Exile after Divorce? Empty the Scumbag Husband First!

Chapter 176 - 173: Uncle, Please Spare Me

"Husband! How can you blame me for this? I am so wronged, you did those filthy things yourself, and my sister caught you. What can I do if she wants to expose you?"

"I did nothing, just lying in the house and still end up getting blamed?"

"Shut up! You two, working together, doing all those things, as the City Lord, of course I can’t cover up for my own people."

"Guards, take them to the cells first, and investigate!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Shi looked over in disbelief: "Uncle, uncle!!"

He guessed his uncle intended to abandon him, but now, with his anger and distress, he could barely speak, and fainted out of agitation.

Yin Niang, seeing the unfavorable situation, started kowtowing repeatedly: "Uncle, uncle, spare me. I have nothing to do with this, I know nothing."

Even with her head bleeding, Lord Wang remained expressionless.

He decisively had the two of them thrown into the cells, not allowing anyone to see them without his permission.

...

On the other side, as night fell, Ruan Mian and her aunt rode with Su Niang back to the house.

Su Niang rode on the horse as if she was born atop it, swift as the wind, steady and sure!

She rode so well and fast.

From the looks of it, she’s on par with Vice Minister Dong!

Her aunt eagerly praised herself to Ruan Mian: "Mianmian, how did I choose this ’warrior’?"

Ruan Mian gave a thumbs up, affirming her aunt’s choice.

Because their horse-riding speed was much slower than when they rode the White Tiger, it was already evening when they reached the house.

A few houses still had oil lamps flickering, and as they arrived at the village gate, they saw, next to a high pile of stones, a solitary figure sitting silently.

Upon getting closer, her aunt raised her voice teasingly: "Oh my, look who it is, isn’t it Mr. Xie!"

"It’s so late, I wonder who Mr. Xie is waiting for."

The sarcastic tone embarrassed Xie Huai’an.

He touched his nose and politely greeted her aunt.

Upon seeing the unfamiliar face of Su Niang, her aunt quickly gave a brief introduction, then took Su Niang into the house.

"Mianmian, you talk with Mr. Xie, I’ll handle Su Niang’s matters, no rush, take your time."

Ruan Mian understood her aunt’s little thoughts.

However, she had indeed planned to talk to Xie Huai’an today.

She casually walked to Xie Huai’an’s side, and as he was about to speak, he saw the gourd he had gifted her tied at her waist.

His expression lit up with joy, and his features softened immediately.

"I’ve made dinner, after your journey, why not come to my house for a while. But don’t worry, it’s not just the two of us, the Assistant Minister is also here."

Ruan Mian knew what he was concerned about, she smiled and said: "But there are some things I only want to say to Mr. Xie alone, would you mind asking the Assistant Minister to step out for a bit?"

Xie Huai’an paused, then smiled and nodded.

Once inside the house, he decisively sent Vice Minister Dong out.

Vice Minister Dong stood bewildered at the door, trying to eavesdrop on their conversation.

But all he heard was a "thump," the sound of a hidden arrow embedding in the door.

Frightened, Vice Minister Dong quickly backed away, clutching his chest in complaint.

"Mr. Xie really is... fierce! I won’t listen, no need for that."

Yun Xiu initially came to speak with Mr. Xie, but was pulled away by Vice Minister Dong: "Do you want to be the fish on his chopping block right now?"

"Huh?"

Yun Xiu didn’t understand, meanwhile inside the house, Ruan Mian had already noticed his bandaged hand.

Presumably from the self-inflicted injury on his finger.

Ruan Mian’s heart sank, just as she was about to speak, Xie Huai’an nonchalantly explained.

"It’s just a minor injury, nothing serious, you eat first."

He brought over the small hot dishes from beside the stove: "Though it can’t match your cooking, it can still fill your stomach."

Ruan Mian felt a tinge of sadness, after thinking for a while, she suddenly looked up, directly and intently gazing at Xie Huai’an, she spoke.

"Mr. Xie, if I were to say now that I want you to marry me, would you be willing?"

Xie Huai’an was taken aback by these words.

He then earnestly put down his bowl and chopsticks, and calmly nodded.

"Naturally, I would be."

"Then let’s choose an auspicious day and get married."

Xie Huai’an evidently didn’t expect Ruan Mian to say such things, and momentarily couldn’t react.

He smiled gently: "Mianmian, are you serious? To get married."

Ruan Mian gave him a clear answer: "Yes, to get married. But after marriage, if you plan to return to the Capital City, I won’t go with you."

"If you can’t accept that, it’s okay not to marry. If you can accept it, then I’ll marry you."

Xie Huai’an lowered his head and laughed, suppressing the joy within, and carefully examined her.

This straightforward and sincere gaze made Ruan Mian a bit embarrassed.

"What I wanted to say to you today is this, I want to..."

"Mianmian, you’re not planning to use me as a shield to make those who covet you give up, are you?"

Though initially that was one of her thoughts.

But now Ruan Mian felt differently.

"Not entirely, I still like you. You are a good person, and also handsome, both smart and elegant. Since you like me, and you’re willing to marry, why not?"

"I declined you before, as I thought you would eventually return to the Capital City, with many matters awaiting you. I feared delaying you. But now I think, so what?"

"Even after marriage, you can return to the Capital City, but during this time, we can be a married couple, avoiding many troubles, and supporting each other, giving each other a name."

"If the feelings don’t last long, even just for a day, it’s still beautiful. As long as there’s no greed or resentment, even if we’re apart, there will always be a day we meet again."

"Mr. Xie, in the future, I will do business even in the Capital City, and once you’ve accomplished your big plans there, if you wish to return, you’re always welcome."

She had said so much in one go, unsure if Xie Huai’an fully understood her intentions.

She felt a rare moment of apprehension: "Does Mr. Xie understand what I mean? Of course, if you have different thoughts, or..."

Before she could finish, Xie Huai’an gently held her hand, without objection: "You’re right, I agree."

"Give me a day to prepare, the day after tomorrow, I’ll formally propose, get my parents’ consent, and then we’ll choose a date."

Ruan Mian hadn’t intended on going through such a complex process, but seeing him so formal, she went along with it.

After leaving, she turned back to glance at Xie Huai’an’s house, unexpectedly seeing his shadow dancing on the window.

Like a soldier returning victorious.