Exile after Divorce? Empty the Scumbag Husband First!-Chapter 131 - 129: It Could Also Be a Dark and Windy Night
"Alright, alright, it’s just the right moment. With me here guarding, no one else will stumble upon it. Hurry along."
Ruan Mian thought to let it go, but she was already here, with a lingering scent of blood on her body, so she decided to go in and wash up.
Since she only needed to remove her outer robe, it wasn’t an issue. She could change later when returning.
She wasn’t worried about Xie Huai’an peeking; after all, someone as upright as him wouldn’t be like herself.
Actually, she did steal a few glances earlier; there’s no denying, beautiful people and things inevitably draw one’s attention.
This natural hot spring, she had to admit, was truly comfortable.
After soaking for a short while, she felt relaxed all over, almost to the point of falling asleep. It was only Xie Huai’an’s reminder that the hour was late that brought her back to her senses.
Rising to wring dry her clothes and donning her outer robe, she then returned to the quarters together with Xie Huai’an.
Wearing wet clothes underneath, there was inevitably some chill. Xie Huai’an handed her his cloak and, with hands behind his back, began to muse.
"A fine occasion doesn’t always mean flowers and the moon. Sometimes it could be amidst a dark and windy night."
Seeing him in good spirits, Ruan Mian suddenly raised a thought and asked.
"Sir, would you not mind opening a school in the quarters? To teach those children along with my brother?"
"If they knew one of their teachers was a former study companion to the Crown Prince and the other was a Marquis’s son, surely..."
Almost before she realized, Ruan Mian blurted out something she shouldn’t have said.
He interrupted her: "How do you know my identity?"
Ruan Mian froze for a moment and finally realized she had spoken without thinking about his identity.
She sheepishly replied.
"Apologies, it’s something my father told me. Years ago, my grandfather saved the Marquis Nanping once, at which time my father met you. He says you haven’t changed much since childhood."
Before Xie Huai’an could respond, Ruan Mian quickly added: "Rest assured, I won’t divulge this to outsiders."
Xie Huai’an chuckled, appearing unbelieving.
Ruan Mian still wanted to speak, but suddenly Ruan Qingsong’s voice came from ahead.
"Mianmian, is that you?"
She was about to respond when Xie Huai’an turned to disappear into the woods; Ruan Mian quickly stopped him: "Sir, what are you doing?"
Xie Huai’an merely said, "It’s deep in the night; you and I alone may arouse gossip. I, as a man, am not affected, but Mianmian, you are a young lady."
"That’s my brother; he wouldn’t..."
But before she could finish, Xie Huai’an had already vanished into the woods entirely.
When Ruan Qingsong found her, he asked puzzledly: "Weren’t you just with Mr. Xie? Where is Mr. Xie?"
Ruan Mian laughed: "He was worried others might see and ruin my reputation, so he left first."
Ruan Qingsong suddenly understood and quickly said: "Sir is a gentleman, someone worthy of trust."
As soon as he finished speaking, he saw Ruan Mian’s meaningful gaze looking over, and quickly he reached to touch his nose, changing the subject.
"I came to ask if you were hurt. I was too elated upon returning today and didn’t carefully inquire about your well-being. Only after my wife awoke and told me did I realize how dangerous today’s events were!"
"Had it not been for you, my wife and nephew might have..."
"Brother! We’re family; with you not around, I, as a daughter and sister, naturally have to step up."
"If I were in danger today, you wouldn’t hesitate to save me, right?"
"Let’s not speak further, but quickly go check on my little nephew. Has a name been chosen?"
"Not yet; we’re waiting for you to choose one."
Nearby, Xie Huai’an watched the siblings walk off together, an unusual emotion surfacing in his eyes.
Back then, he and his sister were the same.
Xie Huai’an reined in his emotions and took another path back to the quarters.
Upon reaching the entrance, Vice Minister Dong approached him with news: "Sir, General Huo... there’s been an incident."
...
The next day.
Ruan Mian personally cooked, preparing some easily digestible meals for her sister-in-law.
Her sister-in-law had just given birth; her body hadn’t recovered and was frail, susceptible to infection, especially in such harsh conditions in the wilderness, where carelessness could easily lead to trouble.
Thankfully, Mrs. Zhang cherished this daughter-in-law, staying close by her side to care for her.
With her mother nearby, Ruan Mian could venture out to check on progress with peace of mind.
The public restroom near the quarters had already been constructed, and the nitrate collection yard had taken shape per her instructions.
It was just waiting to be put to use, daily having those responsible for it water the fertilizer as required.
Next, she awaited her brother to finish drawing the survey map, and then she’d lead a team to clear the road, pick out stones, and gather some igneous rock for pouring.
However, on her way from the collection yard, Lord Dong intercepted her.
"Miss Ruan!"
He approached and whispered some news.
Hearing it, Ruan Mian looked at him in surprise: "You say General Huo is injured?"
"Miss Ruan, it’s an urgent matter; we’ve no choice but to call upon you for help. If the General were to meet a mishap, the camp over there might not be able to hold steady."
Ruan Mian didn’t have time to think deeply; she fetched the medicine kit from the quarters and followed him to a cave.
Huo Zong had bandages wrapped around his arm and thigh; those bandages were stained red with blood. Huo Zong looked haggard, weakly lying on a piece of animal hide.
There were freshly changed bandages scattered around.
Clearly, they had already treated him before.
"What’s the matter here?"
Opening the medicine kit, Ruan Mian asked while retrieving pre-exchanged saline and wound powder.
Vice Minister Dong elaborated: "Yesterday I went to the camp and noticed General Huo was missing. The subordinates said he had gone into the mountains. I and the lord searched all night before finding him. Probably an old injury flaring up, and it’s been left untreated. Previously, the General has been concealing his injuries from others."
"Where’s the lord?"
"The lord went to the camp first; the General’s severe injuries cannot be divulged, or else it might unsettle the troops, allowing the enemy to exploit weaknesses."
Just as he finished, there was movement at the cave entrance; Vice Minister Dong drew his blade swiftly, the next moment hearing Ruan Qing’s voice.
"Sister, it’s me! Lord Dong, I’m Ruan Qing!"
Frightened, she hurriedly explained, prompting Vice Minister Dong to sheath his blade and look over confusedly: "Young lady? Why are you here?"
"I... followed you here; I saw my sister leaving with the medicine kit and was worried something would happen to her."
After speaking, she glanced inside, recognizing Huo Zong immediately: "General Huo?"
Once she spoke, she realized she had probably intruded unwell and quickly turned to Ruan Mian: "Sister, then I’ll wait outside for you!"
As a woman, she couldn’t offer much help and would only feel awkward staying inside.
Ruan Mian instructed: "Don’t wander aimlessly; just wait at the entrance for me."
Finishing her words, she turned to Vice Minister Dong: "Vice Minister Dong, could you please boil some water for me?"
