CHAPTER 10: CHAPTER 10: YOU WRETCHED WOMAN, HOW DARE YOU HIDE MONEY?

As Ruan Mian noticed a faint glow from Ruan Jiao’s waist, her gaze turned cold.

Immediately, she stepped forward decisively and yanked off Ruan Jiao’s belt!

To everyone’s shock, a dozen gold leaves fell neatly from the thick belt.

Others were astounded, and Ruan Jiao’s face turned deathly pale as she knelt down once more.

"You wretched woman, still daring to hoard money?!"

After speaking, she picked up the gold leaves, causing Ruan Jiao heartache.

But at this moment, she dared not say anything.

The next moment, the government officer called over two others: "Search! Leave no place unchecked!!"

Being a woman, Ruan Jiao could not bear such a humiliating body search.

She glared at Ruan Mian with resentment,

If it weren’t for her, how would she have ended up like this?

That day, when she was with Prime Minister Xie Huai’an, the next day, the Princely Heir was taken away by the Ministry of Justice. She must have instigated something on the side!

Just yesterday, she was living a life of luxury in the mansion, having everything she wanted, even if she was a concubine, without any worry for food and clothing.

But now, she was a prisoner, being cursed at by these foul-mouthed men along the way, held in contempt by countless people, feeling as low as the dirt.

Such a stark contrast in fate, who could bear it? Especially the pampered Ruan Jiao.

However, no matter how much resentment she held in her heart, Ruan Mian paid it no mind.

Being exiled was their due penalty.

The original story had let them enjoy a good life for so long!

Now, this was the path they were meant to walk.

To ease their journey, since all three groups were being exiled to the bitter cold Wuheng, they decided to merge and set off together.

As they were leaving the city, the government officers escorting them were about to return.

Among them was Vice Minister Dong, who was relaying messages for the Prime Minister.

Ruan Mian only realized this when she heard others address him, knowing he was a trusted aide of the Prime Minister.

She called Vice Minister Dong, quickly stepping forward and bowing: "Vice Minister Dong, please wait."

"Does Miss Ruan have any other matters?"

Ruan Mian took out a piece of fine Obsidian from her pouch and placed it in Vice Minister Dong’s hand.

"Today, thanks to the Vice Minister’s protection, our family avoided much suffering. I hope you’ll accept this small token. Also, please convey my gratitude to the Prime Minister for his behind-the-scenes arrangements. I will remember these kindnesses. As a gesture of thanks, I hope the Vice Minister will relay a message to the Prime Minister. On the day of the sacrifice, the Prime Minister may encounter bloodshed and should avoid going near any temples, this must be remembered."

Vice Minister Dong looked at her with some surprise: "How do you know this, Miss Ruan?"

Ruan Mian gave a faint smile: "Just tell him exactly what I said."

After the incident with Tong Yao, Xie Huai’an would surely heed her words.

In the original book, on the day of the sacrifice, Xie Huai’an was assassinated and barely survived, nearly losing his life at Hongguang Temple on the outskirts of the city.

Now, considering his past assistance, Ruan Mian decided to give him a heads-up, and if he was cautious enough, he might change the outcome of that day.

Yet Vice Minister Dong, seeing Ruan Mian’s mysterious manner, couldn’t shake the feeling that things were not so simple.

That very evening, upon returning, he went straight to Xie Huai’an’s study.

He recounted the day’s events during the raid and also relayed Ruan Mian’s message.

Upon hearing this, Xie Huai’an paused for a second while holding his brush.

Vice Minister Dong was equally curious: "Sir, this Miss Ruan seems quite unusual, do you believe what she says?"

Xie Huai’an furrowed his sharp brows, but they soon relaxed. He simply said: "True or not, it’s worth listening to as good advice. In the coming days, find out more about this Miss Ruan."

A woman widowed for three years at the Qi Mansion, who then was dismissed, dares to negotiate with him and even knows so many secrets about Li Shen, now even trying to help him avoid disaster?

Could she be connected to King Yan’s faction?

With this in mind, he took up his brush and began to write a letter.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Ruan Mian and her group, after hours of hasty travel, were completely exhausted.

Nightfall approached, and the wind and rain intensified.

The drizzle carried with it particles of ice.

Fortunately, they managed to reach the post station by nightfall.

But this group, being from official families, had never traveled such distances.

The women from the Qi Mansion and Uncle’s Mansion, who rarely stepped outside their home’s gates, were particularly exhausted, collapsing on the ground heavily panting before they could even enter.

Ruan Mian also felt weary; she noticed Mrs. Zhang was unable to move and quickly went over to check on her.

Ruan Qing tearfully said to her: "Sister, mother... her legs were not good to begin with, and she can’t endure such a long journey. Look, her legs are already swollen."

She rolled up a bit of the trouser leg, revealing a calf swollen significantly.

Ruan Mian thought for a moment, then looked toward the government officers.

The officers, upon arriving at the post station, began dividing tasks among themselves, leaving the most robust one, named Guo Yong, to oversee them.

She approached him, away from the onlookers, and discreetly handed him a gold leaf from her sleeve.

"My Lord, you must be tired from the journey too. Please accept this small token and get some good food at the post station."

"Are you Miss Ruan?"

He pushed the gold leaf away, saying: "The Prime Minister is highly favored by the Emperor and has done much for the people. You’re fortunate to know him. Out of respect for the Prime Minister, we won’t make things difficult for you."

Ruan Mian was slightly stunned, clearly not expecting even the government officers to be influenced by the Prime Minister.

But favor for favor, she insisted on giving him the gold leaf: "I understand your kindness, Lord. However, my mother is not well. I hope when you are cooking, you will let me boil a pot of hot water for her."

Seeing this, Guo Yong did not refuse: "Once the brothers have finished using the stove, it’s free to use. Be diligent, and you’ll manage."

"Thank you, my Lord."

Ruan Mian understood well that, under the current circumstances, a little diligence could bring them benefits.

So, after the officers finished, she immediately moved forward to use the free stove to boil hot water.

It was also mealtime for everyone.

They were relying on this meal, utterly exhausted.

But upon seeing the few cornbread buns and the "vegetable soup," with only a few floating leaves, they were deeply disappointed.

Only those from the Ruan Mansion had brought their own food.

Some had steamed buns, others had pastries, and to the extreme, Ruan Mian took out a pack of dried meat from her luggage, and just the sound of chewing filled the room with the aroma.

Ruan Mian packed up the remaining half pack of dried meat; in a secluded corner, she took out some golden peanuts from her space and stuffed them into the dried meat.