Chapter 11: Chapter 11

After everything was tidied up, she took the jerky before the government officer and expressed her gratitude: "Lord, the hot water is ready, thank you for your kindness! This jerky is made by the best chefs in our mansion, you might as well indulge a bit."

She intentionally revealed a corner, and the leading officer saw through it immediately and accepted it.

"Miss Ruan, you’re too kind, please go and fetch the hot water, the fire should be extinguished."

These golden peanuts will allow them to have enough provisions at the post station.

The family from Uncle’s Mansion, huddled in the corner, saw Ruan Mian go and curry favor with the government officer, and the matriarch Mrs. Wang sneered.

"No wonder she’s a merchant’s daughter, after all, she’s just like some people, unable to present herself decently!!"

As Mrs. Wang said this, she looked at Ruan Jiao and made indirect criticisms.

Ruan Jiao, the concubine in the mansion, never dared to act rashly in front of Mrs. Wang, the master of the house.

But now, because of Ruan Mian, she was also criticized!

Ruan Jiao looked resentfully at the whole family of Ruan Mian, seeing them still able to eat and drink well, the disparity was unbearable for her.

But she didn’t need to make a move, the Qi Family was already losing patience.

Qi Lin and Liu Family were behaving very well in the team, but now they’re starving, yet Ruan Mian still has jerky to eat!

Unable to tolerate any longer, she walked up to Ruan Mian, stretched out her hands, feeling no shame in begging for food, as if it was justified.

"Ruan Family, I want to eat jerky."

Ruan Mian had just brought over the hot water, and upon hearing this, couldn’t help but laugh.

"If you want to eat, just eat, why are you asking me? You don’t still think I’d willingly support you like before, do you?"

Qi Lin snorted: "Even if you’ve divorced my brother now, you’re still the daughter-in-law of our Qi Mansion, the mother-in-law and sister-in-law are starving, you can’t ignore them!

If you can give me jerky to eat, I might even persuade my brother to be more lenient with you in the future, and let..."

Before she could finish her sentence, she received a slap from Ruan Mian: "Here, have a slap! Consider it my utmost kindness to you."

The crisp sound resonated, drawing the attention of everyone around.

Qi Lin, unjustly slapped, immediately shouted in anger: "How dare you hit me?? I’m the second miss of Qi Mansion! If my brother finds out, he’ll surely..."

"What will he do to me? Divorce me? Don’t forget, I have nothing to do with Qi Mansion now!"

Qi Lin’s eyes widened with anger and she was about to rush forward to vent, even Liu Family angered, ran over ready to seek justice for her daughter, swearing as she went!

"You ungrateful little wench, how did we treat you back then, even a cur would know gratitude better than you! How dare you..."

But seeing the government officer angrily approaching, Liu Family and her daughter suddenly lost their courage, exchanged a glance and held back their anger, turning back to their place.

Witnessing this, Ruan Jiao let out a disdainful snort, questioning why Qi Lin and her mother were acting like fools?

Thinking of this, she took a bun she’d hidden away and quietly walked towards Qi Lin.

At the same time, Ruan Mian poured the hot water into a wooden basin, which was just borrowed from Guo Yong.

"Mother, soak your feet to relax a bit."

Mrs. Zhang was a bit surprised, but still followed her instructions.

Ruan Mian also invited her elder sister over to soak together.

Taking advantage of the warmth of the water, Ruan Mian took out a few cloths from her knapsack, soaked them in hot water for a while, then wrung them out to put on their knees to warm them.

With this arrangement, their sore and aching legs felt much relieved.

Only Mrs. Zhang was a bit worried: "Mian’er, we’re too comfortable , others might envy us, better not to show off. I noticed earlier you had a conflict with that young girl from Qi Family? Did she make things difficult for you?"

Knowing Mrs. Zhang cared for her, Ruan Mian smiled slightly, reassuring her: "Mother, don’t worry, with the Prime Minister here, no one dares to trouble us."

Her words were like a stabilizing needle, calming her sister and the others considerably.

However, before even a meal time passed, the leading government officer suddenly strode over angrily, shouting: "Everyone, stand up!"

With the officer’s shout, everyone was shocked, their faces showing fear as they stood up, not knowing what had happened at this moment.

Ruan Mian saw Mrs. Zhang worried, comfortingly held her hand. ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ noᴠelfire.net

The next moment, the head officer then yelled angrily.

"Just now, who stole the jerky Miss Ruan intentionally left for us! Hand it over honestly! Or I’ll make her suffer unbearable consequences!!"

With those words, everyone turned to look at Ruan Mian.

The people from Uncle’s Mansion looked at her with disdain, Mrs. Wang snorted lightly: "Really adept at winning people over, just hope she doesn’t orchestrate a trap harming others."

"Isn’t it just some jerky, to make such a fuss?"

They didn’t know that the jerky hid golden peanuts that would allow those officers to comfortably reach the next post station.

Now that it’s gone, the officers naturally were angry.

Seeing no one stepping forward, the officer immediately ordered: "Search everyone! Don’t spare anyone!! Especially those from Uncle’s Mansion and Qi Mansion!"

Those were ladies, all screaming and pleading, creating chaos in an instant.

Ruan Mian’s gaze precisely locked onto Qi Lin, although she showed no expression, the nanny beside her was obviously frightened, her face pale, even beginning to tremble.

Ruan Mian narrowed her eyes slightly, using the chaos to summon Nanny Fang over.

She simply said one sentence: "The jerky hides golden peanuts for the Lord, if discovered, you and Qi Lin will be dead! Nanny Fang, the exile journey isn’t over yet, do you want to head down Yellow Spring Road?"

Nanny Fang was startled to slightly open her eyes, not knowing how Ruan Mian was aware she knew about this.

Hesitating, Ruan Mian lowered her voice: "I know you’re a diligent person, but Liu Family never regards you as human,

Now we’re all exiled criminals, no one owes anyone, what use is your deed of sale? She and you are equals.

If you’re willing, I’d love to have Nanny you join us for the journey, you see my parents are not in good health and lack someone to care for them."

Her words reached Nanny Fang’s ears.

Ruan Mian hinted no further, seeing the officers really plan to search everyone, she sent Nanny Fang back.

Facing such officers, Qi Lin clenched her fists in anger, recalling what Ruan Jiao told her, she was about to step forward!

Liu Family saw this and quickly stopped her: "Linlin, have you lost your mind?! What do you want to say when the Lord is angry!"

But Qi Lin flung her mother’s hand away and walked up to the officer to speak.

"Lord, isn’t it just a little jerky she gave you, what’s the commotion for? Although we’re exiled criminals, we’re also ladies! How can you humiliate people ! Is there something else unseen in the jerky?"