Rebirth: After Becoming the Villainess-Chapter 217: Grandnephew, How’s the Taste of the Medicine Your Great-Aunt Gave You?
Zhou Junlin watched her in astonishment. It was as if he was meeting this bold, clever, and vibrant version of Song Lianhe for the very first time!
After his initial shock, he found his gaze uncontrollably drawn to her...
’I must be going insane.’ He couldn’t believe he was actually developing feelings for this woman he once would have gone to great lengths to avoid.
"AHH—Damn you, woman! You tricked me!"
Though only a few drops had hit him, the substance burned with a piercing pain!
Zhong Shimin gave him no chance to recover, forcing Kong Yu to raise his saber and fend him off.
At that moment, Song Lianhe produced another vial. "Since you like it so much, why don’t I give you a few more!"
Kong Yu knew this woman fought dirty, so he had to keep an eye on her while dealing with Zhong Shimin. The strain immediately began to show. The moment he saw her take out another porcelain vial, his heart lurched in panic. His rhythm faltered, and Zhong Shimin, spotting the opening, stabbed him straight through the calf—
Though injured, Kong Yu didn’t so much as grunt. His gaze, however, grew increasingly sinister.
The doors and windows were blocked, trapping him inside the shop. However, a man who dared to charge into Sui Ning City alone was bound to have an ace up his sleeve!
He brought his fingers to his lips. Shortly after a piercing whistle, a dozen or so eagles appeared in the sky, circling above the shop.
These were desert eagles, and their gathering above Sui Ning City attracted a crowd of curious onlookers.
"Your Highness, be careful! These eagles must be trained!" Gu Ha said, shielding Zhou Junlin. "Your Highness, we should leave at once. We can’t risk exposing your identity!"
His presence in Sui Ning could not, under any circumstances, be revealed!
Zhou Junlin also knew he should take advantage of the chaos to leave, but as he glanced at the woman before him, his expression was torn.
At the same time, Zhong Shimin ordered his subordinates, "Protect the Young Madam!"
"Yes, sir!"
Two men immediately moved forward to escort Song Lianhe to safety.
But Song Lianhe stood her ground, her head tilted back as she stared up into the sky.
"Your Highness!"
Gu Ha grew frantic. "These men are all from Tiger Beak! The one in charge is their leader, Zhong Shimin—he’s also Luo Fubang’s top guard!"
It was unclear if Zhou Junlin had even heard him. His brow remained tightly furrowed. "They’re here for her."
Gu Ha was beside himself with anxiety. ’I knew that woman was a menace!’
Just then, another whistle sounded. As if they’d received a command, the dozen-odd eagles suddenly went into a steep dive!
Their target was singular and precise: Song Lianhe.
’This is bad!’
Zhong Shimin decisively spun around to save her.
At the same instant, Zhou Junlin also whirled around and charged!
The dozen-odd eagles dove with the force of a thunderbolt, radiating the oppressive aura of aerial predators! Only when they drew near could everyone see clearly that each of these eagles was enormous, with wingspans stretching a full twenty feet!
A creature that large, with talons like hooks, could easily snatch away a grown adult!
In the nick of time, Song Lianhe uncorked the vial she had been holding and held it high.
The eagles diving toward her suddenly pulled up in a sharp ascent just as they were about to close in. They veered away at the last moment, circling around her before flying off. The dozen or so birds that followed all did the exact same thing!
Zhong Shimin reached her side and pushed her behind him.
He asked in a low voice, "What’s going on?"
Zhou Junlin had rushed over as well. He looked up at the sky, equally baffled. The aerial Overlords seemed spooked, flying farther and farther away.
Kong Yu was dumbfounded.
"What’s happening? Why are you all leaving? Come back! Come back! Get your asses back here!"
He waved his arms frantically, but the eagles he had tamed since they were hatchlings flew off without a single one looking back.
Meanwhile, the Tiger Beak members had surrounded him, each aiming a sleeve arrow at him. This time, there was no escape, even if he could sprout wings.
"AHH!!"
Kong Yu seemed to have snapped. Forgetting he was even captured, he roared in fury, spun around, and pointed an irate finger at Song Lianhe. "It was you! It had to be you! What did you do?!"
Song Lianhe gave him a smug lift of her chin, then leisurely tucked the vial back into her small crossbody bag.
After watching her for a moment, Zhong Shimin suddenly said, "So, it was poison?"
She nodded. "That’s right."
"That’s impossible!"
Kong Yu raged, "I raised these precious birds on a diet of venomous snakes and scorpions! You wretched woman..."
He didn’t get to finish his sentence before he was struck on the head.
He was stunned. In his entire life, no one had ever dared to strike him like that!
Zhong Shimin glared at him coldly. "If you can’t learn to speak properly, I’ll cut out your tongue."
Song Lianhe was in a rather good mood and decided to enlighten him.
"The reason eagles can eat venomous creatures without being poisoned is because venom needs to enter the bloodstream to work. Once it’s in the stomach, digestive fluids neutralize it until it’s completely broken down. Simply put, no matter how big the eagle, a single bite from a venomous snake will kill it. By the same token, they’re terrified of and avoid toxic pollen. Besides, eagles have an excellent sense of smell. Of course they’re going to avoid danger when they sense it. Did you really expect them to be dragged down with you?"
She patted her little bag again, and Zhong Shimin’s gaze couldn’t help but follow the movement.
"And as it happens," she continued, "yours truly has plenty of that sort of thing, all of it purified and concentrated."
Zhong Shimin couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow.
’Just how little must she trust me to have prepared so many gadgets for self-defense?’
"AHHH! You cheated! You treacherous woman! You—"
Kong Yu opened his mouth to curse again, but Zhong Shimin gave a subordinate a meaningful look, and the man’s mouth was promptly stuffed with a rag.
"Mmph—"
Gagged, Kong Yu’s eyes turned bloodshot as he glared at Song Lianhe, looking as if he wanted to swallow her whole.
The sight was still quite terrifying.
Song Lianhe couldn’t help but take a step back. ’How come I don’t remember this character from when I read the book?’
A figure suddenly appeared before her, completely blocking her line of sight.
She looked up at the man’s tall back. He had broad shoulders and a narrow waist, his figure lean and upright like a lone, noble pine tree. The Ink Jade Tiger Talisman hanging at his hip glinted faintly in the light.
Only after Kong Yu had been led away did the man slowly turn around.
"Are you alright?"
"Yes."
Song Lianhe nodded.
She suddenly thought of something and began to look around frantically.
"Looking for that friend of yours?"
Zhong Shimin sheathed his sword. "He left a moment ago."
"He’s gone?"
Song Lianhe thought to herself. ’He must have been afraid of someone discovering his identity!’
Zhong Shimin shot her a sidelong glance and said unhurriedly, "You’ve only met three times, and you’re already this familiar with him?"
Song Lianhe froze for a second, then remembered that this man was responsible for her safety. Her every word and action were under his watchful eye.
Still, she felt it was necessary to warn them about Zhou Junlin.
"I’m telling you, he... he..."
Song Lianhe’s mouth hung open, the words stuck in her throat.
"He..."
No matter how red her face grew with effort, she couldn’t force out a single word.
Zhong Shimin arched an eyebrow, looking at her in confusion. "He what?"
"He... AHH!"
Song Lianhe stomped her foot in frustration and spun around to leave.
’What is going on? Why can’t I say a single word?’
She stopped abruptly, her eyes widening in horror. ’Could it be... because I’m interfering with the male lead’s plotline?!’
