Under the moonlight, a pair of snake head gold bracelets glead on Song Lianhe’s wrist, at once dashing and feminine.
"They’re really quite lovely."
Hearing the admiring voice behind her, Song Lianhe turned around.
Yin Huan strolled over nonchalantly, crossing her arms as she looked at her. "Mrs. E treats you well."
Song Lianhe, still rembering how Yin Huan had thrown a pebble at her, gave a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. "Well, if it isn’t Sister Huan! Out for an after-dinner stroll?"
Yin Huan shot her a look, the corner of her mouth twitching. She then plopped down beside her. "Seriously? You’re still holding a grudge?"
Hearing that, Song Lianhe imdiately rolled up her sleeves. "Co on, I’m not asking for much. Just let flick you! Just one little flick, and we’ll call it even!"
"Why are you so petty? Can’t take a little joke?"
"Don’t you dodge! Just one flick! I promise I’ll be gentle!"
"Stop it! Song Lianhe, I’m warning you. I’m not soone to be trifled with, either..."
Glancing at the two won under the tree, Xuan i lazily closed his eyes again.
’A combined ntal age of six, tops.’
Under the covered walkway, a Shadow Guard held a piece of apricot cake, while Da Xi snacked on lon seeds beside him.
The Shadow Guard clicked his tongue. "Well, she’s certainly a looker. Prettier than Princess Consort Ling, even! A true peerless beauty, utterly captivating!"
Da Xi shot him a look. "What’s the use of being pretty? The Prince still prefers Princess Consort Ling."
With that, they exchanged a look and both let out a lancholic sigh.
’Of all the people the Prince could fall for, he just had to pick a married woman!’
’And a married woman would be one thing, but she’s his nephew’s wife!’
’His nephew’s wife would be one thing, but she’s also very likely the future Crown Princess Consort!’
’How could the Royal Family possibly tolerate such a flagrant breach of moral principles?’
Suddenly, Xuan i leaped down from the tree. "Princess Consort Ling is here."
The Shadow Guard imdiately stuffed the remaining half of his cake into his mouth. "Speak of the devil!"
Xuan i said, "I’ll go stand guard outside."
The Shadow Guard said, "I’ll go inform the Master!"
The two split off, their movents swift and well-practiced.
Da Xi, anwhile, went to prepare Princess Consort Ling’s favorite refreshnts.
A short while later, Song Xilan appeared, wrapped furtively in a black cloak, and headed straight for the study.
Song Lianhe recognized it at a glance. That was Zhou Cangyan’s cloak.
"The absolute nerve!" Yin Huan sneered, rubbing the spot on her forehead that Song Lianhe had flicked. "A dignified Princess Consort, and she’s still sneaking around like a common thief!"
Yin Huan had known hardship. She longed to climb the social ladder and beco soone of status, but that didn’t stop her from despising those who were born into it.
The woman beside her fell silent.
Yin Huan gave her a suspicious look. She saw her staring at Zhou Cangyan’s study, her thoughts written plainly on her face.
She snorted. "You tell not to get ahead of myself, but what about you?"
Song Lianhe’s expression remained unchanged, her gaze perfectly calm. "I’m different."
"Oh? Do enlighten ."
"I love him."
"..."
Yin Huan looked away, bored. "And here I thought you were so clever. If you had just said you were in it for the money and jewels, I might have respected you more."
’Love... what a useless thing.’
To her surprise, Song Lianhe nodded in agreent. "You’re absolutely right."
Yin Huan glanced at her sideways, a wry smile playing on her lips. "You’re an interesting one."
Song Lianhe deliberately ignored the study and changed the subject. "They’ll be leaving soon, and E Jintang will go with them. What about you? What are your plans?"
"Zhou Cangyan promised he would protect , so of course I’m going with them."
Yin Huan said this with righteous confidence. ’After all, she’d traded her Life-saving Talisman for this promise!’
Song Lianhe nodded. "That’s good. Following him is a solid way out."
Yin Huan looked at her again. "And you?"
"I..."
Song Lianhe seed to deflate.
"I’m afraid Zhou Junlin won’t let go."
Yin Huan let out a sudden, soft laugh. "Prince Ling ignores his own wife while she’s having an affair, yet he keeps his eyes fixed on an outsider like you. What a fascinating couple!"
Song Lianhe could only sigh helplessly.
’Sigh. It’s like he’s complaining his cuckold’s hat isn’t green enough!’
She glanced at the study again. Seeing no sign of Song Xilan erging, she started to feel restless.
’Looking at it now, I’m the one with a green tint on my head!’
Song Lianhe shot to her feet, but Yin Huan grabbed her instantly. "Have you got a death wish?"
"That’s right!"
’What’s the difference between being dead and living this miserably, just watching another woman walk all over ?’
Song Lianhe shook off her hand and strode forward.
Yin Huan shook her head. ’She’s done what she could. The rest was up to fate.’
Song Lianhe ca to a stop outside the study, her steps heavy. The Shadow Guard on duty there was taken aback to see her. "Doctor Song, what brings you here?"
Just as she was about to speak, the door opened.
Zhou Cangyan and Song Xilan were standing inside.
Furious, Song Lianhe glared daggers at Zhou Cangyan, her expression accusing him as if he were the world’s worst scumbag.
Her glare then shifted to Song Xilan, whose lips curled into a faint, triumphant, and provocative smile.
’Now that she was back on the heroine’s path, both the hero and the villain were re playthings in the palm of her hand!’
Zhou Cangyan’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. His gaze passed over Song Lianhe as he turned to Song Xilan. "It’s late. I’ll see you back."
Before Song Xilan could reply, Song Lianhe cried out in desperation, "No!"
Zhou Cangyan’s gaze swept coldly over her before landing on the guard. "You couldn’t even stop one person. Go and receive twenty strikes with the military rod!"
His words were, of course, directed at the Shadow Guard.
The Shadow Guard’s expression tightened, and he imdiately dropped to one knee. "This subordinate accepts his punishnt!"
Song Lianhe was about to explode with anger.
’He’s making an example of him to warn , isn’t he?’
Song Xilan, however, just smiled gently. "Then I shall have to trouble you, Your Highness."
She wasn’t afraid of Zhou Junlin finding out. From her interactions with Zhou Cangyan lately, she knew he was ticulous and reliable. More importantly, his feelings for her were so pure they were deeply moving.
If he made such an offer, he would ensure no trouble would co of it for her.
And so, Song Xilan happily accepted.
Seeing the shocked and wounded expression on Song Lianhe’s face gave her a particular thrill, the sweet satisfaction of vengeance fulfilled.
Song Lianhe stood frozen in place, watching as Zhou Cangyan escorted Song Xilan away. Suddenly, she shouted at his retreating back, "You will regret what you’ve done today! You will regret how you’ve treated !"
Only after their figures had vanished at the end of the covered walkway did Song Lianhe squat down, burying her face in her knees.
’You’ll regret this...’
’You really, really will.’
Just as she had said before, if Zhou Cangyan ever rembered, he would absolutely despise the person he was right now.
She was certain of it.
’But... what if he never rembers?’
’This was a novel’s world to begin with. Everything was just being forced back onto the main plot track. It was entirely possible he would forget her completely!’
Song Lianhe hugged herself tightly, her body trembling uncontrollably. She didn’t dare to imagine that outco.
By the ti Zhou Cangyan returned, Xuan i had taken over guard duty at the door.
Zhou Cangyan walked straight into the study.
As he pushed the door open, he paused. His brows drew together, and he asked impatiently, "Where is she?"
"Gone."
Xuan i glanced up at his master and, quite uncharacteristically, added, "She was crying when she left."
Zhou Cangyan’s brow tightened. He went inside and slamd the door shut.
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