suitable for discussing with others.
Shen Ershen thought it made sense and changed the topic. What couple doesn't argue? It was normal to bicker throughout a lifetime.
With Mo Lingxi around, Tao Lengshuang and the others had a bountiful harvest this time on the mountain.
They collected some useful items and found a nest of over a dozen wild rabbits.
Tao Lengshuang insisted on giving three wild rabbits to Shen Ershen and asked her to help deliver two to Wang Sanshen's family. "Shen Ershen, you've helped my family so much; you can't refuse this."
"If you truly feel bad, when times are better next year, sell my family some rice at a slightly lower price."
New rice! She had only eaten it when she was a child in the countryside, and it tasted truly good.
Shen Ershen wanted to refuse again, but upon seeing her grandson's eager, longing eyes and thinking about their family's difficulties, she guiltily accepted.
"When the harvest comes next year, I'll send some to your family. Thank you so much this time."
Three wild rabbits were enough for her family to eat for a long time, not to mention getting some meat.
Tao Lengshuang was unwilling to accept rice for free and insisted on paying.
Seeing the snow falling heavier, she urged Shen Ershen and the other two to return quickly, while she and Mo Lingxi returned home with their son.
Upon arriving home, Little Feng had already fallen asleep.
Having just been detoxified, his body was not strong, and it was already difficult for him to last this long.
Tao Lengshuang tiptoed and placed Little Feng on the heated brick bed. She washed his face, hands, and feet with warm water and then began to heat the bed.
"I'll do it."
Mo Lingxi took over the task of heating the bed. He pursed his thin lips and looked at her a few times. "I apologize about Little Feng."
Having heard his apology once, Tao Lengshuang could now face him with great calmness. "Is that all you have to say?"
Mo Lingxi could see she was still upset and looked at her directly. "I now understand the reason."
"Whether it's your matter or Little Feng's, I didn't consider your feelings. Therefore, I acted in what I thought was the most secure way."
This time, Tao Lengshuang was surprised. She looked him up and down. "Who did you consult... ah, you consulted your nephew, didn't you?"
Compared to Mo Lingxi, who was clueless about human relationships, Zi Cheng was clearly a shrewd person, most adept at handling such matters.
Mo Lingxi nodded slowly. "I asked Zi Cheng. I truly understand where I went wrong."
"And what of it?"
Seeing that Mo Lingxi didn't understand, Tao Lengshuang showed a hint of sarcasm. "Is a shattered bronze mirror ever truly whole again?"
"The harm you've done to me has already occurred. Even if you apologize, we can never return to how we were. I will always harbor suspicion and vigilance towards you."
Mo Lingxi was silent for a long time, his voice slightly hoarse. "I'm sorry."
"I... at first, I thought you were faking it, that you had those thoughts for my and Little Feng's sake.
This time, when Little Feng had an accident, I was only concerned about his safety and didn't consider your and his feelings. I am truly sorry."
Tao Lengshuang remained unmoved, her face expressionless. "As I said just now, the harm has been done. What use is it for you to say these things now?"
Before Mo Lingxi could say anything, she added, "I hope we can live in peace from now on."
Once she had investigated everything and had the ability to take Little Feng away, she would divorce Mo Lingxi and live her own life.
Mo Lingxi felt a headache coming on. "What do I have to do for you to forgive me?"
"It's not about forgiveness. You have your stance and your goals, and I have mine. I won't blame you."
"...You haven't forgiven me at all."
Tao Lengshuang didn't want to continue this topic. Seeing that the brick bed was almost heated, she prepared to sleep with Little Feng tonight to take care of him.
Just as she turned, she heard Mo Lingxi speak.
"I've already started investigating the Tao family's affairs."
This matter struck a chord with Tao Lengshuang. She squatted down. "Do you know that middle-aged man?"
Mo Lingxi shook his head, indicating he didn't. After all, he couldn't know every servant of every noble family, and besides, that person might not even be a servant of a noble family.
Tao Lengshuang stroked her chin, a guess forming. "Perhaps he wasn't a servant of a large household, but simply someone paid to do a job."
"Someone who takes money to do a job is more reliable and safer than a servant from a noble family."
Mo Lingxi understood this. "It's estimated that there will be clues tomorrow."
"If I'm not home, you and Little Feng should be extra careful. This matter is not that simple."
Tao Lengshuang also knew it wasn't simple. "I just can't figure out who would go to such lengths to use the Tao family to plot against me."
"I'm just a village woman, raised in the village since childhood. I've only been to Lotus Town a few times. Besides offending Miss Sheng, I haven't offended anyone else."
Mo Lingxi had mentioned earlier that Miss Sheng was too preoccupied to bother her anymore.
"I haven't figured this out either," Mo Lingxi said, narrowing his sharp eyes. "Your background is not problematic; you are indeed born to the Yu family."
"The Tao family has been farmers living here for generations. Their ancestors have not offended anyone."
Tao Lengshuang was getting annoyed. Her eyes darkened. "Have you found any clues from A Qing?"
She wondered which scoundrel was repeatedly targeting and plotting against her, determined to disrupt her peaceful life.
"I suspect A Qing has already been dealt with."
"You mean, the other party realized A Qing was exposed and decided to eliminate him to prevent him from revealing any secrets?"
Mo Lingxi gave a cold "Mm," and a fierce glint appeared in his dark eyes. "Nothing is safer than a dead person."
Tao Lengshuang knew this too and sighed. "If that's the case, the lead of A Qing is broken."
"Now, the only remaining clue is the middle-aged man."
Mo Lingxi had another clue. "You can play along with their plan."