Ex-Wife is a Big Villainess
Chapter 756 - 372: The Two Women Captured

Chapter 756: Chapter 372: The Two Women Captured

Xiangming City lies at the strategic throat of the Jingji region.

To the north, it leans against the treacherous Black Stone Ridge; to the south, it’s bounded by the rushing White Water River. Its eastern and western flanks are wrapped in dense forests, forming a natural defensive barrier.

Not only is it a critical hub of commerce, but also a vital military stronghold.

Being a mere few hundred miles away from the Capital, it allows for the rapid assembly of forces in case of unrest in the Capital. Furthermore, heading north from Xiangming, one can exploit the complex terrain of Black Stone Ridge to conceal movements and launch surprise attacks.

While the White Water River is difficult to cross directly, during specific seasons or through clandestine passages, it can still serve as a viable route for advancing troops.

Even more crucially, the city is well-stocked with resources, capable of sustaining a prolonged siege.

Logically speaking, such a critical location should have been seized first by either the new Emperor Zhou Kang or the Crown Prince Zhou Yin.

Yet, to everyone’s astonishment, before either side could act, a rebel army seemingly out of nowhere suddenly emerged, swiftly taking control of Xiangming City and its surrounding regions.

This rebel army, marching under the banner of "purging those who endanger the throne," advanced directly toward the Capital.

As a result, the entire conflict descended into chaos.

The leader they rallied behind was Zhou Zhifan, a young member of the Dazhou Imperial Family, barely sixteen years old, whose grandfather was once a Vassal King exiled to a remote territory.

Like many pampered noble heirs, this young Vassal King lived a life of idleness and debauchery, roaming aimlessly—a quintessential wastrel.

Thus, his sudden rebellion was completely unexpected.

However, as intelligence deepened, it became clear to everyone that this young Vassal King was merely a puppet, with someone far more formidable pulling the strings from the shadows.

As to the identity of this mysterious figure, no definitive speculation had emerged...

...

At this moment, in a small courtyard within Xiangming City, lights burned bright.

Occasionally, the melodious laughter of women echoed out like warblers and swallows.

Inside a room, several beautiful women, their silken robes fluttering, moved with varying postures, chasing and teasing one another as they evaded a blindfolded, thin and intoxicated young man.

The young man, reeking of alcohol, was enraptured by the game of hide-and-seek.

Whenever he accidentally caught one of the women, he would forcefully pull her into his embrace and lavish her with kisses, eliciting a chorus of coquettish cries, playful protests, and delighted giggles. The atmosphere was one of indulgent hedonism, tinged with debauchery.

This youth was none other than the young Vassal King, Zhou Zhifan.

Just as outside investigations had revealed, Zhou Zhifan was indeed an utterly profligate wastrel.

Had nothing out of the ordinary occurred, his life would have amounted to nothing more than that of a minor noble heir.

But fate, it seemed, had smiled upon him. One day, a mysterious figure sought him out, and thus, through a series of bewildering events, he inexplicably came to command an army and stumbled onto the path of "purging those who endanger the throne."

If he succeeded, he would even become Emperor.

It was something Zhou Zhifan had never even dared to dream of.

Although he was more of a puppet, the young Vassal King did not care who held the military authority, did not care if the ministers were loyal, did not care about the welfare of the common people...

All he desired was to bask in wealth and luxury, to possess every beauty under heaven.

To be a debauched ruler was, after all, the ultimate pleasure.

Just like this very moment.

"Ah, my beauty, I’ve caught you..."

Zhou Zhifan pulled a "carelessly" captured woman into his arms, eagerly burying his face in her snow-white neck, sniffing indulgently. "Little beauty, keep me company tonight."

The woman laughed coquettishly, pretending to push him away: "Your Majesty, you’re so naughty~~"

Just then, the candlelight in the room flickered suddenly, the shadows wavering erratically.

The next moment, the women who had been playing about all collapsed helplessly to the floor, unconscious.

The woman in Zhou Zhifan’s arms let out a piercing scream, petrified.

Sensing something amiss, Zhou Zhifan tore off his blindfold. As his eyes adjusted to the light, he was greeted by the sight of a regal woman dressed in an opulent golden gown, who had appeared out of nowhere.

Her demeanor was nothing short of extraordinary; her graceful figure stood like a snow lotus blooming on an icy night.

Her sharp, phoenix-like eyes and delicate chin should have radiated fragility, but instead, there was an icy aloofness, exuding an unchallengeable majesty.

Zhou Zhifan was utterly captivated.

A connoisseur of beauty, he had never encountered such a stunning vision.

Even the Immortals of heaven could scarcely compare.

"Beauty, have you come for me?"

Zhou Zhifan gulped, pushing aside the woman in his arms and stepping forward to embrace her.

Yet the moment he moved, he felt as though countless steel threads had entwined his entire body, with excruciating pain erupting all at once. In particular, his lower body began to bleed profusely, staining his robes.

What struck him even harder was his inability to cry out—a force seemed to grip his vocal cords, leaving him mute.

Luo Wanqing did not even spare him a glance as she strode further into the room.

The lone conscious woman trembled violently, her face deathly pale.

Luo Wanqing let her eyes sweep across the chamber and casually picked up a fake Jade Seal lying on the table. Her lips curled into a frosty sneer. "These days, it seems even pigs and dogs can claim the throne."

Zhou Zhifan, still kneeling on the ground, turned beet red.

The room was deathly silent save for the quiet gleam of moonlight from outside, making the scene all the more eerie and enigmatic.

Luo Wanqing gently flicked her sleeve.

An invisible Wind Blade streaked out, aimed to sever the young man’s head.

Yet all of a sudden, the Wind Blade dissipated into nothingness.

Zhou Zhifan’s body was flung backward, slamming heavily onto the bedframe with a dull thud. Darkness encroached upon his vision as he slipped into unconsciousness.

"He is of use to me."

The once-cowering woman now stood before the bed, confronting Luo Wanqing with an air of startling indifference.

Luo Wanqing toyed with the fake Jade Seal in her hand and spoke with undisguised disgust: "You grow more revolting by the day. What sin did I, Luo Wanqing, commit to deserve a father like you?"

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