Rebirth: After Becoming the Villainess-Chapter 69: So Long as I Live, You Will Always Be Concubines

Chapter 69: Chapter 69: So Long as I Live, You Will Always Be Concubines

Xianglin Pavilion.

Xianglin Pavilion in the Imperial Palace was the foremost of the three great Book Collection Pavilions in the world. From famed scholarly compilations to ancient, one-of-a-kind manuscripts, hundreds of thousands of scrolls were cataloged and housed within its walls.

As a member of the Royal Family, this was Zhou Cangyan’s first time setting foot inside, a true irony.

He casually pulled out a scroll. A unique manuscript that would be priceless among the common people was commonplace here.

What outsiders saw as ancient texts, Zhou Cangyan saw as imperial power.

"My Lord."

A Shadow Guard appeared behind him and said in a low voice, "A message has come from Xuan Mei. Second Miss Song is in trouble."

The book in his hands snapped shut.

The man paused for a breath before slowly turning around. "Speak."

"Uh, she’s been brought into the Imperial Palace."

*

「Imperial Garden, Wanyan Hall.」

The expressions of everyone in the hall were complex.

Just as the rumors said, Prince Ling protected Song Xilan as if she were his own heart, even willing to publicly humiliate his fiancée to speak up for her sister. On the surface, he acted righteously, claiming to side with reason over relations, but who present didn’t understand the truth?

Song Lianhe just stared at the ever-brightening halo above the male lead’s head. ’The more I see it, the more I hate it.’

"Mother Empress, this is merely General Song’s family affair. We are all outsiders and can hardly pass judgment."

As Zhou Junlin spoke, he had already walked over to help Song Xilan to her feet.

Although they maintained a veneer of propriety and quickly separated, the man was interested and the woman was willing. The way they looked at each other couldn’t be faked.

’He just can’t bear to see her suffer the slightest grievance, can he!’

’Heh, he’s just so in love.’

Song Xilan only lifted her head for a quick glance at him before lowering her eyes again, but her cheeks, flushed as if she had been drinking wine, unintentionally betrayed her thrilled and adoring heart.

’This feeling of being carefully protected in his arms, no matter when or where, is something I yearn for and cherish. I will never let anyone destroy it!’

Seated on her high throne, Chun De took in his every move.

Aside from his formal greetings, she rarely interacted with Zhou Junlin. ’To think that the person he truly loves is actually Song Xilan...’

But then again, it wasn’t surprising.

Whether in talent or character, Song Xilan was superior to Song Lianhe. No one would mistake a fish eye for a pearl.

Song Lianhe watched the lovey-dovey pair of illicit lovers with cold eyes, a sneer gracing her lips.

She let out a soft laugh and said gently, "Your Highness’s words are too distant. How could you be an outsider? You are my fiancé. To call yourself an outsider... now *that* is truly being distant!"

Song Lianhe kept her eyes fixed on Zhou Junlin as she spoke. Seeing the halo above his head begin to distort made her happy. ’I just want to see him utterly disgusted, yet completely powerless against me!’

’Not happy about it? Then go before the Holy Emperor and request to annul the engagement!’

’Can’t do it?’

’Then you can just suck it up and endure it for me!’

’As long as I live, you will all be nothing more than concubines!’

Song Xilan’s face instantly turned pale. She subconsciously retreated a step, putting distance between herself and Zhou Junlin, her eyes flustered and helpless.

Nearby, Cao Ying nearly rolled her eyes into the back of her head.

’What’s with the act?’

’Seducing your younger sister’s fiancé, and now you’re playing the innocent victim!’

Zhuang Qiaoyue was so angry she gritted her teeth, shooting several vicious glares at Song Lianhe. Everyone knew Prince Ling wouldn’t even give her the time of day, yet she still had the gall to bring up their relationship in public? It was true what they say: the ugly ones are always causing trouble!

Chun De rubbed her temples. "Ziyin is right. This is General Song’s family matter, and there is no need for outsiders to comment." She then gestured for them to be seated.

This was a clear sign that she wanted no further part in it.

Song Lianhe didn’t mind. She hadn’t built her reputation for troublemaking in a single day, so how could she expect her rock-bottom reputation to be reversed overnight?

She properly performed a curtsy of thanks to Chun De. Her assigned seat was just below Song Xilan’s. There was nothing wrong with two sisters sitting together, but Song Lianhe wasn’t having it.

Her gaze swept the room and landed on Cao Ying. The moment their eyes met, the latter’s eyes widened. An instinctive sense of danger made her pretend to lift her cup for a drink, and she didn’t dare look in Song Lianhe’s direction again.

But Song Lianhe smiled and said aloud, "I have always been close with Sister Cao. It has been so long since we last met, and I miss her dearly. Why don’t I sit with her?"

Chun De rubbed her forehead and waved a dismissive hand.

’Do whatever you want.’

Song Lianhe lifted her skirts and cheerfully scampered over to Cao Ying.

Cao Ying’s eyes went wide, her entire being—from her expression to her posture—screaming with resistance. ’Don’t you come over here!!’

But Song Lianhe paid her no mind, plopped down right beside her, and threw an arm around her. "Sister Cao, your little sister has missed you so much!"

Song Lianhe leaned in close to her ear and whispered with a grin, "As for what happened earlier, don’t think I’m just letting it go!"

Just as expected, Cao Ying’s body went stiff.

"Heh heh, come on, give me a smile."

Cao Ying looked at her in disbelief. ’How can such a detestable person exist?!’

Seeing Song Lianhe raise an eyebrow slightly, Cao Ying gritted her teeth and forced a smile that looked more painful than crying. "...I-I... also... m-missed you... very much, little sister..."

"That’s enough. No need to be so melodramatic."

"!"