Chapter 253: Chapter 253: Prince Ling’s Possessiveness

From the very beginning, Zhou Junlin’s gaze had never once left Song Lianhe.

Song Lianhe held her head high, determined not to look like she was backing down!

Song Xilan frowned. She had indeed been rash. Without asking for the full story, she had instinctively believed Man Yue.

She was Princess Consort Ling now. In the future, she might become the Crown Princess Consort—the future Empress!

’How can I act based on personal preference? How can I show such blatant favoritism?’

’Especially in front of Zhou Junlin. This is even more mortifying!’

’My image in Zhou Junlin’s mind has always been that of a wise and discerning woman. Even though my birth as a concubine’s daughter is constantly criticized by those decrepit Officials, I believe that through my own hard work and ability, I will one day win them over!’

’Who would have thought that a mere, vulgar woman in this remote little town would nearly make me lose my composure!’

But Song Xilan wasn’t a fool. Although the woman was merely defending herself, the pointed barbs in her words were far too obvious.

So…

’Why is she targeting me?’

Song Xilan studied the woman again. She seemed worldly and experienced, with amorous, bewitching eyes. Yet, there was something familiar about the contours of her face and her features. Upon closer inspection, her appearance was the spitting image of someone!

It suddenly hit her. This woman looked like Song Lianhe!

In fact, the more she looked, the stronger the resemblance!

The only difference was her voice.

Song Xilan was well-read and knew there were many ways to alter one’s voice; using medicine to do so was particularly easy. Song Lianhe was the secret owner of the Medical Clinic and a Medical Woman herself, so it wouldn’t be surprising if she could change her own voice.

But if she really was Song Lianhe, she was acting completely unconcerned about being discovered. She allowed Song Xilan to scrutinize her openly, her gaze even holding a hint of provocation.

Song Lianhe had a flamboyant personality, but she always reined it in when she was around Zhou Junlin.

This woman, on the other hand…

Song Xilan’s feelings toward her were complicated. She was like her, and yet… not.

Song Lianhe stood with her hands on her hips, looking arrogant and domineering. She had perfectly captured the essence of a wealthy widow!

’In any case, I’ll deny being Song Lianhe to my dying breath!’

’What can any of you do about it?’

However, when she inadvertently glanced at the white-robed man beside her, his probing gaze made her skin crawl.

But Song Lianhe wasn’t scared!

She puffed out her chest, looking utterly imperious.

“There’s a little thing called first-come, first-served. I don’t care who you two think you are, but I am absolutely not leaving! If you have a problem with it, we can take it to the government. If I showed a hint of fear, I wouldn’t be the great Miss Xiangxiang of Chuzhou—Sun Shangxiang!”

’When you’re away from home, your identity is whatever you say it is.’

After observing her, many of Song Xilan’s doubts had dissipated. ’If she really were Song Lianhe, putting on a disguise only to act in a way that practically begged for suspicion would be just too foolish.’

She lowered her gaze, a faint smile on her lips. “Miss Sun,” she said, “my maid was in the wrong earlier. On her behalf, I apologize.”

“My Lady!” Man Yue cried anxiously. “You are far too noble to apologize to this common shrew—”

“Silence!”

Song Xilan rebuked her sternly. “I will deal with you when we return!”

Man Yue lowered her head. “This servant knows her error.”

Song Lianhe watched from the side, seeing everything clearly. ’Say what you will about her,’ she thought, ’but as the female lead, Song Xilan has to have some basic principles. Everyone in the residence likes her.’

’She certainly knows how to handle people.’

Song Xilan then approached Song Lianhe with another smile. “Miss Sun, please, feel free to stay here.”

Song Lianhe raised an eyebrow and suddenly called out, “Shopkeeper! I’m checking out!”

“Huh? What?!”

The Shopkeeper was completely baffled. “Ma’am, didn’t you just refuse to leave?”

Otherwise, why make such a scene?

Song Lianhe’s enchanting red lips curved into a wild, flamboyant smile. “I’m leaving because *I* want to, not because someone is forcing me out!”

“But…”

“Just charge me for the room as you see fit. I won’t short you a single copper!” Song Lianhe declared, turning away haughtily. Inwardly, however, she breathed a quiet sigh of relief.

’Who wants to live under the same roof as them, anyway?’

’I just couldn’t stand the arrogance of that maid, Man Yue!’

’Now that I’ve saved face and won the argument, I’d be a fool not to get out of here!’

The Shopkeeper saw this as a perfect resolution where no one had to be offended, and he scrambled to process her check-out.

But just then, the brocade-robed young master, who had been silent the entire time, spoke up, his voice low. “Hold on.”

Song Lianhe’s heart sank.

’What does he want?’

’Did I overdo the act? Did he see through something?’

’Stay calm! Don’t panic!’

’Remember, you are the toughest young lady there is!’

Song Lianhe lifted her chin and spun around. Her red skirt flared like a dancing butterfly, revealing a tantalizing glimpse of her fair, slender legs.

“Young Master, did you call for me?”

’She remembered Zhen Niang having this exact air about her.’

Song Xilan’s brow furrowed slightly. ’She knew that if Zhou Junlin were to ascend the throne, the imperial harem would not consist of her alone. The civil and military Officials would never allow it!’

’That was why, even though Zhou Junlin had promised her time and again, she had merely smiled and dismissed it.’

’Song Xilan knew he would never be hers alone.’

But seeing it with her own eyes was another matter entirely.

The woman before her was deploying her vixenish wiles, completely ignoring her, the legitimate wife. The bitterness in her heart threatened to consume her.

Faced with this stunning display, however, Zhou Junlin’s brow only tightened.

’He desperately wanted to find a robe and wrap her up in it from head to toe!’

’When he noticed the Shopkeeper and the waiter staring, their eyes practically glued to her, the urge grew even stronger!’

He shot them an icy glare. The Shopkeeper, startled by the man’s oppressive aura, quickly lowered his head and slapped the waiter on the back of his. “Avert your eyes!”

Song Xilan took all of this in.

She looked at Zhou Junlin in astonishment. She knew all too well what that extreme emotion was. It was possessiveness!

The desire to possess a woman!

Panicked, her gaze flew back to Song Lianhe. The woman was a force of nature, unrestrained by convention, like a scorching flame—passionate, intense, and utterly captivating.

Having put on a sufficient show, Song Lianhe sat down elegantly and looked up at him.

Zhou Junlin forced himself not to look at her exposed calves. In a low voice, he said, “Miss, it seems you’re doing this deliberately.”

’Song Lianhe knew her actions must have displeased the high and mighty Prince Ling.’

She gave a coquettish laugh. “Me? Deliberately? And what, pray tell, would be my intention? Don’t tell me it’s to… seduce you, Young Master?” With that, she burst into a fit of laughter.

Zhou Junlin’s expression flickered as a flare of anger ignited in his chest.

“You?”

His angry tone was laced with irritation.

In truth, he didn’t know what he was angry about—her, or himself.

Song Lianhe was long accustomed to his disparaging remarks. She paid them no mind, her smile as radiant as ever.

Song Xilan stepped forward and gently took Zhou Junlin’s arm. “Miss Sun,” she said softly, “are you always so brazen with other women’s husbands? You are a young lady, after all. I urge you to mind your words and actions, lest you give others the wrong impression.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep