The Villainess Reborn With A 999x Cheat System

📖 CHAPTER 20: A VISIT FROM THE PAST

Gu Qingyan sat in her courtyard, her fingers lightly tracing the rim of a porcelain tea cup. The night was quiet, yet she felt the weight of unseen eyes upon her.

After the banquet, whispers had already begun spreading through the capital. Some called her foolish for embarrassing Gu Ruoyun, while others murmured about her sudden change. But she did not care.

Let them talk.

She had far greater concerns.

A soft rustle in the air.

Her fingers stilled.

"Are you going to hide in the shadows all night, or will you come out?" she asked calmly.

Silence. Then—a low chuckle.

From the darkness, a figure stepped forward, moving with the casual grace of someone who feared nothing. His golden eyes gleamed like a predator's, filled with amusement.

Feng Liyan.

Gu Qingyan did not rise, nor did she offer him a greeting. Instead, she sipped her tea, her posture completely at ease.

Feng Liyan tilted his head, studying her. "You've changed, Gu Qingyan."

She met his gaze evenly. "Have I?"

"You used to be predictable." He took a slow step closer, his voice dropping slightly. "Sweet. Innocent. Hopelessly devoted to a certain prince."

Gu Qingyan's lips curled into a faint, cold smile. "And yet, you never paid me any attention then."

Feng Liyan laughed softly. "True."

He moved closer, until the space between them was almost nonexistent. A lesser woman would have been flustered, but Gu Qingyan did not so much as blink.

Feng Liyan studied her for a moment longer, then sighed. "What a shame."

"What is?"

"That I never noticed you before."

Gu Qingyan's fingers tightened slightly around her tea cup. This man was dangerous.

He was unpredictable, unreadable, and far too observant.

But she was not the same girl who once blindly trusted others.

She leaned back slightly, her expression unreadable. "I have no interest in catching your attention, Prince Feng."

Feng Liyan chuckled again. "Liar."

Gu Qingyan's eyes narrowed.

Feng Liyan simply smiled and turned away. "We'll meet again, Qingyan. After all, the game has just begun."

And with that, he disappeared into the night.

Gu Qingyan exhaled slowly, her fingers tightening around her sleeve.

She had been reborn to change her fate. But somehow, she was beginning to realize—there were others playing a game far more dangerous than she had anticipated.

And she was already caught in the middle of it.

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📍 Royal Palace – Xu Jin's Study

Xu Jin stood by the candlelight, reading the latest report.

Gu Qingyan had met with Feng Liyan.

His grip tightened on the parchment.

"Your Highness?" his subordinate asked cautiously.

Xu Jin's gaze was cold. "Send someone to watch them closely. I want to know everything."

The servant bowed and left.

Xu Jin exhaled slowly.

Gu Qingyan had never been involved with Feng Liyan before.

Why now?

And why did the thought of her being close to another man irritate him so much?

His fingers curled.

Something was changing.

And he would not allow it.