Rebirth: After Becoming the Villainess-Chapter 74: Are You Really Going to Marry Her?
Fang Xiu hurried over and leaned in to whisper a few words in Chun De’s ear.
Chun De lowered her eyes and smiled. "It’s rather dull just sitting here. Why don’t we all take a stroll through the gardens?"
The ladies all quickly agreed.
Chun De raised a hand, signaling for the attendants waiting on her not to follow. She brought only Fang Xiu with her.
The group left the pavilion, admiring the night scenery as they walked toward the rockery.
At that moment, Zhou Junlin and Song Xilan were inside a cave in the rockery.
Today, Song Xilan seemed unusually passionate.
She threw herself into his arms and lifted her head to initiate a kiss.
Their feelings for each other had always been strong, and their love was genuine, but their affection was always tempered by propriety. They had their share of intimate moments when they were together—hugging and kissing—but as Song Xilan was a well-bred lady, it was always Zhou Junlin who, unable to control his passion, took the lead.
So, when he saw her being so forward, he was briefly surprised before he had time to think. Her passion instantly stirred his own. He wrapped an arm around her waist and immediately took the lead.
For a moment, they were inseparable.
Song Xilan’s face was flushed, but his reaction filled her with delight.
She knew how much he desired her.
’It seems I won’t be needing the thing Mother secretly gave me.’
Song Xilan wrapped her hands around his head, growing even more lost in the moment.
The sounds that escaped her lips in the dark, quiet surroundings had a particular charm.
The fact that people were occasionally walking past outside added to the thrilling sensation of a clandestine affair, making it all the more intoxicating...
Zhou Junlin nearly lost control.
Suddenly, a voice came from the shadows. "Your Highness, the Empress is heading this way."
Song Xilan was too startled to scream before a hand covered her mouth. "Don’t be afraid. It’s my Attendant."
Zhou Junlin’s voice was a bit hoarse, and he was still panting slightly as he spoke. He instinctively shielded her with his body, not wanting another man’s eyes to see her in this state—as delicate and tantalizing as a dew-kissed flower.
Knowing the Empress was approaching, Song Xilan panicked and called out helplessly to Zhou Junlin, "My Prince..."
"Don’t be afraid."
Clarity returned to Zhou Junlin’s eyes. He told her to fix her appearance before coming out, then led his man out of the rockery cave.
Song Xilan fumbled in a panic. Her clothes were half-torn open, and even her undergarments were...
In her current state, anyone who saw her would know what had just happened without needing to ask.
But...
Song Xilan suddenly froze.
’Isn’t this exactly what I wanted?’
Zhou Junlin led his man out of the rockery. Before he could slip away, he heard Chun De’s voice. "Ziyin?"
He stopped in his tracks and slowly turned around, his smile as warm and gentle as jade. "Mother Empress."
"What are you doing here all by yourself?" Chun De walked over slowly, her eyes holding a look of affectionate reproach. She added pointedly, "Aren’t you letting me down?"
Before Zhou Junlin could reply, Fang Xiu immediately said, "Your Majesty must not have forgotten that Prince Ling is already engaged."
Zhou Junlin’s expression changed slightly, and his gaze unconsciously flickered toward the dark cave entrance.
Chun De said quickly, "Oh, my! How muddle-headed of me. I completely forgot about that."
The Prime Minister’s wife said with a smile, "It’s not that Your Majesty is muddle-headed, but rather that Prince Ling is a dragon among men, and far too many young ladies have their hearts set on him."
This piece of lighthearted teasing made the ladies laugh.
The Empress was good-natured, so the wives of the court officials were not as reserved in her presence.
This was especially true for Mrs. Zhao, who was related to Empress Chun De’s family by marriage and was thus on closer terms with her.
"That may be so, but it’s still a pity..." Chun De said leisurely. "I have heard some of the rumors about that Second Miss Song... Alas, it is truly unfair to Ziyin."
She smiled, then added, "Ziyin, you practically grew up before my eyes. I have always treated you the same as An’er. If you have other ideas, you can tell me."
Her implication was clear enough for all the ladies present to understand.
It was clear she thought very little of Song Lianhe.
But Zhou Junlin didn’t see it that way.
On the surface, the Empress seemed to pity him and was offering to help him get out of the engagement.
But what was the reality? The power Song Lianhe represented could not be underestimated, and the Empress’s own son, Prince Wei, had yet to be betrothed... 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖
Zhou Junlin lowered his gaze and said, neither obsequious nor arrogant, "Thank you for your concern, Mother Empress. This marriage was arranged for me by my Father Emperor. My personal honor, disgrace, and preferences are unimportant. Accepting the decree is a matter of filial piety."
Empress Chun De’s expression betrayed no emotion as she looked at him calmly. "Are you truly going to marry her?"
Zhou Junlin lifted his head, and everyone else looked over as well.
He furrowed his brow and pursed his lips. He could distinguish what was important and what was not.
Zhou Junlin had already made up his mind. He believed Xilan would understand him; besides, this was only a temporary measure.
Song Xingfeng would naturally support him, but Marquis Xuan Chang was a tough nut to crack. Even with the connection through the Lady of Xuan Chang, he would likely be difficult to handle.
After all, the Marquis represented the neutral faction in the Court, a force that could not be taken lightly. Therefore, Zhou Junlin could only bide his time and plan his next moves carefully.
But just as he was about to speak, he heard a guard’s sharp cry, "Who’s there?"
