Exile after Divorce? Empty the Scumbag Husband First!

Chapter 163 - 160: Ruan Mian Sees Xie Huai’an and Vice Minister Dong Leaving the Prison Together

There was no need to go through the Wang Brothers; they had already paved the way, just waiting for the negotiation and delivery.

Truly a brilliant strategy.

Ruan Mian complimented her eldest aunt: "Aunt, this method is indeed very clever."

The eldest aunt embraced her: "I’ve always said, when we aunts and nieces join forces, we are invincible!!"

"Once you solve the epidemic in the small town of Lanqiang, we’ll use Wuheng as a center and expand the route to the garrison and Lanqiang Town. There’s plenty of opportunity in the treasure land of Wuheng!"

Ruan Mian thought the same, but the pressing matter was to settle things for her father.

These issues that could be resolved with money were not really issues for them.

However, upon reaching the prison, they discovered someone had already made arrangements for her father.

Ruan Mian saw Xie Huai’an and Vice Minister Dong walking out from the prison.

They handed a large bag of silver to the hands of the government officer, and the eldest aunt, seeing this, teasingly crossed her arms.

"Oh my, our worries were unnecessary. Look at Mr. Xie, handling matters so reliably."

Ruan Mian, feeling her face heat from her aunt’s words, approached Xie Huai’an after a few pushes and respectfully greeted him.

"Sir."

Xie Huai’an looked at her warmly: "Are you here to see your father?"

"No need to worry; I’ve taken care of everything for your father. He’ll be released in two days, and he won’t be wronged during these days."

"Thank you, sir."

Ruan Mian knew she should express her gratitude, and Vice Minister Dong, seeing Xie Huai’an’s polite yet restrained demeanor, quickly added.

"Oh, Miss Ruan, you just don’t know. As soon as the shop got into trouble, you went to find Miss Qing, which made the sir so anxious! Almost wore out a horse! And that little money just now, it was the last of our sir’s savings!"

Xie Huai’an gave him a faint glance, signaling him not to talk too much, but Vice Minister Dong, quick-tongued, said both what should and should not be said.

Ruan Mian was moved, immediately taking out her purse, which contained not much silver coin, but she intended to repay later.

Yet Xie Huai’an refused: "No need to concern yourself over this bit of silver, you..."

"Sir Xie, just take it. You can’t live without means, and we can earn money ourselves, but you don’t have such a way. So of course we have to repay the money!"

"As for the rest, let Mianmian owe it for now, and whenever you need it, let Mianmian pay you."

The eldest aunt blinked, hinting that this could create a link between him and Ruan Mian.

Xie Huai’an naturally understood her meaning, smiled, and readily accepted.

This small amount of silver creating a connection, quite good indeed.

With matters regarding her father settled, she should return to her dwelling to make arrangements, especially as she needed to find General Bal.

Thinking of this, Ruan Mian stopped wasting time.

At the moment, inside the prison, Mr. Ruan was unaware of these events, solely hoping Mianmian would stay safe and out of trouble.

It would be best if he could shoulder all the blame himself.

Mianmian was so young, how could she endure this prison?

Upon checking the surroundings, all that were imprisoned were criminals, each with eyes filled with hatred.

Mr. Ruan, born as a merchant, although eloquent, was also timid.

In earlier years, for the sake of his family’s shops, he often had to negotiate with people, adopting a humble attitude, only to straighten his back a little after Ruan Qingsong passed the imperial examination.

Since his arrival, he only dared speak a few words to the criminal confined next to him.

Talking about his children, Mr. Ruan brimmed with pride.

When mealtime came, that government officer brought him a lavish meal.

To his surprise, it included a whole roast goose!

Other side dishes, including meat and vegetables, were well balanced, and even the staple food was the finest white rice.

Seeing this fragrant and inviting scene, others looked on enviously, their mouths watering.

But Mr. Ruan was filled with sorrow, feeling a pang of despair: "Sir, your last meal here is quite the feast."

Though not half as tasty as his daughter’s cooking, compared to other places, this meal was indeed top-notch in standards!

Unfortunately, he hadn’t yet become the renowned doctor he hoped to be, nor had he seen more complex medical cases, and those few medical books were not fully comprehended!

Moreover, there was Zhou’er, with such knowledge, how could he remain confined to the remote Longchang Mountain?

And as for Mianmian, such a fine young lady, how could she be without a good match!? Such a pity, these were all things he couldn’t see.

Mr. Ruan was moved to tears, filled with an overwhelming reluctance, savoring each bite slowly.

Lingering over his meal, just to buy himself some time.

Halfway through, out of unwillingness, an idea struck him, and he said to those officers.

"Sir, I’m a doctor, why not let me give you a free checkup to see if there are any issues with your health?"

It turned out to be wise to suggest, as indeed, two government officers were suffering from the cold, and they immediately let him out to have a proper look at them.

Examining one after another, those officers saw his earnest dedication, speaking convincingly, so much so that they called all the officials in the prison to him for checkups one by one.

Exhausted after a whole day and night, finally, they informed him.

"You old man, you indeed have some skill!! Those meals weren’t given in vain, your son-in-law is also very generous, tomorrow once you’ve checked us brothers, you’ll be set free!"

On hearing this, Mr. Ruan said: "Then... was that not a last meal?"

"What last meal! You’re about to be released, isn’t that good enough? Your family’s shop issues, Mr. Wang won’t pursue them. I think your medical skills aren’t bad, once your shop reopens, I’ll bring my brothers to support your business."

This was an unexpected delight for him! The sense of life after a great ordeal overwhelmed him, and Mr. Ruan couldn’t help but laugh at the turn of his own fate.

...

Valley House.

After returning home, Ruan Mian briefed Mrs. Jing and others about the shop’s situation, telling them not to worry.

With that, their hearts finally relaxed a bit.

Unexpectedly, Mrs. Wang had been standing outside the house for a long while, and as soon as she came out after reassuring her family, Mrs. Wang quickly approached, expressing her concern.

"Miss Ruan, are you alright? I heard your shop was vandalized, and your father..."

"It’s all sorted now, Lady Wang, thank you for your concern."

Mrs. Wang smiled slightly, speaking earnestly: "You’ve always looked out for us along the way, of course I should worry about you."

"To be honest, I used to look down on you a little, thinking you a divorced woman wouldn’t achieve much. But now I realize, I was truly narrow-minded."

"If it weren’t for you, our family would have starved long ago."

Starting from the reception camp, she learned from Ruan Mian how to make simple tools to improve woodcutting efficiency, and sought out various mushrooms to stave off hunger as she taught her.

Later they followed Ruan Mian to the heart of Longchang Mountain, working to build roads for her, earning wages, and enjoying better food.