Madam Sheng found it quite amusing. "Generally, young ladies prepare their dowries from birth. The more a family values their daughter, the more generous the dowry. The much-envied 'ten miles of red dowry' means preparing everything a daughter will need in her lifetime, including items for her final resting place. This way, when she marries into her husband's family, she will have confidence and won't be bullied by her in-laws."
She herself had a dowry of ten miles of red dowry prepared by her family from the moment she was born. Therefore, when she married into the Sheng family, she never had to curry favor with anyone in the Sheng family regarding her clothing, food, or finances.
No one in the Sheng family dared to treat her with disrespect.
Sheng Lengshuang knew this, but she still felt a bit uneasy. "Mother, I don't really want to get married. Once I'm married, those people will gossip and scheme against Father and Mother. I absolutely don't want that to happen."
Her parents had only her as their child. If she were to marry, according to the local customs, her parents would have to adopt a child to inherit the family business.
It wasn't that she objected to her parents adopting a child, but she didn't want them to be schemed against by those people.
Madam Sheng gently patted her hand. "As the only child of your father and me, the entire family business belongs to you. When you get married, the family business will go with you. How can those people scheme then?"
Sheng Lengshuang let out a soft "Ah" and casually asked, "Mother, was it the same with Tao Li back then?"
"Not exactly," Madam Sheng replied, understanding that her question was casual and not deeply considered. "Back then, your father and I intended to follow the custom and give all our assets to Tao Li upon her marriage. However, firstly, Tao Li was unwilling, saying she didn't want to subsidize the Cheng family too much. Secondly, some elders in the clan strongly objected, so we didn't give her all the assets."
More importantly, at that time, she and her husband feared that the Cheng family might misuse the dowry, so they remained cautious.
At that time, she and her husband thought that since the entire family business belonged to Tao Li, it wouldn't matter if it remained in the family. Now, looking back, it was fortunate that they had kept it. Otherwise, how would her own daughter's dowry be handled?
Sheng Lengshuang nodded and said, "Mother, I don't think it's necessary to give me all the assets as my dowry. What I have on hand is already enough."
Madam Sheng chuckled. "If you truly intend to reconcile with Prince Mingrui, this dowry won't be enough. Even if you don't care about your own reputation, you must consider the reputation of the royal family, understand?"
Sheng Lengshuang understood this. She clicked her tongue. "That's why I say it's better not to get married. Staying here at home, I don't have to consider this or that, nor do I have to think so much, and I don't have to worry about whether I'm doing well enough."
"It's so comfortable."
Madam Sheng shook her head and said no more. Deep down, she was willing for Lengshuang to stay at home her entire life.
However, in this era, it was necessary for Lengshuang to marry, otherwise, it would not be good for her.
Once the matter of the dowry began, there were many things to attend to. Even Sheng Lengshuang had to constantly look at this and that, or try on clothes and accessories.
Fortunately, it did not delay her teaching at the academy.
After the incident at the academy, it had been relocated next to the Jingzhao Prefecture yamen, to prevent any individuals from plotting against it.
One day, after Sheng Lengshuang finished teaching, she saw Mo Lingxi standing at the entrance and was quite surprised. "I haven't seen you for a few days. Have you been very busy lately?"
The children politely nodded to Mo Lingxi and quickly ran off.
Mo Lingxi took the books from Sheng Lengshuang's hand and said with a gentle smile, "I've been very busy these past few days. Firstly, I've been handling matters in the palace, secondly, dealing with the aftermath of Zhou Wenxing's situation, and thirdly, busy with other things. Fortunately, I'm temporarily done with it all."
Sheng Lengshuang didn't ask further. "Then why are you here today? Is there something you need from me?"
"Can't I come to see you if I have nothing else to do?" Mo Lingxi retorted. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
Sheng Lengshuang thought for a moment. "If you come to see me for no reason, then you must want to do something to me. In that case, it's better if you don't come to see me when you have nothing to do."
Mo Lingxi, whose thoughts had been exposed, looked away slightly. "Look at what you're saying. How would I dare to do anything improper to you?"
Sheng Lengshuang let out a soft scoff. "Look at your shifty eyes in the mirror and then tell me that."
Mo Lingxi straightened his body, his gaze fixed on her. "That's not true."
Sheng Lengshuang was too lazy to argue with him about this, as he was thick-skinned and wouldn't feel any embarrassment. "Coincidentally, I have something to tell you."
"Is it good news or bad news?" Mo Lingxi asked.
Sheng Lengshuang glanced at him and got into the carriage.
Mo Lingxi followed her eagerly. "Whether it's life or death, you have to give me an answer. With you like this, I'm very uneasy. If you don't tell me, I'll be anxious, and everything I do might go wrong."
Sheng Lengshuang didn't believe him. "A dignified God of War would be uneasy over something like this? Who would believe that?"
"I believe it," Mo Lingxi said righteously.
Just as Sheng Lengshuang was about to retort, the carriage suddenly stopped, and a sharp male voice was heard.
"Your Highness Prince Mingrui, His Majesty requests your immediate presence at the palace for an important discussion."
Upon hearing this, Mo Lingxi felt a bit displeased. "Why would His Majesty summon me at this time?"
"It must be something urgent. Hurry and go to the palace. We can talk another day," Sheng Lengshuang urged.
Mo Lingxi hadn't seen his wife for several days and didn't want to part with her like this. "You come to the palace with me. We can talk on the way."
Saying this, he instructed the carriage driver to head to the imperial palace.
The carriage driver, after receiving instructions from Sheng Lengshuang, drove the carriage towards the palace.
"Now, tell me," Mo Lingxi stared intently at her.
Being stared at like this, Sheng Lengshuang suddenly lost the desire to speak. "I don't want to say it now."
Mo Lingxi's mouth twitched. He held Sheng Lengshuang's hand. "This should be very important to me. If you don't tell me, I'll be restless, and everything I do might go wrong."
Sheng Lengshuang heard this and lightly tapped his mouth, chiding him. "Don't you feel uncomfortable unless something goes wrong?"
Mo Lingxi coughed twice. "I'm just using an analogy. It's not what you think."
Sheng Lengshuang withdrew her hand and sneered. "I know your intentions. Now, you've angered me, and I even less want to say it."
Mo Lingxi felt like crying. Was there anything more difficult than pursuing his wife?
No!
"I was wrong. I promise I will never say such things again. Can you forgive me this time?"
Sheng Lengshuang looked at him a few times, raising her head slightly. "Do you really know you were wrong? Do you promise not to say such things again?"
Mo Lingxi nodded like a pecking chick, repeatedly assuring her. "I truly know I was wrong, and I promise not to say such things again. Good wife, please just tell me, okay?"
"If you continue like this, I will truly be heartbroken."
Sheng Lengshuang was accustomed to his shamelessness and was immune to it. "This trick of yours won't work on me. Given how you've put it, I'll talk to you."