Rebirth: After Becoming the Villainess-Chapter 24: King Qing, What Is the Meaning of This?

Having been Song Xingfeng’s wife for many years, Mrs. Liu naturally understood him. She knew Song Xingfeng both respected and hated Lin Shuniang, and she also knew just what to say to hit him where it hurt.

Song Xingfeng thought of how he had been overshadowed by Lin Shuniang’s reputation all these years, and his heart filled with an indescribable pity for Song Lianhe. They were both burdened by their birth.

Then, looking at Song Lianhe’s cold and indifferent face, he seemed to see that proud and insufferably arrogant Lin Shuniang, and disgust instantly welled up inside him. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"Fine. Since you refuse to repent today, don’t blame me for enforcing the family discipline!"

He brandished the Tiger Tail Whip, raising it high with a severe expression, and swung it down at her—

A vicious lash landed heavily on her back.

Song Lianhe staggered, a fiery pain instantly flaring across her back. The worst part was when he raised his hand again; the barbs on the whip snagged her torn clothes, threatening to rip away her flesh along with the fabric!

’It hurt so much!’

But that one lash seemed to stiffen her spine. Song Lianhe gritted her teeth, lifted her head, and stared at Song Xingfeng without blinking, declaring word by word, "Even if you beat me to death, Father, I have done nothing wrong!"

’They say that with a stepmother comes a stepfather.’ Song Xingfeng had resorted to family discipline without even asking for the truth. ’She truly felt it wasn’t worth it for this body’s original owner!’

’A father like that? I’d be better off without him.’

Mrs. Liu excitedly twisted her handkerchief as Song Xingfeng became completely enraged. "Fine! Then I’ll just beat you to death! Better that than have you go out and disgrace me!"

The whip was raised again, but just then, the steward rushed in.

"My lord, King Qing is here!"

Song Xingfeng froze, then furrowed his brow. "King Qing? Why would he come to our General Mansion?"

"My lord, you should go see for yourself."

Song Xingfeng dared not delay. Since King Qing’s return from the border, he seemed to be heavily favored by the Holy Emperor. Furthermore, he held military authority over the border regions, making his power no less than that of Song Xingfeng, the National Guardian General.

Song Xingfeng casually handed the whip to a servant and strode away.

"Husband..."

Mrs. Liu was so anxious she stomped her foot. ’That blasted King Qing really knows how to pick his moments!’

"Miss!"

Shuang Ye had been waiting anxiously outside. When she heard the master was going to enforce family discipline, she could only worry helplessly.

Now that the master was gone, she rushed inside. The moment she saw Song Lianhe’s back, tears welled up in her eyes.

She carefully supported her. "Miss..."

Mrs. Liu glared hatefully at Song Lianhe, unwilling to let this opportunity slip by. The Empress’s Hairpin Gathering was in a few days. After the lesson from the birthday banquet, she would absolutely not let this wretched girl ruin Lan’er’s chances again!

She turned and saw the Tiger Tail Whip in the servant’s hand. Gritting her teeth, she snatched it up and shot a look at Nanny Tian. Nanny Tian understood immediately and went to guard the door. Her scolding voice instantly rang out from outside:

"Shoo! Shoo! Where did this little beggar come from? Scram!"

By now, Song Lianhe was in so much pain she had broken out in a cold sweat. Though Shuang Ye was timid, she still spread her arms to shield her, pleading desperately with the woman before them, "Madam, I beg you, please spare my miss! She is too frail to endure this..."

Mrs. Liu gripped the whip and sneered, "Since this is family discipline, how can it be effective if the punishment is insufficient? Your father isn’t here, so I, as your mother, will carry out his duties for him!"

Song Lianhe raised a hand to pull Shuang Ye, pushing her behind her with great effort. "What are you trying to prove, you silly girl? If she dares to touch me today, I swear I’ll pay her back a hundredfold!"

"Miss..."

Shuang Ye was so anxious she stomped her foot.

"Lianhe, you have only yourself to blame for being so troublesome lately."

Mrs. Liu scoffed, raising the Tiger Tail Whip and bringing it crashing down toward her face—

’This face... it looks so much like Lin Shuniang’s. It’s truly revolting.’

Suddenly, the door was thrown open. In the next instant, a Shadow Guard appeared, kicking out at Mrs. Liu. Having never been subjected to such force, her body went airborne before she crashed face-down onto the ground!

"Argh!"

Song Lianhe turned her head. When she saw the person who had entered, she couldn’t quite process it for a moment.

’Zhou Cangyan!’

’Hadn’t he left?’

Zhou Cangyan, wrapped in a dark cloak, walked in slowly with a grim expression. He gazed at the person wailing ceaselessly on the floor as if he were looking at a corpse.

After delivering the kick, the Shadow Guard quietly returned to his side.

Song Xingfeng, who had followed him in, was shocked to see that Zhou Cangyan’s man had injured Mrs. Liu. "Hurry and help the madam up!" he shouted.

He then turned, took a step forward, and demanded through suppressed rage, "King Qing, what is the meaning of this?"