Rebirth: After Becoming the Villainess-Chapter 406: I Will Go to Propose Marriage

Zhou Cangyan’s eyes were half-closed, and he’d clearly been in a foul mood for some time.

The Shadow Guard and Xuan Mei exchanged a look, jutting their chins. Neither could guess their master’s thoughts.

’Logically, the Princess Consort is out of danger. The master should be happy. Why has he been so grim ever since he came out of her room?’

Just then, Cao Jin walked in.

He instinctively glanced at Xuan Mei, but she nonchalantly averted her gaze, acting as if she hadn’t seen him.

Cao Jin frowned.

"I’ve come to take my leave."

Zhou Cangyan looked at him. "If the Holy Emperor asks, put all the blame on Ziyin. He’ll protect you."

"Actually, my coming to help you was also Prince Yi’s idea."

"I figured as much," Zhou Cangyan said calmly. "If Sishui City had fallen, Nanchen would have officially set foot inside Da Cheng’s borders. Prince Wei would have gained Nanchen’s support, and since he is Prince Yi’s greatest rival, why would he ever let Prince Wei get his way?"

He paused, glancing at Cao Jin, who in turn cast a look at Xuan Mei standing nearby.

"Still, you were too reckless. As the Commander of the imperial guard, deserting your post in the Imperial City is a capital offense. Not to mention, your family is still in Ling’an."

As he spoke, Xuan Mei’s brow twitched, but her expression quickly returned to an emotionless mask.

"You don’t need to worry about that. I’ve already made the proper arrangements," Cao Jin said seriously. "I would never do anything to endanger my family."

Zhou Cangyan nodded. "Good."

"Back to the matter at hand," Cao Jin said. "Sui Ning mobilized troops without an imperial decree. They’ll surely be called to account for it."

’That gives Emperor Cheng Xiao the pretext he needs.’

"Sui Bei is our defense against Nanchen and Wu Qi. As long as the forces in Sui Bei hold their ground, our enemies won’t dare to make a rash move. Besides, Nanchen has already acted first, so we must be on guard. In a situation like this, the troops in Sui Bei are more critical than ever; they cannot be moved."

Cao Jin said meaningfully, "I’m afraid it’s not Sui Bei the Holy Emperor wants to move."

Zhou Cangyan lowered his gaze and sneered. "He wants to move against my maternal grandfather. And moving against him is the same as moving against me."

"Good that you realize it," Cao Jin said. "Sui Bei can only belong to Da Cheng—or rather, to the Holy Emperor. Now that his health is failing, he’s certainly looking to seize this chance to clear the path for his son."

Zhou Cangyan enunciated each word slowly. "Then we’ll have to see... which son that is."

Cao Jin understood his meaning. "The Cao Family will not take a side in this matter."

His personal friendship with Zhou Cangyan was one thing, but as he’d said, he would not endanger the Cao Family.

"Understood," Zhou Cangyan acknowledged.

"I’ll take my leave."

As he turned to go, Zhou Cangyan suddenly called to Xuan Mei, "See Commander Cao out for me."

Xuan Mei: "..."

The Shadow Guard stifled a laugh. Clearly enjoying the drama, he kept shooting her suggestive glances from the side.

Xuan Mei slowly turned her head. "As you command."

She walked up to Cao Jin. "Commander Cao, if you please."

Cao Jin’s gaze rested on the top of her head. "Thank you."

The two walked out, one after the other.

Only then did Zhou Cangyan signal to the Shadow Guard. "Ask Manager Meng to come in."

"Yes, sir!"

A moment later, the Shadow Guard led Manager Meng in.

Zhou Cangyan lifted his teacup and took a sip. "Are you one of Prince Ling’s men?"

"Er, I..."

"I want the truth."

Manager Meng knew that at this point, there was nothing left to hide.

Besides, when it came to defending against foreign invaders, Prince Ling and King Qing had always shared the same goal.

His mind made up, he lifted his head and answered loudly, "I am indeed stationed here under orders from Prince Ling."

"Mm." Zhou Cangyan set down his cup. "Prince Ling’s man has commendable courage. You’ve performed a great service in defending against the enemy."

"Your Highness is too kind. I am unworthy of such praise."

Zhou Cangyan raised his light-brown eyes and glanced at him. "You saved the Princess Consort, which means you have done me a great favor. I will remember it."

Those words left Manager Meng completely overwhelmed. He quickly lifted the hem of his robe and knelt. "Your Highness, you honor me far too much! It was the Princess Consort who saved the lives of everyone in this city, myself included. If we are to speak of debts of gratitude, our debt to the Princess Consort is as vast as the heavens! I cannot possibly accept this favor from Your Highness!"

His voice was filled with admiration whenever he spoke of Song Lianhe.

’After facing death together, who cared who worked for whom? Manager Meng simply admired and respected Song Lianhe for the person she was, regardless of her title.’

Despite this, Zhou Cangyan still signaled for the Shadow Guard to give him a reward.

「Outside the clinic.」

Cao Jin walked down the steps, then turned to look back at Xuan Mei.

Xuan Mei’s expression remained neutral, treating him as if he were a complete stranger. "Commander Cao, take care."

She turned to go back inside, but Cao Jin suddenly grabbed her wrist.

Xuan Mei reacted on pure instinct, her hand lashing out in a strike. Unflustered, Cao Jin sidestepped the blow, shifting his feet to stand on her other side.

"After I return to Ling’an, I will ask King Qing for your hand in marriage."

Xuan Mei’s eyes flew wide. "No!" she refused without a second thought.

Cao Jin had expected her to say that. "It’s settled."

He turned, walked down the steps, and pulled his horse over. He swung himself into the saddle, yanked the reins, and spurred its sides. The horse neighed and took off with a TROT-TROT-TROT, leaving Xuan Mei standing frozen with a complicated expression.

’A marriage proposal?’

’Something like that was far too complicated for her. She’d never even considered it!’

"Tsk, tsk. A marriage proposal, is it?" A clear, laughing voice came from a corner behind her.

She spun around and saw someone sitting on a nearby stone block.

Song Lianhe beamed at her. "I never would have guessed Commander Cao was such a man of action. I was getting worried, with you two’s personalities. You’re both so reserved! Who would have thought Commander Cao could be so bold! Hmm... As for this marriage, I approve!"

’At a time of life and death, Cao Jin had been willing to abandon everything and rush here. Wasn’t it all for Xuan Mei?’

Song Lianhe was genuinely happy that Xuan Mei had found someone who would treat her so well.

Xuan Mei composed herself, walked over, and helped her up. "Princess Consort, you shouldn’t be sitting out here. You’ve only just recovered. You should be resting in your room."

’Her breathless rush of words was a classic case of protesting too much.’

"Hehe, I get it." Song Lianhe winked at her. "I know you’re shy. I won’t mention it again."

"...I’m not shy."

That’s what Xuan Mei said, but her eyes told a different story.

Just then, someone approached them.

"Princess Qing, we meet again."

Song Lianhe peered past her. "City Lord Duan?"

The arrivals were none other than Duan Shanmian and Zhu Liao.

Xuan Mei said, "I’ll go announce you."

After she went inside, Duan Shanmian turned his attention to Song Lianhe. "Is Your Highness feeling any better?"

"Oh, much better."

Song Lianhe looked at him. "City Lord Duan, you originally..."

She trailed off, falling silent.

Knowing what she was about to ask, Duan Shanmian was forthright. "That’s right. However, Your Highness’s actions moved me deeply. I suppose I still care about the legacy I’ll leave behind. I don’t want to be remembered as a traitor whose head is hung on the city walls."

"I only did what my heart told me to do."

He chuckled. "A fine sentiment, ’do what my heart tells me.’ But few realize just how rare and precious that truly is."