CHAPTER 87: CHAPTER 85: WHO IS HE?

"I trust you this time; if you don’t come in seven days, I’ll tell my father, and your camp will be far from peaceful! I’ll come and settle the score with you!"

After saying this, he decisively turned around, and another whistle sounded. The deer that had just left returned, becoming his mount, and they headed into the depths of the forest, one man and one deer.

Leaving behind two big-eyed deer, obedient and well-behaved, nestled in the arms of Ruan Mian and Shaoxi.

"Miss, who is he? If we could hunt that deer, it would be enough to feed us for a month!"

Ruan Mian smiled and patted the little deer’s head.

"Haven’t you figured it out yet? The indigenous people living in Longchang Mountain, the Golden Feather Clan. The deer is their guardian spirit; if you killed his trained deer in front of him, their entire tribe wouldn’t spare you."

Upon hearing this, Yun Xiu suddenly realized: "So they’re the Golden Feather clan. Luckily, Miss Ruan stopped it in time, or there would have been a disaster."

"They are extraordinarily skilled, living off fishing and hunting, a tribe pardoned by the late Emperor. That boy could even converse with us, he must hold a high status within the tribe."

"How do you know?" Ruan Mian was curious that Yun Xiu knew this, he chuckled, "I heard it from the elders."

Speaking of Mr. Xie, Ruan Mian became curious.

"I wonder if Mr. Xie has arrived at Longchang Post Station now. How about...I escort you out of the camp to gather news about Mr. Xie?"

"Miss, the reception camp is heavily guarded, how can you send him out?"

Unknown to them, Ruan Mian had already found a secret passage in the cellar.

It’s probably something even the ordinary constables don’t know about.

At this moment, Xie Huai’an, who had been mentioned several times, sneezed consecutively!

Vice Minister Dong quickly brought him a thicker cloak to wear.

Sitting across from Xie Huai’an, Border Guard General Huo Zong expressed concern.

"Mr. Xie, are you feeling unwell? Shall I find a military doctor to take a look at you? Though our military medical skills are quite crude, the treatments are quite..."

"No need to trouble General Huo. Speaking of doctors, I know of an exceptionally skilled refugee in the camp."

"Oh? What’s their name?"

"Ruan Mian." Hearing this name, Huo Zong was astonished, "Could it possibly be a woman?"

Seeing Xie Huai’an nod, Huo Zong marveled, "A woman’s medical skills being affirmed by the esteemed Mr. Xie, she must be quite talented. But why has she become a refugee here on the border?"

"Her elder brother is an editor at the Hanlin Academy, Ruan Qingsong."

Huo Zong immediately responded, "So, they’re from the Ruan Family. I’ve heard of their exile too, but... they’re not particularly sociable."

"There’s word at the court that says they were exiled along with the Chen Anbo Mansion people, equal in crime, and must suffer hardship."

Xie Huai’an chuckled calmly, not realizing the Ruan Family still had enemies in the court.

Then he shook his head quietly, "What a shame."

"But since Mr. Xie is unwell, it’s still okay for me to invite that medical woman to check your health."

"I must trouble the General then."

...

Yun Xiu wasn’t on the refugee register, so he was able to move freely in and out of the forest area.

There were many refugees, and no one would check each name one by one.

Ruan Mian had him bring the two little deer back to the cellar first. After completing their tasks for the day, they returned to the cellar and immediately began cleaning and treating the deer’s wounds.

Their wounds were washed with saline combined with spiritual spring water.

But to heal them quickly, after everyone fell asleep, Ruan Mian decisively tried to take the deer into the space.

Unexpectedly, as soon as they entered the space, the White Tiger shook its big head and came rubbing over.

The two little deer ran to the edge of the Spiritual Spring, drinking large mouthfuls of water. Before long, their wounds had miraculously healed!

Could the effect be so immediate?

Ruan Mian was astonished.

After drinking the spiritual spring water, the two little deer suddenly became energetic, jumping and frolicking around the White Tiger like mountain spirits.

Goodness, judging by this, could the little deer become spirit beasts?

Is this space powerful like this?

Just thinking, Ruan Mian heard someone calling her, and she quickly left the space with the deer.

Rui sneakily approached, holding his plump little face in both hands, looking at her with hope.

Ruan Mian knew he wanted to see the deer, so she brought him to them.

The deer, having drunk the spiritual spring water, seemed to communicate like it licked the back of Rui’s hand, delighting Rui.

"Rui, speak to the deer, ’Little Deer, oh Little Deer, may I pet your head?’"

As soon as the words fell, the Little Deer stretched its head over, seemingly understanding her words.

Recalling how the White Tiger can understand human speech, Ruan Mian realized, could it be that beasts entering the space all became spiritually communicative?

Amidst her joy, she couldn’t help thinking that it would be even more convenient for future tasks?!

It seems she must find time to explore the space more; it feels like its functions are still undeveloped.

On the other side, just before going to bed, the government officer didn’t forcibly lock them in the cell.

People could move freely within the designated area.

But they started working before dawn and were exhausted by the end of the day, rarely having the energy to walk around, let alone visit.

Yet tonight Ruan Jiao stealthily left Uncle’s Mansion’s cell. She planned to seize one last opportunity to explore, seeing if Qi Nanfeng indeed had support behind him.

If he had, then she need not rush to cling to others; just pleasing him could ensure her survival.

If not, it was better to clear boundaries sooner, a man without masculinity was useless.

Even less than dogs or pigs.

Thus, carrying clothes mended for him, Ruan Jiao secretly found Qi Nanfeng.

Seeing this caring woman come to attend to him at a crucial time, Qi Nanfeng’s heart was moved.

The Liu Family was too exhausted to move. Staring at the dilapidated surroundings, countless days and nights were spent longing for the time at Qi Mansion, when they lived in luxury.

Not only were they served by countless servants, but there was also an endless feast of delectable foods.

Back then, Ruan Mian was merely a submissive daughter-in-law, wealthy, and getting anything off her was as easy as moving lips.

Who would have thought that in just a few months, everything would change dramatically?

Now, let alone the foods, she did not have servants to command or care for her anymore.

Seeing Ruan Jiao take the initiative to come close, Liu Family started plotting.

Considering that Ruan Jiao was a concubine of Uncle’s Mansion, now reduced to a refugee, any contract or such doesn’t count, especially since Li Shen was already dead.

If she could pair with Nanfeng, allowing them to officially marry, extracting her from Uncle’s Mansion, wouldn’t that be a win-win?

Then she would become someone else’s mother-in-law again!