Ex-Wife is a Big Villainess
Chapter 229 - 141: Losing the Wife and the Troops

Chapter 229: Chapter 141: Losing the Wife and the Troops

The night deepened.

The misty drizzle of early spring silently fell again, blending with the warm yellow light in the courtyard, creating a dazzling and blurred atmosphere.

In the room, Xia He quietly sat on the bed.

Usually accustomed to wearing sturdy boots, she was now dressed in a crimson Luo skirt, which complimented her normally frosty beauty, accentuating her slender waist as if she were a noble lady reared in seclusion.

To avoid sensing, Chun Yu, along with Qiuye and Dong Xue, left the courtyard, trying to maximize the distance between them.

When they left, the dispositions of the three ladies were each different.

While Qiuye had resolved her emotional entanglements, seeing her elder sister and the man she liked about to consummate their marriage still brought a touch of sourness; her leaving glance at Jiang Shouzhong was as if her eyes could weave threads of melancholy.

Dong Xue wore a face full of regret, several times trying to sneak away but each time being dragged back by her elder sister, pouting in sulky silence.

Chun Yu simply worried.

After all, her younger sister was inexperienced and she didn’t know if she might hurt herself. If only she had thought to share more of the knowledge she saw in books with her.

Thinking this, elder sister Chun Yu felt more regret. She, an experienced expert in many areas, when would she get her chance to demonstrate her strength? The taste of having talents yet finding no occasion to show them truly was unpleasant.

"Madam, do we really not need some sort of martial ceremony?"

Jiang Shouzhong asked Jiang Yi.

Although he was a time traveler and didn’t oppose the act of being intimate before marriage, after all, it’s the more traditional ancient times; a wedding chamber is very sacred for a girl.

Jiang Shouzhong didn’t want Xia He to feel regret.

Jiang Yi replied with a smile, "Don’t worry, since I promised to give Xia He to you, I won’t mistreat her. After all, I’ve watched her grow up. Once we settle the issue with her life-bead, I will naturally host a grand wedding ceremony for you... and when that happens, we can also invite Qingchen as a guest."

Jiang Shouzhong nodded, not saying anything more.

However, hearing the mention of Ran Qingchen, Jiang Shouzhong felt a bit of regret.

It’s a pity she had already left the capital; otherwise, he could have at least mentioned it to her, clearing up one of her concerns. That woman was always obsessed with finding him a wife.

Just then, Jiang Shouzhong suddenly saw in the woman’s soft reddened palms, like peeling a fresh pomegranate, a crystal clear, pinkish bead the size of a pinky fingertip.

"Is this the Divine Jade Bead?" Jiang Shouzhong exclaimed in surprise.

Jiang Yi nodded lightly, "It is said that once there were true dragons in the world, carrying Divine Jade Beads in their mouths, capable of absorbing all mystical forces. I once nearly lost my life due to a failure in cultivation technique, and it was by relying on Xia He’s life-bead in her body that I was saved. This bead absorbed much of the life-bead’s essence at that time, almost capable of replicating it.

However, once the replication succeeds, the real life-bead will lose its effectiveness, so I put aside that thought. Now since Xia He’s life-bead has disappeared from your body, we can only try this method to see if we can recreate a life-bead for her."

Jiang Yi walked over to Xia He with the bead.

Xia He obediently opened her red lips and took the Divine Jade Bead into her mouth, swallowing it.

Jiang Yi sat next to the girl, gently stroking Xia He’s smooth hair, and softly said, "Girl, you’ll have to endure tonight. Later, your madam will make up for the wedding. My serving maid, Jiang Yi, will not be outdone by any so-called princess or commandery princess. At least, the Ran Family’s young mistress will see that even as a concubine, you must not be bullied by my Xia He."

Xia He, her cheeks flushed, shook her head, "No need, madam, Xia He doesn’t care about those things. This time, having lost the life-bead and yet not being punished by madam who instead took the most precious Divine Jade Bead from the treasury to save Xia He’s life, I am truly grateful."

The girl bit her lip like a child who had done something wrong, then suddenly looked intently at the woman’s charming face, and said, "Madam, I don’t want to marry Jiang Mo."

Jiang Yi laughed, "Oh? Don’t like Jiang Mo?"

Xia He shook her head vigorously, "No, I do like him somewhat, but I want to stay by your side. Madam, let my younger sister marry Jiang Mo. She really likes Jiang Mo, and she will definitely be happy."

Jiang Yi glanced at Jiang Shouzhong and said with a smile, "It seems your charm isn’t that great after all; the girl doesn’t even want to marry you."

Jiang Shouzhong grinned bitterly, "She is grateful."

Jiang Yi turned away her gaze, softly caressing Xia He’s slightly cold beautiful face, and sighed, "Girl, one mustn’t let emotions cloud their reason. Once you regret it, it will be too late."

Xia He, her clear eyes serious, said, "But Jiang Mo promised me the chance to change my mind. If some day I want to be his wife, Jiang Mo won’t reject me."

Jiang Yi was taken aback and laughed helplessly.

She tapped the girl’s forehead playfully, teasing, "You sly girl, I was moved for nothing. Turns out you’ve planned your way out well. A straightforward person gathers straightforward fortune; your frank nature is also a kind of blessing."

Jiang Yi stood up, "Alright, I won’t disturb you any further; a moment in the bridal chamber is worth a thousand gold pieces. Jiang Mo... remember to be gentle, and easy."

The woman left with light steps, gently closing the door behind her.

The room quickly quieted down, leaving only the two of them facing each other.

Looking at the beautiful girl who seemed as if she had stepped out of a painting, Jiang Shouzhong suddenly felt a surge of inexplicable nervousness, unsure of what to say next.

His throat was dry, words lingered on his lips but couldn’t take form. For a moment, the air in the room seemed to solidify, only the light ticking of the rain outside the window.

After a while, Xia He was the first to break the silence.

She fidgeted with the hem of her dress, her voice doubtful as she softly asked Jiang Shouzhong, "Jiang Mo, are you... also not knowledgeable in this?"