Exile after Divorce? Empty the Scumbag Husband First!-Chapter 211 - 208: Moreover, He Is Mr. Xie’s Teacher—Truly a Scholar of Distinguished Integrity
When they mentioned the familiar name Zhang Dao Yan, Ruan Mian immediately perked up her ears.
This Zhang Dao Yan was none other than the person mentioned by Huo Zong, teacher of Mr. Xie.
"How could such a good man like Scholar Zhang incite his students to cheat in the provincial exams! That’s a serious crime, why would he think so irrationally?"
"I feel that this matter is not simple; Scholar Zhang is well advanced in years, already retired and returning home during his twilight years. After returning from the Capital City, he has been teaching underprivileged students at home, inciting cheating would do him no good."
"I also sense something amiss, but the facts are as they are, his students have confessed, even the examiners have been implicated. This matter is likely hard to be rectified."
The more they spoke, the more regretful they became. As an outsider, Ruan Mian knew just by listening to the information that this matter was not so straightforward.
Would an elderly scholar at the twilight of his life need to take such great risks to incite students to commit exam fraud?
Moreover, being Mr. Xie’s teacher, he must definitely be a literary scholar with an outstanding moral character.
Thinking of this, Ruan Mian bluntly spent more time waiting outside the prison.
Occasionally, she would disguise herself as Zhang Dao Yan’s student, spending a hefty amount of silver just to gather some information.
Even giving ordinary silver coins to those guards wouldn’t make them speak, which shows Zhang Dao Yan was indeed closely watched.
Ruan Mian was aware of this teacher’s importance to Xie Huai’an, so she simply brought out more gold leaves for them to provide various comforts in food and clothing.
Seeing so many gold leaves, their expressions changed, they became much more amiable.
"Rest assured, young sir, Elder Zhang is so old, we will certainly not mistreat him."
Until late at night, she also waited quietly atop a tall tree outside the prison.
Heaven does not fail the diligent, finally, two days later, there was movement in the prison at night.
The White Tiger took her to the most concealed height, allowing them to view the entire prison.
Being nudged awake by the White Tiger, Ruan Mian saw a figure emerging from the side gate of the prison, hurrying toward the distant back mountains.
Ruan Mian immediately clung to the White Tiger’s neck: "Chase them!"
With a swoosh, they descended swiftly, and the closer they got to the man, the more familiar the figure seemed to her.
Her eyes darkened slightly. After overtaking her with the White Tiger, leaving her alone, she stood in front of the man.
"Guard Liu?"
With the familiar call of Ruan Mian, the man’s hand that was about to use a hidden weapon quickly withdrew! His face showed shock and he still wanted to turn and leave, but Ruan Mian called out.
"Guard Liu! I already know it’s you, why avoid me? Could it be that the old kindness means nothing to you?"
These words indeed forced him to stop.
Ever since Wuheng’s military coup following that blizzard, Guard Liu had parted ways with them.
Later, after contacting General Huo, they learned that Guard Liu had joined the military camp and often acted as a messenger for General Huo and Lord He during road repairs.
So seeing Guard Liu appear here, Ruan Mian’s first reaction was that it was related to Lord He.
She stepped forward and directly asked Guard Liu, "Why are you here? Where is Lord He? Do you know where he is?"
Guard Liu actually shared the same confusion.
He looked around and, seeing no one around Ruan Mian, asked in surprise.
"Miss Ruan, why are you here? Moreover... why did you chase after me?"
He prided himself on his skilled Qinggong and had conducted this prison investigation in secret.
"I was waiting outside the prison, just wanting to find Lord He’s whereabouts. I know Lord He came to Xingjia State for urgent matters, and this trip is risky."
"He is my husband, the one I married, knowing he is in danger, I cannot stand by idly."
"But... but Miss Ruan, this matter has nothing to do with you. By coming here recklessly, you’re likely putting yourself in danger. Some things are better left explained after Lord He finishes his work and returns."
"This place is not suitable for a prolonged stay, let me first take you somewhere safe."
However, Ruan Mian persistently stared at him: "If a major change occurs in Xingjia State, can you guarantee Lord He will return to me safe and sound?"
Guard Liu hesitated, and during his stunned pause, Ruan Mian spoke: "You cannot guarantee, which is why I’m here, Guard Liu. I want to see Lord He. The rest can be discussed after I meet him."
Seeing Ruan Mian’s determination, Guard Liu couldn’t refuse, especially since she was already in Xingjia, staying by Lord He’s side would be slightly safer.
He then agreed to take Ruan Mian to meet Xie Huai’an.
Along the way, the two even chatted, and through these talks, Ruan Mian learned that Guard Liu had already become Xie Huai’an’s right-hand man in secret.
Upon detailed inquiry, Guard Liu said that before Xie Huai’an assumed office as Prime Minister, he personally overturned a wrongful case against his father. But later, when it was handed over to the Ministry of Justice, someone assassinated him.
The one who assassinated his father belonged to another faction of the court, and Xie Huai’an had been kind to him, helping him investigate his father’s death, which is why at Wuheng, he secretly joined Xie Huai’an’s camp.
This time coming to Xingjia was also to help his Lord’s teacher safely escape.
"My Lord said he couldn’t show his face, so everything was arranged by me."
"But is someone targeting My Lord?"
Ruan Mian asked in detail, but even Guard Liu didn’t know about this.
Never mind, when they see Xie Huai’an, everything will be clear.
However, the truth was unexpected, because when they arrived at the house, they found it already devoid of any trace of Xie Huai’an.
Seeing this, Guard Liu was greatly shocked and immediately shouted beside: "My Lord! My Lord!"
Even after searching every nook and cranny inside and outside the house, they still couldn’t find Xie Huai’an, and there wasn’t even a letter, nor a directional trace.
Anxiously, an older aunt from the neighboring house came limping over and informed them.
"Are you looking for the young gentleman who resided in this house?"
"Earlier today at noon, I saw a group of government officers come and take him away."
Upon hearing ’government officers’, Ruan Mian and Guard Liu exchanged glances, simultaneously saying: "Was it the government officers who took him?"
Soon, Guard Liu thought it unlikely: "No, My Lord also possesses martial skills, as we have this house with another escape route. If government officers came, he definitely wouldn’t go with them easily."
"Unless..."
Ruan Mian instinctively turned to search the house, and as expected, she spotted a piece of unburnt sedative under the window paper.
She sniffed closely, and its faintly perceptible scent lingered at the tip of her nose.
"Unless it’s this."
Guard Liu came over upon hearing her, his brows furrowed tightly!
"There’s indeed deceit; we need to go to the government office immediately to investigate!"
"Hold on! If those people were real government officers, going to the government office might help, but if impersonating, they might not necessarily take My Lord to the office."
"What should we do then?"
