Ex-Wife is a Big Villainess
Chapter 163 - 111 The Lady’s Gift_3

Chapter 163: Chapter 111 The Lady’s Gift_3

Ran Qingchen’s cheeks reddened, and she emphatically declared, "Mr. Yuan, I have taken to heart the lessons you taught me previously and will not treat them as if they were nothing. Moreover, gold will eventually shine."

Yuan Anjiang nodded approvingly, yet he soon furrowed his brows again.

He walked over to his desk and gently rested his clenched fist on the tabletop, still finding it hard to make a decision.

In his position, any involvement would change the significance of his actions, potentially setting off a chain reaction. Even a small spark could ignite a roaring fire.

After further deep thought, Yuan Anjiang whispered, "Logically, I should invite a few more officials to make the fire burn brighter. But the problem is, no one is willing to bet that the fire will start. No one will risk their future on you, Jiang Mo. It is simply too preposterous."

Jiang Mo was shocked.

What he least hoped for had still occurred.

Ran Qingchen also felt her heart sink.

If the Emperor knew, wouldn’t the biggest backer of Xichu Pavilion be the Emperor himself?

How could they contend against that?

Yuan Anjiang, who had been watching their expressions, started to smile, "But there is a big difference between knowing something privately and being forced to acknowledge it publicly, do you understand? Some matters are negligible if not weighed, but once they are, they become unstoppable."

Jiang Shouzhong was stunned momentarily, his eyes lighting up, yet his mood became even heavier.

Yuan Anjiang’s meaning was clear.

How fatal the fire you start will be ultimately depends on the one in the Capital.

It depends on the Emperor’s tolerance towards the Luo Family.

If the Emperor is willing to be used by you, you can win. If he is not, all your efforts will be in vain.

Yuan Anjiang approached Jiang Shouzhong, his eyes conveying complex emotions:

"Jiang Mo, I might be blunt. With your current status and influence, it is impossible for you to step out of the game and not be someone’s pawn. All you can do is to protect yourself in the cracks.

You can indeed overturn a board to momentarily gain freedom, but you will eventually land on another chessboard. Frankly, this vast Capital is just a big chessboard, and no one, including me, can escape it once they are in it.

So you need to think it over. Do you still want my help? If you do, I will find some people to assist you.

If you do not, I will act as if tonight’s events never happened. If you lose in your gamble with Xichu Pavilion, I will still protect you. But for your friends, I am powerless."

Yuan Anjiang had made himself very clear.

"I can help, but tonight, you, Jiang Mo, must allow other officials to manipulate you as a pawn to suppress the Luo Family on the court and gain more political resources.

Who would help you without any benefit?"

Although Yuan Anjiang was being very realistic, Jiang Shouzhong felt somewhat grateful in his heart since the other party would not have been so candid if he truly intended to use him.

Moreover, by getting involved in this matter, the other party would also have to face great risks.

Jiang Shouzhong took a deep breath, looked Yuan Anjiang in the eye, and declared, "Mr. Yuan, how you add fuel to the fire does not concern me. Since I have decided to ignite this fire, I will not back down."

"Alright, then I will gamble with you, young man. As the saying goes, fortune favors the bold, and I hope you do not disappoint me."

Yuan Anjiang chuckled and gently patted Jiang Shouzhong on the shoulder, "I will now go find a few officials to see who is willing to take this bet with me. You all go ahead and start the fire in Xichu Pavilion. Even if only I, Yuan Anjiang, show up in the end, that will be enough to make Xichu Pavilion shake."

...

After leaving Yuan Anjiang’s house, Ran Qingchen went to Liushan Division to gather people.

Meanwhile, to ensure that Jiang Yi would cooperate with him, Jiang Shouzhong decided to personally go to Silver Moon Tower to sway her.

Just as he arrived at Silver Moon Tower, the carriage Jiang Yi usually rode in happened to slowly drive out.

Upon seeing Jiang Shouzhong, the carriage stopped.

Chun Yu lifted the carriage curtain, and inside the carriage, Jiang Yi, her face icy, stared at Jiang Shouzhong and coldly asked, "I ask you, has the Xichu Pavilion really deliberately harmed me?"

That the woman asked this way showed that she had already verified that the rescued He Lianlan was indeed a demon-possessed soul.

Actually, Jiang Shouzhong wasn’t sure whether the Xichu Pavilion had intentionally set a trap in the He Lianlan incident. However, even if it weren’t so, he had to claim it was to ensure both parties became absolutely hostile.

Jiang Shouzhong said gravely, "May I ask the lady if the people from Xichu Pavilion knew you planned to take He Lianlan away?"

"They probably knew," Jiang Yi replied indifferently.

Hearing this answer, Jiang Shouzhong was greatly relieved and began using his persuasive oratory skills. He stared at the extraordinarily beautiful woman inside the carriage and said, "Actually, from the start, I sensed something amiss. Because originally, Zheng Shanqi saw He Lianlan imprisoned with other girls. Since the people of Xichu Pavilion knew you were coming to take her away, they should have hidden her completely.

However, that night when we went to rescue her, Miss Qiuye managed to rescue He Lianlan easily. Of course, it was due to Miss Qiuye’s high cultivation. But at that time, He Lianlan was the only one in the room, which clearly indicates a setup intended for Silver Moon Tower to take her away!"

Jiang Yi, her eyes sharp as blades, stared at Jiang Shouzhong, "Then how did you know there was something wrong with He Lianlan who was rescued?"

Jiang Shouzhong said, "This evening I carefully inspected the Xichu Pavilion’s backyard and entered the room from where Miss Qiuye had rescued the girl. I discovered a hidden chamber not easily noticeable.

I guessed, the other imprisoned girls must be locked up there. So I found it strange why He Lianlan was kept alone in a room. Thinking it over, there’s only one possibility, it was a trap set for you, madam!"

Jiang Yi’s expression was as still as water.

Her hand clutching the handkerchief tightened slightly.

Jiang Yi asked, "What do you plan to do?"

Jiang Shouzhong’s gaze was stern, "As an officer of the Liushan Division, it is mandatory to scrutinize any hidden Demon Energy. I have already reported to the supervisor and have organized a search of the Xichu Pavilion. Moreover, Mr. Yuan Anjiang has decided to come personally to supervise."

"Yuan Anjiang, huh."

Jiang Yi, lost in thought, then asked, "And what should I do?"

Jiang Shouzhong, not daring to reveal his thoughts, answered with irrelevance, "Madam, rest assured, I will keep the matter about He Lianlan confidential."

Jiang Yi let out a snort of laughter.

She leaned against the carriage wall, looking meaningfully at the man in front of her, "Jiang Mo, why save me? After all I’ve done to you before, you should hate me to the bone. Don’t you just wish I’d die sooner?"

I truly wish you would die... Jiang Shouzhong thought to himself, but he solemnly replied, "Firstly, you are Qingchen’s aunt, and nominally we are relatives. Secondly, I have obtained benefits from you before, which counts as a connection, and I am quite loyal to my connections."

"Enough with the hypocrisy,"

Jiang Yi said irritably, "You just want to use my power to fight against Xichu Pavilion, using me as a pawn, right? Just say it directly, no need to beat around the bush with a bunch of nonsense."

Jiang Shouzhong remained silent.

"Get in the carriage."

The woman’s crimson lips curved into a captivating arc, "Today, Jiang Yi will let you use me as a pawn."

Jiang Shouzhong entered the carriage.

A scent as fresh as crushed flora invaded his nostrils, a unique maiden fragrance from the woman.

Jiang Yi said with a smile, "Regardless, Master Jiang, you’ve saved me once, and I won’t forget this favor. When this matter is settled, you can pick any gift, whatever you want."

"Anything at all?"

Jiang Shouzhong’s expression revealed a trace of peculiarity.

Without responding, Jiang Yi lifted the curtain and gazed at the darkened streets at night. A few strands of hair on her cheeks gently danced with the movement of the carriage, emphasizing her jade-like translucent, frost-white cheeks.

After a while, the woman lightly twisted her waist and looked back smilingly, "Of course."

The woman continued, "Even a person is fine, it’s just... I wonder which one you might pick?"

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