Ex-Wife is a Big Villainess

Jiang Shouzhong and the others stepped into the cave dwelling, immediately greeted by a gentle spiritual energy that permeated their lungs.

Following the winding corridor, it wasn't long before they arrived at a delicately constructed marble arch.

The depths of the cave held a world of its own.

Several naturally formed stone tables and benches were scattered beautifully within.

Further inside, a bamboo house entwined with green vines came into view, flickering with dim lights from within, indicating that Qu Hongling lived here.

"You go ahead, I won't follow."

Ran Qingchen hesitated for a moment, then stopped and spoke softly.

"Why?"

Jiang Shouzhong asked in puzzlement.

Ran Qingchen looked at the swaying silhouette on the bamboo house's paper window and said tenderly, "At this moment, she might not want to see me; you're the only one she can confide in."

Understanding the concerns in the woman's heart, Jiang Shouzhong gently patted her shoulder before turning to the small house.

"Hehe, quite the model of a proper wife."

Jiang Que lightly crushed a pebble, suddenly leaned by Ran Qingchen's ear, teasing with a hint of sarcasm, "Ran sister truly doesn't mind?"

"One must learn to yield appropriately."

Ran Qingchen's fingers brushed against the green vines hanging from the rock wall, her voice faint, "Besides, in terms of timing, Hong Ling was the husband's first wife."

Jiang Que twirled her fingertips around her hair ends, her almond eyes fixed on the other's melancholy profile, words intended for teasing caught and shifted to a sigh, "The more one thinks, the more sensitive their thoughts become; when thoughts are heavy, one wants to hold onto everything, but ends up losing."

Ran Qingchen patted the young girl's head, joking, "So young, yet so wise."

Jiang Que unhappily brushed off the other's arm, "I'll eventually be older than you."

Ran Qingchen was startled, momentarily not grasping her words.

When understanding dawned, she couldn't help but "pfft," laughing aloud, then held the girl's fragrant shoulder, laughing so hard she was bending back and forth, her jade hairpin's bead tassels swinging wildly with her motions.

"Why? You find my words amusing?"

Jiang Que's face turned unpleasant.

Yet seeing the luxurious decorations under the other's collar, her tone softened a notch, muttered, "Even if I can't be older than you, I won't be much younger; just you wait."

Seeing the other still stifling laughter, the annoyed Jiang Que suddenly hugged Ran Qingchen, burying her head in her chest.

The young girl deeply inhaled, the cold plum fragrance permeating Ran Qingchen's collar intoxicating her.

"Let me measure first."

Jiang Que boldly extended her hand.

Ran Qingchen froze for a second, ears tipping red with embarrassment, slapped away the girl's mischievous hand, reprimanding, "Stop fooling around!"

She straightened her not messy clothing, glanced at the bamboo house, softly spoke, "When young, one's thoughts are simple; when you grow older, you'll understand."

Jiang Que lifted her small head, her eyes clear as glass reflecting the distant flickering candlelight, spoke faintly:

"I only know, once you obtain something, you should learn to be content. Anyway, I'm happy, and making me happier is knowing Jiang Mo is happy too."

Listening to the seemingly twisted words of the young girl, Ran Qingchen was slightly lost.

After a long while, she smiled gently, fingers hooking a strand of hair by her temples, said, "It's a good thing this girl is young, otherwise... she'd truly be a difficult opponent."

...

Jiang Shouzhong knocked lightly at the door, but when no response came, he simply pushed it open and entered.

The room was very simple in its furnishings, only containing a bed and a table.

On the bamboo table, a few wisps of residual smoke curled up from the unfinished Concentration Incense, surrounding the spiritual tablet on the table.

It was Ms Qiu's spiritual tablet.

At this moment, the girl sat quietly by the spiritual tablet on the bamboo chair, hugging her knees. The hem of her crimson skirt resembled fading spider lilies, spreading in a dark, vibrant red.

Upon hearing footsteps, the girl's ear tips trembled slightly, but she didn't look up.

With a soft "swish," the bamboo chair tilted slightly.

Jiang Shouzhong sat close to her.

"You seem to have lost a lot of weight, surely haven't been eating well."

The man reached out to cover the girl's cold hand, gently holding it, smiling with heartache.

Qu Hongling's hand was very cold, cold like fresh snow.

Jiang Shouzhong clasped it in his palms and blew on it.

He became lost in thought, recalling how back in Anhe Village, the girl would occasionally sit on the rooftop daydreaming alone.

Sometimes, her hands would be very cold, and he'd warm them by breathing into them or nestling them in his coat, and the girl would deliberately play tricks.

Those times, whenever he remembered, were always joyful.

Qu Hongling still didn't speak, only stared blankly at the flickering candlelight, her slender shoulder blades under her simple crimson clothes forming a pitifully lonely arc.

"Really not planning to respond to me?"

Jiang Shouzhong's thumb unconsciously caressed her hand.

"I should have seen granny for the last time..."

After a long pause, Qu Hongling finally spoke, voice hoarse and broken.

She paused, eyes showing a flicker of pain: "She was my only family, yet I couldn't be by her side."

Jiang Shouzhong softly comforted, "Ms Qiu wouldn't blame you; you still have me, and Ye sister..."

Qu Hongling shook her head, tears glistening in her eyes:

"You don't understand... Granny always worried for me, but I... I always resented her. Just because back then, listening to her, I left you, I always resented granny."

Outside, the bamboo shadows cut across the girl's profile, the usual lively dimples paused on her pale cheeks, touched with traces of tears.

Jiang Shouzhong silently held the girl in his arms.

Qu Hongling sobbed: "I was picked up by granny, she raised me all these years, I long regarded her as my closest kin, I... always obedient to her..."