Exile after Divorce? Empty the Scumbag Husband First!-Chapter 239 - 236: Unless... Something Delayed Her

Chapter 239: Chapter 236: Unless... Something Delayed Her

"Miss Ruan went to Wuheng City to purchase candles, saying that they are much needed once the private school is established, but she hasn’t returned yet. It’s been two days and a night, and I’m getting a bit worried."

"Candles? Are we out of them in the house?"

"We have some, but not much. Miss Ruan said that some of the daughters-in-law need to work during the day and can only come to the private school to study at night, so we need more candles. The ones we have are too few."

"She mentioned she could pawn some of her hairpins and added that Lord Song is at the post station, so I didn’t worry about it then."

At this time, the road from their village to Wuheng City had been repaired, and it would only take half a day’s ride to get there. Furthermore, the small market in Wuheng City had returned to normal.

Logically, it shouldn’t take such a long time just to buy candles.

Unless... something delayed her.

Ruan Mian couldn’t put it out of her mind and turned to Shaoxi: "First, settle Xiza down. I’ll make a trip to the post station."

"Miss! You’ve just returned from the military camp. Why not rest for a night before you go? Moreover, I’m not comfortable with you traveling alone at night."

"It’s fine. Only by going to the post station early can we learn news about Miss Ruan. And besides, I know the way to the post station better than anyone."

Seeing her insistence, Shaoxi said no more.

Ruan Mian went to the post station alone, which would be quickest.

She touched the Jade Bracelet, summoning the White Tiger, and rode it through the forest at great speed, reaching the post station’s outskirts.

The attendant went in to report, and Vice Minister Dong soon noticed her.

"Miss Ruan? Why are you here?"

Ruan Mian smiled and explained coming to find Zhang Yue, just as Vice Minister Dong came to the post station to fetch tools for a matter involving Zhang Yue.

"Miss Ruan need not worry; Miss Ruan and Lord and some of the other subordinates are right in the forest ahead. Here, I’m fetching something."

Ruan Mian looked over with puzzlement until she and Vice Minister Dong arrived in the forest and saw them all holding torches, harvesting something from the white wax trees.

Upon closer inspection, she found it was the secretion of the white wax bugs. They clustered on the trees, consuming tree resin and secreting white wax material, which could be collected as natural lighting equipment.

In this world, most lighting was made from animal oil lamps. Natural fuel like white wax was more expensive on the market.

In the backward little city of Wuheng, it wasn’t even sold.

Seeing her approach, Xie Huai’an’s eyes slightly lit up, and he was the first to step in front of her, his slender phoenix eyes lingering on her, seemingly unable to get enough.

"Why did you come?"

Ruan Mian was somewhat embarrassed by his gaze and smiled, saying, "I was worried since sister hasn’t returned for so long and thought to come and ask."

At this point, Zhang Yue stepped beside Ruan Mian, feeling very apologetic: "Sorry to make you worry, I didn’t realize how quickly time had passed."

"I originally came to the post station to ask Ah Huai if there was any way to buy candles as those oil lamps burn quickly, and we don’t have many left. Particularly, they create a strong odor when burning, which affects studying at night."

"In Xingjia, we made our own white candles at the private school, which emit no odor when burning and are more durable than oil lamps. After arriving at the post station, I happened to see this grove of wax trees and got Ah Huai and the others to help me collect them."

"Mianmian, the more we collect, the easier it will be for more villagers to come and study."

Seeing Zhang Yue’s bright eyes, Ruan Mian’s heart was slightly moved.

Her intentions are purely altruistic, tirelessly collecting without daybreak, simply to enable more people to read.

Moreover, when asked to be a female teacher and teach, Zhang Yue agreed without hesitation, without mention of compensation.

She said her greatest aspiration was to have a school where girls could also study, like Mr. Zhang, who, despite societal non-acceptance, selflessly imparted knowledge.

Therefore, when Ruan Mian asked her to be a teacher, she agreed without a second thought.

Ruan Mian saw they’d already collected quite a bit and helped them. Once they filled two large clay basins, they headed back to the post station to begin further processing.

She subconsciously walked over to Xie Huai’an, unexpectedly glancing at him twice.

Facing his gaze, Ruan Mian’s heart skipped a beat.

His handsome appearance was truly pleasing to the eye, making one feel comfortable just looking at him.

However, when they reached the post station entrance, they saw a carriage parked outside, and a man in a dark robe stepped out.

Xie Huai’an greeted the official courteously: "Governor."

The man’s gaze swept over them, raising the corners of his lips, lingering on Ruan Mian.

His eyes were far from benevolent.

Ruan Mian frowned slightly, averting her gaze, and entered the post station with Zhang Yue and the others, bowing before entering.

Meanwhile, Chen Bozong’s gaze followed them in, and Xie Huai’an’s voice dropped a few notes, pulling him back.

"Governor, are you here at the post station seeking me for something?"

Facing Xie Huai’an’s visibly colder gaze, Chen Bozong suddenly smiled, saying casually: "Nothing much, just came to have a look."

"Mr. Xie, I didn’t expect you to be demoted from the Capital City, living such a carefree life, even marrying such a fresh, unique woman, truly enviable."

After saying this, he had the attendant help him onto the carriage.

Before leaving, he couldn’t help but deeply look into the post station.

Upon seeing Ruan Mian again, she seemed even more beautiful than during their first encounter.

His attendant guessed his thoughts on the side: "Governor, it’s all been investigated about Miss Ruan. She doesn’t seem like a typical woman. If we want to deal with her, it won’t be easy."

Chen Bozong dismissively waved his sleeve: "There’s certainly a way, just one woman."

Meanwhile, Xie Huai’an glanced at Vice Minister Dong, and the two shared a knowing look.

Once inside the post station, Zhang Yue had already begun heating the white wax with Ruan Mian, melting it before pouring it into molds, cooling into cylindrical candles of various sizes.

Seeing him approach, Ruan Mian specifically pulled Xie Huai’an to an empty corner in the backyard to inquire.

"Sir, that Governor is Princess Jiaceng’s Marquis, Chen Bozong, isn’t he?"

This she learned from probing Zhang Yue earlier.

After seeing Xie Huai’an nod, Ruan Mian adopted a serious demeanor to caution him.

"I don’t think he’s a good person. You should be cautious in every aspect. If he frequently comes to the post station seeking you, be extra vigilant."

Vaguely, Ruan Mian recalled that in the original novel, Chen Bozong appears late and is King Yan’s confidant.

While she no longer remembers the details of the novel’s latter developments, these villainous characters leave some impression.