"There are many concubines in the harem, each with an impressive background, unlike my own backyard."
"I see. I must say, she's quite clever with her calculations."
Hearing this, Mo Lingxi raised an eyebrow, "Didn't you ever consider taking the position she desired for yourself?"
Sheng Lengshuang shrugged, "Not even a little. Whoever wants this position can have it; I don't."
Mo Lingxi felt a stab to his heart, "You're still so heartless towards me. May I ask why you suddenly don't want to reconcile?"
"As I said last time. In truth, the reason for all the problems is simple: I'm selfish and want to live the life I desire."
Mo Lingxi smiled, "You're not selfish. If it were me, I'd want to live such a life too. I'm tired of this life as well, but I must wait until I've handled everything before I can set down this responsibility."
Sheng Lengshuang understood but couldn't choose to reconcile with Mo Lingxi, "You shouldn't... Never mind, you won't listen to me anyway. You'll naturally give up when you hit a dead end."
Mo Lingxi, however, stated that he wouldn't turn back even if he hit a dead end, "It's not easy for me to find someone I like, so I won't give up easily."
The corners of Sheng Lengshuang's lips curved up, her tone becoming lighter, "Mo Lingxi, even saying these words won't make me agree to reconcile."
Mo Lingxi's eyes were gentle, "It's okay if you don't agree. We can be like this. As long as you're still by my side and haven't left me."
Sheng Lengshuang couldn't quite understand his way of thinking, "I'm not exactly by your side. This relationship between us is, at best, friendship. What if, one day, I get married?"
Mo Lingxi uttered softly, "Do you think anyone would dare to compete with me for a woman?"
Sheng Lengshuang fell silent. It was indeed as Mo Lingxi said; no one dared to compete with him for a woman. He was the Emperor's uncle, deeply trusted by the Emperor, and held great power. Who would dare to risk their life by fighting him for a woman?
Mo Lingxi stroked her head, a smile spreading across his lips, "Don't think about all those unnecessary things."
Sheng Lengshuang impatiently swatted his hand away, her brows furrowed sternly, "Don't get cocky. I'm telling you, if you push me too far, I have plenty of ways to deal with you."
"Alright, alright, it's all my fault. Don't be angry anymore."
"I'm not angry."
Mo Lingxi was full of indulgence, "Yes, you're not angry. I said the wrong thing."
Sheng Lengshuang found it unbearable, "Mo Lingxi, you are truly... Never mind, it's useless for me to say anything more. You've always only cared about yourself."
Mo Lingxi sensed she was getting a little angry and asked, confused, "Why are you suddenly angry?"
Sheng Lengshuang ignored him and sat down to watch Xiao Feng practice acupuncture.
Mo Lingxi was utterly bewildered. He hadn't said anything he shouldn't have, so why had he angered his wife again?
"Daddy, you're so silly," Xiao Feng couldn't help but say. "If it were Daddy, would you be willing to be watched all day, unable to do anything you wanted, not even marry the person you wanted?"
"It's also because Mommy has a good temper. If it were anyone else, they would have dealt with Daddy long ago."
He truly admired his father, provoking his mother repeatedly, and worse, his father didn't even know where he went wrong. He was truly beyond saving.
Now Mo Lingxi understood the crux of the matter. He took Sheng Lengshuang's hand, "It's not what you think. Even if I did nothing, those people wouldn't dare to marry you. Even if someone married you, they would only want to use you."
Sheng Lengshuang wasn't unaware of these things. She sighed, "That's why I hate this life. In a place where the powerful gather... Forget it, it's like this everywhere. Whoever is higher in rank and power than you can do whatever they please."
Mo Lingxi reached out and hugged her, full of apology, "I'm sorry for making you feel so terrible. In the future, I'll pay more attention and strive not to make you feel this way again."
Sheng Lengshuang pushed him away, "It's not like that. It's not solely your fault; there are many other factors. Everything just piled up, which is why I had this thought."
Mo Lingxi felt immense heartache, "It's my fault for not handling these matters sooner."
Sheng Lengshuang pinched her temples and changed the subject, "Did you come today for any other reason?"
Mo Lingxi knew she didn't want to talk about it anymore and followed her lead, "Mainly to see you and Xiao Feng. And another thing is, let's have a meal together and go out for a stroll."
Sheng Lengshuang looked at him for a while and asked, "Mo Lingxi, why did you fall for me? In every aspect, I'm not the best. Could it be that my attitude towards you is different?"
Mo Lingxi thought carefully, "I'm not sure either. Don't people say that if a feeling can be clearly explained, then it's not true love?"
"That sounds about right. But I have a feeling that you can't explain it."
"That's your misconception. To be honest, I really don't know how I fell for you. Perhaps, it just happened suddenly."
Sheng Lengshuang said, "Oh."
"Then do you like me?" Mo Lingxi gazed at her intently.
Sheng Lengshuang smiled slyly, "Guess. Aren't you, Prince Mingrui, so capable? Why don't you try guessing if I like you."
Mo Lingxi was extremely doting, "You like me. Perhaps, you just don't like me that much."
Sheng Lengshuang exclaimed, teasingly, "Prince Mingrui is so confident?"
"Mommy, Daddy, can you please not say these things in front of me? It will hurt my young heart," Xiao Feng said with a choked sob.
What kind of parents were these, showing off their affection in front of their own son, and getting more pleased as they did so, without any concern for hurting their son? It was truly outrageous.
Sheng Lengshuang chuckled softly, "Xiao Feng, Mommy and Daddy are telling you something: being single means eating dog food, understand?"
Xiao Feng didn't want to understand at all. He looked at his mother with tears welling up, "Mommy, don't you feel guilty for treating me like this?"
Sheng Lengshuang spread her hands, "Why would my conscience hurt? I'm teaching you the ways of the world. The sooner you learn this lesson, the less hurt you'll experience in the future."
Xiao Feng didn't believe her nonsense at all. He rolled his eyes dramatically and continued practicing acupuncture. He truly didn't expect his mother to say such things.
Sheng Lengshuang feigned sadness, "Xiao Feng is all grown up and doesn't believe Mommy anymore. Mommy is so sad."
"..." Mommy is getting worse.
Sheng Lengshuang stopped teasing him and said to Mo Lingxi, "Your son is really growing up, which makes me feel very emotional."
Mo Lingxi nodded in agreement, then added, "So, are you planning to have another child with me? This time, we'll raise the child together."