If he had paid a little more attention, the common people would not have suffered so much.
Mo Lingxi knew best that he cared about the people. He patted his shoulder, "Cheer up, think more about the people. There are many things you need to do now."
"Wait a moment, let the secret guards take you to see what the disaster victims in the village are doing, and you'll know what you need to do."
The middle-aged man nodded slowly, let out a long sigh, and the gloom in his eyes gradually dissipated. "The doctor's words are to the point."
He thought about how he had been on the verge of death due to court disputes, but had forgotten to care for the people.
Mo Lingxi's eyes softened a little, "I'll have the doctor prescribe a few more doses of medicine for you. The most important thing is for you to open your heart."
The middle-aged man thanked him. He understood himself that the cause of his illness was a knot in his heart. It was his constant worry about court disputes that had led him to this state.
When Tao Lengshuang re-entered the wooden house, she wrote a prescription, explained the precautions, and emphasized that he should not overthink.
Mo Lingxi also gave the middle-aged man some advice. Noticing that Tao Lengshuang's complexion was a little pale, he said a few more words and then left with her.
After the two left, the secret guard took the middle-aged man to a corner of Shilipo Village to observe the current situation.
The middle-aged man personally witnessed groups of disaster victims, like bandits, directly breaking into villagers' homes to rob them, and even bullying women and children.
This scene greatly stimulated him and made him regret even more that he hadn't paid attention to these matters earlier, only focusing on his own worries.
The helpless cries and pleas of the villagers were like sharp blades piercing his heart.
At this moment, he understood what he should do and remembered his original intention of becoming an official.
His original intention in pursuing a political career was to help the common people and allow them to live stable and happy lives, not like this.
From then on, the middle-aged man was revitalized. He no longer cared about court disputes. His thoughts and concerns were all for the common people every day.
However, what he could do alone was limited, not to mention that the current government completely disregarded the lives and deaths of the common people. Fortunately, he had people to help him.
...
On the way back, Mo Lingxi gave Tao Lengshuang the deed to the pharmacy, saying that the pharmacy was located in Dongdu.
"The location is neither particularly good nor remote, it's suitable for you to open it."
Tao Lengshuang thought for a moment, accepted the deed, and asked about the pills.
Mo Lingxi said that the pills had not yet been sold, and many people were observing, fearing that they were some kind of bad medicine.
Tao Lengshuang naturally understood and had a solution: "Do you know anyone who is not in good health and holds a relatively noble status?"
Mo Lingxi replied that he didn't know anyone like that. Noble families all had their own dedicated doctors and various good medicinal herbs. Unless they were framed by others, no one's health would be poor.
Tao Lengshuang then thought of the imperial concubines in the harem, "Don't all the concubines in the harem want to be more beautiful?"
Mo Lingxi understood her meaning, "I will have someone handle this matter."
Tao Lengshuang gave him an appreciative look and gave him another bottle of medicine, "It's for conditioning the body. After taking it, it will surely make you vigorous and please your wives and concubines."
Mo Lingxi's handsome face turned as dark as ink, and he glared at her through gritted teeth, "Do you wish for me to have wives and concubines so much?"
"Ah?" Tao Lengshuang looked at him in confusion, "Isn't that a fact?"
"After things are resolved, you will return to your rightful position, and I, this village girl, will continue to stay in Shilipo Village. From now on, we will have no further contact."
This point would not change.
She did not believe in the "sparrow turning into a phoenix." This was a strictly hierarchical ancient society. Even ordinary families would require a good match when marrying off their daughters, let alone wealthy and influential families.
Moreover, she had no romantic feelings for Mo Lingxi, so she couldn't possibly be heartbroken over him.
Mo Lingxi felt a breath stuck in his chest, unable to go up or down, making him extremely uncomfortable. "What if I don't have any wives or concubines?"
Tao Lengshuang said, "What does that have to do with me? That's your business, and I can't control whether you have wives or concubines."
Mo Lingxi felt like he was about to die of anger, but then he heard Tao Lengshuang say something.
"Why are you so angry? At most, we are in a cooperative relationship. There's no need for you to be angry."
Mo Lingxi's expression froze, and his eyes became lost. Yes, he and Tao Lengshuang were at most in a cooperative relationship, and there was no need for him to be so angry.
But why was he so angry?
"Oh, you men are all like this. When women don't go along with you, you get upset."
Tao Lengshuang pouted. In this ancient era, women were required to obey their husbands and fathers, and any defiance was considered wrong.
Mo Lingxi felt that he was not like that, but he couldn't quite explain it. "It's not like that. I'm not that kind of man."
Tao Lengshuang perfunctorily said "oh" and was too lazy to continue the topic with him. "Are you going back?"
Mo Lingxi replied that it was still early, "At least until the court situation improves... Shall I tell you about my affairs?"
"Stop, I don't want to hear it!"
Tao Lengshuang made a stop gesture, her face full of resistance, "Have you ever heard the saying? The more you know, the faster you die."
In this life, she only wanted to continue practicing medicine, taking care of Xiao Feng as he grew up, and living a happy life. She didn't want to get involved in these messy affairs.
Mo Lingxi could see that she truly didn't want to know. He pressed his forehead, "I think you have a prejudice against me."
"You just noticed?" As soon as Tao Lengshuang finished speaking, Mo Lingxi turned her body around. "What are you doing? It's winter, let's go home quickly. I'm freezing to death."
Mo Lingxi leaned close to her and said word by word, "Why do you have a prejudice against me?"
Tao Lengshuang didn't understand why he was asking this question. She exclaimed, "Shouldn't I have an opinion of you?"
"You treated me that way at the beginning, and then your attitude towards me was not good. Although you are treating me well now, who knows what you are thinking."
Sometimes she even suspected that Mo Lingxi was having mood swings because of his monthly cycle.
Now Mo Lingxi understood the crux of the problem. It turned out that his initial attitude towards Tao Lengshuang had caused her to treat him this way.
"It won't happen again in the future. I misunderstood you before. Your changes were too drastic at the time."
Tao Lengshuang nodded, indicating that she understood, "You've explained it, and I believe you."
"From now on, let's get along like friends. If you have anything, tell me, and I will help if I can."
Mo Lingxi felt something was wrong. They were clearly husband and wife, so why should they get along like friends?
"We are husband and wife."
Tao Lengshuang touched his forehead and then took his pulse, "You don't have a fever, so why are you talking nonsense?"
"We are husband and wife. I even gave birth to a son for you. Our son is waiting for us at home, and he has mentioned a few times that he wants younger siblings."
Mo Lingxi heard this and abruptly said, "Let's have younger siblings for Xiao Feng."