Double Rebirth: The Scumbag Heroine is Terrified of the Yandere Prince! - Chapter 2

Xie Xuanyin’s gaze was scrutinizing, like a predator weighing its prey.

She hurriedly explained, “Xie Xuansong used me! He tried to drive a wedge between Your Highness and me—even between the Shen family and the Eastern Palace! I will never let him off easily!”

“He and Song Xuerou both deserve to die!”

She had found a perfect justification. Whether it was from the biting cold or the sheer force of her rage, Shen Ruoli was trembling violently.

“Betrayed by both your lover and your best friend… if I were you, I would be too ashamed to face anyone. I would have jumped from here long ago.” Xie Xuanyin’s lips curled into a mocking smirk.

Unable to tell what he was truly thinking—though he clearly seemed to be gloating over her misery—Shen Ruoli bit her lip stubbornly. “Even if I jump, I’ll make sure to drag Xie Xuansong down as my cushion!”

Xie Xuanyin looked at her deeply for a long moment before finally untying the ropes and pulling her down.

Her body was just as soft and warm as he remembered. The sweet, fresh scent unique to her caused Xie Xuanyin’s movements to stiffen momentarily. As soon as he regained his senses, he released her with an expression of immediate disgust.

Shen Ruoli didn’t notice his internal struggle. Though only fifteen minutes had passed since her rebirth, she felt as if she had already lived through a dozen life-and-death crises. Her legs felt like jelly as she leaned against the stone wall, gasping for air while rubbing her numb, bruised wrists.

Soon, the sound of hurried footsteps approached. Xie Xuansong burst onto the watchtower.

“Crown Prince!”

His voice arrived before he did. “You executed several officials during the morning court today for no reason, inciting outrage among the ministers! Do you still refuse to stop?!”

Shen Ruoli, still recovering from her near-death experience, rolled her eyes privately. Is Xie Xuansong seeking death? It didn’t matter if he wanted to die, as long as he didn’t drag her down with him!

However, she noted that while Xie Xuanyin had always been temperamental, he had never gone as far as slaughtering ministers in open court in the previous life. This confirmed her suspicion: Xie Xuanyin had been reborn earlier than she had.

The people he killed were likely all Xie Xuansong’s hidden pawns. Xie Xuansong hadn’t rushed here just for her; he was here because he was fuming with rage and looking for a way to suppress the Crown Prince.

Xie Xuanyin keenly caught Shen Ruoli’s eye-roll. Surprisingly, it put him in a slightly better mood.

“Is Prince Chu lecturing me?” Xie Xuanyin’s voice was calm, yet the invisible pressure made it hard for Xie Xuansong to breathe.

“I… would not dare.” Xie Xuansong gritted his teeth, suppressing his anger. “Brother, I am merely offering a kind word of advice. After all, the Crown Princess is beloved by the Empress Dowager! You two have just wed, yet I heard you intended to throw her off the city walls. I lost my composure out of concern.”

“Prince Chu is quite concerned with the affairs of my palace,” Xie Xuanyin said with a half-smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

Sensing he had overstepped, Xie Xuansong quickly changed the subject. “Is the Crown Princess alright?”

Xie Xuanyin’s icy gaze swept toward her as well.

Shen Ruoli braced herself against the wall and stood straight. “I thank Prince Chu for his concern, but I am fine. His Highness and I were merely enjoying the scenery. I have no idea where Prince Chu heard such nonsense!”

Xie Xuansong frowned. “Enjoying the scenery?”

On a seventy-foot watchtower? With a drawn sword?

A flash of surprise crossed Xie Xuanyin’s eyes, but his gaze turned even colder. In the previous life, she was utterly devoted to Xie Xuansong. She’s only saying this to win my trust, he thought.

“Is there a problem?” Shen Ruoli looked at Xie Xuansong’s disgusting face and felt an overwhelming urge to tear him to pieces.

She reached out and pulled the sword from Xie Xuanyin’s hand, stepping forward one pace at a time. “Xie Xuansong, you have the nerve to blame my husband? If not for you, why would His Highness be angry with me?”

Xie Xuansong faltered. “What do you mean, Crown Princess?”

“The fact that I once had feelings for you is the greatest stain on my life! Today, I nearly died because of you. It isn’t too much to ask for a little interest on that debt, is it?”

Before her voice had even faded, the sword in her hand plunged into Xie Xuansong’s abdomen!

Suppressing the venomous hatred in her eyes, she yanked the blade out before anyone could react. This was only one stab. Every debt Xie Xuansong owed her, she would collect piece by piece!

“Feng Qing, find a doctor for Prince Chu.” Shen Ruoli spoke impassively to Xie Xuanyin’s guard, blood still dripping from her sword.

Feng Qing froze, immediately looking to Xie Xuanyin for orders. Clearly, Shen Ruoli’s actions had blindsided even the Crown Prince.

Does she really want him dead? Impossible. Xie Xuanyin dismissed the thought instantly. She loves him to death. This must be a ‘biting the hand that feeds’ ruse to trick me. His expression grew even more grim. He didn’t speak, so Feng Qing remained motionless.

Xie Xuansong collapsed to the ground in agony, his hand soaked as blood poured through his fingers. He stared at Shen Ruoli in utter disbelief. If the sword had been just an inch lower, he would have been emasculated. How could she be so cruel to him?

“Crown Princess… what are you doing?” he wheezed, his face pale from the pain.

“As of today, we are even,” Shen Ruoli looked down at him. Her expression mirrored the way he had looked down at her when she was begging for her child’s life in the dungeon. “You ruined my reputation, and His Highness holds a grudge against me because of it. Prince Chu, the days ahead are long. You’d better watch your step.”

She smiled, but the smile was hollow, her voice laced with suppressed rage. At this moment, she seemed like a different person—the carefree girl of the past was gone, replaced by a paranoid, obsessed avenger.

Xie Xuansong was so shocked by her transformation that he couldn’t find his voice.

“I assume Prince Chu wouldn’t want anyone to know the Crown Princess stabbed him today? If this reaches the Emperor’s ears, you’re the one who will suffer.”

Shen Ruoli knew his weaknesses too well. That was why he had killed her in the last life. He cared about nothing more than the Emperor’s approval. If this scandal got out, it would only prove that Xie Xuansong was unstable and a disgrace to the royal family.

As she expected, a flash of fear crossed his eyes. He gritted his teeth and barked at his newly arrived guards, “I have been ‘accidentally’ injured! Fetch the Imperial Physician, now!”

“Back to the manor!”

Supported by his guards, Xie Xuansong gave Shen Ruoli a hateful glare before retreating.

Shen Ruoli wiped the blood from the blade and returned it to Xie Xuanyin with both hands. “Thank you, Your Highness.”

Xie Xuanyin stared at her silently, the suspicion in his eyes only deepening. “Shen Ruoli, have you learned how to use the ‘self-harm’ ruse now?”

Knowing she was at a disadvantage, she lowered her eyes, sheathed the sword, and then looked up with a faint smile.

“Your Highness, rest assured. Although Xie Xuansong is petty and vengeful, today’s incident won’t implicate you. He’s too ashamed to tell anyone he was stabbed by a woman.”

“Consider that my small token of sincerity. As for the rest, time will prove it. So, is Your Highness interested in making a deal with me?”

Xie Xuanyin knit his brows. Shen Ruoli truly felt different from the woman in his memories.

He tilted his chin slightly. “What kind of deal? I’m listening.”