Ex-Wife is a Big Villainess
Chapter 36 - 32 Protecting Husband?

Chapter 36: Chapter 32 Protecting Husband?

Leaving the gloomy cold storage, Jiang Shouzhong’s pale cheeks gained a hint of color.

The residual pain in his body had not completely faded away.

With every step he took, it felt as if glass shards were mixed into his flesh.

Fortunately, Jiang Shouzhong was accustomed to even the most unbearable pain, so these aches were nothing in comparison, though the turbulence of vital energy within his body was truly uncomfortable.

The courtyard was covered in heavy snowfall, which did not feel cold.

After walking more than twenty paces, Jiang Shouzhong felt his organs as if being squeezed and torn apart, a warm sensation rising to his throat.

He quickly halted his steps, clenched his fists tightly, and forcibly swallowed the blood that had surged to his throat.

Spitting blood was not a big deal.

At least he must endure it until he got home to spit it out.

Otherwise, having entered the cold storage in good condition but coming out spitting blood, if seen by others, it could lead to misunderstandings and rumors.

After his vital energy calmed down slightly, Jiang Shouzhong continued to walk at a slower pace.

At this moment, around the corner of the corridor ahead appeared two figures, a man and a woman.

The woman had a graceful and ethereal figure.

The man stood like a tall and elegant tree, his demeanor was refined.

Together, they perfectly embodied the match of "accomplished man and Xie woman."

These two were Ran Qingchen and Yang Zhongyou.

Jiang Shouzhong paused momentarily, but didn’t show any excessive expression and continued to walk.

Ran Qingchen, upon recognizing the person approaching, also froze for a moment, her expression slightly odd.

From the moment she became the new head of the Liushan Division, she knew that she would encounter him frequently, but she had not expected it to happen so soon, under such circumstances.

This must be the third time the couple had met.

The first time was when he showed up with the marriage certificate.

The second was on their wedding day.

After that, there was no more...

Because on the night of their wedding, she left the Ran Family and returned to her sect, not even giving him the chance to lift her bridal veil.

Later, when she heard that he didn’t shamelessly stay at the Ran Family but had sought a position in the shadows to live alone outside, she returned home and occasionally had the maids send some silver to him.

As she saw the man approaching step by step, Ran Qingchen, who usually had a tranquil mind, felt an inexplicable tension.

Tense about what?

Tense that he might deliberately raise their marital issues loudly at this moment?

Or tense that he might misunderstand her relationship with Yang Zhongyou?

After all, any husband would likely get upset seeing his wife walking side by side with another man.

With complex emotions, Ran Qingchen, however, saw the man walk past without any hesitation in his steps, neither deliberately slowing down nor quickening, passing by as indifferently as usual.

The couple passed by each other like strangers.

Ran Qingchen was astonished.

While she breathed a sigh of relief, an inexplicable irritation arose in her heart.

Deliberately ignoring her?

Indeed, he must harbor resentment towards her, his incompetent wife.

The corridor was narrow, so if three people were to walk side by side, it would be cramped. Yang Zhongyou didn’t dare to get too close to the beauty, but seeing the man walk too closely beside his goddess, he felt slightly displeased.

Therefore, he subconsciously lifted his sword scabbard, intending to push Jiang Shouzhong toward the wall.

But as soon as the scabbard touched the man’s body, before he could exert any force, Jiang Shouzhong suddenly vomited a mouthful of blood with a "wa."

The blood he had been repressing with great effort finally could not be held back.

Ran Qingchen, who was lost in thought, suddenly froze, then turned to see Jiang Shouzhong leaning against the wall, his chin and neckline drenched in blood, his appearance utterly miserable.

Ran Qingchen was stunned for a moment, then turned her head and glared at Yang Zhongyou, who was equally taken aback, anger clear in her eyes.

As for Yang Zhongyou, he was completely dumbfounded at this moment.

Looking at Jiang Shouzhong, who he had "caused" to vomit blood, his mind buzzed.

Fuck!

This guy is trying to scam me!

I just lightly touched him, and you’re spitting your grandpa’s blood!

"It’s alright, it’s alright..."

Jiang Shouzhong regretted not spitting out the blood at the entrance of the cold storage room. He waved his hand toward the two and staggered away from the corridor, leaving only blood that caught the eye all over the floor.

Watching the other’s figure disappear, Ran Qingchen’s eyes held a complex expression, her face colder than ever.

Yang Zhongyou started to speak but stopped, "Qingchen..."

Ran Qingchen replied coldly, "I am the new head of the division, even within the official sector, Yang should address me as Lord Ran!"

The man’s face showed bitterness, "That... Lord Ran, I really didn’t exert any force just now, that youngster was just pretending..."

Remembering the scene of Jiang Shouzhong spitting blood, Yang Zhongyou genuinely had no face to say that the other party was deliberately acting like that.

This youngster’s physique is also too weak.

Or is it that I unintentionally released some True Qi just now?

Yang Zhongyou felt extremely gloomy.

Ran Qingchen stared blankly at the blood on the ground, then after a long while, she averted her gaze and turned to leave.

Yang Zhongyou hurriedly followed her.

The two arrived at another elegant courtyard.

In the courtyard stood two rows of flourishing bamboo and a mountain of rocks arranged in a well-designed manner.

Below the mountain, a pond was embedded, with snowflakes falling softly from the sky, gently scattering on the pond’s faintly purple water, creating a reflection that shimmered with the ripples on the surface.

Realizing he might have made a poor impression in the heart of the beauty, Yang Zhongyou hurriedly spoke with eagerness, "Qing... Lord Ran, this is Bi Bo Pond, it’s said that this pond is quite unique, with the water changing color with the seasons. Green in spring, ink-like in summer, purplish in autumn, white in winter. If you like it, perhaps you could move the study here..."

"Yang, it’s said that the real person with four eyes has a rather famous set of swordsmanship called ’Three Flowers Illusion Sword,’ and among his disciples, you’re said to be the best. Is that true?"

Ran Qingchen suddenly interrupted Yang Zhongyou, asking softly.

Yang Zhongyou was stunned, then pridefully laughed, "I dare not say I’m the best, but my master did say that only I have grasped the true essence of the Three Flowers Illusion Sword."

"Qingchen presumes to witness it and would like to seek guidance, would Yang be willing to spar?"

Ran Qingchen said softly.

Upon hearing this, Yang Zhongyou’s brows immediately lit up with joy.

It is said that Ran Qingchen has an unparalleled talent in sword art, with the potential to become a grandmaster of the Sword Dao.

If he, an admirer who’s also not lacking in swordsmanship talent, could leave a deep impression in front of such a beauty and win her attention, it would indeed be an opportunity too good to be true.

Many wish to spar in swordsmanship with Ran Qingchen but never got the chance.

Never had he thought this great opportunity would fall upon him.

Yang Zhongyou pushed away the gloom from being swindled earlier and spoke with a beaming smile, "Since Miss Ran wishes to witness it, Yang will certainly not disappoint the lady."

"Thank you."

Ran Qingchen slightly smiled and casually broke off a tree branch.

Seeing Ran Qingchen use a branch rather than her own sword to spar with him, Yang Zhongyou frowned, "Miss Ran, not using a sword?"

"No need."

Ran Qingchen smiled.

Yang Zhongyou’s expression instantly soured.

But out of consideration for the lady, he couldn’t say much. He held the beautifully forged sword hilt and slowly pulled the sword out, declaring, "Miss Ran, be careful!"

As the sword tip left the scabbard, the sword hummed.

A sword flower blossomed, instantly shattering the nearby snow, with snowy flakes breaking apart and producing two more sword flowers, echoing as if firecrackers popped on a spring day.

The killing intent was not strong; it was more of a display of skill.

Yang Zhongyou moved like a roaming dragon, generating not merely three sword flowers around him but layers upon layers, nearing a thousand.

Ran Qingchen remained still, holding the tree branch.

The Gang Qi swept past, fluttering her robes and accentuating her already graceful figure.

As his sword force approached, she flicked her delicate wrist lightly. The branch drew a circle like a peacock unfurling its feathers, condensing countless delicate strands of Sword Qi.

Boom!

The myriad of sword flowers exploded into fragments.

Yang Zhongyou was blown backwards, crashing heavily into the icy cold water of Bi Bo Pond.

Ran Qingchen gazed at the man in the water, her expression icy.

Be it annoyance, anger, or indifference. I blame him, hate him, detest him, and also feel ashamed for him... but no matter what, he is my husband, Ran Qingchen.

What right do you have to humiliate him in front of me!

Ran Qingchen paid no attention to the man struggling pitifully in the pond and turned away.