Reborn Into A New Life, Everyone Loves Me Now (GL) - Chapter 5

In the end, it all concluded with my own weakness—I couldn’t bear it.

I allowed her into the hall.

From then on, our days became routine: I reviewed memorials while she sat nearby. Sometimes she embroidered delicately on silk, but more often… she simply watched me.

I wasn’t used to the intensity of her gaze and would often tell her to stop.

She never grew angry—only lowered her eyes, disappointment flickering in them, and turned away. Yet moments later, I’d feel her eyes sneak back to me again.

Her actions stirred a faint joy in my heart.

But I couldn’t forget: soon, I would be gone from this world, and we would be forever parted.

I couldn’t stop wondering—when she finds out, what will she feel?

Will she grieve? Or will she feel… relief?

I watched her every move, yet I could not trust her.

I was afraid that falling for her again would only lead to deeper wounds.

She believed these days would last until the end of my life—but fate had other plans.

The palace doors were half-closed, and at dusk, the dim light cast a line between heaven and earth—a stark divide.

It was as if time had turned back to that day.

“You promised to spare Jue’er’s life—why would you strike him down?!”

Liu Jiangli’s eyes were bloodshot, her voice torn by anguish.

Su Qishi was momentarily stunned, instinctively reaching out to comfort her—only to stop herself just as quickly.

The weight of Liu Jiangli’s distrust settled over her like a bitter frost.

Her heart filled with sorrow.

Disappointment shadowed her gaze, her tone hollow.
“Liu Jiangli, you won’t even give me the chance to explain? You’ve already decided—it was me who killed Su Jue?”

Liu Jiangli said nothing. But that silence… was deadly.

Su Qishi stared into her eyes, taking in the raw emotion there—and the absence of trust.

A bitter laugh welled up in her heart.
What was I expecting?

When had Liu Jiangli ever truly believed in me?

Su Qishi’s voice turned cold.
“Sometimes I wonder—how did we end up like this?”

“I still remember when we first met. You were so bright, so beautiful… I thought no one in this world could compare.”

“I kept trying to get closer, step by step. That first proposal—you refused. I was hurt, but I would’ve moved on. Time would have healed it.”

“You didn’t need to force yourself.”

Tears welled in her eyes as memories surfaced—each one a sharp wave, crashing over her.

Her voice trembled.
“But why… why give me hope, only to take it away?”

She quickly buried her emotions, masking the vulnerability.

Her words cut into Liu Jiangli like knives, flaying open the past she wished never to face again.

In truth, Su Qishi was the first person she had thought of when Su Jue died.

Because she couldn’t imagine anyone else capable of striking him down.

But she had forgotten—no matter what Su Qishi had endured, she had never changed.

And that snap judgment—was fatal.

Now, guilt and remorse twisted inside her. It was too late to ask how Su Jue had really died.

All she felt now was an overwhelming sense of loss—if she didn’t reach out now, she would never have another chance.

Her voice trembled.
“A’Shi, I…”

But the words wouldn’t come.

She didn’t know, couldn’t say, how to explain herself—and that hesitation was all it took to freeze Su Qishi’s heart.

When the heart turns cold, no gesture can stir it again.

At last, Su Qishi understood—she had clung to a fantasy, to a love that was never returned.

She had killed Liu Jiangli’s beloved son, denied her the title of Empress, and still dared to expect her true heart?

It was delusion.

She had made her mistake—and now she would let them both go.

Her expression calmed as she gathered herself from the depths.
“Su Jue’s death has nothing to do with me. But I will give you an answer.”

With that, she turned and walked away—without hesitation.

Liu Jiangli reached out, trying to stop her—but this time, not even her sleeve brushed her fingers.

Her regret grew overwhelming. Tears spilled freely, and with a choked cry, she collapsed to the ground, sobbing in despair.

Things had just begun to mend…

“Give me the Wushi Powder.”

“No, Your Majesty! It’s too dangerous—it will damage your health!” Yue Ye pleaded, desperate.

But the Yilu Poison surged again, and Su Qishi could no longer suppress it. The pain tore through her like knives, sweat soaking her back.

“Give it to me!” Her voice was harsh.

Yue Ye hesitated, then the packet was snatched from her hands.

Without hesitation, Su Qishi poured a handful into her mouth.

Relief came swiftly. She sank to the bed, eyes closed, leaning back on her hands, breathing heavily.

When she opened her eyes again, they were bloodshot. Her lips were pale, her entire body cloaked in desolation.

“…How goes the investigation?”

Yue Ye bowed her head, hands clasped.
“Your Majesty, this subordinate is incompetent… I’ve failed to uncover the killer.”

Su Qishi was not surprised. She waved her hand lightly.
“It’s fine. You’ve done well enough. Have the investigation halted. I have another task for you.”

She picked up a letter and handed it to Yue Ye.
“Deliver this to Gu Congran—through the Shadow Guard. Make sure it reaches her hands directly.”

Yue Ye met Su Qishi’s eyes, and in that moment, the letter in her grasp felt exceptionally heavy.

Cining Palace.

After so many years, stepping into this place again still brought Su Qishi a sense of familiarity. It was here she had spent her most cherished moments with her Imperial Grandmother.

But the people in Cining Palace had long since changed.

A faint chill crept into her heart.

As soon as Su Qishi stepped through the gate, Hong Yuan, the Empress Dowager’s personal attendant, called out with a falsely sweet tone,
“Your Majesty, you’ve arrived. This old servant pays her respects.”

Su Qishi cast her a cold glance and walked straight toward the main hall.

Hong Yuan rushed forward to block her path.
“Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager is resting. Please… come another day.”

Su Qishi’s gaze turned icy, her imperial presence pressing down on Hong Yuan like a crushing weight. The woman could barely lift her head.

“Hong Yuan, you dare obstruct your sovereign? Shall I reward you with fifty lashes for your insolence? Would you enjoy such favor, honored maid?”

Hong Yuan, once arrogant and dismissive—especially toward the young Su Qishi, whom she had often bullied—now paled in terror. She had never imagined the emperor would deal with her so ruthlessly.

Panicked, she dropped to her knees, tears streaming down her face.
“Your Majesty, I was wrong! I beg you—spare me!”

Su Qishi ignored her pleas and waved a hand. The eunuchs at her side understood immediately and dragged Hong Yuan away.

When Su Qishi stepped into the hall, Empress Dowager Xiao Yue was already seated on her throne, her posture regal. She wore plain garments, devoid of ornate jewelry; her dark purple robes bore no elaborate embroidery.

But the simpler her attire, the more ruthless her heart.

Su Qishi met her gaze, expressionless.
“You heard everything, Empress Dowager. Why didn’t you stop her?”

Xiao Yue’s eyes seemed gentle, a serene smile on her lips.
“My child, you punished someone who deserved it. Why would I interfere?”

Su Qishi’s voice remained cold.
“Does the Empress Dowager truly believe that? I haven’t forgotten the past.”

The Empress Dowager’s demeanor didn’t change.
“So? What does my emperor intend to do about it?”

Today, Su Qishi wore a robe of white silk embroidered with dragons, her unique bearing casting her in an aura of aloof elegance and cold pride. A frigid air seemed to surround her, commanding reverence and distance.

“The Queen Mother used the sword techniques she passed on to Su Qi to kill his own son. Just what is she trying to accomplish?”

“I distinctly recall the Queen Mother favored Su Qi above all her children.”

Su Qishi silently observed the Queen Mother’s every movement, committing each subtle expression to memory.

A fleeting shadow crossed the Queen Mother’s eyes before she directly admitted to killing Su Jue. Her tone was calm and matter-of-fact, as if Su Jue’s death was entirely justified.

“I’ve eliminated a threat from your heart. Are you not pleased, my son?”

Su Qishi despised such words—justifying selfish desires under the pretense of acting for his sake.

“Eliminated a threat for me? Don’t make yourself sound so noble!”

“It was by my decree that the entire Guogong Manor was executed. If anyone was to kill them, it should have been me!”

Upon hearing this, the Queen Mother immediately interjected, her voice urgent.

“How could I possibly kill my own daughter?”

Su Qishi snapped in anger.

“So you still remember I’m your daughter? Do your past actions befit a mother?”

There was a moment of silence before the Queen Mother spoke again, slowly and coldly.

“Given the chance, I would still do the same.”

Su Qishi felt no emotion at her words—the Queen Mother’s coldness had long since been etched into her very bones.

Their eyes met, tension thick in the air, a storm quietly brewing.

Suddenly, the Queen Mother’s brow furrowed, and her body weakened.

Su Qishi let out a soft laugh.

“Has the Queen Mother ever heard of Soft Tendon Incense?”

“Guards! The Queen Mother’s health has declined. Out of deep concern, I grant her leave to South An Temple to pray for blessings and a swift recovery.”