Reborn Into A New Life, Everyone Loves Me Now (GL) - Chapter 35
“Liu Jiangli, if you want to die, go die somewhere else.”
In an instant, Su Qishi shoved Liu Jiangli away with force, eyes filled with disgust.
“Liu Jiangli, are you insane!?”
Liu Jiangli’s eyes were bloodshot, her lips slightly wet with tears and desperation. Her voice was filled with pain and madness, tinged with obsessive fervor.
“I am insane. I went mad the moment A’Shi stopped loving me! Do you know the Empress intends to marry you to Qi Wanxuan?! And now you’re so close to her—have you truly fallen for her, A’Shi?!”
Su Qishi yanked out a handkerchief and vigorously wiped her lips—only stopping when they were numb from the friction.
Her reaction cut Liu Jiangli to the bone. She stared at Su Qishi, heartbroken, as she scrubbed her mouth over and over.
Liu Jiangli’s eyes darted helplessly, like a lost child with nowhere to go.
Su Qishi’s brows furrowed with impatience, her voice cold.
“Who I’m with—what does it have to do with you?”
Liu Jiangli laughed bitterly, a soft smile tugging at her lips, her eyes full of love and longing.
“A’Shi, I’m your fiancée. How could it not have anything to do with me?”
Su Qishi narrowed her eyes.
“Thanks for the reminder. Tomorrow, I’ll ask Father to issue a decree—”
She paused mid-sentence, as if reconsidering. Then, meeting Liu Jiangli’s gaze, her voice returned to calm.
“I won’t annul the engagement.”
Liu Jiangli’s eyes lit up briefly—but the next words crushed that light.
“I’ll make sure you remain my Princess Consort. Then I’ll shower you with affection, let the world know you’re my only weakness… and soon, you’ll be in constant danger.”
“A’Li, will you be satisfied then?”
Liu Jiangli’s eyes filled with tears again, yet her voice was resolute.
“As long as I can be with A’Shi, I have no regrets.”
For the first time, Su Qishi saw a side of Liu Jiangli she had never seen before—deep, unsettling obsession. Something unexplainable twisted in her chest.
She stepped back slightly, voice lowering.
“Liu Jiangli, why are you doing this to yourself?”
“In our past life, I loved you so much, but you ignored me.”
“We were about to be married, and you turned around and married my brother. I remember that day as if it were yesterday.”
“You ask for another chance… but who ever gave me a chance? Everyone wanted me dead!”
Liu Jiangli stepped forward, trying to embrace Su Qishi—to tell her that she would never abandon her again. But Su Qishi dodged, and her arms found only air.
Her lashes trembled. Her eyes shimmered with guilt and sorrow, tears slipping silently down her cheeks.
“A’Shi, I’ll never abandon you again. Even if the world turns its back on you, I never will.”
“I didn’t want you to die. That arrow—it wasn’t me.”
Afraid she wouldn’t be believed, she drew a dagger from her sleeve and placed it in Su Qishi’s hand.
“If you still don’t believe me, stab me here—in the heart. Then forgive me… please?”
Her words were raw, genuine—enough to stir any onlooker’s heart.
But not Su Qishi’s.
Her voice was ice.
“Liu Jiangli, if you want to die, go die somewhere else.”
Outside the window, the night was deep, the moon high and stars sparse.
Nian Qi approached.
“Your Highness, this is a secret message intercepted from the Southern Prince’s manor.”
Su Qishi took the envelope. The contents shocked her.
“So… my royal brother has dealings with Qi Yan.”
“How is the Southern Prince’s residence lately?”
Nian Qi reported,
“On the surface, everything seems normal. But our men discovered that Prince Nan has been leaving the city frequently at night. Following him, they found he’s secretly recruiting soldiers at an abandoned temple outside the city—clearly plotting something.”
Su Qishi’s eyes narrowed in thought. Then she spoke coldly,
“Isn’t Su secretly investigating my assassination? Leak the news about Su Hui colluding with Qi Yan to him.”
Nian Qi nodded.
“Understood… Also, please take care of your health, Your Highness.” With that, she vanished into the night.
Su Qishi’s brow lifted slightly, amusement flickering in her eyes.
The next morning, Su Qishi arrived at the Northern City drill grounds.
Why were the Northern City troops so difficult to train? It was simple—years stationed at the frontier had hardened them. Now, back in the capital, they chafed at strict etiquette, harboring resentment and defiance.
A new commander needed to earn respect through strength.
Su Qishi wore a fitted battle robe, her long black hair tied high. She rode confidently into view, drawing the attention of the entire garrison.
Yang Heng, waiting on the stage, immediately stepped forward to greet her.
Among the soldiers, skepticism simmered. Though they had heard of Prince Yue’s reputation, they weren’t convinced of her prowess—and disdain lingered in many eyes.
Yang Heng lifted his head to look at Su Qishi atop her horse and reported respectfully,
“Your Highness, the Northern City Garrison is fully assembled.”
Su Qishi dismounted in one smooth motion, moving with crisp efficiency. Under the scrutiny of the assembled soldiers, she walked steadily up to the platform.
Her gaze swept over the crowd and finally landed on one man—Long Er.
This man was known for his loyalty and honor, but gaining his respect was no easy task. He held nothing but contempt for noble-born royals like her.
In her previous life, the Northern City Garrison had played a crucial role in her successful return to the capital. She must win them over now.
And Long Er was the key.
Step by step—patience and strategy would be her tools.
Facing the crowd, Su Qishi raised her voice with authority,
“I am well aware that many of you do not accept me. But since the Northern City Garrison now falls under my command, I will not tolerate even a grain of sand in my eyes.”
“I am not unreasonable. Let us settle this by military rules. Anyone who doubts me—step onto the duel platform. If you defeat me, you’ll be rewarded. If you lose, you will obey orders without complaint. Refuse, and you’ll answer to military law.”
Her words sparked murmurs among the soldiers.
Where there are men, there are those who crave glory. Soon enough, one raised his hand and stepped forward.
Yang Heng frowned deeply and pointed to the volunteer.
“Your name?”
“Li Si, sir!”
Yang Heng’s brow tightened.
“Li Si, why are you stepping forward?”
Li Si answered seriously,
“Didn’t Prince Yue say we could challenge her? I may not be skilled, but I believe I have what it takes to face her.”
His tone dripped with undisguised disdain.
Yang Heng snapped,
“Impudent! Prince Yue is not someone you can take lightly!”
Su Qishi calmly raised her hand to stop Yang Heng, her gaze steady as she looked at Li Si.
“Our nation needs men like you—bold and unafraid.”
Yang Heng wanted to protest again. His thoughts were troubled:
Even if I know Prince Yue is skilled… what if something goes wrong? If she’s injured under my command, I’ll bear the brunt of it. And who brought in this blind fool of a soldier?
Before he could speak, Su Qishi waved him into silence.
Around the dueling stage, the garrison gathered, eyes gleaming with anticipation.
On the platform, Su Qishi and Li Si faced off—tension crackled in the air.
With a sudden burst of movement, Li Si lunged forward, attacking first. But Su Qishi didn’t move. She stood her ground, catching his fist with ease. With a twist of her wrist, Li Si let out a pained cry.
Then—a direct kick to his chest, followed by a swift spinning kick. Li Si collapsed, clutching his chest, gasping for breath.
He stared at her in shock.
How… how could someone raised in luxury overpower me in three moves?
It was a humiliating defeat.
Slowly, Li Si lowered his head, ashamed to face his comrades. As he brooded, a hand appeared before him.
He looked up and saw Su Qishi’s hand. His eyes flickered with emotion. After a moment’s hesitation, he accepted the hand and stood with her help.
He muttered awkwardly,
“Your Highness wins. I’ll follow orders from now on.”
Trying to shrink from attention, he stepped down from the platform.
Su Qishi scanned the crowd—those who had mocked her were now silent as stone.
After a long pause, a voice broke through the silence.
“…I’ll go next!”
A loud thud resounded as Long Er, standing eight and a half feet tall, stepped onto the platform. His imposing figure drew cheers and applause from the crowd.
“Long Captain! Long Captain!”
Buoyed by their support, Long Er’s confidence soared.
Su Qishi calmly flexed her wrists, ready to put Long Er in his place.
Long Er glanced at her with faint disdain.
“Your Highness, I suggest we forget this. I’d hate to hurt you—my punches might be too much.”
Su Qishi’s lips curled into a faint smile.
“No matter. I can afford to lose.”
Long Er gave a cold snort.
“Then I’ll begin!”
With a heavy step forward, he launched a powerful punch at Su Qishi. She pivoted lightly, dodging with ease.
Long Er followed up with a flurry of strikes, each thrown with full force—but none touched even the hem of Su Qishi’s robe. Her movements were swift, elegant, and precise. At her waist, the Nine Sakura Tassel chimed softly with each motion.
Gradually, Long Er’s large, heavy frame began to slow—his strength draining rapidly.
With a sharp stomp of her left foot, Su Qishi drove her heel into Long Er’s abdomen. He groaned in pain and collapsed, clutching his stomach. Every time he tried to rise, pain forced him back down.
Su Qishi’s smile deepened, but her tone remained composed.
“Someone, help Captain Long up.”
Long Er finally looked at Su Qishi properly, and for the first time, his opinion began to shift—subtly but surely.
Su Qishi stood tall, scanning the soldiers below. Her voice rang clear,
“Is there anyone else who dares challenge me?!”
Silence.
Not a word from the crowd.
Satisfied, Su Qishi raised her voice sternly,
“In the army, we follow military discipline. Any disobedience will be punished by military law.”
“Yang Heng!”
Yang Heng stepped forward immediately.
“Here!”
“Take them to the training grounds.”
In the crowd, some soldiers whispered to Long Er,
“Brother Long… what now?”
Long Er’s face was grim, his tone irritable.
“What do you think? Do as Prince Yue commands. Go train!”
— Imperial Study —
Su Zhi had just finished reporting to Emperor Su Sheng, informing him not only that Su Hui was the mastermind behind Su Qishi’s assassination, but also that Su Hui was secretly colluding with Second Prince Qi Yan.
Su Sheng leaned against the dragon throne, one hand on his forehead, his brows furrowed with worry.
Su Zhi stepped forward, gently massaging his father’s temples, trying to ease his fatigue.
Su Sheng closed his eyes. After a long pause, he murmured,
“You’re as meticulous as your mother was…”
Su Zhi’s lips twitched into a faint smile, bittersweet and strained.