Zhou Cangyan narrowed his light brown eyes, watching her quietly from across the crowd.
Bathed in the morning glow, she stood before the dark, dense ranks of the army. Her skin was as fair as snow, her eyes were clear, and her smile outshone the splendor of a thousand springs.
A hint of interest sparked in the depths of his eyes. 'This infamous woman of Ling'an City... she's actually a little interesting.'
'To kill her... would be a pity, it seems.'
Song Xilan stared at Song Lianhe in astonishment. They were here to send off Prince Ling, so why were all the soldiers below so stirred up and excited?
Watching the woman who had become the center of everyone's attention—seeing that even Zhou Junlin was now staring at her without blinking—Song Xilan twisted the handkerchief in her hand so fiercely it nearly tore in two.
"Lianhe, hurry and come back with me."
She stepped forward to pull Song Lianhe, but she hadn't realized Lianhe was standing on slightly higher ground. With such a forceful tug, Song Lianhe lost her balance and started to fall. Seeing this, Song Xilan let out a soft cry of alarm and immediately dodged to the side—
Zhou Junlin instinctively reached out...
"Ah, Your Highness..."
Song Xilan, as if pulled down as well, stumbled back a few steps. Without a second thought, Zhou Junlin wrapped his arm around her waist and steadied her.
At the same time, Song Lianhe fell completely backward, squeezing her eyes shut in terror.
Before she could even cry out, she slammed into a wall of flesh.
Song Lianhe's heart was still pounding. She clutched her chest. 'That was close!'
The person behind her had placed a hand on her waist, but he let go the instant she regained her balance.
'That speed... he seemed a little too eager to let go.'
When everyone got a clear look at the person who had helped her, their expressions changed—including Zhou Junlin, who held her in no high regard.
Zhou Junlin frowned, releasing his arm from Song Xilan's waist. He took two steps forward. "Greetings, Imperial Uncle."
Then, he shot Song Lianhe a look. "Get over here, now!"
Song Lianhe was utterly sick of his high-handed attitude. 'He can go right on protecting his precious Song Xilan. Why is he bothering with me?'
She stiffened her neck, a cold sneer gracing her lips.
'He really thinks he's something special!'
Song Xingfeng grew flustered and hurried forward. "My respects, King Qing. My daughter was ignorant and has offended you. I pray for King Qing's forgiveness!"
"No harm done."
Hearing this voice, Song Lianhe froze for a moment.
'Where have I heard that voice before?'
She turned around, puzzled, and was immediately met with a face of such cold, radiant beauty it could belong only to a god.
Her gaze froze. 'Zhou Junlin is already considered an exceptionally handsome and noble young lord. In Ling'an City, his looks alone would place him second to none!'
'But compared to this man, even he seemed to pale in comparison.'
This man was simply too bewitching, too radiant. His features were so exquisite they seemed unreal if you stared too long. His long hair was swept high into a jade coronet, and his aura was at once imposing and otherworldly, yet tinged with a thread of languor, like a celestial being sneaking a break in the mortal realm.
He was clad in black robes, his skin almost unnaturally pale. He wore no sash, the fabric hanging loosely on his tall frame. The oversized robes might have made him look frail, but from having just crashed into him, Song Lianhe knew exactly how solid his chest was!
'He's the definition of lean in clothes, but muscular underneath!'
'Oh, right, what did they call him just now?'
'King Qing?'
Song Lianhe finally understood why Zhou Junlin and her biased father had looked so terrified.
In the original book, besides the main couple, Song Xilan and Zhou Junlin, there had to be a villain, didn't there?
King Qing, Zhou Cangyan, was the book's greatest villain. He commanded his own private army and, in the end, staged a rebellion. The male lead, Zhou Junlin, led the army that besieged him. He fought to the very end, dying a spectacular death, pierced by a thousand arrows.
Based on the point in the story she had entered, Zhou Cangyan had only just returned to Ling'an City and had yet to show his true colors.
The reason everyone was so terrified was that, according to legend, he detested women. He was a true misogynist, to the point where he couldn't even stand to be touched by one!
His entire manor was staffed by men; even the cats and dogs he kept were male!
Rumor had it that because of his stunning looks, the daughter of a high official refused to believe the tales. She managed to bribe a servant in his manor and secretly climbed into his bed...
The next day, she was found naked and unconscious in an alley. Afterward, overcome with shame and anger, she threw herself into the river...
'In other words, not only did I touch this legendary misogynist, I was practically cuddled up against him...'
Song Lianhe pressed her lips together, trying to formulate the right words to save herself, when she suddenly heard Zhou Cangyan speak. "Ziyin, the hour has come. It is time to depart."
"Yes, Imperial Uncle."
Zhou Cangyan was attending on behalf of the Holy Emperor himself. After acknowledging him, Zhou Yi gave the order to set out. He swung himself onto his horse and pulled the reins tight, and the stallion neighed.
He hesitated for a moment, then turned back to look at Song Lianhe.
"You... wait for my return."
Zhou Cangyan raised an eyebrow, a faint, mocking smile playing on his lips.
'So, that was a hint for me not to lay a finger on this Miss Song.'