Rebirth: After Becoming the Villainess-Chapter 305: Song Xilan Is Still the Female Lead

Chapter 305: Chapter 305: Song Xilan Is Still the Female Lead

A mocking smirk tugged at Zhou Junlin’s lips. Even without him saying a word, Song Lianhe knew how foolish she sounded.

’But what choice did I have?’

’Someone had to break the tension!’

"I do not like to repeat myself!"

Zhou Junlin was genuinely enraged, and a deep killing intent surfaced in his eyes.

An almost imperceptible smile touched Xuan Mei’s lips. She raised a hand to push Da Xi aside, her other hand already moving to her waist, ready to draw her dagger at a moment’s notice.

Song Lianhe’s brows knitted together. She spun around to block Xuan Mei, her gaze grave and complex as she stared directly into the other woman’s eyes.

"Your loyalty is admirable, but don’t forget where you are. This is the E Mansion, and the person lying on that bed is... the Princess... Consort... Ling!"

She stressed her words, wanting to make Xuan Mei understand that fighting Zhou Junlin now would only cause trouble for Zhou Cangyan.

From what she knew of Xuan Mei, the woman was loyal but not foolish.

As expected, the wariness in Xuan Mei’s eyes gradually faded. She slowly lowered her hand, then stepped aside. In a tone that was neither servile nor haughty, she said, "We were merely concerned for the Princess Consort’s safety. If we have caused any offense, I hope Your Highness will forgive us."

It was just as Song Lianhe had guessed. They were all aware of their master’s feelings for Princess Consort Ling. And while they were grateful to the Princess Consort, they didn’t want their master to put himself in danger for her.

Thus, Xuan Mei was willing to face the consequences, and she made the right call on the spot: let Zhou Junlin take Song Xilan.

Seeing her yield, Zhou Junlin shot a cool glance at Song Lianhe, who visibly sighed in relief.

Zhou Junlin swept the still-unconscious woman into his arms. The coldness in his expression finally thawed, his gaze filled with tender affection as he looked down at her.

’Watching this, all Song Lianhe wanted was for those two to be locked in a room together so they’d stop tormenting Zhou Cangyan!’

’But this put her in an awkward position. She’d claimed to be Princess Qing, but no one here recognized her. They certainly wouldn’t let her stay.’

’That meant Zhou Junlin was her only lifeline right now.’

Song Lianhe gritted her teeth and quietly followed him.

Zhou Junlin seemed completely oblivious, his attention fixed solely on the woman in his arms.

"Gu Ha, summon an Imperial Physician at once."

Song Lianhe’s eyes lit up. She immediately held up a hand. "There’s no need for an Imperial Physician. Let me try!"

He glanced at her sideways, his eyes filled with distrust.

"Listen, my medical skills are quite... well, let’s just say that summoning an Imperial Physician will only waste her time. You’d be better off letting me try. Besides, whoever tried to save the Princess Consort before must have already exhausted every possible method, right? And what was the result?"

’Her implication was obvious, and the logic was simple. Zhou Cangyan was a man of immense resources. If the Imperial Physicians were of any use, would Song Xilan still be lying here like this?’

The thought of him sparing no effort to save Song Xilan made her burn with irritation, and she couldn’t help but thump her chest a few times in frustration.

Gu Ha, who already had a poor impression of her, snorted. "Who do you think our Princess Consort is? Someone you can just experiment on? If anything goes wrong, can you bear the consequences?"

Song Lianhe held up three fingers and enunciated each word clearly. "Three days. She will make a full recovery. If there is the slightest mishap, I will willingly suffer the punishment of the scorpion pit!"

Seeing her make such a guarantee without batting an eye, Gu Ha was taken aback. To invoke the scorpion pit—such a vicious oath was more terrifying than death by a thousand cuts. Combined with her determined gaze and steady tone, it was surprisingly convincing...

Realizing he had actually started to believe her, Gu Ha was first startled, then fiercely berated himself.

"One day."

Zhou Junlin suddenly looked at her. "You have one day. If the Princess Consort has not awoken by then, I will end you with my own hands."

He glanced back over his shoulder as he continued walking. "In precisely the manner you seem to be hoping for."

"Rest assured, Your Highness. I won’t let you down."

’That was easy to say, but with only one day, Song Lianhe wasn’t so sure herself.’

’She was proficient in traditional medicine and pharmacology, her advantage being that she possessed centuries of accumulated knowledge that the physicians here lacked.’

’But she was no miracle worker, and she had little clinical experience. What if Song Xilan didn’t wake up...’

’No, that won’t happen. She’s the female lead. She has a protagonist’s halo.’

’The moment Zhou Junlin had carried her out, Song Lianhe had carefully observed that protagonist’s halo.’

’It was much brighter and more brilliant than before, carrying the powerful aura of "The Return of Consort Xi." This proved she was still the protagonist. Of that, there was no doubt.’

’As long as she was still the protagonist, things would be much simpler. The author would never let her die.’

Song Lianhe’s confidence returned. She strode forward with her head held high, and in just a few steps, she was walking in front of Zhou Junlin.

Zhou Junlin faltered, his gaze lifting to the woman walking ahead of him. Gu Ha saw this and was about to reprimand her, but a single glance from his master stopped him. Zhou Junlin then looked down gently at the woman in his arms, as if afraid of waking her.

—

Song Lianhe took her pulse, a thoughtful expression on her face.

’The oppressive stare from behind her was so intense it felt tangible, as if the slightest wrong move would earn her a blade to the throat.’

"How is she?"

Zhou Junlin asked from his seat at the table, his gaze fixed on the bed.

"The concentration of toxic gases underground at Huaxu Square was too high. The methane—oh, that’s swamp gas—causes nervous system damage when inhaled in large quantities. On top of that, the air was mixed with the toxins from tens of thousands of decaying, poisoned corpses..."

Zhou Junlin frowned, cutting her off harshly. "I only want to know how the Princess Consort is."

"To put it simply, she’s been poisoned and needs an antidote."

The crease between his brows deepened. "Then what are you waiting for?"

Song Lianhe ground her back teeth. ’If I didn’t need something from you, you think I’d be taking this crap from you?!’

She took a deep breath, her tone remaining mild. "I need a dozen or so medicinal ingredients, some of which are quite rare."

With that, she walked to the table, picked up the writing brush, and wrote out a prescription.

Zhou Junlin watched her, noting her script and her strange way of holding the brush, and raised an eyebrow slightly.

"Done."

He glanced at the paper, then handed the prescription to Gu Ha. Not another word was needed. Gu Ha understood the urgency and hurried off to gather the ingredients.

Zhou Junlin hadn’t put his faith in her blindly. On their way here, she had been able to name various herbs with a casual point of her finger. Having read a few medical texts himself, he knew she wasn’t just spouting nonsense. She had even helped a guard set a bone, her technique skilled and precise. He figured she must have some medical training.

Besides, she was right: Zhou Cangyan would not have stood by and done nothing unless he was completely out of options.

Song Lianhe sat in the doorway waiting for Gu Ha, her gaze fixed in the direction of the courtyard where she had lived, letting out a soft sigh from time to time.

’It was so close, yet it felt a world away.’

’No, I have to sneak over for a look before Gu Ha gets back.’

She shot to her feet, gathered her skirts, and was about to leave—

"And where might you be going?"

Zhou Junlin had appeared out of nowhere.

She jumped back in surprise, only for her back to bump right into his chest. Song Lianhe gasped. Just as she was about to flee, his hands landed gently on her shoulders.

"I’m asking you. Where are you going?"

He spoke as if his lips were right beside her ear, and his voice thundered through her.

"The kitchens," she blurted out. "I haven’t had a single bite to eat since I got to this mansion. You don’t even work the mules in the fields this hard!"

Zhou Junlin was taken aback. He stared at her for a long moment before slowly taking a step back and calling for a maid.

"Take her to get something to eat."