Rebirth: After Becoming the Villainess-Chapter 96: He Wouldn’t Really Want the Bliss of Two Wives, Would He?

Chapter 96: Chapter 96: He Wouldn’t Really Want the Bliss of Two Wives, Would He?

As it happened, just as Zhou Junlin was leaving the Imperial Garden, he ran into King Qing, Zhou Cangyan.

"Imperial Uncle." Zhou Junlin bowed to him.

"Mm."

Zhou Cangyan had returned to Ling’an City at the age of twenty. Though only two years Zhou Junlin’s senior, his cold, composed, and battle-hardened aura was something a pampered prince like Zhou Junlin could never match. He carried an innate air of intimidating authority.

He didn’t leave right away, instead looking his nephew up and down.

The scrutiny made Zhou Junlin squirm. That, and the fact that a certain part of him was still throbbing with pain. Steeling himself, he asked, "Has Imperial Uncle come to the palace to visit the Empress?"

"The Empress summoned me."

"I see."

Empress Chun De and King Qing’s birth mother had been sworn sisters, and it was no secret in the Imperial Palace that the Empress doted on Zhou Cangyan. Ever since he returned from garrisoning the border, Chun De had summoned him frequently. One day, she would have him over for soup; the next, she would have a team of Imperial Physicians give him a full examination. Sometimes, she would even rope in Emperor Cheng Xiao and her own wayward son to dine with them.

The more open and unabashed her favoritism, the more effective she was at silencing gossip. After Zhou Cangyan surrendered his military authority, he was no longer seen as a threat, and the various court factions relaxed their guard around him.

Zhou Junlin wasn’t on close terms with this Imperial Uncle. In fact, they’d had a rather unpleasant run-in over Song Lianhe before. He glanced at Zhou Cangyan. Though he had nothing more to say, the other man showed no sign of leaving. He had no choice but to speak up. "If there is nothing else, I will take my leave."

"Mm."

Zhou Cangyan did not stop him, but his gaze never left him.

A suspicious Zhou Junlin walked out of the Imperial Garden. He couldn’t shake the feeling that his Imperial Uncle was being very strange today.

Behind him, Zhou Cangyan watched his even stranger walk, and the corners of his mouth turned up in an imperceptible smirk.

’She’s got a mean kick.’

—

After Song Lianhe returned, the more she thought about it, the more wrong it felt.

’What is Zhou Junlin playing at?’

’He’s the male lead, for crying out loud! Is he really such a scumbag that he wants to have both me and her?’

The General Mansion was already being decorated with festive lanterns and colorful banners. It seemed Mrs. Liu was afraid people *wouldn’t* know her daughter’s status was being forcibly elevated, that she was about to become one of the Ling Prince Mansion’s two primary consorts.

From the way she was publicizing it, you’d think it was her personal failure if even the street dogs didn’t hear the news!

Song Lianhe absolutely could not let things get that far. If she delayed until the bridal sedan arrived at the gate, it would be impossible for her to escape!

After seeing the last patient, the Medical Clinic hung up its sign and closed for the day.

"Sister Cao, I’m leaving it to you."

She was going to find Zhou Cangyan.

’His efficiency is pathetic. Is he going to do it or not? If he can’t, he should just say so, and I’ll figure something out myself!’

"Song Lianhe! All you do is exploit poor, long-suffering me! My hands have gotten so rough these last few days!"

A box of hand cream was tossed over.

Cao Ying caught it instinctively. "This is..."

"It’s a magnolia hand balm I formulated—you could also call it a hand cream. Use it on your hands, and I guarantee they’ll be softer than a sixteen-year-old’s!"

Cao Ying’s delighted expression instantly vanished. Her face fell as she asked, "Do you think I’m old?"

At twenty years old, she was considered an old maid, unable to find a husband. She was often ridiculed for it, and the subject had become a sore spot for Cao Ying.

The strange thing was, she hadn’t cared before. She’d even prided herself on it, seeing it as a symbol of her pure love—a steadfast devotion that could move heaven and earth!

But after coming to the Medical Clinic, this feeling had faded. She discovered that there was no such thing as moving heaven and earth; the only person she had ever moved was herself.

Her former self.

As Song Lianhe swapped her face veil for a wide-brimmed veiled hat, she said with a smile, "Someone like you, Sister Cao, who lives so freely and unconventionally, could never be shackled by age. Even if your hair were streaked with white, in my eyes, you would still be a vibrant and fascinating young woman."

She hadn’t mentioned her age, but her words were incredibly comforting.

Cao Ying pressed her lips together, trying to hide a smile. She shook the small jar of balm in her hand. "Well, since you’re insisting, I suppose I’ll take it."

"Of course. Thank you, Sister Cao."

Her tone was so indulgent that even Shuang Ye couldn’t help but laugh. Only Ah Yu frowned.

That evening, Cao Jin came to pick up his sister and take her home. He noticed that the entire way, she was toying with a small cosmetics jar in her hands. She would occasionally twist open the lid, lift it to her nose for a sniff, and then cap it again with a happy little smile.

The Cao Family was a noble and influential house, accustomed to the finest things in life. Furthermore, with Cao Jin recently gaining the Holy Emperor’s favor, he often received imperial gifts. As he was still unmarried, he passed all these rewards on to his mother and sister.

Yet here his sister was, cherishing this unremarkable little jar as if it were a priceless treasure, which naturally piqued his curiosity.

"Is this... a gift from someone?"

He was just short of asking directly if it was from her sweetheart, or, to be more blunt, if it was something she had schemed to get from Prince Ling.

This kind of situation had happened before. No matter how she got it, even if it was just a piece of calligraphy from Zhou Junlin, Cao Ying would treat it like a priceless treasure.

Cao Ying replied without a second thought, "Yes, Song Lianhe gave it to me."

Cao Jin was taken aback and couldn’t help but turn to look at his sister.

It was only then that he suddenly realized a few things. Lately, she seemed to be waking up early and rushing to the Medical Clinic without any prodding. Sometimes she even skipped breakfast, claiming the clinic served a five-grain congee in the morning and going on and on about how delicious it was.

Even their mother had commented that his sister mentioned Prince Ling far less often these days, while her smiles had become more frequent. Their mother attributed it to a bodhisattva’s blessing, saying her daughter had finally come to her senses.

But Cao Jin knew that if this was truly a bodhisattva’s work, it was because that bodhisattva had sent Song Lianhe to the Cao Family.

They returned to the mansion just in time for the evening meal.

"I already ate at the Medical Clinic."

Though Cao Ying had already eaten, she didn’t leave. Instead, she sat at the table and began to vividly recount everything she had seen and heard at the Medical Clinic that day.

"Father, Lianhe said that at your age, you need to watch your diet, keep your emotions stable, get plenty of sleep, and make a habit of exercising. It’s especially important to avoid sitting for too long—you should get up and move around every half-incense-stick."

"Yes, yes, of course."

Cao Yuexue was grinning from ear to ear; it had been a long time since he had seen his daughter care for him like this.

"And Mother, I’ve already instructed the kitchen to serve you more royal jelly, eggs, and milk. They can delay... um... menopause, and keep you youthful forever!"

Lady Cao was also moved beyond words. "Oh, my sweet girl~" 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Seeing such a change in their daughter, Lady Cao and her husband were overjoyed. They both knew in their hearts that it was all thanks to the General Mansion’s Second Miss Song. Their initial worries had now turned to immense relief and gratitude.

After Cao Ying had returned to her room to rest, Cao Jin said, "Second Miss Song wants to dissolve her engagement with Prince Ling."

Upon hearing this, Lady Cao said, "I noticed it at the Empress’s last hairpin banquet. I could tell she seemed to have no affection for Prince Ling. At the time, I assumed she was just throwing a tantrum because of that half-sister of hers. I never imagined she had truly seen the light."

She continued, "My lord, our Ying’er is how she is today entirely thanks to Second Miss Song! Just like our daughter, she gave her heart to the wrong man. They are both poor, unfortunate girls. You must help her."

Cao Yuexue frowned, his face solemn.

After a long moment of contemplation, he said, "The Holy Emperor’s will is unfathomable. But if this matter escalates, I will not simply stand by and watch."