Exile after Divorce? Empty the Scumbag Husband First!

Chapter 183 - 80: Aunt, Who Is He?

"Aunt, I feel more at ease with you staying at the garrison to look after the shop. Besides, you know it’s easier for me to travel alone, I won’t even have to suffer through riding a horse."

The eldest aunt laughed: "That’s true, but don’t waste the opportunity over there. Since you’re already going, don’t you have plenty of goods stored in your space? Take them all to sell over there, see what sells well, maybe we can find a business opportunity beyond the tussar silk."

"If there’s a lot of tussar silk, we’ll buy a mountain!"

With capital, everything becomes easier.

Speaking of which, the eldest aunt suddenly remembered something and hastily took out a jade pendant from her purse.

"Oh, Mianmian, when you go to Tunan City, find someone named Tu Ji. He lives in the south of the city and is a somewhat famous merchant."

"Aunt, who is he?"

"I didn’t mention him before because I thought it unnecessary. But since you’re going now, I thought it best to tell you, so you’ll have someone to look after you."

"Tu Ji was my former adopted son Jiang Zhen. After I married Jiang Ruohuai, I was childless for two years, and he, being a magistrate in Mianzhou, feared gossip. So, he adopted a son into our home, claiming he was my own."

She bitterly smiled: "I even pretended to be pregnant for ten months, it’s quite ridiculous when you think about it."

"The child was understanding and respectful to me. But after Dao was born, Jiang Ruohuai no longer wanted the adopted son and abandoned him."

"I pleaded with him several times, trying to bring Zhen’er back home, but each time Jiang Ruohuai beat me nearly to death. Eventually, I had to place him in the care of an old maid who had left the household, giving her some silver coins every month. Because of this, Dao has resented me."

"Perhaps Jiang Ruohuai poisoned Dao’s mind from a young age. Of course, what’s born from my womb isn’t any good either!"

After the incident, her biological son, instead of showing any sympathy, joined forces with the Jiang family to hunt her down after she killed Jiang Ruohuai.

They chased her all the way to the distant garrison.

She took a deep breath, returned to her usual demeanor, and continued: "Later, Zhen’er was cornered by the Jiang family and had no choice but to leave Mianzhou with an unknown fate."

"It wasn’t until the day I resurrected that I received a letter from him, discovering that he had settled in Tunan City with a new name and identity, living well."

"In that case, why didn’t Aunt seek refuge with Tu Ji back then? Why choose to live as a fugitive in the garrison?"

"Mianmian, I feared the Jiang family might implicate Tu Ji. I’ve wronged that child, and I don’t want to bring him any risk."

"You see, even though I have no cheats or advantages, I’m still living such a miserable life despite my reincarnation. I’m angry about it; simply being more fierce doesn’t help. But on the bright side, after personally ending Jiang Ruohuai, I did feel like I let out a breath of pent-up anger!"

Yet Ruan Mian knew that Jiang Dao and Jiang Zhen were thorns in her heart.

She didn’t realize it before, but now she understands that behind the eldest aunt’s constant smiles, there must have been much bitterness.

She couldn’t protect a filial adopted son, and the child she painfully gave birth to became her executioner.

It’s disheartening no matter who it happens to.

"Mianmian, don’t feel burdened. If you can find him this time, that would be best. Look after him for me, and pass on a few words to give him peace of mind."

"Besides, if you’re the one going, there’s no risk."

Ruan Mian understood her caution and didn’t pressure her, but by now, she had made a decision.

She smiled lightly and accepted the jade pendant: "Aunt, rest assured, I will find him."

"Alright, as a somewhat famous merchant, he might be able to help us a lot. Though you have the space, you still need to be careful."

Ruan Mian wiped her tears away, raised her fist in assurance: "Mission accomplished!"

The news of her going to Tunan City reached the ears of the old Ruan couple, and Mrs. Zhang was filled with worry.

Yet knowing she couldn’t stop her, she repeatedly instructed her and hurriedly packed her bags, making sure she didn’t miss anything for eating and using.

"Mianmian, the road is long, please be careful, but... is Huaian going with you?"

Ruan Mian was about to shake her head when Xie Huai’an’s voice suddenly came through.

"Mother, don’t worry, with me by Mianmian’s side, nothing will happen."

With these words, the old Ruan couple could rest easy.

Ruan Mian looked over in confusion, but in front of her parents, she couldn’t speak openly.

She had to wait until after leaving the house to speak honestly.

"Sir, I’ll be just fine on my own, there’s no need for you to trouble yourself with coming with me."

Who knows she has the space at hand, riding on the White Tiger is a treat.

But Xie Huai’an firmly shook his head: "How can I let a newlywed wife journey far alone? I wouldn’t feel at ease, nor would the family, moreover, does the lady want me to become the object of village gossip?"

What he said... seems to make some sense.

They would probably say that he, newlywed, doesn’t care for his wife, luxuriating at home while she travels afar, facing danger alone.

After much thought, Ruan Mian indeed realized she hadn’t considered it well.

So, going together it was.

She went to fetch two horses, but Xie Huai’an insisted on only one: "As a couple, why ride separately?"

"Let’s conserve energy by taking turns riding instead; wouldn’t that be faster?"

Before Ruan Mian could refute, she was already pulled onto the horse’s back.

The horse shot out like a released arrow.

He didn’t know that this horse had been fed with the spiritual spring water by Ruan Mian, its speed and endurance could surpass other horses of its kind.

Running for half a day without even panting, a journey thought to take three days and nights was shortened to two days and a night, reaching the gates of Tunan City.

Even Xie Huai’an was astonished by the horse’s performance.

"This horse doesn’t look particularly impressive, not of high quality, but it’s capable of such speed, truly remarkable."

The horse flicked its ears, suddenly stamping its foot with a neigh, seemingly displeased by his underestimation.

Ruan Mian quickly stroked its mane, easing the mood: "Sir, they say you can know a person by their face but not their heart, maybe the same applies to this horse?"

"Don’t judge a horse by its looks! Our steed could outrun even those prized horses, right, good horse?"

The horse snorted, lifting its head proudly, as if responding to Ruan Mian.

It left Xie Huai’an stunned: "I see, Mianmian, animals truly have a fondness for you."

"Oh no, sir, you’re just teasing."

Just as she was about to wave it off, a person on fire screamed and charged into the crowd, sending the people entering the city scattering in terror, faces pale with fear.