Rebirth and Rewriting Fate

The empty cell was quiet; it was late at night, and a strange sense of desolation permeated the surroundings.

Ye Xingchen curled up in the corner, closing her eyes and trying not to think about anything. She was exhausted, physically and mentally, and suddenly felt empty. The surroundings were dim, with only the dim light from the hallway lamps casting a faint glow, but it couldn't illuminate Ye Xingchen's world.

Suddenly, she felt a gaze fall upon her. She opened her eyes, and there stood that person, that familiar yet unfamiliar person, whose eyes remained deep and unfathomable.

"Why are you so fast?"

"Are you looking for me?"

The two said at the same time.

“Turn around,” Ye Xingchen suddenly said.

Gu Ruoxiao frowned, but turned away without saying anything.

Ye Xingchen watched his retreating figure, and tears instantly streamed down her face. His appearance shattered all her defenses and strength.

She really wanted to tell him that she was actually very sad.

She desperately wanted to tell him that she truly had no family left, not even a father. She had become a person "without roots or a source."

She really wanted to tell him that she still had a sliver of hope for her father.

She longed to tell him that she missed her mother and Xiyan Mountain.

She desperately wanted to tell him that her poison seemed to have spread.

She desperately wanted to tell him that she was in pain, her body ached, and her heart ached.

She really wanted to hug him.

But she couldn't; she couldn't let her feelings run wild any longer.

She believed that the only reason he was willing to befriend her was because they both came from a past life. And how could those painful memories from that past life be erased?

Besides, she knew very well that he didn't like her, and wouldn't like her. Her show of weakness in front of him would only be self-punishment. Unrequited love is the cheapest thing. Frankly speaking, it was like when Gu Chenglin liked her in her past life; back then, she didn't care at all, and even found it annoying. Did Gu Ruoxiao think the same way? She dared not think about it; she didn't want to be disliked by him. He had someone he cared about, the outstanding and beautiful Shangguan Wan'er.

Tears flowed silently and freely, a release of long-suppressed emotions and a farewell to past grievances and sorrows.

He stood there motionless, and she just watched. And so, a very long time passed, so long that she began to wonder if she was dreaming.

The sound of roosters crowing could be heard in the distance.

Gu Ruoxiao broke the silence, "I will investigate this matter thoroughly." He still did not turn his head.

Sure enough, Gu Ruoxiao was a good person in his past life, and he is in this life as well. He is willing to do anything for justice, even to save himself from such a wretched state.

Ye Xingchen closed his eyes and composed himself. "That day, someone sent me a note that read, 'One person who wants the antidote must come to the East Camp immediately.' So that person knew about the poisoned wine, and the timing of that summons to Mu Shan's eunuch was particularly coincidental."

"Did you tell Luo Yan about these things?"

"No."

As soon as she finished speaking, Gu Ruoxiao turned around.

The two looked at each other, and Ye Xingchen thought that he must be in a sorry state at this moment.

But she couldn't worry about that now. She remembered something and hurriedly asked, "Didn't you know that red wine glasses are poisoned?"

"I don't know. What I found back then was that the teacup had been poisoned, but I replaced it yesterday."

"No wonder, it turns out it's a problem of information asymmetry." She thought to herself, "It seems this person is meticulous and used poison twice to ensure safety."

As Ye Xingchen summarized, Gu Ruoxiao frowned upon hearing her mention poison twice.

How did you know about the red wine glass?

"It was Gu Chengjie who accidentally let it slip back then."

"He knew about this too?"

Their eyes met again.

"I understand, I will investigate," Gu Ruoxiao said.

"That's all. These things happened last night. I called you here to tell you these things," Ye Xingchen said, suppressing the surging pain within her body. She no longer had the strength to think or deal with it.

After a moment of silence, Gu Ruoxiao squatted down and took Ye Xingchen's pulse.

"Gu Ruoxiao!" Ye Xingchen struggled to pull her hand back, but he stopped her. "Yun Chu!"

What did he call me? Ye Xingchen's mind was in turmoil as the pain in her body returned.

Gu Ruoxiao's gaze remained calm throughout. In the end, she left with four words: "Stay put."

The next day, an uninvited guest arrived at the prison.

He stood coldly in front of Ye Xingchen, looking down at her.

His ability to enter despite the tight security demonstrates his exceptional martial arts skills.

"Speak, who sent you to instigate conflict between our two countries?"

“I told you, Mu Shan committed suicide,” Ye Xingchen said calmly.

"Oh?" The other person smiled. "So Miss Ye was abandoned by the Ye family and ended up like this because of him, and you're actually happy about it?"

"I don't know what you're talking about, but the Second Prince is truly heartless to leave his envoy to die!"

The Second Prince of the Northern Region narrowed his eyes at her, his fierce aura bursting forth.

"Is this how someone who is supposed to be a member of the future royal family of the Great Jin Dynasty behaves?" the other party said sarcastically.

"Then why doesn't the Second Prince go back and ask his younger brother if he's so willing to disregard the lives of ordinary people in order to seize the throne, and whether he deserves to be a member of the royal family?" Ye Xingchen retorted unwillingly.

"That's because he wants my sister dead!" the Second Prince of the Northern Region roared.

Then, the Second Prince of the Northern Region squatted down and grabbed Ye Xingchen by the throat.

"What exactly do you know?" the Second Prince of the Northern Region asked in a sinister tone.

"Your Northern Region royal family is fighting for the throne, go fight yourselves at home, don't drag us into it!" Ye Xingchen retorted defiantly.

The other person narrowed their eyes. "You drank that poisoned wine for my elder sister. And whose side are you on?"

"I am not anyone's person, I am just myself." Looking directly into the Second Prince's eyes, Ye Xingchen said firmly.

After a brief standoff, the Second Prince heard a commotion outside, stood up, and turned to leave.

With his neck freed from its restraints, Ye Xingchen hurriedly gasped for breath. This second prince was unpredictable and probably no ordinary person, but there were no ordinary people in the royal family.

The days in prison were both short and long. During that time, Luo Yan brought her some medicine and food, and told her that the investigation was progressing. She never saw Gu Ruoxiao again. She knew he must be very busy; whether or not this battle would be fought was up in the balance. She just never expected that she would become that balance.

As the case progressed, three days later, Luo Yan brought good news: due to conflicting evidence from the autopsy and the fact that they had captured the father-in-law who had come that day and forced him to reveal the plan, they decided to release him.

"I've come to take you out." Luo Yan draped his cloak over Ye Xingchen.

Stepping out of the prison, the midday sun was blinding. She looked up at the sky, wondering if she had been brought back to life.

Nanrao, Zhuling, Ping'an, and Xu Lizheng, who were waiting anxiously not far away, rushed over when they saw their young lady come out.

"Miss!" Cries and wails filled the air.

Ye Xingchen touched this face and that head, and said, "It's alright."

A carriage was parked beside the side passage of the prison.

"Master, aren't you going over there?" Chiwu asked.

"Have you done what I told you to do?" the person inside the carriage asked.

"Yes, the house arrangements have been made."

"Go back."