Reborn Into A New Life, Everyone Loves Me Now (GL) - Chapter 12
Liu Jiangli noticed and frowned slightly, a trace of hurt flashing in her eyes.
“A’Shi, you’re lying…”
She braced herself and threw herself into Su Qishi’s arms, her delicate hands wrapping around her naturally.
“Brother!”
Su Qishi stepped into the pavilion and spoke with feigned surprise.
“A’Li, you’re here too?”
Panic flickered in A’Li’s eyes. She opened her mouth as if to explain.
Su Qi remained composed.
“I happened to run into Miss Liu on the way out of the palace. We only exchanged a few words. Why hasn’t Sister left the palace yet?”
Su Qishi’s gaze carried a faint, mocking smile.
“Well, I was on my way out when I spotted you and A’Li here. At first glance, I thought it was a couple secretly meeting—the two of you look quite the pair from a distance.”
Su Qi flushed, glancing at Liu Jiangli’s reddened eyes.
Feigning indignation, he said,
“Sister! How could you speak so recklessly? You’ve upset Miss Liu.”
Gu Congran, unable to bear Su Qi’s manipulative act, cut in coldly,
“Prince Chen, that’s not right. Miss Liu is A’Shi’s betrothed. Meeting her in private without attendants—this is improper by any measure.”
Su Qi knew he had no ground to stand on, but he still wanted to show off before Liu Jiangli.
Despite her engagement to Su Qishi, the Prime Minister’s daughter was too tempting a prospect.
“There’s nothing indecent between Miss Liu and me. General Gu, your accusations—what’s your intent?”
Gu Congran scoffed.
“Intent? What intent could I possibly have? But can Prince Chen truly claim a clear conscience?”
Su Qi, flushed with anger, pointed at her.
“You—”
Su Qishi cut in smoothly,
“Brother, don’t take offense. Congran means no harm. Of course, I trust both you and A’Li. I only came to greet you.”
She smiled coolly.
“Come on, Congran, let’s go. Let them continue their chat.”
She turned and left without hesitation.
Liu Jiangli felt her heart tearing. A’Shi’s coldness was like a blade, cutting deep into her soul.
Su Qi tried to comfort her,
“Miss Liu, Sister must have misunderstood. I’ll explain to her—”
As he spoke, he reached out to touch her shoulder.
Liu Jiangli instinctively stepped back, avoiding his hand. He awkwardly withdrew, fingers hanging in mid-air.
Her eyes rimmed red, holding back tears. Her voice was calm but distant.
“Thank you, Prince, for your concern. I’ve caused you trouble. I’ll speak with A’Shi myself.”
With that, she hurried away, following Su Qishi’s path.
Su Qi’s eyes turned cold, hands clenched into fists at his sides.
This was supposed to be his chance to get closer to Liu Jiangli—ruined.
Still, driving a wedge between her and Su Qishi was just as satisfying.
Su Qishi… if you care so much for her, then I’ll destroy her in front of you. When Liu Jiangli is by my side, will you beg like a dog? Or sulk in misery, pathetic and alone?
At the city gate, Liu Jiangli only found her own Prime Minister’s carriage—no sign of Yue Prince’s or General Gu’s carriages.
A’Shi must be angry, unwilling to hear me out… unwilling to wait for me.
Hua Yun rushed to greet her and gasped at her reddened eyes.
“Miss, what’s wrong?”
Liu Jiangli forced a smile.
“It’s nothing, Hua Yun. Don’t worry.”
Her figure was filled with sorrow as she stepped into the carriage.
Yue Prince’s Carriage
Su Qishi leaned back against the cushion, eyes closed in rest.
Gu Congran looked at her, annoyed.
“You’re actually sleeping? Sleep a little longer, and your fiancée might just run off with someone else.”
Su Qishi murmured,
“It’s fine. I believe A’Li—she wouldn’t.”
Su Qishi fell silent, opening her mouth only to find no words could form a defense.
Gu Congran’s blunt comment forced Su Qishi to confront the thoughts she had tried so hard to suppress. What she had witnessed today gnawed at her—in her past life, when exactly had Liu Jiangli and Su Qi first met?
How many times did they meet in secret? What had they experienced together that could withstand her and A’Li’s eleven years of acquaintance and seven years of companionship?
In her past life, A’Li had said she wished to become Empress—the most noble woman in the world. But why didn’t she tell me earlier? If she had said just one word, Su Qishi would have fought for the throne for her.
In the end, she never truly gave her heart, or perhaps—she had wanted to become Su Qi’s Empress.
And now, how much of A’Li’s affection for her remains?
No—Su Qishi shook her head inwardly. What am I thinking? She was reborn to change her tragic fate, and she must not be swayed by emotions. Her feelings for A’Li had died with that arrow—long vanished into the ashes of the past.
Her chest felt lighter, the tightness and pain easing, and her resolve strengthened.
Gu Congran sighed,
“So what now? What are we doing next?”
Su Qishi responded lazily,
“You’re coming with me to meet someone. Timing should be just right.”
Gu Congran perked up, quickly shifting closer.
“Who? Who is it?” she asked with excitement.
Su Qishi opened her eyes and looked at her, feigning mystery.
“That’s a secret.”
Gu Congran rolled her eyes and went back to her seat, mimicking Su Qishi’s posture, closing her eyes for rest.
The Yue Prince’s carriage rolled into West City. Su Qishi and Gu Congran disembarked, as what they planned to do next would draw too much attention in a royal carriage.
Su Qishi instructed the driver,
“Park somewhere inconspicuous nearby.”
“Understood, Your Highness.”
Gu Congran was puzzled, patting Su Qishi’s shoulder.
“If you’re parking the carriage, how are we supposed to travel?”
“We walk.”
Without waiting, Su Qishi strode off quickly.
Gu Congran gaped.
“Su Qishi, wait up!” She hurried after her.
“Hey! Are you stalking someone’s daughter or what?”
Moments later, the two were clinging to the edge of a second-floor window of a small inn, peeking inside through a barely opened slit.
The room was simple. Inside sat a young man in grey robes, attentively reading a book.
He wore plain clothes, his hair tied back with a grey cloth strip, the rest flowing freely down his back. His face was smooth and gentle, his complexion pale—the image of a quiet scholar.
Gu Congran gawked.
“Su Qishi, did Su Qi and Liu Jiangli mess you up that badly? Switching to men now?”
Su Qishi snapped,
“Don’t spout nonsense. He’s just someone I happened to meet.”
Gu Congran wasn’t convinced.
“Happened to? Since when do you happen to meet someone like that?”
“Believe it or don’t. Doesn’t matter.”
“We don’t keep secrets, Su Qishi. Out with it—how did you meet him?”
Su Qishi explained,
“Truly by chance. One day I passed by this inn on the way to the West City training grounds and saw him.”
Gu Congran finally understood.
Su Qishi had seen this young man—but he hadn’t seen her.
She’s calling him a friend already? The more Gu Congran thought about it, the more annoyed she felt.
Suddenly, she smacked Su Qishi hard on the shoulder. Su Qishi lost her grip and instinctively reached for Congran—both fell straight into the bushes below.
“Gu Congran! What are you doing?!”
“Punishment! For being disloyal to our friendship!”
“Quick—hide!”
Inside, Shen Wang heard the rustling and hurried to the window, opening it cautiously. Seeing nothing amiss, she relaxed and closed it, returning to her books.
Soon, the exam was approaching. She had to pass.
Her family had been ruined by a corrupt official coveting their wealth. Disguised as her younger brother, she was determined to succeed in the imperial exam—to seek justice for her family and destroy the injustice of the world.
Outside, Su Qishi and Gu Congran hugged the base of the wall, invisible from above. They both sighed in relief as the window shut.
Gu Congran muttered while straightening her clothes,
“We almost got labeled as voyeurs.”
“If we’d been caught, arrested… we’d be the laughing stock of the city. We’d never live it down—not in front of Su Qi.”
Su Qishi plucked grass from Congran’s head, fixing her own robes, and laughed.
“Then it’d be an honor to fall with General Gu.”
She ran off playfully.
“Su Qishi! Don’t run!” Gu Congran gave chase.
Back at the Yue Prince’s carriage, they parted ways. After seeing Gu Congran home, Su Qishi ordered Nian Qi to arrange guards to secretly protect Shen Wang.
In her past life, Shen Wang and Gu Congran had risked their lives to rescue her.
Shen Wang died by Su Qi’s arrow—her lifeless body was all Su Qishi had left after escaping.
Su Qishi’s eyes turned crimson. A plan was forming.
“Your Highness, we’ve reached Yue Prince’s manor, but… the Prime Minister’s carriage is here too.”
Su Qishi slowly lifted the curtain—Liu Jiangli stood beside the carriage, her figure desolate. Upon seeing Su Qishi’s carriage, her calm gaze flickered.
Su Qishi gripped the curtain tightly, then leapt down, walking over.
“A’Li, it’s late. Do you need something at Yue Prince’s manor?”
Her tone was calm, as if the incident earlier had been forgotten. But the calmer Su Qishi appeared, the more turmoil churned in A’Li’s heart.
“A’Shi… Su Qi and I, we’re not what you think.”
Su Qishi feigned confusion, her voice distant.
“A’Li, I never misunderstood you and my brother. That was just a joke—you know how deeply I trust you.”
Liu Jiangli’s brows furrowed, her eyes misty with hurt.
“A’Shi, you’re lying…”
She gathered her courage and threw herself into Su Qishi’s arms, her slender hands wrapping around Su Qishi’s waist.