Rebirth: After Becoming the Villainess-Chapter 78: If I’m Unhappy, No One Gets to Be Happy

Chapter 78: Chapter 78: If I’m Unhappy, No One Gets to Be Happy

"You—"

Zhou Junlin’s handsome face contorted with fury. ’I’ve never seen such a despicable woman!’

Song Xilan was frightened as well. While Song Lianhe was often unpredictable, she was usually obsessed with her reputation. She’d rather grit her teeth and suffer a loss than lose face. ’And to do this in front of the Empress, of all people!’

She couldn’t help but feel a surge of fear. ’If Song Lianhe keeps making a scene like this, won’t everyone find out about what happened between me and Junlin in the Imperial Garden?’

Song Lianhe, however, had thrown all caution to the wind. After throwing herself against a pillar once, she prepared to do it again. "I’ve been bullied to this extent! What’s the point of living anymore?"

Chun De cried out in alarm, Fang Xiu rushed forward with attendants to restrain her, Zhou Junlin hurled curses filled with loathing, and through it all, Song Xilan sobbed...

The grand hall descended into chaos.

Just then, a eunuch announced, "Prince Qing..."

Before he could finish, Zhou Cangyan swept in, dressed in black robes.

His cold gaze swept across the hall. The moment he saw the disheveled Song Lianhe, crying and causing a ruckus, he strode forward without a word, grabbed her by the collar, and yanked her from the eye of the storm.

Song Lianhe continued to thrash about, kicking and screaming relentlessly. "Who’s grabbing me? Let go! Let go! If I’m going down, I’m taking you all with me!"

"That’s enough."

That impatient, magnetic voice rang out by her ear. Song Lianhe froze. She slowly lifted her head, and upon seeing who it was, a wide grin spread across her face. "My Prince!"

Seeing her expression, which seemed to be fishing for praise, the anger in his chest slowly began to dissipate.

"Are you hurt?"

Song Lianhe immediately shook her head. "I’m perfectly fine!"

’It’s only Zhou Junlin!’

At this, everyone in the hall froze.

Zhou Junlin’s face was a mask of fury. He had been about to let loose a string of rebukes, but then he saw how Song Lianhe transformed in front of Zhou Cangyan, becoming unbelievably docile.

His furious expression gradually soured into a gloomy one.

Chun De pressed her lips together, but she could no longer hide the smile playing on them. Her eyes met Fang Xiu’s from time to time.

’This is excellent!’

’Excellent indeed!’

Zhou Cangyan helped Song Lianhe to her feet and smoothly handed her over to a Shadow Guard. He then turned, his gaze sweeping coolly around the room before he calmly approached Chun De. "Imperial Sister-in-law, what has transpired here?"

The Empress let out a soft sigh, her eyes glancing over Zhou Junlin and Song Xilan. "Oh, it’s nothing important. Just a few misunderstandings."

Knowing this was a pretext to save Prince Zhou Junlin some face, Zhou Cangyan simply nodded. "As long as all is well."

The Empress’s gaze shifted between him and Song Lianhe. "The hour is getting late, and I am tired. You should have someone escort the County Princess home."

"Yes."

As she rose, she shot Song Xilan a single glance before coolly looking away.

Zhou Junlin frowned. ’No matter how much I dislike her, Song Lianhe is still my fiancée. How can I let another man escort her home?’

But Xilan was still by his side; he couldn’t just leave her.

*

Inside Zhou Cangyan’s spacious carriage, Song Lianhe was happily eating from a food box she held in her arms.

’These royal banquets are nice, and the food is certainly exquisite, but you can never get your fill!’

’And with so much drama, it felt like a thousand eyes were on me. Who could have an appetite in that situation?’

The moment she got into the carriage, her stomach started rumbling nonstop, much to her embarrassment.

Zhou Cangyan shot her a glance. He reached out, hooked a finger, and tapped on the window frame. "Food box."

A moment later, a Shadow Guard passed a food box inside.

Seeing how much she was eating, Zhou Cangyan’s gaze occasionally flickered toward her flat stomach. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Song Lianhe was completely oblivious. Only after she had nearly emptied the box did she wipe her mouth in satisfaction. "Prince Qing, thank you so much for earlier!"

He coolly withdrew his gaze. "If I hadn’t arrived, what was your plan? To use your head as a hidden weapon and kill a prince by ramming into him?"

"Ha! What are you talking about? I’m not an idiot!"

Song Lianhe scooted closer and began to lay out her reasoning for him.

"Zhou Junlin is completely unfaithful! We’re not even married, and he’s already fooling around in a rockery with someone else, cheating on me for all to see! If I don’t teach him a lesson, how will I ever be able to hold my head high again?"

’Completely unfaithful?’

Zhou Cangyan glanced at her, his expression turning a few degrees colder. "What, you still want to marry him?"

"Of course not!"

Song Lianhe waved her hands frantically, as if shooing away the plague. "Him? Is he even worthy?"

"He’s a prince. In the future, you would be a Princess Consort."

"So what if he’s a prince? He’s not the only one. You’re a prince, too!"

The words had barely left her mouth when Song Lianhe froze. "No, no, that’s not what I meant..."

Zhou Cangyan’s eyes narrowed as he leaned back slightly. "Oh. So that’s what you’re plotting."

"No! Absolutely not!" Song Lianhe immediately pledged her loyalty. "My Prince, you have been so gracious to me, you’re like a second father! How could I possibly have ulterior motives for my own dad? That would be utterly outrageous!"

She had no idea which of her words had set him off this time, but the warmth on Zhou Cangyan’s face visibly plummeted. "Hah. You truly are a filial daughter."

"Oh, not at all! Besides, to take a step back, if I were unfortunate enough to marry Zhou Junlin, I would have to call you ’Imperial Uncle’ anyway, right?"

Zhou Cangyan looked up, his patience gone. He shouted out, "What’s with the driver? Why are we going so slow!"

"Yes, sir!"

The Shadow Guard outside yelled, "HYA!" The horses whinnied, and the carriage shot forward like an arrow from a bow.

Caught off guard, Song Lianhe was thrown directly into Zhou Cangyan.

Frowning, Zhou Cangyan pushed her away with a single, disdainful finger.

Song Lianhe: "..."

’Now what did I do to make him angry again?’