Ex-Wife is a Big Villainess
Chapter 658 - 327

Chapter 658: Chapter 327

By evening, the group had entered the territory of Minzhou and arrived within Minzhou City.

Jiang Shouzhong was more familiar with Minzhou than anyone else.

Over twenty years ago, when Nanjin Country invaded, the Dazhou army initially held an immense advantage, but due to the old emperor’s excessive trust in eunuchs and their assignment to oversee the military operations, the army ultimately faced a disastrous defeat.

Although Minzhou was eventually defended successfully, countless soldiers and civilians perished senselessly in the process.

This later set the stage for Shan Dongchuan and others to incite rebellion in Qingzhou.

Back then, Minzhou, ravaged by war, was nothing short of a living hell. The common people were displaced, driven to desperation by a severe drought, compounded with official extortion and oppressive taxes. Eventually, the people were forced into rebellion, and uprisings broke out across the region.

A young Lu Renjia, together with his sister, had embarked on a journey of escape at the time.

Thinking of Lu Renjia, Jiang Shouzhong couldn’t help but feel worried.

He wondered if that guy had been dragged into trouble because of him, and whether he had managed to leave the capital.

Although he had asked Yuan Anjiang to help protect him, the incident he had stirred was no small matter, and whether Yuan could ensure his safety remained uncertain.

"So many soldiers."

Qu Hongling lifted the curtain of the carriage window, her sparkling eyes darting everywhere.

Along the way, patrolling soldiers could often be seen, either riding swiftly alone or moving in groups.

Some were especially striking, clad in heavy armor and fully armed, stationed at various key locations.

Although the streets within the city were filled with pedestrians bustling about and vendors operating their stalls, the atmosphere was heavy, as if an invisible pressure weighed upon the entire city.

Yelü Miaomiao glanced at Jiang Shouzhong with a smile and said, "Could it be that they’re here to capture you?"

As soon as they entered the city gates, Jiang Shouzhong had already noticed wanted posters bearing his likeness plastered on the city walls.

Luckily, Jiang Yi had previously gifted him a disguise mask; reluctant to invite trouble, Jiang Shouzhong put it on and sat outside, posing as the coachman.

Besides Tan Shuangshuang resting inside the carriage, the other ladies had also donned veils or straw hats.

"Not sure. We’ll leave after buying what we need."

Jiang Shouzhong replied indifferently.

There’s no denying that fate has a way of shrinking the world, frequently leading to encounters with familiar faces one thought they’d never see again.

When the group arrived at the carriage market, Jiang Shouzhong was dumbfounded to see an old acquaintance.

Fang Ziheng, the third young master of Famous Sword Villa.

Back in the capital, a minor conflict had sparked some animosity between him and this third young master. Had Yan Changqing not intervened in time, Jiang Shouzhong would have likely suffered serious injuries.

Though Fang Ziheng had later apologized sincerely, Jiang Shouzhong still kept the incident in his heart.

On a later visit to Famous Sword Villa in Qingzhou, Jiang Shouzhong had planned to settle the feud with Fang Ziheng properly, but the latter happened to be in closed-door training.

Moreover, the Old Manor Owner Fang had courteously gifted him some treasures, and Jiang Shouzhong had managed to loot quite a bit from the Sword Cave, so he decided against holding on to his grudge, treating it as resolved.

After Qingzhou was swept by a massacre and Famous Sword Villa was destroyed, he was even less inclined to dwell on it.

Never had he imagined he’d meet Fang Ziheng here.

Compared to his past refined appearance in white robes, Fang Ziheng had visibly matured. His upper lip bore a faint mustache, his gaze had hardened, and he wore a simple cyan outfit.

Beside him followed a young attendant student of about ten years old.

The little attendant had bright eyes and red lips, an endearing figure.

Jiang Shouzhong recalled Fang Ziheng always having an attendant by his side in the past, though the previous one had been older.

"You know him?"

Seeing Jiang Shouzhong gaze at Fang Ziheng in the distance, Yelü Miaomiao asked.

Jiang Shouzhong touched the disguise mask on his face, hesitating for a moment before ultimately deciding against approaching Fang Ziheng. Instead, he smiled and said, "The third young master of Famous Sword Villa. We’ve crossed paths once."

He refrained from mentioning the animosity between them.

Otherwise, with Yelü Miaomiao’s and Qu Hongling’s temperaments, the two would likely roll up their sleeves and charge into a fight upon hearing their man had been bullied.

At that moment, Fang Ziheng was speaking with the owner of a carriage shop, appearing quite troubled.

Until the owner impatiently yelled, "No money, no business! I don’t care if you’re some third master or fourth master, we don’t do credit here!"

The shop owner’s roar drew the attention of many around them.

Fang Ziheng’s expression turned awkward, his face looking somewhat grim.

The attendant beside him glared indignantly at the carriage shop owner and said, "Do you think my master looks like the kind of scoundrel who won’t pay his debts? If you dare, I’ll have my master destroy this shabby shop of yours with one strike!"

The shop owner, having seen all kinds of Jianghu ruffians, naturally wasn’t the easily frightened type. He sneered and replied, "Then go ahead and try breaking it."

Fang Ziheng quickly pulled the attendant back and apologized to the shop owner.

Watching this unfold, Jiang Shouzhong felt rather speechless.

The dignified third young master of Famous Sword Villa—out of money?

Remembering the kindness Old Manor Owner Fang had shown him in the past, Jiang Shouzhong sighed, took a silver ingot from his pocket, and walked over to hand it to Fang Ziheng. "Here, I’ll lend this to you."

Fang Ziheng froze, staring at the stranger in front of him with some confusion. "This gentleman, do we know each other?"

Jiang Shouzhong fibbed casually, "I once visited Famous Sword Villa. It’s normal for Young Master Fang not to remember me."

Hearing this, Fang Ziheng promptly cupped his hands in thanks. "Many thanks for your assistance, kind sir. Please leave your name and address; I’ll make sure to repay and thank you another day."

Jiang Shouzhong smiled and waved his hand dismissively. "That won’t be necessary. If we meet again, we can discuss it then."

With that, he turned to leave.

"Brother..."

Fang Ziheng was about to call out to him when suddenly a thunderous shout broke the air. "You little brat, so you’re hiding here!"

A bearded man stepped out from the crowd, holding a bloodstained saber in his hand.

The man’s gaze fixed intently on the young attendant, his cracked lips curling into a sinister lick. "You thought running off would keep you safe? Made me search high and low! Get back here now, or I’ll make you taste chili water!"

The young attendant shrank behind Fang Ziheng, his face pale with fear.