Rebirth: After Becoming the Villainess-Chapter 303: No One Left to Back Her Up

After a long moment, Song Lianhe finally managed to ask, "So... you don’t recognize me?"

Her eyes were red-rimmed, and her voice trembled slightly, as if she already knew the answer but was still filled with hope.

The contrast in her demeanor was too great. Zhou Junlin watched her with suspicion. If this was an act, she was far too skilled at it. From her trembling eyelashes to the reddened corners of her eyes, every detail exuded a pitiful and helpless charm.

Zhou Junlin half-closed his dark eyes and slowly countered, "Should I know you?"

But she suddenly let out a bitter laugh. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"Heh, it seems you really don’t remember..."

’It wasn’t just him. Everyone in this world has probably forgotten me.’

’No wonder something had felt off when I was reading the latest update of the novel. It turns out the Villainess "Song Lianhe" had been completely "erased."’

’If Chun Hua hadn’t bizarrely appeared to awaken me, even I wouldn’t have remembered ever existing as "Song Lianhe."’

’I was clearly the one who saved Zhou Cangyan at Huaxu Square, but all the credit went to the female protagonist. The name that appeared in the end was Song Xilan.’

’Just because she’s the female protagonist?’

Zhou Junlin watched her impassively. He was certain this was the first time he had ever seen this woman, yet the familiarity in her words didn’t feel strange or even repulsive to him.

"You said just now that you are... Princess Qing?"

He finally asked the crucial question.

At this moment, Song Lianhe felt a profound sense of powerlessness and defeat, both physically and mentally. It was like running a marathon, only to be disqualified for a foul right as the finish line came into sight.

Giving up completely, she let out a sneer. "That’s right, I’m Princess Qing. The one whose marriage was decreed by the Holy Emperor, carried into the Prince Qing Mansion in an eight-bearer palanquin!"

"Nonsense!"

Gu Ha couldn’t help but rebuke her. "King Qing has not yet married. Where would a Princess Consort come from?"

Zhou Junlin remained silent, his sharp gaze fixed on her.

Song Lianhe abruptly raised her eyes to look at Gu Ha. "What about a Concubine, then? A mistress? Any bed-warmers?"

Gu Ha was taken aback, then said angrily, "Are the affairs of King Qing something a person of unknown origin like you can inquire about?"

"Ohh," Song Lianhe nodded as if it were a serious matter. "You don’t know either."

"Who says I..."

From the side, a soft reprimand came: "Gu Ha."

Gu Ha immediately fell silent and stepped back.

Zhou Junlin looked at the woman across from him. Although her clothes were tattered and disheveled, he could vaguely make out that it was a set of night clothes. There were traces of soot on her face and even a wound on her forehead, yet her eyes were exceptionally bright, displaying all her emotions as if she disdained to hide them.

The woman, perhaps having thought of something, suddenly cheered up again.

She clenched her fist, her gaze determined, and shouted to the sky, "Success or failure, heroes are bold! If worse comes to worst, I’ll just start all over again!"

Gu Ha glanced at his Prince and couldn’t help but lean in. "My Prince, we’ve been delayed here for too long and must return within the pass as soon as possible. This woman is too strange. Should this subordinate..."

He made a hand-chopping gesture.

Zhou Junlin shot him an indifferent glance.

"Um, sorry to interrupt." Song Lianhe stood before the horse and waved at the two men. "Next time you discuss a matter of life and death, could you perhaps be a little more discreet? I’m still right here."

Gu Ha had no intention of being discreet. She was just a woman of unknown origin; killing her was a simple matter.

Zhou Junlin stared at her for a long moment before suddenly speaking. "You know King Qing."

Song Lianhe’s eyes darted, and she quickly said, "I am the official wife he married in Sui Ning! And it was his maternal grandfather, the Heir king of the Northwest Rong Lord, who arranged the marriage! If you don’t believe me, you can send someone to verify it!"

’Running into Zhou Junlin here can’t be a coincidence. It’s more like a conflict arranged by the plot! The most urgent task now is to use him to take me back. As long as I can get back to Zhou Cangyan’s side, there’s a chance to turn things around!’

’As for the marriage, the mountains are high and the road is long. By the time he sends someone to verify it and they get back, maybe I’ll have already secured my position on my own!’

"But you just said the marriage was decreed by the Holy Emperor."

"That was just me talking nonsense. I was just thinking how grand a marriage decreed by the Holy Emperor would be..."

"And how do you know me?"

"Since I am Zhou Cangyan’s wife, of course I would know his relatives."

Although the woman before him was full of holes in her story, the way she spoke of Zhou Cangyan was indeed quite familiar. Zhou Junlin’s intuition told him that she did, in fact, have some connection to Zhou Cangyan.

And her appearance on his necessary path back into the pass was surely no coincidence.

’I’ll have to take her back and investigate slowly.’

"Take her away."

With a single command, someone moved to escort her away.

"Wait a minute."

Song Lianhe spoke up to stop them. Zhou Junlin squinted at her and sneered, "Aren’t you my Imperial Uncle’s wife? I will take you to see him right now."

"See him! Who said I wouldn’t! It’s just..." She smiled and walked over. Gu Ha immediately shielded the Prince, on high alert.

"If two people have to share a horse, your mount is the most spacious one here." She was all smiles. "Since you acknowledge that I’m your Imperial Uncle’s wife, that makes me your Imperial Aunt. As a member of the younger generation, shouldn’t you show respect to your elders?"

"Insolent!" Zhou Junlin’s expression turned frigid. No one had ever dared to speak to him in such a tone, let alone take advantage of him.

Song Lianhe jumped in fright at his roar. ’I really... f—’

She bit back the curse that was about to slip out.

’My identity is currently unknown, and I have no one to back me up. One careless mistake and my life would be forfeit.’

’I really don’t have the capital to be insolent.’

So, she changed her tune and looked at him with a pitiful gaze. "If you don’t want to share, then fine. Why are you being so fierce? I’m your Imper... Imperial Aunt, and you’re still being fierce..."

She forced herself to talk back a little, then obediently walked toward a nearby guard.

Zhou Junlin frowned. Seeing the guard about to help her onto the horse, he felt an inexplicable irritation, as if a thorn had pricked him somewhere. He suddenly ordered, "Bring her here."

A short while later, the group was speeding toward the pass.

At the head of the group, a man on a tall horse held the reins, his expression cold and silent.

Seated in front of him was a young woman with a lovely face and a delicate figure. She held her body stiff, her back ramrod straight, trying hard not to get close to the man.

But the man rode extremely fast. The steed would occasionally rear up, leaping high before landing hard. The woman was inevitably pressed against the man’s chest, and her expression immediately became unnatural.

Noticing the woman’s intention to maintain a respectful distance, Zhou Junlin raised an eyebrow imperceptibly.

’He had originally suspected that this woman, who kept bringing up her connection to Zhou Cangyan, was actually trying to get close to him.’

’Now, it seemed that wasn’t entirely the case.’

The group was already approaching Li Guan Sect.

Zhou Junlin ordered them to rest outside the city.

’Song Lianhe had actually been puzzled the whole time. When did Zhou Junlin leave the pass? Seeing how travel-worn he was, what was he doing out here?’

Gu Ha came forward to report, "My Prince, the Princess Consort is still at the Governor Mansion."

Zhou Junlin’s expression darkened, clearly bothered by this news.

Never mind him; Song Lianhe was also a little unhappy after hearing it.

’Even though I know this matter isn’t Zhou Cangyan’s fault, I can’t help but get angry!’

Zhou Junlin said abruptly, "Mount up! We’re entering the pass!"

"Yes, sir!"

When he turned his head, he saw Song Lianhe already sitting primly on the horse. She was waiting with a solemn expression, a murderous glint faintly visible in her eyes...