Rebirth: After Becoming the Villainess-Chapter 304: An Era’s Sorrow, a Villain’s Sorrow

Chapter 304: Chapter 304: An Era’s Sorrow, a Villain’s Sorrow

Zhou Junlin entered the city in secret. Everything had been arranged in advance, so no one gave him any trouble.

Song Lianhe had felt a little awkward sharing a horse with him earlier, but fueled by a simmering rage and resentment, who had time to worry about such trivial details?

Zhou Junlin had been silently observing the woman in his arms.

There was no denying the woman was stunningly beautiful and alluring. Her foxy eyes, in particular, could steal a man’s soul with a single, inadvertent glance.

But who was Zhou Junlin? He lived within high walls and had seen countless beauties. This woman, however gorgeous, was not enough to capture his heart at first sight. Besides, his heart belonged to Xilan alone.

He and Song Xilan shared what felt like a destined connection. From the first moment he saw her, he knew in his heart that she was the one.

Song Xilan was gentle and virtuous, the very model of a Ling’an noblewoman. Aside from her mother being somewhat unpresentable, she suited his tastes in every other way.

But this woman was different.

He was sure he had never met her before, yet he felt a strange sense of familiarity. It wasn’t the feeling of seeing an acquaintance. To be precise, whether born of surprise or suspicion, his heart seemed to make a judgment for him before his mind could.

Just like now, as she sat brazenly before him.

And he, surprisingly, had no objection.

Song Lianhe couldn’t be bothered with what he was thinking. Her mind was replaying countless scenes of her tearing the villainous female lead to shreds. The mere thought of those two together day and night, being all lovey-dovey, made her feel like she was about to explode!

Ever since they passed through the gates, Song Lianhe had worn a strange, sinister smile. Her gaze was chilling, and she stared at people with an unnerving intensity, as if plotting something wicked. Anyone who met her eyes would jump in fright before quickly lowering their head and scurrying past.

"We’re here."

The man behind her suddenly spoke.

"We’re here? Heh heh, we’re here."

As those two words rang out, Song Lianhe felt as if an army had already formed in her mind, ready to charge into battle at a moment’s notice!

"Hey? Hey—"

Seeing that the woman in his arms wasn’t responding, Zhou Junlin raised an eyebrow and, with one hand, shoved her off the horse.

"Ah!"

Song Lianhe sprawled on the ground, tears of pain streaming down her face. "Zhou Junlin, are you insane?!"

As soon as she spoke, the surroundings fell silent.

Song Lianhe fell silent too.

Gu Ha and the others stared at her as if she were already a dead woman.

Song Lianhe froze, not even daring to look up at the man still on his horse.

’I’m screwed. I’ve gone too far.’

The man dismounted and slowly walked over to her, looking down coldly at the pathetic figure sprawled on the ground.

He had heard her very clearly. She had called him insane.

A woman of unknown origin insulting a Prince of the imperial court—and the one most favored by the Emperor at that. According to the law... the punishment was death.

Gu Ha watched with eager anticipation.

’I just can’t stand this woman. She definitely has malicious intentions toward the Prince!’

But to his surprise, after a long wait, all he saw was the Prince staring fixedly at her, his eyes devoid of warmth.

Song Lianhe gritted her teeth. ’Since I’ve already declared myself his Imperial Aunt, what’s done is done!’ Bearing the immense pressure, she got to her feet. She made no mention of her previous outburst, casually brushing the dust off her clothes as if nothing had happened. "Where are we?"

Lifting her head, she saw the plaque for the E Mansion.

’Great! I’m finally back!’

’You’ve got to hand it to the male lead. The plot moves along at a brisk pace, no messing around!’

"So this is it? Let’s hurry inside~"

Song Lianhe could barely contain her excitement, her face a picture of eagerness.

Zhou Junlin glanced at her, then turned and clasped his hands behind his back, leading his retinue into the mansion. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Gu Ha shot Song Lianhe an indescribable look.

Song Lianhe scrambled to follow. After all, having lived here for several days, she was very familiar with the E Mansion’s layout.

But she couldn’t let it show. She could only trail obediently behind Zhou Junlin, her cheerful gaze occasionally darting from side to side.

To her surprise, Zhou Junlin headed straight for the courtyard where Song Lianhe had previously stayed. She realized he must be going to see Song Xilan.

According to the latest Chapter’s plot, Song Xilan had replaced her. The character of Song Lianhe no longer existed in the novel. All her previous accomplishments had been credited to Song Xilan, so her former bedchamber had naturally become Song Xilan’s.

’Sigh, how pathetic I am.’

Although she felt a pang of disappointment, the thought of being back reignited her fighting spirit.

Outside the bedchamber, Zhou Cangyan’s men stood guard.

Song Lianhe instantly grew tense. She could feel it—just beyond the door, Zhou Cangyan was inside!

Zhou Cangyan was still under military orders; it wasn’t a good time for a direct confrontation.

But now there was a very thorny problem.

She had read the original novel and even seen the ending. But in the two days since she had "transmigrated" back, she had seen brand new, unfinished Chapters!

In other words...

The plot had changed.

The guards blocked Zhou Junlin’s path.

Zhou Junlin’s expression was grim. His long, raven-black hair lifted slightly in the wind, making him seem as if he were radiating a dark aura.

Without a word, he raised his hand in a seemingly casual gesture. The guards were flung back by a powerful force, tumbling more than twenty feet away!

Stepping through this door meant seeing Zhou Cangyan, but Song Lianhe hesitated.

Zhou Junlin took two steps forward. When he didn’t hear her footsteps, he paused and glanced back. "Why not come in? Princess... Consort... Qing..."

Song Lianhe’s face paled. Deep down, she felt a pang of guilt.

But her stubborn streak quickly took over.

’Fine, I’m going in!’

She strode inside.

Inside the bedchamber were Xuan Mei and Da Xi.

The two of them stood before the daybed. Behind them, the bed curtains were drawn, vaguely revealing the graceful figure of a woman within.

The moment she saw them, Song Lianhe felt herself start to lose her composure.

"Mei..."

’Sister Mei, Little Xixi!’

Although she had prepared herself for this, their unfamiliar gazes still made Song Lianhe’s heart sink to the depths.

’They really don’t remember me.’

"Move aside."

Zhou Junlin’s voice grew even colder, the hands clasped behind his back tightening into fists.

Neither Xuan Mei nor Da Xi moved. Even if the woman lying inside was Princess Consort Ling, their master had ordered them to stand guard here, and they wouldn’t yield even if the Emperor himself came.

Song Lianhe watched, her heart pounding with anxiety. ’Others might not know, but don’t I know them perfectly well?’

’Those two are hopelessly stubborn!’

’After all, Zhou Junlin has come to see his own Princess Consort. How can they stop him? It goes against all reason and etiquette. At best, Zhou Cangyan will be accused of coveting his nephew’s wife. At worst, this will escalate the conflict between the two of them, and now is not the right time for a complete falling out...’

Zhou Junlin’s gaze turned frigid. Just as he was about to make a move, Song Lianhe suddenly grabbed his hand.

He froze for a fraction of a second, then his brows furrowed. He shot her an impatient, cold look. "Let go."

’How could I dare let go!’

’I know exactly what he’s capable of. He’s the male lead, practically invincible! Opposing him is a suicide mission, and I can’t just stand by and watch Xuan Mei get hurt!’

"Um... why don’t we let the Princess Consort sleep a little longer?"

Zhou Junlin narrowed his dark eyes, his breathing growing heavier. He seemed on the verge of erupting.

’I know I’m not in the right here. She is, after all, his Princess Consort. It’s perfectly natural and right for him to come and take her back! Fundamentally, Zhou Junlin is not in the wrong. He’s completely in the right, and his confidence shows it.’

’And the villain?’

’No matter how true or deep his feelings are, in the end, he’s just background scenery for their love story.’

’Sigh, what a tragedy of the era, the tragedy of the villain!’