Rebirth and Rewriting Fate

After the ceremony, the banquet began as night fell. The front yard was filled with guests, but Ye Xingchen didn't want to join in the fun. She took advantage of a break to slip back to her room. She sat in her room, trying hard to recall the past, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.

Zhu Ling came to report, "Miss, the Fourth Prince has come to the manor. This is a gift he sent through someone."

"Oh." Ye Xingchen nodded, then suddenly stood up, startling Zhu Ling. In her past life, on this very day, Gu Chengjie came to her and took half of a sheepskin scroll containing a treasure map. This was the material basis for his power grab back then. No way! This time, Ye Xingchen would never give it to him.

"Zhuling, go to the front yard and keep an eye on the Fourth Prince's actions. Report to me immediately if anything happens," Ye Xingchen instructed.

Nan Rao hurriedly said, "Miss, there are many people here today. It's not appropriate to meet in private. This is not suitable."

"Don't worry, I won't see him. You come with me," Ye Xingchen said thoughtfully.

They avoided the crowds and came to a secluded corridor connecting the outer and inner courtyards, where there was a landscape made of hollow bamboo.

Ye Xingchen and Gu Chengjie had agreed that Ye Xingchen would leave the item here, and Gu Chengjie would come to retrieve it. The item must be here now. And all Ye Xingchen needs to do is take it.

"Nanrao, go and guard the intersection. If anyone comes, let us know." Ye Xingchen pointed ahead.

"Miss, please be careful." Nan Rao nodded.

There were no lights in the corridor, only the faint moonlight filtering through, reflecting off distant lights. Ye Xingchen began to explore the landscaping; at this time in her previous life, she had been happily playing with the little trinkets Gu Chengjie had given her. Now, however, the scene was entirely different.

Perhaps because so much time had passed, Ye Xingchen couldn't remember which bamboo tube he had put the parchment scroll in, and was anxiously searching for it.

One by one, she pulled up the bamboo tubes; those that couldn't be pulled out weren't the right ones. Finally, she found one. Ye Xingchen hurriedly opened it, ready to take it. But the tube was empty. How could that be? Gu Chengjie took it? No, he didn't have time for that. Ye Xingchen looked puzzled.

Suddenly a cold wind swept by, and a flash of cold light appeared. A sword appeared in front of her, aimed straight at her vital point. Ye Xingchen's eyes widened immediately, and she hurriedly retreated, but there was nowhere left to go.

She leaned against the wall, the other person's face indistinct in the darkness. Their eyes met, and Ye Xingchen saw murderous intent in those eyes.

Just when she thought she was about to die here, the sword suddenly turned and pierced straight into Ye Xingchen's shoulder.

Time seemed to freeze at that moment. Ye Xingchen felt a cold touch quickly penetrate her clothes, followed by a wave of intense pain. She endured the pain and forced herself to remain calm.

"Miss Ye, who are you waiting for?" the other party asked coldly.

"Your Highness?" Prince Jin's face became clear in front of Ye Xingchen.

The pain in her shoulder reminded Ye Xingchen that this was not a dream, but reality, and that the owner of the sword in front of her had really tried to kill her.

But why? Ye Xingchen was puzzled.

"Miss? Miss?" Perhaps the noise startled Nan Rao, for her voice came from around the corner, and the person in front of her immediately drew her sword and left.

Ye Xingchen's body trembled uncontrollably, his knees buckled, and he almost collapsed to the ground. Blood quickly seeped through his clothes, and warm liquid spread across his chest.

Nan Rao rushed to Ye Xingchen's side, and was shocked to find that her young mistress was injured. She hurriedly asked, "Miss, what happened?"

"Let's go back first," Ye Xingchen said, enduring the excruciating pain.

Two people were standing under the eaves of a house not far away.

"Now that you've got the item, why didn't Your Highness just finish her off?" Guard Chiwu wondered.

"She's still useful. Have someone keep an eye on her." Prince Gu Ruoxiao of Jin gripped the bamboo tube in his hand tightly.

Fortunately, there were no servants in Qingfeng Courtyard, otherwise, their return covered in blood would have been seen. Back inside, Nanrao hurriedly helped Ye Xingchen change clothes and apply medicine.

The sword strike was timed perfectly, not enough to kill Ye Xingchen, but enough to cause her considerable pain.

But why? Ye Xingchen didn't remember what connection she had with Gu Ruoxiao now, so why did he want to kill her?

"Miss, the Madam requests your presence at the banquet." The curtain was lifted, and Zhu Ling rushed in.

"Mm," Ye Xingchen replied.

"Miss, what's wrong? You look so pale." Zhu Ling noticed something was wrong and asked anxiously.

"It's alright, don't worry. Nanrao, bring me some more sachets; we need to cover up the smell of blood," Ye Xingchen instructed.

Zhu Ling wanted to ask more questions, but Nan Rao stopped her.

As they entered the banquet hall, the candlelight flickered, the lights were bright, and the wine was abundant. Amidst the clinking of glasses, the guests were all smiles. Not far away, the First Madam was leading the Second Miss in toasting guests, with Gu Chengjie accompanying her, their laughter occasionally escaping.

Indeed, this was Ye Ruohuan's banquet, so naturally she should be the center of attention. Ye Xingchen was annoyed. How could she have been so blind to the truth, failing to see that Gu Chengjie truly loved Ye Ruohuan, mistakenly believing it was just a case of loving someone because of them? She really wanted to slap herself.

The air was thick with the rich aroma of wine and the scent of exquisite food. Some offered genuine congratulations, while others were merely paying lip service. It was nothing more than a pursuit of power and fame. Laughter and cheerful conversation filled the air, yet beneath this seemingly harmonious atmosphere, everyone harbored their own thoughts.

At the very center of the banquet, Minister Ye, the father, was raising his glass to toast his colleagues, his words sincere, seemingly expressing deep friendship and respect. Standing beside him were Madam Rong and Ye Ruohuan, who were also raising their glasses in celebration. However, those present, seasoned officials, understood the unspoken meaning and naturally raised their glasses in response, each harboring their own ulterior motives.

Ye Xingchen shook his head, tired of watching the show, and found a secluded corner to stay in.

However, there are always those who can't stand seeing others idle. During the meal, someone seemed to mention the eldest daughter of the Ye family, so the father called someone over. It turned out that this table was for Old Madam Shen, and Gu Ruoxiao was smiling calmly beside her.

"Miss Ye, congratulations!" Gu Ruoxiao raised her glass to Ye Xingchen.

This person is truly unpredictable. Just half an hour ago, he looked like he wanted to kill Ye Xingchen, but now he's drinking and chatting happily with him? Ye Xingchen was filled with doubts.

She lowered her head, respectfully returning the greeting, and then drank a cup of wine. The wine burned as it went down her throat, a reminder to Ye Xingchen of the other person's probing.

However, after drinking, Gu Ruoxiao did not make things difficult for Ye Xingchen, as if the previous events had never happened. Ye Xingchen was extremely puzzled. She did not understand what connection the two of them had to each other until now.

And so, the banquet ended in pretense and affectation.

Time passed day by day. Gu Chengjie probably hadn't obtained even half of the treasure map, so he frequently sent people to the mansion to invite him to go on trips. After Ye Xingchen had someone bring the sheepskin scroll to Gu Chengjie, she claimed to be sick with a cold and declined the invitation.

It must have been Gu Chengjie who obtained the parchment scroll. He didn't suspect anything and happily took the second young lady Ye Ruohuan and the third young master Ye Wangshu on a trip.

Although Ye Xingchen was still shaken by Gu Ruoxiao's incident, he quickly put it out of his mind amidst his incomprehensible thoughts.