Exile after Divorce? Empty the Scumbag Husband First!

Chapter 169 - 166: If Merits Fall Short of the Household Registration Standard, Labor Will Be Arranged Nearby

Ruan Mian looked over gratefully: "Lord Wu Jie, if your tribespeople are willing, there will always be a place for your tribe in this village. If you wish to live here, you can come anytime, and if you’re not used to it, you can always follow your tribe’s customs and live in the deep mountains."

"I think this place is quite nice. I’ve been living here for some time, and I have grown attached! Miss Ruan, as you can see, I’ve set up a deer farm, and I’m raising several deer behind my house."

"The methods you gave last time for planting medicinal herbs have also sprouted well, growing robustly!"

Compared to their former nomadic life, this settled lifestyle is indeed excellent.

With Wu Jie’s words, Huo Zong knew what to do next.

He promised that after settling other matters in Wuheng, he would register this village, and then all the exiles here would be arranged according to their circumstances.

If their merits don’t meet the requirements for household registration, labor will be assigned nearby.

Upon seeing the road they built upon his arrival, Huo Zong was surprised and thought about whether they could build a road straight to Wuheng City if they didn’t move.

Ruan Mian had already thought of this in advance. After all, they had come here from Wuheng and were familiar with the terrain along the way.

With some discussion, they immediately settled on a basic plan.

"For some exiles who do not meet the household registration standards, labor will be used to build the roads. Others who are eligible for registration will be paid if they work on the roads."

However, this matter would still need some time to finalize. Ruan Mian contemplated using the same strategy as before.

Whether for laborers or those with household registration, giving them some benefits wouldn’t hurt.

The efficiency would also be higher.

Of course, it might take a while before this could be implemented in detail.

The immediate task was to inform everyone about the news of the valley settlement and elect a capable village head to handle future relevant affairs.

Ruan Mian already had someone in mind for the village head position.

Among this group, in terms of seniority, prestige, and respect, none surpassed Mr. Xue.

Being advanced in years also commands more respect from others.

Moreover, he was previously the steward of that village.

When Xue Yuanling passed this news to Mr. Xue, he humbly declined, feeling unable to shoulder such a great responsibility.

But Xue Yuanling’s words changed his mind: "Only if you take on this responsibility, can you command respect and ensure those children you took in have better educational opportunities."

"If you become the village head, then the village’s private school can be established more officially at your word. No one is more suitable than you."

Their family came from a lineage of merchants, and even though Ruan Qingsong was young, he might struggle to command respect, while their father was wholly devoted to medicine, with no distractions.

As for the other elders, they had either achieved little or lacked the knowledge and courage.

Solely for the private school, Mr. Xue gladly accepted.

"In that case, if everyone agrees, I won’t refuse."

Ruan Mian immediately wrote a notice and posted it in the most prominent place in the house.

They even set up a simple bulletin board using a few wooden stakes in that location.

From then on, any village matters would be posted there for everyone to see.

Before long, the news of Wuheng’s redemption and the rebuild of the valley village spread quickly.

Moreover, many exiles would soon enjoy various preferential policies, with some even eligible for household registration due to their contributions.

Being able to live without the hardship of war was something joyous.

Being able to reside here legally and long-term was an exceptionally great piece of good news.

Everyone knew this was all achieved through the efforts of Ruan Mian and the others.

That evening, many neighbors came over to the house, each bringing some of the fruits and vegetables they had harvested during this period to specially thank Ruan Mian.

Even the elderly couple from Mrs. Zhang’s family struggled to entertain the guests, busy back and forth.

Ruan Mian was equally busy, having to thank each person, and finally squeezed out some free time, thinking of idling away and exchanging a few words with Cui Zhu and Shaoxi, only to be blocked by Hong Wu.

Hong Wu, with a flushed face, hesitantly was pushed in front of Ruan Mian.

Seeing him like this, Ruan Mian thought he might have some trouble he needed help with but was too shy to say.

So she glanced at him, asking, "What is it you need?"

Hong Wu took a deep breath and suddenly bowed respectfully, speaking up.

"Ruan... Miss Ruan, it’s nothing major really, just wanted to ask, um, if you’ve thought about marriage?"

Ruan Mian was slightly stunned, still without words when Cui Zhu suddenly stepped forward, proudly raising her chin.

"Don’t you be insolent, my young lady..."

"I’m not, I’m not. I have great admiration for Miss Ruan, I dare not be insolent."

Ruan Mian realized his intentions and gave a delicate smile: "Mr. Hong, are you aware that I’ve been divorced?"

"I am aware! That was with a son of the Qi Family, but how could he match Miss Ruan? Of course... I’m also overreaching, I just admire you deeply, thinking if you were interested, I’d do everything to gather a bride price, to ensure you aren’t disgraced! And I do have a household registration, with some savings over the years."

"Sh-shame on you! Marriage should follow parental approval and a matchmaker’s arrangement, how can you speak such words in front of my young lady, I..."

Cui Zhu listened, her face flushed, afraid Ruan Mian might be gossiped about by outsiders, she quickly tried to pull Ruan Mian inside.

Ruan Mian, however, appreciated Hong Wu’s courage, knowing he was an honest man who had once helped her teach Zheng Yang a lesson, making that scoundrel receive punishment.

Though she had no intention regarding marriage.

Why suddenly all this commotion these days?

With one proposal after another, it put Ruan Mian in a dilemma.

If it were fewer people, a gentle refusal might suffice, but too many would surely cause trouble.

Even Shaoxi teased: "The lady is so outstanding, renowned even in Wuheng City. I even heard Lord Wu Jie say he has a nephew who is handsome and capable, the most accomplished man in their tribe."

"About the same age as the lady, and when he comes over, Lord Wu Jie intends for him to meet the lady."

Ruan Mian’s head throbbed: "Is there truly such a thing?"

Even Cui Zhu found it difficult: "Miss! Actually, I must confess, earlier someone in the village spoke to Nanny Fang wanting to propose for you! I think they all see how capable you are and are eager to connect."

"None of those men can compare to Mr. Xie, the lady doesn’t even fancy Mr. Xie, let alone them!"

"Hey, it’s not that I don’t fancy Mr. Xie, such a fine gentleman, how could I look down on him? I just don’t want to marry, marriage won’t make my life better, I’m content as I am."