Exile after Divorce? Empty the Scumbag Husband First!-Chapter 321 - 313: Back Then, When I Was Imprisoned, It Was She Who Saved Me
Upon hearing this, Xie Huai’an’s eyebrows and eyes moved slightly. He got up and saluted to the man as a subject to his monarch: "Your Majesty, I had no intention of hiding anything. It was just that I was compelled by circumstances and didn’t wish to create unnecessary complications."
The matter of his marriage to Mianmian had not been disclosed to His Majesty, yet he knew of it.
His Majesty merely smiled and invited him to sit down.
"What of marrying a wife? I can understand you. I’m just a bit curious, what kind of figure is this Miss Ruan that she could captivate you so?"
"Moreover, I heard that Miss Ruan made quite a contribution in Wuheng. Initially, when the late Emperor confiscated the Ruan Family’s assets and exiled them, they survived the perilous journey of over a thousand miles and lived so brilliantly in Wuheng. It seems this woman is not simple."
"The lady is just an ordinary common woman, compelled by life, she gritted her teeth and persevered to survive."
"When I was trapped, it was she who rescued me."
His Majesty poured him another cup of wine and asked him, "Ah Huai, now that you’ve returned, apart from helping me, do you also want to vindicate your wife’s family and allow them to return to the capital?"
Xie Huai’an did not answer immediately, but his silence confirmed His Majesty’s words.
His Majesty’s expression grew grave, and after a deep sigh, he firmly told him, 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢
"I am afraid I may disappoint you with this wish of yours."
Xie Huai’an looked up at him, and His Majesty spoke with a face full of guilt.
"Do you know why, after Ruan Qingsong got implicated in the nursery rhyme case of the fallen state, despite Father discovering the culprit behind the rhyme, he insisted on confiscating the Ruan Family’s assets and exiling them for a thousand miles?"
Xie Huai’an thought that although the rhyme was deliberately spread by someone, it came from Ruan Qingsong’s hand, a fact that couldn’t be changed.
The late Emperor, even to serve as a warning, would choose such a move.
However, His Majesty told him, "This matter must start with the Chen Family."
"Ruan Qingsong was the only son-in-law of the Chen Family, and that Chen Family had a secret with the Imperial Ancestor. Ah Huai, you do not know that when the Imperial Ancestor founded the country, everyone said he was valiant, having saved the people from the fiery pit by snuffing out the cruel tyrant of the former dynasty and successfully taking the throne."
"But little do others know, the one who truly dealt with the tyrant of the former dynasty was the Grandmaster of the Chen Family. He was a brother of the Imperial Ancestor, a Shadow Guard by name, whose contributions to the founding of the nation surpassed anyone else’s, even sacrificing himself to exchange his life for the tyrant’s."
"Yet, the Imperial Ancestor was the center of power, needed to hold supreme authority, and to silence the idle criticisms of others."
Xie Huai’an slightly furrowed his brows, understanding that...to secure his position, the Imperial Ancestor erased all of Grandmaster Chen’s achievements, claiming them as his own, thereby gaining people’s admiration and respect.
His Majesty found it quite laughable, yet bitterly said, "Supreme authority involves many things beyond control. Even though the Imperial Ancestor did such ungrateful acts, his intention was to quickly quell chaos. Without holding absolute prestige, shared achievements between him and Grandmaster Chen would have led to too much talk."
"Though the Imperial Ancestor wronged Grandmaster Chen, his ruling resulted in the current prosperity of Da Jing. What do you say, Ah Huai?"
Xie Huai’an poured himself a cup of wine and said, "The human heart is indeed complex, but as long as one holds no guilt in their heart, that’s enough."
His Majesty chuckled lightly, "Ah Huai, must be able to understand me, thus I am afraid to fail Ah Huai’s lady."
"In those years, the Imperial Ancestor discreetly secured Grandmaster Chen’s wife and children, but this secret must be kept hidden.
Also considering the Chen Family’s merits, it is imperative not to let their line die out.
The intention was that the Chen Family’s daughter marry into a merchant’s family, not step into officialdom, and this matter would be left at that.
But coincidentally Ruan Qingsong possessed exceptional talent, entered officialdom, even excelled in the imperial examination, thus Father used the rhyme as an excuse to exile the Ruan Family."
With no one in court, leaving only the old couple of the Chen Family, long-term risk would be minimal.
"Ah Huai, do you resent me for your wife’s unjust involvement and her lifelong inability to return to the capital?"
Xie Huai’an put down his cup and simply said, "I will go see her myself."
Wuheng.
The matter of Ruan Qingsong’s intention to end his life was concealed, but after a persuasive talk from Ruan Mian, his mind became clear.
He would no longer rush towards death so recklessly.
At least not without seeking justice for Wen Qiang would he let her go unpunished.
Of course, he often felt guilty towards Mrs. Chen because of the remorse in his heart, considering this wife in everything, always giving precedence to family.
All of his ideals and ambitions transformed into a shred of belief to confront Wen Qiang.
Ruan Mian knew she couldn’t help him return to normal swiftly, so she could only gradually enlighten him in daily life.
With Ruan Qing and Huo Zong’s wedding date approaching, Magistrate Lin had also rescheduled with Ruan Mian.
On that day, Ruan Mian was in the village discussing the matter of the sunroom with Mr. Xue and others.
Although it was spring, the weather had not fully warmed up, so it wasn’t suitable to dismantle the sunroom.
Hence, they planned to clear additional land for planting crops in natural conditions.
For instance, spring wheat, it was time to be scheduled.
However, even before discussing it thoroughly, Magistrate Lin had sent someone to call her over.
This time Ruan Mian did not refuse, promptly proceeding and even prepared a modest gift to show sincerity.
But unlike last time, Lin Yuantang did not arrange to meet at an inn inside the city but rather at a wasteland outside the city.
Ruan Mian, riding in a carriage, curious upon seeing that the carriage didn’t head towards the city: "Lord, where is Lord Lin awaiting me?"
The government officer only said, "Miss Ruan, rest assured, there won’t be any trouble. The lord summoned you here with consideration."
They didn’t talk for long before the carriage stopped at a slope on the wasteland.
There sat an elder clad in plain, roughly spun clothes, cross-legged on the ground.
He wore a hat and scarf, seemingly having waited for a long time.
This must be Lin Yuantang, Prefect Lin.
After getting off the carriage, Ruan Mian greeted him politely, "Lord Lin."
Seeing her, Lin Yuantang hurriedly rose, smiling warmly and kindly, "Miss Ruan."
He had kind eyebrows and a friendly face, entirely unlike Chen Bozong or the former governor.
His face exuded kindness, no wonder General Huo said he was a righteous and clean official.
But it was unclear why he had summoned her here.
Ruan Mian, who disliked beating around the bush, asked frankly, "May I ask why Lord Lin specifically requested this common woman here?"
Lin Yuantang stroked his beard, gesturing for Ruan Mian to look at the vast wilderness ahead.
"I heard that Miss Ruan single-handedly grew grain in the ice and snow and built a unique sunroom, for which I feel deep admiration."
"To be frank, Miss Ruan, during your absence from Wuheng recently, I visited your sunroom and tasted the grains grown there, truly astounding!"
"I’m sure Miss Ruan knows that Wuheng has long been a barren and bitterly cold land, far from the capital, with few indigenous people left, apart from the Golden Sha Clan in Longchang Mountain, and a small village’s original inhabitants. The rest are composed of exiles over these past years, forming today’s Wuheng."
