Rebirth: After Becoming the Villainess-Chapter 356: This Prince Is No Saint Either

Yin Huan and E Jintang bound the man and led him straight out the back door.

With his hands disabled, Zhang Yu was easily lifted by E Jintang, like a helpless chick.

Zhang Yu felt nauseous. Fighting through the pain, he struggled to lift his head and said to the two, "Let me go, and I’ll give you silver..."

Yin Huan tilted her head to look at him, a half-smile on her face. "How much?"

Sensing an opening, Zhang Yu rushed to say, "One thousand taels..."

Yin Huan scoffed. "I could swipe more than that on a casual stroll through the Prince Mansion."

"Fi-five thousand taels!"

"Is your life only worth five thousand?"

Zhang Yu gritted his teeth. "Then name your price! How much?!"

"Ten thousand taels."

"You!"

Zhang Yu was furious, but ’this is my only chance!’

’Compared to silver, my life is obviously more important!’

And so, he gritted his teeth. "Fine, ten thousand taels it is..."

But before he could finish, Yin Huan leaned in with a cheeky grin, holding up two fingers. "I’ve changed my mind. Twenty thousand taels."

E Jintang’s eyes widened as he stared at her in astonishment.

’Governor E’s salary isn’t high, and he often uses it for relief aid. When have I ever heard of so much silver!’

"Jiu’er, maybe we shouldn’t..."

Yin Huan gave him a look that said to be patient. "Twenty thousand taels, and not a copper coin less."

"You—detestable!"

"Unwilling? Oh well, forget it then."

Yin Huan and E Jintang carried him, weaving their way into the depths of the winding alleyways.

"Fine, fine, fine! I’ll pay! I’ll pay!"

After agreeing, Zhang Yu quickly added, "But this is really all I have! I swear I don’t have any more!"

E Jintang was utterly stunned. ’He actually agreed!’

The corner of Yin Huan’s mouth quirked into a faint smile as she held out her hand. "The silver?"

"You’ve seen my state. How could I possibly carry that much silver on me? To be frank, I’ve hidden it all at the Southern Official. I can take you there to get it right now! But let me make one thing clear: I can only give you half upfront. Once you get me safely out of the city, I’ll give you the other half!"

Yin Huan narrowed her eyes. She had only been messing with him at first, but hearing that he would actually part with so much silver, she couldn’t help but be tempted.

She glanced at E Jintang.

’This guy eats a ton and is always causing trouble. He either accidentally smashes up someone’s shop or scares a child into falling over, and then we get extorted. The little silver I’ve managed to save is almost gone!’

After thinking it over, she patted E Jintang’s thick arm. "We’re going to the Southern Official."

"Oh."

E Jintang trusted her implicitly.

Just like that, he hauled Zhang Yu up and turned to head for the Southern Official.

———

After leaving the Prince Mansion, Song Lianhe headed straight for her rendezvous point with Yin Huan.

It was child’s play for the Prince Qing Mansion to find someone in the city.

So, Song Lianhe did the unexpected and had Yin Huan take the person to the General Mansion first. ’They would never dream that I would send someone right under Mrs. Liu’s nose!’

’But that’s not a place to stay for long. Once we’ve thrown the people from the Prince Qing Mansion off our trail, we’ll need to make other plans.’

In the original story, the real reason Zhou Cangyan finally rose in rebellion was because he was framed for the crime of "treason."

Someone framed him for colluding with the Nanchen Kingdom in a plot to overthrow the throne.

Besides the trap set by Song Xilan and Zhou Junlin, the Nanchen Kingdom also fanned the flames from behind the scenes. The original story only mentioned in passing that Nanchen had a mole planted in the Court.

The reason was simple: Zhou Cangyan was too formidable on the battlefield. Emperor Cheng Xiao was wary of him, and Nanchen feared him just as much. They would never allow Da Cheng to have such a person in its ranks; he had to be eliminated!

If one attempt failed, they would surely try a second, and a third...

’Zhang Yu is a Hidden Guard from the Nanchen Kingdom; he must be carrying vital information. Even if he poses only the slightest threat to Zhou Cangyan, I have no intention of letting him go!’

This was the fundamental reason she had prevented Zhang Yu from being taken away.

’But to Zhou Cangyan, it would only sound like an excuse...’

Song Lianhe arrived at the rear gate of the General Mansion. Nearby were several vacant rooms used for storage, property of the mansion. They were rarely frequented, and had consequently become a trysting spot for the household staff.

The door wasn’t locked. Song Lianhe pushed it open gently and slipped inside.

’After all, the body’s original owner had lived here for more than ten years. I know the goings-on of the General Mansion like the back of my hand.’

But she searched all around and found no one.

Song Lianhe’s brow furrowed. Ever since arriving in Ling’an City, Yin Huan and E Jintang had spent their free time roaming the streets and alleys, so they knew the city’s layout by heart.

’So, there’s no way she’s lost.’

Song Lianhe waited inside for a while longer. As the sky began to darken, she finally grew too restless to stay put.

She immediately pulled the door open...

Seeing the person standing outside, she froze.

Zhou Junlin idly waved his folding fan, the corners of his mouth lifting into a slight smile. "Princess Qing, I hear your grand wedding is tomorrow. For what reason do you appear here?"

Song Lianhe quickly composed herself, offering him a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. "And what of Prince Ling? Compared to my presence, isn’t it stranger for Your Highness to be here? It looks as if you’ve come here specifically to corner me!"

Zhou Junlin raised an eyebrow, the smile on his lips widening as he slowly leaned closer. "Perhaps I did come just for you?"

Song Lianhe extended a finger, pressing it squarely against his chest to push him away and create some distance.

"Have you no propriety? If you want to talk, then talk. Don’t stand so close. Besides, you’re a married man, and I’m a married woman. By rank, you should be calling me Imperial Aunt!"

Zhou Junlin glanced down at the slender finger pressed against his chest, let out a soft, mocking laugh, and slowly raised his head. "Doesn’t ’Imperial Aunt’ want to know who Imperial Uncle is with right now? He can be so brazen, so what do you have to fear?"

Song Lianhe narrowed her clear eyes. ’He knows that Song Xilan went to find Zhou Cangyan?’

’Even so, he can appear so calmly before me? And not rush over to catch them?’

’I really have to see him in a new light,’ Song Lianhe thought. ’So young, yet so composed!’

Zhou Junlin stepped inside.

Gu Ha stood guard outside.

Song Lianhe was still worried about Yin Huan and E Jintang. Her eyes darted around, and her brow was tightly knit with worry, afraid the two of them would show up and run right into him!

"Mrs. Song’s affair... was it you who exposed it?"

Zhou Junlin spoke suddenly, turning his head to look at her. His expression was unreadable. "You really have caused me a great deal of trouble."

Song Lianhe watched him warily. "Are you here to avenge Song Xilan?" She glanced around, then nodded. "Hm, this is a fine feng shui spot for a murder."

He raised an eyebrow. "Am I such a petty person in your eyes?"

"Oh! No, not at all!"

Song Lianhe changed her tune in a heartbeat, immediately laying on the flattery. "Prince Ling has always been reasonable and kind!"

He lowered his gaze, a self-deprecating smile on his face. "Heh. I’m no saint."

Song Lianhe couldn’t quite grasp his intentions. She stood there meekly, not daring to speak, her eyes constantly darting toward the door.

"There’s no need to look. They aren’t coming."

Song Lianhe started, her head snapping up to look at him.