Ex-Wife is a Big Villainess
Chapter 784 - 384: Two-Faced Person? _2

Chapter 784: Chapter 384: Two-Faced Person? _2

"Understood."

The maidservant dutifully acknowledged the command.

Jiang Que clasped his hands behind his back and followed the maid into the manor.

After walking a few steps, the girl’s slender waist swayed lightly, and the bells on her body jingled melodiously, clear and pleasant to the ear.

She turned her head with a smile and said to Housekeeper Wang:

"Please rest assured, Housekeeper Wang. Even if we find the traitor, we won’t make a move inside the manor. We do have that bit of courtesy."

Housekeeper Wang was momentarily stunned upon hearing this. After nodding in acknowledgment, he watched them leave.

Jiang Que and a group of female disciples followed the maid through the long corridor.

The girl’s steps were light and graceful, like a swallow, pausing occasionally to admire the manor’s scenery, seemingly like an innocent and carefree little girl.

As they turned a corner of the corridor, Jiang Que—perhaps moving a little too quickly—almost collided with a veiled woman head-on.

The girl lightly tapped the tip of her foot, spinning nimbly to avoid the collision. At the same time, a jade-like hand swiftly formed a Dharma Seal.

A blood-red centipede crawled out along the girl’s alabaster wrist.

Only after confirming that the woman had merely passed by unintentionally did Jiang Que silently retract the Dharma Seal. She flashed a sweet smile at the veiled woman with a soft voice: "I’m sorry, sister. Did I scare you?"

The strikingly beautiful and charming girl left Xiao Lingqiu somewhat dazzled but also vaguely uneasy.

She couldn’t shake off the feeling that the girl exuded a subtle but unsettling aura.

Xiao Lingqiu didn’t respond, taking a delicate step aside and brushing past the girl.

Jiang Que clasped her hands behind her back, grinning as she watched the woman’s retreating figure until she disappeared from sight. The mischievous smile on her youthful face gradually faded away.

...

Housekeeper Wang gave instructions to the guards at the gate, then proceeded toward the pavilion where the sound of qin had been playing earlier.

Midway, he spotted Xiao Lingqiu approaching him.

Housekeeper Wang furrowed his brows slightly, stepping forward to greet her with a smile: "Ms. Jiang, is there something you require?"

"Is there a place to relax around here?"

As she spoke, Xiao Lingqiu flipped her wrist gracefully, discreetly revealing the token of a senior Ghost Guard.

Housekeeper Wang’s pupils contracted sharply, his face momentarily blanching, though he quickly regained composure and smiled: "If Ms. Jiang finds it stifling, she can go to the exquisite pavilion on the southern side to unwind. Follow this right-hand corridor straight and take a turn, and you’ll find it."

"Thank you."

Xiao Lingqiu nodded slightly and turned to leave.

Housekeeper Wang took a deep breath, steadied himself, and continued walking forward.

When he reached the pavilion, he first knocked lightly on a wooden plaque downstairs. Only after hearing a note from the qin upstairs did he proceed, climbing the stairs directly to the innermost room on the second floor.

"Manor Owner."

Housekeeper Wang’s demeanor was the picture of utmost reverence.

*Creak—*

The somewhat aging door slowly opened.

Instantly, a peculiar and intense aroma wafted out. Housekeeper Wang instinctively held his breath, only daring to step inside cautiously after the scent faded slightly.

The interior was sparsely furnished and dimly lit.

At the center stood a purple sandalwood table holding a green porcelain incense burner.

Chu Qichuan, the manor owner of Water Moon Manor, sat serenely before the sandalwood table, his eyes closed in cultivation.

Wisps of sandalwood smoke curled upward, dispersing through the air, its fragrance haunting. It added an ethereal, dreamlike quality to the man’s figure.

Chu Qichuan, though middle-aged, retained a refined and youthful handsomeness, his features as striking as jade. His expression bore a certain youthful vitality.

Yet at this moment, with his hair loose and draped over a broad black robe, in the dim and shadow-filled room, there was an unsettling aura of seductive mystery about him.

Behind him stood an ancient qin.

"Manor Owner."

Housekeeper Wang dared not lift his head.

Chu Qichuan spoke slowly, his voice tinged with a sinister softness: "How many have come?"

Housekeeper Wang respectfully answered: "Due to the immortal cactus phenomenon some time ago, many cultivators have come seeking fortune. Currently, there are over twenty Heaven Desolation Boundary experts in the manor, with even a few Saintly Ascension experts among them."

"What about that Fang Third Young Master? What is his cultivation level?" Chu Qichuan asked.

Housekeeper Wang shook his head: "I secretly tested him using the Ghost Toad. This person seems to have no cultivation, but the old servant swordsman by his side likely has suppressed his realm. There’s a high probability he’s a Saintly Ascension expert."

At this, Housekeeper Wang hesitated briefly before continuing: "Manor Owner, letting that young girl from the Blood Spirit Cave in—could she... notice anything..."

"Don’t worry; I have it under control," Chu Qichuan said indifferently.

"Understood."

Housekeeper Wang dared not say more.

Chu Qichuan opened his eyes, gazing at Housekeeper Wang with a faint smile: "Your Master... sent someone to find you?"

Housekeeper Wang’s body trembled violently and dropped to his knees:

"Manor Owner, I received no prior notice about the Ghost Guard’s arrival. Had I known in advance, I would have reported this to you immediately."

Chu Qichuan stared silently at the undercover spy planted by Yanrong ten years ago.

The half-closed lattice window beside the bed allowed in a cold breeze, causing the old, thin curtains to sway gently, as though an unseen hand were manipulating them.

Occasionally, faint rustling sounds could be heard—perhaps mice in the corners, or an unknown whispering—sending a chill into Housekeeper Wang’s heart.

"Do you recognize her?"

After a long pause, Chu Qichuan finally spoke.

Housekeeper Wang secretly breathed a sigh of relief and shook his head: "I do not know her exact identity, but judging by the token, she is a senior Ghost Guard close to the Empress Dowager, of considerable status."

Chu Qichuan chuckled: "Go and find out what she wants at Water Moon Manor. You know what to say and what to do."

"Understood."

Housekeeper Wang wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, rose, and exited the room, closing the door behind him.

As he listened to the departing footsteps, Chu Qichuan sighed faintly: "Wild dogs—never truly loyal."

He turned his head slightly: "Isn’t that right, dear wife?"

The room was silent.

Moments later, Chu Qichuan’s arms twisted bizarrely behind him, unfolding in the reverse direction, and appeared noticeably slenderer.

As his draped hair shifted aside, a woman’s face could be seen on the back of Chu Qichuan’s head.

Her complexion was pale yet entrancingly beautiful.

She gently placed her reversed hands on the strings of the qin and plucked them softly, her voice delicate: "Husband, you’re too soft-hearted. If it were me, I’d have eaten him long ago."

Chu Qichuan sighed: "I dare not eat him. The Empress Dowager Yanrong is not someone to provoke. If I did, it would bring endless trouble."

A single body with two faces, conversing like this.

But then, the woman’s expression suddenly twisted in pain, her delicate face contorting into a sinister grimace as she gasped hoarsely: "Hungry... Husband, I’m so hungry... so hungry..."

Pain shone in Chu Qichuan’s eyes as well.

He wept silently, his voice heavy with sorrow: "My dear, hold on a little longer. There are many prey here this time, some of very high quality. When the Barrier Gate opens tomorrow, we’ll go hunting..."

The dense sandalwood smoke swirled around the room, and the paintings hanging on the walls grew hazier in the dim light.

The scenes in the paintings seemed to come to life.

Sometimes mountains and clouds swirled, while at other times, ancient trees loomed over twisting paths...

Eventually, they morphed into women’s faces.

Twisted and horrific.

...

Housekeeper Wang arrived at the exquisite pavilion.

Outside the pavilion, Xiao Lingqiu stood silently by the pond, casually scattering bits of fish food.

"Yelv Chen greets the esteemed one."

Housekeeper Wang bowed deeply.

Xiao Lingqiu said calmly: "I’m the Imperial Right Guard under the Empress Dowager. Just call me Jingjing."

When it came to the spies planted by Yanrong in various regions, Xiao Lingqiu had memorized almost all of them—who was hidden where, who had betrayed them, and so on.

Just like the one before her now.

The Ghost Guard’s internal evaluations, based on extensive intelligence, had concluded that this Housekeeper Wang was no longer entirely trustworthy.

Yet Xiao Lingqiu had willingly exposed her identity.

The purpose was simple: to extract information.

"Lady Jingjing."

Housekeeper Wang bowed again and whispered, "May I ask if the esteemed one has any tasks for this humble servant?"

Xiao Lingqiu tossed the remaining fish food into the pond and clapped her jade-like hands: "Tell me about the current situation in Nanjin Country. Also, what exactly is the so-called ’immortal cactus phenomenon’ this time?"

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