Chapter 34

Chapter 34

Taking advantage of the night, Jiang Chun jogged all the way back to Daliushu Village.

Originally, Zheng Yi and his father were going to drive a donkey cart to send her, but she declined their offer.

Going back alone, she could take the small paths through the fields, making her less noticeable.

If they drove the donkey cart, they would have to take the main road, and if Liu Qitan had people staking out, they would be caught for sure.

Indeed, Jiang Chun's decision was correct; she made it home without any trouble.

Jiang He and Song Shian had already returned from Clan Leader Jiang Zhaonian’s house, but they were still very cautious. The house was dark, and no matter how much she knocked, there was no response.

She had no choice but to call out, "Father, open the door, it's me."

Jiang He was listening at the door when he heard his daughter’s voice. He immediately opened the door, pulled her in, and quickly locked it again.

He even propped a thick, long wooden stick against the door bolt.

Jiang Chun’s lips twitched.

It wasn’t that this measure was useless; it just didn’t do much.

After all, not many bad guys would bother to use the front door instead of climbing over the wall.

They had just entered the kitchen when the door to the west room creaked open, and a tall, dark figure appeared at the doorway.

It was Song Shian.

"Son-in-law, you’re not sleeping either?" Jiang He asked, then decisively said, "Let’s talk in your room."

"Okay," Song Shian responded in the darkness, turning back to the west room. Jiang He and Jiang Chun hurriedly followed.

Once inside, Jiang Chun skillfully took out a flint and lit the oil lamp.

Jiang He was startled and quickly said, "Don’t light the lamp, someone might notice we’re here."

As he moved to blow out the lamp, Jiang Chun protected it and said helplessly, "Father, if those people really come, they will search the house anyway. Whether the lamp is on or off doesn’t make much difference."

In the dark, someone might trip and fall, and they would have to go to the town clinic, which would truly be adding insult to injury.

Jiang He thought about it and found it reasonable, so he gave up.

He had just sat down on the edge of the bed when he urgently asked, "Your cousin Peng said your uncle went to seek help from Zhao Langjun, the younger brother of the county magistrate. How did it go? Did he agree to help?"

Jiang Chun shook her head. "He said the Liu family is too powerful, and he dares not get involved. He didn’t even accept the gifts, returning them all to my uncle."

"Ah," Jiang He sighed deeply.

Jiang Chun took a deep breath and said seriously, "Father, we might have to run away."

She said this with some trepidation.

Jiang He, a man who had grown up in Daliushu Village, would find it hard to leave his hometown. She had prepared herself to persuade him, thinking of what to say on her way back.

To her surprise, Jiang He immediately replied, "Of course we have to run. Should we stay here and wait to be caught?"

"We’ll run away and hide for a while. That Liu Ninth Young Master won’t stay here forever; he’ll return to Su Zhou soon. Once he’s gone, we can come back."

He had even thought of a place to stay: "Your aunt married into Green Ox Town. About seven or eight years ago, your cousin came to Hongye Town for work and stayed at our house for three months. We got along well, and he won’t mind us staying for a month."

Jiang Chun was surprised by Jiang He’s decisiveness and thoroughness. Her father was truly great, not only not holding her back but also being helpful in a crisis.

Without hesitation, she nodded. "I’ll follow Father’s plan. We’ll go to Green Ox Town to stay with my cousin! Let’s rest well tonight, pack our things early tomorrow, and set off after breakfast."

There was hot water in the big iron pot, which Jiang He had heated. Jiang Chun quickly brushed her teeth with tooth powder, washed her feet, and climbed onto the bed.

After a tiring day, lying in the warm quilt, Jiang Chun felt drowsy.

Just as she was about to fall asleep, she suddenly jolted awake.

She almost forgot to tell Song Shian something important.

Turning towards the head of the bed, she cleared her throat and asked, "Husband, are you asleep?"

After a moment, Song Shian’s voice came from the darkness. "No."

Jiang Chun pursed her lips and said with difficulty, "Green Ox Town is quite far from Hongye Town. It takes three days by donkey cart, and about seven to eight days on foot...

Husband, you’re not in good health and might not be able to endure this hardship. Perhaps it’s better if you don’t come with us?"

Song Shian was silent for a long time before he coldly replied, "So you think I’m a burden and want to leave me behind?"

What was this?

When disaster strikes, birds fly apart?

Usually, she treated him with great care, taking every opportunity to take advantage of him, making it seem like she adored him, but in the end, it was nothing more than that.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, sarcastically saying, "If you leave me behind, aren’t you worried that Liu Qitan, unable to catch you, will take me to vent his anger?

Oh, of course you’re not worried. I’m just a man who married into your family, bought by your father for ten taels of silver. If I die, you can always buy another for ten taels.

After all, you and your father have the skills to slaughter pigs, and you have other quick ways to make money. Ten taels of silver is nothing to you."

Jiang Chun, despite being mocked, didn’t get angry. She simply said, "Rest assured, tomorrow morning, you’ll write a divorce letter for me, and I’ll put my fingerprint on it. When we pass through Hongye County, I’ll register it at the government office to ensure I don’t drag you into this."

Song Shian was stunned by these words.

After a long pause, he stammered, "Y-you want to divorce me?"

Jiang Chun felt she needed to explain herself; otherwise, if he misunderstood her as the kind of person who would abandon him in times of crisis and only think of saving herself, and then came after her for revenge when he became the Prime Minister, she would be more wronged than Dou E.

People have mouths not just for eating.

She said earnestly, "Father's plan to hide for a month and return is an ideal situation. But if Liu Qitan exerts great effort to find us, there are only a few relatives in the Jiang family, and sooner or later, they will find us in Green Ox Town. Then we'll have to flee to other places again.

Even if he returns to Su Zhou, he can still leave people to watch our house.

In this case, it might be hard for us to return home, and we don't know how long we'll have to wander outside before we can settle down.

Your health is fragile; asking you to follow us on such a journey is like sentencing you to death. That's why I thought of divorcing you, so you wouldn't be related to the Jiang family anymore, and Liu Qitan wouldn't harm you.

At that time, you can rent a house in the village, or even live in Hongye Town or Hongye County. With your skills in copying books, you won't starve."

Song Shian felt a mix of emotions.

So that was what she meant; he had misunderstood her.

Clearly, this was a last resort out of consideration for him, showing that she still had some conscience.

However, Song Shian didn't say it that way. He said softly, "With my skill of earning 150 coins in half a month and 300 coins in a month, after deducting the rent, the remaining money is barely enough for food, let alone the medicinal soups to improve your health.

Even if I manage to survive, I might end up a cripple."

Hearing this, Jiang Chun felt a pang of sympathy. After a moment of hesitation, she gritted her teeth and said, "Since I promised to help you recover, I will keep my word. Before we leave tomorrow, I will give you thirty taels of silver, enough for a year's worth of medicinal soups."

There wasn't enough time to buy a mule, so the seventeen taels for the mule were saved. This amount of silver would be enough for them to live for a while.

If worse comes to worst, she could go to the shops in Green Ox Town to check in and earn some system rewards to exchange for money.

It would be easier for her to get silver than for him, a sickly man.

Song Shian's eyes widened in shock upon hearing this.

Jiang Chun hadn't hidden her savings from him, so he knew very well that the Jiang family had only about thirty taels in total.

They were about to embark on a journey of escape, a time when they most needed money, yet she was willing to leave all her savings to him.

This was...

This was truly going above and beyond for him.

Although she still had the seventeen taels obtained through her ability to conjure items out of thin air, being poor at home and rich on the road, this amount of silver might not give her enough confidence.

It showed that she was willing to suffer herself rather than mistreat him.

Song Shian closed his eyes and, after a long silence, suddenly said, "What if I say I don't want the silver and insist on following you?"

Jiang Chun had just made up her mind, and he was saying things to shake her resolve. She replied irritably, "Are you crazy? Don't you want to live?"

In the original story, there was no such plot. If he followed her and couldn't withstand the journey, dying along the way, without this strong and tragic male supporting character, she didn't know how the main storyline would be affected.

Song Shian snorted, "Yes, I don't want to live anymore."

Jiang Chun: "???"

She was puzzled. Song Shian had many strengths, but his greatest strength was resilience. No matter how dire the situation, he could survive like a weed.

Why was he acting so irrationally now, disregarding his own life?

Blinking her large almond eyes in the darkness, she suddenly had an epiphany and exclaimed, "Husband, you refuse to take the silver and insist on following us, unwilling to part with me. Could it be that you love me so much!"

Song Shian: "..."

What made him even more speechless was her next words: "If you want me to take you along, come to my bed and sleep with me."

Song Shian: "..."

With everything on the line, she was still thinking about taking advantage of him. It was utterly absurd!

He retorted irritably, "Don't think about it, my body can't handle it."

Jiang Chun didn't believe him and said confidently, "You can, I've already verified it."

Song Shian's face turned red, even his ears were completely flushed, and he said angrily, "You're simply, simply shameless!"

Jiang Chun, unbothered by his reaction, said proudly, "Yes, I am shameless. What are you going to do about it?"

Seeing that they were about to part ways, she wanted to take advantage of the situation before it was too late.

Indeed, she was bargaining with him, but in her heart, she never intended to take him along.

He could be reckless, but she couldn't selfishly endanger his life by taking him with her.

Spending one last night with him, taking a little advantage, and then quietly leaving with Jiang He early the next morning.

By the time he realized, they would be long gone, and with his frail condition, he wouldn't be able to catch up.

She even lifted a corner of the quilt, smiling, "Come in, husband. I've already warmed the bed for you. It's very warm."

Song Shian, furious, turned over and lay facing the wall, ignoring her.

Hearing the sound of him turning over and seeing him silent, Jiang Chun understood that he refused.

She said helplessly, "Husband, you'd rather risk your life to follow us but won't let me near you. You are truly contradictory!"

These words hit the mark, leaving Song Shian speechless, and he could only pretend to be dead and remain silent.

How could Jiang Chun easily give up? He changed his tone and said, "My husband, you are such a reserved person; it's too much to ask for you to crawl into my bed. How about I crawl into yours instead? After all, I have a thick skin and am not ashamed."

Song Shian: "..."

When someone admits they have a thick skin, what else could he say?

He sighed and advised, "We need to get up early tomorrow to pack our things. Don't cause trouble, and get some rest."

Hearing this, Jiang Chun was taken aback and couldn't help but compose himself.

After a long internal struggle, he finally couldn't resist asking, "Do you really want to go with us?"

Song Shian didn't hesitate for a moment and immediately replied, "Yes."

Jiang Chun let out a long sigh and said helplessly, "I had planned to sneak away early tomorrow without you, but I can't bear to deceive you...

Husband, I sincerely advise you to reconsider. Your health is too fragile, and following us will surely bring much hardship. It might even cost you your life."

Song Shian's brows twitched. This guy was talking about him crawling into her bed in such an intimate manner, yet he was planning to leave him behind secretly?

What a two-faced person!

He firmly stated, "No need, my mind is made up."

Jiang Chun sighed again and said helplessly, "Fine, if you're coming, you're coming. Who can blame you for loving me so much that you won't leave even if I try to drive you away? There's nothing I can do about you!"

Song Shian smiled in satisfaction.

At the same time, he thought to himself, it was just as well that she came to her senses in time; otherwise, he wouldn't have bothered anymore and would have let them escape.

*

At the first light of dawn (3 AM), Jiang Chun sprang up from bed.

He usually got up at this hour to slaughter pigs, so it had become a habit.

But as soon as he sat up, he saw that Song Shian was already awake, sitting at the table and writing something.

Jiang Chun thought he was copying a book, yawned, and said helplessly, "At this hour, you're still thinking about copying books!"

Song Shian put down his pen, picked up the paper, blew on it for a while until the ink dried, then folded it twice.

He then slipped it into an envelope that was already prepared.

On the top right corner of the envelope, it read "To Brother Lu," and at the bottom left, it was signed "Song Qingzhi."

He looked up at Jiang Chun and said, "Go call Father in; I have something to tell him."

Jiang Chun frowned in confusion but, seeing his serious expression, quickly put on his outer clothes and went out to find Jiang He.

Jiang He had already gotten up and packed his bedding, loading it onto a single-wheeled cart in the yard.

Hearing that his son-in-law was looking for him, he hurriedly put down the bedding he hadn't finished arranging and followed Jiang Chun to the west room.

Song Shian handed the letter to Jiang He and said, "Father, take this to Uncle and have him find Zhao Deyang. Ask Zhao Deyang to deliver this letter to Magistrate Lu."

Jiang He was hesitant, "Son, you know, your uncle went to see Zhao Langjun yesterday, but he refused to help..."

Song Shian confidently said, "Father, just do as I say. When Zhao Deyang sees this letter, he will definitely help."

Jiang Chun's eyes widened in surprise. Was he using his connections to help solve their problems?

But the Song family hadn't been exonerated yet, and he had become an official slave, sold to a village girl as a son-in-law. Would his former connections still care about him?

He was thin-skinned, and if this failed, he might lose face.

After some thought, she said, "Father, follow what Husband says and find Uncle. I'll pack our things. If Zhao Langjun still refuses to help after seeing Husband's letter, come back immediately, and we'll head straight to Green Ox Town."

It's better to have a backup plan.

"Alright, let's do it that way." Jiang He thought his daughter's suggestion was reasonable and immediately took the letter, rented a donkey cart from village head Zou, and hurriedly drove to Hongye Town.

*

Upon arriving at Zheng Yi's house, Zheng Yi thought his brother-in-law had come to retrieve the single-wheeled cart his niece had left there yesterday and said, "The cart is in the west shed; I'll push it out for you."

"Brother, forget about the cart," Jiang He quickly stopped Zheng Yi.

He took out the letter his son-in-law had written, handed it to him, and repeated what his son-in-law had said.

Zheng Yi's brows furrowed tightly.

He had only met his niece's son-in-law three times. The man was good-looking and tall but was as thin as a rail and sickly, and he hardly spoke.

So Zheng Yi knew very little about him and wasn't sure if he was reliable.

However, since even Zhao Langjun refused to help, none of the wealthy households in Hongye County would dare to intervene. He was at a loss.

Might as well treat a dead horse as if it were alive and make one last attempt for his niece's son-in-law.

If it worked, it would be great; if not, it wouldn't be a big deal, at worst he would be ridiculed by Zhao Langjun.

So Zheng Yi took the letter, jumped onto the carriage driven by Zhao He, and rushed to Hongye County.

Upon reaching Hongye County, he turned into a street behind the county office and knocked on Zhao Langjun's door, which he knew well.

Seeing him again, Zhao Deyang said irritably, "Why are you here again? Didn't I make it clear yesterday that I can't and dare not get involved in your niece's matter?"

"I understand," Zheng Yi nodded in understanding, took out the letter from his chest, and placed it on the table in front of Zhao Deyang.

Zhao Deyang glanced at it casually and immediately noticed the signature "Song Qingzhi."

Startled like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, he let out a sharp cry and leaped up from his chair.

Zheng Yi was so startled by his sudden outburst that he involuntarily took several steps back.

Zhao Deyang patted his wildly thumping heart, pointed at the letter on the table, and asked in a trembling voice, "Where did this letter come from? Who wrote it?"

Song Shian, styled Qingzhi.

The latter question was clearly redundant; even if someone could impersonate Song Shian's name, no one could mimic his unique handwriting.

For this style of writing was called "Qingzhi Script," which Song Shian had created himself, and he was the only person in the world who could write it.

County Magistrate Lu Zhengheng of Hongye County loved calligraphy and paintings more than anything else in life, and his greatest wish was to obtain a piece of Song Shian's work. For this reason, he often practiced writing in Qingzhi Script at home.

As Lu Zhengheng’s little attendant, who accompanied him everywhere, if he couldn’t recognize Qingzhi Script, he would have lived in vain.

Zheng Yi hurriedly replied, "It was written by my nephew's son-in-law, asking you, Master Zhao, to pass it on to the magistrate."

"Nephew's son-in-law?" Zhao Deyang raised his voice in disbelief, "The husband of the niece who caught Liu Qitan’s eye?"

Zheng Yi nodded, "That's right."

Zhao Deyang drew in a sharp breath and began pacing around the room, looking utterly at a loss.

After circling for a while, he stopped, glared fiercely at Zheng Yi, and said, "You really know how to get me, and my brother-in-law, into trouble!"

Then he left with the words, "Wait here," took the letter, and rushed out of his house toward the back courtyard of the county office.

At this hour, Lu Zhengheng had just gotten up and was washing up. Seeing Zhao Deyang barge in recklessly, he spat out his mouthwash and said irritably, "Look at you, so unsteady, what, did someone set your pants on fire?"

How vulgar and unrefined, not at all like a cultured man who loved calligraphy and paintings.

"Indeed, someone did!" Zhao Deyang grumbled, slumping into a circle chair, and said casually, "Brother-in-law, guess whose wife the village woman is that Liu Qitan’s grandson has his eye on?"

"How should I know?" Lu Zhengheng rolled his eyes, picked up his cup, and took a big sip of water, gargling loudly.

Zhao Deyang, determined to shock, said, "It’s the wife of Song Shian, Song Qingzhi."

"Spit..." Lu Zhengheng spat out the water in his mouth and coughed uncontrollably.

It took him a while to recover.

He put down the teacup, looked at Zhao Deyang seriously, and asked, "Is this true?"

Zhao Deyang didn’t keep him in suspense but handed over the letter, saying, "This is the letter he wrote to you, Brother-in-law. You can see for yourself whether it’s true or not."

Just as Lu Zhengheng was about to take it, he stopped, turned, and grabbed a towel from the washstand, carefully drying his hands before cautiously taking the letter.

After quickly scanning through the letter, Lu Zhengheng was almost jumping with joy, his mouth stretching wide.

He grabbed Zhao Deyang’s arms and shook him excitedly, saying, "Great! I’m about to own a piece of Song Shian’s calligraphy!"

Zhao Deyang felt his bones almost disintegrate and quickly doused his enthusiasm, "His calligraphy is worth a fortune. If he’s willing to give you a piece now, I can tell with my toes that he wants you to intervene with Liu Qitan!

Think carefully, Brother-in-law. Liu Qitan is a good-for-nothing scoundrel, but his grandfather is Liu Lugang, the Prefect of Su Zhou, whose rank is higher than yours. Aren’t you afraid of offending him?"

Lu Zhengheng spat, "I fear nothing! It’s true that Liu Lugang is a Fourth Rank Prefect, but I am the eldest grandson of the Fan Yang Lu Clan, and there are eighty-nine members of our clan in official positions, including several First and Second Rank officials. If we were to clash, he would surely be the one to suffer!"

Zhao Deyang: "..."

His brother-in-law had always been arrogant, never boasting about his family background.

He passed the imperial exams on his own, became a scholar-official on his own, and even chose to serve as the county magistrate of Hongye County based on his performance, never seeking shortcuts through family connections.

But now, for a piece of Song Shian’s calligraphy, he actually brought up the Fan Yang Lu Clan.

Mad, mad, truly a living madman obsessed with calligraphy and paintings!

Lu Zhengheng, however, didn’t think he was mad. He felt incredibly strong and full of fighting spirit, waving his hand, "Prepare the sedan chair, I’m going to the Liu residence."

At the Liu residence, the gatekeeper reported that the county magistrate had come to visit.

*

Old Master Liu and Old Lady Liu exchanged glances, both somewhat surprised.

Old Master Liu hurriedly said, "Please invite him in."

This County Magistrate Lu was the eldest grandson of the Fan Yang Lu Clan, a true scion of heaven, and the Liu family dared not put on airs in front of him.

When Lu Zhengheng entered, he didn’t bother with pleasantries and bluntly said, "I heard that your great-grandson has taken a fancy to Jiang Chun, the wife of the butcher in Hongye Town, and sent his servants to forcibly take her?"

Old Master Liu was completely unaware of this matter and instantly felt dizzy upon hearing it. "What? Forcefully taking Jiang Chun, the wife of the butcher in Hongye Town?"

The fame of Jiang Chun, the pork beauty of Hongye Town, had long spread throughout Hongye County, and even an elderly man like Old Master Liu had heard about her from his old servants.

Why did his great-grandson have to fancy her, the sea-patrolling night demon, as if he wanted to live longer?

No, he must write to his younger brother immediately, asking him to send someone to bring his unworthy grandson back to Su Zhou Prefecture. Otherwise, the good reputation the Liu family had worked hard to build would be ruined by him!

Old Master Liu smiled apologetically and said, "Magistrate Lu, it’s my failure to educate my great-grandson that has caused you trouble. From now on, I will strictly discipline him and prevent him from causing any more trouble outside."

Pausing, he added sincerely, "My unworthy great-grandson has frightened Jiang Chun. I am willing to offer five hundred taels of silver as compensation. Please, Magistrate Lu, help mediate this matter and ensure that Jiang Chun accepts this gift, or I will feel uneasy."

There was no need to ask; Liu Qitan must have failed in his attempt to abduct her, otherwise, Jiang Chun’s father, Jiang Tu, and her uncle, Zheng Tu, would have already stormed the Liu residence to demand her return.

Lu Zhengheng sneered, "If you could control your great-grandson, he wouldn’t be running rampant in Hongye County."

Old Master Liu laughed awkwardly, "Forgive me, Magistrate Lu. My great-grandson has indeed been spoiled by his grandfather and is quite difficult to manage..."

Lu Zhengheng looked at Old Master Liu and asked with deep meaning, "Does the old master know who the husband of that Lady Jiang is?"

Old Master Liu shook his head. "I've only heard that this Lady Jiang took in a sickly son-in-law, but I don't know his background."

Lu Zhengheng leaned forward and lowered his voice, "He is the eldest legitimate son of the Song family's main branch, the top scholar of Tianqi Year 35, and a fifth-rank lecturer in the Hanlin Academy..."

Pausing for effect, he added, "And he is also the brother-in-law of King Yan."

Old Master Liu's pupils dilated, and his back slammed into the chair with a loud "bang."

But Lu Zhengheng didn't stop there. He sneered, "If your nephew fails to kidnap him once, he won't give up easily. In the heat of battle, if he accidentally injures or even kills that man..."

He sighed and shook his head, "Although the court has confiscated the Song family's property and sold the entire clan, no one's life was taken. Who knows what kind of connections they have?

If your nephew causes trouble and it goes against the wishes of those above, your Liu family will be in grave danger..."

Lu Zhengheng chuckled coldly, leaving the rest unsaid.

Cold sweat broke out on Old Master Liu's forehead.

King Yan was intelligent and courteous, a popular choice for the crown prince. However, the old emperor, in his later years, became senile and doted on his concubine, Lady Liu, who was forty years younger than him.

To ensure that Lady Liu's three-year-old son could inherit the throne, the emperor ignored the objections of his ministers and had King Yan confined. He also confiscated the Song family's property and sold the entire clan.

There was widespread resentment in the court.

However, Lady Liu came from a humble background; her father was just a sixth-rank official, and the fifth prince was only three years old, making his succession uncertain.

Who knew if King Yan wouldn't rise again?

If Liu Qitan were to harm his brother-in-law to death, and King Yan were to regain power, the Liu family's fate would be worse than the Song family's, facing confiscation and extermination.

Perhaps even the extermination of nine generations!

With a speed uncharacteristic of his age, he jumped up and shouted, "Steward Wang!"

Steward Wang, waiting outside, hurried in and called, "Old Master!"

Old Master Liu said coldly, "Gather thirty men and bring me back the Ninth Young Master. Bring all those serving him as well. Don't let anyone escape, or you'll answer to me!"

Steward Wang was startled, guessing that the Ninth Young Master must have caused trouble, prompting the county magistrate to come demanding an explanation.

Serves him right! He deserved it!

Though he grumbled inwardly, he didn't dare delay and immediately responded, going to gather the men.

When Steward Wang and his men found Liu Qitan, he was enjoying himself at the Drunken Fragrance Pavilion.

Brothels usually rested during the day and opened their doors in the evening. Liu Qitan had gone there early in the morning, throwing money around, and the madam, delighted, woke up her top courtesan to entertain him.

Just as Liu Qitan was about to undress, the door was slammed open, and a group of servants armed with sticks rushed in.

They got a full view of his small and short member.

Liu Qitan, furious, covered himself and shouted at Steward Wang, who had followed them in, "Steward Wang, you have the nerve to barge into my room and ruin my fun!"

Ignoring his outburst, Steward Wang gestured, "What are you waiting for? Take the Ninth Young Master home; the old master is waiting to see him."

The servants immediately swarmed over, binding his hands, feet, and mouth, quickly tying Liu Qitan up.

Steward Wang draped a coat over him and had him carried back to the Liu residence like a piglet.

Upon returning to the Liu residence, Old Master Liu didn't see him but had him locked in a guest room with several servants guarding him, cutting off any chance of escape.

Then, he personally wrote a letter and sent someone to deliver it to Su Zhou Prefecture with all haste.

*

At the Jiang residence, after Jiang He left, Jiang Chun tidied up his bedding and moved his and Song Shian's bedding onto the wheelbarrow.

Then he went to pack their clothes.

After packing the clothes, he packed the pots and pans.

After packing the pots and pans, he packed the farming tools.

He was busy non-stop.

When he was almost done, he realized he had forgotten the jar of bean oil and quickly retrieved it from under the cabinet.

He carefully placed the jar on the wheelbarrow and said to Song Shian, "I don't know if there's an oil mill in Green Ox Town that can press bean oil. We need to bring this oil; otherwise, we won't have any to cook with."

Song Shian had tried to dissuade him several times, but he wouldn't listen, insisting on being "prepared for the future."

As a result, he had packed everything that looked useful, even rolling up the mat from the bed and placing it across the wheelbarrow.

Now the house was empty, completely stripped bare.

He said helplessly, "We'll have to put everything back later. Why go through all this trouble?"

Jiang Chun ignored him.

One doesn't realize the value of daily necessities until one is responsible for them. These items may seem insignificant, but they all cost money. If they weren't brought along, they would have to be repurchased in Green Ox Town.

It would be a waste of money!

Since he was strong and could push the wheelbarrow, he loaded as much as he could.

Anything that couldn't fit, he could carry on his back.

By the time Jiang Chun had packed everything, including a large bundle as tall as a person, Jiang He finally returned, accompanied by his uncle, Zheng Yi.

Jiang Chun went up to greet them, but her uncle, who had always doted on her like his own daughter, ignored her outright.

Zheng Yi walked straight to Song Shian and smiled kindly, "My nephew-in-law is truly capable. After Master Zhao handed your letter to Magistrate Lu, he immediately went to the Liu family and settled the matter for Chun."

It was as expected. Song Shian nodded calmly, "That's good."

Lu Zhengheng was obsessed with calligraphy and paintings. In the past, when they were in the Imperial City, he often followed me around, begging for my works, all of which I refused.

Now that I am willing to offer him a piece of calligraphy or painting in exchange for his help in resolving this small issue for Jiang Chun, he surely won't refuse.

And indeed, that was the case.

If only in my previous life, I had known that the magistrate of Hongye County was Lu Zhengheng, I could have sold him a painting at a high price and never worried about having enough money for medical treatment.

Unfortunately, I didn't know.

By the time my health recovered enough for me to visit the county town to see a doctor, it was already half a year later, and the opportunity had passed. The illness had taken root and become irreversible.

Thus, there was no need to seek out Lu Zhengheng for a deal.

After being reborn, I did consider approaching Lu Zhengheng for a deal, but my body was too weak, even a trip to the county town required Jiang Chun's assistance.

I couldn't possibly meet Lu Zhengheng alone without Jiang Chun knowing.

So I had to put it off, waiting until I was stronger.

I didn't expect that, after all the twists and turns, I would end up making a deal with Lu Zhengheng earlier than planned.

The situation has changed from my previous life, and I'm unsure if it will lead to any adverse outcomes.

But Song Shian doesn't regret it.

Just because Jiang Chun always thinks of me, ready to divorce me to protect me from trouble, and even leaves all the family savings for my treatment when her future is uncertain.

She treats me with such sincerity and dedication; it's only right that I return the favor.

Because Jiang Chun is worth it.

Jiang Chun, however, plopped down on the ground and wailed, "No need to run away? Oh no, no! So many things, I have to put them all back one by one. How long will it take? What am I doing to myself!"

Song Shian curled his lip and huffed lightly, "I told you not to make a fuss, but you wouldn't listen. Now you know what it means to regret, don't you?"