Exile after Divorce? Empty the Scumbag Husband First!

Chapter 168 - 165: It’s Getting Late, Let’s Set Out Early

Lastly, don’t forget to mention: "Miss Ruan saved my family’s life, and E Ji will remember it for a lifetime. E Ji has one more thing to ask for."

"I wonder if Miss Ruan is engaged or married? If not, E Ji would like to make a significant proposal, to your parents..."

Before he could finish, Xie Huai’an stepped forward, smiled, and respectfully clasped his fists: "This young man, unfortunately, I am Miss Ruan’s husband-in-law."

E Ji was greatly surprised but recovered in the midst of everyone’s laughter and withdrew those words.

"In that case, it was presumptuous of me. This gentleman is truly fortunate."

Ruan Mian was a bit embarrassed and quickly stopped Xie Huai’an from putting her on a pedestal!

"It’s getting late, we should set off as soon as possible!"

On the road, Ruan Mian finally couldn’t bear the way Xie Huai’an had been looking at her and asked with a helpless smile.

"It seems you have something to say to me, sir. You’ve been staring at me all the way, it’s giving me chills."

Xie Huai’an spoke straightforwardly: "I’ve been thinking, if Mianmian rejected me before, and when I return to the Capital City someday, you’ve married someone else in Wuheng, what will I do?"

Just going to treat a disease, yet attracting romance.

"That scholar named E Ji seems to be a gentleman, from a good family, and quite handsome, probably to the liking of you ladies."

"But if I leave and he insists on pursuing you, I’d be fuming in the Capital City!"

Ruan Mian was amused by him: "Sir, stop joking with me. Even such a wonderful person as you I turned down, how could I accept someone else?"

"Oh? How wonderful am I in your heart?"

Ruan Mian skipped his question and spoke earnestly.

"I’m still of the same mind, matters between men and women are not important to me at all; they seem like a burden. I just want to live for myself."

Xie Huai’an smiled, took down the gourd tied at his waist, and handed it to Ruan Mian.

"What does this mean, sir?"

Ruan Mian was curious, and Xie Huai’an simply said: "Just a token for me. I plan to come find you after settling matters in the Capital City."

"But don’t feel burdened by it, just treat it as a promise between friends to meet again. When each of us goes to the ends of the earth, let’s allow each other an escape route?"

"If you encounter difficulties in Wuheng, just find General Huo, he will always protect you."

Ruan Mian saw him carefully tie the gourd on her wrist and felt moved, she couldn’t help but ask.

"I have General Huo to protect me here, but what about you, sir? If you return to the Capital City with no one to protect you, how will you handle difficulties?"

But Xie Huai’an did not answer this question.

Ruan Mian thought for a moment and simply handed him the dagger she carried with her.

"I don’t have anything particularly good to reciprocate with. As a token, here’s the dagger I carry with me."

"I hope you can turn danger into safety everywhere, resolve matters in the Capital City, regain your official position, and if my business extends to the Capital City, I hope you can look after me more."

Xie Huai’an gazed at the exquisite dagger, ultimately only taking the small piece of jade inlaid on the scabbard.

"This is your protective item, not to be given away casually. Having this piece of jade will ensure my safety."

Ruan Mian laughed: "Alright, sir, do what you want. But sir, you aren’t returning to the Capital City immediately, people who don’t know might think you’re leaving today."

Xie Huai’an smiled and thought, there’s nothing wrong with getting a token early.

When they returned to the house with plenty of supplies, they found a group of people had arrived.

Upon inquiry, they learned that Huo Zong had led people over.

Cui Zhu, seeing the lady who had been missing for a long time return, shed tears of excitement.

She ran over, tightly holding her arm, and looked around.

"Miss, are you alright?! Aunt Madam said you had something to attend to, told us not to worry, but you’ve been gone for more than half a month, the whole family was worried sick!"

"The eldest son has been looking for you in the garrison for many days, if it weren’t for Aunt’s restraint, he might have turned the whole Wuheng and garrison upside down!"

Ruan Mian knew they were worried about her; when she left, she hadn’t informed them that she was going to Lanqiang to treat someone.

It was hard for Aunt Madam to bear such pressure.

While they were talking, Huo Zong and Mrs. Zhang came out of the house, hurriedly brought them in, and asked about the situation thoroughly.

Some matters weren’t suitable to discuss at this time, so Ruan Mian brushed them off with a few words and only asked about the main point.

"General Huo, have you brought any good news this time?"

Huo Zong nodded: "That’s right, both sides have ceased fighting, and the Xuanjia Army has also been temporarily moved by me. However, without direct evidence of their disloyalty, I can’t do much about them."

"But at least we didn’t let them use us; we’ve defended Wuheng. Your family needn’t continue staying in the valley depths, you can soon return to Wuheng City."

"This time, your whole family has done a great service to our garrison, I can write a letter for you, to incorporate you into the household registry, so you won’t have to suffer forced labor like other exiles."

Upon hearing they could join the household registry, Mrs. Zhang and the others were very excited.

"Is what the General says true? Does this mean that we are no longer exiles?!"

The Junior General beside Huo Zong was also happy for them: "Of course, with the current governor of Wuheng having fled due to guilt, and no new Governor dispatched by the court yet, General Huo is temporarily handling Wuheng affairs."

"So if the General says you can join the household registry, there’s surely no problem."

"That’s wonderful!"

Mrs. Zhang felt their family had finally seen the light at the end of the tunnel. Being incorporated into the household registry meant that in the future, Rui and the others could attend school, and even sit for exams without issue.

Most importantly, their family wouldn’t have to do forced labor anymore, and could finally live a stable life.

Even in the unstable land of Wuheng, it’s better than being an exile.

Ruan Mian thought for a moment and asked: "General, must we return to Wuheng?"

Now that the valley had been well developed, with complete houses, adjacent to a stream, and cultivated farmland where families planted wheat and corn.

Even the road to the garrison has been built. Compared to the initial Wuheng Village, it’s even more suitable for living here.

Huo Zong had thought of this.

"This place is also a part of Longchang Mountain. If you don’t want to return to Wuheng City, staying here is not a problem. However, there needs to be a proper registration done, and those living here in the future need to be registered."

"I see there are people of the Golden Feather Clan among you. If you can discuss with them to build a Jinsha Village here, I can register it as the residence of the Jinsha Clan during the process, which would make it officially recognized."

Just then, Wu Jie, who was present, immediately agreed: "Of course, that’s fine. We’ve benefitted from Miss Ruan’s favor; registering a village under our clan’s name is a small matter."