Rebirth: After Becoming the Villainess-Chapter 119: The Second Miss Doesn’t Seem Too Bright
As Ling’an City’s grandest house of arts, Peiyue Building was a favorite haunt of officials and nobles, its halls filled with song and dance every night.
The second floor, Panxi Pavilion.
Unlike the clamor downstairs, this spot offered the best view in all of Peiyue Building. Opening the window revealed a full panorama of the floor below. On the circular stage at the center, several female entertainers were dancing. The occasional high kick of a long leg failed to conceal the allure beneath their skirts, drawing a chorus of cheers from the crowd below.
"She really said that?"
Inside the private room, a man in black robes and a silver mask lounged languidly on a soft couch, propping his head up with one hand. His cold, crystalline eyes lifted to settle on the woman across from him.
"Yes."
Xuan Mei reported dutifully, "Prince Ling relayed a message on behalf of Consort Qi. He also said he would like to invite Miss Song to the Imperial Palace tomorrow to speak with her."
The man on the couch snorted in contempt. "Real impressive."
’What could Consort Qi possibly want to say to Song Lianhe?’
’It’s nothing more than speaking up for that nephew of hers, trying to salvage the situation before the wedding.’
’When he can’t win her over, he trots out his family elders. This nephew of his... so very impressive.’
Nearby, the Shadow Guard grew anxious. "My Lord! What if Second Miss Song gets fooled again by Consort Qi and Prince Ling? After all, Second Miss Song seems... well, not very bright."
Xuan Mei shot him a glare. "Who are you calling not bright?"
Seeing how fiercely she defended her, the Shadow Guard immediately surrendered. "Me! I was talking about me! Is that better?"
’Still, the Shadow Guard was genuinely worried for his lord. Second Miss Song has the crucial duty of continuing the Luo Family line! How can he let someone else poach her?’
"Shadow."
Zhou Cangyan suddenly spoke, his tone casual. "It’s been a while since I’ve seen my Imperial Sister-in-law. I suppose it’s time to pay a visit to the palace."
The Shadow Guard immediately perked up. "Yes!"
Zhou Cangyan glanced at Xuan Mei. "Assign more men to the clinic. Don’t let just any riffraff wander in."
Xuan Mei complied. "Yes."
Just as she withdrew, the steward arrived.
The Shadow Guard was puzzled. "Uncle Liang, has something happened at the mansion?"
’Why else would he come all the way to Peiyue Building?’
No one knew that Peiyue Building was, in fact, the lord’s property.
"Pah! Pah! Pah!"
Pang Jiliang shot him a glare. "Watch that foul mouth of yours! The mansion is perfectly fine!"
He looked up at Zhou Cangyan, his wizened features suddenly full of expression. "Prince, how is it that the Second Miss hasn’t visited the Prince Mansion these past few days? She doesn’t come, and you don’t come home... This old servant was so worried, I couldn’t stop myself. I just had to come find you."
He sighed. "A young lady like the Second Miss, in her current situation... how can she live all by herself out there? Her meals, her lodging, it’s all so inconvenient. And with no one to look after her, this old servant just can’t rest easy."
Zhou Cangyan’s thoughts were unreadable as he stroked the Bone Ring on his left hand with his right.
Though he was sitting right there, he gave off an air of being completely detached from the mortal world.
"This old servant has selected several capable maids and matrons from the mansion. I’ll send them to the Second Miss first thing in the morning. Also, I’ve already purchased the tailor shop and the tea house next door. That way, if the Prince is too busy with official duties to return to the mansion, you’ll have a place to rest nearby."
The Shadow Guard couldn’t help but give a mental thumbs-up.
’Uncle Liang’s efficiency is seriously impressive.’
——
After her sedan chair was carried into the Imperial Palace, Song Lianhe had to walk the rest of the way to Tanwei Palace. She was drowsy the entire time.
She had been up late again last night studying medicinal formulas, only going to bed when the roosters began to crow. She hadn’t expected Consort Qi to send for her so early, but she couldn’t very well refuse, so she had to drag herself out of bed after getting less than two hours of sleep.
But she had just arrived at Tanwei Palace and paid her respects to Consort Qi when someone came to report that a person had arrived from Kunyi Palace.
"Lianhe, you certainly are popular," Consort Qi remarked, her expression unreadable. "You’ve only just arrived, and the Empress has already sent for you." Her stare made Song Lianhe feel a little guilty.
’Wait, what do I have to feel guilty about?’
’The Empress is the one who wants to see me. It has nothing to do with me.’
Consort Qi smiled again. "Since the Empress wishes to see you, you should go. However, you must come to Tanwei Palace to dine with me at noon."
"Thank you, Noble Consort."
Song Lianhe quickly agreed.
She had a pretty good idea why Consort Qi had summoned her, so she breathed a genuine sigh of relief upon leaving Tanwei Palace.
The person who came to fetch Song Lianhe was none other than the Empress’s own attendant, Aunt Fang Xiu. She quickly curtsied to her. "Greetings, Aunt Fang."
Fang Xiu smiled. "Miss Song, the Empress is waiting to see you."
"Please lead the way, Aunt."
The journey from Tanwei Palace to Kunyi Palace required traversing half the Imperial Palace.
Years ago, Consort Qi had specifically requested Tanwei Palace from Emperor Cheng Xiao because it was the farthest from the Emperor and Empress’s own chambers, a clear signal of her desire not to vie for imperial favor.
Emperor Cheng Xiao naturally understood her intention and granted her request. Because of this, even as new faces replaced the old in the harem, Consort Qi always held a special place in Emperor Cheng Xiao’s heart.
Fang Xiu stepped aside, revealing a palanquin behind her. "Miss Song, please get in."
"Ah, I couldn’t possibly!" Song Lianhe immediately took a step back, shaking her head repeatedly.
’She had watched enough palace-intrigue dramas in her past life to know this. Not just anyone was qualified to ride in a palanquin within the Imperial Palace. From the grand imperial carriages and the Phoenix Carriage down to the simple palanquins for common concubines, everything was governed by a strict hierarchy.’
’I’m just the daughter of a Second-Grade General. How could I be worthy?’
’No, I’m not worthy!’
’Mostly, I’m just afraid of attracting unwanted attention...’
Fang Xiu said, "This was ordered by the Empress. Her Majesty dotes on the younger generation. Miss Song, please don’t refuse any further."
"But..."
’Since she put it that way, refusing again would just seem pretentious.’
"My thanks to the Empress, and my thanks to Aunt Fang."
Song Lianhe was truly exhausted. Once she was in the palanquin, the gentle swaying made her doze off immediately.
Fang Xiu glanced in her direction, the corners of her lips seeming to curve into a smile before she quickly suppressed it.
Song Lianhe’s worries were not unfounded. As Fang Xiu walked beside the palanquin, people from the various palaces inevitably came out to investigate. Who was this person, being carried in a palanquin from Kunyi Palace?
It was likely that before Song Lianhe even reached Kunyi Palace, every detail of her identity had already been thoroughly dug up.
Inside Tanwei Palace, Consort Qi was feeding her parrot. As she placed some millet into the pet’s food bowl, she remarked, as if to herself, "Ziyin... I’m afraid he has no more chances this time."
Her dowry maid, now the head palace maid of Tanwei Palace, Jin Shu, asked in confusion, "Your Ladyship, why do you say such a thing?"
Consort Qi merely lowered her eyes, saying nothing more.
Kunyi Palace.
Song Lianhe was woken by someone’s call.
She rubbed her eyes and looked at the smiling Aunt Fang across from her. Embarrassed, she stepped out of the palanquin and tried to explain herself, "I’ve been a heavy sleeper since I was a child. Please excuse my embarrassing behavior, Aunt."
"It’s no matter. This way, Miss Song."
"Thank you, Aunt."
Song Lianhe followed obediently behind her. ’This is the Empress’s palace,’ she thought, ’how could I dare be careless? Besides, that idea I gave Consort Qi last time must have offended the entire harem! The Empress might not say anything, but what if she holds a grudge?’
Chun De was sitting primly in the garden, holding a cup of fragrant tea, her gaze fixed on the flowering begonias.
Song Lianhe immediately dropped to her knees. "Your subject, Song Lianhe, pays her respects to the Empress."
As if only just hearing her voice, Chun De slowly turned her gaze. She handed her cup to Fang Xiu and placed her hands demurely in her lap. Her expression was unreadable as she looked down at Song Lianhe.
"Song Lianhe, do you know of your crime?"
