Rebirth: After Becoming the Villainess-Chapter 282: Your Younger Sister Did Very Well
Seeing him lower his gaze in silence, Song Lianhe, in contrast, was in high spirits.
"I still have things to do. Don’t let me keep you, Prince Ling." With that, she took her people and left.
Zhou Junlin wanted to reach out, but in the end, could only let his hand fall dejectedly.
’It was ironic, really. He’d never felt a shred of guilt toward Song Lianhe before. After all, so many women adored him. Take the daughter of the Imperial Censor—he hadn’t even cared to know her name. It was only after she recently started helping Song Lianhe manage the Medical Clinic that he learned she was called Cao Ying.’
’But why had this guilt become so overwhelming lately? Whenever he saw Song Lianhe, he couldn’t help but feel an urge to make amends.’
’Even...’
’Even to the point of having thoughts he shouldn’t.’
’More than once, he had wondered: what if he had accepted her feelings back then? What would things be like today?’
"Prince, it’s time to go inside," Gu Ha reminded him in a low voice.
Without a word, Zhou Junlin turned and entered the Prince Mansion.
Song Xilan had just gotten up, still groggy and disoriented. Besides dreaming of Man Yue, there was also that annoying voice, endlessly repeating things like, "You are the female lead," "She’s just a supporting character," and "You have to take back everything that belongs to you"... The noise was driving her mad.
"Princess Consort, the Prince has returned."
A servant came to report, but at that very moment, Zhou Junlin had already entered the room.
When he saw the Princess Consort’s pale, makeup-free face, the image that flashed through his mind was Song Lianhe’s equally clean and fair face from just moments before. The difference was that the former was lifeless, while the latter was brimming with vitality.
’Once a person starts making comparisons, they lose their objectivity. Everything gets ranked as superior or inferior.’
Even though he knew Song Xilan was still sulking over what happened last night, he wasn’t in the mood to placate her as he usually would.
Likewise, Song Xilan was seething with resentment. She remained seated, too listless to even stand up and greet him.
’She had preserved his dignity in public by having her own dowry maid beaten to death, so what about him? Didn’t he know he should be coaxing her, trying to soothe her troubled heart?’
Zhou Junlin sat down opposite her. It was Gu Ha who poured the tea.
He picked up the teacup, only to set it down again, suddenly agitated.
"This morning, Mrs. E was at the mansion gates, making a huge scene to demand you come out and uphold justice. Why did you refuse to see her?"
Song Xilan let out a low laugh. "I can’t even get justice for my own maid. How am I supposed to manage anyone else’s affairs?"
Zhou Junlin’s brow tightened, and his tone hardened. "Are you still angry with me, Princess Consort?"
A chill went through Song Xilan. She bit her lip and lowered her gaze. "I wouldn’t dare."
"You wouldn’t dare?" Zhou Junlin’s gaze was cool as he spoke slowly. "No matter how angry you are with me, you are Princess Consort Ling. Your actions represent the entire Ling Prince Mansion! Mrs. E was crying out for justice in public. Even if it was just to save face for all parties, you should have personally accepted the plaque she offered! Not let Governor E’s wife and son kneel before our gates in front of everyone!"
Song Xilan knew she had acted rashly out of spite. Faced with Zhou Junlin’s accusation, her face gradually paled. She looked at him with a guilty conscience, her voice unconsciously softening. "Husband, I know I was wrong... But you also know, Man Yue and I grew up together. She was like a sister to me. She died so horribly... She cries to me in my dreams..."
Seeing her quietly wipe away tears, Zhou Junlin softened. "I don’t mean to blame you. I just want you to understand that your status now is different from when you were at the General Mansion. You must be more considerate in your actions. Although your mother’s background..." He paused, ultimately refraining from saying something that would cause her too much embarrassment, and simply continued, "Even if no one ever taught you, you should understand these principles. Your sister, for instance, handled it very well. She stepped out at the critical moment and accepted that plaque. Regardless of whether it cleared Governor E’s name, she earned a good reputation for herself and for our Imperial Uncle."
Song Xilan listened in silence, twisting the silk handkerchief in her hands so hard it seemed it would tear.
Gritting her teeth, she said softly, "You are right to lecture me, Husband. I was wrong."
Seeing her act so humbly, Zhou Junlin felt a pang of pity. He reached across the table and took her hand, about to offer a few words of comfort, when Gu Ha came in and whispered in his ear.
"She went to *that* kind of place?"
Zhou Junlin’s expression darkened. He let go of her hand, stood up, and strode out.
Song Xilan stared at her own hand, then at his departing back, hatred growing in her eyes.
As Gu Ha had whispered, she had vaguely heard the name "Song Lianhe."
Arriving at what Zhou Junlin had called "that kind of place," Song Lianhe didn’t go in right away. Instead, she first had Da Xi go buy a few bowls of iced dessert.
The climate at Li Zong Pass was hot and dry, so eating a bowl of iced dessert was a heavenly delight.
In ancient times, ice in the summer was a precious commodity. As one book put it, "In Chang’an, summer ice is as dear as gold and jade." E Jintang, as the Governor’s son and the foremost spoiled heir of Li Zong Pass, couldn’t normally afford it either. At the height of summer, he would only buy a bowl or two to satisfy his cravings.
So when he saw this rare treat today, E Jintang was overjoyed. He held the bowl and shoveled the whole thing into his mouth at once.
After finishing, he stared expectantly at Song Lianhe and the others.
Song Lianhe: "...Da Xi, go buy a few more bowls."
"Princess Consort! It’s very expensive!!"
Da Xi winced at the expense of the silver.
"It’s fine. Someone will reimburse us."
"Sigh, you’re just spoiling him!"
"Oh, and get two more bowls to go."
Resigned, Da Xi took E Jintang and went to buy a few more bowls.
Song Lianhe directly handed the items in her hand to Xuan Mei. "These are for Zhou Cangyan."
Xuan Mei looked down at the iced dessert in her hands, then back at Song Lianhe, her expression one of utter resignation.
’She was a guard, not a carrier pigeon.’
Nevertheless, she did as she was told and left.
During the day, Huaxu Square was mostly empty. There were only a few scattered people here and there, discussing business or entertaining friends.
Just as Song Lianhe was about to enter with E Jintang and Da Xi, a young beggar crashed right into her.
Seeing his Granny get knocked over, E Jintang was instantly furious and hoisted the little beggar into the air.
"Spare me, miss! Spare me..." The young beggar was on the verge of tears from fright. They looked to be no more than fifteen or sixteen and were extremely petite, with slender arms and legs. It looked as if E Jintang could snap them in two with the slightest bit of force.
"That’s enough."
Song Lianhe got to her feet and patted E Jintang’s tense arm. Only when he heard her speak did he let go.
"Oof!" The young beggar fell straight to the ground, landing sprawled on their back.
Song Lianhe shot a glare at E Jintang before turning to the young beggar. "Are you alright?"
"I’m fine, I’m fine!"
The beggar tried to stand, but with a cry of "AH!", they immediately squatted back down, clutching their ankle as a cold sweat broke out from the pain.
"Let me see!"
Song Lianhe took a look and saw that it was already swollen.
She frowned.
Just then, the young beggar spoke up timidly, "It’s an old injury. It has nothing to do with you."
Song Lianhe was a little surprised to hear the beggar say this.
’How could she not tell it was an old injury?’
’She just hadn’t expected the beggar to admit it themselves instead of using the opportunity to extort her.’
’It wasn’t that she assumed the worst of people; she just understood the darkness that could breed in human nature during times of adversity.’
She thought for a moment, then stood up and gestured for E Jintang to carry the beggar on his back. "We’ll have to find a clinic later."
E Jintang was simple-minded. Seeing that the young beggar had fallen, he assumed it was his fault, so he hoisted them onto his back without complaint.
