Rebirth: After Becoming the Villainess-Chapter 213: It’s Gotta Be Our Leader Zhong

Zhong Shimin had returned.

He was half a day earlier than expected.

Song Lianhe heard it from Da Xi after waking up that morning. She threw on a robe and ran to the council hall.

Inside the council hall, Luo Fubang was in the middle of speaking with him. Hearing footsteps, Zhong Shimin slowly turned his head.

A young woman ran toward them, hiking up her skirts. She wore no makeup, and her long hair, which she hadn’t had time to tie up, fell loosely down her back. Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes sparkled with a joyous smile. She was in such a rush that she stumbled at the threshold, nearly falling as she came in.

Zhong Shimin didn’t move, but behind his back, his hands clenched into tight fists.

His dark, somber gaze fell upon her bare feet, pausing for a moment.

"Slow down, slow down..."

Luo Fubang chided from the side, "A grown woman like you, still so reckless... Where are your shoes? The morning air is damp. Aren’t you a physician? How can you not even take care of... Ugh, you’ll be the death of me!"

Exasperated, he called for someone to fetch her shoes, but just then, Da Xi came running after her, carrying them.

"Miss!"

Song Lianhe didn’t even bother to put on her shoes. She ran straight to Zhong Shimin, lifted her head to look at him expectantly, and held out her hands, her fair palms facing up. "Where’s Miao’er?"

Across from her was the same familiar mask and the same calm, composed eyes.

Zhong Shimin didn’t speak, instead glancing over at Da Xi.

Da Xi hurried over with the shoes. Song Lianhe hastily slipped them on. "Quick, tell me, did you get them?"

Only then did Zhong Shimin nod.

"That’s great!"

Song Lianhe jumped up happily and, in her excitement, punched him in the chest. "That’s our Leader Zhong for you, always reliable!"

Zhong Shimin lowered his gaze, not saying a word.

Seeing the girl laugh, Luo Fubang chuckled along. "Let’s eat first! After we’ve eaten, we can discuss what’s next!"

But Song Lianhe’s ambition was burning too brightly to allow for any wasted time.

"How can I eat at a time like this? I need to go..."

Luo Fubang glared. "You’re not going anywhere! Sit down and eat!" Then he said kindly to Zhong Shimin, "Shimin, you join us too."

’Together?’

Song Lianhe immediately looked at Zhong Shimin, her gaze darting over his face.

’If they ate together, would he have to take off his mask?’

Zhong Shimin gave her a cool glance, then stepped forward unhurriedly and cupped his hands. "My Lord, I still have matters to attend to, so I will not be joining you." Without waiting for Luo Fubang to speak, he turned and left.

Song Lianhe: "..."

She pointed at his retreating back and turned to look at Luo Fubang. "Old Man Luo, shouldn’t you reflect on your ability to retain people?"

Luo Fubang didn’t mind, saying with a cheerful grin, "If Shimin doesn’t want to, there’s no use forcing him. Let him be."

Then he pulled her over to sit down and eat with him.

Just then, someone announced Nanny Gui’s arrival.

In the past, Nanny Gui would not have needed to be announced to enter the council hall.

Now, that privilege was exclusively Song Lianhe’s!

Looking at the young woman sitting next to the Old Master, Nanny Gui nearly ground her teeth to dust. But she knew deep down that if she wanted to win back the trust of the Old Master and the Young Master, she could not make another mistake. Everything came down to one word: endurance.

"Old Master, I heard Leader Zhong has returned." Nanny Gui said softly with a pleasant smile. "He and the brothers of Tiger Beak must be exhausted, so this servant was thinking of rewarding everyone tonight..."

Before she could finish, Luo Fubang cut her off. "We can talk about that later. They have other arrangements for now."

Nanny Gui froze for a moment, then hurriedly asked, "What arrangements? Do you need me to..."

"No need. I will give the orders myself."

Luo Fubang glanced at her and said meaningfully, "Nanny Gui, you are getting on in years. You shouldn’t worry about so many things. Didn’t the Young Madam arrange for someone to help you? It’s time for you to enjoy your old age in peace."

Song Lianhe, who was drinking vegetable congee, suddenly looked up.

’Young Madam?’

She leaned back a little, a look of disbelief on her face.

Luo Fubang caught her reaction out of the corner of his eye but pretended not to see.

Nanny Gui stood frozen in place, the color draining from her face.

At that moment, Da Xi gritted her teeth, suddenly stepped forward, and knelt. "Thank you, Warlord. This servant will certainly do her utmost."

Luo Fubang nodded.

Da Xi then turned her head and kowtowed to Nanny Gui. "In the future, if there is anything I do not understand, I will have to ask for your guidance. I trust Nanny will not be stingy with her wisdom."

Nanny Gui slowly forced a stiff smile. "But of course. S-since the Old Master has already spoken, you may stay by my side."

"Thank you, Nanny."

Da Xi performed a formal kowtow to her, which was equivalent to a discipleship ceremony.

With this, even if Nanny Gui was unwilling, she no longer dared to refuse. According to the rules of the Prince Mansion, if Da Xi were to make a mistake, Nanny Gui, her master, would be the one held directly accountable.

Just as Nanny Gui was about to leave, Song Lianhe suddenly stopped her.

"Nanny,"

Nanny Gui stopped, took a deep breath, and turned around with a smile. "Does the Young Madam have any other instructions?"

Song Lianhe didn’t beat around the bush. She said bluntly, "Da Xi is my person. Is Nanny clear on that?"

Da Xi looked at Song Lianhe, her eyes filled with gratitude.

’She had been mentally prepared for Nanny Gui to make things difficult for her. Even if something terrible happened, she had resolved not to cause trouble for Song Lianhe. After all, the task she had now was far more important. How could she let herself be distracted by such a small personal matter?’

’But she never imagined that she would...’

Song Lianhe had offended Nanny Gui long ago, so she wasn’t afraid to twist the knife and add another grudge to the list.

Nanny Gui lowered her gaze, the corners of her mouth twitching in anger. But she still suppressed all her fury and said respectfully, "This servant... will heed the Young Madam’s teachings."

Song Lianhe waved her hand. "You may leave."

Nanny Gui turned and left.

Da Xi glanced at Song Lianhe, then followed.

"Heh."

Beside her, Luo Fubang let out a soft chuckle. "I didn’t expect you to be so loyal, girl."

"What loyalty? I just didn’t want to lose face," Song Lianhe said stubbornly. "Everyone knows Nanny Gui and I have a history, and everyone knows Da Xi is my person. If she took all her anger out on Da Xi, wouldn’t I become a laughingstock?"

"Heh, if you say so, then so it is." Luo Fubang didn’t expose her true intentions.

After breakfast, Song Lianhe couldn’t wait to go to the garden.

After just one night, the previous vibrant greens and reds of the flowers had been replaced by simple, unadorned black earth.

The plot of land was surrounded by a fence and was being guarded entirely by men from Tiger Beak.

Until the sweet potatoes were harvested, everything they did was top secret.

After all, Sui Bei was counting on this to turn the tables.

The farmers Song Lianhe had selected earlier were all rubbing their hands together, eager and excited.

And Song Lianhe finally saw the precious vines Zhong Shimin had brought back.

Although she couldn’t determine the exact variety, she could confirm that they were indeed sweet potato seedlings.