Reborn Into A New Life, Everyone Loves Me Now (GL) - Chapter 14
Liu Jiangli pleaded, “A’Shi, if you say just one word to explain, I’ll believe you.”
Su Qishi replied, “Is there still a need for me to explain?”
Hearing this, Liu Jiangli’s lashes trembled lightly, her heart finally reaching its limit…
At that moment, Xiao Mingxian finally saw who it was. The impatience on his face vanished, replaced by surprise — and a flicker of disdain in his eyes. He sneered, “Well, Cousin, are you here for a particular girl? Does Liu Jiangli know you’re here?”
The madam of the brothel widened her eyes and blurted out instinctively, “Young Master Shi is…?”
Xiao Mingxian gave a cold laugh. “Young Master Shi? This is none other than Prince Yue, personally titled by His Majesty!”
The madam, no stranger to grand occasions, quickly composed herself despite the shock in her heart. Smiling, she said, “Ah! So it’s Prince Yue! This old woman failed to recognize nobility — please forgive me.”
Prince Yue smiled faintly. “No harm done… By the way, I do have my eye on someone — a girl named Wenxin.”
The moment the name ‘Wenxin’ was spoken, it instantly caught Xiao Mingxian’s attention.
He scoffed, “Not to discourage you, Cousin, but Wenxin isn’t someone you can just meet on a whim.”
Prince Yue met Xiao Mingxian’s gaze, calm and unwavering, his voice filled with confidence. “Is that so? I happen to have a way to become one of Wenxin’s private guests.”
Xiao Mingxian’s heart skipped a beat at Prince Yue’s certainty. He gave a couple of dry coughs, then moved closer and lowered his voice. “Your Highness… what method?”
Prince Yue tilted his head with feigned curiosity. “Cousin, are you also hoping to become one of Wenxin’s…?”
Xiao Mingxian quickly interjected, “Your Highness, you may not know this, but I truly admire Miss Wenxin. Unfortunately, she refuses to see me.”
Prince Yue feigned surprise. “So Cousin also likes Miss Wenxin.”
Xiao Mingxian sighed. “Your Highness, you already have Miss Liu. As for Wenxin, perhaps you could…”
Prince Yue looked at him silently, eyes dimming. After a long pause, he spoke, as though making a painful decision, “If that’s the case, I won’t compete with you, Cousin. I’ll take my leave…”
As he spoke, he turned to leave.
Seeing Prince Yue about to go, Xiao Mingxian hurriedly stopped him, grabbing his arm and pulling him back, smiling flatteringly. “Your Highness, could you share how one might become Wenxin’s guest? Rest assured, I’ll make it worth your while.”
A faint smile danced at the corners of Prince Yue’s lips. “Cousin, must we speak of compensation? Since I’ve already decided to withdraw, naturally I’d share the method with you.”
Hearing this, Xiao Mingxian’s eyes lit up. He laughed heartily, “Hahaha! That’s wonderful! Your Highness, if you ever need anything, just say the word — I’ll give it my all!”
Prince Yue leaned in and whispered, “Cousin, you must first take this bead…”
Xiao Mingxian responded quickly, “Alright, alright! I’ll take care of it right away. Your Highness…” He waved at the madam waiting nearby. “Why haven’t you arranged a girl for His Highness yet?!”
The madam smiled warmly, “Oh my, Prince Yue, this way please.”
Prince Yue said, “No need, Madam. I’m here for Miss Yun.”
The madam, assuming Prince Yue had taken a liking to Yun Shouyue, began to flatter him. “Prince Yue, this old woman knows—”
Before she could finish, a voice called from downstairs, interrupting her.
“Madam! Madam!”
She glanced at Prince Yue, uncertain, but he looked down the stairs and said, “Go on, Madam. I know where Miss Yun’s room is.”
The madam curtsied, “Then I’ll go attend to this, Your Highness.”
As she descended, she called out, “Coming, Young Master Zhang!”
Prince Yue’s lips curved in a faint smile, but his eyes remained cold.
Imperial Brother, are you watching clearly?
Second-floor private room.
Su Qi had witnessed every interaction between Prince Yue and Xiao Mingxian. His expression was unreadable, but the teacup in his hand shattered as the veins on the back of his hand bulged.
“Why hasn’t Liu Jiangli arrived yet?”
Ying Qi replied, “Subordinates have already been sent to summon her.”
Su Qi clearly sensed that Prince Yue had changed. Though he believed himself skilled at concealing his emotions, the shift was too obvious—unless someone was deliberately sowing discord between the two of them.
Meanwhile, after casually chatting with Yun Shouyue inside Yaoxiang Pavilion, Prince Yue had just stepped outside, a smile still lingering at the corners of her lips—only to see Liu Jiangli at the turn.
Liu Jiangli stood alone ahead, with her carriage behind her. Her white dress fluttered in the cold wind, and her dark hair streamed behind her, tousled by the breeze. Her lush red lips were tightly pressed together, and her beautiful eyes glistened with a cold, tear-like sheen.
Their eyes met—no words needed.
The smile on Prince Yue’s face froze instantly. Surely this wasn’t just another coincidence—especially at night.
“A’Li, it’s late. Why are you here?”
Liu Jiangli replied coldly, “What, A’Shi? You can come here, but I can’t?”
“Of course you can, A’Li. It’s just that it’s late. Why don’t I take you home? If you wish to come again, I’ll accompany you next time.”
Warm words, yet each carried a blade. Liu Jiangli’s voice trembled slightly with restrained grief. “A’Shi, do you still remember the promise you made to me?”
That promise surged from the depths of Prince Yue’s memory: “A’Li, for the rest of my life, I will love only you.”
“Of course I remember, A’Li.”
“Then, A’Shi, don’t you think you owe me an explanation for why you’ve been visiting Yaoxiang Pavilion so often?”
Prince Yue remained silent. In her mind, the image of Liu Jiangli walking away from her in their past life vividly resurfaced. A hidden bitterness rose in her heart—she refused to respond, wanting to see how Liu Jiangli would react.
Liu Jiangli, seeing Prince Yue’s silence, was overwhelmed by an indescribable pain. She understood—her A’Shi had changed. She was no longer the person who once looked only at her. And yet, why did it hurt so much? What was she supposed to do now?
At that moment, she wanted nothing more than to escape. Prince Yue’s gaze, once filled with warmth, now felt like cruel mockery.
In Prince Yue’s heart, she wasn’t even worth a courtesan.
Prince Yue noticed Liu Jiangli’s anguish, but felt no relief—only deeper frustration.
She stepped forward, reaching out to wipe the tears from Liu Jiangli’s cheek, but Liu Jiangli turned her head away. Her eyes, icy and stubborn, avoided his hand, which now hung suspended between them, like an invisible chasm.
Su Qi appeared at that precise moment and stepped protectively in front of Liu Jiangli. His eyes filled with concern and pity. “A’Li, what’s wrong? Why are you crying?”
Liu Jiangli shook her head slightly, her tone softening—unlike the coldness she had shown Prince Yue. “I’m fine. Thank you, A’Qi.”
That single “A’Qi” stung both Su Qi and Prince Yue.
Su Qi lowered his gaze to hide the darkness in his eyes, then looked up again with gentle affection. He turned to Prince Yue, his voice cold. “Royal Sister, how could you bear to make A’Li cry?”
“If you don’t love her, then let her go. Someone else will.”
Prince Yue swept her gaze over the two of them, then let out a cold laugh. “That ‘someone’—is it you?”
So, that’s it. The two of them were putting on a show for her. Who knew how long they’d been colluding.
Liu Jiangli spoke, “A’Shi, if you say just one word to explain, I’ll believe you.”
Prince Yue responded flatly, “Is there still a need for me to explain?”
At those words, Liu Jiangli’s lashes fluttered, and her tears finally fell like broken strings of pearls—her sorrow beyond words.
Su Qi growled, “Su Qishi! You’ve gone too far—”
But Liu Jiangli interrupted, her voice choked with sobs, “A’Qi, let’s go.”
It was clear she was completely disappointed in Prince Yue.
The two of them boarded the same carriage, leaving Prince Yue alone in the cold night breeze.
The dark alley where she stood was in stark contrast to the warm glow of Yaoxiang Pavilion.
Prince Yue watched as the carriage disappeared into the distance. The cold wind swept through her hair, loose and dark like ink, but she stood motionless for a long time.
Nian Qi, unable to bear the sight any longer, stepped forward quietly and said with concern, “Your Highness, the carriage is long gone. The night air is cold — please don’t catch a chill.”
The next day.
Prince Yue went to the Imperial Academy as usual, but on her way there, she once again saw Liu Jiangli and Su Qi talking together in a pavilion. This time, the two of them were embracing — Su Qi gently held Liu Jiangli, while she leaned on his shoulder, crying.
Prince Yue took one look and immediately turned away, but not before her eyes met Liu Jiangli’s. In that moment, she saw the shock in Liu Jiangli’s gaze.
Prince Yue’s eyes were cold. She paused, then let out a self-mocking laugh.