Ex-Wife is a Big Villainess
Chapter 195 - 124: Stealing a Husband in Person?

Chapter 195: Chapter 124: Stealing a Husband in Person?

The next morning, Jiang Shouzhong took Zhang Que’er to the yamen.

Within the yamen, officials from the Dali Temple and the Ministry of Justice interrogated Zhang Que’er in detail, and Zhang Que’er, following the set of explanations Jiang Shouzhong taught her, perfectly extricated herself from the Nalan Case.

It had to be said that not only was Zhang Que’er psychologically strong, but her acting abilities were also exceptional.

In the face of questions from numerous officials, she displayed the confusion, nervousness, fear, innocence, helplessness, and naivety expected of a young girl without a single flaw, exceedingly perfect.

Add to that her inherent beauty and the image of a delicate girl with the appearance of tear-stained, pity-inspiring pear blossoms, which made the habitually stern officials unable to keep a harsh face and instead do their utmost to be pleasant and gentle, fearing they might scare this fragile young girl.

Moreover, after the court’s involvement, these officials had actually discovered the evils that Nalan Xie had committed against the eldest daughter of the Zhang family, which made them even more sympathetic towards Zhang Que’er.

Even when leaving the yamen, an official quietly promised Zhang Que’er that after the case was concluded, she would be allowed to take her mother’s body away.

Jiang Shouzhong couldn’t help but feel that this girl was a natural actor.

No wonder even someone as astute as Nalan Xie capsized in the gutter.

Walking on the street, the girl returned to a calm expression, her slender lips slightly pursed, a sharp contrast to that naive girl in the yamen who was sobbing and crying while calling the officials uncles and elders.

Curious, Jiang Shouzhong asked, "Although your cultivation realm is that of a minor Xuan Grandmaster, apart from techniques like the Blood Arrow, which is akin to a hidden weapon, your true strength is only about that of a First Grade Martial Artist. Have you used any special methods to forcibly enhance your realm?"

"Demon Energy."

Zhang Que’er said lightly.

Before Jiang Shouzhong could ask in detail, she looked up at him and said, "I found a vial of Demon Energy in Zhang Yue’er’s doll and drank it, which took my cultivation from Second Grade to minor Xuan Grandmaster realm."

Jiang Shouzhong’s steps halted abruptly, his expression one of amazement.

This was a huge surprise.

With the Xichu Pavilion sealed off, he hadn’t bothered to look for that vial of Demon Energy, not expecting it to end up in the hands of the girl before him.

"Is there anything unusual with your body?"

Jiang Shouzhong couldn’t help but frown.

This girl was too reckless, daring to drink Demon Energy.

Zhang Que’er spread her hands, and under the sunlight, the girl’s pale complexion revealed an almost unhealthy porcelain whiteness, "Didn’t I say? My cultivation went from a Second Grade Martial Artist to a minor Xuan Grandmaster. Other than that, I don’t feel anything else."

Is Netherworld Demon Qi this powerful?

As far as he knew, when cultivators risked using ordinary Demon Energy to enhance their cultivation, the gain was minor and couldn’t possibly lead to a major jump in realm. Using it excessively could lead to cultivation deviation or even death, as ascending realms was akin to climbing high mountains, not accomplished at a single stroke.

Yet Zhang Que’er had made a leap from Martial Artist to Grandmaster; he didn’t know if this would leave any hidden trouble for her.

Furthermore, Netherworld Demon Qi was used to resurrect the dead; could there really be no problems with this girl after drinking it?

Jiang Shouzhong was somewhat concerned.

He’d have Mengniang thoroughly examine Zhang Que’er’s body after returning.

...

On the way back, they happened to run into Zhang Yunwu and his daughter Zhang Yue’er, who were on their way to send the daughter to the academy.

Seeing Zhang Que’er, the young girl’s face lit up with joy as she ran up to her and asked crisply, "Sister Que’er, why aren’t you going to the academy?"

Of course, the young girl was unaware of what was happening in the Capital.

Zhang Yunwu knew some inside information.

However, his knowledge was limited, and he also thought that Zhang Que’er had no involvement in the Nalan Case. Thinking of how the other party’s parents had all passed away, his face couldn’t help but show a trace of compassion.

Looking at the young girl in front of her, whose name differed from hers by only one character, Zhang Que’er revealed a rare gentle smile. The gloom in her eyes also completely dispersed as she gently touched the other’s little braid and said with a smile, "I haven’t been feeling well recently, so I asked for leave from the master. I’ll go back after a few days."

"Ah, Sister Que’er, I hope you’re okay. Shall I ask my father to find a physician to see you?"

Zhang Yue’er’s face was full of concern.

Zhang Que’er smiled and shook her head, "Don’t worry about me. You need to be good at the academy, okay? If that young master from the Zhao Family dares to bully you again, I’ll help you teach him a lesson."

"Mhm, mhm."

Zhang Yue’er nodded vigorously.

During a lull in the conversation between the two girls, Jiang Shouzhong asked Zhang Yunwu, "Do you have any plans to buy a new house? After all, the court has given us gold, and it’s enough to buy a small courtyard. If we’re buying, let’s buy together. It would be more convenient to drop by for meals. There’s no hope for Jia, that guy has already given all his money to Qing Niang for her thatched cottage."

Zhang Yunwu scratched his head helplessly and said, "Actually, I had thought about it at first, but Zhao Di said she wanted to save it. I think she’s considering setting aside a dowry for Yue’er in advance, which I think is fine."

Setting aside a dowry?

She’s probably already planning to find you a new wife.

Remembering the words that We Zhaodi had once said to him, Jiang Shouzhong shook his head and decided not to meddle in the couple’s affairs anymore.

Because Zhang Yue’er was in a hurry to go to school, both parties only chatted briefly before parting ways.

Zhang Yunwu watched his daughter hop and skip into the academy. Along the way, she waved at him, and Zhang Yunwu smiled and waved back, only preparing to leave after the young girl’s figure disappeared.

"Amitabha."

Just then, a low, magnetic voice tinged with a woman’s delicacy suddenly floated over.

Zhang Yunwu turned his head in confusion and saw a beautiful female monk.

The female monk was dressed in a yellow kasaya, with a flowing robe that danced with the wind, like a lotus flower blooming beneath the seat of a Bodhisattva. Her eyes shimmered with a strange luster, carrying a seductive autumn charm.

Zhang Yunwu, who had been taken in by the monks of Vajra Temple at a young age, was especially respectful towards monks, even the rare female ones, and he dared not to neglect her. He quickly brought his hands together and bowed, "I greet the master."

The Buddha Mother returned the gesture and with a gentle smile, a touch of sadness and pity in her voice, asked, "The young girl from before, is she your daughter?"

"Yes, she is my daughter," Zhang Yunwu nodded.

"Your daughter will have a significant source of blessing in the future, and you as her father have made a great contribution," said the Buddha Mother with a smile.

Zhang Yunwu, feeling slightly embarrassed, scratched his head, unsure of how to continue the conversation.

The Buddha Mother raised a delicate hand, and as if by magic, a string of Buddha Beads appeared in her palm. She held them out to Zhang Yunwu and said softly, "To encounter is to be destined, so I will give these Thousand Blessing Beads to you."

Zhang Yunwu was taken aback and hurriedly shook his head, "These beads don’t look ordinary, they’re too precious, master, please take them back."

Zhang Yunwu might be simple, but he wasn’t foolish.

On the road, a female monk suddenly appeared, wanting to give him a valuable gift. Something felt off about the whole situation.

The Bhikkhuni smiled and said, "This nun has no home and no reliance, and if I’m lucky, after death only a few relics will be burned for me. Whether this item is valuable or not is unimportant to me. If it can be given to someone with fate, then it is its good fortune."

Zhang Yunwu was about to continue declining, but suddenly realized the Buddha Beads had appeared in his hand.

The Bhikkhuni brought her palms together, mumbling a segment of scripture, the aura of mercy around her growing even denser.

As the scripture was recited continuously, Zhang Yunwu’s eyes began to show traces of blood.

...

The grand hall of Wuchan Temple, with its flying eaves seeming to reach the clouds, was shrouded in incense and reverberated with the low chanting of mantras.

At this moment, up in the loft, two monks sat facing each other.

One old, one young.

The old monk’s face was tranquil and kind, his wrinkles crisscrossed like the annual rings on deadwood, and his eyebrows were frosted white. Despite appearing destitute, he still seemed extraordinary and carried a hint of merciful aura.

The young monk was quite handsome, resembling a porcelain doll, with skin so clean it seemed to shine with a translucent jade-like quality.

"Master?"

Sensing something amiss, the young monk stopped his wood-fish drumming and looked at the old monk with a slight frown, "Is there some kind of evil aura?"

The old monk slowly opened his eyes, gazing towards the distant street where Zhang Yunwu was, his voice aged, "It is the Life-Claiming Buddhist Chant."

"Ah? An Esoteric Sect demon monk has come!?"

The young monk was shocked.

The old monk smiled, "The Buddha has a thousand facets, and the Dharma is immeasurable. There’s no such thing as demon monks or holy monks. If her heart contains Buddha, she is Buddha. Back then..."

The old monk suddenly stopped speaking as if he had recalled some regretful matter, letting out a deep sigh, he gently waved his hand, causing each of the wooden fish on the surrounding tables to drum by themselves.

The sound of the wooden fish was crisp and melodious, echoing throughout the ancient temple.

...

On the street, the Bhikkhuni abruptly stopped chanting.

She first glanced in the direction of Wuchan Temple, then toward Zhang Yunwu, whose vision was gradually becoming clear again. She sighed softly, bowed apologetically in the direction of the temple, "This nun was presumptuous."

Having said that, the Bhikkhuni passed by Zhang Yunwu.

By the time Zhang Yunwu’s vision had completely cleared, the figure of the other party had already disappeared, and the Buddha Beads in his hands were also gone.

——

Jiang Shouzhong returned home and found his wife, Ran Qingchen, had come.

She was talking with Qiuye about something.

"Jiang Mo."

Ran Qingchen, dressed in a light blue gown, glanced at Zhang Que’er without leaving a trace and then smiled at Jiang Shouzhong, "I came today to discuss something with you. I am planning to buy you a house. After all, there are more people in your house now, and it’s inconvenient."

Jiang Shouzhong was full of surprise.

How did this wife of his know he was planning to buy a house?

Could it be a kind of tacit understanding between husband and wife?

"There’s no need, I can buy it myself, I have money," Jiang Shouzhong said, feeling embarrassed to let her spend the money.

Ran Qingchen thought for a moment and said, "Tomorrow, I will definitely buy you a good house."

Looking at all the women in the courtyard, Ran Qingchen felt unhappy.

She didn’t care about Er Liang, who was black and thin like a stick. As for Zhang Que’er, although she was pretty, she was too young after all, and Jiang Mo would not go that far.

Xia He, well, this woman was cold as ice, so she probably wouldn’t get involved with Jiang Mo any time soon.

Besides, during the last visit to the Ran household, Xia He seemed to take the initiative to seduce him without success, even annoying Jiang Mo, which showed their relationship was not good.

Only this Qiuye made her feel uneasy.

Especially the way Qiuye looked at Jiang Mo, as if she could spin threads from her gaze.

At that moment, Ran Qingchen was really dissatisfied with that aunt. Today she introduces a beautiful maid, and tomorrow another one... What is she trying to do? Has she lost her mind?

She’s really going head-to-head with me, her niece?

What, will the aunt be in her husband’s room the next time they meet?

It was imperative to suppress this trend as soon as possible!

While Ran Qingchen was thinking about where to buy a house, Qiuye suddenly asked, "Miss Ran, may I ask if you really don’t mind Master Jiang marrying a new wife?"

"???"

Seeing Qiuye gazing intently at her, Ran Qingchen was baffled.

What did she mean? Was it an open declaration of war?

Qiuye seriously said, "Master Jiang said that you won’t marry him and that you have higher pursuits. Is that true?"

Ran Qingchen looked at Jiang Shouzhong, recalling the conversation they had once had in the carriage. She was at a loss for words and could only vaguely say, "He and I are not suited for each other. I hope he finds new happiness."

Hearing this, Qiuye finally felt relieved.

Qiuye said, "So if Master Jiang gets a new wife, you won’t be angry, right?"

"Of... of course, not," Ran Qingchen replied, her face stern and her tone indifferent. "I will bless him whoever he likes. Besides, he told me recently that he doesn’t want women and just wants to be single. Also, I plan to find someone for him too. If Miss Qiuye knows anyone suitable, you can also introduce her."

Ran Qingchen tried to squeeze out a relaxed smile, but failed.

Qiuye took a deep breath, loosening her sweaty hands from nervousness, and without looking at Jiang Shouzhong, as if summoning all of her courage for this moment.

Trust in her elder sister; she said only initiative leads to rewards.

Qiuye psyched herself up internally, and with a raised head, she declared clearly and deliberately, "I think I am quite suitable."