Ex-Wife is a Big Villainess
Chapter 743 - 366: Ye Zhuchan: Time to Go Out_2

Chapter 743: Chapter 366: Ye Zhuchan: Time to Go Out_2

Lie Feng arranged accommodations for the two with a cold expression and forcibly took his sister away.

As she was leaving, the young girl waved goodbye to Jiang Shouzhong and Xiao Lingqiu: "Goodbye, Brother Jiang, Jingjing, you two take a good rest. Tomorrow, Brother Liao and I will take you to play at Moon Sky Lake."

The girl glanced again at Liao Feihu.

The latter kept his head down and remained silent.

Watching the girl’s departing figure, Jiang Shouzhong gently punched Liao Feihu’s shoulder and joked, "Not bad, kid—you’ve even managed to win over the Clan Leader’s daughter!"

Liao Feihu shook his head and replied, "There’s nothing between Yun Zhu and me."

He quickly changed the subject, speaking apologetically: "Sorry, Brother Jiang, for having to let you two stay here for two nights. Once I tidy up my own place, I’ll have you move over."

The accommodations arranged for Jiang Shouzhong and Xiao Lingqiu were at the best inn in the ancient town.

However, comparatively speaking—

To Jiang Shouzhong, who was used to inns in the Capital, this place was undoubtedly too rustic. And for someone like Xiao Lingqiu, who had lived in the luxurious palace quarters of the Empress Dowager for years, it was even less adequate.

This had made Liao Feihu worry they might not adjust well.

Jiang Shouzhong chuckled and said, "No need for all the trouble—at this point, simply having a place to stay is already fortunate enough. Honestly, even if you sent us to sleep in the cattle shed, that’d still be better than camping out in the desert."

Liao Feihu nodded but hesitated briefly before adding, "Young Master Lie Feng is always like this—spoiled by the Clan Leader. Don’t let it bother you."

Jiang Shouzhong waved his hand dismissively:

"It’s no big deal, as long as it doesn’t get you, Old Liao, caught in the middle. Also, not being able to take proper care of Old Zhang—it’s been weighing on me. I did promise you back then that I’d protect him."

On the way here, Jiang Shouzhong had already informed Liao Feihu of Zhang Yunwu’s situation.

Failing to keep his promise left Jiang Shouzhong feeling somewhat guilty.

"Brother Jiang, don’t beat yourself up about it—I’m sure that kid Yunwu will be fine."

Liao Feihu hurried to console him.

After chatting casually for a little while, Liao Feihu took his leave.

Jiang Shouzhong muttered to himself, "The kid says he doesn’t like that Yun Zhu—hmm, she seems pretty good to me."

"They’re destined to have no chance for love."

Xiao Lingqiu interjected.

Jiang Shouzhong was puzzled: "Why do you say that?"

Xiao Lingqiu shot him a coquettish glare: "Didn’t you hear what Young Master Lie Feng said to Liao Feihu at the Clan Leader’s place earlier? He entrusted the matter of his sister’s marriage."

"Who’s she marrying? Certainly not Liao Feihu. For now, Yun Zhu doesn’t even know she’s about to be wed."

Jiang Shouzhong furrowed his brows slightly before coming to a sudden realization: "No wonder Old Liao had that kind of expression."

Xiao Lingqiu added, "On the way here, I analyzed the current situations of various forces and territories in Nanjin Country and discreetly observed the state of this ancient town. If my guess is correct, Yun Zhu’s betrothed is a man named Lei Tian."

"Who’s Lei Tian?"

Jiang Shouzhong was wholly in the dark regarding these matters.

He suddenly realized that this woman seemed to know too much.

But considering she was a Ghost Guard serving beside Empress Dowager Yanrong, it wasn’t particularly surprising.

Xiao Lingqiu went to the door, instructing the inn staff to boil some hot water. She then replied to Jiang Shouzhong: "Lei Tian is one of the desert bandit leaders in the Tongqiu wasteland."

"Huh? A desert bandit leader?"

Jiang Shouzhong was stupefied and incredulous: "The Clan Leader is marrying off his daughter to a bandit?"

Xiao Lingqiu sat at the table, poured herself a cup of tea, sipped twice, and stirred the tea leaves inside as she spoke nonchalantly:

"What’s so shocking about that? Nanjin Country is rife with bandits, particularly in these desert regions. From the very founding of the nation, banditry has persisted. The larger groups even boast over a thousand private soldiers, displaying considerable power.

These desert bandits are nearly impossible to eradicate—they’ve lived in the desert for generations and know the terrain inside and out. It’s like chasing boats across the ocean; they just vanish, and even locating their hideouts is a daunting task.

Occasionally, bandits intercept court shipments of supplies, leaving officials helpless. Even local military camps dare not provoke them recklessly.

There was once a thousand-strong desert bandit force that annihilated nearly ten thousand soldiers in the desert."

Jiang Shouzhong clicked his tongue in amazement.

Indeed, beasts raised in harsh environments deliver overwhelming combat power.

Xiao Lingqiu continued: "The Tongqiu area harbors two major bandit factions, both with considerable influence and, essentially, ruling as local warlords. One is Lei Tian, and the other is Scorpion."

"Scorpion?"

Jiang Shouzhong suddenly recalled something said by a caravan guard upon their first meeting. He exclaimed: "Back then, they mistook us for Scorpion’s men—that’s why they were so tense."

Xiao Lingqiu nodded slightly: "The Heshan Tribe lives west of Tongqiu, adjoining Moon Sky Lake and backed by Gaomoyan Mountain, which makes this territory a strategic stronghold.

Yet Tongqiu is under the jurisdiction of Nanjin Country’s Fourth Prince, Wanyan Tianyou. Among the old Emperor’s many sons, this one does have some tactical skill, though his temperament leans infamous for savagery and his penchant for charging into battle.

In today’s fierce rivalry among the princes, if Wanyan Tianyou has any sense, he’d prioritize stationing his troops in this region.

But Wanyan Tianyou has yet to seize control, while the Heshan Tribe has declared independence. Evidently, they’ve partnered with external allies—and the only ones capable of such collaboration are the two prominent bandit factions."

"Given their hostility toward Scorpion, the ally is clearly Lei Tian’s group."

Xiao Lingqiu stood and opened the window, gesturing towards the street guards: "Take a closer look at this small town’s guards—you’ll notice many of them seem like hardened, roguish elite soldiers. These must be Lei Tian’s men."