Rebirth: After Becoming the Villainess-Chapter 345: I Believe in Justice in This World

Chapter 345: Chapter 345: I Believe in Justice in This World

The look in Zhou Junlin’s eyes greatly displeased Song Lianhe.

"He is one of my people. What of it?"

Zhou Junlin raised an eyebrow. He’d heard that after she saved a young boy, she had not only brought him back to the Prince Mansion but was also personally taking care of him.

Only now did he truly look at Ah Jun.

He was an exceptionally handsome boy.

The clarity in his eyes, in particular, combined with a heart-wrenching fragility, could certainly stir one’s protective instincts.

He lowered his gaze and chuckled. "Heh... I just wonder what Imperial Uncle would think if he heard about this."

Song Lianhe said with certainty, "He can distinguish right from wrong."

Zhou Junlin narrowed his eyes. When he looked at her again, the smile was gone. "You trust him that much?"

"Of course!"

Zhou Junlin nonchalantly lowered his gaze. "It seems you don’t know him very well after all."

Song Lianhe’s voice turned cold. "Whether I know him or not has nothing to do with why you’re here, does it, Prince Ling?"

Zhou Junlin stared at her, his attitude growing colder. "Take the irrelevant person out."

"Yes!"

Gu Ha stepped forward to take Ah Jun away.

"Sister..."

Song Lianhe looked back and gave Ah Jun a reassuring smile. "It’s fine. You go out first. I’ll come find you later."

Since his sister had spoken, Ah Jun naturally obeyed.

He nodded obediently and left with Gu Ha.

The moment she turned back, Song Lianhe’s smile vanished. She cut straight to the chase. "If you have something to say, say it."

Zhou Junlin sat down. "You know, I know, and the Holy Emperor knows why Prince Qing is deliberately targeting Minister Zhuang."

Song Lianhe’s heart skipped a beat.

’Don’t people try to be subtle with their power plays anymore? Did he really have to be so blunt?’

She decided to play it safe and react as things came. After all, he was the male lead—mentally tough and blessed with a protagonist’s halo... She still habitually glanced up, even though she could no longer see his halo.

"This time, I returned from Li Zong Pass empty-handed, and I have my Imperial Uncle’s ’good work’ to thank for that. But going too far is as bad as not going far enough. Imperial Uncle has taken something that doesn’t belong to him. What do you suppose the Holy Emperor will do?"

A sense of foreboding crept into Song Lianhe’s heart.

’Does Emperor Cheng Xiao know that the Danling Ci is in Zhou Cangyan’s hands?’

Zhou Junlin stared at her without blinking and added, "Minister Zhuang was a former subordinate of E Xianwang. After Prince Qing returned to the city, he immediately found fault with Zhuang Fangming, leading to his family of three being charged. It all seems a bit too deliberate... Heh. Speaking of which, to achieve his goals, Imperial Uncle really will use anyone he can."

Song Lianhe understood. He was alluding to her.

Zhou Junlin changed the subject. "A minister of a department is not someone he can easily move against, and he knows this well. But after this, your reputation as Princess Qing has been firmly established. In the future, if anyone in Ling’an City gives you trouble, it will be the same as crossing Prince Qing. Tsk tsk, truly killing two birds with one stone."

Song Lianhe froze for a moment.

He chuckled, turning his head to look at her leisurely. "Unexpectedly, Imperial Uncle seems to care quite a bit about you, his Princess Consort."

"..."

’Is that how it is?’

A deep sense of self-doubt washed over Song Lianhe.

"Minister Zhuang’s family, after all, committed a great disrespect. If they aren’t punished, the imperial family loses face. The Holy Emperor has ordered me to handle this matter, which is nothing more than a way to give everyone a graceful way out."

Song Lianhe understood.

"You want me to help preserve this grace?"

Zhou Junlin simply smiled without a word.

Song Lianhe’s only intention had been to seek justice for Ah Jun; she had never meant to go after Minister Zhuang’s family.

Besides, it was indeed not a good time for Zhou Cangyan to make more enemies.

Without a second thought, Song Lianhe said immediately, "Fine, I’ll go persuade His Highness. But I have one condition."

Zhou Junlin’s tone was mild. "Zhuang Qiaoyue?"

"Precisely."

Zhou Junlin averted his gaze. "No." He lowered his eyes, his voice cold. "Zhuang Qiaoyue is Minister Zhuang’s beloved daughter. If you make a move against her, do you think Minister Zhuang will let it go?"

But Song Lianhe just sneered. "Is it because of Princess Consort Ling?"

Zhuang Qiaoyue always follows Song Xilan’s lead. With something like this happening, how could she not have gone to Song Xilan for help?

He abruptly stood up and started walking out. "If you want this to end peacefully, you’d best drop it."

Song Lianhe stared at his back and suddenly called out, "I believe there is justice in this world!"

The man’s steps faltered. He glanced back slightly, said nothing, and walked away.

"Sister Mei."

Xuan Mei appeared at the door.

Song Lianhe smiled faintly. "Could I trouble you with something?"

As Zhou Cangyan was leaving the official office, someone suddenly called out to him from behind.

"Prince Qing!"

Hearing this voice, he stopped.

Song Xilan hurried forward, her eyes urgent as she looked at him. "Prince Qing, could we speak in private?"

Zhou Cangyan turned around. "Princess Consort Ling, if you have something to say, say it here."

His deliberate distance made Song Xilan uncomfortable for a moment.

She knew the entire story, so of course she knew about his feelings for her.

Not just anyone would willingly walk into a trap for a woman, only to end up being pierced by a thousand arrows.

Even with Zhou Junlin, if he were made to choose between the world and her, she had no confidence that he would choose her.

It was only because they were the male and female protagonists of the story that their ’happily ever after’ seemed a matter of course.

But as a woman, how could she not be moved by such ardent feelings?

The more this was the case, the more she couldn’t accept his detachment!

"Your Highness, are you angry with me?"

She lowered her eyes, which gradually reddened. "But you know my hands were tied... I am not a heartless person toward you, Your Highness! Otherwise, why would I have risked my life to save you at Huaxu Square?"

Zhou Cangyan’s expression changed. He looked up at her. "I will not forget."

"Then why are you... so cold to me?"

Faced with her accusation, Zhou Cangyan fell silent again.

This was the Ministry of Justice, after all, not a place for conversation, so Song Xilan couldn’t say much more. Seeing that he seemed somewhat moved, she went straight to the point. "Your Highness knows that I am good friends with the young miss of the Zhuang family. This time, she acted offensively only because she was unaware of Doctor Song’s identity. I hope Your Highness can overlook her past transgression and not hold it against a sheltered young lady."

Zhou Cangyan remained silent, his perpetually gloomy expression making him impossible to read.

Song Xilan bit her lip, took a step forward, and slowly raised her hand, wanting to tug on the corner of his sleeve...

Just then, the Injustice Bell outside was struck.

DONG! DONG! DONG!

The sound was soul-stirring.

Zhou Cangyan turned around. Song Xilan’s hand froze in mid-air, and she awkwardly pulled it back.

"Go and see."

"Yes."

Before the Shadow Guard could leave, Jing Ye rushed in.

Song Xilan quietly took a step back, discreetly putting distance between herself and Zhou Cangyan.

"It’s Princess Qing!"

Jing Ye wiped the sweat from his brow and said, "Princess Qing has struck the Injustice Bell."

Song Xilan was startled and blurted out, "What is she doing?"

She turned to look at Zhou Cangyan. "Your Highness..."

But she saw him raise an eyebrow slightly, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Song Xilan’s breath hitched. Staring at him intently, she said hurriedly, "Your Highness! Now that Doctor Song has struck the Injustice Bell, the Ministry of Justice must take up the case! But this involves a court minister and yourself! Her actions will lead to uncontrollable consequences! It will bring criticism upon you, Your Highness!"

After a long moment, Zhou Cangyan finally retracted his gaze. He let out a soft "Ah," his tone casual and unconcerned. "I allowed it."