Rebirth: After Becoming the Villainess-Chapter 30: The Emperor is a Decent Guy

Song Lianhe snapped back to her senses and dropped to her knees with a thud. "Cheng Hong greets Your Majesty."

But the movement was too abrupt and pulled at the wound on her back. She hissed in pain, her features contorting, but she dared not rise.

Zhou Cangyan merely glanced in her direction, his gaze indifferent, before quickly looking away again.

Lu Shunfu chuckled softly and said respectfully to Emperor Cheng Xiao, "Your Majesty, Princess Cheng Hong is truly devoted to you! The County Princess is injured, yet she knelt so firmly. Even this old servant feels the pain for her just watching."

Chief Eunuch Lu Shunfu was an attendant who had served Emperor Cheng Xiao since childhood. He was, naturally, the Emperor’s eyes and mouth.

Emperor Cheng Xiao said kindly, "You may rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Shuang Ye quickly helped Song Lianhe to her feet. Zhou Cangyan’s gaze swept imperceptibly over her knees.

Emperor Cheng Xiao’s eyes were unreadable as he said slowly, "Just now... that was the first time I have ever heard someone call me... a ghost."

Song Lianhe was speechless.

She instinctively shot a pleading look at Zhou Cangyan, her eyes filled with helplessness.

’How was I supposed to know the Emperor would show up!’

’If I’d known, I would have praised him as a Daluo Golden Immortal without a second thought!’

Zhou Cangyan ignored her completely. He even said coldly, "To neglect rites and abandon propriety is disrespect. The crime is punishable by death."

Song Lianhe’s eyes flew wide as she stared at him in disbelief.

’H-How did this escalate to "punishable by death"?!’

’Is he the only one who knows how to recite the law or something?’

’As expected of the villain. When he decides to be cruel, he really goes all out!’

But Emperor Cheng Xiao raised a hand to stop him. "Now, Biwu. Cheng Hong is young and spoke without thinking. Even I don’t blame her, so you shouldn’t frighten her."

"Yes."

Zhou Cangyan retreated to the side once more, not sparing her a single glance from start to finish.

Hearing Emperor Cheng Xiao’s words, Song Lianhe finally relaxed a little. At the same time, she shot Zhou Cangyan a vicious glare.

Emperor Cheng Xiao asked a few more questions, and Song Lianhe answered each one respectfully.

The young woman was delicate and pretty. Far from the arrogant, ill-mannered girl of the rumors, her large eyes were filled with unconcealable admiration.

’That was adoration for an Emperor!’

This visit had been a spur-of-the-moment decision by Emperor Cheng Xiao. Zhou Cangyan hadn’t left his sight since court had been dismissed, so it was impossible for this to have been staged. Therefore, the young woman’s gratitude and admiration couldn’t be fake. She genuinely felt, from the bottom of her heart, that someone had vented her anger for her, that someone had her back!

Earlier, Emperor Cheng Xiao had felt some regret for punishing the National Guardian General, and deep down, he even slightly resented Li Helv for his rashness.

But now, that regret had vanished into thin air. To think that such a sensible and grateful young woman could be demonized by rumors—it just went to show what a negligent father Song Xingfeng was!

Song Lianhe spoke only of her gratitude toward Emperor Cheng Xiao, not mentioning a single word about the person who had harmed her.

The young woman’s magnanimity and grace in this regard made Emperor Cheng Xiao completely change his opinion of her. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Just as Emperor Cheng Xiao was about to leave, Song Lianhe, looking conflicted, suddenly called out, "Your Majesty!"

Emperor Cheng Xiao stopped and turned his head.

Zhou Cangyan also raised his eyes to look, his light-colored pupils veiled by an indifference that betrayed no emotion.

Summoning her courage, Song Lianhe took a step forward and said with utmost sincerity, "Please, Your Majesty, take care of your health and do not overwork yourself. That is the greatest blessing for the people of Da Cheng."

’I have a pretty good impression of Emperor Cheng Xiao,’ she thought. ’Might as well give him a reminder while I can. If something happens to him, it’ll just benefit the male lead!’

Emperor Cheng Xiao gave her a long, hard look, then slowly nodded before turning to leave with his entourage.

Only after the Emperor had left did Song Lianhe let out a sigh of relief. "Shuang Ye, quick, help me sit down..."

"Miss, you scared me to death just now!" Shuang Ye’s own legs were trembling uncontrollably.

"This won’t do. Hurry to the kitchen and make me something good to eat to calm my nerves."

Her words made Shuang Ye chuckle. With a word of assent, she headed for the kitchen.

In the afternoon, a Shadow Guard appeared, followed by others carrying in several chests.

"Put them down."

Song Lianhe looked over curiously. "These are..."

"A reward from the Holy Emperor for the County Princess."

"They’re all for me?!"

Song Lianhe’s eyes nearly popped out of her head when she saw the pile of treasures. Suddenly, she felt much better!

’Who knew the Emperor was such a stand-up guy!’

’I was just in need of some start-up capital. In that case, getting whipped was totally worth it!’

When Zhou Cangyan entered, Song Lianhe joyfully rushed over, leading him to the chests as if showing off a treasure. "Prince, Prince, come look!"