Reborn Into A New Life, Everyone Loves Me Now (GL) - Chapter 2

Although Prince Yue was hailed as a hero by most of the common people, there were still voices of dissent and dissatisfaction. Yet after Su Qishi ascended the throne and implemented a series of benevolent reforms, those voices gradually faded away.

She reduced taxes and eased labor burdens, earning her the reputation of a wise and just ruler. Those who had fought alongside her were rewarded handsomely, with Gu Congran even being granted the rare title of Vassal King.

At dawn, the sky had brightened completely. A crimson sun hung high in the heavens.

Inside the Xuanzheng Hall, the sound of two officials locked in heated debate filled the air, their voices clashing in sharp contrast.

Su Qishi, dressed in a bright yellow imperial robe, wore a jade crown that bound her raven-black hair neatly in place. The palace doors stood wide open, and in the glow of the morning light, she radiated an aura of nobility and unshakable authority.

Seated on the Dragon Throne, she quietly played with a dragon-carved jade pendant, listening in silence as the two men argued.

Chancellor Zhang Hang and Grand Tutor Li Yuan were locked in a fierce verbal battle, both red-faced and unyielding. But Su Qishi could already tell—their dispute, beneath the surface, was simply about her imperial harem.

Though they seemed to be at odds, their ultimate goal was the same…

Su Qishi’s cold gaze swept over the court filled with self-serving officials. Then, with calm indifference, she spoke:

“Enough. Both of you speak with reason. But the borders remain unsettled, and the Yun Kingdom watches us with ill intent. I have no time for distractions. We will discuss this another day.”

With that, she rose from her seat and departed. Behind her, the officials’ voices rang out in respectful chorus:

“We respectfully send off Your Majesty.”

In the dark prison, the air reeked of damp rot, the stench clinging to every corner of the lightless cell, its walls sealed tight.

Su Qishi’s gaze was cold and distant, her eyes gleaming with an eerie depth. In the direction of her stare, a slender figure was bound tightly to a stone pillar, her body covered in whip marks.

The woman appeared unconscious, her head drooping, hair disheveled and obscuring half her face.

Expressionless, Su Qishi commanded, “Wake her.”

The jailer immediately obeyed, dousing the woman with a bucket of cold water.

The sudden chill jolted the woman awake, magnifying the pain coursing through her body. Her lips were pale, her eyes dull—yet as she slowly raised her head, a glimmer of light returned to her gaze. The sudden transformation made Su Qishi laugh coldly.

“Su Qingzhi, does it hurt?”

“…Yes,” Su Qingzhi whispered.

Su Qishi sneered. “So you do know pain.”

She had once gone to great lengths to protect this younger sister—because they had both been neglected children. But her love had only been repaid with lies and betrayal.

Back then, Su Qingzhi, together with that cherished elder brother Su Qi, had falsely accused her of treason, condemning her to this very prison, where she endured relentless torment. Her dearest friend, Shen Wang, died trying to save her—a wound that had never healed in Su Qishi’s heart.

At the thought, her eyes darkened further.

From the moment Su Qingzhi saw Su Qishi step into the prison, she knew her time had come. She did not regret helping Su Qi frame her sister for rebellion. Her only regret was trusting Su Qi too completely. If only she had prepared an escape… could she have ended up by Su Qishi’s side instead?

A complex emotion flickered in her eyes—regret, resentment, fury, and unwillingness.

“Elder sister… how could you treat me this way?” she said, her voice trembling. “You’re truly heartless…”

“You call me heartless?” Su Qishi sneered. “If I were truly heartless, you’d have ended up just like Su Qi!”

Su Qingzhi stared at Su Qishi in stunned silence, unable to reply. Her silence was an unspoken admission. Finally, with a bitter expression, she murmured,
“Elder Sister… Do you know what I always saw in your eyes? Pity. Nothing but pity.”

Su Qishi let out a cold laugh. “Pity? Years ago, when Father wanted to send you to Hasa as part of a political marriage, you said you didn’t want to go. I did everything I could to stop it. Was that pity, too?!”

“Su Qingzhi, your pathetic pride is nauseating.”

Su Qingzhi’s eyes flickered, and she quickly tried to defend herself. “No, that’s not it!” But she couldn’t deny it—if not for Su Qishi, she would have been sent away.

“Elder Sister, I never—”

“Don’t call me that.” Su Qishi’s tone turned ice-cold. “Between us, only the rites of ruler and subject remain.”

Emotion froze across her face. Su Qingzhi’s eyes turned red, her pitiful expression seemingly wounded by Su Qishi’s words.

“Aren’t you even going to ask me why I helped Su Qi?” she choked out.

The mention of Su Qi instantly ignited Su Qishi’s fury.

“If you want to live a little longer, don’t mention him again!”

But Su Qingzhi pressed on, as if she hadn’t heard, her voice turning stubborn, eyes darkening with obsession.

“You killed Li Yuande. In this world, no one treated me better than him. With him, I didn’t feel inferior. He indulged me. No matter what I wanted, he supported me unconditionally. In his eyes, there was only me. But one day… he disappeared—and never came back.”

Su Qishi was so enraged she laughed. Her gaze toward Su Qingzhi was that of a person looking at an insect—contemptuous and scornful.

“Su Qingzhi, I never realized how shameless you truly are.”

“If you miss Li Yuande so much, why didn’t you follow him into the afterlife?”

Su Qingzhi had no words. Su Qishi watched the expressions flicker across her face and couldn’t help but laugh.

“Su Qingzhi, I won’t kill you. No, I’ll let you live—to enjoy every moment of what’s left of your life.”

With that, Su Qishi turned and walked away, leaving Su Qingzhi staring blankly at her retreating figure.

Elder Sister… no matter how hard I tried, I could never hold onto you—not even your sleeve.

Imperial Study, Later.

“Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager from Cining Palace requests an audience.”

Su Qishi paused mid-stroke with her brush. “I won’t see her.”

No sooner had she spoken than Gu Congran entered unannounced.

“Qishi.”

Only then did Su Qishi look up. “A rare guest.”

Gu Congran casually sat down in a nearby chair. “Have you decided who to send to the border?”

Su Qishi, calm and composed, replied, “Shen Wang. What do you think?”

“He’s your subordinate. You should know him best.”

Gu Congran thought for a moment, recalling the man. “He’s capable—but headstrong. Too proud, and prone to overthinking.”

“But if we’re talking about the right person for the task, I might have someone in mind.”

Su Qishi handed her brush to a waiting attendant and glanced at Gu Congran, a glimmer of curiosity in her eyes.

“Don’t tell me… you’re suggesting yourself for the border?”

Gu Congran rose to her feet, her robes swaying with the movement.

Su Qishi immediately raised her hand to stop her. Her eyes reflected confusion.
“Enough. The realm has only just settled, and you want to go to the border? There are plenty of capable people—this is not your time.”

Gu Congran lowered her eyes. When she looked up again, her gaze was filled with such unwavering resolve that it stirred memories in Su Qishi’s heart.

“My decision is made. Qishi, this grand capital… it’s not a place for me.”

Su Qishi’s eyes darkened, her hands at her sides clenching tightly.
“Congran, I only have you left. Once, it was us—just a few. Now, you’re all I have. Are you going to leave me too?”

Gu Congran bowed low, her voice quiet and firm.
“Your Majesty, please allow it.”

Time seemed to halt in place.

A bitter taste filled Su Qishi’s chest. She forced a smile.
“Go, then. But you must return safely.”

Gu Congran rose. Their eyes met—both understanding the unspoken.

Those we long to keep… are never ours to hold.
What use is power if, in the end, we cannot hold on to the ones who matter?

Su Qishi exhaled softly.
“Pass my decree.”

Another dreary, rain-filled day. Raindrops fell into the pond, stirring faint ripples.

Zichen Hall stood with its doors tightly shut. All candles within had been extinguished, leaving only faint daylight filtering through the gloom.

Su Qishi lay upon the cold floor, the chill seeping into her bones. Her black hair fanned out around her, streaked clearly with strands of white.

Outside, Yue Ye stood motionless at the door, occasionally glancing inside with concern.

Through the mist, a figure holding an umbrella emerged. Slender, upright, graceful—Liu Jiangli.

Yue Ye stepped forward, voice firm.
“Stop. His Majesty has ordered—no visitors today.”

—Liu Jiangli?!

Dressed in white, her eyes cold as snow, Liu Jiangli’s slender fingers clutched the umbrella tightly.

“His Majesty hasn’t eaten in a long time. His health will suffer. I’ve prepared a soup. Please, Lady Yue Ye, deliver it.”

Yue Ye knew of her—knew the stories between her and His Majesty. She held no fondness for Liu Jiangli. But His Majesty hadn’t eaten since yesterday. While hesitating, Liu Jiangli had already placed the food box into her hands.

Yue Ye responded curtly, “I’ll pass it on. You should leave now.”

She turned back toward the hall, speaking softly, “Your Majesty, Consort Liu has prepared soup. Will you take some?”

Su Qishi was briefly surprised at the name, then her expression shifted, as if recalling something unpleasant. Her voice turned cold and sharp.
“Tell her to leave—take her things with her!”

Yue Ye winced, unsure if Liu Jiangli had heard.

“Your Grace… you should go. His Majesty will not take it.”

Liu Jiangli lowered her eyes, hiding the flash of sorrow that flickered within.
“His Majesty’s stomach is delicate. Please… take care of him.”

“…Leave the soup.”

Yue Ye was stunned—surprised that Liu Jiangli would still care.

She didn’t know: on this day, every year, Su Qishi would shut herself away from the world, refusing to see anyone.

“Of course. Your Grace, please return.”

Liu Jiangli turned her gaze to the sealed doors—eyes full of worry, genuine and deep.

A’shi… I’m so worried about you.

Inside the hall, Su Qishi had long since risen. She stood by the window, staring through a narrow gap, watching Liu Jiangli’s retreating figure until it vanished from view.

Liu Jiangli… whether your feelings are real or not, I can no longer tell. And I no longer wish to.

Do you truly care for me?

Then why… why did you once treat me with such cruelty?

As her thoughts spiraled, memories surged unbidden.

Year 20 of Mingze Era.

Liu Jiangli wore a light blue gown, her gaze cool yet composed.

“You brought me here… for what?”

Su Qishi turned, her hair catching in the breeze, vibrant and unrestrained. She smiled brightly, the air of youthfulness surrounding her.

“Today is your birthday. Of course I had to give you a surprise.”

“A’Shi, you don’t need to do this anymore.”

Su Qishi looked at her in confusion.
“A’Li, what’s wrong? Are you… unhappy?”

Liu Jiangli made her decision swiftly—cutting cleanly and without hesitation.
“I’m going to marry Su Qi. Tomorrow morning, His Majesty will issue the decree.”

Su Qishi’s mind went blank. For a long moment, she stood frozen, unable to comprehend. At last, she managed to speak, her voice barely a whisper,
“You’re saying… you’re going to marry my imperial brother?”

“…Yes.”

Su Qishi’s voice rose involuntarily, sharp and disbelieving.
“That’s impossible!” Then, realizing her outburst, her tone softened, pleading.
“A’Li, we grew up together. We were meant to be married…”

Liu Jiangli paid no heed to the redness in Su Qishi’s eyes. Her voice remained cold, emotionless.
“I love Su Qi. I want to become the most noble woman under the heavens. That’s something you cannot give me.”

Su Qishi felt like a fool—a joke caught in the palms of two people who had played her effortlessly. She had believed their bond unbreakable, yet they had long betrayed her behind her back.

“A’Li, but we… we were about to be married. We could have been together, forever…”

Liu Jiangli remained unmoved, her expression as calm as if she were speaking to a stranger.
“I’ve never said I loved you.”

Yes… she had never once said those words.

“Then why did you promise to marry me when you turned twenty?”

Liu Jiangli replied without hesitation,
“It was a convenient arrangement—nothing more.”

Only then did Su Qishi realize: her repeated proposals, her longing to wed Liu Jiangli, had been nothing but a burden to the other woman—a pathetic display of unrequited affection.

Liu Jiangli had no desire to say more. She turned to leave. But after only a few steps, Su Qishi’s voice called out from behind.

“If… if I were to ascend the throne—would you then marry me?”

Liu Jiangli paused for a moment. She gave no reply, only quickened her pace and walked away.

The present returned.

Su Qishi opened the door. The fresh scent of rainwashed air filled her senses.

She frowned at the bowl of soup in Yue Ye’s hands.

Yue Ye quickly lifted it up, cautious.
“This was prepared by Consort Liu herself. Your Majesty… perhaps you might drink some?”

Expressionless, Su Qishi took the bowl, turned, and shut the door firmly behind her—all in one smooth motion.