Chapter 144: Chapter 142:

Living cramped in a cave, every day tormented by the struggle for survival, also constantly facing the risk of assimilation.

So when she transmigrated here, starting off by being divorced and exiled was not that much of a hardship for Ruan Mian.

At least here, as long as the survival issues are solved, it’s quite comfortable, especially with a space system.

More importantly, there wasn’t anything bizarre and dangerous surrounding her here.

Though her great aunt was puzzled, she was also happy.

"In some sense, Mianmian, you and I have encountered similar fates. By the way, Mianmian, do you have any special skills, like... a photographic memory or something?"

Ruan Mian’s eyebrows moved slightly, and she asked back, "Did you gain a photographic memory after rebirth, Auntie?"

Her great aunt gave an embarrassed smile, "Exactly! This skill has brought me quite a few conveniences, so I was just curious about you."

"I have a storage space that can store all kinds of things."

"What!?" Her great aunt was instantly excited upon hearing this, but when she compared it with her own skill, her expression fell again.

"Why is there such a big difference between people? You have such a powerful storage space skill, doesn’t that mean you can do anything you want?"

"Auntie, it’s not as convenient as it seems, I still have few functions developed in this space."

"Yes, yes, as long as it’s convenient! Mianmian, I spoke to you about this out of the blue, you wouldn’t... think I’ve lost my mind, echoing anything on purpose, would you?"

"You have to trust Auntie, I would never deceive you! To be honest, after experiencing two rebirths, I’ve realized how foolish I was in the past."

"Under the so-called moral constraints of propriety, justice, integrity, and shame, I lost myself, became cowardly and timid, which led to the breakdown of my family, and even the death of my dearest ones, I couldn’t calm my emotions."

"Being given another life offered me a chance to strike down that bastard Jiang Ruohuai, and in a way... address some regrets. Secondly, meeting you, you brought me to see your father, which was a settled matter for my heart."

As she spoke, tears welled up in her great aunt’s eyes, and Ruan Mian wanted to comfort her, but she simply hugged Ruan Mian and cried, recounting the hardships of her escape.

"Mianmian, across a thousand miles, in a frozen land, I ate gruel, chewed tree bark, dug snow pits, to evade those Jiang Family scoundrels’ pursuit and reach this garrison to seek refuge."

"The heavens above truly helped me reunite with you! I believe as long as we, aunt and niece, join forces, we will be invincible and unbeaten!!"

Seeing her great aunt being so emotional, Ruan Mian felt a sense of relief, as if the burdens she had carried for years were shared, like finding a kindred spirit.

This feeling is indescribable.

Moreover, she believed her aunt wouldn’t say these things to deceive them, after all, someone who knows about the rebirth and transmigration with a cheat ability couldn’t possibly be an ordinary person.

Even if, hypothetically, she harbored ulterior motives, Ruan Mian wasn’t afraid, she had her ways to deal with her.

As her great aunt held her in a tearful embrace, she suddenly remembered something, quickly pulling her tall and strong son over.

"Xiu’er! Come meet your cousin, from now on, your cousin is the closest person we have, understand? You are to treat your cousin like you treat your mother."

Then she turned to Ruan Mian and explained, "Mianmian, this is Ruan Jinxiu, despite his rough demeanor, his mind is only about the level of Rui. I picked him up along the way, seeing his strength and how attached he was to me, I took him in as my son."

After explaining, she sighed deeply again, "Can you believe in my rebirth, I couldn’t pick up a prince or minister, why did I pick up a foolish son? Alas..."

One can’t imagine, if she had picked up a prince or minister, how could she fear the Jiang Family scoundrels!

By then, she could crush them with just power!

Ruan Mian couldn’t help but laugh, just as she was about to greet Ruan Jinxiu, he imitated how her great aunt hugged Ruan Mian just now and embraced her tightly.

Ruan Mian almost couldn’t catch her breath.

Yet, this scene was witnessed by Xie Huai’an, who was approaching to find Ruan Mian, causing Vice Minister Dong to gasp in surprise, immediately turning to Xie Huai’an.

"Oh my lord! Where did this man come from? Why is he so close to Miss Ruan?!"

Xie Huai’an’s eyebrows moved slightly, standing where he was, his brows furrowed unintentionally.

He appraised the man, a hint of emotion flitting through his gaze.

Yet Vice Minister Dong didn’t notice and continued speaking, "That man looks sturdy, and his appearance isn’t bad, he seems to be the type Miss Ruan and other ladies would favor."

"They like that type?"

Xie Huai’an turned his head puzzled, simply saying, "Just because of some muscles, by your logic, all those hunters and butchers are liked by women?"

Vice Minister Dong paused, looking at his lord meaningfully, saying.

"My lord, what’s the matter? Your words are somewhat satirical, that man indeed looks quite decent, if his status were as noble as yours, not just ordinary women, even those in the Imperial Palace..."

"Hey, my lord! Where are you going? Aren’t you going to find Miss Ruan?!"

Meanwhile, Ruan Mian had already pulled Ruan Jinxiu away, and her great aunt suddenly remembered something, quickly patting his back, patiently teaching.

"How has mother taught you? You are a man! You cannot be too close to women, let alone abruptly get physically close, this makes the women embarrassed."

"The eyes of others are sharp, some people’s mouths are like they are coated with poison, they can say black is white! You mustn’t act so without understanding proper decorum!"

Ruan Jinxiu mumbled a couple of responses, humbly listening to the teachings, his gaze full of pure, sincere kindness.

As someone with the intellect of a few years old, just like Rui, Ruan Mian couldn’t bear to scold him.

She merely found his earnest and obedient demeanor quite endearing.

As they talked, her great aunt suddenly pointed at the face mask she hadn’t washed off yet.

"Oh, Mianmian! There’s another thing I haven’t told you today. Actually, I’ve also modified some ointments, but blame it on the garrison’s weather being too cold, you wouldn’t know how I’ve cracked since arriving here, my whole body drying out and peeling, my face unpresentable."

"So I did some modifications, sold them at Manager Lin’s shop, but your Ginseng Moisturizing Cream outshined mine instantly. At that time, I wanted to see your moisturizing cream myself, but then I saw you getting intercepted by those bastards."

"Are you planning to sell the face mask you’re applying now in the garrison too?"

"That’s right, not long after we were exiled to Wuheng, Wuheng’s army rebelled, and we fled to the valley in the depths of Longchang Mountain, only to find out it’s actually an active volcano with many mineral resources. Immediately, the idea of building a road came to mind."

"Thinking once the road is built, this valley will have a connection to the outside world, making business or settling here much more convenient. Since we’re idle while fleeing, why not find something to do?"

Upon hearing Ruan Mian’s words, her great aunt’s eyes suddenly lit up!

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com