Ex-Wife is a Big Villainess
Chapter 232 - 142: Better to Stick to Shouzhong (End of Volume One)

Chapter 232: Chapter 142: Better to Stick to Shouzhong (End of Volume One)

Early spring’s sky was especially clear.

The small courtyard, washed by a torrential rain, seemed to burst with more vitality, and although the air was cold, breathing in was quite invigorating.

However, for Jiang Shouzhong, the only mood was depression.

After all, this wedding night was not perfect.

The inexplicable fainting had really cost him his dignity, marred Xia He’s first night, let down comrade Jiang’s valor, and betrayed the brilliance of that red rose...

Luckily, the plan to replicate the Divine Jade Bead was mostly successful.

By now, the Divine Jade Bead inside Xia He’s body already possessed the healing ability, even surpassing the original bead’s capabilities, all because it had absorbed the essence of the Taoist River Map.

However, how long the Divine Jade Bead could be used was still unknown; it would depend on how it was utilized.

Furthermore, from Jiang Yi’s words, he learned that there were remnants of demonic energy in his body, clearly indicating someone had attempted, but failed, to possess him.

Jiang Shouzhong reflected for a long while, finally recalling that nine-tailed fox.

Indeed, during that moment inside the underground palace’s sacrificial altar, his soul seemed almost ripped from his body.

Could it have been the nine-tailed fox that attempted the possession?

Jiang Shouzhong felt a chill down his spine.

Thankfully, the creature had not succeeded; otherwise, he wouldn’t even know how he had died.

And upon learning that Jiang Yi had used another Divine Jade Bead to save him, Jiang Shouzhong felt genuine gratitude for the woman deep down for the first time.

Fortunately, this time the Divine Jade Bead was not absorbed by the little golden figure of the river map, so after eliminating the demonic energy within Jiang Shouzhong’s body, Jiang Yi smoothly retrieved the bead.

Yet, when Jiang Shouzhong expelled the bead, the weird and fragrant scent of seafood became even stronger.

Jiang Shouzhong smacked his lips, somewhat reluctantly.

The bead tasted quite good.

Jiang Yi witnessed the man’s lip-smacking moment, and a sudden blush spread across her exquisite face, like the morning sun lighting up the sky.

The woman’s phoenix eyes showed a trace of irritation as she glared fiercely at the man, yet she did not speak further, simply picked up the bead, turned gracefully, and left with an indistinct, floating emotion.

Jiang Shouzhong was confused.

What was making this woman angry?

He wondered if perhaps the precious bead had been damaged after helping to clear the demonic energy?

With this thought, Jiang Shouzhong couldn’t help but feel a twinge of guilt, thinking of compensating for this unexpected debt at a later opportunity.

As for how he would compensate his wife, that would be a topic for another day.

...

Xia He, who had transitioned from a young girl to a young wife, seemed even more radiant, causing envy among the other three women.

The inquisitive chatterbox Dong Xue naturally kept pestering Xia He with endless questions.

Qiuye’s face was filled with sadness, and a deeper sense of grievance lingered in her heart.

Chun Yu scolded the younger sister with her words but was actually listening intently with ears pricked up. Unfortunately, although Xia He was straightforward, her thin skin prevented her from sharing any details, no matter what.

It was only after being badgered by Dong Xue that she reluctantly muttered, "At first it was quite painful, but then it got better."

Dong Xue then asked, "What kind of pain?"

Xia He replied, "The kind where you’re torn into two halves."

This response scared the inquisitive Dong Xue, turning her delicate little face pale as she murmured, "Never mind, I don’t like brother-in-law anymore. I think I’ll just stay single."

Even Qiuye got a fright.

But the eldest sister Chun Yu said in distress, "Ah, it’s my fault for not sharing my experience with you sooner. If you had listened to your big sister, you wouldn’t have felt any pain at all."

Dong Xue and Qiuye looked up to their big sister with eyes full of admiration.

Indeed, she was the experienced elder sister.

Just as Chun Yu rolled up her sleeves, ready to share some of the experience she had read about in books with her sisters, a piercing screech of an eagle suddenly broke the tranquility of the sky, abrupt and sharp.

At the sound, Chun Yu deftly pinched her thumb and middle finger together and blew a sharp whistle.

The next moment, a majestic eagle, looking both noble and fierce, plummeted from the depths of the clouds like a stabbing flash of silver light, tearing through the quiet sky and landing steadily in the courtyard.

Chun Yu removed the message tied to the eagle’s leg and handed it to Jiang Yi.

After opening it and glancing at it, Jiang Yi’s expression turned grave.

After a long contemplation, the woman found Jiang Shouzhong and said indifferently, "There has been no movement from the Empress in recent days; I suspect she has given up. I have other matters to attend to. I will borrow Xia He for a while, she will come to you after a few days."

Knowing that Jiang Shouzhong had someone as skilled as Mengniang by his side, she was not worried about his safety.

Jiang Shouzhong couldn’t help but feel reluctant.

He had been intending to find an opportunity to communicate with Xia He again, but now she was suddenly leaving.

However, since Xia He had already declared the need to attend to her lady temporarily, it was inappropriate for Jiang Shouzhong to insist, and he could only watch as Jiang Yi left with the four women from the courtyard.

"Great, now there’s no one left."

Looking at the empty courtyard, Jiang Shouzhong felt as if in a dream.

The scene of chattering women was no longer.

If Qingchen were here, he would certainly remark, "This prosperous age is as I have wished."

...

Not long after Jiang Yi and her group departed, the head of the division, Ge Yulong, came bustling in. It was hard not to suspect that the man had been lurking outside the courtyard all this time.

"Ge, if the Empress sent you to find me for an investigation, I refuse," Jiang Shouzhong stated firmly.

Although he had some doubts about Jiang Yi’s words, it was better to be safe than sorry... He should stay as far away from the repulsive Empress as possible.

Ge Yulong waved his hands and laughed, "No, that’s not it. I’ve specially come to tell you that you can leave the Capital for Qingzhou tomorrow. The documents have already been approved for you; here is your travel permit, take good care of it."

Ge Yulong handed over the travel permit of the Liushan Division to Jiang Shouzhong.

"Tomorrow?"

Jiang Shouzhong frowned.