Rebirth: After Becoming the Villainess-Chapter 38: What a High-Quality Golden Thigh

Song Lianhe’s eyelashes fluttered, and she scoffed inwardly.

’So what? He’s not insisting, but you are?’

She curled her lip, not bothering to hide the mockery on her face. Zhou Cangyan glanced at her, taking in her unsubtle expression, and said nonchalantly, "I hear you want to annul the engagement."

Song Lianhe froze.

’Are all villains this bold and direct? It really goes to show how different your perspective is when you’re a part of the story! I never appreciated the villain’s charm when I was reading the book. All those dry adjectives—"ruthlessly decisive," "cold-blooded," "scheming"—they were all just there to make the male lead look good!’

’To put it bluntly, he was just a high-quality tool!’

’But now that the villain had decisively ripped away the fig leaf covering the situation between her and the male lead, he’d suddenly grown ten feet tall in her eyes!’

’Beautifully done!’

"You seem quite concerned with my engagement, Imperial Uncle."

Zhou Junlin didn’t answer directly, a hint of displeasure in his voice.

Song Lianhe smiled, deciding to rip the whole thing wide open. "Prince Ling has indeed approached my father to discuss annulling the engagement. Or rather... to discuss swapping me for someone else." She said it as casually as if commenting, ’This dish is a little salty,’ completely unconcerned with how the other two parties involved felt.

"He’s even petitioned the Holy Emperor several times over it. It’s clear Prince Ling has made up his mind, and you can’t force a good thing. I, Song Lianhe, am not one to drag things out. Since that’s the case, we might as well just..."

Song Xilan’s heart leaped with joy. She exchanged a furtive glance with her mother, and then both of them stared intently at Song Lianhe.

’Annulling the engagement was indeed a thorny issue. It involved the honor of the National Guardian General and the Marquis Xuan Chang, so the Holy Emperor would never agree. Zhou Junlin had been soundly reprimanded for even trying. But if Song Lianhe were the one to propose it, that would be another matter entirely.’

’As the rebellious and unconventional legitimate daughter of the General Mansion, no one would be surprised by any decision she made. Then Prince Ling would avoid blame, and the General Mansion wouldn’t be implicated.’

’As for Song Lianhe, she was the only daughter of the Iron Flower General and the sole close relative of the Marquis Xuan Chang. The Holy Emperor would, at most, scold her a little. He would never truly punish her.’

’A happy ending for everyone!’

’At least Song Lianhe knew her place. It was up to her to solve this whole mess.’

But just as Mrs. Liu and her daughter were waiting in eager anticipation, Zhou Junlin suddenly turned and cut her off. His icy gaze landed on Song Lianhe as he said, word by word, "Our engagement is an imperial decree. It is not your place to comment."

The smile on Song Xilan’s lips froze.

Mrs. Liu was baffled. ’What does Prince Ling mean by that? Is he... refusing to annul the engagement?’

Song Lianhe gave him the kind of look one reserves for a simple child. "What’s this? Have you decided you want to marry me after all, Prince Ling?"

Her tone was mild, but the words sounded like a forced proposal, and her attitude was utterly aggressive.

Zhou Junlin’s brow furrowed in disgust. ’This woman is as repulsive as ever.’

"I never said that."

Seeing him look like he couldn’t wait to distance himself from her all over again, Song Lianhe felt that familiar rage begin to bubble up in her chest!

Just as she was rolling up her sleeves to get into it, an incredibly lazy voice spoke up from behind her. "Then someone must be spreading malicious rumors. Ziyin, rest assured. Your Imperial Uncle will petition the Holy Emperor to let you two wed as soon as possible."

"..."

Seeing Zhou Junlin look so utterly thwarted, Song Lianhe was overjoyed.

’What a brilliant move—feigning a retreat to advance. It’s true what they say: it takes a villain to deal with a villain!’

The color drained from Song Xilan’s face, and her lips grew pale. She spoke softly, "Xilan thanks Prince Ling for his kind intentions. Since my sister is unwilling to return to the mansion with us, Mother and I will not insist." With that, she curtsied gracefully in Zhou Cangyan’s direction. "This subject takes her leave."

She turned and walked away.

"Xilan!"

Sensing her distress, Zhou Junlin finally came to his senses. ’I was so furious with that woman, Song Lianhe, that I completely forgot about Xilan!’

He shot a resentful glance at Song Lianhe, then immediately chased after Xilan.

Song Lianhe: ...

’My fault, is it?’

"Ah... Lan’er..."

Mrs. Liu shot Song Lianhe a venomous glare before leaving with her attendants.

Song Lianhe was so angry she had to laugh.

’So I’m the easy target here, is that it?’

’But seeing the male and female leads stripped of their plot armor by just a few words from the villain, her perception of him became crystal clear—’

’Now *that* was a powerful backer worth clinging to!’