Rebirth: After Becoming the Villainess-Chapter 98: It’s All the Prescription’s Fault

In any case, Song Lianhe was in a good mood, and everything seemed pleasant to her.

After stepping out of the carriage, she hummed a song the entire way back.

Zhou Cangyan walked behind her. It was rare to see her skipping about like a child, and he seemed to catch some of her joy. The tense expression he usually wore couldn’t help but soften.

"Tsk, she really is carefree, isn’t she? But Master, how could you trade away your military authority?"

The Shadow Guard, living up to his name, appeared like a shadow from the shade of the palace walls.

He walked with his sword in his arms, still chattering away. "He was already wary of you, and now this is just great. You’ve even snatched his son’s intended Princess Consort... Isn’t this just hanging a sword over your own neck?"

Zhou Cangyan stopped abruptly, a hint of encouragement in his eyes as he looked at the guard.

"Why don’t you be the master, then?"

"...This subordinate was wrong."

With that, the Shadow Guard vanished with a SWISH.

On the palace roof ridge, Xuan Mei shot a cold glance at the black-clad man beside her. "You talk too much."

"How can you call this talking too much? I’m just speaking up for the Master! There were clearly other ways. Why did he have to use his military authority? Besides, with his grand plan... isn’t this a bit of a steep price to pay for one Song Lianhe?"

Annoyed by his prattling, Xuan Mei said coldly, "To remain in Ling’an City, he has to surrender his military authority. But it must be surrendered cleverly, not too rashly or easily, or else it would look like he’s plotting something else. Therefore, the Master needed a pretext—a way to smoothly hand over his authority while also dispelling Emperor Cheng Xiao’s suspicions."

The Shadow Guard looked at Xuan Mei in surprise. It was rare for her to say so much at once!

"But with Second Miss Song as a pretext, everything becomes much more logical. From the Master bringing her back to his residence to recuperate, to him being denounced in the great hall for her sake, it’s only natural for people to believe he has fallen deeply for her. Plus, every development has been plausible. Now, with Second Miss Song’s wedding imminent, the Master acts out of desperation, trading his military authority to have the marriage contract annulled. It all makes perfect sense. On the surface, the Master has presented Emperor Cheng Xiao with a difficult choice, but he knew full well that a mere future Princess Consort is nowhere near as important as securing the stability of the empire."

The Shadow Guard was completely stunned. "Xuan Mei, you... How do you know all this?"

Xuan Mei looked at him, her expression perfectly calm. "I have a brain."

"Hey, that’s not very nice..."

"Shh."

Sensing someone approaching, Xuan Mei’s figure flickered as she leaped down from the roof ridge—

The other Shadow Guard’s expression tightened. He instantly concealed himself in the darkness, suppressing his presence completely.

Xuan Mei landed, her longsword already drawn.

Cao Jin lowered his gaze to the tip of the sword pointed at him. "Is this how you greet an old acquaintance?"

Xuan Mei looked at him, her face impassive. She showed no reaction to the words "old acquaintance," simply stating flatly, "You were eavesdropping."

Cao Jin raised a hand and gently pushed the blade aside. "I was listening openly."

Xuan Mei shot him a glance, sheathed her sword, and turned to leave.

"You should pay more attention to Shen Fu."

She stopped and turned back, her brow furrowed.

"Someone is targeting them."

Cao Jin said only that before walking past her and leaving.

Staring at his retreating back, Xuan Mei’s expression grew solemn.

"What does he mean by that? Is Master Shen in danger?" The Shadow Guard reappeared behind her, his face just as suspicious.

Still, Cao Jin’s words were highly credible. He was responsible for the security of the entire Imperial Palace, so he naturally had his finger on the pulse of Ling’an City. If he said there was a problem, then there was definitely danger.

"Xuan Mei, wait here. I’ll go find the Master."

"Mm."

「Meanwhile, inside Kunyi Palace.」

Empress Chun De looked down at the person kneeling on the floor.

"Song Lianhe, do you know your fault?"

"Your Majesty the Empress... I... I know my fault." Song Lianhe secretly lifted her head, casting a pleading gaze at Zhou Cangyan, who stood off to the side.

’If I’d known this was a trap, I would have stayed home and pretended to be sick!’

Song Lianhe knew exactly what Empress Chun De was referring to—of course, it was the "prescription" she had written for Consort Jing!

’Sigh, I should have stayed away from the drama of the inner palace.’

Seeing Zhou Cangyan remain unmoved, she gritted her teeth and silently cursed him. ’Heartless!’

Then, she bowed her head even lower.