My domineering ex-husband is living off his wife in ancient times.

Chapter 23 Conditions for Saving People

I almost died laughing after hearing Cheng Ruoan's story.

Li's eldest son worked as a purchasing agent for a wealthy man in the county town. Last month, he was caught embezzling money and signed a contract to compensate the man with 500 taels of silver, or he would go to jail.

A month has passed, and there are still sixty taels short of the required amount.

When the second wife and her husband arrived at the Li family's house, not only were their wheelbarrow and belongings confiscated, but the mother and her three children were also detained by the Li family.

They said that if Li and her two children were sold, they would have enough for the sixty taels of silver, so they forced Si Erlang to write a divorce agreement on the spot.

Si Erlang disagreed, so Li's three older brothers beat him up, grabbed his hand, made him put his fingerprint on the divorce papers, and threw them back.

The person is still lying in the guest room behind the inn, groaning and moaning.

"Mother, what should we do about Second Aunt, Ershuan, and Erzhu?" Si Xin, though small, was very worried.

Just as Cheng Ruoan was about to gloat, she heard her mother's voice, which was filled with joy and maternal love.

"An'an, my darling, you're finally back." Cheng Ruo'an turned around and saw the three members of her maternal family coming out from the backyard of the post station to the entrance of the main hall.

After exchanging greetings, I learned that the three members of the Cheng family had been packing their luggage, which was why they had come out.

Cheng Ruoan took out a large bag of French bread rolls wrapped in oil paper from her bosom and placed it on the table: "Mother, eldest sister and brother-in-law, you haven't had breakfast yet, have you? Have something to eat first."

Cheng Ruoan was worried that the two children would choke, so she specially brought out two cans of milk.

Si Nian's eyes sparkled as she said to Cheng Ruo'an, "Mommy~ When I grow up, I want to wear clothes like yours too. The pockets are so big, they can hold so many things!"

Hearing this, Cheng's mother and eldest sister also looked over. "An'an, did you put this bag of pastries and two cartons of milk in your clothes?"

"Ah? Ah, right." Cheng Ruoan smiled awkwardly and patted Si Nian's head: "This collar can hold quite a lot. When you grow up, your mother will make it for you. Hurry up and eat something."

She then smiled and reminded her mother and sister, "Mother, eldest sister, you should eat too. We'll be setting off soon after we finish eating."

"Okay, let's eat first."

This meal was quite something.

Sister Cheng's eyes lit up immediately. "An'an, where did you buy these pastries? They're sweet, soft, and fluffy, not too sweet, and have a rich milky flavor. They're so delicious! Are they expensive? No, they're not. We can buy more to keep as provisions for the road."

"It's really delicious. I've never tasted this flavor in Qingshan County before," Cheng's mother agreed.

Even the usually taciturn Brother-in-law Cheng nodded in agreement, "My wife loves to eat this. Xiao An, give me the address. I'm fast on foot, so I can catch up with you even if I go into town to buy it."

Cheng Ruoan's lips twitched awkwardly.

He's going to lie again.

God forgive me!

Cheng Ruoan said with a serious face: "It's so expensive. How can something with milk be cheap? It's not suitable as dry food. I bought a few extra packs yesterday. If you like it, I'll get it for you later. Brother-in-law, don't bother buying any more. We need to leave Qingshan County as soon as possible."

Sister Cheng was very embarrassed: "How can I, as the older sister, accept food from my own younger sister? No, no, I don't want it."

But after he finished speaking, the light in his eyes involuntarily dimmed for a moment.

Heaven have mercy, she has no other hobbies in her life but eating.

She quite liked this soft and fluffy pastry.

Cheng Ruoan patted her hand and said with a smile, "Big sister, that's something I bought especially for you."

Sister Cheng said, embarrassed and annoyed, "Oh dear, I'm not a child anymore, why do I need my sister to buy me delicious food?"

"But you're the best cook, big sister! I was thinking this pastry is quite rare, so I bought a lot for you to try. Maybe you can make the same dish, then when we move north, we'll have another source of income!"

Sister Cheng's eyes lit up again: "That's right, there are more cattle and sheep in the north, and cow's milk and sheep's milk are cheaper than in the southwest. If we make these pastries and sell them, the cost won't be too high!"

Seeing that she had guided him effectively, Cheng Ruoan didn't say anything more, just nodded and smiled.

If the old doctor can make granules with a recipe she memorized, then her older sister, who is so good at cooking, could probably make the same food with a recipe from her Bilibili collection, right?

"Sigh..." A sigh that sounded mature beyond his years pulled Cheng Ruoan's thoughts back to the present.

Si Xin looked like she had no appetite.

Cheng Ruoan smiled helplessly and asked with concern, "Are you worried about Erzhu and Ershuan?"

Si Xin nodded: "I know that my second uncle and aunt are not good people, and they even bully my mother."

So what happens to them is none of my business, nor do I care.

But my brothers took good care of my sister and me; they...they are my brothers.

The child's voice was innocent, but its meaning made Cheng Ruoan pause for a moment.

Looking at Si Xin, her heart almost melted.

What makes her so special that she was able to have such a sensible and insightful child after becoming a mother without experiencing pain!

Cheng Ruoan smiled gently and patted his head softly: "Yes, Xiaoxin is right. Your second uncle and his family are them, and your brothers are your brothers. Even if we adults have grudges, it won't affect you children."

"Then... Mother, can you talk to Father and ask him to save Brother Erzhu and Brother Ershuan?" Si Xin looked at Cheng Ruoan with hopeful eyes.

A cute baby with bright, sparkling eyes sending out shimmering "please" signals—who could resist?

In short, Cheng Ruoan, a baby-obsessed girl who dreams of having twins, couldn't resist.

She reached out and smoothed the little one's furrowed brows, smiling as she said, "Yes, leave it to Mommy!"

Before long, Cheng Ruoan called Si Shaoheng over. After a brief discussion, Si Shaoheng carried Cheng Ruoan to the guest rooms behind the inn.

Zhao was also with them.

They found Si Erlang, and Si Shaoheng revealed Cheng Ruoan's plan: "Second brother, you should know how much dowry and jewelry my wife took. Now, if you want your wife and two nephews to come back, you can only sign this IOU on her behalf."

As he spoke, he unfolded a piece of paper and showed it to Si Erlang.

[Li Xianglan, a woman, admitted to repeatedly stealing and selling her sister-in-law Cheng Ruoan's jewelry. Unable to compensate Cheng for past losses, she wrote a note owing Cheng 500 taels of silver, including principal and interest, to be repaid over 20 years...]

Upon hearing the words "five hundred taels," Si Erlang's vision went black, and he fainted with a loud groan.

"Second son!" Zhao rushed over and pinched his philtrum, scolding him with exasperation, "You good-for-nothing! How could you faint from fright?!"

This IOU was written solely to save Li and her two sons. We're family; do you really think Cheng would let you repay five hundred taels?!

Cheng Ruoan said twice, "Mom, that's not right. We just agreed outside that my second sister-in-law would either return the jewelry she stole from me, or pay me back the money according to the IOU."

Otherwise, I won't go with Sanlang to the Li family to collect debts.