Reborn Into A New Life, Everyone Loves Me Now (GL) - Chapter 22
In a quiet, unnoticed corner, A’Li stood frozen, watching the two figures closely—so intimate it made her heart jolt.
Beside her, Su Qi spoke at just the right moment, voice laced with implication.
“Isn’t that Qi Wanxuan, the Minister’s daughter? When did Royal Sister become so close with her?”
It was a rest day—no morning court. Su Qishi was enjoying the leisure, planning to practice swordsmanship she hadn’t touched in a while.
Just then, Nian Qi entered, “Your Highness, Miss Qi seeks an audience.”
Su Qishi paused while wiping her blade, her voice calm, as if expecting this. “Let her wait in the front hall.”
Nian Qi bowed. “By your command.”
Su Qishi didn’t keep Qi Wanxuan waiting long. She only changed into a white gown edged with gold thread at the cuffs. Her jet-black hair was tied with a white jade hairpin, the rest cascading down her back, adding a softness to her appearance.
When Qi Wanxuan saw her enter, she rose and gave a slight bow. Su Qishi offered a gesture of support.
“Miss Qi, no need for formalities.”
Su Qishi asked softly, “Miss Qi, what brings you to see me today?”
Qi Wanxuan lowered her gaze and replied gently, “This humble woman came to thank Your Highness for saving me that day.”
Su Qishi feigned sudden realization and smiled, “There’s no need to mention it, Miss Qi. We’re both women—under such dangerous circumstances, how could I stand by and do nothing?”
Though it was the result she had hoped for, she felt no joy—only a lingering sense of guilt she could not shake.
Qi Wanxuan’s eyes flickered, her voice sincere. “Your Highness is truly a paragon among women. Forgive me if this sounds naive, but I once wished to be like you—yet I never had your courage.”
Su Qishi’s gaze softened. “It’s never too late to be brave. If you ever have doubts, I’m willing to listen and help ease your burdens.”
Qi Wanxuan stared at her in a daze before lowering her eyes again, concealing the emotion within them. She smiled faintly. “Thank you, Your Highness.”
Su Qishi then asked casually, “I heard that Miss Qi is known as the most talented lady in the capital. Recently, the Second Princess was recruiting companion readers—why didn’t you enter the palace to try for the position?”
“Or perhaps… your ambitions lie elsewhere?”
Qi Wanxuan’s tone held a trace of regret. “You jest, Your Highness. I’m simply used to being alone.”
To Su Qishi, Qi Wanxuan seemed like a walking contradiction—her heart longing for freedom, yet her steps shackled, likely by her own father.
Su Qishi said, “The first step is always the hardest. But once you take it, things become easier.”
She didn’t know why she was offering advice from such a position, but something told her Qi Wanxuan needed a push.
Qi Wanxuan didn’t respond, though the sorrow on her face betrayed her inner turmoil.
Su Qishi allowed her time to think. After a while, she said, “Miss Qi, the weather is pleasant today. Why not take a stroll through the streets? Sometimes a lively crowd can lift one’s spirits.”
As fate would have it, this was when A’Li and Su Qi, returning from the palace, happened upon them.
In an unnoticed corner, A’Li stood frozen, staring at the two walking together with apparent ease and familiarity. At her side, Su Qi’s voice came at just the right moment, laced with suggestion.
“Isn’t that Qi Wanxuan, the Minister’s daughter? When did my royal sister become so close with her?” Then, feigning surprise, he asked, “Did you know, Miss Liu?”
A’Li shook her head slightly, her mind in chaos. First, A’Shi rescued her without hesitation. Now, their matching outfits, their familiar gestures… Everything was adding up.
Yet her heart kept telling her: A’Shi would never betray me.
Steadying her emotions, A’Li replied calmly, “A’Shi and Miss Qi are merely friends, Prince Chen. Please don’t misunderstand.”
Su Qi laughed, as if hearing the most absurd joke. “Misunderstand? Miss Liu, you’ve clearly been bewitched by Royal Sister—now you’re blind to the truth!”
A trace of anger appeared between A’Li’s brows. She spoke coldly, “What do you mean by that, Prince?”
Su Qi stepped closer, his voice seemingly laced with concern. “I just don’t want to see you hurt.”
When A’Li remained silent, he added, “A’Li, you know my feelings for you. Mother wants to match us, and the Empress herself favors you. Can’t you see it?”
“Or do you truly believe Royal Sister would defy Mother for your sake?”
“In the end, the outcome will be the same. Why not avoid conflict and compromise now?”
His words rang like a dark spell in A’Li’s ears—inescapable, unwanted.
Yet her expression remained calm, untouched by Su Qi’s insidious words. “His Majesty granted me and A’Shi this engagement. It’s not so easily undone. You need not concern yourself, Prince Chen.”
Su Qi was seething. The firmer A’Li’s choice, the more it suffocated him.
Let’s see how much Su Qishi truly trusts you.
Dropping all pretense, his eyes turned sinister, his tone cold.
“A’Li, did it never occur to you that Father loves Mother deeply? If she wishes it, do you think he won’t change his mind?”
Su Qi’s lips curled into a sinister smile, his voice as repulsive as a rat scurrying in the shadows, making one feel sick from the depths of their soul.
“A’Li, you won’t be able to get away this time.”
As he spoke, he pulled out a handkerchief and swiftly covered A’Li’s nose and mouth. The difference in strength and size between them was too great. No matter how hard A’Li struggled, she couldn’t break free. Her eyes turned red with desperation, and deep despair filled her gaze.
The drug-laced cloth quickly took effect. Her eyelids grew heavier and heavier. Just before losing consciousness, her eyes locked onto a distant image—Su Qishi holding an ornate hairpin, seemingly matching it against Qi Wanxuan’s hair.
Tears streamed uncontrollably down A’Li’s face, her heart filled with sorrow.
Gift-giving a hairpin to a woman—A’Shi wouldn’t not know what that means… Could it be that she’s fallen for Qi Wanxuan?
Then came Su Qi’s nauseating voice, chilling to the bone.
“A’Li, sleep well. When you wake, everything will be settled.”
And with that, A’Li lost consciousness.
Meanwhile, on the bustling street, Su Qishi held the hairpin in front of a merchant, twirling it thoughtfully.
“How much for this?”
The merchant took one look at Su Qishi’s fine attire and deliberately quoted high.
“Miss, this hairpin is unique—one of a kind…”
Su Qishi waved her hand, impatient. “Enough with the sales pitch. Just give me a price.”
“Ten taels of silver.”
“Deal.”
Nian Qi quickly interjected, “Miss, it’s not worth ten taels at all. You’ve been overcharged.”
The merchant furrowed his brow, just about to offer a lower price, when Su Qishi said confidently,
“This hairpin is absolutely worth it.” She handed over the silver without hesitation, ignoring Nian Qi’s pained expression.
The more Su Qishi looked at the hairpin, the more she liked it.
Nian Qi grumbled with frustration, pointing at the hairpin.
“Your Highness, what exactly is so special about this hairpin?”
Su Qishi paused in thought, an image flashing through her mind, then smiled.
“You’re too young to understand.”
Nian Qi blinked in confusion. “Huh?”
Noticing Su Qishi exchanging smiles with Qi Wanxuan, she immediately turned to Qi Wanxuan and asked, “Miss Qi, do you understand?”
Qi Wanxuan nodded, her voice gentle.
“It’s not the hairpin itself that’s special—it’s the person wearing it.”
Nian Qi scratched her head, half understanding. “Special? Our prince is special?”
Qi Wanxuan giggled softly, covering her mouth with a hand.
“No, not your prince—but the one your prince wants to give it to—that’s who is special.”
Nian Qi nodded slowly, half dazed. “Ah, I kind of get it… and kind of don’t.”
Su Qishi was just about to respond when a man in servant’s clothing hurried over and whispered something in her ear.
Su Qishi’s expression changed dramatically in an instant.