Ex-Wife is a Big Villainess
Chapter 741 - 365: Being Beautiful Means More Troubles_2

Chapter 741: Chapter 365: Being Beautiful Means More Troubles_2

Jiang Shouzhong cast a glance at the caravan’s guards.

Liao Feihu, noticing what the other was thinking, explained: "You might not realize, although this is technically Nanjin Country’s territory, it’s no longer under their control."

"Why?"

Jiang Shouzhong looked at him in surprise.

Before Liao Feihu could respond, Xiao Lingqiu suddenly spoke: "The old Emperor has passed away?"

Liao Feihu froze for a moment, then nodded:

"That’s correct. The old Emperor of Nanjin Country has passed. Right now, the Princes are fighting over the throne, each commanding their own troops and carving up the territory.

Moreover, many former tributary tribes have declared independence, including the Heshan Tribe where we currently reside. So now, Nanjin Country is nothing but a scattered mess."

Jiang Shouzhong recalled the young Prince Wanyan Wu Hai whom he met in Qingzhou.

The reason why that individual was so desperate to incite the rebel army at the time was because the old Emperor was on the brink of death, and he intended to act first to claim the throne.

As a result, the plan failed, and Jiang Shouzhong killed him.

Who would have thought the old Emperor would suddenly pass away so soon?

But the collapse of Nanjin Country seemed overly thorough, didn’t it? Didn’t the old Emperor make any arrangements, like appointing a Crown Prince or an Assistant Minister?

Noticing Jiang Shouzhong’s confusion, Xiao Lingqiu calmly explained:

"Nanjin Country now is much like Dazhou twenty years ago, though its internal troubles are even worse. The Emperor was mediocre, court politics were heavily interfered with by the Empress’s family, and decadence ran rampant in the administration. Additionally, the aggressive enforcement of certain Han-style reforms encroached on many tribal interests.

On top of that, constant conflicts among the tribes further exacerbated the situation. If the Prime Minister Wanyan Geqing were still around, it might be a bit better—his exceptional abilities could have stabilized the situation.

Unfortunately, Wanyan Geqing was assassinated five years ago, leaving no capable ministers to take control of the big picture..."

At this point, Xiao Lingqiu paused for a moment before continuing:

"Furthermore, both Dazhou and the Yanrong have planted a number of pawns within Nanjin Country. Given everything, it’s no surprise Nanjin Country has turned into what it is today."

Of course, there were some truths Xiao Lingqiu didn’t disclose outright.

The Yanrong and Dazhou were destined to clash eventually, and the largest external variable was Nanjin Country.

Both sides sought to align Nanjin Country as their ally.

Even if an alliance couldn’t be formed, neither wanted Nanjin Country to lurk like a venomous snake, poised to strike unexpectedly.

After all, when the snipe and clam fight, the fisherman profits.

Even though Nanjin Country was visibly declining, unlikely to join the direct conflict, a camely may appear near death yet tower over a horse. Its potential for a sneak attack remained a concern.

Especially since the old Emperor had a troubling penchant for erratic decisions.

So forming an alliance would resolve a major worry.

However, the erratic Emperor of Nanjin Country continuously flip-flopped between the two factions—agreeing one moment, reneging the next, and raising the stakes another time, driving both Xiao Lingqiu and Zhou Chang to frustration.

Even when Nanjin Country finally allied with Dazhou, the gesture was insincere.

Under such circumstances, Dazhou and the Yanrong came to an unusual consensus: deal with Nanjin Country first.

Neutralize this unstable factor, and then move forward.

The method to achieve this was to interfere with Nanjin Country’s internal affairs.

Whether by bribing officials, instigating conflicts, or secretly supporting rival Princes, they planted explosive mines in the shadows.

After all, the best way to handle a sick old tiger isn’t to provoke it with brute force but to worsen its ailment, slowly weakening it into a docile, harmless house cat.

The assassination of Prime Minister Wanyan Geqing was a secret operation jointly orchestrated by the two nations.

That Prime Minister truly had remarkable abilities.

Many conspiracies plotted by the spies of both sides had been thwarted by him.

As long as he was alive, turning Nanjin Country from a sickly tiger into a docile cat was extraordinarily challenging—thus, his elimination was inevitable.

In conclusion, Zhou Chang and Xiao Lingqiu’s objective was to plunge Nanjin Country into internal strife, ensuring that if war broke out between their nations, Nanjin Country wouldn’t take advantage as a neutral party.

From the looks of it now, their strategy was working quite effectively.

Xiao Lingqiu asked: "Did you say you’re currently at the Heshan Tribe?"

Liao Feihu nodded: "That’s right."

Xiao Lingqiu, recalling intelligence reports she had read, slightly parted her crimson lips:

"The Heshan Tribe became a tributary of Nanjin Country in the second year of Beiyuan. However, due to their involvement in Long Boa’s rebellion back then, the tribe underwent a massacre and cleansing, nearly being wiped out.

As such, the Heshan Tribe has always resented Nanjin Country. It’s not surprising they’ve declared independence now during the chaos, but..."

Xiao Lingqiu narrowed her phoenix-like eyes as her slender fingers lightly tapped the reins, saying:

"The Heshan Tribe shouldn’t have many young men left. Even if Nanjin Country is in turmoil, the neighboring armies of the Princes would never permit a foreign tribe’s independence. How did you manage this?"

Hearing this, a shadow crossed Liao Feihu’s face.

He forced a smile and said: "The Princes are too busy fighting each other to care about the Heshan Tribe. We’re merely surviving in the cracks between them."

Xiao Lingqiu’s gaze swept over the well-trained guards of the caravan, her thoughts unreadable.

...

By mid-afternoon, the caravan reached a dilapidated small town.

The architecture here clearly imitated the Central Plains while retaining some local characteristics. Likely due to the frequent sandstorms, it gave an off-putting, mismatched impression overall.

Because of Nanjin Country’s previous reform policies, many locals could speak the language of the Central Plains.

Liao Feihu led Jiang Shouzhong and Xiao Lingqiu to a guarded residence.

"Brother Jiang, outsiders must report to the clan leader before staying here, especially given the complex current circumstances—this is to prevent suspicious individuals from infiltrating. Whether you’re allowed to stay depends on the clan leader’s decision.

But don’t worry. Even if the clan leader is unwilling, I have other ways to arrange for you to stay."

Jiang Shouzhong smiled and nodded: "Then I’ll trouble you with this."

After notifying the gate guards, the three were led into a guest hall.

Inside sat an elderly man with a white beard.

The elder’s name was Arhun, the current clan leader of the Heshan Tribe.

Beside him stood a young man in his twenties.

The moment Jiang Shouzhong and Xiao Lingqiu entered the hall, the young man’s eyes lit up. In an instant, he was captivated by Xiao Lingqiu’s stunning beauty.

So much so that even as the clan leader conversed with Liao Feihu, the young man kept staring, utterly entranced, his eyes practically glued to her.

The clan leader coughed, snapping the young man back to reality.

The white-bearded clan leader, displeased by his grandson’s boorish behavior, refrained from reprimanding him in front of outsiders and instead said:

"Liefeng, since Young Master Jiang is a friend of Feihu’s, he’s a guest of the Heshan Tribe. Take Young Master Jiang and his wife to Xiangyun Inn, arrange for the best room, and ensure Manager Tu prepares good dishes to entertain them."

The clan leader notably emphasized the word "wife."

Wife?

The young man, Liefeng, froze, then shot a look at Jiang Shouzhong, his eyes betraying a hint of jealousy.

But he quickly suppressed the negative emotion and smiled: "Don’t worry, Grandpa. I’ll take care of it."

He then turned to Liao Feihu and added with a grin: "Brother Liao, I’ll rely on you for my sister’s wedding arrangements."

Liao Feihu’s expression stiffened, and he nodded silently.

As they left the courtyard, Liefeng attempted to walk beside Xiao Lingqiu, but the woman clung to Jiang Shouzhong’s arm, ignoring him completely.

She didn’t even bother to respond to Liefeng’s attempts at friendly conversation, leaving his expression sour.

Jiang Shouzhong sighed helplessly.

Having beautiful women around really was trouble everywhere he went.

Suppressing his annoyance, Liefeng turned to Jiang Shouzhong with a laugh: "Brother Jiang, as visitors from afar, you’re our honored guests. How about I host a feast tonight at a Central Plains restaurant?"

Jiang Shouzhong politely declined: "I appreciate the gesture, Young Master Liefeng, but I’ll have to pass on the drinking."

"Brother Jiang, are you turning me down?"

Liefeng’s smile turned faintly cold.

Seeing this, Liao Feihu quickly intervened to ease the tension:

"Young Master Liefeng, Brother Jiang and Miss Jingjing have been stranded in the desert for days and are utterly exhausted. It’s better to let them rest first."

Hearing this, Liefeng couldn’t press further.

"Brother Liao!"

Just then, a young girl in a purple dress suddenly ran over from a distance.

The girl, with her delicate features and tall figure, beamed with joy upon seeing Liao Feihu: "Brother Liao, I thought you weren’t coming back until tomorrow."

Liao Feihu forced a smile: "Yun Zhu."

Jiang Shouzhong glanced at Liao Feihu, then at the girl’s shy, affectionate gaze, and understood instantly.

Old Liao, it seems, had managed to win over a local girl.

Yet why did Old Liao seem unhappy about it?

Jiang Shouzhong felt puzzled.

Suddenly, his gaze fixed on the necklace hanging around the girl’s chest.

More specifically, on the string of beads.

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