Reborn Into A New Life, Everyone Loves Me Now (GL) - Chapter 15
Prince Yue met Shen Wang’s eyes, and for a moment, the image of Shen Wang from her past life overlapped with the present. In a daze, Prince Yue heard herself say, “Because you resemble someone I once knew.”
As Prince Yue walked past Liu Jiangli and Su Qi, they stopped speaking. Liu Jiangli stared at her intensely, as though waiting for her to look back.
But Prince Yue didn’t even glance her way, heading straight for the carriage. Gu Congran shot Su Qi a cold glance and followed.
Su Qi turned gently to Liu Jiangli. “A’Li, let’s go as well.”
Liu Jiangli could no longer maintain her composure. Distracted, she said, “Your Highness, I’m feeling unwell and will take my leave.” Without waiting for a response, she boarded the carriage, leaving Su Qi no chance to speak further.
Su Qi’s expression twisted with anger. A nameless fury rose in his chest. He had thought Liu Jiangli had truly given up on Prince Yue — but now he realized she was merely using him to provoke her!
Inside Prince Yue’s carriage.
Gu Congran asked, “What’s the plan today? Shall we visit the training grounds in the west city? It’s been a while since we sparred — let’s see if you’ve gotten rusty.”
Gu Congran noticed Prince Yue’s subdued mood. Thinking of the scene at the city gates where Liu Jiangli was with Su Qi, he hesitated but eventually asked, “Did something happen between you and Miss Liu?”
Prince Yue’s hand, holding the teacup, froze for a moment before she gently set it down. Looking at Gu Congran, she said, “It’s nothing serious. Don’t worry.” Her tone was light and indifferent, as if truly unaffected.
Gu Congran didn’t press further but remarked, “From what I’ve seen, Su Qi looks at Miss Liu like a hungry wolf eyeing a helpless rabbit. You’d better stay alert — don’t let Miss Liu slip away.”
Prince Yue merely smiled. “Those who want to leave can’t be stopped. Sometimes, letting go is the only way to spare yourself.”
Gu Congran’s alarm bells went off, and he exclaimed, “Prince Yue, there’s more to your words, isn’t there? Don’t tell me… you’re thinking of breaking off the engagement?”
“You two were betrothed by imperial decree. If you break the engagement rashly, His Majesty likely won’t approve.”
Prince Yue patted Gu Congran’s shoulder and smiled. “Did I say I was breaking the engagement?”
Gu Congran breathed a sigh of relief. “I knew it — you care so deeply for Miss Liu. How could you suddenly think of ending things?”
Prince Yue lowered her gaze, hiding the gloom in her eyes. The bitterness in her heart had been grinding her down day after day, night after night. She longed to confide in someone, but realized there was no one she could turn to. Everything from her past life — the regrets, the pain — only she remembered. Only she remained, endlessly consumed by the darkness.
No one knew how much time had passed when a commotion rose outside the carriage. It sounded like a crowd had gathered, but among the noise, one voice was unmistakably familiar to Prince Yue.
She quickly lifted the curtain and saw Shen Wang collapsed on the ground, surrounded by people. Standing opposite Shen Wang were two figures. Their backs faced Prince Yue, so she couldn’t see their faces.
Nian Qi reported, “Your Highness, there’s a crowd ahead. The carriage can’t pass.”
Before he finished speaking, Prince Yue had already leapt from the carriage and was pushing through the crowd. Alarmed, Nian Qi hurried after her, afraid for her safety.
Amid the noise, an arrogant male voice rang out.
“With your weakling looks, you think you can take the exam?”
“Don’t drop dead in the examination hall.”
“You ran into this young master and haven’t even knelt to apologize!”
Beside the man, a woman in a pale green dress laughed softly at his words.
That soft laugh seemed to fuel the man’s arrogance. He raised his hand to grab Shen Wang’s collar — only for his wrist to be seized mid-motion, immobilized.
“Which damn dog dares block my way?!”
Nian Qi delivered a swift kick to the man’s body. Prince Yue had already released his wrist beforehand. The man cried out and fell to the ground, expecting Su Qingzhi to help him up. But when he looked up, he saw Su Qingzhi staring in a daze at the figure who had restrained him. He had no choice but to scramble up on his own.
Humiliated, the man shouted, “Do you know who I am?!”
Nian Qi didn’t speak — he merely raised his sheathed sword and placed it horizontally before the man.
Meanwhile, Prince Yue gently helped Shen Wang to her feet and asked softly, “Are you alright?”
Shen Wang clutched her left shoulder and shook her head, replying warmly, “Thank you, Miss, for your help. I’m fine.”
Receiving this answer, Prince Yue turned and shielded Shen Wang behind her. Her gaze darkened instantly, staring at the man as if he were already dead.
—Li Yuande.
Her eyes shifted to the woman behind him — Su Qingzhi. So, these two had already become acquainted at this point.
Prince Yue’s voice was ice. “How exactly did you push her?”
Li Yuande’s eyes turned sinister, brimming with arrogance. “What business is it of yours how I pushed her? And you dare hit me? Do you have a death wish?!”
Su Qingzhi quickly stepped forward, tugging at Li Yuande’s sleeve and whispering, “Forget it. We have things to do. Let’s just leave.”
Li Yuande mistook her concern for affection. He smiled back, “It’s fine. They can’t touch me.”
In the next instant, Prince Yue drew the sword from Nian Qi’s sheath with fluid precision. A fierce kick landed in Li Yuande’s abdomen, dropping him to his knees with a muffled groan. The cold blade was now pressed against his neck. Terrified, Li Yuande tilted his head back, frozen and unable to breathe.
Prince Yue sneered, “What, scared now?”
Seeing Shen Wang’s worried expression, Prince Yue comforted her gently, “Don’t be afraid. He can’t do anything to me.”
Then, turning coldly to Li Yuande, who was still kneeling on the ground, Prince Yue ordered, “Apologize.”
This time, Li Yuande abandoned all his earlier arrogance and hurriedly begged for mercy. “I’m sorry, Young Master Shen. I didn’t know who I was dealing with.”
Only then did Prince Yue sheath her sword. Her icy gaze fell on Li Yuande like a blade. Her voice was sharp and commanding: “Leave.”
Li Yuande had no choice but to swallow the humiliation. Fury smoldered in his heart as he plotted his revenge. He reached out, intending to take Su Qingzhi’s hand and leave, but she smoothly evaded him. A flicker of disdain passed through her eyes as she quickly turned and walked away, leaving Li Yuande scrambling to follow.
By the time Gu Congran woke from his nap in the carriage and arrived at the scene, the crowd had dispersed. Prince Yue was approaching with Shen Wang.
Gu Congran teased, “A’Shi, that’s not fair. There was excitement, and you didn’t call me?”
Prince Yue replied, “You looked tired, so I thought I’d let you rest a bit longer.” Then, without hesitation, she gently took Shen Wang by the wrist and led her into the carriage, leaving Gu Congran stunned.
Gu Congran felt indignant on behalf of Liu Jiangli. This isn’t friendship — Prince Yue is clearly finding herself a husband! And she claimed to believe in monogamy?!
Inside the carriage, Prince Yue sat beside Shen Wang, speaking to her with warmth and care. Gu Congran sat across from them, glaring at Prince Yue like she was a scoundrel. His hands were clenched into fists, rhythmically pounding his knees to vent his frustration.
“So, where is Young Master Shen from?”
“I’m from Chengzhou.”
“The journey to the capital must have been hard.”
“It wasn’t too bad. Manageable.”
“Are you here for the spring examination?”
“Yes, it begins the day after tomorrow.”
“I could tell the moment I saw you — you’re sure to excel.”
“Thank you for your kind words, Miss.”
Their conversation flowed naturally, each exchanging words with ease. Gu Congran, meanwhile, pounded his knees even harder. He used too much force and let out a hiss of pain, drawing the attention of both Prince Yue and Shen Wang.
Gu Congran forced a smile. “Don’t mind me. Carry on, carry on.”
Prince Yue, unaware of his true feelings, asked with concern, “Congran, if your leg hurts, I know a skilled physician. Shall I send for him?”
Shen Wang, amused, stifled a laugh.
Gu Congran, catching her reaction, blushed and gritted his teeth. “Thank you! You’re just… too kind!”
Prince Yue smiled. “There’s no need for thanks between us.”
Gu Congran snorted, turned his head, and pretended to sleep.
Prince Yue was used to his theatrics. Since Gu Congran could sleep on command, she let it pass and resumed her gentle conversation with Shen Wang.
“Your inn isn’t safe anymore,” Prince Yue warned. “I’m worried that man will seek revenge.”
Shen Wang smiled bitterly. “It’s alright. He probably won’t go too far — maybe just beat me up.”
Prince Yue pressed her lips together, clearly worried. “You must never drop your guard, especially against people like him.”
“Besides, the western city is too far from the examination hall. I have a residence in the eastern city, closer to the exam grounds. It’s quiet, away from the main streets — perfect for studying. There’s no one else there. You won’t be disturbed.”
Shen Wang hesitated, then accepted Prince Yue’s kindness. She still bore deep-seated vengeance and couldn’t risk Li Yuande seriously harming her. If she died before avenging her parents, their deaths would remain unavenged.
“Thank you, Miss Yue.” She paused, then voiced her doubt. “Why are you being so kind to me?”
Throughout her journey to the capital, Shen Wang had met countless people, but Miss Yue was the first to help her — the first to show genuine kindness since her parents died.
Prince Yue looked into Shen Wang’s eyes. In that moment, the Shen Wang of her past life seemed to overlap with the present. Dazed, she heard herself whisper, “Because you remind me of someone I once knew.”
Shen Wang felt a fleeting sense of loss and responded gently, “That person must have been very important to you.”
Prince Yue nodded instinctively. “Yes… She stood for justice, always willing to fight for what was right. Yet such a good person died riddled with arrows. I’m fortunate to have another chance… to see you again.”