Reborn Into A New Life, Everyone Loves Me Now (GL) - Chapter 8

Su Qishi couldn’t deny that seeing the eighteen-year-old Liu Jiangli again gave her a strange sense of disorientation, as if a lifetime had passed.

Beside her, Nian Qi’s smile carried a trace of awkwardness.

Su Qishi felt a wave of darkness wash over her eyes—just my luck.

How did A’Li find this place?

Closing the door behind her, Su Qishi composed herself and spoke with calm detachment, “A’Li, what brings you here?”

Her tone was distant, her manner even more so.

A’Li wore a veil over her face, her cold eyes piercing yet elegant. Her features were refined, her slender waist and upright posture exuding noble grace.

When she spoke, her voice was cool, like snow from a thousand-year peak. “Nian Qi said A’Shi was ill. I wanted to check on you, but on the way, I saw you entering this kind of place. I became worried about your health, so I followed.”

She paused for a moment, hesitated, then added, “A’Shi, don’t forget—you’re engaged.”

Her meaning was clear: you’re betrothed; you shouldn’t be frequenting such places.

But what Su Qishi focused on was something else entirely—Had A’Li been reborn as well?
Now, it seemed not. If she had been, she wouldn’t have shown up now—she would’ve drawn a clear line between them. After all, in their past life, Liu Jiangli hated her enough to kill her.

Feigning ignorance, Su Qishi pretended not to understand A’Li’s words. Her gaze remained indifferent, devoid of any warmth, her tone calm.

“A’Li, this isn’t a place you should linger in. If word reaches Lord Liu, he might think I brought you here to cause mischief. Should he report me to the Emperor, that would not end well.”

With that, she turned to the side, where Nian Qi had been quietly watching.

“Nian Qi, escort A’Li back to the Prime Minister’s residence.”

Nian Qi, knowing better than to speak out of turn, made a gesture of invitation.

“Miss Liu, this way, please.”

Su Qishi’s aloofness pierced A’Li like a blade. A dull ache throbbed in her chest. She didn’t understand—why had A’Shi suddenly become a different person? The warmth, the joy she used to see in her eyes had now turned into cold detachment.

She didn’t want A’Shi to treat her like this. She longed to say something—anything—but as her gaze swept over the staircase, she saw a crowd had gathered. The words on her lips froze, unable to be spoken.

All she could do was cast one deep look at Su Qishi before turning to follow Nian Qi out.

Only then did Su Qishi notice the crowd clustered near the stairs. That last look from A’Li, her cold, beautiful eyes tinged with grievance, left Su Qishi feeling restless and irritable with no outlet.

“What are you all staring at? Haven’t you seen enough?”

Startled by Su Qishi’s sharp outburst, the onlookers quickly scattered.

Yet some of them, fueled by jealousy—angry that she was both the favored guest of the famed courtesan and sought out by a noble, ethereal beauty—began muttering loudly in slander.

“I wonder if that Miss Yun even knows.”

“What a pity for that beauty—married to someone who doesn’t know how to cherish her.”

“If I could marry her, I’d never let her feel sad. Just look at her red-rimmed eyes—it breaks my heart.”

One of his companions teased him, “What’s wrong? Aren’t thirteen concubines in the Li household enough for you? Still got room for more? Hahaha!”

“Well, I wouldn’t say no. If she’s willing, I’d marry her in a heartbeat—”

Before the word “marry” left his lips, a swift kick slammed into his stomach, sending him sprawling, limbs flailing in the air. Because of his hefty size, he couldn’t get up no matter how he struggled.

“She’s someone you dare to covet?!”

Startled, the crowd immediately backed away, fearful of getting dragged into trouble.

A’Shi stood tall, domineering, the killing intent in her eyes unmistakable.

Yun Shouyue gently tugged at A’Shi’s sleeve. A’Shi glanced at her, then reined in the coldness in her gaze.

She spoke softly, “Shouyue, head back up first. I’ll come find you another day.”

Yun Shouyue hesitated briefly, then nodded, her gaze lingering on A’Shi for a few seconds before turning away.

Meanwhile, Assistant Li groaned, clutching his belly and barking at his attendants, “What are you standing around for? Help me up!”

After being lifted to his feet, and humiliated in front of the crowd, he was desperate to save face.

“Do you even know who I am?!” he bellowed.

A’Shi didn’t even spare him a glance. Her voice was cold as ice. “No, and I don’t care. I only know that those who speak recklessly deserve a beating.”

Seeing that she held him in such contempt, Assistant Li’s face turned red with fury.

“My brother-in-law is a Minister of the Court! You better be careful, or you won’t live to regret this!”

At that, A’Shi laughed softly, the sound laced with mockery.

“So it’s true what they say—that Minister Zhang favors concubines over his wife. To think someone like you, who can’t even show his face in proper society, would dare to throw his name around.”

Everyone knew Assistant Li often relied on his sister’s status in the Minister’s household to bully the common people. Now that he had been beaten, not a single person stepped forward to help—everyone kept their distance, watching the spectacle from afar.

Even the man who had just been teasing him had already disappeared.

Frustrated and outmatched, Assistant Li barked at his servants, “You! Beat him! Beat him until he surrenders!”

Trying to present himself as a refined gentleman, the rat-faced, pot-bellied Assistant Li shook his fan arrogantly. But his vulgar appearance only made it laughable.

The servants hesitated, caught between a rock and a hard place—if they advanced, they’d suffer worse punishment.

A’Shi didn’t use lethal force, but every move was precise and punishing.

Assistant Li sneered from the side, “If you stop now and kneel to me—three kowtows—I might spare you!”

But in a flash, all his servants had been laid out, groaning on the ground.

Assistant Li stood frozen, dumbfounded.

“Useless trash!” he cursed, then quickly forced a smile, “This humble one didn’t know who he was dealing with. Please, young master, be magnanimous and let this little one off the hook.”
Just wait till I get back—you’ll regret this.

A’Shi knew she couldn’t let the situation escalate further. If this turned into a bigger scene, it would only cause trouble for her.

She waved her hand dismissively. Assistant Li immediately turned and fled, stumbling over himself.

A’Shi took out a handkerchief and carefully wiped her hands, her gaze dark and unreadable.

She hadn’t been able to rein in her emotions just now.

At that moment, the madam of the house scurried over from the side, fawning.

“Oh dear, Young Master Shi, are you hurt at all?!”

Su Qishi lowered her gaze, concealing the sharpness in her eyes. A place like Yaoxiang Pavilion… the forces backing it far outweigh those of the Minister’s household. This madam’s fuss was clearly just a ploy for money.

She slowly took out a large pouch of silver and handed it over.

The madam feigned reluctance, though her eyes lit up at the sight of the silver.

“Oh dear, Young Master Shi, you misunderstand me. That’s not what I meant at all…”

A’Shi replied calmly, “This is what you deserve.”
She then glanced upstairs and added meaningfully, “I trust you’ll take good care of her.”

Naturally, the madam understood A’Shi’s implication. For someone like her, money could make the world spin. With enough silver, anything could be arranged.

A’Shi didn’t wish to linger. She turned and left.

“Take care, Young Master Shi!” the madam called out behind her, bowing and smiling.

—Inside a Room on the Second Floor—

“Your Highness, this Prince Yue is truly unruly.”

“Imagine fighting in Yaoxiang Pavilion over a mere woman.”

Su Qi only sneered, his eyes full of disdain.

That royal sister of mine… all brute strength and no brains.

Surprisingly, that second daughter of the Liu family seems far more invested in Su Qishi than expected.

The image of Liu Jiangli flashed through his mind.

A faint smirk curled Su Qi’s lips, his eyes cold and sinister—not at all like the refined and gentle Prince Chen the world praised.

After leaving Yaoxiang Pavilion, Su Qishi happened to see Nian Qi returning from escorting A’Li.

What’s Su Qi doing here? Isn’t he the one who prides himself on moral superiority and loathes such places?

A’Shi genuinely felt fortunate—her casual glance upward had revealed that hypocrite, Su Qi.

“Hey! Young Master, why are you outside?” Nian Qi called out.

A’Shi shot her a sidelong glance. “You’re back quick.” Without another word, she strode away.

Nian Qi was baffled. Didn’t you tell me to drive the carriage slowly whenever Miss Liu was on board?
Why the sudden change of heart?

As the two approached the gates of Prince Yue’s residence, someone unexpected stood there, anxiously waiting.

Beneath gently arched brows, her bright, clear eyes sparkled with intelligence. Her delicate face bore a soft smile, dimples faintly visible.

Yet perhaps from waiting too long, her lively gaze now showed signs of impatience.