Rebirth: After Becoming the Villainess-Chapter 291: Her Protagonist’s Halo

Zhen Niang stood before the main gate, watching as Huaxu Square’s guards were thrown out one by one. She was frantic. Huaxu Square normally operated as a den of vice to deceive the public, but it was actually the central intelligence hub for the entire Li Guan Sect and the neighboring cities!

A crowd of common folk had gathered around, cracking melon seeds as they watched the excitement unfold.

Catching a cheating spouse was nothing new, but catching a cheating ghost? That was a first for everyone!

Zhen Niang glanced around, then beckoned Xi Que over. "Go report to the Prince at once," she whispered.

"Yes, milady."

Lady Governor E’s status was too sensitive for the local government to handle. They could only turn to Zhou Junlin.

Just then, Song Lianhe arrived.

"Greetings, Princess Qing."

Zhen Niang had a good impression of Song Lianhe—certainly better than her impression of that Song Xilan.

Song Lianhe, for her part, was quite direct. She stepped forward, took Zhen Niang’s hand, and said apologetically, "Boss Zhen, please try to bear with her. Mrs. E is mad with grief, so she’s not thinking clearly. You mustn’t blame her."

"I know, but Huaxu Square..."

"I just knew you were a good person, Boss Zhen! Good deeds are always rewarded! One day, Zhen Niang, you’ll surely find the man of your dreams!"

"Your Highness, you’re too kind. You flatter me."

Song Lianhe then raised her voice for all to hear. "Regardless, Mrs. E is the aggrieved party here. Since she has come to me for help, I will take responsibility for her case!"

"Your Highness..."

"Furthermore, I will also take charge of rebuilding Huaxu Square! I alone will cover any and all losses incurred!"

A wave of cheers rose from the crowd, all praising Princess Qing for being so responsible.

Song Lianhe glanced back and nodded to the crowd. "The E Family has suffered a terrible tragedy. I hope all you good people will find it in your hearts to be patient with them."

Just then, someone in the crowd suddenly shouted, "Governor E was an honest official, yet he was framed by scoundrels! It’s a gross injustice! We hope Your Highness can clear Governor E’s name!"

Xuan Mei, standing behind Song Lianhe, glanced toward the speaker before inconspicuously looking away.

Others in the crowd began to chime in. "That’s right! During his time in office, Governor E served the people with his whole heart! I wonder which one of those damn scoundrels framed him!"

"If Governor E hadn’t brought my son justice, he would have died on the road to exile! If anyone dares to speak ill of him again, they’ll have to go through me first!"

"Saying Governor E’s spirit is still indulging in worldly pleasures at Huaxu Square after his death is nothing but slander!"

"Maybe he’s manifesting because he was framed! His spirit can’t rest in peace!"

"That’s right! Maybe there’s a crucial clue inside Huaxu Square!"

More and more people in the crowd voiced their support, and a lively discussion broke out among them.

Zhen Niang’s expression slowly changed. "Governor E was a good official, and Mrs. E is distraught with grief," she said quickly. "How could I possibly hold this against them? There’s no need for Your Highness to bear the expense. I will handle the repairs for Huaxu Square myself."

"I couldn’t possibly allow that!"

Song Lianhe gave her a small smile. "Since I have already made a public promise, I will see it through."

"Your Highness..."

Song Lianhe turned her gaze to Xuan Mei. "Go and ask Mrs. E and her son to come out. They’ve been at it for so long; we don’t want them to get hurt."

"Understood."

A moment later, Xuan Mei led them out.

At that exact moment, Zhou Junlin arrived on the scene.

Unexpectedly, Song Xilan was right beside him.

Song Lianhe’s brow furrowed slightly at the sight of her. Song Xilan, in contrast, wore a cool, elegant smile, her eyes fixed on Song Lianhe. There was a perceptive gleam in her gaze that sent an inexplicable wave of panic through Song Lianhe.

She looked up at the protagonist’s halo above Song Xilan’s head—

It was growing brighter and more magnificent.

Song Lianhe froze. ’The last few times I saw her, that halo was getting progressively weaker. Why is it so brilliant now?’ she wondered.

Zhou Junlin’s gaze swept over her impassively. "I will handle things here. You should return to your estate."

Song Lianhe: "?"

’Is he talking to me?’

’Forget the fact that he’s not calling me ’Imperial Aunt,’ but what’s with this high-and-mighty tone?’

As he finished speaking, a guard behind him stepped forward. "Princess Qing, if you please."

Song Lianhe turned back to face him with a faint smile. "Prince Ling, everyone in Li Guan knows that Mrs. E’s case is my responsibility. You seem so eager to take over now, but why did you ignore her desperate pleas before?" She took a slow step forward, leaned in, and lowered her voice. "Your Highness Prince Ling, you’re being too hasty."

Zhou Junlin lowered his gaze, his eyes meeting hers, which now held a faint, mocking glint.

It was strange. He found that he wasn’t annoyed by her, not when she was angry, nor when she was being sarcastic like this. On the contrary, her spirited defiance made his heart stir.

Song Lianhe suddenly frowned, looking at him in confusion.

’What’s with that complicated look in his eyes?’

’It’s almost as if... as if *I’m* the one bullying *him*?’

"The Prince doesn’t wish for Princess Qing to exhaust herself. What is wrong with that?"

Song Xilan interjected abruptly.

Zhou Junlin lowered his eyes, burying all emotion within them.

"Precisely. You shouldn’t spurn my good intentions."

Song Xilan glanced at the guards on either side. "What are you waiting for? Escort the Princess Consort back to her estate."

"Yes!"

These were Zhou Junlin’s personal Attendants, all highly skilled martial artists. Two of them stepped forward, flanking Song Lianhe on either side.

In the teahouse across from Huaxu Square, a Shadow Guard removed his bamboo hat and tossed it aside.

"My lord, Prince Ling is here."

The masked man sitting on the second floor looked down, his eyes cold.

The Shadow Guard leaned out to look down. "My lord! The Princess Consort is being bullied! Should we make a move?"

The man said nothing. He simply picked up a peanut from the dish and flicked it from his fingertips.

The next instant, the knees of the two guards surrounding Song Lianhe buckled, and they dropped to the ground simultaneously.

Song Lianhe: "..."

Zhou Junlin’s eyes narrowed. Just as he was about to turn and see what happened, Mrs. E suddenly attacked, lashing out with her Nine-sectioned Whip. "So there you are, E Xianwang! I’ll see where you can run now! You irresponsibly abandoned your wife and child, and now I’m here to settle the score!"

Zhou Junlin instantly dodged the whip, not forgetting to pull Song Xilan behind him for protection.

Song Xilan felt a warmth spread through her, as if caressed by the sun. She gazed at the man before her, deeply moved.

’He does still care about me,’ she thought.

Zhen Niang gritted her teeth as she watched, her fingers twisting a handkerchief. If she had never allowed herself to hope, it would have been bearable. But from the moment that hope was born, a demon had taken root in her heart, constantly gnawing away at her with bitter resentment.

In that moment, she was jealous of Song Xilan—more jealous than she had ever been in her life.

With Mrs. E on the attack, all the guards rushed toward her. Not about to let them, E Jintang once again began swinging his great hammer...

Xuan Mei pulled Song Lianhe to the side. "Quick, go help Mrs. E and Jintang!" Song Lianhe urged.

Xuan Mei said nothing, only shaking her head slowly.

Mrs. E and E Jintang threw the scene into chaos once more. Zhou Junlin’s face was ashen; he knew he couldn’t let the situation escalate any further.

"Gu Ha." 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"Yes, sir!"

In a few swift movements, Gu Ha separated the mother and son from the crowd. Wielding a pair of short swords, he faced them down. In terms of martial skill, the E family members were no match for him; they would surely lose.

Xuan Mei shot a glance toward the second floor of the teahouse. When she looked away, her sword was already drawn.

But at that very moment, a shrill, panicked voice cut through the chaos.

"Governor E? It’s Governor E!!"