Rebirth: After Becoming the Villainess-Chapter 276: Endearingly Silly

Zhou Cangyan merely smirked, not taking the other man seriously at all.

But Song Lianhe’s face instantly turned cold. She pulled Zhou Cangyan behind her, her petite frame struggling to shield him. "Prince Ling, get one thing straight. This villa is my territory! Are you trying to take my man from my land without even asking me?"

Zhou Cangyan lowered his head. His gaze fell on her pale, slender neck, so delicate he could probably wrap one hand all the way around it.

’A woman who barely came up to his shoulder wanted to protect *him*?’

’Heh... so foolish she was endearing.’

In contrast, watching her so fiercely protect another man, Zhou Junlin’s expression grew increasingly grim.

"Gu Ha, didn’t you hear what I said?"

"Yes!"

Gu Ha moved to step forward, but Song Lianhe planted her hands on her hips, refusing to let him pass. She didn’t forget to whisper to the man behind her, "Don’t be impulsive! I’m here, he won’t dare do anything to you!"

The smile on Zhou Cangyan’s lips subtly widened. "Alright."

"Princess Qing, if you won’t step aside, then don’t blame me for the offense."

Gu Ha had always been cold toward her, but Xuan Mei was no pushover. She drew her sword to block him and said icily, "Show the Princess Consort any disrespect, and you die!"

Both were masters of the highest caliber, and it wasn’t their first time crossing swords. They were well aware of each other’s skills, so for the moment they were locked in a stalemate, neither willing to give an inch.

Just then, E Jintang also reacted, leading his eight giant dogs to stand beside Xuan Mei. "And me!"

The guards behind Gu Ha were also poised for action.

Song Lianhe spread her arms like a mother hen to shield the man behind her. Zhou Junlin’s face was a mask of fury. Even though he knew perfectly well who was standing behind Song Lianhe, as long as the man didn’t admit it, he couldn’t just be seized. He would have to completely expose his disguise first!

As tensions reached a fever pitch, Zhou Cangyan suddenly reached out and pushed her arms down. "Aren’t you tired holding them up like that?"

"...Uh, a little."

Song Lianhe said softly, taking the chance to lower her arms.

Ever since transmigrating into the book and becoming the daughter of the General Mansion, Song Lianhe had subconsciously chosen to "lie flat"—to give up the rat race.

No more working from nine to ten at night, no more squeezing onto buses and subways. She slept until she woke naturally every day—life couldn’t be more blissful.

As a result, her body was out of shape. She had only been holding her arms up to shield Zhou Cangyan for a short time, but they were already trembling like a pair of thin bamboo sticks.

Seeing the two interact so affectionately, as if no one else was there, a suffocating frustration welled up in Zhou Junlin’s chest.

"Prince Ling," Zhou Cangyan suddenly said. "This is Li Zong Pass. Until the matter with Governor E is investigated, you cannot report back to the Holy Emperor. I hear that Prince Hang has already returned to the palace. His mother, Consort Zhao Hui, has always been deeply favored by the Holy Emperor, and His Majesty dotes on Prince Hang as well..." He gave a slight smile. "Is Prince Ling certain he wishes to create a rift with King Qing at this time?"

’Prince Hang?’

Song Lianhe searched her memory. The book had indeed mentioned him.

He was the son of Consort Zhao Hui. Consort Zhao Hui was a princess from the Nanchen Kingdom, known as the First Beauty of Nanchen. She was not only exquisitely beautiful but also exceptionally empathetic, a true confidante to Emperor Cheng Xiao. Emperor Cheng Xiao respected the Empress and admired Consort Qi, but it was Consort Zhao Hui whom he truly doted on.

Consort Zhao Hui was also very clever. She never involved herself in the harem’s dramatic squabbles for favor and managed to coexist peacefully with both the Empress and Consort Qi.

This was why the three of them had been able to stand unshaken in the rear palace, outlasting countless other imperial concubines and ladies.

With such a favored mother, Prince Hang was also deeply cherished by Emperor Cheng Xiao, even more so than the Empress’s own son, Prince Wei. Naturally, Zhou Junlin was wary of him.

In fact, this Prince Hang was a classic "smiling tiger." After the main villain was defeated, he was the one who stirred up the most trouble. Of course, in the end, he was no match for the protagonist’s plot armor and died while being sent into exile.

So for Zhou Cangyan to bring up Prince Hang now was tantamount to hanging a sword over Zhou Junlin’s head!

Recently, Prince Hang had gone back to Nanchen on his mother’s behalf to mourn his maternal grandmother. He’d been gone for quite a while, but he just had to return right as Zhou Junlin left the capital. This was on top of the fact that Zhou Junlin had been thwarted in Yu State, suffering heavy losses among the thirty thousand troops King Li Xiang had lent him. This had caused King Li Xiang to publicly curse him out in front of his own men in Chuzhou. Now, everyone in Chuzhou and the neighboring commanderies knew that Prince Ling had been defeated.

His return to Ling’an at this juncture was surely driven by ulterior motives.

Zhou Junlin had only received this news today. Compared to Zhou Cangyan, this Prince Hang, Zhou Gaosuo, was his true rival.

Zhou Cangyan was of their uncle’s generation. Due to his seniority, he had long lost any claim to become the Crown Prince.

Any move on his part would be considered treason, and the price for that was too high. Besides, he had already surrendered his military authority. Now, even the Xuan Chang Marquis Mansion was under surveillance, which was, in reality, Emperor Cheng Xiao’s way of reining him in.

But Zhou Gaosuo was different. Although Prince Wei, Zhou Sui’an, stood between him and Zhou Junlin, and although logic dictated that Zhou Sui’an, as the Empress’s legitimate son, should inherit the throne, Emperor Cheng Xiao had yet to name a Crown Prince. This meant he had his own plans.

Zhou Sui’an had a carefree and unrestrained nature; his ambitions did not lie with the throne. Empress Chun De knew this perfectly well and had made it clear, both overtly and covertly, that they would not participate in the struggle for succession.

But the human heart is difficult to fathom. Who knew what they might be plotting in private?

But before that, Prince Hang was the greatest obstacle Zhou Junlin had to face.

But as luck would have it, the Li Guan Sect matter was still unresolved, so Zhou Junlin couldn’t return to make his report. By mentioning Prince Hang now, Zhou Cangyan was deliberately trying to vex him.

Zhou Cangyan took a few steps forward. Gu Ha immediately and warily fell back to guard Zhou Junlin’s side.

Zhou Cangyan paid him no mind. He smiled, but his lowered voice was devoid of mirth. "And taking it a step further, what if King Qing and Prince Hang were to join forces?"

Zhou Junlin’s heart tightened. He stared at him coldly, then a shallow smile suddenly appeared. "Would my Imperial Uncle truly do such a thing?"

The question was directed at the "Imperial Uncle," and at the man, Fu Yuan, standing before him.

"Who can say for certain what the future holds?"

Zhou Cangyan slowly backed away to Song Lianhe’s side and took her arm. "Princess Consort, it’s windy out here. Let’s go back and rest." At the same time, he glanced at Xuan Mei. She sheathed her sword and patted E Jintang’s arm, which was as thick as a tree trunk. "Let’s go."

"Oh."

At E Jintang’s command, the eight giant dogs obediently followed along.

Once they had turned their backs, Song Lianhe suddenly gripped his hand and asked nervously, "What did you say to him? Did he recognize you? He won’t go and secretly report you to the Holy Emperor, will he?"

Hearing her questions, Zhou Cangyan let out a low laugh. "He wouldn’t dare."

"Really?"

Song Lianhe was still shaken. In the original novel, the Li Guan Sect had lent Zhou Junlin significant aid. That included his Huaxu Square, which grew large and powerful, gathering a great deal of intelligence for him.

In other words, Zhou Junlin was the classic male protagonist who followed a step-by-step plan to become the ultimate winner in life!

Looking down at her worried expression, Zhou Cangyan raised a hand and gently patted her head. "Don’t think about it. Worrying doesn’t suit you."

Behind them, Zhou Junlin’s face was grim, his gaze distant as he watched the couple’s retreating figures.

Gu Ha grew anxious. "Your Highness, are we just going to let him walk away like that?"

Zhou Junlin said nothing, simply turning and stalking out of the villa.