Rebirth: After Becoming the Villainess-Chapter 71: Looking at a Man with Such a Wanton Gaze

Chapter 71: Chapter 71: Looking at a Man with Such a Wanton Gaze

Song Lianhe felt torn. She knew this banquet was the beginning of all her entanglements and grievances with him, the moment he would officially receive his "villain card."

’So far, Zhou Cangyan has actually treated me pretty well. He’s arrogant and difficult, yes, but I’ve never seen a trace of mockery or disdain in his eyes. At least, he’s countless times better than the male lead!’

Perhaps sensing her gaze, the man’s eyes flickered toward her indifferently as he entered the grand hall. After a moment, his gaze swept over to Zhou Junlin, who was seated on the other side.

"Greetings, Imperial Sister-in-law."

"I’m glad you could make it."

Chun De was indeed very fond of him, her expression more joyful than when she saw her own biological son.

She had originally intended to match him with Song Xilan and had secretly reserved a seat for him next to her. But now, sensing Zhou Junlin’s unusual interest in Song Xilan, she couldn’t bring the matter up.

Then, she looked up just in time to see Zhou Cangyan brazenly walk to the empty seat beside Zhou Junlin and sit right down.

To the onlookers, this action was fraught with deeper meaning.

That was Prince Wei’s seat. Whether he attended or not, the seat beside Zhou Junlin was always reserved for him. Now Zhou Cangyan had openly taken Prince Wei’s place. What was he trying to do?

Prince Wei was the Empress’s legitimate son and had the backing of a faction of old court officials. Was Zhou Cangyan trying to usurp his position?

Even Zhou Junlin glanced over in slight surprise. ’But he didn’t dwell on it. Zhou Cangyan has spent years on the frontier; this is his first palace banquet since returning to the capital. How would he know where that boy Sui’an sits?’

Chun De felt the same way. ’My son isn’t cut out to be the Crown Prince. I’ve long wanted to withdraw from the struggle for succession, but those stubborn court officials won’t have it. They keep citing ancestral rites, insisting that only the legitimate heir can inherit the throne!’ 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Fortunately, Emperor Cheng Xiao understood her intentions and was pleased with the Empress’s magnanimity. Unlike some of the other Imperial Concubines who were always whispering in his ear or causing trouble behind the scenes, she was different. As a result, he cared for the Empress deeply. The imperial couple lived in harmony and were very much in love.

Seeing Zhou Cangyan sitting there, Chun De simply smiled, unconcerned.

Song Lianhe quietly turned her head and glanced at him.

’Tsk, tsk. He’s quite heroic and handsome. What a pity, though. In the end, all his work will just pave the way for someone else.’

Zhou Cangyan looked over as well, his gaze meeting hers.

He raised an eyebrow.

’Staring at a man so brazenly in public...’

’Hmph. She really is shameless!’

He lifted his cup, the corner of his mouth twitching into a slight smirk.

Song Lianhe froze.

’Is he... smiling?’

Just as she was about to study his expression more closely, Cao Ying suddenly snapped at her, "Have you no shame?"

Song Lianhe frowned. ’What did I do?’

"First it was Prince Ling, and now it’s King Qing. You fall for every man you see! Song Lianhe, how did I never realize how fickle you are?"

Seeing the look of disgust on Cao Ying’s face, Song Lianhe laughed. She reached out, grabbed the other woman’s chin, and gave it a couple of firm shakes. "Oh, I’m more than just fickle, I’m downright vulgar! Want to find out for yourself?"

Cao Ying’s face paled in shock. "You... Let go of me!"

"Hehe, what can I say? I just happen to like you, Sister Cao!"

"You wretched Song Lianhe! How dare you make fun of me!"

To outsiders, this "playful" squabble between the two of them looked utterly bizarre.

Weren’t they always at each other’s throats, fighting jealously over Zhou Junlin? Why did they suddenly look so close?

Hearing the laughter, Zhou Junlin’s lips tightened. He shot a cold glance at Song Lianhe.

’What kind of trick is she pulling now?’

’Is she pretending to get close to Cao Ying, just to wait for an opportunity to get her revenge?’

’That’s not impossible. It would be just like her.’

’In the past, Song Lianhe had used all sorts of excuses to make life miserable for any woman who tried to get close to him. He figured she wouldn’t show any mercy to Cao Ying, either.’

Zhou Junlin mostly took this for granted, not even pausing to consider how horribly Cao Ying might suffer if she were truly the target of Song Lianhe’s revenge.

Having adopted a "when in Rome" attitude, and since she hadn’t eaten yet, Song Lianhe simply started helping herself to the food.

Based on the original owner’s memories, she knew the wine in the Imperial Palace was particularly fragrant and mellow. Not only was it harmless to one’s health, but it was also said to be nourishing for the blood and spirit.

But to her surprise, she had just finished her first cup when someone snatched the wine pot right off her table.

She looked up in astonishment, staring in disbelief at the man beside her.

Zhou Junlin also noticed the action, his gaze flickering over imperceptibly.

Song Lianhe asked awkwardly, "Er... Your Highness wishes to drink as well?"

"Mm."

Zhou Cangyan simply hummed a languid reply.

Her gaze fell to the table in front of him. ’But he clearly has his own wine!’

Just as she was about to call a young eunuch to bring her another pot of wine, Zhou Cangyan shot a look in her direction. His tone was anything but friendly. "Are your injuries healed enough for you to be drinking so carelessly?"