Rebirth: After Becoming the Villainess-Chapter 115: Even a Clear-Headed Rongbai Has Become Handsome
Even if she really had changed a lot recently, the idea that someone who used to get a headache just from looking at a book could suddenly become the famous "goddess doctor" of Ling’an was too much of a stretch. Besides, her mother’s family, the Lin Shuniangs, were all Military Generals who preferred swords and spears. No one had ever heard of a master physician coming from their line.
Song Xilan smiled, the very picture of a refined lady. "And you are...?"
She was her sister, after all, the one she had grown up with. From that persistent, questioning gaze, Song Lianhe immediately guessed the purpose of her visit.
However, what surprised her was that Zhou Junlin clearly knew her identity but hadn’t told Song Xilan. That was rather strange.
Of course, she wouldn’t delude herself into thinking Zhou Junlin had taken pity on her, or that he had some other ulterior motive.
It was likely just to honor their past agreement and, at the same time, to avoid revealing anything about his maternal aunt.
Song Lianhe couldn’t even be bothered to respond, giving a dismissive wave of her hand.
Ah Yu understood her cue and stepped forward. "My apologies, Eldest Miss. The doctor is not seeing patients today."
Song Xilan remained silent, but Man Yue couldn’t help but retort, "You’re doctors! How can you see someone in need and refuse to help? They say a good doctor has a benevolent heart. Where’s your benevolence?"
Ah Yu’s expression darkened.
Song Xilan glanced at him, inwardly surprised.
’She remembered this boy. Back when Zhuang Qiaoyue had falsely accused him of stealing a hairpin on the street, he had been a pitiful sight, unable to defend himself. But now, after just a month, it was like he was a completely new person. He had the proper bearing of a young man, had filled out considerably, and she even had to tilt her head up slightly to look at him.’
Song Lianhe nearly rolled her eyes. ’You guys are really experts at guilt-tripping, aren’t you?’
She didn’t say a word, but Su Huaqing chuckled. "My dear young lady, you’re mistaken. If it were a medical emergency, you would have brought the patient here. If you had brought the patient and the doctor refused to treat them, *that* would be refusing to help someone in need. These are two different matters entirely. It’s best to be precise."
Song Lianhe’s eyes narrowed slightly in satisfaction. As her gaze drifted over to him, she gave him a look of approval.
’Not bad, Little Su.’
’He might be annoying, but he really steps up when it counts!’
Su Huaqing raised an eyebrow almost imperceptibly, the amusement in his eyes growing more distinct.
Song Lianhe could see it now. He loved watching a good drama—the kind of person who enjoyed it when things got messy.
Song Xilan raised an eyebrow at Su Huaqing. ’He really does dislike me. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be siding with an outsider against me.’
’However, this also made her more certain. Su Huaqing disliked her, but he disliked Song Lianhe even more. Therefore, this woman couldn’t possibly be Song Lianhe.’
Man Yue’s cheeks flushed red from being rebuked. Indignantly, she said, "Our Miss came here in person, which shows her sincerity! You run a Medical Clinic with your doors open. How can you just turn people away?"
"And why not?"
A clear, cold voice suddenly sounded from the stairwell.
Everyone looked up and saw Yan Wen coming down the stairs.
Su Huaqing rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Why aren’t you upstairs studying? What are you doing down here?"
Yan Wen shot a quick glance at Song Lianhe before quickly looking away. He walked the rest of the way down and said, "I am the Shopkeeper of this Medical Clinic. How can I not intervene when there’s trouble?"
Hearing the word "trouble," Song Xilan first froze, then a wronged expression quickly appeared on her face. She looked at him with innocent eyes. "Young Master Yan, I’m so sorry to have disturbed your studies."
Song Lianhe’s gaze shifted between the two of them, her desire to watch the drama unfold slowly aligning with that of the scoundrel Su Wanzhang.
Sure enough, the two of them subconsciously met each other’s eyes.
At this time, in this very moment, they had found their squad!
Yan Wen also noticed the intense gazes from his friend and his boss.
His eyebrow twitched, but he pretended not to have noticed anything. He turned to Song Xilan and gave a slight bow. "It is I who should apologize. There are truly no available physicians in the clinic right now. I hope Miss Song can understand. There are many other medical clinics in Ling’an City. Please, try another one."
His demeanor was gentlemanly and kind, making it impossible to fault him.
Song Lianhe was gratified to see this. ’The Yan Rongbai who isn’t love-struck is actually quite handsome!’ she thought. ’He speaks so reasonably and calmly. You can’t even refute him if you wanted to.’
Su Huaqing, standing beside his friend, nodded repeatedly. "Well said. Before our Medical Clinic existed, people still sought out doctors and medicine, and I never heard of anyone’s treatment being delayed. There’s no reason to think someone’s condition will worsen now just because our clinic is unavailable. Miss Song, you should hurry and find another clinic."
Su Huaqing had always had a sharp tongue, and his words made Song Xilan’s face flush then pale.
"You’re taking this too far..."
Man Yue was about to say more, but Song Xilan stopped her.
"In that case, it seems Xilan was being inconsiderate." She gave them a slight nod and said, "My apologies for the disturbance." Before leaving, her gaze fell upon Song Lianhe one last time. In the end, she said nothing more and left with her maid.
Once they were in the carriage, Man Yue was still fuming. "How could they treat you like that, Miss? Especially that Yan Wen! Has he forgotten who made it possible for him to study? And Mr. Su! He’s clearly one of Prince Ling’s men, but instead of helping you, he sided with an outsider! And that Ah Yu! When he was being harassed by Miss Zhuang, you were the one who spoke up for him! Has he forgotten all that?!"
"That’s enough."
Song Xilan had never liked such useless complaints. She took the hot tea Man Yue offered, took a sip, and then said slowly, "There’s no need to be angry. At least we can be certain now that she is not Lianhe."
"I told you it was impossible. You were taking her too seriously, Miss," Man Yue said with disdain. "Forget about whether the Second Miss could ever learn such medical skills. Just look at Mr. Su and Young Master Yan. Who are they? Why would two men like that ever let themselves be ordered around by someone like her?"
Song Xilan chuckled. "Oh, you. Your sharp tongue is your greatest asset."
Man Yue stuck her tongue out and said sweetly, "That’s only because you dote on me, My Lady, and don’t hold things against me. I’ve been spoiled, so I’ve grown bolder."
This was true. As the female protagonist, there was no one around her who didn’t like her. Aside from her protagonist’s halo, it was also related to her personal cultivation, bearing, and moral compass.
She treated the servants of the mansion extremely well. Whenever they ran into trouble, big or small, the servants never went to Mrs. Liu, the matriarch of the General Mansion. Instead, they would run directly to their Eldest Miss for help. Song Xilan would always do her best to assist, and she had won everyone’s hearts.
On the way back, Song Xilan felt a great sense of relief.
’Although I know this thought is uncharitable, that it reeks of jealousy toward my sister, I can’t lie to myself.
I really don’t want the Medical Clinic to have anything to do with Song Lianhe.
Song Lianhe’s temperament and character are utterly unpresentable. She has no literary talent. When outsiders mention her, they only say that she has a good family background, with the General Mansion and the Marquis Mansion to back her. Other than that, she’s good for nothing.
When the two sisters are compared, I become an inspirational role model. This is my bargaining chip for marrying into the Royal Family.
I’m certain that Emperor Cheng Xiao would never approve the match simply because his son insists.
Not unless I, Song Xilan, am sufficiently outstanding on my own.
Especially with Song Lianhe as a foil.
Therefore, she absolutely cannot—and *should not*—be connected to the Medical Clinic.’
Man Yue, at an age where she loved a bit of excitement, lifted the curtain to look outside. Suddenly, she cried out, "Miss... is that Prince Ling’s carriage?"
"Junlin?"
Song Xilan immediately poked her head out to look. Just behind their carriage, Zhou Junlin’s carriage was making a turn, heading down the same road they had just come from.
That was...
...the direction of the Medical Clinic.
