Rebirth: After Becoming the Villainess-Chapter 376: I Am the Protagonist of This Book

Chapter 376: Chapter 376: I Am the Protagonist of This Book

Song Lianhe made no show of courtesy, reaching out to slap his forehead. Zhou Junlin tilted his head slightly, avoiding it.

"No need to fly into a rage from humiliation. I’m not going to blame you."

She gave him a humorless smile. "Prince Xieling."

He smiled, lips pressed together. "Don’t mention it."

Song Lianhe was in no mood to trade barbs with him. She lifted her gaze and looked forward.

Song Xilan had already caught up to Zhou Cangyan, grabbing his sleeve. "Since you already know her true face, why are you still going through with the wedding? You... don’t you know that I... that for a long time, I’ve..."

Song Lianhe’s breath hitched. This was completely unexpected.

’I thought Song Xilan was just trying to ruin my wedding. I never thought she’d be willing to stake so much on it!’

And she was certain this wasn’t some scheme Song Xilan had cooked up with Zhou Junlin.

’As the male lead, he can scheme and exploit the villain’s feelings for the female lead, but he’d never let the female lead use him. That’s a line he wouldn’t cross.’

’So, Song Xilan... could she have actually fallen for Zhou Cangyan?’

Realizing this, Song Lianhe slowly turned her head to look at the man behind her.

’He was just cheated on so unexpectedly... Zhou Junlin isn’t going to take his anger out on me, is he?’

But as soon as she turned her head, Zhou Junlin gripped her chin and turned her face forward again.

’But doesn’t he like Song Xilan? How can he be this calm?’

’Worthy of the male lead, indeed! He wouldn’t bat an eye if Mount Tai collapsed right in front of him!’

’If I hadn’t read the original novel and had a general idea of what Zhou Junlin is like, I’d almost believe this was a plot the two of them hatched together.’

"Princess Consort Ling!"

Zhou Cangyan suddenly spoke, pulling Song Lianhe’s attention back to him.

She slowly raised her gaze, fixing it on the man not far away.

Zhou Cangyan’s red wedding robes were striking. He had his back to her, but his elegant posture was evident even from behind.

"You leveraged the life debt from when you saved me at the Li Guan Sect to demand Zhang Yu from me, and I agreed. And now you’re using your own life as bait? Song Xilan, do you truly think I’m so foolish that I can’t see your intentions?"

Song Lianhe was stunned. ’He’d agreed to give Zhang Yu to me... because of *her* "life-saving deed"?’

’No wonder he was so adamant back then. So that was the reason...’

A wave of coldness seemed to emanate from behind her, making Song Lianhe shudder involuntarily. She discreetly took a small step forward.

"Since you’ve seen through it, you should know! Why do you think I was willing to sacrifice my own life to save you? It wasn’t so you could marry another woman today!"

Zhou Cangyan stared at the woman before him. For an instant, her face blurred, and he found he couldn’t make out her true features... It was just like when he tried to recall the events at Huaxu Square; the face in his memory was always unclear.

Suddenly, he grew tired of it all.

"Princess Consort Ling, you would do well not to forget your station."

Song Xilan faltered. "You... Has your heart changed?"

Hearing this, Song Lianhe shook her head to herself.

’She’s too impatient, and she doesn’t understand Zhou Cangyan at all.’

’He’s not the kind of person who can be constrained or threatened with emotions. Forget Song Xilan now; even my past self would have been unlikely to influence him.’

’Unless he does so willingly. If he were willing, he would offer up anything without a second thought, including his own life.’

Sure enough, Zhou Cangyan’s brows knitted together.

At the same time, the murderous aura from behind her grew stronger and stronger.

’Song Lianhe grew anxious. ’Even if Zhou Junlin didn’t love Song Xilan anymore, a man’s pride would never tolerate betrayal from his woman! Not to mention, he was a royal of noble birth, which made it even more unforgivable. Zhou Junlin might not harm Song Xilan, but he would absolutely come to resent Zhou Cangyan!’

’No, I have to stop this!’

"My Prince!"

She suddenly called out.

As her voice fell, she casually glanced over her shoulder. Zhou Junlin’s figure was long gone.

Only then did she relax a little, and she walked straight toward the two of them.

She was still some distance away. Before Song Xilan could get a clear look at her, Zhou Cangyan had already turned around. When he saw her, a flicker of avoidance crossed his eyes.

But soon, he was back to acting as if nothing had happened, his demeanor still holding a hint of devilish charm, though his gaze never left her.

"Song Lianhe?"

Song Xilan now considered her the murderer of her mother. Fury blazed in her eyes, and her tone was sharp.

"Can’t you see I’m speaking with His Highness, Prince Qing?"

Zhou Cangyan frowned, his displeasure obvious.

"That’s right. On my wedding day with Prince Qing, the Princess Consort Ling just had to come find *my* Prince Qing for a chat. My, the Princess Consort is truly without a care in the world!"

Song Lianhe lowered her gaze and smiled. "Whatever his feelings are for you, he is now a married man. Did you consider the position you would put him in by seeking him out like this? If you don’t care about your own dignity, Princess Consort, that’s your choice. But have you given any thought to *my* Prince? He left me, his bride, to face all our guests alone just to run here and see you. Aren’t you afraid he’ll be scorned by all? Our marriage was decreed by the Holy Emperor. Aren’t you afraid of his wrath?"

She took a step forward, enunciating each word. "Song Xilan, do you have any real concern for him at all?"

Song Xilan was rendered speechless by the question.

’She seethed inwardly. ’Such a sharp tongue!’’

Zhou Cangyan watched her, transfixed. He saw her mouth moving but didn’t register the words. All he knew was that the moment she appeared, he had breathed a sigh of relief.

It was as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

There was even a secret sense of gratification.

’He realized he didn’t like hiding anything from her. It felt like a burden, which wasn’t his style at all.’

Seeing that Zhou Cangyan wasn’t defending her, but was instead staring at Song Lianhe, lost in thought, Song Xilan panicked and blurted out:

"You murderer! You killed my mother! It’s already an act of mercy that I haven’t filed a formal complaint with the Holy Emperor! You..."

"Then go file your complaint. Stop wasting your breath. I’ll be right here waiting!"

Song Lianhe didn’t even spare her a glance. She walked right up, hesitated for a second, then took Zhou Cangyan’s hand. "Uncle Liang and the others are waiting. Let’s go."

She said nothing more, pulling him by the hand out of the bamboo grove.

Zhou Cangyan glanced down at her hand. Slender and fair, it rested on his, warm and soft.

It felt like a soft feather brushing against his heart.

He suddenly clasped her hand in return.

’Without thinking why, he just wanted to hold her hand like this.’

Song Lianhe froze, momentarily flustered by the sudden pressure on her hand.

But she quickly composed herself.

"...I went to see her because I heard she was in danger," Zhou Cangyan said suddenly.

Perhaps even he thought it sounded like an excuse, as he followed it with a self-mocking laugh. "A clumsy ploy."

Song Lianhe looked up at him. "But you still fell for it."

"..."

Zhou Cangyan frowned. He had no defense.

’He didn’t think the matter required an explanation, but knowing what she was thinking made him feel deeply uncomfortable.’

In the bamboo grove, Song Xilan couldn’t accept how Zhou Cangyan had treated her. ’He’s supposed to love me! He should be willing to die for me without any regrets!’

’How could such a fiery passion just vanish in an instant?!’

’I’m the female lead!’

’I’m the female lead!!’

"Song Lianhe!" Song Xilan spat, grinding her teeth. ’This is all because she showed up! She’s the one who upset the balance of this book! She’s the one who changed the course of the whole story!’

’I’m the main character! I am the main character of this book!!’

Behind her, Zhou Junlin watched, raising an eyebrow slightly.

’Book?’

’Main character?’