Reborn Into A New Life, Everyone Loves Me Now (GL) - Chapter 18
“Someone help! Miss Qi has fallen into the water!”
Another splash was heard.
“A’Shi!”
“Prince Yue!”
“A’Li, did you catch a chill last night?”
Seeing Prince Yue’s gaze shift back to her, Liu Jiangli’s eyes sparkled with joy. Yet she was reluctant to leave the warmth and safety of her embrace, and murmured, “I don’t think so… just a little dizzy.”
Prince Yue adjusted her posture, letting Liu Jiangli lean on her more comfortably. She gently massaged her temples with her right hand to ease the discomfort.
“Feeling better?”
“Not yet… don’t stop.”
Liu Jiangli curled her lips into a smile unseen by Prince Yue. Her eyes brimmed with affection.
Meanwhile, Su Qi witnessed it all. Remembering Liu Jiangli’s coldness toward him, the contrast stung. Jealousy ignited within him, his eyes darkening.
Prince Yue, I orchestrated Liu Jiangli’s encounter with you leaving Yaoxiang Pavilion, hoping she’d suspect you of betrayal. And yet she forgave you so easily. What if you faced what she did? Would you forgive?
A vicious thought consumed Su Qi’s mind.
Noticing Su Qi’s cold stare, Liu Jiangli grew annoyed. She turned away, gripping Prince Yue’s hand tighter. She traced the elegant fingers carefully, a blush rising to her cheeks at her private thoughts.
As the banquet progressed, the group moved to the garden for flower viewing, where they encountered the noble ladies.
The women curtsied. “Greetings, Your Highness.”
Su Hui smiled, “No need for ceremony. My siblings and I are merely here to enjoy the flowers.”
Prince Yue remained silent, observing carefully.
Among the ladies, aside from Second Princess Su Qingzhi, the most distinguished was Qi Wanxuan, daughter of Minister Qi Yunshan, head of the Ministry of Rites.
Su Hui’s intentions were clear — he wanted to use this opportunity to win Qi Wanxuan’s favor.
With the emperor’s indulgence, Su Hui’s chances of success would only increase. After today, some people might begin shifting their allegiances.
Minister Qi, the head of the Ministry of Rites, had only one daughter, and in the capital, he was renowned for doting on her. Though he had no desire to be entangled in the imperial succession, his high position made him a person others couldn’t afford to ignore.
Qi Wanxuan, true to her name, was a vision of grace. Dressed in a light blue gown, her long hair cascading over her shoulders, she wore a soft smile — one that subtly conveyed distance. Her eyes, like clear pools of water, framed a face of delicate beauty. That faint smile radiated a quiet warmth, like sunlight on a spring morning.
Su Hui was the first to speak. “Miss Qi’s reputation precedes her. I have long heard of your elegance, and seeing you today confirms it. ‘Graceful as a startled swan, elegant as a swimming dragon’ — no words could better describe you.”
Note: Quotation from Cao Zhi’s “Rhapsody on the Goddess of the Luo River.”
Qi Wanxuan’s expression remained unchanged, her polite smile unwavering. “Thank you, Your Highness.”
Su Hui nodded, “Shall we walk together, then?”
Prince Yue walked alone at the rear of the group, idly admiring the scenery. Liu Jiangli had intended to walk with her, but had been pulled away by her close friend Mu Xuewei, one of the noble ladies.
Somehow, Su Qingzhi had gradually fallen to the back as well.
Her outfit today closely resembled Liu Jiangli’s usual style.
Su Qingzhi noticed how Prince Yue deliberately avoided meeting her gaze, her face indifferent, with no intention of speaking to her. A flicker of anger flared in Su Qingzhi’s chest.
Lowering her gaze to conceal the darkness in her eyes, Su Qingzhi clutched the handkerchief tightly and asked softly, “Sister, why are you ignoring me?”
Prince Yue said nothing, focusing on the flowers to her side, her silence conveying clear disinterest.
Su Qingzhi persisted gently, “Is it because of what happened in the western city that you’re now avoiding me?”
Prince Yue sighed, her voice low and serious. “Su Qingzhi, what did I once tell you? As a princess, nourished by the people’s support, you ought to care for them. What did you do? Not only did you fail to intervene — you enabled it. I was deeply disappointed.”
Her tone was sincere and cutting.
Su Qingzhi’s resentment toward Li Yuande grew, but in her heart, she was overjoyed — her sister still cared, or she wouldn’t have been this angry. A strange, inexplicable happiness welled up within her.
“Sister, I haven’t forgotten a single word of your teachings. I keep them all in my heart.”
A flicker of obsession gleamed in her eyes.
Prince Yue scoffed. “You haven’t? Then what exactly were you doing that day?!”
Tears glimmered in Su Qingzhi’s eyes. She pleaded, “Sister, I was wrong. What must I do for you to forgive me?”
Prince Yue turned, her gaze shifting as memories of a young Su Qingzhi clinging to her and calling “Sister” rushed back like a tide. After a moment of hesitation, she softened. “Qingzhi… I don’t want to see you lose your way because of one person.”
A strike at the heart.
Su Qingzhi clearly fell for it.
“Sister, I promise I’ll stay away from Li Yuande from now on.”
Prince Yue asked casually, “Li Yuande?”
Su Qingzhi answered readily, “Yes… that man from the other day. He’s a candidate for the spring examination. When I visited your manor a while ago, a horse was startled and almost hit me on the street — he saved me. After that, we…”
“But I never revealed my identity to him.”
Prince Yue nodded and reached out to gently pat Su Qingzhi’s head, just as she did when they were younger. “Let’s go, we should catch up with the others.”
The moment Prince Yue’s hand touched her head, Su Qingzhi froze — then lowered her head, lips curling into an irrepressible smile.
Su Hui smiled and said, “The koi in this pond were brought back by a friend of mine from Jiyuan Isle — they are of excellent quality. Miss Qi, why don’t you come closer for a look?”
As he spoke, Su Hui extended his hand in invitation.
Qi Wanxuan couldn’t publicly reject him in front of so many guests. Her intended refusal instead became, “Thank you, Prince Nan.” After a slight pause, she placed her hand lightly on Su Hui’s wrist — only for Su Hui to disregard her resistance and clasp her hand firmly before all eyes.
Qi Wanxuan tried to pull away, but with the difference in strength, all efforts were in vain. A chill crept into her eyes.
Su Hui, oblivious to her reaction, remained immersed in his own world, the feeling of her delicate skin in his palm sending a thrill through him.
“Miss Qi, please step forward.”
The two of them stood at the edge of the pond, leaning slightly to look into the water.
Qi Wanxuan simply wanted to glance quickly and step away from Su Hui. But as she straightened, her leg gave out, and with a startled cry, she tumbled into the pond.
Gasps erupted from the shore.
“Someone help! Miss Qi has fallen into the water!”
A moment later — another splash.
“A’Shi!”
“Prince Yue!”