Rebirth: After Becoming the Villainess-Chapter 112: So It’s My Fault for Spoiling You
The manager had prepared a late-night snack. Song Lianhe hadn’t eaten much for dinner, and now that the weight on her mind was gone, her stomach happily began to growl.
"Your Highness, come on, let’s go eat."
Zhou Cangyan found her amusing. "You certainly make yourself comfortable here in my mansion."
"Of course! And whose fault is that? You’re the one who spoils me!"
The moment the words left her mouth, she cursed herself.
’I really got carried away. Can I just say whatever I want?’
She quickly scrambled to backtrack. "No, Your Highness, that’s not what I meant... I meant that you are so magnanimous and kind. I feel a warmth here, like I’m with family, so I couldn’t help but get a little carried away."
Zhou Cangyan eyed her with a ghost of a smile. "So, you’re saying your impudence is my fault for spoiling you?"
"No, no, no! Of course not! I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare..."
He suddenly asked, "You don’t mean it, or you don’t dare?"
Song Lianhe froze. ’Is there a difference?’
She gave him a suspicious look. ’Zhou Cangyan is acting so strange today!’
Suddenly, she froze.
Staring blankly above his head, she thought, ’What’s with this bright halo?’
’This isn’t exactly his highlight-reel moment!’
’Besides, his halo was never this bright before. It used to be so dark you’d think it was screaming ’I’m the villain!’ A color this brilliant... that’s for a protagonist!’
Before she could get a better look, Zhou Cangyan stood up. "Aren’t we having a meal?"
"Oh! Right, right, the meal."
Song Lianhe didn’t dare stare any longer and obediently hurried to his side as they left the study.
Outside the Yan Residence, a Shadow Guard leaned against a door pillar, arms crossed. Watching the two people eating inside, he couldn’t help but ask, "Uncle Liang, His Highness has never eaten a late-night snack before. What’s different about tonight? Could it just be because Second Younger Sister Song is here?"
Pang Jiliang stroked his little mustache, his eyes half-closed. "See all, say nothing."
The Shadow Guard clicked his tongue. TSK TSK. "It seems a mother’s status truly rises with her son’s..."
"What did you say?!"
Pang Jiliang’s eyes flew wide open; he was so shocked he nearly couldn’t catch his breath.
"I said... I said..."
The Shadow Guard lowered his head, not daring to meet his gaze. ’Oh no,’ he thought. ’How could I have let that slip?’
’The Prince ordered me not to speak of this to anyone. Argh, this mouth of mine!’
Song Lianhe had completely adapted to the cuisine at the Prince Qing Mansion. She didn’t act like a guest at all—everything she ate was simply delicious!
"Your Highness, you have to try this fish! The meat is so tender and flavorful, it leaves the most wonderful aftertaste."
"And have some of these bamboo shoots!"
"And the sticky rice blood sausage! It’s made with half-steamed sticky rice mixed with fresh pig’s blood... TSK TSK, it’s absolutely to die for!"
Song Lianhe went through the dishes one by one, describing them with such familiarity you’d think she’d cooked them all herself. Zhou Cangyan actually found himself eating an extra half-bowl of rice just listening to her.
Just then, Pang Jiliang rushed in. "Oh, my dear Miss, you can’t be eating pig’s blood!"
He stepped forward, whisked the blood sausage away, and had a maidservant place a bowl of chicken soup in front of her. "Drink this soup," he said firmly. "Drink all of it."
"ER... HIC!"
Song Lianhe hiccuped. She wasn’t a picky eater, but having already eaten her fill, she really couldn’t force down a whole tureen of chicken soup.
She asked timidly, "Uncle Liang, could I maybe not drink it? Or perhaps I can have it next time I visit?"
"Absolutely not! You must drink it!"
Pang Jiliang watched her with an immensely caring expression, glancing from her to the chicken soup and back, his eyes full of encouragement.
Every so often, his gaze would drift to her lower abdomen, and his smile would grow even more tender.
"I..."
Seeing that he meant well, Song Lianhe steeled herself and reached for the bowl.
Just then, a long, slender hand reached over and took the bowl of soup from her. "As it happens, I’m thirsty."
"Oh, please, Your Highness, be my guest."
Song Lianhe let out a quiet sigh of relief.
Pang Jiliang’s brow furrowed, and he ventured a complaint, "Your Highness, that’s for Second Miss Song. It’s to build up her strength."
Song Lianhe was genuinely touched.
’Uncle Liang is so good to me!’
The Prince’s lips curled. "She’s as strong as an ox," he said at a leisurely pace. "She doesn’t need it."
Song Lianhe was speechless. "..."
’Okay, now that’s just rude,’ she thought. ’How am I "strong"? I’m clearly slender and delicate, thank you very much.’
’Even if he wanted to say I’m healthy, did he have to use an ox? What’s wrong with a kitten or a little bunny?’
Zhou Cangyan merely glanced down at the soup. Seeing the goji berries, red dates, and ginseng, and factoring in his manager’s attitude, he more or less understood the situation.
Watching him leisurely lift the spoon and take a sip, Pang Jiliang simply assumed the Prince was truly thirsty and quickly turned to order a maidservant to bring another serving.
"HICCUP—"
Song Lianhe couldn’t hold it back and let out another loud burp.
"Uncle Liang, really, you don’t have to..."
"Oh, but I do."
Seeing his earnest and solemn expression, Song Lianhe deflated.
"Second Miss Song, you are in a delicate condition right now. Your diet and daily routine require special attention. Why don’t you move back into the Prince Qing Mansion? This old servant won’t be able to rest easy unless I can look after you personally."
Song Lianhe stared at him, stunned. "Uncle Liang, I know you mean well, but moving in... that’s not necessary, is it?"
’I just broke off an engagement. Getting involved with anyone right now would create a scandal, and I don’t want to be the cause of any trouble.’
Hearing her refusal, Zhou Cangyan raised his eyes and cast a cool glance in her direction.
"Oh, but it is necessary!" Pang Jiliang insisted. "I heard that you are living at the clinic, Second Miss Song. That simply won’t do! Never mind this old servant, His Highness can’t be at ease with that!" He then turned with a little laugh and asked, "Isn’t that right, Your Highness?"
Song Lianhe looked at Zhou Cangyan in confusion.
’He’s worried about me?’
’Does he really care about me that much?’
’Doesn’t seem like him at all.’
"Young Master!"
Cheng Xidian burst through the door. Her cool gaze swept over Song Lianhe before she lifted her chin and said formally, "I have an urgent matter to report."
The moment she heard the words "urgent matter," Song Lianhe was on her feet. "Your Highness, thank you for your generous hospitality. The hour is late, so I shall take my leave."
Zhou Cangyan didn’t stop her, and she beat a hasty retreat.
"Oh, dear... why did you let Second Miss Song leave?"
Pang Jiliang fretted at the side. If the Shadow Guard hadn’t repeatedly reminded him that Second Miss Song was still in the dark, he would have forced her to stay.
’She’s carrying the Prince’s child, for heaven’s sake!’
’Then again,’ he mused, ’it’s been almost three months. Since Second Miss Song is a physician herself, how could she not have the slightest inkling?’
’But then he remembered the doctor’s diagnosis. How could that be wrong? Some women have irregular cycles, and she’s just an unmarried young lady. What would she know about such things?’
Manager Pang departed, his face a mask of conflict.
Cheng Xidian placed a letter on the table. "A letter from the Old Master, Young Master."
Zhou Cangyan unfolded the letter. It reported a great drought south of Sui Ning, where the harvest was less than fifty percent of the previous year’s.
He set the letter down and rose slowly. "Tell my maternal grandfather that I will find a way to resolve this."
