Exile after Divorce? Empty the Scumbag Husband First!-Chapter 307 - 299: Aunt Summons the Innkeeper When Someone Goes Missing
The aunt initially thought not to let her go, but considering it’s just her, wasting their precious time was not worthwhile.
After much thought, she decided to return to Wuheng first.
"I have managed some people concerning Wen Qiang, as long as she appears in Runing City, we are bound to receive word, and it won’t be too late to teach her a lesson then."
"We’ve been out for too long now, it’s better to take Song’er back to Wuheng early, so the younger siblings can rest assured."
They have been away from home for quite some time, and the family is still unaware that Ruan Qingsong has been found. It’s likely they are worried about Ruan Qingsong and also concerned about Ruan Mian and the aunt.
So, they immediately decided to set off the next morning.
However, what they didn’t expect was that the elder brother, who was supposed to meet them in the inn’s lobby the next morning, was not there.
At first, they waited for a long time but did not see the elder brother coming downstairs. Eventually, Ruan Mian went to the room to inquire, only to find out that there was no one inside.
Upon hearing the brother was missing, the aunt immediately summoned the inn’s attendant.
She instructed them to bring the servant and search throughout the inn thoroughly.
Even so, they couldn’t find any trace of him, and even after inquiring around the inn’s vicinity, no one knew when Ruan Qingsong disappeared or where he went.
The aunt was puzzled, gulped down her water, and looked at Ruan Mian.
"What was Song’er thinking? Last night, he agreed so well. Could something have happened to him?"
"Could it be that Wen Qiang abducted him?"
She couldn’t understand, and the disappearance at such a critical moment left her restless with worry.
"Although Song’er possesses some skills now, they are limited. He doesn’t remember anything; if he fell into the cunning trap set by that venomous woman Wen Qiang, you see..."
"It shouldn’t be."
Ruan Mian glanced at the empty window.
She had already summoned Birds and Beasts to search within and outside of Runing City; as soon as Wen Qiang appeared and left traces, Birds and Beasts would inform her.
However, now Birds and Beasts were silent, suggesting Wen Qiang had fled Runing City.
Thus, her brother’s departure might be related to his own reasons.
But there was no need to panic: "He won’t go too far, I’ll send Birds and Beasts to search, and we’ll receive news soon."
With that, she touched the Pearl Jade Ring and summoned several Birds and Beasts, who fluttered through the window.
Seeing this, the aunt’s expression relaxed a little: "Hopefully it’s as you say, and it’s not that venomous woman Wen Qiang who deceived him."
"But Mianmian, do you think Song’er doesn’t want to return to Wuheng with us? Is he still not trusting us enough?"
Over the past few days, although Ruan Qingsong was with them, he remained taciturn and somewhat distant.
Originally, they thought it was because he hadn’t regained his memory, creating some distance between them.
But upon reflection, there seemed to be more to it than that.
Ruan Mian understood her brother better than her aunt, previously preoccupied with many thoughts without focusing on him, but now she realized his situation.
"Perhaps... it’s because he feels guilty inside."
Upon discovering he had a wife and children, yet he became another’s husband while away.
He fears facing them after returning, thus...
"You’re right, although that’s not an issue from our perspective, Song’er’s mind is sensitive, and he’s rule-oriented, and in a state of amnesia, he is governed only by a sense of morality, without the familial concern to support him."
Simply put, if he regained memory now, even if he had made mistakes, the longing for family would override, compelling him to return.
But unfortunately, he lacks memory now and does not entirely trust Ruan Mian and them upon realizing he let down his wife and children, lacking courage to return home with them.
Furthermore, it’s his inherent nature.
Under such circumstances, the aunt had to find him: "Even just for your sister-in-law, for Jing, we must bring him back."
Birds and Beasts soon brought news.
Ruan Mian quickly led the aunt and others towards the direction indicated by Birds and Beasts.
They came from the city and reached a place outside, although adjacent to the city gate, an unpleasant smell wafted here with some messy shacks around.
It was at the back gate away from the main city gate, also far from city streets, yet populated.
It was thought to be a refugee gathering area, but upon inquiring, they learned it was the Residence.
The aunt was surprised: "Residence?"
"The Residences in Da Jing are under the local Magistrate’s jurisdiction, also places valued by the court. All local Residences are managed and cared by appointed personnel for those who are sick or disabled."
"Everyday expenses are issued by the Magistrate, also from the national treasury. Why is Runing City’s Residence located so remotely outside the city, lacking everything, and in such disorder?"
In simpler terms, a Residence at that time is akin to a modern welfare house, taking care of the elderly, sick, and disabled, protected by societal care.
Even in Ruan Mian’s apocalyptic era, there was a special welfare house for resource provisioning.
Yet, Shaoxi’s words enlighten the aunt.
"Wen Yuan is the Magistrate; the Residence being managed like this is no surprise."
"Indeed, that damned beast Wen Yuan, exploiting the people, feigning authority, capable of any heartless deeds."
She spat vehemently: "Suddenly feel even his death would not suffice!"
With that, she saw Ruan Mian already walking into the Residence, and hurriedly followed.
Birds and Beasts leading them here surely sensed the brother’s presence.
But looking around, inside were many old and weak, especially those missing limbs, more than plentiful.
They dressed thinly, appeared weathered, and even a single blanket might be shared among several.
The bedding was not warm.
Seeing these scenes, both the aunt and Ruan Mian felt discomfort in their hearts.
Thankfully, there were a few civilians caring for them within the Residence, and the aunt approached a woman to inquire, who sighed and shook her head.
"Previously, Mr. Wen barely cared for this, but being our neighborhood, wouldn’t we feel at ease just watching them starve to death?"
"Although there’s little food, everyone eats sparingly, it’s good enough just to stay alive, no other wishes."
"Whenever someone has time, they come to care for them, accumulating virtue themselves. However, Madam, you mentioned a man in a green robe, which I vaguely remember."
Upon hearing this, the aunt hurriedly pursued further questioning, and just then, Shaoxi suddenly shouted in the backyard: "Young master!"
The aunt and Ruan Mian immediately stood and rushed towards her direction.
Sure enough, they saw Ruan Qingsong crouched in a corner, attending to a patient’s wound.
Seeing them approach, Ruan Qingsong’s expression shifted slightly, rising in astonishment.
