Reborn Into A New Life, Everyone Loves Me Now (GL) - Chapter 27
“Prince Yue of Yun Dynasty, Su Qishi, requests an audience with the Head of Ephemeral Blossom Sect!”
Gao Qianqian’s face flushed bright red. She gave a couple of dry laughs, trying to cover her embarrassment, and sent a pleading look toward Su Qishi.
Receiving the signal, Su Qishi calmly set down her teacup. Her eyes, cold as ice, met Liu Jiangli’s gaze. A mocking smile curved her lips. “Didn’t I tell you? We are nothing to each other now. Once we return to the capital, our engagement will be annulled.”
A strange, unspeakable feeling welled up in Liu Jiangli’s heart—as though everyone, even A’Shi, had abandoned her. She wanted to argue, but realized she had no grounds. Her beautiful eyes turned red-rimmed, filled with both defiance and deep despair.
Her lips parted. In her cool voice, there was a touch of grievance and a hint of stubbornness. “A’Shi… can you not marry her?” Though her words were soft, without the slightest aggression, the unwavering resolve behind them was impossible to ignore.
Gao Qianqian quietly watched the two exchange words, oddly thrilled—it was even more dramatic than the stories in romance novels.
Su Qishi’s lips pressed into a thin line. Her voice was cold. “Who I marry is none of your concern. Who do you think you are, giving me orders? Right now, I feel nothing but disgust toward you. Must I spell it out so harshly?”
Liu Jiangli’s tears slid down her pale cheeks. Her lips had lost all color, her whole being radiating utter desolation.
Gao Qianqian noticed something was off and tugged at Su Qishi’s sleeve. “Sister, please stop. She looks… not well.”
Su Qishi showed no pity, turned on her heel, and walked straight out of the hall—not even sparing Liu Jiangli a glance.
Though Gao Qianqian didn’t know the full story between them, she could tell from their conversation that something irreparable had happened.
She hesitated, then stepped softly toward Liu Jiangli, as if afraid of startling her. Struggling to find the right words—since she had always been the one comforted rather than comforting—she finally managed, “Miss… don’t force love. Perhaps the next person will be more suited to you.”
As soon as the words left her lips, Gao Qianqian winced—Had she just made it worse?
Meeting Liu Jiangli’s frost-laden gaze, she braced herself and added quickly, “But don’t worry. Sister and I are just putting on an act. I’ve arranged a room for you here—you’ll stay in the residence like she does.”
Liu Jiangli’s eyes flickered. Wiping the tears from her face, she forced a smile. “Then thank you, Miss Gao.”
No reply.
Gao Qianqian was lost, completely enchanted by Liu Jiangli’s beauty. Such a stunning woman—why is Sister so determined to end their engagement?
Noticing Gao Qianqian’s stare, Liu Jiangli softly reminded her, “Miss Gao?”
Snapping back to her senses, Gao Qianqian stammered, “Ah—may I ask your name, Miss?”
“You may call me A’Liu,” Liu Jiangli replied gently.
By the pond, the emerald waters rippled as twin fish frolicked beneath the surface.
Gao Qianqian and Su Qishi sat casually on stone stools by the water’s edge, each lost in thought.
Gao Qianqian eventually broke the silence, “Sister, something’s on your mind?”
Su Qishi shook her head, replying softly, “No.”
“I’ve arranged for Miss Liu to stay in the residence,” Gao Qianqian added.
Su Qishi said nothing.
Gao Qianqian glanced at her, then asked, “By the way, I still don’t know where Sister is from. Why did you come to Yun City?”
Su Qishi tucked a wind-blown strand of hair behind her ear. “I’m from the capital. As for why I came here… it’s a long story. When the time is right, I’ll explain everything, Qianqian.”
Gao Qianqian smiled, “I’ll be waiting.”
Su Qishi turned to her, her expression serious. “Qianqian, you’re special.”
“Aren’t you worried that someone of unknown origin like me might bring you trouble?”
Gao Qianqian furrowed her brows, considering it. Then she grinned, “How could someone as beautiful as you bring trouble?”
Su Qishi’s lashes fluttered. Her eyes were unreadable, filled with veiled emotions. “The more beautiful… the more dangerous.” Though she spoke to Gao Qianqian, the words were clearly a warning to herself.
Her tone shifted. “Could you take me to meet your father?”
After a long silence, Gao Qianqian finally gave a slow nod.
Inside the room, the windows and doors were tightly shut. The air was heavy with the pungent scent of medicinal herbs.
Su Qishi followed Gao Qianqian to the bedside. Gao Qianqian softly called, “Father…”
At her voice, Mr. Gao turned around.
His frail body, sunken cheeks, and pallid complexion revealed the severity of his illness.
Fortunately, he was still lucid.
Seeing Su Qishi—a stranger—Mr. Gao summoned all his strength to ask weakly, “Qian’er, who is this young lady?”
Gao Qianqian looked at her father’s fragile appearance, lips trembling, unable to bring herself to lie.
Noticing her hesitation, Su Qishi stepped forward and spoke calmly, “I am a traveling physician. By chance, I passed through Yun City and met Miss Gao. She invited me to see if I could treat your illness.” She turned to Gao Qianqian, her gaze meaningful. “Is that right, Miss Gao?”
Caught off guard, Gao Qianqian met Su Qishi’s eyes. Though unsure of her intent, she instinctively nodded. “Yes, Father, this is Miss Shi, the physician I brought for you. Her skills are well-known. Please, let her examine you.”
Mr. Gao’s voice was barely a whisper, like a thread on the verge of snapping. “Qian’er… don’t waste any more effort. I know my own body. I’m beyond the help of medicine. My only wish now is to see you married before I go…”
Before Gao Qianqian could reply, Su Qishi interjected firmly, “Mr. Gao, may I take your pulse first?”
Gao Qianqian quickly echoed, “Yes, Father, let Sister… I mean, Miss Shi, examine you. Maybe she can help.”
Though Mr. Gao didn’t want to cling to false hope, he yielded to his daughter’s plea and slowly extended his hand toward the bedside.
Su Qishi took his pulse while Gao Qianqian anxiously watched her face for any sign—yet Su Qishi remained expressionless.
A long moment passed before she withdrew her hand, her expression unchanged.
“Mr. Gao, there’s no need for concern—your illness is treatable.”
With that, she turned and left the room.
Gao Qianqian was stunned, then quickly overjoyed, chasing after her. “Sister, you’re serious? My father’s illness can be cured?”
Su Qishi nodded. “Of course. I know how to treat it.”
“But all the physicians who came said it was hopeless…”
A hint of disdain flickered in Su Qishi’s eyes. “Because they couldn’t treat it. The diagnosis is straightforward, but the treatment is difficult. The key lies in a special herb—Huizhu Grass—which is only found at the Ephemeral Blossom Sect.”
At this, Gao Qianqian deflated, her expression dimming. “That sect… never receives visitors. All our wealth means nothing in this case.”
Su Qishi replied calmly, “I can go and request the medicine.”
Her words rang with confidence. Gao Qianqian stared at her, stunned.
A moment later, her eyes brimmed with tears. “Thank you… Sister…”
Su Qishi’s lips curved into a faint, comforting smile. “Don’t worry. Go tell your father he can be cured—it’ll lift his spirits.”
“Alright, Sister, I’ll go now!” With that, Gao Qianqian turned and hurried back into the room.
Su Qishi reached for the Nine Sakura Beads hanging at her waist, feeling their familiar warmth.
Ephemeral Blossom Sect—the sect once led by her mother. She was determined to uncover what secrets the sect held… and what her mother had hidden. Tomorrow’s visit might finally bring answers.
Night fell, cloaking the world in soft moonlight.
Su Qishi and Gao Qianqian finalized their plans for the next day, then prepared to rest.
Just as Su Qishi turned to leave, a voice like a mountain spring whispered in her ear—
“A’Shi, are you really going to Ephemeral Blossom Sect?”
“Can you take me with you…?”
Su Qishi halted, but did not turn back. Her voice was cold. “What does it have to do with you?”
“I advise you to return to the capital. You’re an eyesore here.”
Liu Jiangli stood alone on the stone courtyard, black hair cascading down her shoulders. The wind lifted her strands gently, and the moonlight draped over her figure, casting her in a silvery glow. Her dress billowed softly, a chill air cloaking her entire being.
“A’Shi, I’m not going back…”
I want to follow you.
Seeing her obstinate as ever, Su Qishi couldn’t be bothered to argue. “Do as you please.”
With that, she stepped into the house, leaving Liu Jiangli alone in the courtyard, exposed to the biting wind.
Liu Jiangli lowered her gaze, hiding the sorrow in her eyes. She stood for a long time, unmoving, until her body began to tremble. Only then did she slowly leave.
She was afraid—afraid that if she fell ill, A’Shi would resent her even more.
The next morning, light crept into the sky, though the fog still clung to the earth.
At the gates of the Gao Manor, Su Qishi reached out to touch the fine steed that Gao Qianqian had prepared for her. The horse seemed almost intelligent, leaning toward her hand as she approached.
Gao Qianqian stood nearby, concern in her eyes. “Sister, don’t get hurt on your journey to the Ephemeral Blossom Sect…”
Su Qishi leapt onto the horse, hair whipping through the air. Her lips curved into a faint smile, “Don’t worry—I’ll make it worth the trip.”
The Ephemeral Blossom Sect was not far from Yun City. With a swift ride, she arrived by late evening.
The sect sat atop Xuanqing Mountain, and by the time Su Qishi reached it, night had fallen.
Yet the mountain peak was aglow—the sect ablaze with light, like the sole beacon in the depths of night.
Dismounting, Su Qishi adjusted the Nine Sakura Beads at her waist, the gems swaying softly. She concealed her sword behind her cloak, stepped forward, and knocked firmly at the sect’s main gate.
“Prince Yue of Yun Dynasty, Su Qishi, requests an audience with the Head of Ephemeral Blossom Sect!”