Rebirth: After Becoming the Villainess-Chapter 205: I’m a Pretty Good Actor, Aren’t I?

Chapter 205: Chapter 205: I’m a Pretty Good Actor, Aren’t I?

"AHEM—"

Luo Fubang coughed twice, interrupting their flirtatious exchange of glances.

Zhou Cangyan suddenly spoke. "Xidian."

Cheng Xidian, who had been trying her best to fade into the background, had actually wanted to leave with Nanny Gui.

But when she reached the door, the Shadow Guard had stopped her.

Now, hearing Zhou Cangyan call her name, she grit her teeth, turned, and knelt.

"This subordinate has failed the Young Master. I ask for punishment."

From his attitude toward his wet nurse just now, Cheng Xidian understood.

He had returned specifically to back Song Lianhe up and vent her frustrations.

’He didn’t even spare his own wet nurse’s feelings, so how could he possibly care about hers? If he had even a shred of compassion, he wouldn’t have stripped her of her Thousand Commander position and made her the laughingstock of the Prince Mansion. Even the low-ranking servant girls were starting to look down on her and neglect her.’

Song Lianhe glanced at Zhou Cangyan, then got up and sat down beside Old Master Luo, joining him in shelling peanuts.

Zhou Cangyan’s cold, harsh gaze fell upon Cheng Xidian. He said slowly, "You wanted to kill the Princess Consort."

His tone was light, as if he were stating a cold, hard fact.

Cheng Xidian’s body began to tremble uncontrollably. "Young Master... it was this subordinate’s fault. I lost my mind for a moment and..." She knew any defense would sound feeble. Gritting her teeth, she mustered her courage and said, "But she got her revenge! This subordinate nearly died as well! Why does the Young Master only speak for her, without considering what I have been through?"

Luo Fubang, eating peanuts, frowned slightly.

’It seems this girl, Xidian, still doesn’t understand Biwu well enough. And how had he never noticed before that she was so clueless?’

’She was the one who tried to harm someone first, which led to the retaliation. How could the two be equated?’

Looking again at the other person involved, Song Lianhe was perfectly calm and composed, as if nothing Cheng Xidian said could affect her in the slightest.

Luo Fubang couldn’t help but study her for a moment, then a meaningful smile appeared on his face.

Cheng Xidian thought that by simply voicing her grievances, Zhou Cangyan would show some consideration for their past, and since she was a woman, he wouldn’t rebuke her too harshly.

But to her surprise, Zhou Cangyan let out a cruel sneer, looking down on her imperiously. "It seems you haven’t reflected on your actions at all."

"Young Master..."

"Shadow."

"This subordinate is here."

The Shadow Guard stepped forward helplessly. He, too, was speechless when it came to Cheng Xidian.

"Banish her from the Prince Mansion."

"Young Master!!"

Cheng Xidian said in disbelief, "Young Master, you were the one who took me in. I’ve been by your side since I was a child! You’re... you’re going to kick me out?"

Luo Fubang looked over as well. After all, he had watched these children grow up, and he too felt this punishment was a bit harsh.

But since the matter had already been handed over to his grandson to deal with, he couldn’t just interfere.

Although he was nominally the Warlord of Sui Bei, the true ruler of Sui Bei these past few years had been Zhou Cangyan. Luo Fubang intended to help him establish his authority, so he was even less likely to interfere with his decisions.

So, he frowned and remained silent.

Song Lianhe noted Old Man Luo’s expression, then turned her head to look at the other two.

’When a villain gets ruthless, he truly spares no one.’

’Then again, Zhou Cangyan is only now starting to look like a proper villain. Song Lianhe didn’t know if she should be happy about it. If the plot gets back on track, what will become of her?’

As Cheng Xidian cried and screamed, Zhou Cangyan didn’t even frown, simply having the Shadow Guard drag her out.

Only then did Luo Fubang speak up. "Isn’t that a bit harsh? That girl, Xidian, grew up in the Prince Mansion. If you kick her out now, where can she go?"

Zhou Cangyan lowered his gaze, slowly turning the Bone Ring on his index finger. "So, is my Princess Consort supposed to be accustomed to being tormented? If she didn’t know medicine, if she didn’t have that medicine to drive off the venomous creatures, what I would have returned to would have been a pile of bones!"

His words were like a hook tugging at her heartstrings, making her entire heart tremble and burn.

Song Lianhe looked up at him, her eyes slowly filling with a brilliant light.

She even had the illusion that he had returned this time specifically for her. Even if he saw it all as trivial squabbles between women, he was still honoring their original agreement to always protect her.

Song Lianhe was so moved she was on the verge of tears.

’Such a good villain...’

Luo Fubang was also rendered speechless.

He knew his grandson had a point. Just because Miss Song had the ability to protect herself didn’t mean Cheng Xidian’s actions should be treated lightly.

From beginning to end, Song Lianhe was like a bystander.

Her not kicking Cheng Xidian while she was down was the last of her courtesy. Cheng Xidian had tried to kill her—that was a fact. She wasn’t so much of a saintly, naive fool as to plead for someone who wanted her dead.

"Now, let’s talk about your sweet potatoes."

At some point, Zhou Cangyan had sat down next to her. He casually picked up a peanut from the table, shelled it, and placed it in her hand.

Song Lianhe didn’t stand on ceremony with him. Munching on the peanut, she said, "I’ve thought about it. Your current situation is truly..."

Throughout it all, Zhou Cangyan showed no emotion. His gaze was placid, and his movements as he shelled peanuts for her were practiced and natural.

It made Luo Fubang roll his eyes at him nonstop.

’That little white-eyed wolf! Got a wife and forgot his grandfather!’

He then poured Song Lianhe some tea. After watching her finish it, he slowly began to speak, "As you said, sweet potatoes are easy to grow, resistant to cold and heat, and high-yield."

"That’s right. For early-ripening varieties, the growth cycle is only about three months! So, the people and army of Sui Bei won’t have to go hungry anymore. You can go do what you want to do. Oh, right. The Medical Clinic can provide all its franchise fees. With the clinic’s current reputation, that should be about... over a hundred thousand taels of silver. You can take all of it. Winter is coming, and it’s time to get winter clothes for the soldiers."

Luo Fubang remained silent. Song Lianhe was just a girl of sixteen, yet she possessed such intelligence and courage! She offered over a hundred thousand taels of silver without a second thought, and she had even effortlessly solved the food problem that had left even him at a loss!

’Was she sent by the heavens specifically to save Sui Bei?’

Zhou Cangyan lowered his eyes and said suddenly, "Are you doing all of this for me?"

"Yes."

Song Lianhe nodded and said frankly, "Didn’t we agree when I borrowed silver from you to open the Medical Clinic? We’d split the profits. But you’re in a tight spot for money right now, so you should take it first. As long as the Medical Clinic’s golden reputation remains, we’ll never have to worry about making more silver."

Her smile was bright, making her seem all the more charming.

At that, Luo Fubang stood up, glanced at the two of them, and turned to walk out.

"...This girl, she’s my kind of person. If you ever betray her, I will never forgive you."

Zhou Cangyan lowered his gaze with a smile.

After hearing that, Song Lianhe leaned close to his ear and whispered, "My acting is pretty good, huh? Your grandfather still doesn’t know we’re a fake couple."