Rebirth: After Becoming the Villainess-Chapter 338: Zhou Cangyan, You’re Afraid I’ll Die

Chapter 338: Chapter 338: Zhou Cangyan, You’re Afraid I’ll Die

Inside the carriage, Song Lianhe gazed at the basket of medicinal herbs before her, utterly unable to tear her eyes away.

The Imperial Palace truly was a collection of the world’s greatest treasures! Many of these rare herbs were things she had only ever seen in books!

Zhou Cangyan sat across from her and shot her a glance. "I heard you were so eager to go to the palace. Was it all for this?"

Song Lianhe gave him a look that said, ’Like you would understand,’ and replied unhurriedly, "Perhaps in your eyes, these are just flowers and plants grown in a garden for nobles to occasionally admire. But in my eyes, they’re potent medicines that can save lives and cure illnesses!"

"So, you refused Her Majesty’s reward and asked for a basket of these things instead?"

"These are priceless treasures, worth more than a thousand pieces of gold!" she said, pointing to the basket’s contents as if showing off a prize. "See? I even dug them up by the roots! When I get back, I can replant and cultivate them, and they’ll take root in my herb garden!"

Zhou Cangyan raised an eyebrow. "Herb. Garden?"

"Oh, the rear garden in your estate. I’ve requisitioned it."

Zhou Cangyan let out a sudden, soft laugh. "Why did no one inform me of this matter?"

"You’re so busy! Why would you be distracted by such a trivial matter in the estate? Besides, am I not Princess Qing now? Can’t I even make a small decision like this?"

The title "Princess Qing" seemed to become a taboo. Zhou Cangyan merely gave her a deep look before withdrawing his gaze, his fingers twisting the Bone Ring on his index finger.

Seeing his reluctant expression, Song Lianhe’s previously joyful mood instantly plummeted.

’Why did I only realize my feelings for him when he was willing to die for me? If only it had been sooner, I could have shouted to him that I like him!’ She didn’t really blame the man before her, she just felt deep regret.

"I’m sorry..." She suddenly lowered her eyes, her voice hushed and her spirits sinking.

Zhou Cangyan looked back at her. "What are you apologizing for?"

She looked up at him. She didn’t know what came over her, but in that moment, she just didn’t want to have any more regrets. So she suddenly cupped his face and pressed her lips directly to his—

For a moment, Zhou Cangyan’s light eyes widened in a daze. Then his pupils constricted sharply. It felt like a volcano was about to erupt.

Just as his hand was about to reach for her, Song Lianhe bit down hard on his lip—

’She was way too experienced in this kind of thing!’

Zhou Cangyan’s body went rigid.

She gave him one hard bite, then shoved him away and shrank into the corner.

The sharp pain on his lip told him exactly what had just happened.

Zhou Cangyan raised his hand and slowly wiped the corner of his mouth. Seeing the blood on the back of his hand, he laughed.

"Song Lianhe, you really aren’t afraid to die."

’This is the second time!’

Song Lianhe’s will to live was strong. She immediately said, "I’m your Princess Consort now. I—What’s wrong with me kissing you?"

Outside the carriage, the Shadow Guard’s eyes went wide, and he clapped a hand over his mouth.

’What did I just hear?!’

Even Xuan Mei couldn’t help but glance at the carriage.

Inside the carriage, the atmosphere was taut with tension.

Zhou Cangyan’s sword was pressed against Song Lianhe’s neck. The blood on his lips, combined with his unparalleled, handsome face, created a uniquely thrilling and bewitching sight.

Pinned in the corner, Song Lianhe didn’t dare to move. The cold touch of the blade against her skin was so real; its sharp edge could slice her throat at any moment!

A mocking smile played on Zhou Cangyan’s lips, laughing at her ignorance, her foolishness, her overestimation of her own abilities...

’Right. Compared to the novel’s heroine, I’m just the disposable side character. The kind that gets used up and kicked to the curb.’

This sword pressed against her neck made her feel even more like a joke.

Suddenly, a bold idea popped into her head!

’If I die again, will I transmigrate back?’

’Even if I can’t go back, at least he’ll remember me for the rest of his life!’

’Everything that exists is rational. If this was arranged by the author, and the sword is here, then it must have a purpose!’

"My sword only needs..."

Before he could finish, Song Lianhe suddenly shut her eyes tight and lunged forward!

Zhou Cangyan’s gaze tightened, and he yanked the sword back!

Fortunately, he was quick. The blade only broke the first layer of skin on Song Lianhe’s neck, drawing a thin line of blood. If he had been half a second slower, she would have died on the spot!

"You..."

Zhou Cangyan stared at her in disbelief. ’Is she insane?’

His heart began to race—it was the fear that comes after a close brush with death.

He had never feared anything in his life, let alone been scared. Even when charging into battle and being covered in wounds, his heart had long been frozen, ignorant of what fear even was.

But just now, the terror that had spread from the bottom of his heart was like a thicket of vines, instantly weaving an airtight net that ensnared his entire being, suffocating him.

He had never experienced such fear before. When he came back to his senses, the resulting shock was immense.

Song Lianhe, however, just subconsciously raised a hand to touch her neck. It was only a scratch.

CLANG—

The sword was thrown to the floor.

The next instant, her shoulders were seized in a tight grip. She was met with Zhou Cangyan’s terrifyingly grim expression. "If you ever dare to pull such a dangerous stunt again! I will..."

’I will what?’

’She isn’t even afraid of death.’

Zhou Cangyan froze, a sense of powerlessness and fear washing over him.

He stared at her with a complicated expression, momentarily at a loss for what to do with her.

"Stop the carriage!"

The carriage stopped.

Zhou Cangyan stormed out of the carriage.

The Shadow Guard and Xuan Mei exchanged a look. ’Are they fighting again?’

’Weren’t things just fine a moment ago?’

’And what on earth did that Doctor Song do to make His Grace this angry?’

Zhou Cangyan stood outside the carriage with his hands on his hips. Then, as if remembering something, he turned and got back in. Under her shocked and confused gaze, he retrieved his sword from inside.

’That woman isn’t even afraid to die. If I leave this thing in the carriage, who knows what other outrageous thing she’ll do?’

But even as he thought this, Zhou Cangyan’s brow furrowed again.

He raised his hand and tossed the sword to the Shadow Guard, then turned and got back into the carriage. "Go."

After his command, the carriage continued on its way.

The Shadow Guard was silent for a moment before leaning toward Xuan Mei, his lower body still properly seated on his horse. "Did you... did you see the corner of His Grace’s mouth just now? Uh, did it look like... uh..."

Xuan Mei: "...It did."

The Shadow Guard suppressed a laugh and straightened himself in his saddle.

’Unbelievable! To see this in my lifetime!’

Song Lianhe sat in the carriage, watching in bewilderment as he jumped out, then took the sword away, and then simply got back in again. He sat across from her with his arms crossed, his light brown eyes shooting sparks of fire from time to time.

Song Lianhe pursed her lips and asked tentatively in a low voice, "Are... are you angry about what I did just now...?"

He suddenly asked, "Why did you want to die?"

"I didn’t want to die! I, I..."

’This is really impossible to explain!’

’I said I didn’t want to die, but lunging my neck onto a sword is hardly a convincing argument!’

Zhou Cangyan’s hand shot out, clamping tightly around her neck!

"I don’t care what you’re trying to do! Even if it’s a threat, this is the one and only time!"

Song Lianhe was held in place by him. Although his hand was on her throat, he wasn’t applying pressure. And while his words sounded incredibly intimidating, they didn’t feel like a threat. It was more like... a negotiation? A compromise?

’So...’

She actually smiled.

"...Zhou Cangyan, you’re afraid I’ll die, aren’t you?"