Chapter 138: Chapter 138: That’s Right! I’m Crazy

She fired off a volley of questions, her imposing presence undiminished. It looked as though she was about to jab a finger right in Zhou Junlin’s face.

Zhou Junlin was of royal blood. When had he ever been treated this way?

And to make matters worse, the one rebuking him was Song Lianhe—the same girl who used to follow him around like a lost puppy!

“Outrageous!”

Zhou Junlin was livid. “Song Lianhe, do you realize who you are speaking to? Don’t think that just because you were once my fiancée, I will continue to tolerate your behavior!”

“What a joke! As if I need you to tolerate me?” Song Lianhe sneered. “Are you going to punish me just because I said a few truths no one else dares to speak, Your Highness? Fine, go ahead. But I am a County Princess, personally invested by the Holy Emperor. If anything happens, His Majesty himself will see that I get justice. If you want to overstep your authority, you’ll have to ask if the Holy Emperor agrees!”

“Are you using the Holy Emperor to threaten me?”

At that moment, Zhou Junlin’s eyes were sinister, and an icy chill radiated from his entire body.

Song Xingfeng, snapping out of his shock, fumed, “You wretched girl, have you gone mad?!”

To everyone’s surprise, Song Lianhe whipped her head around and roared back at him, “Yes! I am mad!”

“You… you… Are you trying to be the death of me?!”

Song Xingfeng clutched his chest. “She’s mad, truly mad…”

But he didn’t forget to beg Zhou Junlin for forgiveness. “Your Highness, Prince Ling, my young daughter, she…”

“Shut up!”

Zhou Junlin’s roar startled Song Xilan as well.

’In her memory, Zhou Junlin had the bearing of a true gentleman, someone who would remain composed even if a mountain crumbled before him, a master strategist who could decide a battle from a thousand miles away.’

’But what shocked her even more was Song Lianhe.’

’Has she gone mad?’

’She used to be desperately in love with Prince Ling, and now she could just turn around and scold him in public? Surely she doesn’t believe she can act with such impunity just because she has King Qing backing her now, does she?’

“Guards!”

Zhou Junlin ordered, “Song Lianhe has committed an act of gross insubordination and shown contempt for the crown! Seize her and throw her in prison!”

“Yes!”

Gu Ha stepped forward, wearing an expression that practically screamed, ’You get what you deserve.’

Cao Jin’s eyes sharpened. He took a step forward, but just as he was about to speak, Song Lianhe beat him to it. “Come on! Arrest me! You’re not a man if you don’t, Zhou Junlin!”

It was only then that true fear struck Song Xingfeng. He hurriedly begged for mercy, “Your Highness, I have failed in raising my daughter. I implore you to be lenient and allow me to take her home for strict discipline. I will come to your manor on another day to offer a formal apology!”

“Father, things have already escalated to this point, and you’re still putting on an act?” Song Lianhe straightened her lapels and flicked her sleeves, speaking in a leisurely tone. “You’ve been acting for so many years. Aren’t you tired? Because even if you aren’t, I’m tired of watching!”

“You, shut your mouth!”

At that moment, Song Xingfeng honestly wanted to strangle her.

This daughter was surely a trial sent from the heavens to torment him!

“Seriously, Zhou Junlin? Are you going to arrest me or not? If not, I’m off to get a drink.”

Song Lianhe’s attitude was so brazen that Jing Ye could hardly bear to watch. “County Princess, why must you insist on provoking Prince Ling? This is a serious matter. If it reaches the Holy Emperor, I’m afraid it won’t end well for either you or His Highness.”

Cao Jin’s hand was already resting on the hilt of his sword, his eyes fixed on Gu Ha. If the man dared to make a move, he was determined to protect Song Lianhe.

Even at the cost of offending Prince Ling.

But Jing Ye’s words jolted him. He furrowed his thick brows. “Provoking?”

Jing Ye said, “Isn’t it obvious? Anyone with eyes can see it.”

Cao Jin slowly turned to give him a dark look.

’Who are you calling blind?’

The scene was spiraling out of control. Song Lianhe was on an absolute rampage, postured to fight Zhou Junlin to the bitter end.

“Your Highness, County Princess… Oh, for heaven’s sake, why must you two do this?”

Zhen Yongming was getting a genuine headache.

“Lord Zhen, this matter has nothing to do with you. I’d advise you not to get involved.” Song Lianhe turned her head and gave him an expressionless glance. “You are the Minister of the Ministry of Justice. Just do your duty. I trust you are not some useless sycophant who bows to power.”

Zhen Yongming froze.

’She’s afraid I’ll let Mrs. Liu go,’ he quickly realized.

Song Xilan quickly moved in front of Zhou Junlin and knelt on the ground to plead for mercy. “Your Highness, Lianhe is young and ignorant. Please, forgive her.”

With things having come to this, she could no longer pretend everything was fine. Pleading for Song Lianhe was her duty as the elder sister.

“Xilan! This has nothing to do with you!”

It was clear that Song Lianhe had truly enraged Zhou Junlin.

And yet, for some reason, his words—”This has nothing to do with you”—made Song Xilan feel like an outsider.

It was as if she had no right to interfere in their argument.

Song Xilan bit her lip and slowly raised her head, her tear-filled eyes gazing at him helplessly. “Your Highness, Lianhe is my sister. How could her transgression have nothing to do with me?”

Song Lianhe sneered from the side.

’Here we go again!’

’Just as I thought. From a different perspective, the so-called protagonist doesn’t always have a halo around her head.’

’Strip away all that pretense, and she’s nothing special.’

“Xilan, get up first.”

Zhou Junlin moved to help her up, but Song Xilan insisted, “Your Highness, no matter what wrong my sister has committed, let me, Xilan, accept the punishment in her stead! I beg you to grant my request.”

As she spoke, she kowtowed again.

Song Lianhe rolled her eyes so hard she was practically looking at the ceiling.

’Who is she putting on this show for?’

’Oh, so I’m over here acting like a madwoman, and you’re going to use my ’madness’ to cement your saintly female lead persona?’

’Take my punishment for me? Did she even ask if I’d give her the chance?!’

’Heh, maybe I’ll go and try to assassinate Zhou Junlin later!’

’It’s not a huge crime—just execution of the entire clan. If you think you can take that punishment for me, be my guest!’

Seeing Zhou Junlin’s dark, silent expression, Song Xilan pleaded again in a tearful voice, “Your Highness…”

Song Lianhe really couldn’t stand to watch this anymore.

“I say, sister, Father stopped his performance, so why did you pick up right where he left off? Heh, and you’re really committing to the part—kneeling on command, crying on cue. How very adaptable of you! But it seems you’ve forgotten why Prince Ling and I are here today. Are we here because the tea at the Ministry of Justice is so good? Or are the fruits particularly fragrant? Or is it because the atmosphere here is so great that anyone who walks in gets skinned alive?”

Song Xilan’s face paled. “Sister, what are you talking about?”

Zhen Yongming’s expression wasn’t any better. “County Princess, I must ask you to watch your words! The Ministry of Justice is a vital organ of the court. How can you mock it so freely?”

Song Lianhe ignored him completely, her gaze fixed on Song Xilan. “You’re a filial daughter, sister, which is why you brought Prince Ling here to plead for your mother. As a daughter myself, it’s only right that I seek justice for my own late mother, wouldn’t you agree? The only difference between us is that you have a powerful backer, while I have no one.”

Her words carried a genuine trace of heartbreak.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Junlin ground his back teeth, his brows knitting tightly together.

Song Lianhe let out a self-deprecating laugh, then took a step forward, tilting her head up to meet Zhou Junlin’s gaze with open defiance.

“A prince’s word is his bond. If you said you were going to arrest me, then you must arrest me! Not a moment later, not a second’s delay!” She enunciated every word, a bewitching smile playing on her lips as she leaned close to his ear and whispered, “Otherwise, don’t blame me for looking down on you!”

Zhou Junlin’s fists clenched. He spun around and snapped, “What are you standing there for? Did you not hear my order?”

“Yes!”

Gu Ha showed no courtesy, simply stepping aside to clear a path. “County Princess, if you please.”

Song Lianhe stared at Zhou Junlin and let out a scoff, then, without another word, she held her head high and strode out.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep