Rebirth: After Becoming the Villainess-Chapter 390: The Thing He Dislikes the Most

Not long after Song Lianhe returned to the medical clinic, she noticed some unfamiliar figures nearby.

"They’re watching our every move."

Yin Huan came in, poured herself a bowl of water, and downed half of it in one gulp before saying, "I went to investigate. They’re all Hidden Guards from the City Lord Mansion."

Yin Huan set down the bowl and looked up at the person standing by the window. "It would be one thing if Duan Shanmian only thought you were one of Prince Ling’s people. But if he finds out you’re Princess Qing..."

Song Lianhe stared into the distance, unconsciously stroking the bracelet on her wrist.

’Why would Chun Hua have brought me to see this Duan Shanmian?’

’Could it be...’

’Zhou Cangyan?’

Just then, Manager Meng rushed in from outside, hurriedly telling the shop assistants to close the doors and windows.

"Manager Meng, what’s happening?"

"Oh, good heavens, it’s absolute chaos out there! I heard Prince Qing is about to attack the city!"

Yin Huan was shocked. "Attack the city? Why so soon?"

"Last night, a squad from the Yongdong Army launched a sneak attack at the river channel, but they were completely wiped out! That must have been what enraged King Qing!"

Manager Meng said anxiously, "Whatever the case, we need to make plans quickly! King Qing has never gotten along with our Prince Ling. If he finds out who we are, our fate could be even worse than that of the city’s common folk!"

Seeing him frantically arranging for the shop assistants to prepare for an emergency evacuation, Yin Huan actually felt a little relieved.

’In her opinion, this standoff couldn’t go on forever. It’s better to get it over with quickly.’

Song Lianhe, however, furrowed her brow, her face full of worry.

"What is it?" Yin Huan asked in a low voice. "From what we’ve gathered in the city these past few days, their military defenses are nothing to worry about."

Song Lianhe said nothing.

Suddenly, someone started pounding desperately on the door. "Doctor Song! Is Doctor Song there?"

Song Lianhe recognized the voice. It was Pang Hu, the young grandson of her neighbor in the alley, Granny Li.

She quickly told Yin Huan to open the door.

When the door opened, Pang Hu was standing there, holding half a bag of millet flour.

"Doctor Song, my grandmother asked me to give this to you."

Song Lianhe looked at the half-bag of millet flour, a lump forming in her throat.

If the "enemy army" were to attack the city and Duan Shanmian ordered his men to defend it to the death, the ones who would suffer in the final standoff would be these hardworking commoners. The first problem they would face would be a food shortage. As supplies dwindled, the price of rice in the city had already skyrocketed.

No one knew how the battle would end. Storing a little more food meant a little more hope for survival.

Yet Granny Li had sent her half a bag of millet flour at a time like this, which was undoubtedly giving that extra hope to her...

"Pang Hu, I can’t take this!"

Song Lianhe pushed the flour back into Pang Hu’s arms.

"No, my grandmother said it’s thanks to you, Doctor Song, that she’s lived this long. You have to take good care of yourself so you can save more people!"

After saying his piece, Pang Hu shoved the flour at Song Lianhe, turned, and ran.

"Pang Hu—!"

Song Lianhe stood in the doorway, a storm of emotions swirling within her.

’When she first started the free clinic, she had simply wanted a cover to avoid attracting attention. But these people only knew that she had saved them, that she had helped them! Even at a life-or-death moment, they still remembered her kindness.’

Yin Huan stood beside her, falling silent as she looked at what Song Lianhe was holding.

The streets were already in a state of turmoil, with people rushing home in a panic.

"Doctor Song! Doctor Song, why are you outside?"

Across the street, a man in a noodle shop was just about to close his doors when he saw her. He quickly called out, "Doctor Song, I hear the Da Cheng army is about to break in! You must hide well! If you run into any danger, just shout for help!"

The shopkeeper’s wife came out as well. "That’s right, Doctor Song! If there’s trouble, you just yell! We’ll definitely come and help you!"

Song Lianhe looked at the couple, her throat tightening with emotion.

’She had only casually given them a few packets of medicine. Was it worth them risking their lives to protect her like this?’

Passersby occasionally urged her to hurry back inside. Song Lianhe silently turned around, and Yin Huan bolted the door.

The two looked at each other, a silent understanding passing between them.

At the other end of the room, Boss Meng was already preparing to enter the secret passage. "You two, what are you waiting for? Oh, right. It’s no problem for you to come in, but that E Zhuangshi... his height and size are just... We didn’t really consider that when we built this passage! So..."

Yin Huan’s eyes widened in anger. ’Isn’t he just making it obvious that he doesn’t want E Jintang to take shelter with them?!’

’What nonsense about height and size! He’s just worried he eats too much!’

’True colors really do show in times of crisis. Granny Li gave them half a bag of her own food, but this man, he’s turning someone away just because he’s afraid of feeding them!’

Yin Huan couldn’t be bothered to waste words and drew her curved knife.

Manager Meng panicked. "Hey! Miss Yin Huan, what are you...?"

"Yin Huan."

Song Lianhe raised a hand to stop her, then slowly lifted her gaze to Manager Meng. "Don’t worry. We won’t be going in."

"Huh? But... what about Prince Ling...?"

"We will explain it ourselves."

Although Yin Huan was furious, she knew that the three of them wouldn’t be in any real danger, so she just shot the shopkeeper a few vicious glares.

"Er, well, alright then. Take care, you all!" Manager Meng said with a cupped-fist salute.

The shopkeeper led his two assistants into the secret passage and locked the door from the inside.

"Little Nine! Little Nine!"

E Jintang came over from the direction of the kitchen. "Why is there no food?"

"What?"

Yin Huan went to the kitchen to see, then flew into a rage and started kicking the door to the secret passage.

"You bastard! You took all the food with you? What are we supposed to eat?!"

Song Lianhe massaged her temples. "You can’t really blame them. Jintang ate nearly half a year’s worth of their stored grain. They’re genuinely scared of him."

Yin Huan spat on the ground and turned her head. "Good thing we’ll be meeting up with Prince Qing soon. Otherwise, I would never let that old bastard off the hook!"

"Sister!"

A startled cry from Ah Jun came from the courtyard gate.

Song Lianhe’s expression changed, and she immediately ran over. "Ah Jun! What’s wrong?"

Yin Huan and E Jintang hurried after her.

Song Lianhe froze in her tracks when she saw the glint of a blade held against Ah Jun’s neck.

Her brow tightened as she raised her eyes. Zhu Liao was holding Ah Jun captive with the knife, and from behind him, a figure slowly emerged.

Duan Shanmian watched her, his eyes devoid of emotion. "Doctor Song... no, I suppose I should call you Princess Qing."

Song Lianhe stared at him. Seeing the situation, she had already guessed his intentions.

"You want to use me to threaten Zhou Cangyan?"

She gave a cold laugh, one hand gently stroking the bracelet on her other wrist. A faint stirring came from her wrist.

After awakening Little Lan, she looked at Duan Shanmian coldly. "In your dreams."

Yin Huan and E Jintang flanked her on either side. Yin Huan lowered her voice, "In a moment, Jintang will protect you while you escape. Leave this to me! Don’t look back, just run!"

E Jintang grew anxious. "Little Nine, no..."

"Don’t talk!" Yin Huan shot him a glare. E Jintang pressed his lips together, not daring to say another word, but the look he gave her was filled with anxiety.

Song Lianhe looked at her. ’Is this still the same ruthlessly selfish Yin Huan from before?’

Duan Shanmian watched them the entire time, as if giving them ample time to confer. He stood with his hands behind his back, exuding an air of worldly detachment, yet he was doing something he clearly despised.