Actually, even if the wife and child were alive, it wouldn't matter.
A divorce paper could solve the trouble; Ms. Hetian already had a ready-made accusation: stealing from the husband's family.
Of course, since they're missing, they might already be dead somewhere unknown. He Erniu was too lazy to bother.
He mentioned that Ms. Hetian supported her own family, leaving him without money to get by, and admitted, "She and the child are already gone, so I won't pursue it further!"
The implication was, even if Ms. Hetian didn't die and came looking for him, He Erniu could still divorce her.
In times of war, marriage was not that complicated.
He Erniu had nothing to hide and was indeed justified; he wasn't just some man abandoning his wife and children. Mr. Qin didn't mind and married his daughter to him.
The following year, Lady Qin bore a son for He Erniu.
With a new son, He Xiaobao was completely forgotten by He Erniu.
