Rebirth and Rewriting Fate

The next moment, he was helped up by someone.

"What are you doing here?" Gu Ruoxiao asked.

"Gu Ruoxiao?" she murmured, her cheeks flushed, her eyes becoming unfocused, her consciousness fading. Her hand gently caressed his face, drawing closer, she felt the softness of his lips. The next moment, a hidden consciousness awakened her. She gritted her teeth, struggling to control her inner impulse, and once again raised the hairpin to slash her arm, using her last bit of clarity to say, "Water, throw me into the water."

Gu Ruoxiao was stunned for a moment, looked at her arm which was covered in blood, and picked her up horizontally.

"Clean up the traces!" Chiwu behind him hurriedly agreed.

Gu Ruoxiao placed her in the bathtub inside the palace, called over a nanny, and said, "Bandage the wound." Then she stood outside the palace.

Chiwu reported, "Master, the matter has been investigated and clarified."

Gu Ruoxiao listened silently, his brows furrowed. He didn't even realize that his knuckles had turned white from gripping his fist so tightly.

"Master, should we intervene?" Chiwu asked.

"Wait until she wakes up," Gu Ruoxiao said.

When Ye Xingchen woke up again, she found herself in a bathtub, her arm wound already bandaged. She checked her pulse; she was fine. It seemed all the medicine she had tried had some effect. A brand-new set of clothes lay by the tub, and she got up to change. A ruthless glint flashed in her eyes. The scene in the front yard was so exciting; how could she miss it?

Just as she was about to open the door, she heard a voice outside, "Your Highness, Imperial Physician Shangguan has arrived with Miss Shangguan."

Then came Gu Ruoxiao's voice, "Please invite them to the study."

Suddenly, she felt inexplicably heartbroken, as if she were clinging to someone shamelessly. Ye Xingchen shook her head. She shouldn't give herself hope; it would only lead her to indulge in despair and ultimately only cause her sadness. She should solve her own problems; she could only rely on herself.

The door opened, and Chiwu stood outside.

"Miss Ye, you're awake."

"Yes, please convey my thanks to His Highness."

"Aren't you going yourself?" Chiwu asked, puzzled.

"Your Highness has an honored guest, so I will not disturb you any longer."

Chiwu glanced in the direction of the study. "Then I will see you out."

"Thank you."

The front hall was bustling with people. The ladies and daughters of officials were currently enjoying the flowers in the Imperial Garden, led by the Empress.

"I've heard there's a water lily in the side hall that blooms at night. I wonder if I'll have the honor of seeing it today?" The First Madam winked.

Consort Rong, the First Madam's cousin, chimed in, "Yes, that water lily was transplanted for Her Majesty the Emperor at great expense for the Empress. Water lilies are delicate and are currently being kept in a side hall, but they will be moved to the Imperial Garden in the future. Empress, why don't we go take a look today?"

Although the empress had doubts, she couldn't resist the enthusiasm of the crowd and agreed.

The First Madam and Ye Ruohuan exchanged a glance, quickly concealing their joy.

The group arrived at the courtyard of the side hall, but unfortunately, the water lilies were not in bloom that day, and their disappointment was palpable.

"These must be the guest rooms where the guests stay?" Ye Ruohuan suddenly asked.

"Huan'er, you're so clever," Consort Rong said affectionately.

"Then my eldest sister must be here too!" Ye Ruohuan said coquettishly. "Mother, let's go pick up my eldest sister." As she spoke, she shook the First Madam's arm.

"You silly child. But Chen'er has been gone for far too long. I'm a little worried." The First Madam looked at Consort Rong.

Consort Rong chimed in, "Fortunately, it's right nearby. Your Majesty, why don't we go check on it? We're all women; we might be able to help if anything happens."

Therefore, everyone moved to the side rooms of the side hall.

Standing outside the door, someone in the crowd muttered, "Why aren't there any lamps here? Is nobody here?"

"My older sister must be inside. I'll go check." With that, she was about to push the door open.

"Oh my, esteemed guests, what brings you here?" A voice came from around the corner, and a person carrying a plate of food came over.

"This servant Xiao Zhuozi greets Her Majesty the Empress, Consort Rong, and all the masters," said Xiao Zhuozi.

"Little Zhuozi, what are you doing here?" the Empress asked.

"Your Majesty, this servant brought Lord Luo here to rest, but there was no light in the room. I had to run a long way to find this lamp!" With that, he raised the lamp in his hand.

"You mean, the one inside is Lord Luo?" the First Madam asked.

"Yes, Madam, it is so. I personally escorted Lord Luo in!" The First Madam glanced at Ye Ruohuan.

"What about my older sister?" Ye Ruohuan asked, raising her voice.

“My lady, what are you saying? This is the men’s private room. Why would your esteemed young lady be here?” Xiao Zhuozi said.

Some people in the crowd started talking about it.

"Whether it is or not, we'll know once we see it." Ye Ruohuan was getting anxious and quickly stepped forward to push open the door.

"Oh dear, Miss Zhuozi," Xiao Zhuozi quickly intervened.

With a creak, the door opened, and Luo Yan stood neatly dressed in front of it.

"Greetings to Her Majesty the Empress, Greetings to Consort Rong! And what brings you here?" Luo Yan asked.

"Is my sister inside?" Ye Ruohuan couldn't hide her excitement and was about to rush in.

Luo Yan, holding onto the doorframe, tried to stop her, saying, "Miss, what do you mean by this?"

"Is my older sister inside?" Ye Ruohuan shouted.

"You can eat whatever you want, but you can't say whatever you want. What do you take me for?" Luo Yan said sternly.

The atmosphere became somewhat awkward. Perhaps the First Madam sensed Luo Yan's anger, for she tugged at Ye Ruohuan. Ye Ruohuan, however, misunderstood, thinking her mother was helping her. She pushed Luo Yan aside and barged inside.

The waiter, Xiao Zhuozi, hurried into the room to light the lamp, fearing that someone might fall.

Before long, Ye Ruohuan came out again.

"Where's Ye Xingchen?" She didn't even call for her older sister; she must be in a hurry.

"Miss Ye, you're joking. What brings your sister here?" Luo Yan asked, a chill creeping into her eyes.

"She, she..." Perhaps frightened by the coldness, Ye Ruohuan was barely breathing.

But Luo Yan didn't give her a chance. "Miss Ye, please watch your words. People who don't know the situation might think that I have something going on with Miss Ye. Although a young lady's reputation is very important, I value my reputation and career even more! Madam Ye, don't you agree?"

"My daughter is young and acted rashly." The First Madam quickly pulled Ye Ruohuan behind her.

Ye Xingchen had been watching the show for a long time, and it was time to wrap it up. Otherwise, without her presence, no one knew how to write the script for tomorrow!

"Is my mother looking for me?" Ye Xingchen stepped out from the crowd.

"Where have you been?" the First Madam demanded sternly.

"Greetings, Empress and Consort Rong. Mother, I intended to go with my maid to change my clothes, but this garden is too big, and I got lost. My maid also disappeared, and to make matters worse, I accidentally fell into the water. I just finished changing and rushed back from there!"

Everyone looked in the direction she came from, and it certainly didn't seem fake.

"Then, is there anyone who can testify?" Ye Ruohuan interrupted.

They won't admit it until they're faced with the truth; they're determined to put me here. Are they going to completely break off relations?

Just as Ye Xingchen was about to answer, a male voice came, "She is with me."