Rebirth: After Becoming the Villainess-Chapter 176: Yan Wen’s Gaze Held a Forbidden Longing
Song Lianhe studied her through the thin veil.
The Song Xilan of today had an added air of nobility, from her attire to her every bearing.
’Nobility truly does nurture a person,’ Song Lianhe thought. Her appearance had changed somewhat since before her marriage. Her features hadn’t seemed particularly refined before, but seeing her so suddenly today, she was like a radiant peach blossom—bright and lovely. Song Lianhe had to admit, the female lead was the female lead. No matter what happened, she would always shine alone.
Song Lianhe approached with her maid. The carriage of the Ling Prince Mansion was parked nearby.
Su Huaqing snapped his folding fan shut and bowed to her in greeting. "Greetings, Princess Consort Ling."
Song Lianhe pursed her lips. ’A confirmed mole.’
’I’m a princess consort, too. Why isn’t he this eager to please me?’
’Hmph, as if I care!’
With his greeting, Cao Ying and the others reluctantly followed suit, calling out, "Princess Consort Ling."
Song Xilan shot a faint glance in Song Lianhe’s direction before walking over to Yan Wen. "Young Master Yan, I wish you success in the imperial examination and hope you take first place."
Yan Wen took a step back and bowed with his hands clasped. "Without the Princess Consort’s help, I would not be where I am today. I thank you, Princess Consort Ling. This is a kindness I will never forget." Then, he prostrated himself.
Song Xilan hadn’t expected him to kowtow to her in public. ’It’s as if I’ve come to demand repayment for my favor!’
Song Lianhe couldn’t have been more pleased with Yan Wen for publicly drawing a clear line between them!
’Yan Wen is worthy of my high regard, indeed. He knew Song Xilan’s visit was anything but simple.’
’In the original book, Song Xilan wanted to recruit talent for Zhou Junlin, so she deliberately appeared on the day of his examination, moving Yan Wen so much that he revered her as a goddess in his heart!’
"Young Master Yan, there’s no need for this!" Song Xilan hurriedly stepped forward to help him up, but Su Huaqing was faster. He hauled his friend up with one hand. "Princess Consort Ling and Prince Ling both cherish talent and have always treated people with sincerity. Why would they covet your future repayment? If you truly wish to repay them, then serve the Holy Emperor and the Court. That would be the best way not to disappoint the Prince and Princess Consort."
Yan Wen glanced at him and nodded. "Brother Wanzhang is absolutely right. I was being narrow-minded."
Song Lianhe inwardly tutted. ’As expected of high-IQ brothers. With this coordinated move, even if Song Xilan intended to recruit him, she can’t make it explicit now!’
’But isn’t Su Huaqing one of Zhou Junlin’s advisors?’
’Yan Wen is good friends with him. Even if it wasn’t for Song Xilan, it would be logical for them to follow Zhou Junlin together. Why would he help Yan Wen out of this predicament?’
Song Xilan’s expression clearly froze, but she quickly smiled again. "Mr. Su is absolutely right. Prince Ling and I only hope that capable men like Young Master Yan can serve the Court soon. This would be our humble contribution to the state and its people."
"I will remember that."
Cao Ying shot her a look, then stepped forward to block her line of sight. "Manager Yan, you should go in now."
"Mm."
Yan Wen shouldered his travel case. Before leaving, he turned back to look at Song Lianhe, his mouth moving as if to say something.
Song Lianhe froze.
He had mouthed, ’Don’t worry.’
Although Song Xilan couldn’t see the shape of his mouth from where she stood, she saw in his eyes a look that once belonged to her...
A kind of forbidden affection.
Yan Wen walked into the examination hall, and the group prepared to head back.
Song Lianhe was also about to return to her carriage, but as she passed the Ling Prince Mansion’s carriage, Song Xilan stopped her.
"Little sister, don’t you have anything to say to your big sister?"
Song Lianhe raised an eyebrow, glancing at her through the white gauze of her veiled hat. No longer bothering to hide her disdain, she sneered, "What could I possibly have to say to Princess Consort Ling?"
"Lianhe, I know you were forced to marry King Qing, that it wasn’t what you wanted. If you want a divorce, my Prince, he..."
Song Lianhe suddenly spun around. "Song Xilan, aren’t you tired of this?"
Song Xilan’s delicate eyes fixed on her. She said slowly, "I’m just concerned about you..."
"Ha, concerned? Song Xilan, there’s no one else here. Can you stop pretending? When I liked Zhou Junlin, you couldn’t stand the sight of me. Now that I say I don’t like him anymore, you claim it’s not what I truly want... What, if I really hadn’t given up on him, would you give me your position as Princess Consort Ling?"
Seeing Song Xilan’s expression change as she scrambled to defend herself, Song Lianhe scoffed, "Too bad. Even if you wanted to give it to me, I wouldn’t want it! You have no idea how good it is being Princess Qing! King Qing is handsome, and he spoils me rotten! A divorce? I’d have to be insane to leave Prince Qing and go back for seconds! If you think Zhou Junlin is so great, you can keep him! Besides, with his status, there will be no shortage of ministers racking their brains to send their daughters to his side! Instead of wasting your energy being wary of me, you’d be better off watching out for other women!"
Up ahead, Cao Ying called out to her, "Song Lianhe! Hurry up!"
Her attitude toward Song Lianhe was the same as before, unchanged by her new status as a princess consort.
Song Lianhe didn’t get angry, simply calling back, "Coming, coming!"
Without another glance at Song Xilan, she ran over.
She heard Cao Ying complain, "What do you have to talk to her about? With that brain of yours, be careful she doesn’t sell you out!"
"I’m not as stupid as you make me out to be!"
Song Xilan stood rooted to the spot with an ugly expression on her face, her eyes narrowed as she watched the two women get into the carriage together.
’Not long ago, they were romantic rivals. So what if one was the Imperial Censor’s daughter and the other a Marquis’s County Princess? Zhou Junlin wouldn’t even give them a second glance. Who in Ling’an City didn’t know they were a joke?’
’But now?’
’The two have somehow become friends, started a business together, and are even making it a roaring success.’
’Because of them, the Imperial Censor’s Mansion and the Xuan Chang Marquis Mansion are interacting frequently again. And that Cao Yuexue is a representative of the Pure Stream Faction, Lady Cao holds a Second-Grade imperial title, and their son, Cao Jin, is the Commander of the imperial guard!’
’These seemingly ordinary interactions are, in reality, two factions slowly drawing closer.’
’If this power chose Zhou Cangyan...’
Song Xilan didn’t dare to think further, her fingers twisting her handkerchief tightly. She truly couldn’t understand how all these changes had occurred because of a single, insignificant Song Lianhe.
At that moment, the carriage curtain was lifted slightly.
Through the gap, a pair of dark eyes from within the carriage fell upon the other carriage, which was gradually pulling away.
After a long moment, the curtain fell again.
When Song Xilan boarded the carriage, she spoke apologetically to the man sitting upright inside. "My Prince, your subject was just..."
"I heard everything."
Zhou Junlin’s expression was gentle as he looked up at her. "I’ve told you before, you don’t need to waste your thoughts on her. You are the only one in my heart."
"But..." Song Xilan lowered her eyes and said softly, "I can’t help you with much, my Prince. I was hoping my sister could be of some assistance to you. After all, she’s back in the Marquis Mansion now, is on good terms with the Imperial Censor’s family, and has a Medical Clinic that rakes in gold... If I were a prince, I would also want to marry a princess consort like that."
’With her pride, Song Xilan wouldn’t admit she was resentful, much less that she was jealous of Song Lianhe! But a wave of panic followed. What if Junlin really had a change of heart?’
"Lan’er, what nonsense are you speaking?" Zhou Junlin sensed her melancholy and took her hand. "Must I carve out my heart for you to believe in my affection?"
"My Prince, don’t say such things!" she cried, quickly covering his mouth. Zhou Junlin smiled, catching her hand and bringing it to his lips for a kiss.
Song Xilan immediately blushed.
For the past few days, Zhou Junlin had been summoned to the palace by the Holy Emperor to discuss matters. He would often return to the mansion when the sky was already growing light, sometimes even staying overnight in the palace.
Thus, the two had not yet consummated their marriage. Occasional intimate gestures like this still made her blush and her heart race.
