Mo Lingxi lightly tapped the head of the unfocused Xiao Feng, saying irritably, "Focus on needling! Your mother is right, your concentration is completely off. It's been half a day, and you haven't inserted a single needle."
Xiao Feng whined, "It's because what Daddy and Mommy were saying was too interesting, and I couldn't help myself."
"You still have the nerve to talk back," Sheng Lengshuang said with a stern face.
Xiao Feng shrunk his neck, not daring to argue further, and quickly focused on needling.
Sheng Lengshuang felt quite troubled and said to Mo Lingxi, "Look at your son, messing around all day and refusing to study properly. I think you've corrupted him."
Mo Lingxi felt extremely wronged, "Heaven and earth as my witness, it's truly not me who corrupted Xiao Feng. I recall that I never needed anyone to worry about my studies since childhood, unlike Xiao Feng."
He felt more wronged than Dou E.
Sheng Lengshuang didn't want to dwell on the matter and steered the conversation back to what they were discussing earlier, "I don't care what you and His Majesty think, but neither of you are allowed to set your sights on Xiao Feng."
"I don't want Xiao Feng to experience those conflicts and dangers. I hope he can live a peaceful and happy life."
Mo Lingxi could guarantee this, "Rest assured. Although His Majesty has this idea, I will not let His Majesty succeed. Besides, His Majesty isn't without sons."
Sheng Lengshuang's brow twitched upon hearing this, "So, His Majesty really is plotting against Xiao Feng."
Mo Lingxi pressed his forehead, "To be precise, His Majesty is plotting against me. If, hypothetically, Xiao Feng were to ascend the throne, as his father, wouldn't I have to help manage state affairs?"
Sheng Lengshuang was momentarily speechless. Both His Majesty and Mo Lingxi were full of schemes. However, the schemes of these two were not used for any proper matters; they were all directed at how to get the other to manage state affairs so they could be a hands-off manager.
Mo Chen didn't continue discussing this matter, "I came because I wanted to talk to you about Sima Min. I've found out some things about her."
Sheng Lengshuang's spirits lifted, "What have you found out about Sima Min?"
Mo Lingxi took out a document from his sleeve and showed it to her, "One is about the secret passage in the imperial palace, and the other is about the people who have been in contact with Sima Min."
"I've thoroughly investigated everyone who has interacted with Sima Min and found that a portion of them have had dealings with her."
Sheng Lengshuang discussed the matter with him while looking at the document, "Dealings? What kind of dealings? The document states that many of them are wives, daughters, or concubines and illegitimate children of court officials."
Mo Lingxi nodded, "Sima Min was enfeoffed as a郡主 (jùnzhǔ - county princess) from birth, and coupled with Rui Wang's connections, many people fawned over her. Even after the late emperor showed disfavor to Rui Wang's estate, there were still a number of ladies and young ladies who were close to her."
"Most of these ladies and young ladies had dealings with Sima Min. For example, Sima Min had helped them deal with someone, or helped them obtain what they desired, or perhaps Sima Min held leverage over them. However, in major matters, these ladies and young ladies would not help Sima Min."
Sheng Lengshuang understood this point. Once it involved their own or their family's safety, these ladies and young ladies would not help Sima Min.
Furthermore, Sima Min would not dare to escalate the situation. If things got out of hand, it would also be very disadvantageous for Sima Min.
"You mean, Sima Min can still obtain what she wants through these ladies and young ladies? Conversely, we can also investigate Sima Min through these ladies and young ladies?"
This was exactly what Mo Lingxi meant, "However, there are too many of them, and I'm not sure who Sima Min will approach. I have already arranged for people to keep an eye on these ladies and young ladies."
Sheng Lengshuang tapped her fingers lightly on the document, "This is indeed a troublesome matter."
Suddenly, she saw a name on the document, "This young lady..."
Mo Lingxi followed her gaze, "Liu Xianjin, the daughter of the Commander of the Imperial Guard."
Sheng Lengshuang narrowed her eyes, a smile with an unknown meaning curving her lips, "Don't you think that, given Sima Min's current situation, the daughter of the Commander of the Imperial Guard is the best choice?"
"The Commander of the Imperial Guard, you know, is in charge of fifty thousand Imperial Guards. Most importantly, the Imperial Guard is responsible for the safety of the current emperor and the imperial palace."
Mo Lingxi, "Do you think His Majesty and I would not be prepared?"
Sheng Lengshuang clarified, "That's not what I mean. Women like Sima Min and Tao Li, at certain times, are capable of doing anything for themselves. Liu Xianjin is also the daughter of the Commander of the Imperial Guard, so it wouldn't be difficult for her to do something through the Imperial Guard."
"Even if you are watching her, she should still have a way to accomplish some things. More importantly, if she does it, what does Sima Min have to do with it? Instead, it would expose us."
Mo Lingxi lightly flicked her nose, a hint of exasperation in his voice, "Could you trust me a little more? I'm better at handling these matters than you are. Rest assured, there won't be any major mistakes."
Sheng Lengshuang thought about it and realized he was right. In these matters, Mo Lingxi and His Majesty were far more adept than she was, and generally, no mistakes were made.
"It's just that I'm too eager to uncover everything and catch the mastermind. Until the mastermind is caught, I won't be able to rest easy." She was truly fed up with the mastermind who had done so much repeatedly.
Mo Lingxi softened his voice and comforted her, "Don't rush. I already have a lead. Give me another half a month, and I will definitely uncover the matter of the mastermind."
Sheng Lengshuang's eyes lit up, and she grabbed his hand, "Quickly tell me, what have you found out about the mastermind? Who exactly is the mastermind?"
Mo Lingxi whispered something into her ear.
Sheng Lengshuang's expression almost broke, "Are you serious?!"
Mo Lingxi nodded heavily, "Currently, there isn't enough evidence. I'm gathering sufficient evidence. Perhaps, this will explain everything."
When he learned of this matter, he was also surprised. He hadn't expected it to be like this.
Sheng Lengshuang calmed down. She thought through everything again, and the more she thought about it, the more it seemed to be the case. However, there were still some parts she couldn't quite understand.
Perhaps, only by capturing Sima Min would everything become clear.
"I really didn't expect the mastermind to be her. But thinking about it, if it weren't for this, how could the mastermind know all our affairs and be prepared for everything?"
Mo Lingxi's gaze turned icy inch by inch, "If it really is her, I won't let her die easily."
Sheng Lengshuang suddenly looked him up and down for a long time.
Mo Lingxi felt a chill run down his spine, "...What kind of look is that?"
"A look of seeing a coveted prize," Sheng Lengshuang clicked her tongue, "Look, look, see how much she's done just to marry you. Sometimes I wonder, is it worth it to do this just to marry you?"
Mo Lingxi said indifferently, "She doesn't want to marry me; she wants to marry someone who can meet her requirements."
Sheng Lengshuang stroked her chin and said, "Then wouldn't it be better for her to enter the palace as a consort? With her methods and abilities, it wouldn't be difficult for her to aim for the position of Empress. Why didn't she do that?"