Chapter 34 – Like a Fishbone Stuck in the Throat, It’s Disgusting

“Your hair’s messy.”

Song Jiuyuan said it casually, showing no particular emotion.

Jiang Wan didn’t say much either, eating the food in front of her thoughtfully. Being able to eat openly and without worry—she felt that was better than anything else.

Compared to them, the people of the Song family were practically glowing green with envy, yet none dared to make a move.

In fact, it wasn’t just them. The others traveling with them were all tempted by the smell of food, but no one even dared look in Jiang Wan’s direction, afraid they might lose control and do something inappropriate.

Facing the envious eyes of the child in Madam Chen’s arms, Jiang Wan stepped forward and gently rubbed the child’s head.

“What’s your name?”

“Chen Wenhao.”

Chen Wenhao looked up with his little face full of admiration as he gazed at Jiang Wan. The image of her saving people earlier was already deeply etched in his memory.

In Chen Wenhao’s eyes, Jiang Wan was the most amazing person in the world—more impressive than even his parents.

“Wenhao, here, eat this.”

Jiang Wan handed Chen Wenhao a small piece of chicken. She had torn it off herself, and it was very clean.

Chen Wenhao was very well-behaved. His eyes turned to his parents for permission. Madam Chen quickly shook her head.

“Lady Jiang, we absolutely cannot accept this.”

Such a precious thing couldn’t even be bought with silver.

“Go ahead, eat it.”

Jiang Wan brought the meat to Chen Wenhao’s mouth. Though the little boy was drooling, without his parents’ approval, he still stood there with his big eyes wide open, dazed and unmoving.

“Eat it.”

Chen Ce gently patted the child’s head, then turned to Jiang Wan. “We truly appreciate this, thank you!”

He was a man of action. His gratitude was not only spoken but also shown through his deeds. That evening, everyone spent the night at a ruined temple.

To express his thanks to Jiang Wan, Chen Ce worked busily, helping out here and there. Jiang Wan noticed a subtle exchange of glances between him and Song Jiuyuan.

It seemed she had done the right thing—successfully creating an opportunity for the two to interact without drawing attention.

It was getting late. There was a well next to the ruined temple, likely used by the monks who once lived there and still maintained by the nearby villagers.

Because of that, the well water was very clean. Everyone used it to cook, wash up, and fetch water.

Song Jiuli quickly claimed the best spot, efficiently setting down their luggage. Song Jiuchi also helped Song Jiuyuan settle down.

Unlike before, the whole family was now incredibly united, which made the rest of the Song family green with envy.

But they didn’t have the strength to cause trouble now. Every one of them had been worn down and looked miserable.

No one from the Song family had eaten their fill today. Shen Qian’s eyes darted toward Jiang Wan and her group.

Jiang Wan was a ruthless woman. The man was hard to approach. After thinking it over, Shen Qian figured her only option was to target Song Jiuli. But she had already offended her.

Her stomach growled with hunger—not just hers. Everyone in the Song family was the same. They had vomited everything out earlier, and now their faces were as pale as ash.

Perhaps noticing their pitiful state, Jiang Wan mischievously took out some fruits and offered them to everyone.

“Mother, these are wild fruits I picked along the way. They taste pretty good. Have some after the meal to cleanse your palate.”

In the past, nobles in the prince’s residence always had desserts and fruit after meals. Jiang Wan’s words made Madam Song’s eyes well up with tears.

“Wanwan, you’re so thoughtful. But I’m not hungry, you eat.”

“We can all eat together.”

Jiang Wan distributed the fruits to everyone. When she got to Song Jiuyuan, she met his complicated gaze—and suddenly pulled her hand back like lightning.

Why did she feel like Song Jiuyuan’s look was giving her the creeps? Was it just her imagination?

Jiang Wan suddenly had the urge to run, but then she remembered that in the original story, the big villain was supposed to eventually meet the female lead. She still wanted to see the heroine of the novel.

While she was lost in thought, Song Jiuyuan spoke softly. “Thank you.”

His long, well-defined fingers held the fruit. Under the firelight, his gaze appeared deep and unreadable.

“You’re welcome.”

Jiang Wan awkwardly got up and used an excuse to go for a walk. On her way back, she vaguely heard a faint voice.

“Master, don’t be impatient. I… I’ll satisfy you.”

The voice sounded strangely familiar. Jiang Wan was about to peek and see what kind of sneaky business they were up to when she heard something obscene.

Dear heavens, Jiang Wan really hadn’t expected that. Her ears turned bright red, and she quickly rushed back to the ruined temple.

Once there, she noticed someone was missing from the Song family—Concubine Duan.

Just for a bite of food, the Song family really stooped that low. Disgusting.

Jiang Wan got goosebumps all over. It was like having a fishbone stuck in her throat—utterly repulsive. But she had no right to say anything, since it was Concubine Duan’s own decision.

Sure enough, not long after, Jiang Wan saw Concubine Duan returning with one of the officers, one in front of the other.

After coming back, Concubine Duan took out some dry rations from her clothes and handed them to the Song family. Judging from their expressions, they probably knew how she had gotten them.

Yet no one asked her if she was okay—not even Shen Qian. As a fellow woman, their behavior chilled Jiang Wan to the core.

“Where did Concubine Duan get the food?”

Song Jiuli mumbled in a low voice. Jiang Wan actually heard her, but she didn’t know how to tell anyone what she had just witnessed.

Madam Song patted Song Jiuli’s shoulder. “Don’t meddle in other people’s business. Don’t overthink.”

“I was just curious, that’s all.”

Song Jiuli pouted. She didn’t mean anything else—she was just surprised that someone as delicate as Concubine Duan could get so much food.

She wanted to help share the burden with her family. If she could also find some food…

“Song Jiuli!”

Madam Song angrily tugged her daughter’s ear. “Just get some proper rest.”

“I get it, Mother.” Song Jiuli pouted and lay down to rest. But Jiang Wan had trouble falling asleep.

The weather was hot. After everyone had finished cooking, the fire had long been put out. Now the ruined temple was pitch black, filled only with the sounds of breathing.

Jiang Wan couldn’t sleep. When she looked up, her gaze met Song Jiuyuan’s bright eyes. They weren’t far apart, so Jiang Wan carefully sat up.

“You… do you need to go to the bathroom?”

Jiang Wan thought Song Jiuyuan couldn’t sleep because he needed relief. Her question made Song Jiuyuan visibly uncomfortable. He tugged at the corner of his mouth.

“No.”

Seeing his stubborn expression, Jiang Wan thought he was shy. She hurried to reassure him.

“It’s okay—when nature calls, I get it.”

“I really don’t.”

Song Jiuyuan’s voice was firm. Only then did Jiang Wan realize she had misunderstood. Her expression turned slightly awkward.

“As long as you’re okay. I was worried you might be holding it in.”

“Jiang Wan.”

Song Jiuyuan’s forehead twitched. Ever since they were exiled, this woman had become completely different from who she used to be. Sometimes, he found her incredibly endearing.

But other times, she was just exasperating. How could someone have so many different sides?

Jiang Wan had no idea what he was thinking. She leaned over to his side and whispered very quietly:

“Song Jiuyuan, did you see Concubine Duan leave just now?”

“Mm.”

Song Jiuyuan’s expression was hard to read. Clearly, he didn’t want to talk about what had happened.

Jiang Wan understood. So he had figured it out. Sigh… the status of women after being exiled was really low.

She seemed to finally understand why the original Jiang Wan had caused so much trouble before finally being unable to bear it and dying.