"Does Your Majesty keep an eye on those few individuals? Who are these people?"
Zi Cheng confirmed he was watching them and listed five names: "These five are all fondest of pleasure, the kind who disregard others' lives for their amusement."
"For now, it's unclear who is responsible."
Sheng Lengshuang did not recognize these five. After Zi Cheng's explanation, she learned that among them were merchants, disciples of prominent families, and those in official careers. In short, they all had extensive connections.
To do so much behind the scenes, one must possess sufficient connections and wealth.
"Your Majesty, continue to monitor them. It doesn't matter if it startles the snake; it might even allow us to learn the mastermind's identity sooner."
Zi Cheng gave a thumbs-up: "Auntie and I are thinking along the same lines. At this point, there's no need to worry about startling the snake. What we need to do is quickly identify the mastermind and bring him to justice."
Hearing this, Sheng Lengshuang sighed, "After so much trouble, there's finally significant progress. Once the mastermind is caught, I must ask him, after doing so many wicked deeds, is he truly happy?"
Zi Cheng shrugged: "I'm not sure about that. However, the experiences of these five individuals since childhood were not very good. The mastermind's actions might be related to his childhood experiences."
As a physician, Sheng Lengshuang understood this best: "The family environment has the greatest impact on a person's growth and development. Parents are a child's first teachers, and children will be subtly influenced by their parents."
Zi Cheng glanced at Xiao Feng, who stood obediently, and said to Sheng Lengshuang, "Auntie must guide Xiao Feng well and not let him become a bad child."
Xiao Feng pouted: "... Brother Emperor, I have every reason to suspect you're saying this out of envy and jealousy."
Zi Cheng laughed heartily: "I envy our Xiao Feng, who has loving parents. Therefore, you must be good and not emulate those bad children."
Xiao Feng put his hands on his hips and huffed: "I won't. If I become a bad child, not only will Mother get angry, but she'll also discipline me. I don't want Mother to discipline me."
Sheng Lengshuang and Zi Cheng couldn't help but smile.
"Your Majesty, my injuries have mostly healed, and it's time for me to leave the palace," Sheng Lengshuang said. "With my identity, it's not appropriate to stay in the palace indefinitely."
She didn't want to cause any more trouble.
Zi Cheng understood: "Alright. If there's any news from the border, I will send word to Auntie. Don't worry, Auntie, Uncle is so valiant; he will end the war soon."
It was impossible for Sheng Lengshuang not to worry. She sighed, "Thank you for your trouble, Your Majesty."
...
In the afternoon, Sheng Lengshuang left the palace with Xiao Feng. Xiao Feng would temporarily stay at the estate for two days before returning to the palace.
Mother and son chatted and laughed, occasionally stopping the carriage to buy something, proceeding at a leisurely pace.
As the carriage stopped again at a pastry shop, Sheng Lengshuang and her son heard a strange woman's voice.
"Excuse me, is this Miss Sheng?"
Sheng Lengshuang turned her head and saw a young lady with a classical appearance. She nodded: "I am. May I ask who you are...?"
"I haven't introduced myself yet. I am the second daughter of the Duan family." Second Miss Duan curtsied: "Greetings, Miss Sheng."
Sheng Lengshuang had no impression of Second Miss Duan but knew of the Duan family, the family of the newly appointed Minister of Revenue.
She returned the courtesy: "Second Miss Duan. May I ask why you are looking for me?"
Second Miss Duan bit her lip: "Would it be possible to invite Miss Sheng and Prince Mo to gather at a teahouse?"
Sheng Lengshuang raised an eyebrow. She instructed the coachman to buy some pastries, then took Xiao Feng's hand and accompanied Second Miss Duan to a private room in a nearby teahouse to sit and talk.
Sheng Lengshuang let Xiao Feng play by the window, giving him a few instructions, then picked up her teacup and took a sip.
"I presume that when Prince Mingrui returns victorious, he will marry Miss Sheng," Second Miss Duan said abruptly.
Sheng Lengshuang had a guess and replied faintly, "Perhaps. We'll see when the time comes."
Second Miss Duan tightly clutched her embroidered handkerchief, her face flushed: "I, I have an unconventional request, and I hope, I hope Miss Sheng can agree."
Sheng Lengshuang showed no emotion: "Please, tell me."
Second Miss Duan glanced at her, took several deep breaths, and then mustered her courage: "I, I want to enter Prince Mingrui's manor."
Having said that, she quickly waved her hands: "I, I don't want to compete with Miss Sheng for the position of Princess Consort, but rather, I want to accompany Prince Mingrui."
"I have admired Prince Mingrui for a long time. Especially his demeanor when he led the troops on this campaign has deeply impressed me. If I could accompany Prince Mingrui, it would be the happiest thing in my life."
Sheng Lengshuang thought to herself, as expected. Mo Lingxi is truly a man of devastating beauty; even while on campaign, young ladies are coming to her for his sake.
"Second Miss Duan, I cannot make this decision." She smiled faintly: "Although Prince Mingrui and I are discussing marriage, I am not the Princess Consort and cannot make decisions for Prince Mingrui."
"If you truly wish to enter Prince Mingrui's manor, perhaps you should seek out His Majesty. Or, when Prince Mingrui returns victorious, you can speak to him directly."
Second Miss Duan's face turned even redder: "I know it's not proper to approach Miss Sheng directly to discuss this, but everyone in the capital knows that Prince Mingrui listens to you the most. Whatever you say, Prince Mingrui will surely agree."
Sheng Lengshuang gave a knowing "oh": "What if I don't agree?"
Seeing Second Miss Duan pause, she continued: "If you were in Second Miss Duan's shoes, would you agree to your future husband having another concubine?"
Second Miss Duan shook her head: "I know this puts Miss Sheng in a difficult position, but..."
Sheng Lengshuang: "If you have something to say, just say it directly."
Second Miss Duan: "Miss Sheng, you understand that Prince Mingrui cannot possibly have only you as his woman. I can guarantee that I will not compete for favor and will quietly accompany Prince Mingrui."
Sheng Lengshuang had just let out a cold laugh when she heard her son speak.
"This Second Miss Duan, aren't you too shameless? Not only are you eagerly offering yourself as a concubine to my father, but you're also saying such presumptuous things to my mother. Is this how your family taught you?"
Sheng Lengshuang leaned back in her chair to watch the show.
Second Miss Duan's face flushed red: "Young Master Mo, I wish to accompany Prince Mingrui."
Xiao Feng rolled his eyes: "If that's your logic, then any girl who wants to accompany a certain man can go and negotiate with his legal wife? How shameless must one be to do such a thing?"
"Moreover, my father has long promised that in this life, he will only have my mother. Besides, what you said is too disingenuous. If you were to become my father's concubine, would you not compete for favor, and would you not want to have a son to snatch my position as heir?"
Even a child like him could see through this, yet this Second Miss Duan was still here making promises.