Chapter 142: Chapter 142: He Said, No One Dares to Touch You

Princess Qing?

’That’s right, I’m the future Princess Qing now!’

’Ha!’

’Zhou Junlin is in big trouble this time!’

For some reason, seeing her gloating expression made Zhou Junlin’s heart sink, and his eyes grew paranoid.

’Is she really that happy to be marrying my Imperial Uncle?’

’Or could it be… that this was all her scheme, right from the day she insisted on breaking off our engagement?’

’All for my Imperial Uncle.’

This thought made Zhou Junlin agitated and irritable. The composed, elegant demeanor he usually maintained in public was gone, and he made no effort to hide it, staring directly at Song Lianhe with a resentful gaze.

Song Lianhe was left speechless.

’What’s with that look he’s giving me? It’s like he’s staring at a cheating wife…’

Song Lianhe instinctively shrank behind Zhou Cangyan. It wasn’t that she was afraid of him; she just found it annoying and had no desire to deal with such unreasonable emotions.

’Like I’ve said before, I’m not narcissistic enough to think the male lead has actually fallen for me.’

’At most, it’s just a man’s possessiveness acting up—the same principle as a dog peeing to mark its territory.’

’Do I really have that much time on my hands to bother with a dog of a man?’

Zhou Cangyan had long since noticed the way Zhou Junlin was looking at Song Lianhe. The expression on his face changed instantly at the sight of another man coveting his woman, his deep eyes turning cold and sinister.

But just as he was about to lose his temper, Song Lianhe unexpectedly shrank behind him, even giving his sleeve a quick tug, urging him to leave.

His rising fury was miraculously quelled.

He found he didn’t even care that much about Zhou Junlin anymore.

“Ahem… Your Highnesses…”

Only when Lu Shunfu’s voice sounded did Song Lianhe notice that there were other people present.

Lu Shunfu, dressed in the purple uniform of a Eunuch, glanced back and forth between the two men and said cautiously, “The Holy Emperor is still waiting for this servant’s report.”

Song Lianhe looked up in surprise, her first instinct to look at Zhou Cangyan.

Noticing her gaze, he hesitated for a moment before slowly lowering his head to match her height. His lips brushed against her ear as he answered with a question of his own, “Did he torture you? Did he hurt you?”

He didn’t bother to lower his voice, so every single person present heard him loud and clear.

Zhou Junlin frowned, his face already showing signs of displeasure.

“Huh? No, he didn’t.” Although Song Lianhe didn’t understand the question, she answered honestly, “Not only did he not, but I also had lunch, tea, and pastries this afternoon… Oh, and some other little snacks and fruit.”

’That’s about all I ate.’

Zhou Cangyan lowered his eyes as he listened. When he looked back at his dear nephew, the corners of his lips curved into an inscrutable smile.

“As a junior, it is only right for Ziyin to show you proper respect.”

Song Lianhe struggled to suppress the wild grin threatening to break out on her face. She immediately composed herself into a picture of poise and dignity, smiling at Zhou Junlin. “I see.” She even mimicked Zhou Cangyan’s earlier tone, saying benevolently, “Ziyin, how thoughtful of you.”

Seeing the male lead’s face turn ashen, Song Lianhe felt a wave of pure satisfaction wash over her!

’Is this the joy of being in a position of power?’

Zhou Cangyan was still looking down at her, not missing the slightest change in her expression. He took in her entire “cat that got the cream” look.

Normally, he would be utterly disgusted by a woman who loved playing such petty tricks, but with her, it wasn’t the case at all.

Lu Shunfu stepped forward at the opportune moment. “Prince Qing, if you would…”

Zhou Cangyan glanced at Song Lianhe, who was still grinning without a care in the world.

A smile touched his own lips as he said slowly, “Since Princess Cheng Hong is so happy, perhaps this was all just a misunderstanding.”

“Oh, isn’t that the truth! Prince Qing is truly wise!”

Lu Shunfu breathed a sigh of relief.

This whole farce today required Prince Qing to say the word for Prince Ling to get out of it unscathed.

Otherwise, a dignified prince kidnapping his Imperial Uncle’s fiancée and taking her back to his mansion… what kind of mess would that be!

Not to mention the prior history between those two. If word of this got out, it would certainly damage Prince Ling’s reputation.

Although Zhou Junlin had made a huge mistake, he had acted more like a detached observer throughout the entire affair. His cold gaze only wavered when it landed on Song Lianhe.

Zhou Cangyan led Song Lianhe out of the Ling Prince Mansion without sparing Zhou Junlin a single glance before leaving.

But Zhou Junlin, as if possessed by stubbornness, stared intently at her slender and graceful figure.

He didn’t want to believe it, yet it felt as if he were making a bet!

Betting that she still had feelings for him!

Betting that in her heart… there was still a place for him.

But right up until she was helped into the luxurious carriage bearing the emblem of the Prince Qing Mansion, she never once looked back.

“Your Highness?”

Lu Shunfu followed his gaze outside, then looked back at the unconcealed bitterness in his eyes and couldn’t help but shake his head in resignation.

’Why must he put himself through this?’

’Why didn’t he do something sooner?’

“Your Highness, the Holy Emperor summons you to the palace immediately.”

Meanwhile, in the moving carriage, Song Lianhe was comfortably sprawled on a thick mattress, which was covered with a soft white tiger skin.

The carriage was extremely spacious, with windows on three sides providing excellent light. Black curtains could be drawn at any time for privacy. It looked to be about three or four square meters inside—even a man as tall as Zhou Cangyan could stand up straight. Opposite the door was a soft couch, with long benches on either side, all covered with fine, soft velvet blankets.

’If this carriage were in the modern world, it would probably be considered a top-of-the-line luxury business vehicle.’

Watching her, one moment stroking the interior, the next sprawling on the white tiger skin, never still for a moment, he could tell she was in high spirits. She clearly hadn’t suffered at all at Zhou Junlin’s hands.

Song Lianhe sighed in comfort, then secretly vowed to herself that she would definitely earn lots and lots of silver! To buy a house and a carriage!

The carriage stopped in front of the Prince Qing Mansion.

Zhou Cangyan stepped out of the carriage, turned, and glanced at the woman who was still hugging the tiger skin, reluctant to let go. “If you like it, take it back to your room.”

“Really? Can I really?”

Without another word, Song Lianhe rolled up the tiger skin, tucked it under her arm, and nimbly hopped out of the carriage.

Like most girls from the modern era, she had absolutely no resistance to fluffy things.

She was about to step inside when someone grabbed her by the collar and pulled her back.

Zhou Cangyan’s eyes were as pale as glass, yet they seemed to hold the depths of a dark pool—mysterious, dangerous, and utterly captivating.

“For the next few days, you will rest peacefully in the mansion. You are not to go anywhere.”

Song Lianhe frowned.

’I object.’

But she was smart enough not to argue back.

’My feet are attached to my body. Can’t I go wherever I want?’

“If I find out you’ve left the mansion without permission, I will punish everyone, one by one, from the stewards to the guards, right down to the gatekeeper.”

Song Lianhe stared at him. “But, I—I still have to go to the Medical Clinic! Besides, I need to keep an eye on things at the Ministry of Justice. What if Mrs. Liu gets out?”

“Someone will watch over the Medical Clinic for you. As for Mrs. Liu…” Zhou Cangyan’s lips curved into a smile. “You only need to remember one thing: you are my woman, and no one can touch you.”

Even long after the carriage had departed, Song Lianhe remained stunned by his words, unable to snap out of her daze.

Just then, Uncle Liang came forward. “Second Miss Song, it’s windy out here. Please, come inside. Young Master Huai is waiting for you.”

“Oh.” Song Lianhe hugged the white tiger skin tighter and slowly turned around.

’He said, ’You are my woman.’’

’He said, ’No one can touch you…’’

She buried her cheek into the soft fur, rubbing against it, and then suddenly let out a soft laugh.

’Oh, dear. How embarrassing.’

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep