Rebirth and Rewriting Fate

Ye Xingchen, who had just handed the meal to Chiwu, was taking a walk with Zhuling in the backyard to digest their food.

"Miss, it's true what they say, 'He who takes a man's money is bound to do his bidding.' I even think Lord Chengfeng is much easier to talk to than before," Zhu Ling muttered.

“I haven’t heard anything about His Highness’s displeasure these past few days,” Nan Rao replied.

"That's right, I heard that many young women in the capital sent gifts to the Prince's mansion but had them returned." Zhu Ling said enthusiastically, "Miss, the day after tomorrow is the Prayer Festival!" She then winked and made faces.

Ye Xingchen slapped her on the head and scolded her with a laugh, "You have no manners!"

Perhaps things could really change. Ye Xingchen thought that she was engaged to the royal family, and Gu Ruoxiao was also a member of the royal family. If things were different, would there be no Fourth Prince and Eighth Prince?

Today is the prayer festival, but the weather is not cooperating; the sky is overcast, but this does not dampen the festive atmosphere. This is the first prayer day after the epidemic, and everyone is treating each other with great enthusiasm. In addition, the county government has put in a lot of food, created decorations, and set up a banquet to celebrate with the people. I heard there will also be a fireworks and lantern show tonight, making it quite lively.

"Is this okay for me?" Ye Xingchen asked uncertainly. She hadn't brought many clothes with her to Linchuan, and after looking around, this was the only one she had chosen.

"Miss, you look so beautiful! You look good in anything. You need to show your usual confidence and poise!" Zhu Ling encouraged.

Nan Rao lifted the curtain and came in. "The steward just said that we can set off for the banquet."

"Let's go, Miss, let's hurry!" Zhu Ling urged.

Upon reaching the entrance, they encountered Prince Gu Ruoxiao of Jin, with Shangguan Wan'er and Luo Yan standing beside him. Both sides exchanged greetings and then departed.

The banquet was truly a people-friendly event; both the guards and ordinary citizens were all smiles, and Major General Xu even got quite drunk.

"They're going to set off fireworks! Come and see!" a child shouted from a short distance away.

Gu Ruoxiao and Shangguan Wan'er, who were represented by her, were invited to the front prayer platform to preside over the lighting ceremony.

Nan Rao and Zhu Ling, who were beside Ye Xingchen, nudged him and said, "Good luck! We'll celebrate for you at home!"

Looking at the two people on the prayer platform, they stood side by side, a handsome man and a beautiful woman. The young man was tall and upright, and the young woman was gentle and graceful. The two of them standing together were like a moving painting.

Ye Xingchen suddenly hesitated. She suddenly thought of Gu Ruoxiao from her past life, who seemed just like this painting. If she hadn't interfered, would they have been a perfect couple?

Boom! Fireworks soared into the sky, truly beautiful, and many people stood by the river to watch.

A child ran up to Ye Xingchen, who helped him up. The child's grandmother rushed over to apologize.

"It's alright, it's alright, old man."

"Girl, today is a day for praying for blessings, why don't you go and take a look ahead?" the old man asked.

"No, there are too many people," Ye Xingchen replied. Perhaps the more you care, the harder it is to make a decision.

“Young lady, some things don’t need to be forced. Go take a look at that bridge. It’s a good viewpoint there, and you might even meet your soulmate!” The old man pointed to a small bridge not far away.

"Thank you very much."

"Grandma, let's go see what's ahead, they're going to set off new fireworks again." The grandson pulled the old woman forward.

"How wonderful, it's the warmth of family love. I miss Xiyan Mountain so much." Ye Xingchen sighed, watching the backs of the grandmother and grandson.

Fortunately, nothing happened, so we might as well go to the bridge to watch the fireworks.

Ye Xingchen climbed the steps and froze when he saw the person on the bridge. "Your Highness, what are you doing here?"

"There were too many people ahead, and Xu Ling said the view here was nice, so I came over," Gu Ruoxiao replied.

Boom! Another round of fireworks burst in the sky, dazzling and fleeting, yet unforgettable.

Ye Xingchen looked at Gu Ruoxiao, perhaps for the first time so intently. He gazed straight ahead, his brows revealing a heroic air, his sword-like eyebrows and bright, starry eyes deep and clear, as if they could see through everything, like the most dazzling star in the night sky. His nose was high and straight, his lips as red as cinnabar, and when the corners of his mouth slightly turned up, it was like a gentle spring breeze, warm yet dignified. His black hair was bound with a jade crown, a few strands falling across his forehead, adding a touch of untamed freedom and ease. Every gesture exuded aristocratic elegance, yet retained the refined grace of a scholar. Such a man, whether walking through ancient streets and alleys or riding a horse amidst green hills and clear waters, would attract attention and become an unmissable sight.

But could such a wonderful person be the destined one whom fate wants to tell?

Ye Xingchen unconsciously clenched her hands tightly and asked, "Gu Ruoxiao, if I said I like you, what do you think of me?" After saying that, she looked at the river and waited anxiously for his answer.

However, after waiting for a long time, he still didn't speak. Ye Xingchen turned her head in surprise, "Gu Ruoxiao?"

"I think Miss Ye has misunderstood." His cold words came out one by one.

"Is it a misunderstanding?" Ye Xingchen asked, puzzled.

"We're not a good match." Those five words were colder than jade in the winter night.

"But you saved me time and time again. You could have just sent Chiwu or Chengfeng directly. You didn't have to risk your life yourself." Ye Xingchen persisted.

Gu Ruoxiao kept her eyes fixed ahead and said, "You didn't mention a word about my plan to kill you in the Ye family corridor."

Suddenly struck by a jolt, Ye Xingchen realized, "He really did want to kill me that day, but why?" His mind was in turmoil.

"Master, Miss Shangguan is looking for you." Chengfeng appeared out of nowhere and interrupted.

"Shut up!" Ye Xingchen yelled at him.

"Then you still sent people to protect me and worried about me, didn't you?" she tried her best to make amends.

Gu Ruoxiao fell silent.

A moment later, Chengfeng interrupted, "Um, the prince sent people to protect Miss Shangguan, not you."

Suddenly, it was as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over her from head to toe. In an instant, Ye Xingchen understood Chiwu's hesitation that day, and she also understood how those two young talents could have kidnapped her right under the noses of the prince's guards. It turned out that there was nothing there, and she had misunderstood.

"Are you telling me all this because you're engaged to the royal family?" Gu Ruoxiao's voice came from beside his ear. "Because I'm a member of the royal family?" He turned to look at Ye Xingchen, his eyes filled with indifference, suspicion, and unreadable emotions.

Ye Xingchen looked at the person in front of her, unable to answer. Because her feelings for him were real, but so was her social status. She simply hoped that the person who fit her social status was also the one she loved.

Suddenly, she felt powerless, as if all her strength and soul had been drained away.

Ye Xingchen clenched her fists, her nails digging deep into her palms, trying to use the pain to maintain her rationality and composure. She turned around and looked at the river. "I'm sorry, Your Highness, I misunderstood. Rest assured, I will not pursue this further. I have other matters to attend to, so I will take my leave now."

Perhaps only one word can describe Ye Xingchen: fleeing in panic.

She wandered aimlessly through the streets, her inner turmoil finding no outlet. Perhaps it was retribution for all the wrongdoings she had committed in her past life. Even if Heaven were to grant her a second chance, how could it possibly bestow upon her more happiness? Ultimately, she had been too greedy.

Gu Ruoxiao stood on the stone bridge for a long time, a sight that made Chengfeng hesitant to speak. After a moment, Gu Ruoxiao asked, "What brings Miss Shangguan to me?"

Chengfeng hurriedly replied, "Miss Shangguan said that we will be returning to the capital in a few days. She and Physician Luoyan have prepared a case report and would like you to take a look."

"Let's go." Gu Ruoxiao nodded.