Rebirth: After Becoming the Villainess-Chapter 37: Imperial Uncle, Why Insist on the Second Miss?

"Of course..." Zhou Junlin faltered. The words on the tip of his tongue twisted and came out as, "Are you questioning me?"

"Do you have too much time on your hands, Prince Ling?" Song Lianhe found it hard to comprehend. ’Don’t you have any self-awareness? And I’m not supposed to question you?’

’He’s so protective of his precious Lan, his bias is completely off the charts. Am I supposed to throw him a parade for it?’

Zhou Junlin’s expression darkened. Song Lianhe had always been subservient in her love for him, doing her utmost to please and accommodate him. How was he supposed to adapt to such a sudden and drastic change in her attitude?

Even though he suspected this was just a new strategy to get his attention, Zhou Junlin still found it hard to accept.

Before he could lash out, the man seated in the main chair spoke, his posture cold and aloof. "So, you’re questioning me, then?"

Their eyes met. Zhou Cangyan’s expression remained impassive. Zhou Junlin froze, stunned. He truly hadn’t expected his Imperial Uncle to challenge him over Song Lianhe.

Zhou Cangyan had returned to Ling’an City after being "exiled" for twenty years, and Zhou Junlin was not familiar with this Imperial Uncle.

Although Su Huaqing had warned him more than once to be wary of him, Zhou Junlin had never taken his uncle seriously, let alone considered him a rival.

Zhou Cangyan had a brilliant record of military achievements from guarding the border, but despite his monumental merits, he was still just an ill-omened man, born under the White Tiger Evil Star.

Years ago, the Astronomical Bureau had decreed that he must stay far away from the Imperial City to ensure the peace of the Zhou Imperial Family. Now, twenty years later, he had been summoned back to court merely as a pretext to reclaim the power he held. With no faction or foundation in Ling’an City, he naturally posed no threat.

But no matter how little real power he had, he was, in name, still his Imperial Uncle.

"Ziyin would not dare," Zhou Junlin said, lowering his head slightly. A desolate chill seemed to emanate from him.

Song Xilan was also secretly shocked. ’Why is King Qing so insistent on protecting Song Lianhe?’

If it was a matter of romance, Song Xilan refused to believe it. ’What did Song Lianhe possibly have to make King Qing fall for her? There were plenty of young ladies from noble families far more outstanding than her, excelling in both talent and beauty. Many of them weren’t even afraid of his "Heavenly Kill Slash" reputation; they were simply captivated by his otherworldly good looks.’

Her good friend, Zhuang Qiaoyue, was a prime example. Ever since catching a distant glimpse of him on a bridge the day he returned, she had gone back to her mansion and pestered her father to petition the Holy Emperor for a marriage decree.

Yet, not a single one of these noble ladies had caught Zhou Cangyan’s eye. Instead, he was close only with Song Lianhe! ’It’s possible he’s actually interested in the power behind the General Mansion and the Xuan Chang Marquis Mansion, and wants to use their influence...’

The position of Crown Prince was vacant, and several princes were eyeing it like hungry tigers. The most favored candidate was Prince Ling, Zhou Junlin. Zhou Cangyan had been sent away from the palace as an infant, but his royal blood was undeniable. Although he lacked the deep-rooted foundations in Ling’an that the other princes enjoyed, along with the support of their maternal clans, he had grown up outside the palace and guarded the border for many years. He was the only prince who held actual military power!

’If he developed ambitions he shouldn’t have, the situation would become even more chaotic!’

"Imperial Uncle," Zhou Junlin said suddenly, "the Second Miss and I have a marriage contract. She is my betrothed. If she stays in your mansion, it will inevitably start rumors. It would be most proper for her to return with me to my own residence."

Song Lianhe’s brows furrowed when she heard him. ’What is wrong with Zhou Junlin today?’

’Just a moment ago, he couldn’t wait to sever all ties with me, and now he’s calling me his fiancée. Isn’t he afraid his precious Lan will get angry?’

She glanced at Song Xilan, who had indeed averted her gaze, looking embarrassed and dejected. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

Although she knew Zhou Junlin was trying to help her, for him to personally acknowledge Song Lianhe’s status in front of others was tantamount to demeaning her.

’Song Lianhe is his betrothed, his future Princess Consort. So what does that make me?’

’What am I?’

Zhou Cangyan glanced casually at his nephew, his eyes cold and dark as if scattering pellets of ice. "So what?"

The moment he spoke, the hall fell deathly silent.

Song Lianhe looked up, her expression shifting from astonishment to sheer excitement.

’This is a villain’s time to shine!’

’People like Song Xilan and Zhou Junlin, with their protagonist halos, are just so fake and conventional!’

’Now *this* is how you steal the show!’

Zhou Junlin was silent for only a moment before finally lifting his pitch-black eyes. "Imperial Uncle, why are you so fixated on the Second Miss?"