Mo Lingxi remained unmoved, his voice cold and sharp, "If your words mean anything, you would have been free to bully any woman who wasn't this prince's fiancée?"
The soldier's crying paused, then resumed with even greater volume, "No, no! I never thought that! Commander, please spare me, I really won't dare again!"
Mo Lingxi glanced at his approaching副将 (fùjiàng - deputy general), taking the document he handed him, "You won't dare? I just found out that you often bully men and women, and have harassed many respectable women."
"Do you think that just because you are border guards, you can do as you please in Chengmen Pass? That the common people depend on you for survival?"
The soldier hadn't expected his deeds to be discovered and lay there dejected, his mind filled with: It's over, it's over!
If these matters were revealed, according to military law, he wouldn't be lightly pardoned.
Mo Lingxi flicked the document in his hand, his voice filled with cold anger, "Flog him until he dies! If anyone else in the army can't control their third leg, I will personally solve their lifelong worries!"
The soldiers present all clenched their legs, fearing that Prince Mingrui would indeed help them solve their lifelong worries in his rage.
The soldier was dragged to a nearby pillar by two soldiers and tied up. Then, a soldier holding a long whip began to lash him, strike after strike.
The screams, accompanied by the 'crack crack crack' of the whip, tightened the hearts of many soldiers, truly making them witness Prince Mingrui's methods.
But this man deserved it. Regardless of whether Miss Sheng was Prince Mingrui's fiancée, the mere fact that she came to treat illnesses meant she wasn't someone to be casually insulted.
Sheng Lengshuang watched with a cold eye. If it hadn't been her, but another female doctor, that doctor's reputation would likely be ruined, and who knew what kind of humiliation she would have endured.
To think that she had come with good intentions to treat illnesses, only to be insulted in such a manner by this person; he deserved his current fate.
As time passed, the soldier's screams grew fainter and fainter... until he could scream no more.
"Commander, confirmed he has no breath left," the soldier who carried out the punishment said, bowing to Mo Lingxi.
Mo Lingxi grunted, "Bury his body. Disperse, and everyone mind your own conduct."
With that, he left with his deputy general.
Sheng Lengshuang and the other doctors also departed.
"With today's events, I imagine those soldiers will show us more respect. Some soldiers truly don't respect people."
"It's a small portion. These people already have poor character, and having been in the barracks for too long, they're even worse."
"Alright, we are here to treat illnesses. Let's say less. Prince Mingrui will handle these matters."
Sheng Lengshuang said nothing upon hearing this. After walking for a while with these doctors, she returned to her room to rest.
Unexpectedly, she saw Mo Lingxi in her room.
"Oh, Prince Mingrui, have you been waiting long?" she said with a smile, pouring herself a glass of water.
Mo Lingxi pulled her to sit down, touched her face, and said with great concern, "You've lost weight. I'm sorry you had to suffer."
Sheng Lengshuang smiled and shook her head, "Not at all. To be honest, I didn't come for you, but more for the border soldiers."
"With the two countries at war, and possessing such good medical skills, why wouldn't I contribute?"
Mo Lingxi feigned sadness, "So my wife didn't come for me. I was happy for nothing."
Sheng Lengshuang pinched his face and teased, "The commander was so imposing just now, how did he become like a resentful husband?"
Mo Lingxi kissed her a few times and held her, content, "Wife, when the war ends and we return to Dongdu, we'll get married, alright?"
Sheng Lengshuang raised an eyebrow, "The formal betrothal hasn't even been completed. It's unlikely you can get married yet."
Mo Lingxi: "...How about I arrange for someone in Dongdu to go through the betrothal process? When we return to Dongdu, we can get married."
Sheng Lengshuang said with amusement, "There's no rush for marriage. You should focus on how to resolve this war as quickly as possible."
Mo Lingxi knew this well, "How long will this war last?"
Sheng Lengshuang's brow twitched, "What? Did something go wrong?"
Mo Lingxi didn't hide it from her, "The new emperor of Nan Jin Dynasty wants to resolve the internal strife and gain popular support by attacking my Dong Jin Dynasty in one go."
"The Nan Jin Dynasty's army is a diversion for us. This new emperor has done many things in secret, some of which I haven't discovered yet. For instance, this diarrhea outbreak was the new emperor's scheme."
Sheng Lengshuang nodded solemnly, "If that's the case, resolving this war won't be easy."
Speaking of which, a thought occurred to her, "What if we focus on the internal conflicts of Nan Jin Dynasty? Make this new emperor too busy to attend to anything else."
Mo Lingxi shook his head, "This new emperor is quite... reckless. Perhaps it's related to his childhood experiences. He doesn't pay much attention to internal strife, focusing solely on the war."
When it came to warfare, Sheng Lengshuang truly couldn't help. "Don't worry, you'll find a way eventually. Besides, Nan Jin Dynasty cannot sustain a prolonged war."
Mo Lingxi knew this as well. He then brought up other matters, "How are Xiao Feng and your mother? You don't need to worry about your father; everything is stable."
Sheng Lengshuang felt a pang of sadness, "They are well, it's just... I miss Xiao Feng. When I left, Xiao Feng cried so sadly."
"This is the first time he has been away from his parents since he grew up."
Mo Lingxi sighed, "When the war stabilizes a bit, we'll bring Xiao Feng to Chengmen Pass."
Sheng Lengshuang refused, "It's not ideal. He's still too young. Even adults can't endure the journey, let alone a child."
"When the war ends and we return to the capital, we'll see Xiao Feng."
Mo Lingxi: "I'll listen to you. You've worked hard during this time. Once the condition stabilizes, it will be a little easier."
Sheng Lengshuang: "It's not hard. Compared to the suffering of the border soldiers, my fatigue is nothing."
"Alright, I need to rest for a while. I have patients to see later."
Mo Lingxi offered to sleep with her, "I haven't had a good sleep in a while."
Sheng Lengshuang glanced at him sideways, "Just sleeping?"
Mo Lingxi really wanted to do more, but he knew the priorities, "Just sleeping, absolutely no other activities."
Sheng Lengshuang lightly tapped his forehead, not refusing the offer.
...
Sheng Lengshuang and a group of doctors were busy treating the sick and injured, resolving the water source issue, and preventing the Nan Jin Dynasty army from using similar tactics. Often, they didn't even have time to eat.
Mo Lingxi was responsible for confronting the Nan Jin Dynasty army and discussing with the generals how to resolve the war as quickly as possible, or to force the Nan Jin Dynasty army to temporarily cease their offensive.
Both civilians and soldiers needed rest.
After finally finishing their tasks, Sheng Lengshuang and Mo Lingxi had a rare meal together. It was a simple meal with one meat and one vegetable dish, yet they ate with relish.
"The Nan Jin Dynasty army wants to take advantage of our situation and capture Chengmen Pass," Mo Lingxi said.