3: Return
“Ah! Sister Qiao is drunk.”
A soft, startled exclamation sounded by her ear. Simultaneously, the slightly noisy chatter of people around her began to connect into coherent sounds, growing clearer and clearer.
Qiao Shilian groggily opened her eyes. Crowding her vision first were flickering lantern lights, which gradually focused and took shape in her pupils.
Then she saw figures coming and going, gathered by the pavilion and terrace, wine cups clinking, laughter flowing. Judging by their attire, they were likely from various noble and prestigious families of the capital.
After a moment, Qiao Shilian had recognized several people she had known in her previous life.
Am I… dreaming? How can I see these people?
No, ghosts can’t dream.
At this moment, she sat slackly at the banquet table within the pavilion, her eyes holding a look of confusion as she gazed at the crowd playing and joking not far away. Her appearance indeed didn’t differ much from someone inebriated.
Qiao Shilian hadn’t yet adjusted to the lively scene around her, nor had she carefully considered who the person speaking beside her ear just now was. Looking down, she noticed her fingertips pinching a white porcelain wine cup, and her heart gave a violent jolt.
The memory of her father forcing poisoned wine down her throat in her previous life still lingered vividly in her mind. Almost instinctively, she flung the wine cup away, unable to suppress a sharp cry of alarm.
As the sound of shattering porcelain erupted, the crowd in the courtyard halted their movements, all turning to look at her, thinking something had happened.
Qiao Shilian gasped for breath, her gaze fixed fearfully on the broken cup.
I can touch physical objects? And I broke the cup.
“What’s wrong, younger sister?”
An elegant, gentle voice drew near. It was her elder brother, Qiao Shiqing.
“Brother Qiao, my sister just drank some wine and is a little drunk.”
It was only then that Qiao Shilian realized the woman seated beside her was the same person who had spoken by her ear moments ago—Fang Yaoyao.
Instantly, her heart turned as cold as ice, and her mind, which had been somewhat muddled upon waking, abruptly cleared.
Fang Yaoyao was holding her hands, her clear eyes filled with concern.
Seeing the schemer who had caused her downfall in her past life again, Qiao Shilian pulled her hands free from Fang Yaoyao’s grasp and shot her a piercing glare, the disgust in her eyes utterly unconcealed.
In the past, Fang Yaoyao had always been like this, clinging to her side in every matter, like a little sister who would never grow up.
Had she not been betrayed and harmed in that lifetime, Qiao Shilian would have found it hard to believe that such a pure face could conceal such malicious intent.
Qiao Shilian couldn’t help but sneer inwardly. She really played her part well.
If it weren’t for all these watching eyes, Qiao Shilian truly wished to put poison in the wine, pinch Fang Yaoyao’s jaw, and let her experience what it felt like to have poison forced down her throat. And before that, to be disgraced, abandoned by family, and despised by the world.
Recalling the events of her past life, the discomfort in Qiao Shilian’s heart churned more intensely, harder to bear.
Seeing Qiao Shiqing approach with concern, Qiao Shilian took the opportunity to stand up, distancing herself from Fang Yaoyao. She forced the corners of her lips into a weak smile for him, appearing as if she hadn’t fully regained her composure. “Brother, I’m fine… it’s just that there was an insect in the wine cup; it startled me. I’m feeling a bit dizzy now and would like to rest in the room for a while.”
Qiao Shilian was doing her utmost to maintain her dignified, proper image, afraid of arousing suspicion from those around. Fortunately, the crowd also assumed she was merely overly frightened and didn’t think much more of it.
At this moment, she truly needed a quiet place to rest.
Her mind was in turmoil. Just moments ago, she was clearly a ghost wandering the wilderness—how had she become human again? This place was too noisy, making her head ache and preventing her from focusing.
“Alright, I’ll have Qiuying help you inside.” Qiao Shiqing nodded, a flicker of hesitation passing through his eyes.
He had seen it clearly just now. When his younger sister looked at Fang Yaoyao, her eyes were icy, with a look that seemed to regard an enemy, as if she wished to kill her.
Could that Fang family girl have bullied Lian’er? But Lian’er treats her as a close sister, always wanting to give her everything good she has. What happened between them?
Meanwhile, Fang Yaoyao hadn’t yet recovered from Qiao Shilian’s glance. She sat rigidly at the banquet table, her heart already roiling with shock.
Could it be… Qiao Shilian discovered something? No, impossible. I’ve never revealed my true feelings, and I believe I’ve hidden them well. But why did Qiao Shilian treat me like that today?
Away from the clamor, Qiuying helped Qiao Shilian to a guest room in the detached courtyard to rest. Looking at her pale face with slight concern, she asked, “Young Miss, are you feeling unwell anywhere?”
“Leave. I want to be alone for a while.” Qiao Shilian rubbed her temples, and Qiuying bowed before withdrawing from the room.
Qiao Shilian leaned against the chaise lounge, gazing blankly at the vermilion railings and carved beams, inhaling the faint fragrance of incense from the burner.
She rolled up her sleeve and pinched her own wrist tightly, feeling the warmth and the pressure on her skin. Only then did she confirm it—she had been reborn, and she had returned to the year she was sixteen, at the evening banquet hosted by the Crown Prince.
This year, the Crown Prince had come of age, and the emperor had bestowed upon him the Luoxia Mountain Villa. Qin Shuo had then hosted this banquet here to invite everyone. And the following March… Qiao Shilian had been personally selected by the emperor to be the Crown Prince’s consort.
That decree of betrothal had once been the envy of everyone in the capital. At the time, everyone said she was the most suitable candidate for Crown Princess, not to mention that Qin Shuo was deeply devoted to her. A match made in heaven, it became a beautiful tale in the capital.
Deep devotion? Thinking of this, Qiao Shilian couldn’t help but sneer coldly.
“Shilian… Shilian…”
A slightly urgent voice broke the tranquility of the room, disrupting Qiao Shilian’s thoughts. She instinctively frowned.
Of course, also because the owner of this voice was the Crown Prince, Qin Shuo.
Qiao Shilian watched as Qin Shuo strode in. She rose and performed a somewhat perfunctory curtsey.
“This prince heard you were unwell and hurried over.”
Qin Shuo attributed her incomplete etiquette to her being shaken by the scare, which only made him pity her more. He approached the chaise, raising a hand to dismiss her salute, then personally picked up a thin blanket and draped it over Qiao Shilian’s shoulders.
“Shilian, why is your face so pale?”
His gaze was deep with affection, his words filled with concern. “Shall this prince summon a physician to examine you? The physicians in this villa may not compare to the imperial physicians in the palace, but this prince chose them himself, so they are certainly not lacking.”
Little did he know, listening to him speak only made Qiao Shilian more agitated. She could only reply casually, “I’m fine.”
Qin Shuo, seeing her so unlike her usual gentle and tender self, assumed her illness was serious and that she was simply unwilling to call for a physician. Thus, he spoke even more softly, coaxing her.
Qiao Shilian listened distractedly, simultaneously engaging in hollow pleasantries with him.
However, she inadvertently noticed a flash of light green skirt behind the curtain. If she wasn’t mistaken, that was the silk skirt Fang Yaoyao was wearing.
Fang Yaoyao actually followed her here and was eavesdropping on the conversation between the Crown Prince and herself? How audacious.
Hatred surged in her heart once more. Qiao Shilian clenched her hand within her sleeve, nails digging into her palm.
Since heaven had given her a chance to live again, she absolutely would not repeat the mistakes of the past. In this lifetime, if she invested less emotion and placed less trust in others, she wouldn’t fall so deeply into their traps, leaving vulnerabilities for schemers to exploit.
As these thoughts raced through her mind, Qiao Shilian had already made a decision. She raised her sleeve to cover part of her face, her eyes wide with feigned terror, and suddenly pointed towards where Fang Yaoyao was hiding, exclaiming loudly, “Who? Who’s there? There’s an assassin!”
Upon hearing this, Qin Shuo looked towards where Qiao Shilian was pointing. A figure was indeed scrambling to escape in panic.
He immediately let out a cold snort and strode swiftly to the spot behind the curtain, seizing the collar of the fleeing Fang Yaoyao and dragging her back. He threw her heavily onto the floor in front of Qiao Shilian.
Only then did Qin Shuo see who it was. “This…”
“Hiding a beauty among your retinue? Your Highness truly has excellent taste. Does my ‘good sister’ suit your fancy?” Qiao Shilian emphasized the last three words through gritted teeth, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
Fang Yaoyao, thrown by Qin Shuo, winced in pain. Hearing Qiao Shilian’s words, she was filled with terror. Her small face instantly turned deathly pale. Bowing her head, she knelt and tried to explain, “Sister, it’s not what you think…”
“I should really congratulate you for becoming His Highness’s new favorite.” Qiao Shilian didn’t give her a chance to interject.
She knew exactly what Fang Yaoyao would try to say: that this was all a misunderstanding, that she had merely come to inquire about her health, accidentally stumbled upon the Crown Prince conversing with her, and thus had to hide, not daring to show herself.
Then, using their previously close relationship as leverage, Fang Yaoyao would put on a pitiful act and explain. It was entirely possible that Qin Shuo, listening to her, would instead come to believe that Qiao Shilian was acting out of petty jealousy and making wild accusations.
Qiao Shilian understood all too well. Fang Yaoyao was an expert at pretense, always knowing just how to evoke sympathy.
“Shilian, you’ve misunderstood!”
Qin Shuo on the side was rather anxious. Glancing at Qiao Shilian’s anger-laden face, he turned and pointed at Fang Yaoyao, berating her angrily, “How dare you try to seduce this prince? Take a look in the mirror! Consider your status!”
Listening to the Crown Prince’s merciless insults, Fang Yaoyao’s expression grew even uglier.
She was, after all, merely the daughter of a Vice Minister, nowhere near Qiao Shilian’s standing. Over the years, it was only because of her relationship with Qiao Shilian that she had been able to mingle with various nobles. Now, having this cold water dumped on her, striking right at her sore spot, she felt utterly humiliated and resentful.
“If it’s a misunderstanding, then why did Your Highness bring her along when you came to see me?” Qiao Shilian asked coldly.
Qin Shuo knew that Qiao Shilian was currently angry, and it wasn’t something that could be resolved with just a few words.
Thus, his face darkening, he turned his gaze towards the source of the trouble, Fang Yaoyao. “As a woman, you have no sense of shame! Following the Crown Prince, behaving suspiciously—how audacious! Eavesdropping on others, utterly lacking in upbringing. Guards! Drag her out and slap her thirty times!”
“No… I didn’t… I came to see Sister Qiao… I’ve been wronged, wronged!”
Fang Yaoyao cried out desperately, but Qiao Shilian turned her face away with a weary expression, raising a hand to her temple as if the noise was giving her a headache.
Qin Shuo continued, “It’s only because of Shilian’s sake that this prince is punishing you lightly. Afterwards, this prince will send someone to inform Vice Minister Fang. In the future, for such banquets, you’d better stay at home and reflect on your mistakes properly.”
The successive orders completely dashed Fang Yaoyao’s hopes. It was only at banquets that she could get close to the Crown Prince. Now, not only had she incurred the Crown Prince’s disgust, but she would also have no standing at home. Looking at Qiao Shilian’s impassive face, a flicker of hatred crossed her features.
“Shilian, don’t be angry. This prince truly has no connection with that woman.”
After Fang Yaoyao was dragged away, Qin Shuo sat beside her, putting an arm around her shoulders and speaking softly.
The brief feeling of satisfaction in Qiao Shilian’s heart quickly dissipated. She stared at Qin Shuo, images flashing before her eyes of him frolicking with Fang Yaoyao, and afterwards, severing her path to life to cover up the scandal.
She still couldn’t suppress her revulsion. Pushing away Qin Shuo’s hand held a trace of resistance. “Your Highness, I’m tired. Please return to the front courtyard. You shouldn’t neglect the banquet.”
Hesitating, Qin Shuo sighed and left, not forgetting to instruct Qiuying, who was entering with a bowl of medicinal soup. “Take good care of Shilian.”
“That’s strange. I just saw Young Miss Fang being dragged away. When she came earlier, she told me that you wanted some medicinal soup from the kitchen and asked me to fetch some.” Qiuying was puzzled.
“She made a mistake and deserves to be punished.” Qiao Shilian didn’t elaborate. She gazed out the window at the moon resting against the mountain ridge, the faint frown between her brows not easing in the slightest.
Qiuying noticed her young miss seemed burdened with heavy thoughts tonight and simply placed the medicinal soup on the side table without urging her to drink it.
Not long after, a gentle evening breeze stirred, tousling a few strands of her hair.
Qiao Shilian reached out a fingertip to feel the cool breeze. “I’d like to go for a walk outside.”
The room felt too stifling, filled with traces of Qin Shuo and Fang Yaoyao’s presence. She didn’t want to stay here, thinking about these annoying and nauseating people and matters.
Tiny green peaks in the distance, water and trees clear and bright.
Qiao Shilian strolled leisurely in the courtyard, exploring the myriad scenes by the faint light of her lantern. The warm, fragrant breeze seemed to dispel her gloom. She greedily inhaled the scent of grass and trees, the fragrance of flowers from the jade terrace, making her feel even more keenly the reality of being reborn as a human.
Suddenly, a very soft sound reached her. Following it, she saw by the shallow pond a figure standing tall and straight with hands clasped behind his back, still clad in a white robe, spotless and untouched by dust. The moonlight outlined his sharply handsome features; the cold, silvery light accentuated his noble, icy temperament.
He seemed detached from the crowd, like an immortal from above the clouds. It was easy to forget he was a man who had bathed in blood and warfare, making it difficult for Qiao Shilian to imagine him galloping on horseback, raising dust and halting battles.
Encountering Su Zhuoguang again now, Qiao Shilian, holding within her the memory of him collecting her corpse and investigating the injustice in her past life, found herself involuntarily walking towards him, a tumult of emotions stirring in her heart.
He was the only person who, after her death, had given her dignity and a measure of warmth.
She felt gratitude, but also an unresolved puzzle drove her desire to understand this cold-faced general, to discover the reason behind his actions for her in her past life.
Where the moon was quiet and the wind had ceased, as Qiao Shilian drew nearer, a slight movement came from the fingers beneath the white robe. Amidst a soft rustling sound, a plucked flying leaf shot towards her like a sharp blade, carrying an overwhelming killing intent, swift and aimed directly at her.
Qiao Shilian froze, her breath catching, her heart stopping. She watched as the flying leaf thrown by Su Zhuoguang closed in before her, capable of piercing through her body in an instant.
**