Reborn Into A New Life, Everyone Loves Me Now (GL) - Chapter 4

Yue Ye stared at Zhou Wei, her frustration barely restrained.
“Why are you so calm? Hurry and diagnose His Majesty!”

Zhou Wei cast her a glance, then sighed.
“She’s taken too much Wushi Powder.”

Yue Ye froze, thinking she’d misheard. But the shock quickly gave way to anxiety.

Wushi Powder—overuse would lead to addiction.

Her brows furrowed as she looked at Su Qishi, pale and unconscious on the bed. She murmured under her breath,
“Taking too much Wushi Powder could be fatal… Why won’t she listen? When will we finally cure the Yilu Poison?”

She turned to Zhou Wei, voice tense,
“Immortal Zhou, when will the antidote for Yilu Poison be ready?”

Zhou Wei’s face clouded with difficulty.
“Yilu Poison… isn’t easy to cure. We need more time.”

“More time?! If we wait any longer, Her Majesty’s body won’t hold out!”

Yue Ye’s hands clenched with rising emotion, gripping Zhou Wei so tightly he winced in pain.

“Ow, ow—let go, let go! That hurts!”

“Yue Ye, mind your manners.”

The weak voice came from the bed.

At once, Yue Ye rushed to Su Qishi’s side, joy lighting her face.
“Your Majesty! You’re awake!”

Su Qishi opened her eyes, only to find Yue Ye’s face hovering too close, swaying before her. It made her head spin.

“Yue Ye, step back.”

Though disappointed, Yue Ye obeyed immediately, standing to the side obediently.

Su Qishi glanced at Zhou Wei, who looked as though he had something to say but couldn’t. Her eyes dimmed slightly.

“Yue Ye, leave us.”

Yue Ye’s eyes widened, disbelief written across her face. As she passed Zhou Wei, she gave a pointed huff.

Su Qishi slowly sat up, her profile fragile and thin—like paper, as though a gust of wind could carry her away.

“Uncle Zhou, whatever it is, just say it. I can take it.”

Silence fell. For a moment, Su Qishi saw Zhou Wei, always steadfast and unshaken, now with reddened eyes, unable to speak.

“Uncle Zhou… I can bear it. Please.”

Zhou Wei turned his head away, refusing to meet her gaze. His voice trembled slightly.
“…No more than six months.”

Upon hearing it, Su Qishi felt strangely numb. Death didn’t seem so difficult to accept—not anymore.

She could face it calmly.

Her lips curved into a faint smile.
“Uncle Zhou, don’t be sad. You once told me that once I was cured, we’d roam the world together, fulfilling both our dreams. So wait just three months, alright? By then… I’ll be free to go too.”

At her words, Zhou Wei couldn’t hold back any longer.

“If you’re ill, rest! Stop saying nonsense. I swear, I’ll make sure you live to a hundred. If not, your master will skin me alive when we meet in the afterlife.”

Su Qishi chuckled softly.
“Master wouldn’t… Uncle Zhou, I know my own body. Don’t waste your efforts.”

Zhou Wei couldn’t stand hearing her resignation, his tone sharp as he scolded,
“Enough of that! I said I’d save you—and I will.”

With that, Zhou Wei left abruptly, fearing more of her heart-wrenching words.

Imperial Study.

Su Qishi could no longer delay—she had to begin putting her previous plans into action.

Now, the realm was at peace, the people prosperous.

Her only concern was the borderlands—the Cangyun Kingdom—but with Gu Congran stationed there, Su Qishi no longer worried.

Who should inherit the throne?

She had long made her decision.

—Su Zhi.

The sixth prince, born of a concubine of humble origin. Modest, gentle, never one to seek power.

At the age of twenty, he had been granted his own domain far from the capital—per imperial edict, he was not to return without summons.

During her campaign north with Gu Congran, Su Zhi’s assistance had been invaluable.

He had three sons and one daughter, all born of his wife, Lady Jiang.

His youngest son was just three years old—at the perfect age for nurturing.

Early spring—snow thawed, life stirred anew.

In the Imperial Garden, the air was filled with laughter and joy.

“Your Highness, kick it this way!”

A leather ball rolled smoothly into the goal.

“You did it, Your Highness!”

Su Yunkai, flushed with excitement, sprinted straight toward Su Qishi. She opened her arms and caught the little bundle as he threw himself at her.

“Mother Empress! I’m amazing, right?” he said in his childish voice.

Su Qishi gazed at his eager face, her heart melting.
“Wonderful, wonderful—my imperial son is the best!”

She smiled, then raised an eyebrow.
“But I’ve heard you’ve been neglecting your poetry studies.”

Su Yunkai’s cheeks turned red. “That’s not true! The Grand Tutor’s wrong—I’ve been studying hard! Test me if you don’t believe me!”

Su Qishi chuckled at the little boy’s crossed arms and raised chin.
“Alright, alright, I believe you.”

“Mother Empress has a special gift for you—just what you’ve been wishing for.”

Su Yunkai’s joy was impossible to hide. He threw his arms around Su Qishi’s neck and kissed her cheek.
“Thank you, Mother Empress!”

Su Qishi smiled. “As long as you’re happy.”

“A’Shi.”

That familiar voice stirred her. Su Qishi looked up and saw Liu Jiangli, standing alone in the distance. Her eyes were slightly red, as if she had just been crying.

Su Qishi steadied herself, then knelt to speak gently to Su Yunkai.
“Go eat now, I have matters to attend to.”

Su Yunkai nodded.
“I’ll eat well, Mother Empress. Don’t worry.”

“Good boy. Off you go.” She handed him to his nursemaid and stood.

She walked toward Liu Jiangli, the scent of her perfume faint in the air. Her approach brought a soft blush to Liu Jiangli’s cheeks.

“Come with me.”

They arrived at a quiet pavilion, facing each other.

Su Qishi spoke first, her tone cold.
“If you’ve come about Su Jue, there’s no need to speak further.”

“I’ve already spared his life—that’s my greatest concession. His existence is a threat I will not allow to grow.”

Liu Jiangli’s expression changed. She hurried to explain, fearing misunderstanding.
“A’Shi, I didn’t come about Jue’er.”

After that day, she had reflected deeply. From Su Qishi’s position, sparing Su Jue’s life was already a miracle.

Now that his life had been preserved, her burden was lifted. She had done all she could—for the sake of her sister.

But Su Qishi’s demeanor today made her feel a true sense of danger. Before, she had always tested the limits of Su Qishi’s love, but recently, she found herself wondering: What if Su Qishi no longer loved her? What then?

And in those moments, she realized—she couldn’t accept it.

If such a day came, she would rather die than lose Su Qishi.

Liu Jiangli lowered her gaze, masking the bitterness and grievance in her eyes.
“A’Shi, I truly just wanted to see you.”

With that, she leaned forward, embracing Su Qishi tightly, her arms wrapped firmly around Su Qishi’s waist.

Su Qishi didn’t understand. Why was Liu Jiangli doing this? She had made it clear—Su Jue would not be spared.

And yet Liu Jiangli still dared to draw close. Did she feel no shame?

Su Qishi remembered the last time. She didn’t want a repeat.
She would not allow Liu Jiangli to degrade herself like this again.

On the other side, Liu Jiangli felt a fleeting joy. Su Qishi hadn’t pushed her away—yet. But the next moment, her heart dropped as Su Qishi shoved her aside with cold indifference.

Her voice was unfamiliar, cutting.
“Liu Jiangli, I’ve already said I won’t spare Su Jue. Why must you degrade yourself like this?!”

Liu Jiangli froze, her tear-filled eyes fixed on Su Qishi, her voice soft and trembling.
“I’m not, A’Shi… I’m not.” She reached out, gently clutching Su Qishi’s sleeve.

Su Qishi suddenly laughed bitterly, her eyes gleaming with mockery.
“Is it because of Yunkai? Are you afraid that once he inherits the throne, your son and you will suffer?”

Liu Jiangli stared in shock.
How could A’Shi think this of her?

An unspoken anguish surged in her chest.
“A’Shi… is that really how you see me?”

Su Qishi’s voice turned cold.
“Isn’t it true? Tell me, Liu Jiangli—how much of the affection you show me is real? And how much is manipulation?”

“Do you come to me out of love, or out of desperation?”

Liu Jiangli fell silent.

She was thinking—how could she erase the wounds etched into Su Qishi’s heart?

But her silence only confirmed Su Qishi’s fears.
To Su Qishi, it was an admission of guilt—that it had all been a lie.

Her gaze darkened, and she cursed her own inability to let go.

Then, Su Qishi’s voice rang out—emotionless, sharp.
“Liu Jiangli, do you know how disgusting you appear to me now?”

“Two-faced, heartless, disloyal. You claimed to love Su Qi, didn’t you? Then what is this—what are you doing now?”

“Tell me, Liu Jiangli. What do you want from me? In the past or now—I’ve never truly understood you!”

Each word pierced Liu Jiangli’s heart.

She had believed that if she just avoided the past, if she didn’t speak of it, the hurt she had caused Su Qishi could remain buried forever. She had naively believed that by pretending it never happened, she could win Su Qishi’s heart again.

Her beautiful eyes brimmed with tears. She was lost.
Su Qishi felt further away than ever.

She didn’t know how to prove her love, how to make Su Qishi believe her again.
But she couldn’t say it aloud. The pain clutched her heart, leaving her breathless.

Then, in that moment of despair, her resolve hardened.
She couldn’t accept a future where Su Qishi looked at her with nothing but indifference.
Even hatred—so long as it bound them—was better than nothing.

Liu Jiangli smiled through her tears, voice laced with defiance.
“You’re right, A’Shi. I’m unfaithful, heartless… but are you any better?! That night, the marks you left on me—they didn’t fade for days.”

She stepped closer, laying a delicate hand on Su Qishi’s shoulder, leaning in to whisper against her ear, breath warm and soft.
“They’ve faded now. Do you want to leave new ones?”

Her cold fragrance enveloped Su Qishi; the heat of her breath tingled at her neck.
Su Qishi hadn’t expected this. For a moment, she panicked.

Liu Jiangli’s lips curved into a bewitching smile—like a siren, enchanting and dangerous.
“A’Shi…”

With a sharp motion, Su Qishi shoved her away.
Liu Jiangli nearly stumbled.

Su Qishi’s voice rose, furious.
“Liu Jiangli, you disgust me!”

Without another word, she turned and left.

She would give Liu Jiangli no chance, not again.

She was furious—furious at Liu Jiangli for using her, for humiliating her.

Behind her, Liu Jiangli wiped the tears from her cheeks, but the obsession in her eyes could not be hidden.

All the feelings she had tried so desperately to contain shattered in that single breath of time.