Ex-Wife is a Big Villainess
Chapter 668 - 331: Interception_2

Chapter 668: Chapter 331: Interception_2

When it comes to competing for favor, even the best of sisters will instinctively compare themselves, wishing every strand of hair to look better than the other’s.

Jiang Shouzhong didn’t brush it off; instead, he carefully observed.

Yelü Miaomiao’s feet were more slender, her arches rounded. Apart from the faint bluish veins visible beneath her skin, the texture was delicate and silky, void of any coarseness. Even a single pronounced crease was absent, tender and smooth like an infant’s.

When her toes curled, they were sharp like jade shoots, resembling a pair of exquisite artworks.

Held in one’s hand, they were as smooth and soft as jade.

Qu Hongling’s feet were quite different. Compared to Yelü Miaomiao’s, they appeared petite and adorable—whiter, equally refined, but not slender or elongated. Instead, they carried a unique charm of fullness and supple allure, exuding a delicate beauty.

Especially her round, jade-like toes which curled slightly, resembling a kitten’s paws—inviting affection without end.

Jiang Shouzhong pretended to analyze and comment earnestly, stroking his jaw as he said, "Each is uniquely beautiful; it’s hard to determine whose are the best-looking. Hmm, I like them both."

Yet as he spoke, Jiang Shouzhong’s mind wandered to Xie.

Back then, she had been sitting in a wooden bathing tub, using her wet little feet to smack his cheeks—a look of arrogance etched upon her face.

But truth be told, her three-inch Golden Lotus was indeed stunning, especially adorned with vibrant scarlet nail polish on her toenails, radiating both seduction and charm that perfectly matched her unparalleled elegance.

"No way, you must choose one!"

Yelü Miaomiao demanded stubbornly.

Qu Hongling, dissatisfied with the man’s slippery answers, pursed her lips and said, "Jiang, do you say the same thing to other women too?"

Finding himself unable to fool these two girls, Jiang Shouzhong was just about to think of another way out when the carriage suddenly slowed down, coming to a gradual halt.

Startled, Jiang Shouzhong lifted the curtain and looked outside.

The sight before them froze the three in place.

Not far ahead, a carriage had toppled onto its side, broken into pieces and scattered across the ground.

The horses lay collapsed by the roadside, their deaths gruesome; one’s body was nearly severed, its innards and blood spilling out in a horrid display of carnage.

The air was thick with the stench of blood.

"This carriage..."

Jiang Shouzhong squinted for a closer look, and his face suddenly darkened, "It looks very much like Fang Ziheng’s carriage."

Jiang Shouzhong darted out.

The two women quickly slipped on their shoes and followed after him to investigate.

Jiang Shouzhong arrived in front of the broken-down carriage, but neither Fang Ziheng nor the little Attendant Student was anywhere to be seen.

However, a chaotic trail of footprints nearby led toward the depths of the forest, appearing as though someone had fled in panic. Bloodstains marked the path.

"Did this guy get his comeuppance so quickly?"

Jiang Shouzhong furrowed his brows tightly.

Qu Hongling sniffed lightly with her dainty nose, swiped a finger across the carriage remnants, brought it to her nose, and said, "Looks like traces of Demon Qi."

Demon Qi?

Jiang Shouzhong was taken aback.

Could it be that the attackers weren’t Minzhou’s people, but rather some sudden, emergent demon assailant targeting Fang Ziheng?

"Husband, should we investigate?"

Yelü Miaomiao inquired.

Jiang Shouzhong hesitated, looking at the chaotic carnage around him and the blood trail extending into the forest. He helplessly rubbed his forehead, "Seeing as we’ve stumbled upon this, what else can we do? Hopefully, this debt of assistance will pay off next time we meet Old Manor Owner Fang."

Jiang Shouzhong walked to the rear carriage, lifted the curtain, and said to Dugu Luoxue, "Master, you and Tan Shuangshuang stay here for a bit; I’ll return shortly."

"Alright."

Dugu Luoxue slightly nodded her fair head.

Jiang Shouzhong took Yelü Miaomiao and Qu Hongling along, following the trail of footprints and blood toward the forest.

Intermittent marks of sword slashes appeared along the way.

Approaching a small creek, Jiang Shouzhong noticed someone lying beside the stream, the icy water repeatedly washing away the blood on their body.

At first, Jiang Shouzhong thought it was Fang Ziheng, but upon closer inspection, he froze on the spot.

It turned out to be the Su Family’s young master, Su Junwen!

Jiang Shouzhong was taken aback.

He had originally assumed Su Junwen was either captured by the mysterious group investigating Demon Qi or taken by Su Junyang. To see him here was utterly unexpected.

Such coincidence felt almost surreal.

Just moments ago, he had saved Tan Shuangshuang, only to now encounter this guy.

Yelü Miaomiao also recognized him.

But after checking his condition, her face turned exceedingly grim as she informed Jiang Shouzhong, "Husband, he’s already dead."

Dead...

Jiang Shouzhong crouched down, gazing at the lifeless figure of Su Junwen, his emotions conflicted.

The once chance-encountered young chivalrous hero, who he thought—after Jin Ao’s assistance—would rise to the position of Su Family Master and embark on a new Chapter of life.

Yet fate was fickle; their reunion was only through death and separation.

What saddened Jiang Shouzhong most was the thought of Tan Shuangshuang, still patiently waiting in the carriage. If she were to learn of her husband’s demise, she’d certainly be devastated.

This pair of youthful lovers, ultimately, found no happy ending.

"It seems he succumbed to his injuries and blood loss,"

Qu Hongling analyzed. "Judging by the wounds, they appear to be from blades. It seems his attackers didn’t aim for an instant kill but deliberately left cuts on his body, likely to torture and interrogate him under duress."

Jiang Shouzhong examined the markings at the scene, a vague hypothesis forming in his mind.

From the current evidence, it appeared Su Junwen had been captured by the mysterious group, subjected to torment for questioning, yet somehow escaped, only to die here.

Whether the organization had successfully extracted those chants from Su Junwen remained unknown.

Still, what puzzled Jiang Shouzhong was why they found Su Junwen’s corpse following the carriage’s bloody trail, but Fang Ziheng and the Attendant Student were nowhere to be seen. A genuine mystery.

Jiang Shouzhong planned to continue searching the vicinity.

Just then, a sudden gallop of horse hooves broke through the silence, echoing urgently.

Frightened birds scattered into flight from the forest. Immediately afterward, numerous armored cavalry emerged swiftly from the woods, encircling Jiang Shouzhong and his two companions in an instant, their presence intimidating.

Leading them was General He.

However, Zhao Zhiqing, who had been with him earlier, was nowhere to be seen.

Jiang Shouzhong’s expression turned peculiar.

He could recognize these soldiers as Minzhou’s troops. Although he had anticipated their pursuit, their speed was admittedly impressive.

They likely used some hidden shortcuts.

General He first glanced at the corpse on the ground, frowning. Then his gaze swept over Qu Hongling and Yelü Miaomiao. After appraising them briefly, his eyes lit up, and he secretly thought:

"No wonder that old lecher, the Immortal Master, insists we catch these two women—their beauty is unparalleled across Dazhou."

General He tugged at the reins and fixed his gaze on Jiang Shouzhong, speaking coldly:

"I am the General of Minzhou. I’ve received reports accusing you of being spies sent by Yanrong. It’d be troublesome if you’d accompany us back for investigation. If we confirm your innocence, you’ll be free to leave."

Yanrong’s spies?

Jiang Shouzhong chuckled.

General He’s arbitrary excuse wasn’t entirely baseless, considering the fact that Yelü Miaomiao beside him was the Princess of Yanrong.

"Additionally..."

General He pointed at the corpse of Su Junwen on the ground, his tone sinister, "Did you kill this man? Come back with us for questioning."

Jiang Shouzhong couldn’t be bothered to argue with him. He scanned the surrounding cavalry, then laughed and said, "General, do you really think so few men would suffice to detain us? Are you overestimating yourself or underestimating us?"

"Seems you truly are Yanrong spies."

General He squinted.

Jiang Shouzhong wasn’t the least affected by such accusations.

Being a fugitive and having already severed ties with the Dazhou Court, he felt no pressure about their continued pursuit—if push came to shove, he’d simply rebel outright.

Jiang Shouzhong looked around at the soldiers and commented coolly, "So many deaths here... I wonder how the court plans to handle me."

Seeing how negotiations immediately broke down, General He’s eyelids twitched sharply. He discreetly tugged his reins, causing his steed to step back slightly.

He instinctively glanced toward the dense forest, impatience creeping onto his face as he cursed inwardly at the Ghost for its lack of action.

According to his plan, the Ghost should target the Saintly Ascension Realm white-clad girl, while he would lead his troops to keep Jiang Shouzhong occupied.

The red-clad girl was supposed to be handled by Zhao Zhiqing from hiding.

Yet with no movement from the Ghost thus far, General He dared not rashly launch an attack. Sending his subordinates to charge blindly would be foolish.