Rebirth: After Becoming the Villainess-Chapter 70: So That’s How Handsome Prince Qing Is

Zhou Junlin frowned.

Everyone in Ling’an City knew Cao Ying was infatuated with him. Cao Ying was also the person Lianhe usually despised the most; she had even called Cao Ying shameless and hurled all sorts of vile insults at her right in front of him.

’He had no idea she and Cao Ying were on good terms?’

And looking at where she was sitting, right next to him, it was hard to believe it wasn’t deliberate.

Zhou Junlin’s lips curved into a sneer. It wasn’t the first time, after all.

Fortunately, there was still an empty seat between them, one reserved for Prince Wei, Zhou Sui’an. She wasn’t so shameless as to take that one too.

Song Xilan looked over at her as well, lowering her gaze to conceal the sharp glint in her eyes.

’She would rather sit with Cao Ying, an outcast among the noble ladies of Ling’an City, than sit with me. She’s clearly trying to embarrass me!’

Song Lianhe had never been one to spare her feelings in public, but Song Xilan didn’t usually mind. The more of a scene Lianhe made, the more good-naturedly Xilan would coax her.

Faced with her unreasonable tantrums, Xilan would just offer a helpless, bitter smile and never once said "no" to her.

When outsiders could no longer stand it and criticized Lianhe, Xilan would even protect her, taking all the blame on herself.

After all, she was the elder sister.

On the surface, she appeared to be the one suffering in silence, but who wouldn’t praise her for being kind and magnanimous?

Song Xilan’s good reputation was earned through her own outstanding talents, but it was also bolstered by the contrast with Song Lianhe.

But today was different.

Song Lianhe was no longer the firecracker she used to be, exploding at the slightest provocation. Instead, she was fighting back slowly, subtly, bit by bit.

Lianhe used to care about her reputation more than anything. Something as utterly humiliating as being whipped at home was a matter she would have clenched her jaw and never breathed a word about to anyone, especially not in front of Zhou Junlin.

In stark contrast to Song Xilan’s sterling reputation, Mrs. Liu’s standing in Ling’an City was rather poor. At Court, the only person truly on good terms with her was Lady Zhuang, the wife of the Minister of the Ministry of Industry.

The others might not have said anything, but inwardly, they all looked down on her for her low birth.

Therefore, when Song Lianhe mentioned Mrs. Liu snatching the whip from their father’s hands to administer the family punishment, several ministers’ wives had already started to frown slightly.

Song Xilan couldn’t ignore it even if she wanted to. She could only lower her head, enduring the pointed glances that felt like a bamboo skewer jabbing her in the spine.

’In that moment, she even felt a surge of resentment. Why couldn’t her mother try to be better? Unlike Song Lianhe, she had no powerful backer to rely on. She had walked this path all alone, relying entirely on herself! She didn’t need her mother to be a General or a Commandery Princess—she just begged her not to drag her down!’

Over on his side, Zhou Junlin seemed to notice her dejection. He summoned a young eunuch and whispered a few instructions. The eunuch acknowledged the order and departed.

A short while later, the young eunuch returned carrying a food box. He approached Song Xilan, took out a bowl of chilled red bean soup, and placed it before her, whispering, "His Highness, Prince Ling, instructed this servant to bring this to you."

Gazing at the sweet soup before her, all her previous grievances and frustrations vanished in an instant.

Forgetting that others were present, Song Xilan raised her head and gazed at him adoringly, her eyes gradually turning red.

’Thank goodness, she had Junlin. All her efforts had been worthwhile.’

Chun De was speaking with the Prime Minister’s wife when Aunt Fang Xiu stepped forward. "Your Majesty, Prince Qing has arrived."

"He’s here?" Chun De smiled faintly. "At least he’s filial."

As she spoke, Zhou Cangyan, dressed in an indigo satin robe, appeared in everyone’s line of sight.

He wore an ivory white jade crown, and his figure was as tall and straight as a pine.

He was already exceedingly handsome, and his azure eyes shimmered with a captivating brilliance.

He possessed a restrained air, yet the slight curve of his pursed lips hinted at a sharp edge to his character.

He approached with a steady gait, exuding the formidable, blood-soaked aura unique to a man who had spent years on the battlefield.

Even those present who had never witnessed his prowess in battle firsthand would find their hearts trembling in fear at the sight of his overwhelmingly powerful presence alone.

For many, this was their first time seeing the legendary prince who had been "abandoned" by the Imperial Palace. Because of his ill-fated destiny, they had all assumed he would be monstrous in appearance. They never expected him to be such a peerlessly handsome man!

In an instant, several of the young ladies were mesmerized, their faces flushing red as they stared, utterly captivated. ’So Prince Qing is this handsome!’

This was especially true for Zhuang Qiaoyue. She had only ever seen him once from a distance. ’Seeing him up close now, he’s no less handsome than Prince Ling! No, he has an even more wicked, seductive charm!’

Zhuang Qiaoyue’s heart fluttered wildly, and she felt so flustered she didn’t even know where to look.

Unlike the other young women, who were more reserved, Song Lianhe stared at him openly.

Zhou Cangyan...

’The man of the hour has finally appeared.’