Rebirth: After Becoming the Villainess-Chapter 102: What Marriage Contract Does the Second Miss Have Now?

At that moment, the mansion gates suddenly swung open.

Song Xingfeng stood in the center, seething with anger. Beside him was Mrs. Liu, her expression one of utter indifference.

Song Xingfeng hadn’t expected to see Prince Qing there. He froze for a moment before stiffly leading the others in a salute. "Greetings, Prince Qing."

The young man merely shot them a cold glance before looking away.

’The moment Song Lianhe saw the scene, she knew what was happening. They were here to condemn her for breaking off the engagement! Still, it was a good thing they’d shown up. At least they’d saved her from Zhou Cangyan’s questioning. Compared to the Song Family, Zhou Cangyan was obviously far more difficult to deal with!’

After the salutations, Song Xingfeng turned on Song Lianhe and berated her, "What hour is this? You’re an engaged young woman! It’s improper enough for you to be showing your face in public, but to be with a man who isn’t family? This is preposterous! Utterly preposterous!"

Song Xingfeng flicked his sleeve, not even sparing Zhou Cangyan a glance as he reprimanded his daughter.

Zhou Cangyan lowered his gaze, a mocking smile touching his lips.

Mrs. Liu chose that moment to speak up. "My lord, have you misremembered? What engagement? Our dear Second Miss has become quite capable, you know. She took a little trip to the Imperial Palace, found so many powerful people to back her, and finally managed to get this marriage called off. I wonder, is it because she knows her own limitations, knows she’s not worthy of Prince Ling... or..."

Mrs. Liu’s eyes flickered toward Zhou Cangyan for a second, her implication obvious.

"Or has our Second Miss already found a higher branch to climb?"

They had only just received the news from the Imperial Palace themselves, delivered in person by the Holy Emperor’s Chief Eunuch, Lu Shunfu.

Before leaving, Lu Shunfu had pulled Song Xingfeng aside and told him of the matter concerning Prince Qing exchanging his military authority.

What could Song Xingfeng do, even if he was dissatisfied?

The Holy Emperor had deliberately held back on this matter and only announced it today to make his attitude clear—the matter was decided, and there was to be no further discussion.

To outsiders, it made little difference whether it was Song Xingfeng’s second daughter or another daughter who married Zhou Junlin; for the General Mansion, and indeed for Song Xingfeng himself, the outcome seemed the same.

But that was not the case.

Song Lianhe was backed by the Xuan Chang Marquis Mansion, and Old Duke Xuan Chang represented the elder statesmen of the Court—an entire political faction unto themselves!

By using this marriage to bind the Ling Prince Mansion, the General Mansion, and the Xuan Chang Marquis Mansion together, Prince Ling’s odds in the struggle for succession would have been much greater!

If Song Xingfeng understood this principle, the Emperor was naturally just as clear on it.

However, the military authority in Prince Qing’s hands absolutely had to be reclaimed, and trading it for a daughter from the General Mansion was a more than worthy bargain. As long as another daughter was available, the National Guardian General would remain in Prince Ling’s camp. Even if Marquis Xuan Chang became Prince Qing’s in-law, a prince with no real power in his hands could hardly stir up any trouble.

Thus, the military authority was reclaimed, the various powers were rebalanced, and the ultimate beneficiary was still the Emperor.

What was not to love?

’Even if not Prince Ling, it could have been Prince Wei or Prince Hang. Failing that, the sons of other royal and noble houses were all excellent matches and could have become assets to Prince Ling!’

’Why, of all people, did it have to be Prince Qing?’

’He is the Holy Emperor’s own younger brother, yet he was sent out of the city while still in swaddling clothes. He has no foundation in Ling’an City, and now that he has surrendered his military authority, he is a Prince in name only.’

’What angered Song Xingfeng even more was that in less than a day, not just all the officials of the Court, but the entire Capital City would know of Prince Qing’s intentions toward the Song Family’s second daughter. When that time came, who else would dare to propose marriage? As much as Song Xingfeng disliked Song Lianhe, she was still his daughter, and he naturally had to make plans for her!’

Therefore, even though the hope was slim, he still intended to go to the Imperial Palace personally and plead his case to the Holy Emperor.

When Mrs. Liu learned of this, she immediately tried to dissuade him. She had already been resentful about her daughter becoming Princess Consort Ping. Now, things were perfect; her daughter could finally become the proper Princess Consort Ling. She was still celebrating her good fortune, how could she let Song Lianhe ruin it again?

The two of them were arguing when a servant came to report that the Second Miss had returned and was just outside the mansion. That was why Song Xingfeng had come out in such a fury, never imagining he would see her with Zhou Cangyan.

Mrs. Liu’s insinuation truly vexed Song Xingfeng, but he had to admit that after learning Zhou Cangyan had lost his military authority and become an idle prince in name only, his own posture toward him had become dismissive.

"Prince Qing, the hour is late. This official will not see you out." He raised his hands in a salute, then harshly berated his daughter, "Get inside this instant!"