Mo Lingxi's eyes flicked up, and he leaned closer to her, "Wife, I've found some clues. Shouldn't you show some appreciation?"
Sheng Lengshuang's mouth twitched, and she slapped him across the face. "Do I need to show you more appreciation?"
Mo Lingxi stole a kiss, clutched his chest, and sighed dramatically, "Wife, you don't care about me at all. What am I to do?"
Sheng Lengshuang slapped him across the face again and huffed, "Do I need to care about you more?"
Mo Lingxi knew very well that if he continued to be 'cared for' like this, his face would likely swell. "Having my wife's care is enough. I knew you cared about me the most."
Sheng Lengshuang was accustomed to his habit of finding an excuse to retreat. "Tell me, what clues have you found?"
Mo Lingxi whispered in her ear.
Sheng Lengshuang's brows twitched, and her pretty face changed slightly. "Is it true or false?"
Mo Lingxi replied, "I've only found clues. As for whether it's true or false, I'm still investigating. But from all indications and our speculations, it's likely true."
Sheng Lengshuang pondered for a moment and slowly nodded. "Thinking about it, it could indeed be true. This explains why Sima Min hasn't made any moves for so long."
"If this is true, it means the black hand's capabilities are far greater than we know."
Mo Lingxi didn't think so. "Actually, this matter isn't that difficult to handle. With a little design and by exploiting people's psychology, it can be done. However, it requires carefulness and certain connections."
Sheng Lengshuang was not as adept at these matters as Mo Lingxi. Hearing him say this, she understood that it wasn't that difficult. "Does His Majesty know?"
Mo Lingxi joked, "His Majesty is disgusted to death."
Sheng Lengshuang suddenly felt a bit of sympathy for the current Emperor. He had encountered so many troublesome things as Crown Prince, and even after becoming the one with the highest power, he still faced so many troublesome things.
"This also makes sense why His Majesty wants to be a hands-off manager."
Mo Lingxi said, "Yes. His Majesty even complained to me about how miserable he is, wanting to push all the matters onto me, but I refused."
Sheng Lengshuang found it both amusing and exasperating. "...That truly is His Majesty's style. Others are eager to control power, but His Majesty wishes he didn't have to, to be a leisurely Emperor."
Mo Lingxi understood the current Emperor. "The current Emperor is not someone who covets power. He values the people's peace and prosperity more. Besides, he knows I also don't care about power, which is why he is so at ease."
Sheng Lengshuang understood these things. "Trust is mutual. If one party has even a tiny bit of doubt, it will gradually lead to a lack of trust between them."
Mo Lingxi smiled and looked at her. "Is my wife reminding me not to hide anything from you and to trust you wholeheartedly?"
Sheng Lengshuang rolled her eyes at him. "Don't try to guess my intentions."
Mo Lingxi spread his hands. "I'm just being cautious."
Sheng Lengshuang couldn't be bothered with his pointless banter and continued with the main topic. "What are your and His Majesty's plans? If this is true, then it's not as simple as it seems."
Mo Lingxi said indifferently, "That's His Majesty's business, and it doesn't concern us much. We just need to watch the show."
Sheng Lengshuang gave him a thumbs-up. "You're impressive, my little uncle, to treat your nephew like this."
"My nephew is the Emperor, and he handles all matters of the Eastern Jin Dynasty. As a prince, it's better for me to interfere less."
"Now I finally understand why His Majesty looks at you with such 'displeasure.' It turns out he's envious and jealous."
How could His Majesty not be envious and jealous? His own uncle lived a carefree life without so much scheming, while as Emperor, he faced scheming every day, was bound by his identity, and had endless tasks.
Indeed, there is no harm without comparison.
...
Sheng Lengshuang and Mo Lingxi, along with their son, stayed at the manor for two more days before returning to the Eastern Capital by carriage.
Upon their return to the Eastern Capital, the three decided to have a meal at Qingfeng Restaurant, as Mo Lingxi wanted to check on the recent situation of Qingfeng Restaurant.
Unexpectedly, as soon as they arrived at Qingfeng Restaurant, they saw a crowd gathered at the entrance, pointing and chattering.
"I heard someone died from eating at Qingfeng Restaurant. The deceased's family is making a huge scene at the entrance, demanding compensation from Qingfeng Restaurant."
"Is that true? Qingfeng Restaurant has always had a good reputation and has never had any incidents. How could someone die from eating there this time?"
"I find this matter a bit strange. Everyone knows Qingfeng Restaurant has strong backing; even imperial princes and nobles dare not cause trouble there. Yet these people dare to make such a scene. Besides, Qingfeng Restaurant isn't like those snobbish restaurants; they treat everyone equally."
"I also think this matter is not simple. Qingfeng Restaurant has been operating for so many years without any issues, and its reputation is well-known. Now, with someone suddenly dying from eating there, the more I think about it, the more it feels wrong."
Hearing this, Sheng Lengshuang and the other two bypassed the front of Qingfeng Restaurant and entered through the back door, sitting in a private room in the backyard to wait for the manager.
Before long, the manager, who had been informed, arrived at the private room and bowed. "Master. I am still investigating this matter. The guest came to our restaurant to eat, and shortly after, he started foaming at the mouth and collapsed on the ground, dying. However, his companions refused to let anyone approach, shouting that our restaurant caused the death."
"Later, his family arrived and made a scene, demanding compensation from our restaurant."
Upon hearing this, Sheng Lengshuang and Mo Lingxi knew someone was plotting against Qingfeng Restaurant.
"Have the constables from the Jingzhao Prefecture Yamen arrived?" Mo Lingxi asked.
The manager replied, "Judging by the time, they should be here soon. Master, how do you wish to handle this matter?"
Mo Lingxi said, "Follow the procedure. The guest died inexplicably in our restaurant, so a coroner must conduct a thorough autopsy. If anyone obstructs the autopsy, do not be polite."
Having received confirmation, the manager bowed and withdrew to handle the matter.
Mo Lingxi asked Xiao Feng to play in the courtyard and said to Sheng Lengshuang, "This might be related to the people we were investigating at the restaurant last time."
Sheng Lengshuang responded with an "Oh," "Is the other party trying to get your restaurant for free?"
Mo Lingxi was unsure. "Let's investigate this matter first. Many people are envious of my restaurant, but none can acquire it."
Sheng Lengshuang teased, "This is the restaurant of the dignified Prince Mingrui. Who can get it? Unless they don't want to live."
Mo Lingxi lightly tapped her forehead. "You're so mischievous! Before, I offered to give you the restaurant, but you refused."
Sheng Lengshuang still refused. "Even if we reconcile one day, I won't accept anything from you. What's yours is yours, and what's mine is mine. We need to keep things clear."