In a chaotic world of infrastructure development, a woman's path to survival after being reborn

The soldiers who returned with provisions were like victorious warriors, and everyone was happy and joyful about it.

Looking at the scene before her, Su Li didn't know how to describe her feelings at that moment; she only felt that it had been truly difficult.

Life here is far from the idyllic picture one might imagine; for the people here, simply surviving is a difficult experience.

"Mother, have you prepared the things I asked you to prepare?" Zhao Zexuan asked.

Hearing this, the excited Madam Zhao finally calmed down and nodded repeatedly, saying, "Everything is ready. I have told everyone. Everything is packed and we can leave at any time."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zexuan said, "Then let's all take a rest for the next couple of days, and we'll set off for Lingnan in a couple of days."

Upon hearing this, Madam Zhao nodded happily and said, "Good, our family can finally be reunited."

After he finished speaking, the other women of the Zhao family who were gathered around him also showed happy looks, their eyes full of anticipation.

Everyone was busy having fun, so Zhao Zexuan relaxed a bit and had time to pay attention to his surroundings.

Seeing Su Li standing at the edge of the village, silently watching everything, Zhao Zexuan felt a strange mix of emotions. He disregarded his family and went straight to Su Li's side.

Su Li was observing her surroundings when a shadow suddenly fell in front of her. She looked up and saw Zhao Zexuan standing in front of her, surrounded by people asking her how she was doing.

A hint of doubt flashed in Su Li's eyes. Wasn't this person being cared for? How did he end up here?

Su Li had doubts in her heart, which naturally showed on her face, and Zhao Zexuan, who was observing her, immediately noticed them.

"What's wrong?" Zhao Zexuan asked first.

Upon hearing this, Su Li pointed to the Zhao family members who were looking in their direction and said, "Your family members are looking this way."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zexuan remained calm and turned to look at the Zhao family members who were watching them, saying, "Now they are also your family in name only."

Su Li frowned upon hearing this, and was about to retort when she saw the family that had been surrounding Zhao Zexuan walking towards them.

Looking at Su Li beside Zhao Zexuan, Madam Zhao asked in confusion, "Who is this girl?"

The other members of the Zhao family were also extremely puzzled, and they all looked at Su Li with curiosity, wanting to know what was going on.

Before Su Li could speak after hearing Madam Zhao's question, Zhao Zexuan said, "Mother, this is my wife. We have already registered her with the government. According to the laws of the dynasty, she is my wife."

Upon hearing this, disbelief flashed across the faces of all the Zhao family members present, especially when they saw Su Li's frail body, their suspicions became even more pronounced.

Madam Zhao hadn't expected things to turn out this way. Looking at Su Li's gaunt face, her expression grew even worse. The next second, she said, "It's an arranged marriage, a matter of parents' orders and matchmaker's words. You two haven't even obtained your parents' consent yet, so how can this be considered a marriage?"

Because Zhao Zexuan was Madam Zhao's son, Madam Zhao couldn't be too harsh on him, but she harbored a strong hostility towards Su Li. At this moment, she angrily said to Su Li, "Miss, do you think what I said is right?"

Su Li is not one to be bullied. Although she knows that this is indeed the case in ancient times, it does not mean that she should accept it passively.

Su Li was about to retort, but Zhao Zexuan stopped her, saying, "Mother, whether you agree or not, it's a fact that we are husband and wife. And at this point, why are you still harping on these things?"

Upon hearing this, Madam Zhao's anger subsided, and her tone instantly changed. She snorted at Zhao Zexuan and said, "So you think I shouldn't get involved in these things!"

A look of helplessness flashed across Zhao Zexuan's face. Just as he was about to explain, he saw his mother turn away angrily, her back view showing that she was furious.

The rest of the Zhao family were caught off guard by this sudden change. Zhao Zexuan's sisters-in-law couldn't help but exchange glances when they saw this scene, and then said, "Fifth brother, Mother is probably just angry for a moment. She won't be angry for long. You and your sister-in-law... you and Miss Su, please calm down. We'll go and persuade Mother."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zexuan bowed and thanked his sisters-in-law, saying, "Thank you all, sisters-in-law. Please help me persuade Mother. I will explain to her when she is in a better mood."

The Zhao family's sisters-in-law nodded, then took their leave. Judging from their hurried manner, they must have gone to comfort Madam Zhao.

Being scrutinized and looked down upon, and then angrily leaving without having done anything, Su Li felt both helpless and angry.

Seeing that everyone around her had left, Su Li finally spoke up, "Why did you stop me from speaking just now?"

Zhao Zexuan had anticipated Su Li's question, so he said directly, "If I don't stop you, do you expect me to finish saying everything and sever all ties between us?"

Hearing this, Su Li asked in confusion, "Why can't we clarify? We're just business partners. Wouldn't it be better if I clarified it with your mother? Didn't you see how angry she was just now? She must be unhappy with me as her 'daughter-in-law'!"

“It’s one thing to be dissatisfied, but it’s another to accept it. Mother is just angry right now. She’ll figure it out on her own after this while, so there’s no need to worry.”

"And what you said, I've thought about it along the way. You said I don't have to take responsibility, but I can't really shirk responsibility. After all, that was my fault, and I have to make amends. Since I promised to protect your safety, I won't break my promise."

"As you can see, this is the state of the world now. It is undoubtedly very difficult for a woman like you to survive. If I let you leave now, you will probably meet with misfortune before you even get out of this mountain."

Hearing this, Su Li wanted to refute Zhao Zexuan that she wouldn't, but considering that the space was a secret, she refrained from interrupting.

Meanwhile, Zhao Zexuan glanced at Su Li's expression and continued, "You must be aware of the current situation in the capital. Chaos is on the horizon, and no place is absolutely safe. You have nowhere to hide either. You might as well come with us to Lingnan. At least your safety will be guaranteed if you come with us."

Su Li hadn't decided where to go yet, so she didn't object to Zhao Zexuan's idea. In fact, she thought it was a good choice. But she couldn't help but retort, "I can go with you, but why as your wife? You know your family doesn't really approve of me becoming your wife. Wouldn't that make things more complicated?"

Seeing that Su Li's tone had softened and she was no longer so angry, Zhao Zexuan patiently explained, "Do you think just anyone can join our team? If you weren't my wife, it would be difficult for the people here to accept you, let alone take you with them to Lingnan."