CHAPTER 39: CHAPTER 39: RUAN MIAN, JUST A SPECTATOR, IS DRAGGED IN AGAIN FOR NO REASON

"This sachet, take it as a gift. If you ever feel like you can’t hold on, looking at it might remind you of the words we’ve spoken. I hope those words can give you courage."

She forced a smile and quickly embraced Bei Haoyu under his stunned gaze. Before he could react, Shaoxi turned and walked back to the carriage.

Ruan Mian saw this scene, completely different from what she had expected.

She couldn’t help but ask, "Are you two... parting just like that?"

"You may not know, Miss, but Haoyu carries a deep-seated grudge, and he is a responsible person. If he can’t fulfill his family’s wishes, even if he lives a simple and healthy life, he won’t be at peace."

"I don’t want him to be unhappy, and I don’t want him living in guilt every day either."

"Miss Ruan, do you think in this world, there will always be a day when people have to part?"

Seeing the forced calmness in her reddened eyes, Ruan Mian, even though unaware of the extent of Bei Haoyu’s deep grudge, recalled the original story plot.

She remembered a character.

So she got off the carriage and spoke to Bei Haoyu.

"Young Master, you seem quite skilled, and just now, Xi’er told me of your deep-seated grudge and unfulfilled ambition."

"If you need, you could go to the western military camp and find a General named Wei Yanjun. He is brave and skilled in battle, and following him, you can undoubtedly earn military honors."

With status, reputation, and growing skills, it would surely be easier to accomplish things in the future.

Wei Yanjun, in the original story, was the great hero who repelled King Yan’s forces.

Bei Haoyu quickly thanked Ruan Mian, wanting to ask more, but Ruan Mian had already returned to the carriage.

In the tender farewell between Shaoxi and him, they slowly left the place.

On the road, Shaoxi told her, "Miss, Haoyu’s father was once a demoted Great General, and he aspired from a young age to be like his father."

"But a few years ago, after his father’s death, he found out that their family had been falsely accused by a powerful court official, leading to their downfall. His father’s death was no accident and was closely linked to that official."

"These years, he’s been taking care of his grandfather, and after his grandfather passed away last year, he’s been waiting for a chance to enlist. I sincerely hope he gets his wish." She wiped her tears, "He killed Ding Cheng for me and still survived—I am very grateful and cannot burden him any longer."

Ruan Mian understood her feelings. In the original story, she and Bei Haoyu were also separated.

That’s why she was utilized and trained to be an assassin.

Lost in thought, Shaoxi suddenly looked at her and whispered, "Miss, can I go to Wuheng with you?"

"That’s a city at the perilous border, with biting cold winds, scarce resources, and a journey of a thousand miles. Aren’t you afraid?"

Seeing her determined expression and sharp gaze, "I’m not afraid."

Ruan Mian thought for a moment and asked, "Aren’t you comfortable staying here?" Living peacefully is good too.

But Shaoxi shook her head, "My family is gone, and Haoyu has ambitions to pursue. As for me... I won’t hide it, Miss. I’ve lost my reputation in Hui City, and this is not a place where I belong."

"Though the world is vast, I don’t know where to go. Thanks to Miss’s rescue, my only wish is to follow Miss, even through hardships, and have a companion on the road."

Moreover, she felt that this Miss Ruan was not an ordinary person.

Otherwise, how could the corrupt official Ding Cheng have died so suddenly?

Though Miss said it was Haoyu, she knew Ruan Mian’s handiwork was certainly involved.

She had even witnessed Ruan Mian kill a bandit.

Seeing her determination, Ruan Mian agreed, "Since you are not afraid of hardship, follow along. With your diligent hands, life can go on."

She worried that letting her go might follow the original plot.

Better to keep her close, and this Shaoxi seemed capable, perhaps she might be of help.

Thus she invited Shaoxi to return with her to the post station.

However, upon reaching the post station entrance, they heard a woman’s angry shouts from inside.

And those officers seemed to be watching a show, standing by with hands in their sleeves, munching on sunflower seeds.

They watched intently.

Seeing Ruan Mian arrive with a carriage of goods, they immediately approached, craning their necks to look inside the carriage.

"Miss Ruan returns right on time. Did you bring anything this time?"

Ruan Mian had already seen through their greedy faces and cheerfully handed them some food and a few pieces of exquisite copper ware.

"With the impending natural disaster, there aren’t many supplies replenished. I just gathered some food here and there and went to see some excitement."

"There’s excitement every day here, must be better than what’s in town."

Guo Yong gestured for her to look over. The next moment, an old woman was harshly shoved out of the house by the Liu Family!

The Liu Family’s voice was as sharp as ever, oh no, sharper than before.

Now, after losing face, she no longer cared about appearances.

Previously, when the original host was a widow in the Qi Mansion, she justified using the dowry comfortably, pretending to be an old lady with a good mother-in-law’s face.

In front of outsiders, she boasted of coming from a high-status family, even marrying low into the Qi Mansion, she carried herself with grace.

Now, she seemed careless.

She appeared like a shrew, hands on hips, with sharp teeth and tongue, "I think you’re blind, to claim my daughter mingled with those women."

"My daughter and Ruan Mian both went out to buy supplies, why do you accuse my daughter but not her?"

The old woman pushed out was Uncle’s Mansion’s old lady’s personal nanny.

Aunt Gui was not one to be trifled with, she scrambled up from the ground, pointing and cursing at the woman.

"Your daughter is just a vulgar embryo! Does anyone not know her intentions? I saw her with my own eyes mixing in with those women this morning, probably planning to escape through the Magistrate’s door!"

"You fool, watch me handle you!"

Liu Family, enraged, rolled up her sleeves to fight, but Qi Nanfeng, with a stern face, stepped in, giving a cold look at Nanny He.

"Didn’t you see Ruan Mian also mingling with the crowd? I met her this morning! But you accuse my sister? Could it be because you favor the Ruan Mansion?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Family widened her eyes, adding fuel to the fire, "Nanfeng, what are you saying? So Ruan Mian did mix with the crowd and offer herself to the Magistrate?"

Originally watching the show, Ruan Mian found herself dragged into it again.

She was really exhausted.