Rebirth: After Becoming the Villainess-Chapter 292: Governor E’s Spiritual Protection
To hear someone cry "Governor E!" out of the blue, in broad daylight, was enough to send a chill down your spine.
Song Lianhe whipped her head around and saw that it was Jiu’er!
The shout seemed to have scared her, too, as she quickly scurried behind E Jintang.
Jiu’er’s cry threw the scene into chaos. The timid screamed and fled, and the crowd descended into a tangled mess of shrieking women and wailing children. Some women even grabbed their husbands by the ear and dragged them home.
The two groups, who had been on the verge of a fight just moments before, quickly fell back to their respective masters’ sides, wary of anyone trying to exploit the chaos.
Just then, a faint CRACKING sound echoed from Huaxu Square, the building behind the crowd.
Xuan Mei reacted in a flash, hoisting Song Lianhe over her shoulder. She shoved Da Xi toward Mrs. E and yelled, "Go, now!"
The madness in Mrs. E’s eyes instantly vanished, replaced by clarity. Without a word, she grabbed Da Xi and ran for her life.
Jiu’er frantically slapped E Jintang’s back. "Let’s go! It’s going to collapse!"
Hearing this, E Jintang scooped her up, swung her onto his back, snatched his hammer, and took off running.
Gu Ha sensed the danger as well. "My Prince! We must go!"
At the critical moment, Zhou Junlin swept Song Xilan into his arms. "Hold on tight!"
Song Xilan had no time to think. She buried her face in his chest, her hands clutching his lapels as a deep RUMBLE echoed in her ears, like an earth dragon slithering beneath the ground.
In the next instant, the tall building behind them collapsed, throwing a cloud of dust into the sky.
The sudden turn of events stunned everyone present.
It only dawned on them afterward how lucky they were. If Jiu’er’s cry of "Governor E" hadn’t scared the crowd away, the sudden collapse would have surely caused casualties among the elderly, women, and children who couldn’t have gotten out of the way in time.
"It was Governor E’s spirit! He saved us!"
"Yes, it was Governor E! Governor E!"
"Governor E was like a father to us all! In life, he gave his all for us here in Li Zong Pass, and even in death, he continues to protect us! May Governor E’s spirit watch over us! Long live the memory of Governor E!"
"May Governor E’s spirit watch over us! Long live the memory of Governor E!"
"May Governor E’s spirit watch over us! Long live the memory of Governor E..."
Facing the ruins, the townspeople fell to their knees as one.
Mrs. E watched this scene in a daze. She turned her head back toward the ruins, large tears rolling down her cheeks as she murmured, "My husband, did you see that...?"
The towering E Jintang stood nearby, already sobbing uncontrollably.
’Governor E was a diligent official who served his people, winning them over with his virtue and wisdom. Even after his name was dragged through the mud after his death, the people can still tell right from wrong.’
She lifted her head to the gray, dusty sky. ’A day will come when the clouds finally part,’ she thought.
She took a deep breath and faced the crowd, her voice ringing out clearly. "I, Song Lianhe, have promised to clear Governor E’s name, and I am a woman of my word! I ask all of you here to be my witness. Mrs. E, in her overwhelming grief, caused this disaster, and I will take full responsibility. I will see to it that Huaxu Square is repaired before returning it to Boss Zhen. All losses incurred during this period will be borne by me!"
With that, she stood tall, clasped her hands at her waist, and bowed deeply to the townspeople.
For Princess Qing to bow to the common people—it was an extraordinary gesture!
"Princess Qing, you mustn’t!"
"Princess Qing is noble and righteous!"
In response, the townspeople all knelt and bowed to her.
Just then, a troop of soldiers appeared, led by a man in golden armor mounted on a tall warhorse.
Song Lianhe glanced over and broke into a smile. ’An acquaintance!’ she thought.
Cao Jin swung himself off his horse. "Greetings, Princess Qing."
"Commander Cao, what brings you here?"
Cao Jin was the commander of the imperial guard responsible for Ling’an City. As a member of the Holy Emperor’s personal guard, his appearance here was indeed strange.
"Your Highness, I specifically requested leave from the Holy Emperor to return to my hometown for a funeral."
"My condolences. Er, may I ask which of your esteemed relatives has passed away?"
"Governor E."
"..."
"Governor E was my maternal grand-uncle."
Song Lianhe understood. She reintroduced herself, "Young Master E’s paternal grand-aunt."
She didn’t dare claim to be Governor E’s paternal grand-aunt, as claiming seniority over the deceased would be a great sign of disrespect.
’But if that’s the case,’ she thought, ’then I’m also Cao Jin’s... Granny?’
Evidently, Cao Jin had also worked out the generational math. The two shared a silent look before tacitly averting their gazes.
When his gaze fell on Xuan Mei, a flicker of something strange crossed Cao Jin’s otherwise cold eyes.
Xuan Mei merely shot him a brief glance before looking away, remaining glued to Song Lianhe’s side.
Cao Jin had brought a troop of the imperial guard with him from the palace. He immediately commanded his guards to secure the perimeter and keep onlookers at a distance.
Cao Jin turned, his gaze drifting almost imperceptibly toward the teahouse across the way.
「On the second floor of the teahouse.」
"The Princess Consort is incredible!" the Shadow Guard said with an appreciative click of his tongue. "That was so satisfying to watch! Just like that, Huaxu Square is under our control."
Zhou Cangyan rested his head on one hand, his thin lips curling into a sharp, subtle smile. Only when he looked at his girl did his pale, glass-like eyes shimmer with a radiant light.
"Yes, she is. So capable... I should probably win her an imperial title for this."
The Shadow Guard stared at his master in disbelief.
’An imperial title, just like that?’
’Shouldn’t he ask the Holy Emperor for his opinion first??’
Meanwhile, panic was written all over Zhen Niang’s face. She never expected the imperial guard to get involved!
Her first instinct was to look to Zhou Junlin.
Zhou Junlin, however, was staring intently at Song Lianhe, his eyes cold and detached.
Song Xilan truly hadn’t expected Song Lianhe to pull such a move.
By making the entire city her witness, she had now officially taken over Huaxu Square. Zhen Niang was a "businesswoman," and people who run establishments of pleasure always put profit first. She should have been overjoyed! To object strongly at this moment would only arouse suspicion.
This move had effectively cut off Zhou Junlin’s options.
"I really underestimated my dear sister," she said softly. "I thought she was merely spoiled and arrogant. I never imagined she could be so calculating."
Song Xilan didn’t need to elaborate. Zhou Junlin understood.
Yes, her ability to so smoothly take control of Huaxu Square in front of the entire city was proof enough of her cunning.
Even though he had seen and heard it with his own eyes and ears, Zhou Junlin still refused to believe it.
Back in Sui Ning City, he had been so sure of her feelings. He knew he was still in her heart, and that she was only with his Imperial Uncle because she could not defy the holy decree.
But now... Zhou Junlin couldn’t understand her at all.
Cao Jin came to stand before him. "Greetings, Your Highness, Prince Ling."
Zhou Junlin glanced over coolly. "Commander Cao, shouldn’t you be in Ling’an, protecting the Holy Emperor? Why have you traveled a thousand miles to Li Guan Sect?"
"In reply to Prince Ling, I requested leave from the Holy Emperor to mourn my maternal grand-uncle, Governor E, on behalf of my father and mother."
"As I recall, Scholar Cao is from Ling’an."
Cao Jin replied, neither servile nor overbearing, "Does Prince Ling not know? Governor E was also a native of Ling’an."
A subtle shift occurred in Zhou Junlin’s eyes. He stared for a long moment before speaking. "Since Governor E was your maternal grand-uncle, you must know him better than I. To be frank, Commander, I came here to investigate an accusation of corruption against Governor E. I never expected him to meet with such a fate. Now, I can only investigate both matters together and clear Governor E’s name."
"Your Highness need not explain your intentions to me. I am here for one purpose only: to mourn my grand-uncle."
Cao Jin gave him a perfunctory salute and turned to leave.
Zhou Junlin’s eyes narrowed, a sinister glint deep within them.
"Commander Cao is one of King Qing’s men. It will not be easy for you to win him over, Your Highness."
Startled, he turned his head.
Song Xilan stood there, offering him a faint smile—a delicate, pretty picture of a lady.
