Rebirth: After Becoming the Villainess-Chapter 68: A Stark Contrast Between the Sisters

Empress Chun De looked over at her as well, her profound gaze now tinged with scrutiny.

’Song Lianhe’s reputation wasn’t exactly stellar,’ she mused. ’How did she suddenly become so filial? So that’s why.’

Zhou Junlin kept his eyes downcast, sitting there with an air of indifference. In his heart, however, he scoffed at Song Lianhe.

He knew exactly what kind of person Song Lianhe was. But since she was his fiancée in name, he couldn’t let his loathing show too obviously.

Murmurs of discussion could be heard from the sides. "What did I tell you? This one from the Song Family is no simple character! To dare pull these petty tricks on the Empress... she’s truly courting death!"

"Heh, if the Song Family didn’t have at least one good daughter, we’d all still be in the dark, wouldn’t we? Tsk, tsk. Looks like General Song took that caning for nothing."

Cao Ying dried her tears and quietly returned to her seat.

But as soon as she sat down, she heard the surrounding chatter. Her gaze shifted to the kneeling Song Xilan, then to the impassive Empress Chun De, and her heart sank.

’That Song Lianhe, she must have messed things up again!’

’I must have been out of my mind. How could I have ever thought she could get the better of Song Xilan?’

’If this blows up, being held accountable myself is one thing, but if I drag my brother into this, it’ll be a miracle if Father doesn’t break my legs!’

Just then, Song Lianhe abruptly looked up at Song Xilan, her expression the picture of innocence. In a soft voice, she said, "For you to say that, Sister, will only cause the Empress and all the ladies to misunderstand. At home, how would I ever dare to say such things? For your birthday, all I did was bring out Mother’s memorial tablet. I just wanted her to celebrate with our family, since that day was also the anniversary of her death. But what happened? After that day, I was subjected to family discipline by Father. Auntie, being so deeply devoted to Father and fearing he would exhaust himself, took the whip from him to carry out the punishment in his stead. Don’t be fooled by how delicate Auntie usually is—she can barely lift a thing—but when she whips someone, it truly hurts. The scars on my back still haven’t healed. You tell me, Sister, how would I ever dare to bring up Mother again? Today, upon seeing the Empress, I felt a sense of kinship, as if I were seeing a family elder. It felt like I had someone to lean on, a pillar of support, and for a moment I forgot the setting and lost my sense of propriety. I spoke out of turn. I beg Your Majesty to forgive me. It was Lianhe who spoke rashly."

With that, she bowed deeply.

When she finished, everyone present was stunned.

Song Lianhe couldn’t care less about principles like not airing one’s dirty laundry in public, or how the whole family rises and falls together. She had just exposed everything about Song Xilan’s birthday banquet and her own whipping. In short, her principle was simple: ’If you won’t let me live in peace, then none of us will.’

Cao Ying was stunned for a long moment, then became so excited she could have slapped her thigh. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

’Brilliant!’

’Her words were sincere and heartfelt, backed by solid facts that had already spread throughout Ling’an City! What’s more, some people present had been at the General Mansion that day, so it couldn’t be faked. Even with all her clever rhetoric, there was no way for Song Xilan to protest her innocence!’

As if to confirm her thoughts, someone whispered, "I was there that day... It’s true."

Aunt Fang Xiu also leaned in and whispered a few words into Empress Chun De’s ear.

Empress Chun De frowned. "You’re saying that day was also Shuniang’s death anniversary?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. That is correct."

Empress Chun De pursed her lips and said nothing.

Song Xilan was left utterly defenseless. Steeling herself, she kowtowed and said, "Your Majesty, it is because my birthday conflicts with that of my late mother that I have never had a proper celebration growing up. This time, I was the one who insisted. It was because of my father and mother’s deep love for me that they made such a grave error. If anyone is to blame, it should be me. It is all my fault. I am willing to accept Your Majesty’s punishment."

This tactic of feigning retreat to advance was a truly masterful way to win favor.

Everyone present could tell she was deliberately taking all the blame upon herself.

Compared to Song Lianhe, who had just publicly exposed her own father’s failings, the difference in character and magnanimity between the two sisters was instantly apparent.

Hearing the murmurs of praise for Song Xilan from all around, Cao Ying clenched her fists.

’This woman is the same as ever,’ she thought. ’Even when it’s clearly her fault, she has a way of making everyone overlook it.’

Zhou Junlin suddenly rose and approached Empress Chun De. "Mother, your son believes that the fault does not lie with Miss Xilan."

Song Lianhe shifted her gaze to him, her expression cold and distant.

’Of course. The male lead has arrived, wearing his protagonist’s halo, to rescue the female lead from her ordeal.’