Rebirth: After Becoming the Villainess-Chapter 274: Dare to Harm My Dogs, and I’ll Take Your Worthless Lives
Zhou Cangyan abruptly raised his gaze.
"Come in."
The door opened to reveal Xuan Mei.
The moment Song Lianhe saw her, she stepped forward and asked, "Where is Mrs. E?"
"Mrs. E has been taken to the silk shop."
"Phew~ That’s good."
Zhou Cangyan leaned against the window, his gaze drifting outside.
When devoid of emotion, he appeared languid and casual, yet he always carried an ominous, intimidating air.
He glanced sideways at Song Lianhe, a trace of surprise in his eyes, which was immediately replaced by understanding.
’He’d thought she was just causing a scene to vent her anger. Who would have guessed it was all for Mrs. E...’
"Also," Xuan Mei reported to Zhou Cangyan, "Prince Ling has returned."
---
After the commotion caused by Song Lianhe and Zhou Cangyan, Zhou Junlin rushed back without a moment’s rest as soon as he received the news.
Song Xilan wrapped herself tightly in a blanket, her head bowed and face buried, as if she hadn’t recovered from the earlier fright. Her body trembled nonstop.
"Xilan!"
Song Xilan shuddered and slowly raised her head. A light instantly filled her eyes, but in the next moment, tears welled up, and the tip of her nose was red from crying.
"Junlin..."
"It’s alright. I’ve returned."
Zhou Junlin stepped forward and pulled her into his arms.
"Junlin! Why did it take you so long to come back? I... I..."
Song Xilan clutched the lapels of his robe, dissolving into tears.
Zhou Junlin’s brow furrowed. He looked up at Man Yue. "What happened?"
He only knew that something had happened involving Song Xilan, but he didn’t know the specifics.
Man Yue looked at her mistress with heartache, knelt with a THUD, and cried, "Your Highness, you must get justice for the Princess Consort!"
Then, she recounted in full detail how the residence was suddenly overrun with snakes and how Song Xilan was pushed into the water.
"Your Highness, the Princess Consort has always been kind and gets along with everyone. The world has nothing but praise for her, so how could she have made any enemies? There is only one person: Song Lianhe! She opposes the Princess Consort at every turn. Back at the General Mansion, she was jealous of the Princess Consort and made things difficult for her constantly—you know all this, Your Highness. Now that the Princess Consort has come to Li Zong Pass, Song Lianhe has followed her here! She even disguised herself to hide her identity—her motives are highly suspicious! After the Princess Consort exposed her today, she harbored a grudge. Who could have imagined she would be so vicious? She used snakes to terrify the Princess Consort and even pushed her into the water twice... Your Highness! I beg you to get justice for the Princess Consort! She’s trying to kill her!"
When she finished, she kowtowed forcefully, her forehead hitting the floor with a series of loud THUDS.
Song Xilan closed her eyes, already sobbing uncontrollably.
Zhou Junlin’s face was grim. He shot to his feet and strode out without another word.
He and Gu Ha had just approached E Jintang’s courtyard when a burst of barking erupted.
Eight giant dogs strained against their iron chains, baring sharp fangs. They were incredibly ferocious.
"Your Highness, be careful!"
Gu Ha shielded him. Zhou Junlin narrowed his dark eyes. He was already in a foul mood, and now his loathing for these beasts was absolute.
"Gu Ha. Kill them."
"Yes!"
Gu Ha drew his shortsword and went for the lead dog—
"Who dares harm my Big Tiger!"
E Jintang came running out, brandishing two thousand-pound hammers. With a great roar, he blocked the courtyard gate.
Zhou Junlin was already aware of E Jintang’s abilities and truly cherished such talent. If he could be recruited, he would surely become a fierce general.
Therefore, his attitude toward E Jintang was much milder.
"Mr. E, I have business with Lianhe."
"You dare harm my dogs! I’ll take your worthless lives!"
E Jintang wasn’t listening at all. His eyes were bloodshot as he swung his twin hammers and charged at the two men—
"Your Highness, stand back!"
Gu Ha took the lead, leaping up and kicking at E Jintang’s chest.
E Jintang was tall and powerful, but lacked agility. Against an expert like Gu Ha, he stood no chance and was instantly kicked to the ground.
Just as Gu Ha was about to advance, his ears twitched. With a SWISH, a hidden weapon shot straight for his face! He decisively split it with his sword and immediately retreated to Zhou Junlin’s side to protect him.
Only then did he realize the so-called hidden weapon was just a leaf...
Gu Ha’s expression changed slightly.
"Who dares touch my grand-nephew!"
A sharp, feminine cry rang out.
Zhou Junlin stood his ground, hands clasped behind him, his back straight. His clear, cold eyes stared ahead.
Song Lianhe ran out like a gust of wind, with Da Xi chasing after her.
"My lady, slow down~"
Song Lianhe was wearing her inner robes with only a white outer robe thrown over them. Her long hair was unbound, framing her delicate face and making it appear even more exquisite.
Running from a distance, she looked like a little fairy who had fallen to the mortal world.
Zhou Junlin’s gaze was drawn to her again without warning. It wasn’t until she ran closer and saw E Jintang scrambling up from the ground that her face flushed red with anger. She looked up and glared at the man opposite her, enunciating every word, "Zhou Junlin, you have gone too far!"
’No more pretending!’
’We’re all done with that!’
’Since things have come to this, we might as well drop the act!’
Zhou Junlin’s gaze seized her. He uncontrollably took a few steps forward and lowered his voice, "Why did you do that? Xilan is your own sister! Yet you intimidated and humiliated her in public! You... you have truly disappointed me!"
Song Lianhe had guessed he would come to condemn her. She was completely unfazed and sneered, "Sister? What kind of sister? The kind who slaps me in public?"
Zhou Junlin froze, looking at her with suspicion.
’He clearly doesn’t know yet.’
’Of course. For someone as meticulous as him, he must have rushed over to avenge Song Xilan without even investigating the truth.’
’And deep down, he’s utterly convinced I’m capable of such a thing.’
"Zhou Junlin, you should know me. I always repay my debts. Song Xilan slapped me once, so I’ll slap her back ten times! But since I’m so beautiful and kind-hearted, I decided to just scare her with some snakes instead!"
The handsome curve of the man’s jaw slowly tightened, his gaze growing deeper. He just watched her, then suddenly asked, "What do you really want?"
His words were faintly tinged with a sense of helplessness, as if he didn’t know what to do with her.
"I’m afraid you’re overthinking it, Prince Ling." Song Lianhe scoffed. "I came to Li Zong Pass simply to see my dear grand-nephew! Who knew something like this would happen at the E Mansion? I was afraid of being implicated before E Xianwang’s name was cleared, so I disguised myself! Tell me, Prince Ling, does disguising myself here violate the laws of Da Cheng?"
He knew she was just making excuses, but Zhou Junlin remained silent, merely staring at her.
"Also, according to protocol, Princess Consort Ling should address me respectfully as ’Imperial Aunt,’ shouldn’t she? As an elder, what’s wrong with me teaching a lesson to a junior who has overstepped her bounds? Even if we were to argue this before the Holy Emperor himself, I wouldn’t be afraid! What need is there for Prince Ling to rush over in the middle of the night to condemn me?"
Zhou Junlin pressed his lips together tightly. The title "Imperial Aunt" left a very sour taste in his mouth.
But she was speaking the truth, and he couldn’t refute it.
He ground his back teeth and sneered, "If the Imperial Aunt is here, then the Imperial Uncle must be as well."
He raised his eyes and looked toward the depths of the courtyard. "Why not ask the Imperial Uncle to come out and see us?"
