Rebirth: After Becoming the Villainess-Chapter 301: How Could Princess Consort Ling Have No Feelings for the Master?

Chapter 301: Chapter 301: How Could Princess Consort Ling Have No Feelings for the Master?

Two days had passed since the collapse of Huaxu Square.

The city had been ravaged by a toxic miasma, but thanks to the Miasma Pills created by Da Xi and the others, it was brought under control. An autumn rain followed, clearing the last of the poison, and the people’s lives returned to normal.

On that day, just as the antidote’s effects were about to wear off, the Shadow Guard and Cao Jin found a hidden stone staircase. Following it down, they finally rescued the villain and the heroine.

Zhou Cangyan’s injuries were severe but not life-threatening. The heroine, however, was in a dire state. The miasma had entered her body and damaged her vital functions; it was uncertain if she would ever wake up.

Since waking and learning of this, Zhou Cangyan had not left the heroine’s side, his unnerving silence keeping everyone on edge.

Everyone watched, their hearts filled with anxiety, afraid the Prince would be unable to bear it and choose to follow her in death.

Reading the novel up to this point, Song Lianhe was already sobbing uncontrollably. It felt as if a hand had reached into her chest and was tearing her apart from the inside.

The comment section was also full of people pitying the villain, clamoring for him to get the girl and have a happy ending with the heroine. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

But she found she couldn’t echo their sentiments, not even for a single moment.

It was like a beloved treasure was about to be snatched away. She couldn’t bear it, nor would she allow it!

The next second, she snapped back to her senses. When she touched the tear stains on her face, she startled herself.

’Crying like this over a fictional character? Is this really necessary?!’

’Not wanting him to be with the heroine, and even fantasizing... fantasizing about keeping him for myself?!’

’Have I lost my mind?’

Now, Song Lianhe was thoroughly panicked.

—

「Li Zong Pass, the Governor Mansion.」

E Jintang sat spacing out in the courtyard, watching Xiaoyi, Xiao Er... all the way to Little Eight, frolicking in front of him.

Someone tiptoed up beside him.

E Jintang’s nose twitched, and a grin spread across his face. "Jiu’er?"

"Ah, you found me again! No fun!"

Jiu’er sat down next to him. E Jintang’s tall and broad frame made her look petite.

But neither of them seemed to mind. They just sat there quietly, watching the eight giant dogs crash into each other and play.

Xuan Mei approached without them noticing.

E Jintang was the first to spot her.

His first instinct was to protect Jiu’er, but since Xuan Mei wasn’t an enemy, he felt he shouldn’t do that.

While he was hesitating, Xuan Mei spoke up, her gaze fixed on Jiu’er. "Just a few words."

Jiu’er sighed softly and dusted off her clothes. She knew what was coming would come eventually, and there was no hiding from it.

The two of them went to the lakeside pavilion, making sure no one else was around.

Xuan Mei spoke first. "A few days ago, we received news that Huaxu Square is looking for someone named Yin Huan."

Jiu’er—that is, Yin Huan—lowered her gaze and smiled faintly. "You’ve already guessed, haven’t you?"

"It’s said that Governor E’s death is related to you, and that you have the Poetry Collection."

"Yes. And as you said, he’s dead. So the world can pin all the blame on me. After all, there’s no one to speak in my defense."

Yin Huan’s expression was indifferent, her tone self-mocking—a far cry from the cautious and timid demeanor she had shown before.

Xuan Mei countered, "If you didn’t take it, then why are you hiding from the people from Huaxu Square? Why not just explain things clearly to them?"

"Sigh. That’s because you don’t know them." Yin Huan leaned over the railing, half her body hanging out, and said listlessly, "Governor E is dead, so there’s no one to corroborate my story. Huaxu Square would rather kill an innocent person than let a suspect go. If I say I don’t have the Poetry Collection, they won’t believe me. They’ll just use every method possible to get it. And if they can’t get it, I’m a dead woman either way."

Seeing that Xuan Mei wasn’t fully convinced, she added with another smile, "They’ve captured my parents."

Xuan Mei looked up at her. "So that’s why you first disguised yourself as a flower girl outside Huaxu Square, and then as a beggar, waiting there for several days?"

Yin Huan was taken aback, then she laughed in resignation. "So you’ve been watching me all along."

"Li Zong Pass is only so big."

Xuan Mei asked another question. "How did Governor E die?"

"Prince Xin of the Nanchen Kingdom."

Xuan Mei lowered her gaze. This matched the information they already had.

Without another word, Xuan Mei turned to leave. Yin Huan suddenly called out, "I’ve told you everything I’m supposed to. Please, help me rescue my parents. Even though... I was just someone they took in, they are some of the only people in this world who have ever been good to me."

Xuan Mei said nothing and walked out of the pavilion.

Mrs. E had been standing by the lake, watching from a distance. She only walked over after Xuan Mei had left.

"Madam..." Yin Huan was somewhat guilt-ridden and apprehensive toward her.

Mrs. E stared at her coldly. "You previously infiltrated the Governor Mansion and tried to seduce my husband."

The color drained from Yin Huan’s face, and without a word, she dropped to her knees.

"In reply to you, Madam, the Governor was an upright man. He never did anything to betray you."

"You didn’t answer my question directly."

Yin Huan pressed her lips together, then slowly raised her head. "My mission was to poison you, Madam, as a way to control the Governor. But I was unwilling to do it, which is why..."

She lowered her head again, looking utterly ashamed.

Mrs. E narrowed her eyes. "What a treacherous liar! Now you’re deliberately getting close to my son. What are you planning?"

"Jintang, he..."

"Who are you to call him by his given name?!"

A shadow passed over Yin Huan’s eyes. "Young Master E is pure and kind-hearted..."

Mrs. E cut her off impatiently. "It’s because you know my son is kind that you want to get close to him and use him! Let me tell you, as long as I’m here, you can forget about it!"

"Madam, I’m not! I’m really not!"

"Enough!" Mrs. E said sternly. "In consideration of you guiding the rescue at Huaxu Square, I will permit you to stay here for now! But if I discover you have any ill intentions, I will not show you any mercy!"

Outside the pavilion, E Jintang watched his mother and Jiu’er talking. He asked in confusion, "Why is Jiu’er kneeling? Did she do something wrong to make Mother angry?"

"WOOF WOOF—"

"Hmm, looks like you don’t know either."

After warning Yin Huan, Mrs. E went to check on Song Xilan.

Song Xilan was still unconscious.

The Shadow Guard stood watch outside the door. Seeing her, he bowed slightly. "Greetings, Madam."

"How is Princess Consort Ling?"

"She has yet to awaken. The physician said the poison ran too deep. Although she has taken the antidote, when she will wake is up to fate." The Shadow Guard held great admiration for Song Xilan. ’At a moment of life and death, she gave the only chance of survival to our lord. What incredible spirit! If anyone said she had no feelings for our lord, the Shadow Guard would never believe it.’

He glanced inside the room, his spirits low. "Our lord hasn’t slept for two days and two nights."

Mrs. E sighed and presented the restorative tonic she had brought. "I’m sorry to trouble you. I won’t go in and disturb them."

’Inside are King Qing and Princess Consort Ling. It’s best for an outsider like me to keep a respectful distance.’

The Shadow Guard understood. "Thank you, Madam."

A moment later, the Shadow Guard brought the tonic inside.

"My lord, this is from Mrs. E."

There was no response.

He hesitated, then said, "Prince Ling has sent people out searching everywhere for the Princess Consort... I’m afraid we won’t be able to hide this for much longer."

Slowly, the tall man sitting by the window stood up and stepped out of the shadows.

Zhou Cangyan looked much more haggard, but his figure was still tall and imposing. His seemingly calm, light-colored eyes looked as if they had devoured all emotion, dragging it down into a bottomless abyss.

He said, "Then there’s no need to hide it."