Ex-Wife is a Big Villainess
Chapter 459 - 237: The Lady’s Second Defeat

Chapter 459: Chapter 237: The Lady’s Second Defeat

In the grand hall of the temple, numerous people had already arrived.

Among them were several familiar figures.

There was Commandery Princess Zhou Wanyue, Princess Yingmo, and the oiran Liu Wuxu whom Jiang Shouzhong had met at the Flowing Water Stage in Jinse Pavilion a couple of days ago.

She wore a flowing, colorful long dress and had a light veil covering her face, resembling a delicate lily.

At the moment, she was casually chatting with a friend beside her.

Apart from them, some notable figures from Qingzhou were also present, including the merchant Zhang Fuwang, whose obese form was particularly eye-catching.

Zhang Fuwang squeezed into a large chair, his lustful eyes scanning the women in the hall.

Even his occasional glances at Zhou Wanyue were tainted with a touch of sexual desire, a true hallmark of audacity.

The person debating with Dugu Luoxue today was also familiar to Jiang Shouzhong.

It was none other than the Buddhist mother from the Esoteric Sect.

She wore a red and yellow kasaya, holy and striking, now sitting on a meditation cushion, her eyes slightly closed.

Jiang Shouzhong had never met this Buddhist mother directly.

But when in the Capital, he had assigned Jiang Yi to investigate her; later, through Xie, he learned she had collaborated with Luo Mingtang.

He hadn’t expected that she would now come to Qingzhou.

On the way, Dugu Luoxue had told Jiang Shouzhong that today’s discussion topic was about the Dual Cultivation practice within the Esoteric Sect.

The Buddhist mother was here to spread the art of Dual Cultivation.

And Dugu Luoxue was advocating for abstinence.

It seemed rather magical, the Buddhist mother from the Buddhist Sect promoting Dual Cultivation, and the female master from Confucianism advocating abstinence.

"Sorry to have kept everyone waiting."

Dugu Luoxue softly opened her lips, her voice gentle as water, as she bowed gracefully towards the audience.

Facing this renowned female master, the attendees dared not neglect nor disrespect her; even Zhang Fuwang restrained his offensive, frivolous gaze.

The originally quiet and solemn temple, with the entry of the modest and desireless female master, gained an aura of transcendence and purity, pushing the sense of sanctity and serenity to its ultimate.

Dugu Luoxue still adopted the ancient Confucian kneeling posture, facing the Buddhist mother.

The two were separated by a large gilded Buddha statue.

Jiang Shouzhong sat next to the merchant Zhang Fuwang; although he had arrived with Dugu Luoxue, he had not attracted much notice.

Jiang Shouzhong did not know why Dugu Luoxue had invited him to accompany her, nor did he bother to speculate; he did not plan to speak. Instead, he used this opportunity to observe the attendees of the temple, trying to pick out some clues.

If Shan Dongchuan was a member of some organization, it meant that this organization’s members held no low statuses.

Perhaps some of his companions were here.

"Young man, I think I have seen you before."

Zhang Fuwang suddenly smiled slyly at Jiang Shouzhong, "Three days ago at the Flowing Water Stage, you were there too, weren’t you?"

Jiang Shouzhong smiled and nodded, "To be recognized by Mr. Zhang is a great fortune for Jiang."

"Where are you from?"

Zhang Fuwang leaned over to ask, his customarily large wicker chair creaking under his excessive weight.

Jiang Shouzhong’s face showed a hint of shyness, "I come from Fengcheng, just running a small spice business."

"No wonder you look unfamiliar."

Zhang Fuwang laughed, "But to be able to go to a place like Jinse Pavilion, the business must be not too small, right?"

Jiang Shouzhong modestly replied, "It’s just a small trade, mainly because I had heard of the great reputation of Miss Liu, and felt it would be a pity not to meet her in person."

"Hahaha..."

Zhang Fuwang laughed, pointing at Jiang Shouzhong, "Then you might have missed a great deal."

Jiang Shouzhong gave a wry smile, "I don’t feel I’ve missed out, but hearing that Miss Liu might soon choose a gentleman to be a favored guest does not sit well with me. Ah, I don’t know why Miss Liu would do such a thing."

"Don’t be discouraged,"

Zhang Fuwang’s fat hand patted Jiang Shouzhong’s shoulder, chuckling, "Miss Liu hasn’t decided on which fortunate gentleman it will be; maybe it’s you. Ah, women are hard to fathom."

Jiang Shouzhong sighed, "I’d rather not, I am self-aware. However, Mr. Zhang has the best chance."

"Hehe, hopefully,"

Zhang Fuwang tugged at the corner of his mouth, murmuring softly, "Actually, I prefer the other women here. Look at how many beauties there are in this great hall. Needless to mention the Commandery Princess and Princess, one has neither the heart nor the courage.

Master Dugu, forget about her cultivation, I can only steal glances to sate my cravings. But that Buddhist mother sure is flirtatious; perhaps I might be able to taste some of the Buddhist rouge, and those few others are also not bad..."

Zhang Fuwang casually pointed at several women, who were all attractive and well-formed, and continued discussing their legs, waists, and other attributes, in a highly vulgar manner.

In the end, without any inhibitions, he even talked about how he used to peek at his sister bathing when he was younger.

Jiang Shouzhong could tell: this guy was truly lecherous.

Lustful to the bone.

While the two were chatting, Jiang Shouzhong noticed that Princess Yingmo’s gaze had shifted over to their side several times, unsure if she was looking at him or at Zhang Fuwang.

Jiang Shouzhong did not believe she could recognize him under the disguise of a facial mask.

After a while, Dugu Luoxue and the Buddhist mother began their debate.

The two merely expressed some of their own insights.

Things like "the union of yin and yang, the confluence of water and fire", "the folly of seeking the art of Dual Cultivation without following the true path, akin to trying to help the shoots grow by pulling them up, harming body and morality" and so on, left Jiang Shouzhong rolling his eyes.

However, some listeners seemed serious, occasionally appearing contemplative or suddenly enlightened.

Even Zhang Fuwang rubbed his double chin, seemingly deep in thought.

Jiang Shouzhong initially dismissed it all, but gradually, he noticed that different auras were circulating inside the temple, some scorching hot and some ice cold.

The hot ones could ignite the flames of desire in the heart.

And the cold ones, aptly extinguished that trace of carnal thoughts.

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