Ex-Wife is a Big Villainess
Chapter 486 - 255: Not as Good as a Single Hair of Yours, Master

Chapter 486: Chapter 255: Not as Good as a Single Hair of Yours, Master

Seeing the shape of Princess Yingmo’s lips, Jiang Shouzhong’s pupils shrank slightly.

What does this woman mean?

Has she seen through my identity already?

Suppressing the surprise in his heart, Jiang Shouzhong shifted his gaze indifferently and asked Zhou Wanyue, "May I know what brings Princess Highness to me today?"

Zhou Wanyue smiled and said, "Didn’t Wanyue mention last time that, if time permits, she would like to have a chat with Jiang? If it is inconvenient for Jiang today, Wanyue can come another day."

Clearly, having learned of the announcement from Wanshou Mountains and Rivers, the woman had dismissed her previous doubts.

After waiting in vain for Jiang Shouzhong to seek her out, she took the initiative herself.

She was confident in her personal charm, certain she could win over this Jiang Yi. After all, even a man as proud as Shangguan Yunjin had not escaped the palm of her hand.

Jiang Shouzhong shook his head and said,

"There’s nothing inconvenient, but the humble abode where my master and I reside is rather simple; I apologize for the discomfort it may cause you, Princess Highness."

Zhou Wanyue parted her vermillion lips, her eyes curving into a smile, "To speak and taste tea with the number one female master of the world, Master Dugu, and the future candidate for the master of Wanshou Mountains and Rivers, even a simple dwelling is a tremendous honor."

"Princess Highness flatters me, and I am ashamed," Jiang Shouzhong replied modestly, while inwardly thinking... your flattery is not very impressive, Princess.

You could learn a thing or two from the sycophant, Jia.

However, her arrival was timely, as he had some questions he wanted to ask.

"Jiang is fine by me; outside formal settings, there is no need for titles, and Wanyue dislikes being addressed that way," Zhou Wanyue continued, attempting to close the distance between them.

"Miss Wanyue is quite exceptional. Other women all long to be part of the royal family, but Miss Wanyue seems to greatly disdain her own status," Jiang Shouzhong said with a smile.

Zhou Wanyue’s eyes lowered, and she spoke softly,

"Those outside envy those inside, while those inside envy those outside. Sometimes, this title of Princess is but a shackle."

Jiang Shouzhong did not know whether this display was a genuine outpouring of emotion or an attempt to gain sympathy, but he tactfully did not continue on this topic.

Because the house was indeed unfit for hosting, Jiang Shouzhong simply moved the table under the locust tree in the courtyard and brewed some fresh tea.

Princess Yingmo surveyed the small courtyard, glanced at the vegetable patch for a while, then shifted her gaze to Dugu Luoxue, who was sewing clothes, and teased with a laugh, "Knowing that you are master and disciple, one might have mistaken you for a married couple. The man tilling and the woman weaving fit quite well."

"Yingmo!"

Zhou Wanyue turned cold and stared at Princess Yingmo with displeasure, "Stop talking nonsense!"

Princess Yingmo responded with an ’oh’, obediently picked up her cup, and drank tea.

Zhou Wanyue then offered an apologetic smile to Jiang Shouzhong, "I’m sorry, Jiang. Yingmo often speaks nonsense; she did not mean to offend you."

"Not at all," Jiang Shouzhong said, shaking his head gently.

As for this Commandery Princess, he really bore no ill feelings towards her.

Jiang Shouzhong paused for a moment, then casually said, "Speaking of which, the fact that Shangguan brother was stripped of his candidacy sits heavy on my heart. And I’ve heard that the Commandery Princess and Shangguan Yun once—"

"It’s all just idle gossip," Zhou Wanyue cut him off, a hint of helplessness and bitterness evident in her expression, "It was nothing more than a misunderstanding caused by a painting Shangguan made for me. People thought I was fond of him.

Initially, my father highly esteemed Shangguan Yunjin, to the point of forcing me to go to Wanshou Mountains and Rivers, hoping we might develop some affection. But, in the end, I went against my father’s wishes.

Because I wanted to find a man I truly liked. Shangguan was indeed good, but he couldn’t compare to Jiang..."

Zhou Wanyue’s voice trailed off, realizing she had accidentally revealed her inner thoughts. Embarrassment tinged her cheeks with a flush as she subconsciously brought the teacup to her lips for a sip.

She also quickly stole a glance at Jiang Shouzhong, slightly lowering her head in a feigned display of a young girl’s conflicted emotions, wanting to look yet not daring, wanting to explain but fearing misunderstanding.

She then continued, feigning calmness:

"In any case, my acquaintance with Shangguan is limited to just a few meetings.

Previously, the Crown Prince begged me to accompany Shangguan Yunjin to the underground palace to help him seize a dragon egg, and I couldn’t resist agreeing to go.

At that time, Shangguan expressed his love for me, but I still rejected him... perhaps because of this, Shangguan fell into despair and ruined his future. It’s all my fault."

Zhou Wanyue was full of self-reproach.

Jiang Shouzhong listened with a silent sneer.

To say or not to say, this Commandery Princess still has some tact.

Firstly, she distanced herself from Shangguan Yunjin, and realizing that Dugu Luoxue was present and some things couldn’t be hidden, she blamed it on her father and brother.

Then she subtly introduced a bit of ambiguity.

In the end, she made sure to emphasize that Shangguan Yunjin had revealed his love for her - pointing out that he is a lovelorn suitor while portraying herself as kind-hearted.

In essence, her message is clear – even a man as remarkable as Shangguan Yunjin has been rejected, which shows how high my standards are, how precious I am.

Paying attention to you is your good fortune for ten lifetimes.

Internally scoffing, Jiang Shouzhong outwardly offered comforting words,

"You’re not to blame, for what man wouldn’t be infatuated and devoted to a Commandery Princess as exquisite as you? Err... excuse the jest, I myself might be captivated as well."

Okay, you want to play at flirtation, do you?

Well, I can play too.

Hearing the man’s words, Zhou Wanyue’s eyelashes fluttered, and the corners of her lips curled up slightly.

Jiang Shouzhong immediately said indignantly, "It’s all because idle folks in the world enjoy their entertainments far too much, always liking to fabricate stories about things they don’t understand but presume to be the truth for amusement, not knowing that they have caused great trouble to the reputation of Her Highness the Princess, really... sigh!"

Jiang Shouzhong sighed, looking aggrieved as if lamenting the decline of the times.

Zhou Wanyue’s beautiful eyes shimmered, and she said softly,

"It doesn’t matter how the world misunderstands and slanders Wanyue, as long as Jiang does not look down on Wanyue, I am very happy. Even if I suffer a thousand grievances, I don’t mind."

Jiang Shouzhong said with a grave voice, "Rest assured, Miss... Miss Wanyue, once I become the master of the mountains one day, I will definitely prove Miss Wanyue’s reputation in front of all under heaven."

"Thank you, Jiang."

As she watched the man who seemed to be getting ahead of himself, Zhou Wanyue’s eyes flashed with a trace of cold irony amid her gratitude.

This Jiang Yi seemed much easier to deal with than Shangguan Yunjin.

After chatting for a while longer, Jiang Shouzhong casually asked, "Miss Wanyue, is there a military garrison in Qingzhou?"

Zhou Wanyue was startled, looking at him with confusion, "Jiang, why do you ask about such things?"

Jiang Shouzhong smiled and said, "A couple of days ago at Jinse Pavilion, Miss Liu Wuxu mentioned that two merchants from Nanjin Country, when drunk, were talking about war, saying something about Qingzhou being engulfed in the flames of war."

"War?"

Zhou Wanyue shook her head with a smile, "That’s unlikely. For now, Nanjin Country and Dazhou are still allies. As long as Yanrong exists, Nanjin Country and Dazhou will never go to war."

Jiang Shouzhong said, "I’m just curious, if Nanjin Country really did attack, could this place hold out?"

Zhou Wanyue knitted her brows in thought for a moment before replying softly,

"Currently, Qingzhou has a city guard force and a defense force; the city guard is responsible for guarding the city gates and walls, numbering about seven hundred men. The defense force consists of roughly seven thousand soldiers, commanded by General Zhao Hezi.

If there were to be a war, even though the Qingzhou Garrison doesn’t have many soldiers, they could hold on for some time if they defend the city. Besides, about ten miles from Qingzhou, we have a reinforcing army intended to supplement the troops at Fengyu Pass, numbering around sixty thousand men.

Should Qingzhou be besieged, this army would come to the rescue promptly. In short, it’s impossible for Nanjin Country to attack, let alone to besiege Qingzhou."

Jiang Shouzhong nodded, then suddenly asked, "What if there were rebels in Qingzhou?"

"Rebels?"

Zhou Wanyue hadn’t considered this question before. She laughed and shook her head, "Rebels in Qingzhou are impossible, just as in the rest of Dazhou. The country is peaceful and stable, why would anyone rebel?

Moreover, if there were to be rebels, it could only be Zhao Hezi’s Shan Zi Camp of seven thousand defense soldiers. But General Zhao is fiercely loyal to the court, the descendant of Dazhou’s loyal martyrs. Anyone in Qingzhou might rebel, except for him."

Reaching this point, Zhou Wanyue suddenly shifted the topic, probing as she asked, "Jiang, are you... acquainted with Miss Liu Wuxu?"

"Oh, a friend."

Jiang Shouzhong casually took out a sachet, smiling as he explained, "Miss Liu invited me several times before; this sachet was actually a gift from her."

Zhou Wanyue’s eyes flickered.

She suppressed her emotions and smiled, "Miss Liu is the number one courtesan in Qingzhou, considered the foremost beauty."

The subtext in the woman’s words was clear.

The other party is a courtesan, and you, as a future candidate for the Master of Wanshou Mountains and Rivers, shouldn’t be mingling with such a person; it is not proper.

Jiang Shouzhong pretended not to catch the implication and instead said sincerely, "Miss Liu is indeed very beautiful, but Miss Wanyue is even more so and has a better temperament."

What should have been a compliment made Zhou Wanyue’s expression turn cold, her fists clenching subconsciously.

To be compared with a courtesan, as a princess of the nation!

What does this mean?

Could it be that I am also a courtesan?

Yet looking into the man’s innocent and genuinely admiring eyes, Zhou Wanyue found herself suppressing the displeasure in her heart.

After conversing for a bit longer, Zhou Wanyue stood up to take her leave.

Before leaving, she suddenly removed a jade hairpin from her head and handed it to Jiang Shouzhong:

"Jiang, although this jade hairpin isn’t anything precious, Wanyue has always worn it. Please accept it as a modest token of my regard."

Jiang Shouzhong hurried to refuse.

But ultimately, under the woman’s insistence, he accepted the jade hairpin.

"Rest assured, Miss Wanyue, I will keep it safe," Jiang Shouzhong said with a resolute gaze.

Zhou Wanyue’s eyes, filled with a touch of shyness and a smile, nodded slightly and boarded the carriage to leave.

Watching the carriage depart into the distance, Jiang Shouzhong muttered, "Want me to be a lapdog? Seems like Jia would be more suited for that role."

Recalling Zhou Wanyue’s words, Jiang Shouzhong grew suspicious of this General Zhao Hezi of Qingzhou. Clearly, the loyal descendant had a problem.

Returning to the courtyard, Dugu Luoxue said indifferently, "That woman is not simple."

The fact that Shangguan Yunjin had been trapped with a Gu Worm inside her before was proof enough of the princess’s ruthless methods. Although Jiang Shouzhong’s performance was vastly exaggerated, she still felt it necessary to warn him.

"I understand, she is not even worth a hair of yours, Master."

Jiang Shouzhong laughed.

Dugu Luoxue said nothing more, focusing on sewing the clothes.

But what she was thinking was:

Is the "hair" he referred to her head hair? If not, then she actually has no hair.

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