Rebirth: After Becoming the Villainess-Chapter 201: Take Care of Yourself

As if sharing private gossip between best friends, Cao Ying mentioned Su Huaqing again in her letter.

She said that ever since Song Lianhe’s "accident," Su Huaqing had also stopped visiting, using the excuse that he was busy.

Song Lianhe wasn’t too concerned about this. Su Huaqing was Zhou Junlin’s man. With both she and Zhou Cangyan away from Ling’an City, he wouldn’t gain any useful information by constantly visiting the Medical Clinic.

It was a good thing he wasn’t going to the clinic anymore. At least she wouldn’t have to waste energy being on guard against him.

Finally, Cao Ying shared a piece of good news: the results of the imperial examinations were out, and their Manager Yan had passed with flying colors!

Reading this, Song Lianhe exclaimed excitedly, "He passed! Yan Wen passed!"

Zhong Shimin stood opposite her, leaning against the wall with his sword in his arms. "The new Top Scorer."

"I knew he could do it!"

Song Lianhe was truly happy!

To be honest, she had initially planned to use her "golden finger"—her knowledge of the plot—to recruit an ally for herself ahead of time.

But as she got to know him, she genuinely came to see Yan Wen as a friend. She had even feared that her interference might alter the plot and cause someone else to become the Top Scorer.

’But it’s all right. Everything’s all right.’

At the end of the letter, Cao Ying gave her assurances. Whether it was the Medical Clinic or the Marquis Mansion, including Shuang Ye and Ah Jun, the Cao Family would look after them all, so she shouldn’t worry.

As for the search for sweet potato vines, she had already contacted all the medicine merchants and expected to hear back any day now.

Folding the letter, Song Lianhe felt both touched and relieved. "In a crisis, I can always count on my best friend."

"Oh, right, what’s the situation with the Song Residence?"

"The Song Residence is holding memorial services for you, as well as giving alms and praying for your soul."

"Hah, holding services for me? I bet what they’re really praying to Buddha for is that I never, ever come back."

"Their actions are understandable. It’s a chance for them to dispel the rumors that you were on bad terms with them, and to seize the upper hand."

"It might not be the Song Residence."

Zhong Shimin looked at her. Song Lianhe said unhurriedly, "The Song Family has a son-in-law who is highly favored by His Majesty—Prince Ling."

"Are you saying Zhou Junlin arranged all of this from behind the scenes?"

Song Lianhe propped her chin on her hand and gave a sinister little laugh. "Let’s just suppose for a moment. What if he knows your Young Master isn’t coming back, and that I, the Princess Qing, am trapped here in Sui Bei? The Court has to put on a show, and Zhou Junlin can step forward in his capacity as my ’brother-in-law.’ First, he makes a few token gestures, and then he can logically take over the Prince Qing Mansion and my Medical Clinic!"

Fearing he wouldn’t believe her, she added in a conspiratorial whisper, "Do you have any idea how much money my Medical Clinic makes? It rakes in a fortune every day! When Zhou Cangyan was around to protect it, no one dared to have any designs on it. But now that we’ve both met with disaster, there are naturally a lot more people eyeing such a juicy prize!"

She sighed again as she spoke. "Even though I have Sister Cao and my grandfather, Zhou Junlin is the future chosen one. How can anyone gain an advantage by opposing him? It’s just money, after all. He can have it. As long as my friends are safe, that’s all that matters."

Seeing her trying to console herself, Zhong Shimin’s lips curved into a slight smile. "Is that what you really think?"

Song Lianhe let out a gloomy sigh. "What else can I think? I’m stuck here in Sui Bei. What can I possibly do to him?"

Zhong Shimin just looked at her and smiled, saying nothing.

Two days later, there was finally a lead in the search for the sweet potato vines.

Cao Ying sent a message by falcon post. She had received word that a medicine merchant who had once traveled to Luzon had seen such a plant there.

"Luzon..."

Hearing the name of the place, Song Lianhe couldn’t help but give a faint smile.

’History really does repeat itself in surprising ways...’

Next, Song Lianhe instructed Zhong Shimin to take some men to Luzon. Luo Fubang’s subordinates were no ordinary people; bringing back a single vine without alerting anyone would be a simple task for them.

As a precaution, Luo Fubang ordered Zhong Shimin to go in person.

Just before his departure, Zhong Shimin stood holding his horse, and glanced up at the second floor.

He tossed the reins to a subordinate. "Wait here."

"Yes, sir."

He leaped straight up to the second-floor balcony, followed the corridor to the east wing, and stopped outside Song Lianhe’s room.

Zhong Shimin’s dark eyes narrowed slightly, a peculiar look flashing within them as he raised his hand to knock on the door...

As if by telepathy, the door was suddenly pulled open.

"Zhong Shimin! You haven’t left yet! Wonderful!"

Song Lianhe immediately said, "Luzon is hot and humid, full of poisonous insects and mosquitos. You’re used to living in Sui Bei, so you’ll definitely have a hard time adjusting!" She held up a bundle, from which came the clinking of jars and bottles. "I prepared some medicine for you. I’ve put labels on all of them, so just use them according to my instructions. I guarantee you’ll have a safe and healthy journey!"

Zhong Shimin looked down at her, his lips parting slightly. "You... prepared this specially for me?"

"Of course!"

Song Lianhe said with an air of righteous loyalty, "Given our friendship, it’s only right that I look out for you in every way!"

Zhong Shimin lowered his gaze and reached out to take the bundle.

He spoke slowly. "While I’m away, you need to rein in your temper and not provoke anyone."

Song Lianhe dismissed his concern. "I’m so gentle. Who could I possibly provoke?"

He looked up at her. "Nanny Gui may not be as trusted as she once was, but she is a long-time servant of this Prince Mansion. Her roots here run deep; she’s not someone a newcomer like you can challenge. Then there’s Cheng Xidian. Although the Young Master has dismissed her from her post, her military achievements still stand, so she won’t be taken lightly. In short, do not provoke these two women under any circumstances! If you’re truly wronged in some way, you must wait for my return to deal with it."

"I say, Leader Zhong, is my image in your mind really that barbaric? As long as they don’t bother me, I won’t bother them!"

Zhong Shimin stared at her. "If they do provoke you, you can go to the Master. Let him stand up for you."

"I don’t want to."

Song Lianhe’s refusal was absolute.

She wasn’t a petty person, but she wasn’t magnanimous either.

When they first met, Luo Fubang had been rude to her in front of outsiders. He even looked disgusted when she had taken the initiative to call him "Grandfather." Song Lianhe had her pride. ’He can forget about me ever trying to get close to him again!’

Seeing how stubborn she was, Zhong Shimin showed a rare look of resignation. "The Master is just all bark and no bite. If he truly didn’t want to acknowledge you, he wouldn’t have even let you into the Prince Si Mansion. He values the Young Master so highly, and you are the Young Master’s... Princess Consort. He would never sit back and do nothing."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Well... for your sake, I suppose I can give Old Man Luo one more chance."

Looking at the beautiful young woman before him, Zhong Shimin let out a soft laugh. "That’s good."

When it was time to leave, he took a few steps, then turned back, his gaze growing more profound. "Take care of yourself."

"Don’t worry!" Song Lianhe waved at him. "Have a safe trip, may you find swift success, and come back soon! I’ll be waiting for your good news!"

Zhong Shimin leaped down from the second floor, took the reins, and vaulted onto his horse. "Hah!"

The small detachment set off at once.