Rebirth: After Becoming the Villainess-Chapter 402: So Unreconciled

After a long moment, Yan Jiayu finally lifted his gaze, looking in the direction where Zhou Cangyan had disappeared.

The adjutant said anxiously, "We can’t get out of the city now, General. You must make a decision quickly!"

Yan Jiayu lowered his gaze, a cold smile touching his lips. "Prince Qing, what a fine trap you’ve laid."

’The only thing he didn’t expect was that his Princess Consort would save the people of this city.’

’In that case, I might not have lost this round after all.’

Xuan Mei, Cao Jin, and the others were protecting the civilians. Now surrounded, they didn’t dare make a rash move.

"Take them all down," he said faintly.

——

Outside the city gates, the light of torches stained half the sky red.

The vast and mighty Da Cheng Army had surrounded the entirety of Sishui City.

Yan Jiayu stood on the city wall’s gate tower, gazing down at the Da Cheng banners fluttering below, his face still devoid of any panic.

Half a day ago, he had been standing below the walls just like this.

Now, he had become the caged beast.

’Heh, how interesting.’

"General, everything is ready!"

The adjutant gestured, and Yan Jiayu glanced to the side. It was the group of "civilians" who had just escorted Zhou Cangyan out of the city.

He casually withdrew his gaze and said slowly, "Your good Prince has abandoned you. He’s not nearly as admirable as his Princess Consort. A pity..."

When he mentioned Song Lianhe, a trace of unintentional regret laced his words.

Anyone familiar with him knew that General Yan of Nanchen was extremely arrogant and had never held anyone in high regard.

Especially not a woman.

Yan Jiayu never made a losing deal. Anyone who schemed against him would be flayed alive, if not killed outright!

’Since Zhou Cangyan plotted against me, the people of this city can die with me. Burdened by the lives of an entire city, Zhou Cangyan can forget about ever making a comeback!’

’This can be considered my grand gift to Prince Hang.’

’It’s just a shame she wasted her life for nothing...’

As the two armies faced off, Yan Jiayu lost his patience and ordered the first group of hostages to be brought to the top of the city wall.

But after a moment’s wait, there was no movement behind him.

Yan Jiayu stood in place, silent for a moment, then turned around.

His adjutant had a blade to his throat, held by one of the "civilians." His mouth had been gagged shut, and his men were pinned firmly to the ground.

Yan Jiayu lifted his eyelids and scanned his surroundings. His main forces were on standby within the city; he had only brought his personal guards to the gate tower. Looking at those "civilians," he let out a low, derisive laugh.

’Heh, so that’s how it is.’

’Zhou Cangyan had acted as if he were in a trance, ignoring both friend and foe. So he had already made his arrangements long ago.’

’The group that had suddenly rushed out of the alley to protect him weren’t civilians at all—they were his men.’

’How unexpected!’

Zhou Cangyan’s men had all crawled out of piles of corpses; they were elites.

Of that, there was no doubt.

So, it was no surprise that his subordinates had lost to them. Yan Jiayu was quite composed about it.

"Cough, cough..."

A fit of coughing broke out.

Duan Shanmian slowly walked out from the group, flanked by his strategist, Zhu Liao.

Yan Jiayu watched him with cold eyes, his expression remaining indifferent.

"City Lord Duan, this is not what we agreed upon."

Duan Shanmian raised a handkerchief to lightly dab his lips and said unhurriedly, "You also promised not to harm the people of my city."

"That was the work of that good-for-nothing Yan Shaji."

"His death is no great loss." He turned sideways, gesturing to the men behind him disguised as civilians. "As for you, General Yan, you have likewise failed to honor our agreement."

If it weren’t for Zhou Cangyan’s men, it would be actual civilians standing here now.

"I may not be talented, and I admit I haven’t done much for the people of Sishui City, but I am its lord, after all. At the very least, I must protect their safety."

Yan Jiayu glanced at him and the men behind him. "With just you lot?"

Duan Shanmian smiled. "Yes, with just us."

Yan Jiayu said, "If I give the order, my soldiers in the city will fight to the death. How many can you protect then?"

"Heh heh, I’ll protect as many as I can. In any case, it’s just this frail body of mine. It wouldn’t be so bad to have my bones buried here."

As he spoke, he drew the sword from his waist. "But before that, don’t even think about leaving, General Yan."

Seeing this, Yan Jiayu remained still.

At this moment, Cao Jin stepped forward. As a fellow military general, he held a certain amount of admiration for Yan Jiayu.

"Prince Qing asked me to deliver a few words to General Yan."

Yan Jiayu looked at him.

"Prince Qing says that General Yan has already achieved his purpose for coming here. Why must this end in mutual destruction?"

Yan Jiayu was valiant and skilled in battle. If not for his older brother, Yan Shaji, holding him down, he would likely have been second only to one man.

Yan Shaji was greedy for merit and reckless in his pursuit of it, and he had stolen Yan Jiayu’s accomplishments before.

When Yan Jiayu said nothing, he would use his status as the Princely Heir and elder brother to become even more brazen.

Until Yan Jiayu grew to despise him.

Therefore, even if Yin Huan hadn’t killed him, he would not have left this place alive.

Yan Jiayu remained standing calmly on the gate tower. Hearing Cao Jin’s words, the corners of his lips curled up almost imperceptibly.

It was as if committing fratricide was as simple to him as killing a complete stranger.

Cao Jin continued, "The Princely Heir of Nanchen is dead. General Yan failed to protect him and will be held accountable upon your return. Why not conserve your strength and preserve your forces? After all... between Nanchen and Da Cheng, there’s a long road ahead."

After a long pause, Yan Jiayu said, "Compared to that idiot Yan Shaji, the real loss is Prince Qing’s Princess Consort."

He suddenly chuckled. In that sense, this trip hadn’t been a waste.

’It was worth it.’

——

SKREEE—

A mournful cry echoed beneath the vast sky.

Chun Hua frantically beat its wings, struggling to maintain its center of gravity.

It finally managed to haul its body onto the hill.

With its head drooping, Chun Hua struggled, hopping and stumbling until it finally reached the man’s side.

The man held the person in his arms. He didn’t know how long he had been holding her like this, clasping her hand, his cheek pressed against her forehead.

"Who are you, really?"

"Heh, it doesn’t matter anymore... No matter who you are, you are my Princess Consort. You are my Lianhe."

"How could I have forgotten you? You suffered so much to come back to my side... I deserve to die..."

"Tell me, what should I do? What can I do to bring you back?"

The only answer was the lonely, ice-cold wind whistling through the mountain ravine.

A small, fluffy head nudged against the back of his hand.

Zhou Cangyan slowly lowered his head. "You miss her too, don’t you?"

"Chirp... Chirp..."

Chun Hua hopped twice on the ground, then let its head droop again.

He tugged at the corners of his dry lips. "Yes, I miss her so much. I really do. I miss her... I want to go to her world to find her."

’If such a world really exists, what would it be like?’

’Over there, would she have friends, family... or even... a lover?’

’Would she be happy?’

He slowly closed his eyes, holding the person in his arms even tighter.

"I can’t accept this..." 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

’He didn’t want to let go!’

’Even if that is the world she belongs to, he doesn’t want to let go!’