Rebirth: After Becoming the Villainess-Chapter 75: That’s Enough, Don’t Overdo It

Song Lianhe sized up the imposing, magnificent man before her, clad in golden armor. ’Cao Jin?’

Cao Jin, Cao Ying’s older brother.

Rumor had it he was the greatest master in the Imperial City. The Emperor held him in high regard and had praised him in public on more than one occasion, saying he was a rare talent who reminded the Emperor of his younger self.

That was why, at such a young age, he was already in command of the imperial guard, which answered directly to the Emperor.

For Emperor Cheng Xiao to have given him such an important position—a position for a trusted confidant, one might say—showed just how much he valued him.

Without another word, Cao Jin shoved his sister in front of her. "She is at the County Princess’s disposal."

"Brother..."

"Shut up."

Cao Jin gave her a cold look. "Do you have any idea what you’ve done? You’ve dragged the entire Cao Family to the brink of utter ruin!"

Cao Ying felt wronged. "It’s not as serious as you’re making it sound, Brother. I just borrowed some of your men..."

"The imperial guard answers directly to the Holy Emperor and obeys his command alone! How dare you mobilize them without authorization? The audacity!"

Cao Jin’s eyes narrowed coldly. "Kneel before the County Princess at once and await her judgment!"

"I... I won’t! Why should I have to kneel to her?!"

Cao Ying was sobbing. Her brother was harsh at home, and now he wouldn’t even give her any face out in public! She could tolerate it from anyone else, but she refused to let Song Lianhe look down on her!

"Fine. Then I will personally take you before the Holy Emperor to beg for forgiveness."

As he spoke, he made a move to grab her. Cao Ying was genuinely terrified. "No! Brother, I’ll never do it again, Brother..."

Song Lianhe glanced at the two of them, bored. "That’s about enough. Any more and you’ll be overacting."

Cao Ying was weeping pitifully, unable to speak through her sobs.

Cao Jin glanced at Song Lianhe. "So, is the County Princess feeling merciful and choosing not to pursue the matter with my sister?" 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

’Tsk, tsk. Just what you’d expect from someone at the top of the pyramid.’

’He’s really mastered this whole routine!’

"Commander Cao, let’s not beat around the bush. You brought Cao Ying to me simply because you want a guarantee, don’t you? Otherwise, you could have just sent your sister straight to the Heavenly Prison. Why go through the unnecessary trouble of bringing her to me?"

Cao Jin’s expression didn’t change as he answered frankly, "If that’s the case, then let’s be direct. What will it take for the County Princess to let my sister—and the Cao Family—off the hook?"

A faint smile touched Song Lianhe’s lips. She slowly turned her gaze to Cao Ying, then abruptly changed the subject. "I recently acquired a shop, and it just so happens I’m short one attendant..."

"In your dreams!"

Cao Ying wiped her tears with her sleeve, full of resentment. "Let me tell you something, Song Lianhe, I would rather die—"

Tired of listening, Song Lianhe waved her hand. "Send her to the Heavenly Prison."

"Very well."

This time, Cao Jin didn’t hesitate. He stepped forward, grabbed his sister by the collar, and turned to toss her to his men.

"Brother!!"

A moment later, Cao Ying was crying and begging loudly, "An... an attendant! I’ll be an attendant!"

Cao Jin crooked a finger, and his men tossed her back.

Ignoring whether it was appropriate to do so in front of the girl’s brother, Song Lianhe crouched down and patted Cao Ying on the head. "Now, that’s more like it."

Just then, a member of the imperial guard came forward and whispered a few words to him.

Cao Jin looked up at Song Lianhe. After dismissing his subordinate, he said slowly, "Thank you, County Princess, for sparing the Cao Family. In return, I invite you to take a look over by the pond."

*

From among the rockeries by the lotus pond came the sound of soft, suppressed sobs.

When Song Lianhe hurried over, a guard blocked her path.

"Are you Second Miss Song?"

Fang Xiu stepped forward, saw it was her, and gestured for the guard to let her pass.

Song Lianhe approached suspiciously. She looked up and saw Song Xilan kneeling on the ground, while Zhou Junlin stood to the side, his face ashen.

Nearby, Chun De sat in a chair, her expression also grim, her brow deeply furrowed.

"I greet Your Majesty."

Song Lianhe came forward and curtsied.

Hearing her voice, Zhou Junlin stiffened. For a moment, he actually wanted to look away.

’The great Prince Ling never thought there would come a day when he was afraid to face Song Lianhe!’

Song Xilan’s sobs grew louder. Before the Empress could speak, she turned, kowtowed to Song Lianhe, and said, word by word, "This is all my fault, mine and mine alone. It has nothing to do with Prince Ling! It was I... I who shamelessly seduced him... The blame is all mine. If the County Princess must punish someone, then punish me. I only hope... I hope you won’t let this create a rift between you and him."