CHAPTER 18: CHAPTER 18: BORING AND WOODEN

Qi Nanfeng stared at her face, feeling a strong sense of unfamiliarity.

He had long known that his ex-wife had mourned for him for three years within the mansion, working diligently and without complaint.

But after all, she was just a merchant’s daughter, no different from an ordinary maid at home.

Dull and wooden.

Unlike the delicate Fifth Princess, who was a darling of heaven, carefree in her nature, and raised outside, capable of arousing his great interest and desire in anything.

The once submissive Ruan Mian now seemed not to be what he had imagined.

At this moment, Ruan Mian extended her hands, lifted up his pant leg, and felt the fractured calf.

Qi Nanfeng lowered his eyes, just in time to see her small nose and those lightly trembling eyelashes, causing his mind to wander.

Previously, he had never thought that Ruan Mian might be a beauty!?

Perhaps during her time at Qi Mansion, she was always disheveled like an old nanny, but now on the journey of exile, she had become radiant and charming?

Thinking of this, Qi Nanfeng slowly spoke.

"Mianmian, I know I’ve hurt you, but for you to help me regardless of past grievances, I am truly grateful."

Ruan Mian continued to feel his other calf, suddenly taking interest in his words.

Seeing her pause, Qi Nanfeng seemed encouraged and continued.

"I suffered outside for three years; the Princess took a liking to me, but it wasn’t something I could change. She took the initiative, and I had no choice! Besides, men have always had multiple wives throughout history, even if I didn’t marry the Princess, now that I’ve returned to the Qi Family, I would have to take a concubine sooner or later."

"You are the mistress of the house, you must have the capacity for it. Think about it, if I had married the Princess back then, our entire Qi Mansion could climb to high places, and you would live much better. Except for the Princess, who would be above you, all the concubines below wouldn’t still be under your control?"

He softened his tone to coax her: "Mianmian, now I’ve also seen the true face of the Princess, she is far worse compared to you. Back then, I was blind; why not forgive me and give me another chance?"

"On the exile journey, for a woman like you, how difficult it is without a man by your side, I also worry about you... Ah!!!"

Before he could finish speaking, there was a crisp sound of bones!

Ruan Mian fiercely twisted his other leg to the side, leaving him speechless from the piercing pain, his face flushed, veins popping.

Liu Family was startled, seeing Qi Nanfeng in such agony, she immediately rushed forward and yelled: "Ruan Mian, what have you done!"

Ruan Mian patted her hands calmly and pushed her aside: "You wanted me to fix his injury, right? Bone fractures aren’t something that can be easily healed."

With that said, she viciously twisted the bones again, that unbearable pain returning once more.

With a "crunch" sound, Liu Family felt she was right there herself!

Qi Nanfeng was in such pain he almost bit his tongue off!

Finally, she stood up, wiped her hands vigorously, and left Qi Nanfeng with a parting comment.

"You really think you’re something special."

"What do you mean by that? Ruan Mian, stop! Stop right there!"

Liu Family instinctively felt this little harlot did not say anything good.

She persistently nagged, shouting from behind: "That was not healing; you’re using this opportunity to harm my son!"

Ruan Mian spread her hands and halted her steps: "If you think it’s not enough, I can consider breaking it again for him."

Upon hearing this, Liu Family nearly fainted.

"Wretch, I trusted you, and this is how you repay me. I’ll fight you!"

She thought she had a hold over Ruan Mian with the wooden hairpin, making her submit, but unexpectedly, she was turned against, worsening Nanfeng’s injury.

Just then, a government officer briskly walked over.

"There’s news about the Qi Family’s eldest daughter!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Family had no energy left to fight Ruan Mian.

She turned and ran to the officer, hurriedly inquiring: "Lord! Is there news about my youngest daughter? Where is she now? How’s her situation?"

The officer was irritated by her questioning, pushed her aside and reported only to the leader.

He took out an embroidered handkerchief: "Leader, this should be her item; there’s a name embroidered underneath. We searched around the object and found some drag marks; if my guess is correct, she was taken by those beggars."

"What are you saying?"

Liu Family felt as if the sky were falling.

She took the handkerchief and cried out loud.

"Why is my fate so bitter! My daughter!" She clung to the officer’s leg, kowtowing and pleading, "Lord, my daughter was taken away by beggars; it must be dangerous for her! You must find her!"

The officer kicked her away.

"What’s there to find! A convict goes missing on the road; what can anyone do about it? Should we delay the entire squad’s journey for one person?"

His gaze turned cold: "If we don’t arrive in Wuheng on time, none of our heads will be safe! Move!"

They were already a day behind; originally should have reached the post station by now. Due to the delay, they could only speed up.

So, the officer announced: "Depart in four hours!"

The crew instantly began to stir: "Doesn’t that mean it’s before dawn?"

"How are we supposed to travel in the dark, Lord?"

But their answer was met with the sting of several lashes.

No one dared to speak further, they could only hurry to rest.

Liu Family, sobbing and trembling, approached Qi Nanfeng: "Nanfeng, they say your sister was taken by beggars! She is unmarried, taken by those people... What can be done, I might as well die!"

Qi Nanfeng hadn’t recovered from the pain, and with her crying, it felt as if he was about to split open.

He couldn’t help but shout in anger: "Utterly foolish!!"

Liu Family was startled, tears filled her face, then Qi Nanfeng lowered his voice.

"What did I tell you before? Those beggars are my people! Linlin won’t be harmed in their hands; I’ve already left a letter in the grass and made a signal, they’ll safely escort Linlin to the next post station, she won’t die!"

After growling, he remembered Qi Lin’s words, and couldn’t help but complain: "Crying, crying, always crying!"

When she heard her daughter was safe, Liu Family naturally stopped crying.

"I’m just worried about you two, Nanfeng. Mother knew you would have a solution; if it weren’t for that little harlot, your leg wouldn’t have been like this. When we reach the post station, I’ll take those silver coins hidden in the secret compartment of your prison cart and find a doctor for your injury."

Qi Nanfeng hadn’t imagined that his leg injury would worsen rather than improve with Ruan Mian’s treatment; he used to be able to walk, now he couldn’t even bear a touch.

He could only find a sturdy wooden stick, with the help of servants, walk carefully step by step.

He sent Liu Family to search in the secret compartment for medicine bottles, preparing before they set off.

Because of the scheduled departure, Ruan Mian woke up after only resting for three hours.