Reborn Into A New Life, Everyone Loves Me Now (GL) - Chapter 33
Not Favor, But Destruction in Disguise
Court officials, clad in ceremonial robes, entered the hall in order of rank, each accompanied by their family members and bearing luxurious birthday gifts.
Su Qishi wore a resplendent brocade gown, the Nine-Cherry Pearl at her waist especially eye-catching. Her black hair was tied loosely at the back with a simple white jade hairpin, the remaining strands flowing freely down her back. Her usual brilliance was tempered today, replaced by a calm and unhurried grace.
Just as she was about to enter the hall, she came face-to-face with Su Qi.
Their gazes clashed—a silent storm, neither willing to yield.
Su Qi spoke with biting sarcasm.
“Royal sister truly has the bearing of a leader. Surviving an assassination unscathed—your elder brother was so worried during your absence.”
Su Qishi offered a faint smile, saying nothing.
Throwing a punch into cotton—that’s what it feels like when your barbs have no effect. Frustrating, isn’t it?
At that moment, Shen Wang stepped up beside Su Qishi. Dressed in a pale moon-patterned robe, he exuded elegance and poise. Since entering officialdom, some of his scholarly aura had faded, replaced by subtle authority.
He bowed respectfully.
“Greetings to Prince Yue and Prince Nan.”
Su Qishi replied,
“Minister Shen, no need for such formality.”
Su Qi sneered, his tone dripping with mockery.
“Minister Shen, starting as Deputy Minister of Justice—truly unheard of in this dynasty. It seems Father holds you in the highest regard. With your bright future, I might even need to rely on you someday.”
Unfazed, Shen Wang responded with a light smile.
“Your Highness Prince Nan jests. I dare not forget His Majesty’s favor. I can only serve with all my heart—for both the Emperor and the people.”
Su Qi, finding no purchase, huffed and flung his sleeve, muttering as he walked into the hall,
“Always so long-winded, hardly like a man.”
Shen Wang withdrew his gaze, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly.
“Your Highness, are you truly alright?”
Su Qishi smiled.
“Don’t I look perfectly fine?”
Shen Wang’s eyes grew serious.
“You know I wasn’t referring to appearances.”
Su Qishi placed a hand on his shoulder, her tone gentle.
“It’s nothing… Think of it as an unexpected excursion.”
His eyes darkened.
“Your Highness, this is no joke.”
Suddenly, Gu Congran appeared out of nowhere and smacked Su Qishi’s hand off Shen Wang’s shoulder with a sharp ‘smack’. Her fair hand instantly turned red.
Su Qishi rubbed her hand and cried out in disbelief,
“Gu Congran! Did you skip your medicine today?”
Gu Congran, entirely unbothered, grinned.
“Just testing if you’ve gotten rusty.”
Su Qishi narrowed her eyes.
“Gu Congran, you’re not being honest.”
Gu Congran, clearly flustered by the accurate jab, stammered,
“I—what? I’m totally honest. Don’t make things up.”
Shen Wang, stepping between them, tried to mediate.
“Your Highness, General Gu, please don’t quarrel. If there’s any trouble, feel free to let me help. I’ll gladly share your burdens.”
Both Su Qishi and Gu Congran exchanged a glance—and then burst into laughter.
Now it was Shen Wang who stood there awkwardly, unsure what just happened, glancing between them with confusion.
Su Qishi patted him on the shoulder, and Gu Congran quickly followed suit.
Shen Wang furrowed his brow and followed after them.
Not far away, Su Qingzhi watched the trio’s interaction, her heart tinged with quiet bitterness.
If she hadn’t remembered her past life, she could have stood calmly beside her sister. But now that her memories had returned, she couldn’t remain by her sister’s side without turmoil… But if her sister doesn’t remember the past life—then what should she do?
Her eyes dimmed at the thought.
The moment Su Qishi entered the hall, she felt a burning gaze fall upon her.
Following the direction of the stare, she met it with a cold glance. Liu Jiangli, startled, quickly averted her eyes.
Su Qishi let out a cold snort and seated herself, her eyes sweeping across the room. By coincidence, her gaze met Su Zhi’s.
Su Zhi raised his cup in greeting. Su Qishi mirrored the gesture.
Su Zhi’s eyes held a warm smile, refined and courteous.
Su Qishi’s impression of Su Zhi wasn’t bad. In her past life, during the northern campaign, he had contributed significantly. Under his governance, his province had grown prosperous.
Clearly, this was a man of skill—but one who chose not to contend for power.
Once all guests were seated, the Empress’s birthday banquet officially began under the booming voice of the senior eunuch, Wang Dehai.
“His Majesty and Her Majesty the Empress—arrive!”
Everyone rose to their feet and greeted the imperial couple in unison:
“Long live His Majesty! Long live, long live, long, long live! Long life to Her Majesty the Empress, long life, long life, ten thousand years of long life!”
Empress Xiao Yue, wearing a phoenix coronet and a ceremonial phoenix robe, was regal and elegant, her gaze sharp and commanding as she looked straight ahead.
Beside the dragon throne was the phoenix seat, and after the imperial couple sat down, Emperor Su Sheng raised his hand in a subtle gesture to Wang Dehai.
Wang Dehai immediately understood and called out loudly,
“Her Majesty the Empress’s birthday banquet now begins!”
With this proclamation, the courtiers stepped forward according to rank.
Civil officials and military officers stood in two lines, led by Prime Minister Liu Shichen and Duke Xiao.
Each presented their tribute, most of which were rare and precious items not commonly seen.
When it was Prime Minister Liu’s turn, he unfolded a silk scroll under the watchful eyes of all present. As the scroll opened, exquisite embroidery was revealed, prompting murmurs of admiration.
Liu Shichen declared,
“Every embroidered image on this scroll carries blessings for Her Majesty the Empress. May Your Majesty’s life be like a song, and your years as long as the southern mountains!”
Xiao Yue nodded.
“Prime Minister, your thoughtfulness is appreciated.”
Once all the court officials had presented their gifts, it was time for the royal children to offer their tributes.
Su Qi stepped forward first, presenting a millennium ginseng sourced from the South Sea. He looked up with a carefully measured smile and respectfully said,
“This millennium ginseng was specially procured by your son from the South Sea. May Mother Empress remain ever youthful and enjoy a long, healthy life!”
Xiao Yue, graceful and composed in every movement, gave off a natural air of dignity. She nodded slightly, a small smile forming at the corners of her lips—one that didn’t quite reach her eyes.
“Qi’er’s filial devotion is well-remembered by your mother.”
Then, her gaze shifted sharply to Su Qishi, and her tone changed.
“I wonder—what has Shier prepared for her mother?”
Her sudden question caused every gaze in the hall to shift toward Su Qishi.
Emperor Su Sheng lifted his eyes, a look of inquiry flickering within them. His peripheral glance subtly settled on Xiao Yue.
Unfazed, Su Qishi set down her jade cup and rose steadily amid the silence, her posture tall and unbowed. She walked to the center with poise and calm.
As she passed Su Qi, he sneered and scoffed, his eyes brimming with disdain.
Su Qishi bowed with composure.
“Your daughter has not prepared a tribute.”
Su Qi immediately seized the chance to mock,
“Royal Sister, how could you attend Mother Empress’s birthday banquet empty-handed?”
Su Qishi cast him a cool glance and replied evenly,
“However, I have prepared a sword dance for Mother Empress. I hope it will please her.”
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yue’s smile deepened.
Could it be that Shier has decided to forgive me?
The thought rapidly bloomed in her heart.
Liu Jiangli, not far away, looked on with worry, her eyes never leaving Su Qishi.
Emperor Su Sheng, on the other hand, glanced at Xiao Yue in surprise, his eyes holding an indecipherable glint.
Has Xiao Yue… changed?
His heart sank slightly, and he spoke in a deep voice,
“Bring a sword for Prince Yue!”
Su Qishi accepted the ceremonial, unsharpened sword, while the court resumed their seats.
Standing alone in the center of the grand hall, Su Qishi raised the sword and tied a sheer white veil over her eyes.
Su Hui’s eyes gleamed with hostility, watching Su Qishi intently, hoping she would make a mistake and be reprimanded by the Emperor.
Then, with a small flick of her wrist, the sword drew an elegant arc of silver light, blooming like a sword flower in the air. Each movement released bursts of sword energy—powerful yet graceful.
Her white gown billowed like a blossoming flower in the wind.
Though her eyes were covered by a thin veil, every movement Su Qishi made struck precisely—as if she could see through it all.
Everyone was utterly captivated by this breathtaking sword dance. Yet among the crowd, only three people recognized it as the Xuanhua Sword Technique of Tan Hua Sect.
Empress Xiao Yue and Emperor Su Sheng each wore very different expressions.
Meanwhile, Su Qi sneered inwardly in contempt.
Royal Sister… This sword technique was taught to me alone by Mother Empress. She once said it was forbidden to learn it in secret, and now you not only stole it—but have the audacity to perform it during her birthday banquet. Are you declaring war on her?
Xiao Yue’s fingers clenched tightly around the phoenix robe. Memories from long ago surged back, one after another. She seemed to see again that look of defiance in Shier’s eyes—all the mistakes she had made, playing out once more before her.
When Su Qishi was just ten years old, she couldn’t understand why her mother taught only her elder brother swordsmanship, even though she was the most gifted.
From as early as she could remember, Mother Empress had always treated her with cold detachment. Hurt and confused, the young girl had choked back tears.
“Mother Empress, why can Royal Brother learn, but I cannot?”
Her mother’s eyes were filled with irritation; her voice was colder than ice.
“This palace teaches whom it wishes. You have no say.”
Little Su Qishi couldn’t understand why her mother was so cruel.
“But I’m your only daughter. Fourth Brother is not.”
Yet Xiao Yue ignored the tears shimmering in her daughter’s eyes, waving her hand dismissively and ordering the child taken away.
She now realized that her young daughter had likely hidden in a corner, watching her teach Su Qi with tender patience, while she herself could only watch—alone.
A sharp ache pierced her heart. This belated love was like countless needles stabbing her soul.
Her thoughts returned to the present, and a mist clouded her vision, making it hard to see clearly.
She forcefully suppressed her emotions, not wanting those nearby to notice. She feared that any slip would bring harm to Shier.
Emperor Su Sheng’s eyes glinted, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly.
Interesting.
As the final movement ended, Su Qishi removed her veil and looked calmly up at the high seat.
Mother, how about I return your sword technique to you in this way?
And there’s more to come.
If you knew the man you loved never stopped longing for you, even in death… would you be moved to tears?
Su Qishi was curious—to see how Mother Empress would face her now.
She handed the sword to a nearby eunuch, then bowed.
“Mother Empress, was your daughter’s sword dance to your liking?”
Xiao Yue lowered her phoenix eyes, replying stiffly,
“Very well.”
Emperor Su Sheng’s eyes narrowed as if struck by inspiration.
“Since your mother is pleased, then I shall reward you. Bring forth the Yunguang Sword, and entrust the Northern City Garrison to Prince Yue.”
A collective gasp rippled through the hall.
The Northern City Garrison, once stationed to defend the northern frontier, had only recently returned to the capital following peace. And the Yunguang Sword—even more legendary—a royal sword, said to signify destiny and rulership. It was rumored:
“He who holds the Yunguang Sword shall claim the world.”
Everyone now paused, deeply considering the implications. Was the Emperor hinting at naming Prince Yue the Crown Prince?
The look in their eyes toward Su Qishi subtly shifted.
The other imperial princes remained silent, their faces impassive as they sipped their wine.
Su Qishi, unaffected, accepted the reward with a composed expression and steady steps, returning to her seat.
Xiao Yue, however, had immediately looked to Su Sheng. His eyes were dark, and his smile held an unreadable meaning.
She instantly understood his intent—and her heart sank like a stone.
As expected, someone couldn’t hold back.
A prince stepped forward with a polite smile.
“Your son has long heard of Royal Sister’s legendary swordsmanship. But just now, it was only a performance—we could not truly witness its depth. Coincidentally, Minister Li’s sword technique is also renowned. Why not have them spar briefly—to entertain Mother Empress further?”
Emperor Su Sheng, lifting his wine cup leisurely, responded slowly,
“An excellent suggestion.” Then, in a seemingly kind tone, he turned to Su Qishi.
“Shier, what do you think?”