Rebirth: After Becoming the Villainess-Chapter 22: Eliminate the Mother and Child, Spare None
Yan Wen was stunned to see Zhou Cangyan. Once he recovered, he stepped forward and bowed. "Greetings, Prince Qing."
He didn’t know who had truly brought him to the medical clinic last night; he assumed it was Song Lianhe.
Zhou Cangyan merely spared him a glance. He recognized the man, of course—Yan Wen, the celebrated scholar from Qingzhou, was the most promising candidate for the upcoming imperial examinations.
His advisors had suggested recruiting the man. Whether he passed the examinations or not, he could be useful. But at this moment, Zhou Cangyan couldn’t even be bothered to spare him a second glance.
He stared at Song Lianhe, his gaze icy, and said word by word, "Who gave you permission to climb up there?"
The Shadow Guard standing behind him shot his master a strange look, his expression full of confusion.
’Hadn’t His Grace already decided to eliminate both mother and child, leaving neither behind?’
"Climbing?" Song Lianhe looked down at the rock under her feet. It was less than a foot high. ’This counts as climbing?’
"Er... Thank you for your concern, Your Highness, but this is perfectly safe..."
She made a move to step back onto it, but seeing Zhou Cangyan’s cold expression, she immediately thought better of it. "This is a giant boulder," she said agreeably.
Only then did Zhou Cangyan’s expression soften slightly.
He turned around. "Let’s go."
"Where to?"
"I’m taking you home."
Zhou Cangyan took a few steps, then paused. Glancing to the side, he ordered the Shadow Guard, "Escort Young Master Yan."
"Yes."
Yan Wen immediately replied, "Thank you, Prince Qing."
As Song Lianhe followed behind Zhou Cangyan, she didn’t forget to turn back and call out to Yan Wen, "Go home and get some good rest! Build up your strength for the autumn examinations. I’m sure you’ll pass with flying colors!"
Yan Wen had no desire for further dealings with her, but he still had to bow respectfully. "Thank you for the auspicious words, County Princess."
Zhou Cangyan glanced over his shoulder, his eyes cold. "You certainly seem concerned about him."
Song Lianhe beamed. "I’ve told you before. I’m concerned about my future patron."
Zhou Cangyan snorted and was the first to walk out of the clinic.
A carriage was already waiting outside. A Shadow Guard bowed respectfully. "Greetings, County Princess."
"Thank you," she replied. Judging by her attitude, Song Lianhe was always extremely polite to servants, not at all the arrogant and domineering person she was rumored to be.
As the carriage began to move, Song Lianhe sat primly in a corner, her slender frame curled into a ball to make herself as small as possible.
Zhou Cangyan sat ramrod straight in the center, his eyes closed in rest ever since he’d boarded the carriage.
Song Lianhe gradually began to relax, but her eyes kept unconsciously drifting toward the man.
’Honestly, Zhou Cangyan was incredibly handsome. His features were sharp and well-defined: thick, sword-like brows, a straight, high-bridged nose, and lips that weren’t so thin as to look cruel. His eyes were a rather light shade, and when he stared at someone coldly, they gave off a devilishly charming aura.’
’Zhou Junlin was handsome too, but he and Zhou Cangyan were two completely different styles. When it came to sheer appeal, Zhou Cangyan was definitely a cut above the rest.’
"Have you seen enough?"
The owner of those light-colored eyes suddenly spoke.
Then, Zhou Cangyan opened his eyes and, without a word, raised a hand to poke away the face that was inches from his own.
It was only then that Song Lianhe realized she had, at some point, moved to crouch in front of Zhou Cangyan, staring at him without so much as a blink...
’In short, it was utterly mortifying.’
She rubbed her nose, scrambled back to the farthest corner, and tried to save face. "We’re almost at the General Mansion. I just wanted to see if you were sound asleep, Your Highness. I didn’t want to disturb you."
The carriage happened to stop at that very moment.
A Shadow Guard reported from outside, "Your Grace, we’ve arrived at the General Mansion."
Song Lianhe quickly thanked him and scrambled out of the carriage.
Besides wanting to escape the awkwardness, she also didn’t want anyone to see her interacting with King Qing.
’So many details don’t match the original book now. Who knows if the villain will get offed ahead of schedule? Better to be safe than sorry.’
Just as Song Lianhe stepped out of the carriage, Shuang Ye and Chao Junyu, who had been waiting at the mansion gates since early that morning, rushed over.
"Second Miss..."
"Sister..."
Song Lianhe smiled when she saw them. "So you two do have a conscience, waiting here to greet me."
Shuang Ye was so anxious she was on the verge of tears. She hurried closer and asked in a hushed voice, "Miss, where did you spend the night?"
"I..."
"The General knows you stayed out all night! He’s inside throwing a fit right now, saying he’s going to punish you according to the family rules! Miss, please, speak to him carefully later. Don’t provoke him, or you’ll be the one who suffers!"
But Song Lianhe was unconcerned. "Hah. I’d like to see him try. It’s not like he’s going to eat me alive, is it?"
The trio—mistress and servants—entered the General Mansion as they spoke.
Inside the carriage, Zhou Cangyan opened his eyes once more...
