Rebirth: After Becoming the Villainess-Chapter 211: Of Course, She’s Trying to Please the Prince

Chapter 211: Chapter 211: Of Course, She’s Trying to Please the Prince

"Of course, it’s for the Prince!" Gu Ha said, looking as if he had seen right through her. "When she was in Ling’an City, she befriended Miss Cao. Wasn’t that just because she was eyeing the Scholar Mansion’s power? Otherwise, given Miss Cao’s reputation back then, why would she ever associate with her? Miss Cao has Mr. Cao and Commander Cao behind her, all of whom she can use! And look, now that she’s no longer in Ling’an City, her Medical Clinic is being fiercely protected by the Cao Family! Isn’t that enough to prove this woman is a deep schemer?"

Zhou Junlin’s gaze drifted downward, his thoughts unreadable.

Gu Ha added, "She’s in Sui Bei now, so of course she’ll try every way she can to get back to Ling’an City! With her relationship with the Song Family, she would never ask them for help, and the Old Marquis can’t leave the Capital City without authorization due to his status. The only person she can turn to for help now is you, Your Highness! And conveniently, she hears about the Hu Shang’s stolen horses and plans to use it as an excuse to ask the Prince to help her!"

Gu Ha snorted in disdain. "She probably has no idea what kind of place the Genosa River is! If she did, she’d be scared witless, I guarantee it!"

Zhou Junlin slowly lifted his gaze to glance at him, and Gu Ha knew at once that he had misspoken.

The Prince was, after all, a perfect gentleman. Though he disliked Song Lianhe, he always treated her with courtesy.

Zhou Junlin retracted his gaze and sat there, lost in thought.

"Is she... really taking this risk for my sake?"

"Of course she is! She used to do all sorts of embarrassing things just to make the Prince smile..."

Meeting his gaze, Gu Ha fell silent again.

But Gu Ha wasn’t wrong. Back in the day, Song Lianhe had done many ridiculous things for him.

For some reason, the thought of all those past incidents made Zhou Junlin laugh out loud.

Gu Ha looked at the Prince in curiosity, but Zhou Junlin’s smile vanished, as if no emotion had ever crossed his face.

"If what you say is true, then her next step must be to find a way to the Genosa River."

"Perhaps she’ll give up before she even gets that far."

Gu Ha looked down on Song Lianhe through and through, and his tone was utterly dismissive.

Zhou Junlin smiled faintly. "So, you mean to say that in her heart, I’m not worth taking this risk for? That she’s just all talk?"

"Uh... I... that’s not what I meant." Gu Ha hastily bowed his head.

Zhou Junlin shot him a cold glare. "Then what are you waiting for? Have someone follow her!"

"Yes."

Outside the Drunken Immortal, the waiter, Fu Wu, formally bowed to Song Lianhe. "Thank you for defending me, Miss."

"You’re too kind, Fu Wu."

Song Lianhe took a step forward and said, "Actually, I have a favor to ask of you."

"Please, Miss Song, just tell me what you need!"

—

It wasn’t until they left the Drunken Immortal that Da Xi couldn’t help but ask, "It’s just some fruit peels, nutshells, and eggshells. Was it really necessary to come all the way here to collect them?"

"Heh. If we don’t come here, where else would we go? Ask Sister Mi in the kitchen? Even Old Man Luo is on the verge of eating nothing but vegetable cakes. Things like eggs are a rarity, to say nothing of nuts and other snacks."

Da Xi faltered, at a loss for words.

Song Lianhe explained as they walked, "I’ve been observing for a while. The only place in the city that still has plenty of supplies is the Drunken Immortal! Since we’re going to be planting sweet potatoes, we have to be meticulous about every detail and make our preparations as thorough as possible."

"But why go to a waiter instead of the owner?"

"Then let me ask you. If you were the owner and one day, someone came to you saying they wanted to collect your eggshells, fruit peels, and nutshells, what would you think?"

"Uh..." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Song Lianhe snapped her fingers. "That the other party must be after some kind of profit! And what would you do then? You’d raise the price! And after that? You might even start hoarding the stuff!"

Da Xi looked as if she had just woken from a dream. After a moment’s thought, she realized it was true.

"I’m having Fu Wu help me for two reasons. First, it won’t attract unwanted attention. Second, Fu Wu is clever, quick-witted, and kind-hearted. I have a very good impression of him."

It slowly dawned on Da Xi. "So, this plan to plant sweet potatoes... it has to be kept a secret?"

Song Lianhe chuckled. "You’re just now figuring it out? Otherwise, I would have just had Old Man Luo issue an order. Wouldn’t that have been much simpler?"

She shifted her gaze to the distance and said slowly, "Whether or not Zhou Cangyan can gain the upper hand truly depends on these little things."

With her errand done, Song Lianhe’s mood lightened considerably. When they passed a shop selling candied fruit, she led Da Xi inside for a look.

After picking out a few of her favorites, she was about to pay when she realized she had spent a good deal of silver at the Drunken Immortal, and had given the rest to Fu Wu to handle arrangements.

Song Lianhe looked at Da Xi in embarrassment. "Do you have any silver?"

Da Xi covered her face with her hand and whispered, "We left in such a hurry, I forgot my coin purse."

Song Lianhe sighed inwardly. ’To think that she, the famous owner of the Medical Clinic in Ling’an City, would be reduced to this...’

’How pathetic...’

"Uh, Shopkeeper, my apologies, I..."

Just as she was preparing to put down the snacks she had chosen, a hand reached past her and handed some silver to the Shopkeeper.

"I’ll pay for the young lady."

Song Lianhe turned her head to look at the dashing gentleman beside her. Dressed in white robes, he had an extraordinary air about him.

"It’s you?"

’He just helped me at the Drunken Immortal, too.’

’I can’t believe it. In the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, he’s already stumbled upon me in another awkward situation.’

Outside the candied fruit shop, Song Lianhe said awkwardly, "You’re not from around here, are you, sir? Which inn are you staying at? I’ll have someone return the silver to you later."

"That won’t be necessary." The man’s expression held a strangely familiar arrogance.

Song Lianhe insisted, "That won’t do. We’re not related, nor are we friends. How could I possibly spend a stranger’s money?"

The man turned his head to gaze at her, and his eyes suddenly fell upon her neck.

’Is that...’

’Blood Jade?’

The Blood Jade was a striking contrast against Song Lianhe’s fair, delicate skin, its crimson hue especially vivid in the sunlight.

It was said that a piece of Blood Jade of such quality took over a thousand years to form.

He couldn’t help but lean in, wanting to get a closer look.

Song Lianhe glanced down at herself, then back up at him. Without a second thought, she slapped a hand protectively over her chest, her eyes accusing him of being a pervert.

The man then realized his faux pas, but he showed no sign of panic. Calmly, he said, "That’s a very beautiful piece of Blood Jade. My family used to have one, some years ago."

His gaze returned to her neck. "Come to think of it, it was quite similar to this one."

Song Lianhe pursed her lips in disbelief.

’Keep on bragging!’

’They say this is a thousand-year Blood Jade. What are the odds your family just happened to have one just like it?’

She made a mental note to keep it better hidden next time, lest someone get ideas.

"Sir, you still haven’t told me how I can find you to return the silver."

The man thought for a moment. "In that case, you can treat me to tea tomorrow."

Song Lianhe nodded readily. "No problem."

Back at the Prince Mansion, Luo Fubang rushed up to Song Lianhe like a gust of wind.

"Quick, let me see! Are you hurt?"