Rebirth: After Becoming the Villainess-Chapter 180: I Am the General’s Wife, How Dare She Not Listen to Me?
"If you don’t say anything and I don’t say anything, how would Prince Ling know?"
Mrs. Liu had just finished speaking when she suddenly realized something. "The servants said Prince Ling brought that divine doctor to the mansion today... Could it be..."
Her face paled in alarm. "Wh-what are we going to do?"
Looking at her mother, Song Xilan gave a cold smile. "So now you know how to worry, Mother? But have you ever considered how Prince Ling will see me? In the future, how am I supposed to live my life in the Prince Mansion?"
Mrs. Liu didn’t hear a single word she said.
"You said only Prince Ling could summon that divine doctor... but what does Prince Ling have to do with that Lin Shuniang? So what if we took her dowry? You’re his Princess Consort. He should be protecting you at all costs..." Her voice grew tense again. "You all say that doctor is incredible. What if she refuses to treat me? The physician said this pregnancy is at risk, and the General is eagerly awaiting this son! This won’t do, Lan’er. You have to think of a way to help your mother!"
"What would you have me do, Mother?" Song Xilan asked, her expression blank.
"Go beg Prince Ling again! Or, go find that divine doctor yourself and give her silver—a lot of silver!"
Song Xilan raised an eyebrow slightly. "Silver? Do you have any to spare, Mother?"
"Of course... my good Lan’er can get it for me first!" Mrs. Liu said. "You know how important your unborn little brother is to me! And your father—he’s been so considerate lately. Even when those old bastards from the Marquis Mansion came looking for trouble, your father defended me with his life! If he finds out the baby can’t be saved... he’ll definitely take it out on me!"
Just then, Nanny Tian came over to persuade her. "My Lady, please don’t blame the mistress. The master isn’t home, and she hasn’t been feeling well, so she just complained a little. Who knew Prince Ling would overhear? Besides, the mistress did all this for you! She knew the Marquis Mansion wouldn’t be stingy with the Second Miss’s dowry, and she didn’t want you to lose face, so that’s why she touched the first wife’s dowry. It’s one thing for outsiders to blame her, but how can you, My Lady?"
Hearing this, Mrs. Liu burst into loud sobs. "My life is so bitter! My own daughter resents and blames me, and now that I’m finally pregnant, I’m afraid I’m going to lose the baby..."
Song Xilan looked at her, and her heart softened. "Fine. I’ll figure something out."
"Lan’er... I knew you wouldn’t abandon your mother..."
"Before that, Mother, you need to take out Lin Shuniang’s dowry and return it to Lianhe."
"What?!"
Mrs. Liu’s voice rose, her face ashen. "Why should I give it to her? No!"
"It would be one thing if Prince Ling didn’t know, but if he finds out, he’ll only look down on you, Mother!"
"Silly Lan’er! Do you have any idea how much that dowry is worth? I was planning to save it for your little brother’s betrothal gifts!"
"Aren’t you even going to consider me, Mother? If word gets out that I took Song Lianhe’s mother’s dowry, how am I supposed to show my face?"
"Who’s going to tell? You’re just worrying for nothing!"
"Yes, who’s going to tell? Then how did Prince Ling find out?"
Mrs. Liu’s face flushed red and pale, but no matter what Song Xilan said, she refused to return it. In the end, she claimed to have a headache and shooed her out.
Song Xilan was truly exhausted, body and soul.
Mrs. Liu valued money above all else. If she didn’t relent, no one could pry a single coin from her.
At that moment, Nanny Tian came out and said persuasively, "My Lady, there’s something you don’t know. Over the years, although the General has been good to us in Cui Die, giving us the best food and finest things first, Ling’an City is not like other places. One family’s son gets married, another has a son or grandson—it’s all about social obligations. The mistress has no background. When she first arrived, she was looked down upon by the prominent families. She had to prepare lavish gifts every time to show her sincerity just to earn a bit of respect. That’s how she’s built up her connections over the years. But where did the money for all that come from? It was all supported by the first wife’s dowry. That, and your expenses over the years. Whatever the daughters of other families had, you had too, no matter how expensive! Furthermore, more than half of the first wife’s dowry is already spent. If this were truly investigated, I’m afraid you wouldn’t be able to stay out of it either, My Lady."
Song Xilan turned to look back at Nanny Tian and said coldly, "I’m afraid it’s too late for me to turn a blind eye, even if I wanted to."
"What are you saying, My Lady? All you have to do is whisper a few sweet nothings to Prince Ling... and won’t he listen to whatever you say? After all, you and the Prince are newlyweds, thick as thieves. He’ll do whatever you ask..."
Song Xilan’s expression flickered. Without another word, she turned and walked away.
Nanny Tian lifted the curtain and went inside. Mrs. Liu asked hurriedly, "What did she say?" 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞
"My Lady didn’t say anything..."
"That ungrateful wretch!" she snarled, her voice turning dark and hateful. "Some ’divine doctor’ she is, putting on such airs!"
After a moment’s thought, she beckoned Nanny Tian over. "Bring a few more people with you..."
Nanny Tian hesitated. "Mistress, is that a good idea? I heard she’s even treated nobles in the palace..."
"So what? She’s still just a doctor! I am the wife of a dignified Second-Grade official. She dares to disobey my command?" Mrs. Liu couldn’t wait any longer. The several physicians she had summoned all said the pregnancy was precarious, with a risk of miscarriage at any moment!
This child had been hard to conceive, and Mrs. Liu was determined to save it at any cost!
Mrs. Liu boarded her carriage and led a group of people straight to the Medical Clinic.
The Medical Clinic’s "Seven Dragon Balls" sold out every day. They were considered life-saving miracle pills, and many people bought them just in case.
On top of that, the price was fair, they were easy to take, and they worked quickly. Rumor had it that someone had already taken one during a sudden medical crisis, and it had truly been a life-saving remedy!
Song Lianhe was discussing hiring more staff with Cao Ying. The shops on either side had been acquired by Zhou Cangyan some time ago, so now was the perfect time to expand the business.
’I wonder if he predicted this outcome right from the start when he bought the shops?’
Song Lianhe stared at the tea in her hand, lost in thought again.
"Hehe, are you thinking about your Prince Qing?"
Song Lianhe sighed and blurted out, "I only know the first battle was a success, but there’s been no news since..." Realizing she had spoken her true thoughts, she quickly tried to explain, "I’m not thinking about him! I was just..."
"Alright, alright, it’s okay to think about him! He’s your husband; who else would you be thinking about?" Cao Ying then comforted her, "My brother said that Prince Yongdong is no match for Prince Qing. As long as your father doesn’t cause any trouble, Prince Qing will surely be safe."
Upon hearing this, Song Lianhe’s brow furrowed even more tightly.
’The whole reason Song Xingfeng went with the army was clearly to target Zhou Cangyan!’
’He hasn’t made a move yet only because he wants to use him to deal with Prince Yongdong first!’
Just then, a commotion erupted at the entrance. Some elderly and frail patients were shoved aside. "Get out of the way!"
Then, Nanny Tian walked in, supporting a weak-looking Mrs. Liu.
"Which one of you is the divine doctor?"
Song Lianhe looked up. Seeing who it was, she exchanged a glance with Cao Ying. Cao Ying snorted coldly, stood up, and said, "Are you two here to see a doctor? Can’t you see everyone is waiting in line? Go wait outside with the rest of them!"
Yan Wen and Su Huaqing also looked over. Both of them recognized Mrs. Liu, and their gazes quickly shifted to Song Lianhe. She was still wearing her veiled hat, clearly not intending to reveal her true identity.
