Chapter 67 A Beautiful Misunderstanding

Chapter 67 A Beautiful Misunderstanding

Jiang Yutang, however, didn't have so many concerns. For her, a soul from the modern world, the question was whether she could even survive.

Even in the real world, she wouldn't dare keep cats or dogs as pets, for fear that she wouldn't be able to take good care of them, let alone have children.

She also understood that in the eyes of people in ancient times, a "child" was half a woman's life and the foundation for her to gain a foothold in her husband's family.

But since they're both getting a divorce, what does it matter whether they have children or not?

Seeing her silent expression, Jiang Yuhuai assumed she was heartbroken, so he stepped forward, patted her shoulder, and awkwardly comforted her, "It's okay, little sister. Even if he... even if he did that, it's not your fault. You can't blame yourself."

He had already concluded in his heart that it was Cheng Lanzhou's "incompetence" that had caused his younger sister to suffer two years of injustice. Thinking back on his past admiration for Cheng Lanzhou, he felt only absurdity and anger.

If you're incompetent and neglect other people's daughters, then you should treat them well and praise them to the skies. If that's the case, then he might have some respect for Cheng Lanzhou.

Jiang Sumin was even more direct, frowning as he suggested, "In my opinion, we must get a divorce! Once we get to Danzhou, we'll immediately ask the Cheng family for a divorce. Our Jiang family's daughter doesn't need to suffer this humiliation in the Cheng family!"

Jiang Jiuzhe nodded in agreement: "Fourth brother is right, they should indeed get a divorce. Without consummation of the marriage and without children, this marriage is already dead in name only. Continuing to drag it out will only delay my little sister."

Madam Yun held her daughter's hand, her eyes reddening with heartache. She sighed, "My poor daughter, she's been married for two years and has suffered so much... Sigh, let's not talk about it anymore, it's all in the past. We'll just have to be good to each other from now on."

Jiang Shengan stood aside, sighing repeatedly, his cloudy eyes filled with guilt.

Jiang Yutang felt both warm and helpless as she looked at her family members' worried and distressed expressions.

She wanted to explain, but didn't know where to begin, so she could only let them indulge in their heartache for her, and silently sighed in her heart.

Everyone dispersed to rest. Jiang Yutang had just laid out the bamboo mat when Jiang Huaiyu came over, gently rubbed her shoulders, and asked in a low voice, "Little sister, tell me the truth, is it because of Cheng Lanzhou's matter that you've become close to that top scholar from before?"

Jiang Yutang raised an eyebrow, looking at him with surprise, her eyes like she was looking at a gossipy colleague. She shook her head helplessly: "Third Brother, don't make wild guesses."

"Sigh." Jiang Huaiyu sighed, then leaned closer and asked a question that she shouldn't have asked but couldn't help being curious about.

"So...did you and that top scholar...?"

"What nonsense are you thinking about all day long!" Jiang Yutang slapped him on the back before he could finish speaking, glaring at him with a mix of anger and amusement.

"Go to sleep quickly, we have to travel tomorrow!"

Watching the other person's embarrassed departure, Jiang Yutang lay back on the bamboo mat, but her heart began to race.

The original owner of this body and that top scholar, I don't think... they had anything going on.

The two families lay down, each with their own thoughts, and the camp finally returned to silence, with only the sound of the wind and the occasional groan of a patient.

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, everyone forced themselves to get up and prepare to set off.

But just as they finished packing their things, someone discovered that the thin yamen runner was lying on his straw mat, already lifeless.

He died silently in the dead of night while everyone else was asleep.

Upon hearing the news, Jiang Yutang couldn't help but sigh: "As expected, people who are a little chubby have stronger resistance and can last a few more days."

Although the fat constable was also sick, he could last two more days than the thin constable and was still able to walk with difficulty.

No one cared about dealing with the thin yamen runner's body; he was left lying there.

Everyone clung to their last hope, pushing themselves to the limit as if in a final burst of energy before death. Even the weak refugees exerted their last strength, hoping to reach the county town today and find a chance to survive.

Finally, as the sun set, the outline of the town came into view in the distance.

"It's a county town! We've arrived!" someone shouted excitedly, and everyone quickened their pace, as if they had seen a glimmer of hope.

But this joy didn't last long before it was doused with cold water.

When they reached the city gate, the guards saw their group and immediately raised their spears to block their way, shouting, "Halt! You are not allowed to enter the city!"

"Why won't they let us in? Many of us inside have contracted cholera and need to see a traditional Chinese medicine doctor for treatment!"

The vagrant who had been speaking was kicked to the ground by the short constable, who muttered a curse: "Idiot!"

The fat constable rushed forward, forcing a smile as he pleaded, "Sir, please do us a favor! If you don't let us in, someone will die!"

"cholera?"

The city gatekeeper's expression changed, and he took two steps back, his tone becoming even more resolute: "Then we absolutely cannot let you in! If the disease spreads into the city, who can bear the responsibility? Get out of here now! If you don't leave, we'll take action!"

"We don't have to go into the city!" The fat constable, sweating profusely, uttered extremely selfish words. "It's fine if the refugees aren't allowed in, just let the three of us constables go in for treatment! They're exiled criminals anyway, it doesn't matter if they get sick and die on the way!"

These words acted like a fuse, instantly igniting the anger of the displaced people.

When lives are threatened, no one cares about power or class anymore.

"What did you say? We're criminals and we should die?" A young vagrant rushed forward and grabbed the fat constable by the collar. "If you hadn't stolen the well water back then, would we have gotten sick? Now you want to escape in on your own? No way!"

Immediately afterwards, more refugees surged forward and began fighting with the city gate guards who were blocking their way.

Someone was yelling as they fought, "Kill these bastards! If you don't let us live, you won't have it easy either!"

Some people tried to squeeze through the gaps in the city gate amidst the chaos, but were stopped by the gatekeeper with a spear.

The city gate guards who were blocking the way panicked. They were afraid of being infected, and even more afraid that so many refugees would rush in. They could only retreat repeatedly, and finally simply raised their knives and threatened the crowd.

"Don't come any closer! If you take another step, we'll kill you!"

The blades gleamed coldly in the setting sun, shattering the hopes of the refugees, and no one dared to step forward again.

Jiang Yutang stood at the back of the crowd, looking at the chaotic scene before her, her heart turning cold.

They rushed here with all their might, thinking they had seen hope, but they never expected that they couldn't even get through the city gate.

As conflict was about to erupt, and the refugees' despair was almost turning into madness, Cheng Lanzhou suddenly stepped forward, his voice steady yet carrying an undeniable power.

“By blocking the way like this, you are endangering everyone’s lives. If this matter reaches the capital, the people will only say that the county officials are disregarding human life and abandoning the lives of displaced people. When the higher-ups blame you, can you few yamen runners guarding the city gates bear the responsibility?”

These words were like a bucket of cold water, leaving the city gate guards, caught in a standoff, looking at each other with a dilemma on their faces.

On one hand, there is the risk of "spreading cholera," and on the other hand, there is the pressure of "being held accountable in Beijing." No matter which option is chosen, it seems that neither will be well-received.

Upon seeing this, Jiang Yutang immediately stepped forward. Instead of continuing to exert pressure, he spoke softly from the perspective of the yamen runners: "We understand the concerns of you officials. It is your duty to guard the city gates and protect the safety of the people in the county. We have seen and admire your exemplary attitude."