Rebirth: After Becoming the Villainess-Chapter 137: Song Lianhe, How Dare You Insult This King?
Cao Jin watched everything with composure, like a bystander unaffected by the tempers of others.
If he had to admit to any change in his state of mind, it was the "surprise" Song Lianhe had given him.
He narrowed his eyes slightly, his sharp gaze fixed on her for a long moment before he looked away.
’Whatever Song Lianhe becomes is no concern of mine. Whether she’s confronting General Song or maneuvering around Lord Zhen, whatever mess she makes, someone will be there to clean it up for her. Why should I worry?’
’My only job on this trip is to keep an eye on her and make sure no one hurts her.’
’It’s almost laughable. Me, the Commander of the Ling’an Imperial City Guard, reduced to being a bodyguard for some young lady.’
Jing Ye was clearly taken aback as well. He couldn’t help but murmur, "The County Princess... she doesn’t seem like the person from the rumors."
Cao Jin glanced at him, noting the way he was staring fixedly at Song Lianhe. "Has your mother never warned you? The more beautiful the woman, the less you should trust her."
Jing Ye froze for a second, his face turning an even deeper shade of red. He quickly stammered, "Brother Cao, you’re reading too much into it. I just... I just admire the County Princess, that’s all. I have absolutely... absolutely no improper thoughts."
"That’s for the best."
Cao Jin left it at that.
’He knew that a certain someone was notoriously possessive.’
On the other side, the tension had already reached a breaking point.
Song Xingfeng, having been defied by his own daughter in front of a fellow court official, was naturally furious. Without another word, he raised his hand and brought it down in a slap—
SLAP! The blow landed squarely across Song Lianhe’s face.
Cao Jin had been about to step forward and intervene, but Jing Ye, sensing his intent, grabbed him and shook his head with a frown.
Cao Jin understood, of course. A father was disciplining his own daughter. He had no standing to interfere. Not only that, but doing so would likely invite criticism.
’For the first time, Cao Jin felt an intense dislike for someone. He had never broken his word before. And now this? How was he supposed to answer for this?’
He gripped the hilt of his sword, his eyes fixed on Song Xingfeng with a look of disgust and resentment.
’If you want to discipline your daughter, can’t you do it at home?’
’What is the meaning of this, doing it right in front of me?’
The moment the hand fell, Zhou Junlin felt his chest tighten. He had already subconsciously reached out to stop it, but he immediately caught himself, realizing his lapse in composure, and lowered his hand...
Meanwhile, Song Lianhe’s cheek, which was already swollen, immediately ballooned further.
Although Song Xilan disliked Song Lianhe, even she felt their father had acted too rashly.
’What kind of place is this?’
’The Ministry of Justice!’
’Every word and deed here could reach the Emperor’s ears! If that happens, not only will we fail to get Mother out, but it will confirm that our family mistreats the legitimate daughter!’
’Besides, Prince Ling accompanied me here today, only to witness Father slap his daughter without even asking what was wrong? This is not just an embarrassment for the Song Residence, but for him as well.’
"General Song, the County Princess is here at my invitation to cooperate with the investigation. What do you think you’re doing?" Zhen Yongming’s face was etched with faint anger. He was the type who couldn’t stand such behavior.
Though it was a Song family matter, it had occurred inside the Ministry of Justice, and Song Lianhe was a witness. As the Minister of the Ministry of Justice, Zhen Yongming naturally had a duty to protect her.
Zhou Junlin’s brow remained tightly furrowed. He shot a sidelong glare at Song Xingfeng.
Song Xingfeng was a military general with great strength in his hands. In his rage, he had put nearly all his power into the blow. Song Lianhe stumbled, nearly falling. Once steady, she slowly raised her head, revealing a cheek so red and swollen it was difficult to look at.
’He knew it wasn’t a serious injury, but a near-twisted obsession took hold of him—no injury whatsoever should mar that beautiful, vibrant face!’
’And so, his dissatisfaction with Song Xingfeng grew. He recalled his previous visits to the Song Residence, where Song Lianhe was always either being scolded by her father or confined to her room. He had assumed she was just mischievous and unruly, but looking back now, he suspected it was less a case of an unfilial daughter and more one of an unkind father.’
’However, in this case, Song Lianhe’s fierce defense of her mother had impressed him.’
’In contrast, Song Xingfeng, as a husband, came off as ungrateful and fickle, casting aside the old for the new.’
Song Xilan stepped forward to placate him. After calming down, Song Xingfeng cupped his fists and said, "Lord Zhen, I was merely anxious to discipline my child just now. I had no intention of obstructing you."
Zhen Yongming simply waved a dismissive hand, saying nothing more.
"As for my wife, to be perfectly honest, she is with child..."
’Pregnant?’
Song Lianhe’s head snapped up. She didn’t hear a single word Song Xingfeng said after that.
’Mrs. Liu is pregnant?’
’This wasn’t in the original story!’
Song Xilan kept her eyes lowered, her expression serene and her resolve firm.
’If I hadn’t said that, why would Father have risked impeachment to come here and forcibly take her away?’
’As for the baby, we could just find an opportunity to fake a miscarriage, or claim she was frightened while she was here... In any case, we have to deal with the immediate crisis first.’
Zhen Yongming hesitated. "Well..."
"Pregnant?"
Song Lianhe spoke up suddenly, a faint, knowing smile on her lips as she kept her gaze lowered. "In that case, we should call for a doctor to examine her and see if there’s any serious issue."
Song Xilan’s gaze sharpened as she turned to lock eyes with her.
’She’s definitely saying that on purpose!’
Zhen Yongming remained silent. Jing Ye cautiously leaned in. "I’ll go get a doctor, then."
"No!"
Song Xilan’s reaction was vehement. "Why go to all that trouble? Send us back to the residence. We have a doctor there."
Zhou Junlin slowly narrowed his dark eyes. It wasn’t hard to guess the truth from her anxiousness.
But in the end, his heart went out to Song Xilan. Even knowing she was lying, he moved to her side to back her up, standing as steadfast as a pine.
"Lord Zhen," he said, "Mrs. Song is neither the culprit nor an accomplice. Now that she is with child, she should be allowed to return to her residence."
"Zhou Junlin!"
Song Lianhe suddenly used his given name, startling Jing Ye. "The County Princess..." he muttered anxiously, "what if she infuriates His Highness, Prince Ling?"
Cao Jin’s brows knitted slightly, his gaze as sharp as a blade.
Zhou Junlin stiffened, then slowly turned his head. "What did you call me...?"
Before he could finish, Song Lianhe strode forward. "Zhou Junlin, and to think I used to believe that while you weren’t very likable, you were at least a proper villain with a clear head—you even had some of a protagonist’s charm. But now I see you’re completely blinded by your desires! You’re incompetent and muddle-headed!"
Zhou Junlin was a prince, after all. Being publicly accused of being "blinded by desire"—what was the difference from being called a fool to his face?
He flew into a humiliated rage. Taking a step forward to close the distance, his frigid gaze bored into her as he bit out each word, "Song Lianhe, you dare insult me?"
"What if I did?"
Song Lianhe was also full of pent-up anger. Acting purely on a fit of pique, she felt no fear whatsoever.
She planted her hands on her hips, tilted her chin up, and roared back, "If you had half a brain, would you be defending Mrs. Liu? Don’t you know perfectly well what crime she committed? So what if she’s pregnant? Does being pregnant give her the right to slander a general who won great glory for Da Cheng?! Can’t you tell which is more important?"
