Exile after Divorce? Empty the Scumbag Husband First!-Chapter 288 - 280: This Man Is Wen Yuan

Sure enough, the next day at noon, she was summoned by the Commandery Princess.

Ruan Mian brought some intimidating props, a horsetail whisk, several pieces of talisman paper, and a basin of Spiritual Spring water.

In front of Princess Jiaceng, she performed the ritual with an air of authority.

However, several other people had also come to the Commandery Princess’s residence at this time.

The middle-aged man leading them, with a big belly and an imposing manner, strode in.

"Mr. Wen."

"I’ve met the Commandery Princess; I wonder what wind has brought the Commandery Princess here."

This person was Wen Yuan.

Ruan Mian’s peripheral vision fell on him, seeing him adorned with gold and silver, a priceless jade ring on his hand, and she couldn’t help but feel a surge of sarcasm.

Just a local county magistrate, yet so ostentatious, even when seeing the Commandery Princess he only offered a slight bow.

It could be imagined that Wen Yuan likely had a lot of backing in King Yan’s faction, which gave him such confidence.

Wen Yuan innately looked down on people and didn’t believe in ghosts and gods. When he heard the Commandery Princess was performing a ritual and fortune-telling, he was more of a mind to watch a show.

It was as if he did not regard the Commandery Princess at all, pointing at Ruan Mian with a meaningful glance.

"Commandery Princess, can anything be expected of this woman who is mere appearance?"

"Moreover, this ghost and god theory is nothing but someone else’s trickery and fear-mongering. She’s clearly using the Commandery Princess as a pawn, which is unacceptable."

"I see this Taoist nun has a good appearance, so why don’t I take her in, which will help with our future affairs."

The Commandery Princess looked over coldly, and Ruan Mian also noticed her strong dissatisfaction with Wen Yuan.

"Does Mr. Wen think women are useless, only fit to be pawns of others?"

"How can the Commandery Princess think so? I did not mean that."

"I have a clear understanding of what you mean. You came uninvited while I performed the ritual, but I didn’t hold it against you for the sake of the Princess. If Mr. Wen thinks Miss Ruan is just putting on a show, then you may leave instead of being an eyesore here."

The Commandery Princess rolled her eyes, signaling to Ruan Mian not to mind him and just continue with her calculation.

Wen Yuan stroked his beard and looked at Ruan Mian, seeing her bring a basin of water, which only confirmed his thoughts that she was a charlatan. He then pushed his mute attendant forward.

"Commandery Princess, as I said, look at this woman; do you really think she has the extraordinary abilities of a Taoist nun magician?"

"These methods are clearly deceptive! If she were a real magician, then my mute attendant would be able to speak. Instead of wasting your time, why don’t you come with me to see Lord Lu and the others..."

Before he could finish, Ruan Mian suddenly burned a piece of talisman paper, dipped it into the water basin, and chanted.

Soon she scooped a cup of water without hesitation and poured it into the mouth of Wen Yuan’s mute attendant.

The attendant didn’t even have time to react before the spiritual spring water slid down his throat into his stomach.

The mute attendant’s eyes widened in fear, worried it was poison.

Wen Yuan was also furious: "What are you doing!?"

However, before Ruan Mian could speak, the mute attendant astonishingly managed to make some hoarse sounds from his throat.

Upon hearing the mute make a sound, Wen Yuan was shocked! His entourage also stood up in disbelief, looking at Ruan Mian incredulously.

The Commandery Princess was even more surprised, standing up and looking at Ruan Mian, saying: "Miss Ruan, is it due to this talisman paper that the mute can speak?"

"Commandery Princess! She’s just a Jianghu Sorcerer at best, not some Divine Doctor. How could a bowl of talisman water..."

"Exactly, Mr. Wen, didn’t you just say if she were a real magician, your mute attendant would speak? Well, Miss Ruan just proved it to you!"

Even the Commandery Princess felt validated and believed Ruan Mian indeed had some skills.

If she had no abilities, how could a mere bowl of talisman water make a mute suddenly speak?

The Commandery Princess, without caring anymore, promptly urged Ruan Mian to continue her work.

Meanwhile, Wen Yuan was suspiciously watching Ruan Mian’s every move.

But he couldn’t figure out what was going on.

He didn’t know the real purpose of the Commandery Princess’s ritual.

After the ceremony, Ruan Mian walked to the Commandery Princess and discreetly pointed in a certain direction, speaking in a voice only the two could hear.

"Perhaps this thing is in the northeast quadrangle courtyard, connected to river water outside, with a gold cushion inside, surrounded by a lustrous nobility, yet seemingly trapped by a deep well."

Princess Jiaceng lowered her gaze, earnestly repeating her words.

River water, gold cushion... and surrounded by lustrous nobility, but trapped by a deep well... isn’t it...

She suddenly looked toward the northeast, already knowing the location of the relief silver.

That night, the Commandery Princess’s maid was somewhat worried.

"Commandery Princess, are we really going to Mr. Wen’s private treasury? If the relief silver isn’t there and we’re discovered, then..."

"Tomorrow, Wen Yuan and Lu Zheng will indulge in revelry; I’ve arranged plenty of women to accompany them. That private treasury is so hidden, and I have the Princess’s edict. Who would dare stop us?"

"Once I’m inside the private treasury, you will lead others to eliminate those guards and take the silver back to Wuheng first." 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

"As for Miss Ruan, haven’t you seen her capabilities? I had suspected Chen Bozong transferred those relief funds to Wen Yuan, and the two of them planned to embezzle or profit. Now Miss Ruan confirmed it; my suspicion is undoubtedly correct!"

"Do as I say and make the arrangements now."

Thinking of all that relief silver, the Commandery Princess didn’t want to waste any time. If it was recorded in official accounts and the Princess took it away, she would get nothing.

She knew well that the Fifth Princess’s faction had done no good, and last time Miss Ruan had warned her in Wuheng that King Yan would bring disaster to her family.

She had long wanted to distance herself from the Princess’s people. With this silver, she could return to her fief, discuss thoroughly with her father, and escape if possible.

Meanwhile, Ruan Mian was closely monitoring the movements of those girls.

The tied-up girls were covered in injuries but were dressed as brightly as if "cared for" by the Commandery Princess.

The following evening, several people came to take a few girls away.

Her aunt and Shaoxi followed them, while Ruan Mian remained hidden, seeing Wen Yuan leave the mansion, heading towards the most bustling inn in Runing City.

After he left, the Commandery Princess also changed attire and rode a carriage out of the city.

In an abandoned teahouse outside, with broken walls, withered trees, and fallen leaves, hidden deep in the forest, just looking at it was enough to feel chills.

Ordinary people wouldn’t dare to wander here easily.

Ruan Mian watched from a tree as the Commandery Princess dismounted and entered that teahouse.

With the Princess’s edict, she boldly walked into the spacious underground private treasury.