Rebirth: After Becoming the Villainess-Chapter 186: I Have No Shame. Do You?
Zhong Shimin glanced at the woman beside him. Unlike the free-spirited women of Sui Bei, her skin was far too fair and delicate. A single look revealed she was a pampered young lady, raised in the inner chambers and never setting foot outside. She just seemed...
’Useless.’
All along the way, Song Lianhe had been carefully observing her surroundings.
Unlike the bustling prosperity of Ling’an City, Sui Ning was filled with the unique character of its local peoples.
Looking down from the second floor, she saw that the building she was in was more like a palace. The surrounding structures resembled the courtyard-style manors of Ling’an City, complete with residences and gardens, all covering an immense area.
As the hereditary Warlords, the Luo Family was like a regional sovereign here. Though technically subjects, the Emperor had always been wary of them. For many years, this delicate balance had been maintained through marital alliances. But everything changed after the death of Warlord Luo Fubang’s daughter, Consort Jing Min, Luo Chaoyan.
From her original body’s memories, she knew Sui Bei was inhabited by many ethnic minorities, most of whom were valiant, battle-hardened, and fiercely formidable.
’In other words, now that I’m here, there’s no escape.’
Song Lianhe sighed inwardly. ’Villains are just an ever-present danger!’
The main hall, which also served as the council chamber.
Song Lianhe was led inside. As she looked up, she saw an old man seated in the center of the hall, resting with his eyes closed.
The old man was of average height with salt-and-pepper hair. He wore an ochre, round-collared robe cinched at the waist with a brown leather belt. The belt was adorned with a piece of fine, mutton-fat jade. On his feet were pointed-toe cowhide boots, his trouser legs tucked neatly inside.
Though he was merely sitting, he couldn’t conceal the domineering air of a fierce chieftain.
Nanny Gui and Cheng Xidian stood on his left and right. Upon seeing Song Lianhe, Nanny Gui spoke softly to the old man, "Old Master Luo, we’ve brought her."
After bringing her forward, Zhong Shimin placed his left hand over his right breast, bowed slightly in a salute, and then withdrew from the main hall.
Luo Fubang slowly narrowed his eyes. "What a..."
Before he could finish, Song Lianhe immediately dropped to her knees with a THUD. "Your granddaughter-in-law, Song Lianhe, greets you, Grandfather."
With that, she immediately kowtowed three times. THUD. THUD. THUD.
Song Lianhe’s reasoning was simple. ’You don’t hit a person who’s smiling at you. Rather than stand here crying and proclaiming my innocence, it’s better to cement my status as Zhou Cangyan’s legitimate wife!’
’As long as I remain Zhou Cangyan’s wife, these people can’t even dream of harming me!’
Luo Fubang slowly opened his eyes, his sharp gaze fixed on the young woman kneeling on the floor.
Nanny Gui also frowned in disgust. However, with Old Master Luo present, it wasn’t her place to speak. ’Otherwise, I’d have to teach this woman a lesson first!’
Cheng Xidian couldn’t believe her eyes. ’This woman is so shameless! A fraud! Who does she think she is, calling him Grandfather?!’
She was not nearly as composed as her godmother and immediately snapped, "You shameless fraud! Since when are you qualified to call him ’Grandfather’?!"
Luo Fubang remained silent, but after her kowtows, Song Lianhe rose gracefully to her feet. She met Cheng Xidian’s gaze and said, "Heh, if I’m not the one to call him that, are you?" 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎
"You... You’re shameless!"
"I’m shameless? You’re the one who’s supposedly so proper, an unmarried maiden, yet you spend all day pining after another woman’s husband."
"Song Lianhe, I’ll tear that mouth of yours right off—"
Cheng Xidian had been fond of Zhou Cangyan since childhood. This was no secret. Even Luo Chaoyan had intended for her grandson to take Cheng Xidian as a concubine, but Zhou Cangyan had refused.
She might have feelings for him, but no one had ever thrown the truth in her face with such blunt and vulgar words.
Humiliated and enraged, Cheng Xidian drew her sword and lunged forward to end her!
But Song Lianhe was not afraid. She stood her ground, head held high, her expression unruffled.
’This is Sui Ning City! This is Old Master Luo’s domain!’
’He went to the trouble of sending Tiger Beak to bring me here. He’s not going to let me die so easily, especially not at the hands of some love-struck fool like Cheng Xidian.’
"Xidian!"
Nanny Gui stopped her with a sharp reprimand, then shook her head, warning her not to act rashly.
"Godmother, did you hear what she just said? If I don’t kill her, how will I ever quell this hatred in my heart! Today, I must—"
"Must what?"
Luo Fubang finally spoke. "Whatever she may have done, she is still the woman Biwu chose to marry. You would kill her? What right do you have?"
"I..."
Cheng Xidian’s face flushed red, then paled.
Nanny Gui said quickly, "Withdraw at once! Don’t be an eyesore in front of the Old Master!" She then shot Cheng Xidian a meaningful look.
Cheng Xidian knew Old Master Luo was now displeased with her, so she shot Song Lianhe a venomous glare, sheathed her sword, and departed in a huff.
A slight smile touched the corners of Song Lianhe’s lips. ’It seems I guessed right. Old Master Luo values Zhou Cangyan too much to dispose of his wife so casually.’
When Luo Fubang looked at Song Lianhe again, the contempt in his eyes was gone, replaced by a hint of surprise.
For her to kneel without a change in expression and call him "Grandfather" showed that this young woman was much cleverer than she appeared.
"Such audacity!"
Luo Fubang’s expression suddenly turned thunderous. He raised a hand and—CRACK!—slammed it on the table, instantly shattering the wood into splinters.
Even Nanny Gui, who had been by his side for many years, couldn’t help but jump in fright.
"You dared to fake a pregnancy, using such despicable means to trick Biwu into marrying you!"
And Luo Fubang was, in fact, truly furious.
When the Shadow Guards first sent word that the Luo Family was about to welcome a new Young Master, he had been overjoyed. He had even stayed up all night thinking of names for his great-grandson!
But in the end, it had all been a fabrication by this outrageously brazen woman!
’Even if I don’t kill her, I’ll have her hands and legs chopped off!’
"Fake a pregnancy..." Song Lianhe murmured the words. She seemed unable to hold back a short, humorless laugh. "Grandfather..."
"A woman like you is not fit to call me Grandfather!"
’Fine, I won’t call you that, then.’
Song Lianhe immediately changed her address. "Fine. Old Master Luo..."
Nanny Gui snapped again, "And who are you to address him as Old Master Luo?"
Song Lianhe took a deep breath. "Fine. Old Man Luo."
Luo Fubang froze. Nanny Gui was also struck dumb.
’Does she not know how Luo Fubang operates? Does she have a death wish?!’
"Zhou Cangyan is your grandson. You of all people should know him well. What power or ability do I possess that I could possibly deceive the great King Qing? The Young Master of Sui Ning City?"
Luo Fubang’s expression remained cold, but he didn’t deny her point.
Nanny Gui said coldly, "A woman like you will stop at nothing. Who knows what sort of filthy tricks you used behind the scenes!"
She then turned back to Luo Fubang and said softly, "Old Master Luo, you may not be aware, but this woman has a terrible reputation in Ling’an City! She is harsh with her servants and, worse, is disrespectful and unfilial toward her own parents! Years ago, she was betrothed to Prince Ling. Knowing her character, Prince Ling paid her no mind, yet she repeatedly threw herself at him... Everyone in Ling’an knows this story! Later, when Prince Ling married her older sister, she couldn’t bear the slight and schemed to marry our Young Master. Old Master Luo, you must deliver justice for our Young Master! How can a woman with such a disgraceful past be worthy of him? How can she possibly serve as Princess Qing?"
Luo Fubang was incandescent with rage.
CRACK! Another pearwood table split apart.
