Rebirth: After Becoming the Villainess-Chapter 273: Heh, How Thoughtful
As Song Lianhe reached the window, she saw a dark figure leap onto the roof’s ridge, a woman clutched under his arm.
"That’s... that’s..."
"CHIRP CHIRP~"
"That’s Zhou Cangyan?!"
"CHIRP!"
Chun Hua actually squinted its round little eyes, looking proud as if to say, ’See? My master, the Prince, has carried a woman up to the roof!’
Then, guards rushed out below, all of them shouting, "Princess Consort!"
Man Yue let out an even sharper, more panicked cry. "Put the Princess Consort down, now!"
Song Lianhe swallowed hard.
’What is he doing, abducting Song Xilan?’
’This scene wasn’t in the original novel!’
Given their roles as the heroine and the villain, Song Lianhe couldn’t help but imagine a top-tier, cliché drama scene unfolding. ’Woman, you have successfully captured my attention!’
’After all, ever since I transmigrated into this book, Zhou Cangyan and the heroine have never had any real contact. How could there be any romantic tension between them?’
’If things were following the original plot, Zhou Cangyan should have already started to fall for her by now!’
’So it’s very likely that through this incident, they’ll stumble into closing the distance between them...’
Just as she was thinking this, a scream rang out. Song Lianhe scrambled to look, only to see Zhou Cangyan toss Song Xilan into the pond below like a tattered sack...
SPLASH.
Song Xilan plunged into the water.
Everything happened so fast that before Song Lianhe could even close her gaping mouth, she saw Zhou Cangyan leap down after her.
Song Lianhe’s mind raced. ’This must be the heroine’s plot armor kicking in. He must have regretted throwing her in the second he did it, right? That’s why he’s jumping in to save her!’
’If that’s the case, it would fit with his character development later in the story.’
But... reality is always full of surprises.
Zhou Cangyan did indeed fish her out. Song Xilan was soaked to the bone and shivering, clearly terrified.
The man’s tall frame grew clearer in the moonlight. He was dressed in black, his face hidden behind a silver mask...
Song Lianhe watched him suspiciously. ’Why does his silhouette look so much like that man from the ruined temple?’
She was on the second floor, and the edge of the pond was some distance away, so she couldn’t see his face clearly. She could only tell that he must be in disguise. Judging by Song Xilan’s reaction, she didn’t recognize him.
Song Xilan’s clothes were soaked, clinging to her body. She hugged herself tightly.
This era was incredibly harsh on women. A woman’s body could not be seen by any man other than her husband. Even in an emergency like this, her honor was paramount. If a man were to see her in this state, she would have to either marry him or kill herself.
"Princess Consort!"
The guards came running over.
Song Xilan’s face turned ashen. She hugged herself, completely at a loss, as tears streamed down her cheeks.
The E Mansion was designed with water as its focal point. Courtyards encircled a central pond, and one could enjoy the view simply by opening a window. It was a rare and beautiful sight in the remote Li Zong Pass, especially at the start of summer when the lotuses bloomed.
Now, Song Lianhe stood at her window with Chun Hua, taking in the full view of Song Xilan’s desperate situation.
Even as the guards closed in, the man in black, his face masked, stood as straight and unyielding as a pine tree, looking down imperiously at the helpless woman.
Hearing the clamor from all around, as if countless people were rushing toward them, Song Xilan glanced about in terror. She then slowly lifted her head, her wet, helpless eyes fixed on Zhou Cangyan. Her voice trembled. "Who... Who are you? Why are you doing this to me?"
For a moment, as his eyes met hers, Zhou Cangyan’s expression wavered.
"The Princess Consort is over here!"
Someone shouted.
There was no escape. Song Xilan closed her eyes in despair.
Just then, a black cloak suddenly descended, covering her.
Song Xilan froze in place, stunned.
The cloak still held the man’s body heat, covering her soaked body like a small, sturdy fortress, shielding her from the world.
At the same time, the sound of clashing blades erupted. The man had apparently engaged the guards.
Song Xilan clutched the cloak wrapped around her, her mind a complete blank.
Meanwhile, Song Lianhe was doing the same—clutching the falcon in her hands.
"CHIRP CHIRP!!"
"CHIIIRP—"
Chun Hua flapped its wings in protest, but Song Lianhe turned a deaf ear, her hands unconsciously yanking at the few precious feathers on its head.
’Heh, how thoughtful of him~’
’I never knew Zhou Cangyan could be such a gentleman~’
’Heh, how great!’
’The villain falling for the heroine, just like in the original story. This is great! Maybe after the plot runs its course, I can go back to my own world and get back to being a top sales rep!’
’I could be lying in the big house I bought, blasting the AC, eating ice cream, and scrolling through videos...’
’Life would be so good!’
But just as she couldn’t stop herself from plucking another one of Chun Hua’s feathers, her eyes shot wide open again. After dealing with the troublesome guards, Zhou Cangyan, without a second thought, grabbed Song Xilan and tossed her back into the pond...
Song Lianhe was stunned.
’He threw her in the water *again*?’
’Is he... Is he...’
’...getting revenge for me?’
’Song Xilan slapped me today, and tonight he humiliated her in front of all the servants...’
Song Lianhe pressed her lips together, but the more she thought about it, the harder it was to suppress the smile tugging at her lips.
She leaned against the wall, stroking Chun Hua’s head absently. The poor falcon’s eyes were already glazed over, its wings drooping in resignation. ’Fine, do what you want!’
’That’s Zhou Cangyan for you. He never plays by the rules. So capricious~’
She lowered her head, her shoulders shaking as she failed to stifle a laugh.
"What are you laughing at?"
A sudden voice in her ear made her jump. She whipped her head around to see Zhou Cangyan, who had just vaulted in through the window. He stood beside her, a full head taller.
The mask was gone from his face, revealing stunningly handsome features. His eyes, however, were cold and detached, betraying no emotion.
And yet, when this moody, unpredictable man cast a simple glance her way, Song Lianhe’s heart began to race.
"Did... did you go teach Song Xilan a lesson?" she asked, trying her best not to sound too smug.
Zhou Cangyan glanced at her. "Wasn’t it you who said that bullying you is tantamount to slapping me in the face?"
"But... she’s a woman~"
What Song Lianhe really wanted to ask was if he didn’t feel even a shred of compassion for a lady in distress.
Zhou Cangyan thought of those helpless, wet eyes and paused for a moment. Then, looking back at the lively, smiling eyes before him now, he suddenly found them far more pleasant.
"So what? Anyone who bullies you gets taught a lesson. What difference does it make if they’re a man or a woman?"
Song Lianhe tried her best to purse her lips, looking down to hide a smile as she squirmed slightly. "Ohh~"
’If there’s one good thing about villains, it’s that they’re never held back by the shackles of conventional morality!’
