Chapter 70

Chapter 70

Mu Yuanling’s eyes widened in disbelief.

That single encounter had left Ruan Cheng with his child.

Wei Yuerong was momentarily stunned, but quickly comforted Ruan Cheng, saying, "It's alright. Your father and... and your mother, will treat him as their own grandchild."

He had meant to say 'your father and myself,' but quickly realized he had kept the truth from Ruan Cheng, who still didn't know about his mother’s passing.

Though somewhat comforted, Ruan Cheng continued to weep. "Coming home divorced, and with a child—how can I face our ancestors...?"

"If anyone should feel ashamed before our ancestors, it’s your father first," the master interjected. "Given the circumstances now, there’s no room for such concerns. As long as the whole family is safe and sound, that’s all that matters. The ancestors won’t blame us."

After much persuasion, Ruan Cheng finally nodded, easing his father’s expression.

He knew his sons were all uncompromisingly upright. Though Ruan Cheng wasn’t as rigid as Ruan Hang, he was still deeply bound by propriety and seldom flexible. Seeing him relent now, the master quickly spread out the divorce papers and opened the seal box, waiting for him to sign.

"No!" Mu Yuanling, who had been brooding in the corner, suddenly spoke up.

"You’re carrying my child—where do you think you’re going? Don’t you know the principle of fidelity till death?" He grabbed Ruan Cheng’s wrist, stopping him from stamping it.

"Get off! Where I go is none of your concern!" Ruan Cheng wrenched free in disgust, retreating to the other side.

Mu Yuanling hadn’t expected Ruan Cheng to despise him so much. He tried to grab him again but was stopped by Ruan Zhengye’s sharp rebuke.

"Step back! You exiled criminal—look at yourself! Who do you think you are, demanding fidelity till death?"

Mu Yuanling was taken aback that Ruan Zhengye dared speak to him like this. In the past, given his status, even as his father-in-law, Ruan Zhengye would have bowed his head and never raised his voice.

But now the tables had turned. Though the Ruan family had been stripped of their title, they were still commoners—light years above a convict like him.

Spitting mad, Mu Yuanling shot back, "I won’t sign this divorce agreement! Without my consent, he’s going nowhere!"

Ruan Zhengye scoffed. "Your consent? The Emperor himself ordered your separation! Whether you sign or not, once we submit this to the authorities, Cheng’er will be free to go home!"

Before Mu Yuanling could react, Wei Yuerong gently tugged Ruan Zhengye’s sleeve and said, "Master, this man won't listen to reason. Let’s ignore him. It’d be best for the young master to move to another cell for the next few days."

Mu Yuanling nearly saw red. Being scolded by Ruan Zhengye and Ruan Cheng was one thing, but even Wei Yuerong dared disrespect him? "Who do you think you are, speaking to me like that?" he roared.

As a Qian Yuan, Mu Yuanling’s fury let his alpha dominance flare. Wei Yuerong flinched and instinctively hid behind Ruan Zhengye.

Seeing his insolence, Ruan Zhengye also grew angry, shielding Wei Yuerong and Ruan Cheng as he snapped, "You cur! You dare speak of disrespect? Given your actions, not beating you bloody is mercy enough!"

Just then, the jailers, alerted by the commotion, ordered them to quiet down. Ruan Zhengye ignored Mu Yuanling and instead slipped the jailers some silver, requesting a different cell for Ruan Cheng.

The guards, always open to bribes, swiftly arranged the transfer and called Ruan Cheng out.

Mu Yuanling was still fuming in place as Ruan Cheng was escorted out by his father and Wei Yuerong.

He kept shouting after them until a few whip cracks from the jailers finally silenced him.

Ruan Cheng would have to remain in prison for a few more days until the documents were processed. Though it wouldn’t take long, Wei Yuerong still prepared plenty of comforts for him—bedding, mosquito repellent, clothes, and toiletries.

"Shall I have them bring hot water for a bath?" Wei Yuerong suggested.

Ruan Cheng shook his head. "Don't bother spending the money. The jailers here are insatiable, and money must be tight for the family now. I can endure it for a few more days."

Wei Yuerong insisted, "That won’t do. At least let me delouse your hair, or you'll get lice. Someone raised in luxury like you shouldn’t suffer this."

In the end, the jailer brought a bucket of hot water, and Ruan Zhengye was asked to step out, allowing Ruan Cheng to have a proper bath.

Ruan Cheng had very long hair, which had always been washed by attendants before. He’d never done it himself and probably wouldn’t know how. With no attendants in the prison to help, Wei Yuerong offered to wash it for him.

Ruan Cheng initially tried to decline, but Wei Yuerong said, “If… if your mother were here, she would surely have come to care for you like this. Don’t be formal with me.”

And so, Wei Yuerong helped him bathe.

Ruan Cheng felt deeply grateful. He knew these were things his father couldn’t arrange or even think of—it was only thanks to Wei Yuerong’s thoughtfulness that he could be so comfortable. He said,

“You treat me so kindly, it truly makes me ashamed. Back at home, my mother often mistreated you, and since I couldn’t openly defy her, I never did much to help you. Yet you still treat me this way—I really…”

Wei Yuerong gently dried his hair with a towel as he replied, “Young master, don’t say such things. I’ve watched you grow up since you were little, and in my heart, I’ve always seen you as my own. Besides, I’ve always known how kind-hearted you are.”

“Don’t worry, once I’m back, I’ll do my best to persuade Mother to take care of her health and stop meddling in unnecessary affairs. I won’t let her trouble you anymore,” Ruan Cheng said. “Please, for the sake of her poor health now, indulge her a little longer.”

Hearing this, Wei Yuerong felt his throat tighten. Though he had no reason to feel sentimental about the lady of the house, seeing Ruan Cheng so concerned for his mother made his heart ache for the young man’s filial devotion.

He quickly blinked back tears and said, “Alright, young master, don’t worry about it. After all, the lady never did me real harm. At this point, how could I resent her now?”

Ruan Cheng was touched by his kindness and reason, and the two grew closer still.

*

Five days later, the Ministry of Justice finally released Ruan Cheng.

Ruan Hang had insisted on waiting for his brother’s release and seeing him before leaving for his new post, so he had stayed behind.

Now that the family was reunited, they gathered for a reunion meal. The two brothers, having come through such hardship, naturally had much to say to comfort each other.

Since his assignment was urgent, Ruan Hang set off the very next day with Song Yun, Nanny Bai, and a few servants, after saying goodbye to his family.

The journey from Jinling to Qiongzhou would take two to three months—first by boat to Jiujiang, then taking the southern highway.

With travel being arduous and funds not unlimited, Ruan Hang didn’t bring many people. His entourage consisted of only two or three sturdy middle-aged maids and five or six capable and reliable manservants.

Nanny Bai refused to stay behind, too worried about Song Yun, so Ruan Hang had no choice but to let her come along.

Ruan Hang didn’t have much luggage—mostly books—but Song Yun had two trunks’ worth of belongings, mostly clothes. Expecting rough wilderness and scarce supplies in Qiongzhou, they also brought some fabrics.

Nanny Bai had first thought to pack heavy furs for them, but Ruan Hang reminded her that Qiongzhou likely wouldn’t require such garments.

Thus, with minimal luggage and personnel, Ruan Hang didn’t hire a large boat, opting instead for a medium-sized vessel before setting sail.

Traveling upstream along the river was a long journey, but as natives of the south, they were accustomed to boats and untroubled by seasickness, making the trip relatively comfortable.

Ruan Hang whiled away the time reading, while Song Yun, with even less to do, spent his days watching the river scenery, playing around the boat, and quickly befriending the maids and other servants.

Though life was simple and the journey arduous, they hadn’t experienced such peaceful days in a long time.

Every morning when Song Yun woke up and saw Ruan Hang, he would immediately roll over, climb on top of him, and giggle like a fool.

“Why do you do this every day? Have you gone silly?” Ruan Hang asked, both amused and exasperated.

Song Yun nuzzled his fluffy head against Ruan Hang’s chin and said, “Since when have I been smart…? I just feel so happy like this, young master.”

As long as they were safe and together, happiness was all that mattered—Ruan Hang thought the same.

But he knew that only a sweet fool like Song Yun would be willing to give up the comfortable life at home and follow him to the ends of the earth, and still be so happy about it.

"A Yun, when we return, let's go back to our hometown and have your name written into the family genealogy," Ruan Hang said, holding him.

Ruan Hang had long made up his mind about this, but he hadn't found the right opportunity to tell Song Yun until now.

"Huh?" Song Yun didn't quite understand. "Where in the family genealogy would my name go?"

He couldn't comprehend how there could be a place for his name in the family genealogy.

"Right next to mine, of course," Ruan Hang replied.

Song Yun stared at him in shock for a long moment before saying, "Young Master, you... you want to make me your official spouse? But I... I can't do it."

"What can't you do?" Ruan Hang asked.

"Being your official spouse means managing the household and finances, teaching children both book learning and morals, managing the household staff, and handling socializing with other officials' families..." Song Yun counted off many responsibilities on his fingers, then said worriedly, "I can't do any of those."

"You've never tried, so how do you know you can't?" Ruan Hang countered. "Besides, I'm just a minor official now. There won't be so many things for you to handle. With your knowledge, I suspect the families of my future low-ranking colleagues would be terrified of you—what's there to fear?"

Song Yun thought he made sense but was still concerned. "But you won't be a County Magistrate forever. What if you become a prefect or governor someday? What would I do then..."

"You have high expectations of me. Becoming a prefect or governor isn't that easy," Ruan Hang said with a laugh.

Song Yun replied, "I don't know about other things, but I know the Emperor values you. How could he let you remain a County Magistrate for life?"

His insight surprised Ruan Hang, but he still chuckled. "There are hundreds of officials in the empire. How could the Emperor possibly remember me? It's hardly a matter of being valued."

But Song Yun had his own reasoning. "If he didn't value you, why would he pardon our whole family after just one meeting with you? Young Master, you're incredible. I've never met anyone as capable as you."

His worshipful look made Ruan Hang blush.

He knew he wasn't the only one who had received the Emperor's special favor these days.

Since ancient times, new emperors needed to cultivate their own trusted followers—preferably those without powerful family connections, relying solely on talent and virtue. Such people, having no other support, would remain utterly loyal to the emperor.

By granting them small favors, the emperor could achieve great results, as these officials would naturally repay his kindness with unwavering devotion.

Thus, the Emperor had selected many new scholars from poor families this time, nurturing them and entrusting them with important positions.

Ruan Hang originally came from a prominent family, placing him outside the Emperor's inner circle. But the decline of his family's fortunes had instead given the Emperor an an opportunity to bestow special favor.

Good and bad luck were mixed. Though Ruan Hang remained humble in public, he knew in his heart that a promising future lay ahead for him to fully display his abilities.

Song Yun, having never studied history or government strategies, didn't understand the emperor's strategies or the role of timing and luck. He simply believed Ruan Hang was exceptionally talented and capable, looking up to him so genuinely that it made Ruan Hang feel somewhat embarrassed.

Still, though he felt unworthy, Ruan Hang accepted Song Yun's adoration with joy.

"Oh," he said happily, "the Emperor told me the other day to send his greetings to you."

Song Yun looked shocked. "Who did you say?"

Ruan Hang had expected this reaction and was amused. He repeated, "The Emperor. He sends his greetings."

He laughed himself, as it did sound ridiculous.

"You're lying. How would the Emperor even know me?" Song Yun said doubtfully.

"It's true," Ruan Hang insisted. "The Emperor even said he wanted me to wed his daughter. I told him I already had you, so I couldn't comply."

Ruan Hang said it with a smile, making it sound like a joke. Combined with how outrageous every word sounded, Song Yun naturally found it hard to believe.

Finally, Ruan Hang had to say, "How could I dare misrepresent the Emperor's words?"

Only then did Song Yun begin to believe him—and grew somewhat fearful. "Is it really alright for you to speak to the Emperor like that?"

Ruan Hang burst out laughing. "Don't worry. The Emperor was joking. Why would he genuinely be interested in me? Only you think your man is so special."

Somewhat reassured, Song Yun relaxed a little. Wanting to tease him further, Ruan Hang asked, "If the Emperor really tried to take me from you, what would you do?"

"I wouldn't let him!" Song Yun declared without hesitation, pulling Ruan Hang close protectively.

Ruan Hang had expected Song Yun, normally shy, to panic in fear. Instead, he was so bold—though Ruan Hang had witnessed his courage many times over these days.

"Not even for the Emperor?" Ruan Hang asked with a grin.

"No! Even if the Jade Emperor himself came, you'd still be mine!" Song Yun said stubbornly.

"Mmm," Ruan Hang laughed until he could barely breathe, then kissed him. "I'm forever yours. No one can take me away."