Reborn Into A New Life, Everyone Loves Me Now (GL) - Chapter 1

Su Qishi stared at Liu Jiangli with a cold, unreadable expression.

It was dusk. The palace gates stood half-closed, letting in a sliver of weak light. That light fell across Su Qishi’s profile, casting shadows in her bright eyes, dimming them slightly. Only in the places Liu Jiangli couldn’t see did her gaze flicker toward him.

The world knew Su Qishi as a traitor—a usurper who killed her brother to seize the throne, her name tainted, her words unheeded.

But no one knew the truth—everything she did was forced upon her.

And her first step in storming the imperial city was to imprison Liu Jiangli in the palace.

Who was Liu Jiangli?

She was Su Qishi’s imperial sister-in-law—the Empress of Su Qi.

“I want Jue’er. I want Jue’er to live…”

Liu Jiangli turned to look at Su Qishi, her eyes filled with desperate pleading. Her eyes, rimmed with red, made her once-bright beauty appear pitifully fragile.

Su Qishi’s heart wavered again. That strange feeling unsettled her, and she frowned instinctively.

But Liu Jiangli’s words struck her like a blade.

She knew the child was innocent—but to let him live would only invite trouble.

“How can Her Majesty be so sure I would agree?” Su Qishi’s voice was calm and cold, her tone slicing into Liu Jiangli’s heart.

Liu Jiangli wasn’t surprised. She had expected this. But Jue’er was her only reason to live. If he died, she would have no will to live either.

“You will agree,” Liu Jiangli said with certainty.

Su Qishi’s eyes narrowed in surprise. She stepped forward, lifting Liu Jiangli’s chin with a slender hand. Her thumb unconsciously brushed against that smooth, delicate skin.

“And what makes Your Majesty so certain?”

Liu Jiangli forced herself to meet Su Qishi’s gaze, seeing the flicker of amusement—and something darker—within them.

Su Qishi’s tone sharpened. “Besides, does Her Majesty still have the right to negotiate with me?”

Liu Jiangli countered, unyielding, “Don’t forget—the imperial jade seal you desire is still in my hands.”

A chill flashed across Su Qishi’s eyes. Her hand slid slowly from Liu Jiangli’s chin to her neck, pale as jade. With a cold laugh, she murmured, “Your Majesty, do you know how the world judges me now? They say I’ve committed treason, killed my own brother, seized the throne unrightfully. Even if I take the crown, they won’t accept me. So if you deny me the seal, I no longer care. The world has already condemned me. But if I no longer care—then your life is the cost. And I remember clearly, Your Majesty cherishes life above all else.”

Liu Jiangli’s knees gave way as fear gripped her, but before she could fall, Su Qishi caught her.

Su Qishi spoke again. “Very well. Since Your Majesty wishes for Su Jue to live, then perhaps… Your Majesty dies, and Su Jue lives. How does that sound?”

Liu Jiangli replied softly, “Fine.”

Su Qishi’s eyes locked onto her, filled with confusion. Was her love for the child truly so deep? Or… was it simply because he was Su Qi’s son? Rage and bitterness surged within her.

So Liu Jiangli, too, had someone she couldn’t bear to part with. Would she really give her life for someone else? Even if that person was her son?

Su Qishi couldn’t help but think of that woman—the one who birthed her. Though she was Su Qishi’s own mother, she gave all her love to Su Qi. Just because Su Qishi was not born of the man she loved, her mother chose to support Su Qi, who shared no bl00d with her, rather than stand up for her own daughter when she was falsely accused. One piece of paper was all it took to declare Su Qishi guilty, to beg the Emperor for her punishment.

At that moment, Su Qishi felt herself falling into a black hole, a never-ending cycle of betrayal and abandonment. She realized now that Liu Jiangli truly loved Su Qi. She had once believed that someone as cold and heartless as Liu Jiangli loved only herself—but no, she had reserved the purest corner of her heart for Su Qi.

Overwhelmed, Su Qishi tightened her grip around Liu Jiangli’s neck.

Liu Jiangli felt her breath grow shallow, death creeping closer. She struggled weakly before giving up—there was no escaping Su Qishi’s strength. She didn’t resent her. She had betrayed Su Qishi. Perhaps she should have died long ago—from the moment she stepped into the palace. For the sake of power, she had abandoned Su Qishi, abandoned her own happiness. And now… this was her end.

A sense of desolation clung to Su Qishi like a shadow.

The poison in her body surged violently. She steadied her breath, forcefully suppressing the Yilu Poison that threatened to erupt and tear her apart from within.

Yilu Poison—a cruel toxin administered under Su Qi’s orders during her imprisonment. Every time she recalled those days—worse than death itself—a wave of nausea and dread swept over her.

Though she had already killed Su Qi with her own hands, her hatred had only grown. Once, he had been the elder brother she respected most. In the end, he became the one who betrayed her the deepest.

Su Qishi and Liu Jiangli had loved each other in their youth. They were meant to wed when Liu Jiangli turned twenty. But on her twentieth birthday, Liu Jiangli entered the palace of her own will.

That night, Su Qishi, full of joy, had gone to celebrate her beloved’s birthday—only to be met with cold words. Each syllable from Liu Jiangli stabbed directly into her heart.

No one could have foreseen what came next.

The very next day, Su Qishi was accused of treason—of consorting with enemies of the crown—and was exiled a thousand miles away. But the truth? She was imprisoned by Su Qi, tormented day and night.

That suffocating memory surged like a beast, pouncing without warning. She tried to escape it but couldn’t. Cold sweat drenched her body as darkness closed in. She reached out, but could grasp nothing—only endless void.

Liu Jiangli noticed Su Qishi’s condition deteriorating. Rising to her feet, she embraced her, her hands gently stroking Su Qishi’s back. Tears streamed down her beautiful eyes—tears of pain, regret, guilt… and love.

Liu Jiangli knew, deep down, she loved Su Qishi. But she had loved power even more. Otherwise, she never would have entered the palace. Now, after all she had experienced, she realized how laughable her past choices were.

But now… the distance between them had become insurmountable.

In Liu Jiangli’s embrace, Su Qishi gradually curled inwards and, without realizing it, drifted into sleep.

The next morning, Su Qishi awoke in Liu Jiangli’s palace.

The first thing she saw upon opening her eyes was Liu Jiangli’s face—still as beautiful as ever. The only flaw was her tear-swollen eyes.

Liu Jiangli lay curled in Su Qishi’s arms, her slender hands gripping tightly at Su Qishi’s robe. Her brows were lightly furrowed.

Liu Jiangli was not wrong—only too heartless.

Su Qishi’s eyes dimmed, as if a layer of ash had veiled them.

The person beside her stirred faintly, slowly opening her eyes. Upon seeing Su Qishi awake, Liu Jiangli’s eyes widened in shock.

Time seemed to stand still.

Their gazes locked—storm clouds churning in the silence.

Suddenly, Liu Jiangli flinched and recoiled, her face pale.

Su Qishi sat up as well, her eyes scrutinizing Liu Jiangli intently.

Su Qishi spoke, her voice calm, yet piercing:
“Your Majesty… why didn’t you seize the chance to kill me?”

Then, as if recalling something, she chuckled lightly and added,
“Ah, of course. If I die… you and that dethroned emperor would die with me.”

Su Qishi cast Liu Jiangli a sidelong glance and spoke indifferently, “Very well. For the sake of our youthful bond…” As she spoke, her hand rose to caress Liu Jiangli’s cheek, her eyes darkening with desire.

Her meaning could not have been clearer.

Liu Jiangli, of course, understood. Su Qishi was humiliating her. But did she have any other choice now?

A shadow flickered in Liu Jiangli’s eyes. Mist clouded her gaze, her lashes trembled, and her lips parted slightly as she whispered softly, “Please… Your Highness, show mercy.”

Su Qishi felt no joy at those words. But then again—wasn’t this exactly the kind of person Liu Jiangli was? Ruthless in her pursuit of her goals, willing to cast her aside without guilt to enter the Crown Prince’s residence. If she could do that for power, then surely she could now yield to her enemy to survive.

Su Qishi’s gaze darkened, her heart surging with fury and resentment.

“Liu Jiangli, you truly would stop at nothing to get what you want.”

Liu Jiangli didn’t respond. Instead, her actions spoke for her. She reached out, gently caressing Su Qishi’s shoulders before slowly straddling her waist. Her tear-filled eyes shimmered, clothes half-fallen to reveal smooth, rounded shoulders. As she lowered herself, her chest rising and falling with each breath, Su Qishi’s eyes took it all in. Her fingers tensed unconsciously, her breathing quickening and deepening.

Beneath the crimson silk canopy, the warmth of passion surged.

That night’s entanglement did not end until the deepest hours before dawn.

Later that night, stars scattered faintly across the sky, and dark clouds veiled the moon.

Su Qishi slowly opened her eyes. Just as she tried to move her aching arm, a soft murmur reached her ears. A flood of memories from earlier crashed into her mind, her gaze darkening as she lay there in silence, unsure what to feel.

Liu Jiangli lay nestled in her arms. Her own hand rested on Liu Jiangli’s waist—smooth, supple, irresistible to the touch. Su Qishi deliberately tightened her grip, her fingers pressing into that delicate skin, leaving clear imprints.

Startled by the sudden pressure, Liu Jiangli woke. Feeling their bare skin pressed together, her face flushed crimson. Yet she kept her eyes tightly shut, pretending to sleep.

A faint stinging pain radiated from Su Qishi’s back, feeding the restlessness in her heart.

Wrapped in the blanket, Liu Jiangli silently watched Su Qishi’s every movement, the bitterness in her heart slowly spreading like ink in water.

She shifted slightly, but the soreness between her legs forced her to sit back down. They had only just shared an intimate night, and now Su Qishi was already getting dressed and leaving. An inexplicable sense of grievance welled up in Liu Jiangli’s chest, and tears threatened to fall, reddening the corners of her eyes.

“Where are you going?” she asked softly.

Su Qishi didn’t turn around. She assumed Liu Jiangli feared she might harm Su Jue. Her voice was cold and expressionless.
“Rest assured, Your Majesty. I will keep my promise. Su Jue will not die.”

With those words, she turned and walked away, leaving Liu Jiangli alone once again in the cold, empty palace. The sticky discomfort between her legs made her long for a bath.

Within the bathing chamber, mist shrouded the space, curling around the room in soft waves. Amid the haze, a slender figure leaned back against the stone platform, her eyes half-closed, beads of sweat forming on her brow—lost in the pull of memory.

Liu Jiangli dreamt of the day she had rejected Su Qishi.

That suffocating feeling was impossible to ignore. She had regretted it long ago… but there was no turning back now.

In life, one must always pay the price for their mistakes.