Reborn as a Happy Wife in a Rural Family
Chapter 195: Leaving the Snow Maiden Clan

Chapter 195: Chapter 195: Leaving the Snow Maiden Clan

Gu Qingli glanced at her. "No. But don’t worry, we won’t take his life now. We’ll return him to you when we leave in a couple of days."

The young wife was crestfallen. This beautiful and gentle lady is not easy to persuade at all, she thought. And here I was, thinking that after giving her so many things, she would release my husband.

She left with a dejected expression.

There are still two days until the New Year, and the clan is also preparing for it, the young wife mused. But with no one to preside over the celebrations this year, how should things be handled? As for the lives of my mother-in-law and my husband, they’re in their hands. What can I possibly do? I can’t fight them, nor do I dare try to take them back by force. Ugh! This is so frustrating!

After the young wife left, Gu Qingli had Wuyou close the doors and windows, then took the four girls into the Space.

Inside the Space, Gu Qingli designated an area to plant the poisonous flowers. As long as they kept their distance and didn’t get close, the emitted poison wouldn’t harm anyone. Because she was the master of the Space, as long as her consciousness prevented the poison from spreading, it would only linger in that designated area.

She also had Wuyou and the others plant the other medicinal herbs; she could study what they were when she had time. It would be best if the Xue Clan could provide her with a pharmacopoeia. That would save a lot of trouble and prevent some detours. Since she had Xue Mei and her child in her hands, she figured she should be able to get it.

By the time they finished planting, it was already evening.

As soon as they emerged from the Space, they heard knocking on the door and a commotion outside.

"Who could it be this late?" Wuyou ran to open the door.

"What’s going on?"

Outside in the courtyard, torches blazed as bright as day. The courtyard was packed with people, all staring at Wuyou.

"Greetings, Saintess!" The teeming crowd knelt in unison, offering their salutes.

"Huh? Saintess? Who’s your Saintess?" Wuyou feigned ignorance. Who in their right mind would want to be this Saintess? Can you even eat a Saintess?

"You are our Saintess." Ah Li stepped forward with four elderly women, approached Wuyou, and bowed deeply to her again.

"No, no, no! I won’t be your Saintess!" Wuyou slammed the door shut and bolted it.

Be their Saintess? Staying in this place for a month would drive me crazy, let alone a lifetime! Whoever wants the title can have it.

Outside, Ah Li and the four women looked at each other in dismay. There’s actually someone who doesn’t want to be the Saintess?

"First Elder," Ah Li said, holding a box and looking at the woman beside her, "perhaps we should ask the clan members to return for now. We can discuss this tomorrow."

The First Elder shook her head. "We will wait. Perhaps our sincerity is lacking. As long as our sincerity is sufficient, the Saintess will agree."

Ah Li pursed her lips and said no more.

Earlier that afternoon, the four Elders had somehow heard that the previous Saintess’s daughter had returned and had come here with their clan members to wait. Ah Li had no choice but to bring the Saintess’s seal and wait with them.

What a bunch of opportunistic sycophants! Ah Li fumed internally. In what way has My Lady treated them poorly? When has she ever mismanaged the Snow Maiden Clan? This young slip of a girl barely returns, and they immediately turn their backs on My Lady! Was all the respect they showed My Lady in the past a sham?

Inside the house, Gu Qingli had naturally seen everything. Everyone was now gathered around Wuyou.

Wuqing asked, "Wuyou, do you really not want to be the Saintess?"

Wuyou shook her head. "No. If I have to stay here for the rest of my life, you might as well kill me."

Wushuang winked. "What’s wrong with this place? It’s like a Paradise, so beautiful."

Wuyou shot her a glare. "Our Lady already has a place like that. Why would I be foolish enough to choose this distant place over hers? I’m not leaving Our Lady! Whoever wants to be Saintess here can go right ahead."

After speaking, she plopped down beside Gu Qingli with a huff, pouting and clinging to her arm.

"Do you really not want to be the Saintess here? You won’t regret it?" Gu Qingli pinched her cheek and asked.

Wuyou shook her head vehemently. "My Lady, I want to follow you for my entire life!"

"Silly girl."

She giggled. "I’m not silly at all, My Lady!"

「The next day.」

When the main gate opened, the crowd was still standing in the courtyard. The four Elders, however, had been sitting. When they saw the door open, they all shakily rose to their feet and looked inside the house.

The one who opened the door was Wuqing.

The four Elders looked disappointed when they saw it was Wuqing.

The First Elder came forward, bowed to Wuqing, and said, "Miss, has our Saintess awakened yet?"

Wuqing replied, "What Saintess of yours? Go back. She has no interest in being your Saintess."

"This... How can this be?" The First Elder’s face was etched with disbelief. Last night, she had assumed their lack of devotion had displeased the Saintess. She never imagined the Saintess simply didn’t care for the title at all.

But why? The Saintess is the most supreme and revered person in the Snow Maiden Clan. How could she not cherish such a position? The four Elders were utterly bewildered.

Wuqing couldn’t bear to watch any longer. It’s just an isolated village; what’s so special about it? These people are so ignorant, truly pitiful. Still, this place would be well-suited for those who prefer a secluded, unworldly life. Clearly, we aren’t suited for it.

Gu Qingli had already finished her preparations. She had obtained what she wanted and was ready to leave.

She emerged with Wuyou, Wushuang, and Wuxin. Xue Mei and her child were carried by Wushuang and Wuxin, while Wuyou supported Gu Qingli.

From the crowd, four people stepped out: Ah Li, the young wife, and a father and son. They all looked at the barely breathing Xue Mei and her child. The young boy tried to step forward but was pulled back by the man. Only Ah Li and the young wife gazed at Xue Mei and her child, their eyes welling with tears.

"Saintess!" Everyone’s gaze immediately fell upon Wuyou. The four Elders looked at Wuyou with eager anticipation in their eyes.

Wuyou waved her hand. "You can all go back. I won’t be your Saintess. This place of yours is just like a village compared to the outside world; there’s nothing special or sacred about it. I still have to find my parents. Also, I suggest you don’t have a Saintess. Just live comfortably. There aren’t even that many of you in total. Treating it like a whole country, isn’t that exhausting? If you get the chance, go out and see the world. It’s a wonderful place out there. Don’t be a frog in a well."

The four Elders were perplexed. They had never known that the sacred Snow Maiden Clan was considered so insignificant by outsiders.

Gu Qingli waited for Wuyou to finish before turning to Ah Li. "I want a medical book from you in exchange for these people."

Ah Li was startled for a moment, then immediately turned and left.

Gu Qingli waited. The four Elders and the other clan members did not leave; some watched them with curiosity, while others were lost in thought.

After about the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn, Ah Li returned, holding a parchment book.

Wushuang and Wuxin stepped forward to make the exchange: the captives for the book.

Once the transaction was complete, Yun No. 20 approached, carrying Gu Qingli’s palanquin, which appeared to have been refurbished.

"Madam."

Gu Qingli nodded.

Wuyou helped her into the palanquin, and Wushuang and Wuxin immediately moved to lift it.

"Let’s go," Wuqing called out.

Under the watchful eyes of the Snow Maiden Clan members, the group departed from the courtyard and headed out.

Upon reaching the edge of the Snow Maiden Clan’s territory, Gu Qingli alighted from the palanquin, and everyone donned thick, padded cotton clothes.