Rebirth: After Becoming the Villainess-Chapter 89: Song Xilan Was Once His Wushan Goddess

At her words, Yan Wen faltered.

That girl, as radiant and delicate as a flower, had once been the Wushan Goddess he pursued.

But now...

He slowly let his gaze fall upon the woman beside him. Song Lianhe still wore a haughty expression, as if she had just discovered something extraordinary.

Yan Wen lowered his gaze again, saying nothing.

The two of them walked to the gates of the General Mansion. Song Lianhe thanked him, "Brother Yan, thank you very much."

Yan Wen bowed. Just as he was about to turn and leave, a carriage happened to pull up. The six copper bells hanging from it immediately revealed its owner’s identity.

Sure enough, Zhou Junlin stepped out of the carriage.

He saw Song Lianhe at a glance, his eyes filled with a trace of disgust. But he quickly noticed Yan Wen standing beside her.

Zhou Junlin frowned slightly, his gaze shifting back and forth between the two.

Yan Wen took a step forward. "This student greets Your Highness, Prince Ling."

"You are that friend Wanzhang often mentions, Yan Rongbai of Qingzhou?"

"That is I."

Song Lianhe watched this scene with profound interest. ’In the original story, it was only after Yan Wen became the top scholar that he joined Zhou Junlin’s service through Song Xilan’s introduction. His life before the examination was rarely mentioned.’

A subtle change came over Zhou Junlin’s expression. Just then, the carriage door opened, and Song Xilan emerged.

"Junlin..."

Zhou Junlin turned and took her hand, helping her down from the carriage.

Only after she was steady on her feet did she see Yan Wen standing opposite them. Her expression clearly faltered.

She knew of Yan Wen.

He was a scholar from Qingzhou whom she had sponsored in the past. She hadn’t expected his academic performance to be so outstanding—he was a "Lesser Triple Crown" winner, placing first in the county, prefectural, and college examinations. He then went on to become the top scholar in the provincial exam and was highly favored to pass the upcoming metropolitan exam.

Of course, she also knew that Yan Wen was in love with her.

On that rainy night, she had been with her mother when the gatekeeper reported that a drunken young master, claiming to be from Qingzhou, was making a scene outside, insisting on seeing her.

She had wanted to go out and see him, to persuade him to go back, but Mrs. Liu, fearing he would tarnish her reputation, had the gatekeeper drive him away.

Seeing him again now, she still felt a bit awkward. She began by giving him a graceful curtsy. "Greetings, Young Master Yan."

When Yan Wen saw her, his mind went blank for a moment. Seeing her curtsy, he immediately returned the bow. "Miss Song, I am not worthy of such a greeting."

The sight of Song Xilan and Zhou Junlin was enough to make Song Lianhe lose her appetite. "Brother Yan, I’ll take my leave." With a wave of her hand, she called, "Shuang Ye, Ah Yu, let’s go."

"Yes."

The two immediately followed behind their mistress, not even sparing a glance in the other direction.

Zhou Junlin’s face darkened. Just as he was about to erupt, a soft, small hand wrapped around his wrist and tugged him gently. "My Prince~"

Zhou Junlin looked down, and the anger swelling in his chest gradually melted away. He looked up again with an indulgent smile. "Let’s go inside."

"Mhm."

As Song Xilan passed by Yan Wen, she said softly, "Young Master Yan is a man of great talent and vast knowledge. Xilan has long wished to pay you a visit. I wonder if, when you have a moment of leisure, I might impose upon you for some guidance?"

Zhou Junlin raised an eyebrow, understanding instantly.

’As expected of my Lan’er,’ he thought. ’She knows exactly what I’m thinking.’

Yan Wen was about to agree eagerly when he suddenly remembered something. A difficult expression crossed his face. "I am currently lodging at... a friend’s residence. I’m afraid it might be inconvenient. I hope Miss Song will forgive me."

He was currently living at the Medical Clinic, which was the Second Miss Song’s territory. He couldn’t invite others over without her permission—this was a matter of integrity.

Secondly, the Second Miss Song was intentionally concealing her identity as a physician. As the shopkeeper, it was his duty to keep his employer’s secret—this was a matter of loyalty.

Therefore, without worrying about whether he might cause Song Xilan to lose face, he decisively refused.

Song Xilan clearly misunderstood his intentions. She only knew that his family was poor and guessed that he must be afraid of losing face because of his humble lodgings. Thus, she didn’t press the matter. Instead, she said considerately, "Young Master Yan, you and I can be considered old acquaintances. You are a man dedicated to your studies and to achieving great things. If your circumstances are difficult, I can..."

Before she could finish, Yan Wen bowed deeply and said with great solemnity, "He who knows when he has enough is always content. When I was in Qingzhou, I was fortunate to receive your aid, Miss Song. I will always remember your kindness and would not dare to trouble you again."

Since he put it that way, Song Xilan said no more, but she could see he was intentionally distancing himself from her.

’It must be because he was driven away and humiliated on that rainy night,’ she thought.

She made a mental note to find an opportunity to clear up the misunderstanding with him. She knew that Zhou Junlin intended to select talented individuals from this batch of scholars, and as the foremost among them, Yan Wen was someone he valued greatly. She had to help him win this man over.