Rebirth Of The Strongest Female Emperor Chapter 3: Reborn (2)

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

It had been hundreds of years since Ye Qingtang last gazed upon this face.

In her previous life, a birthmark had filled her with inferiority, forcing her to hide behind a veil day and night to conceal her unsightly features. Yet, in time, she uncovered the truth: the mark was no natural flaw but a deliberate seal cast by someone to mask her true visage.

Such reflections brought a smile to Ye Qingtang's lips. She gulped down the medicine, bitterness flooding her throat, and inwardly vowed that with this rebirth, she would sever every regret from her past life.

She would allow no harm to befall her father or those dear to her!

Ye Ling sighed softly, watching Ye Qingtang drain her medicine. The Ye family hung in precarious balance now. With the Second Elder—his loyal backer—in seclusion, the scheming Great Elder had seized command of the entire clan. Even as nominal master, Ye Ling wielded no real authority anymore.

Still, comfort washed over him so long as Tang Tang remained safe and well.

“Rest plenty after your medicine,” Ye Ling urged, eyes brimming with worry. Since his wife's passing, he had cherished his beloved daughter above all, pouring his heart into her care.

Ye Qingtang nodded. Three centuries of agony in her prior life could not rival this familial warmth. Immense fortune blessed her to encounter Ye Ling once more.

As Ye Ling turned to depart her chamber, a servant's voice rang from outside the door.

“Master, Second Young Master Duan Tianrao of the Duan family has arrived to see the Young Lady. He waits in the front hall.”

Relief lit Ye Ling's smile at the servant's report. He pivoted to regard Ye Qingtang, propped on her bed.

“Tang Tang, Tianrao truly cherishes you. Look, he came so early, learning of your discomfort. My heart eases knowing he'll care for you ahead,” Ye Ling said.

Duan Tianrao served as Second Young Master of Lin Town's Duan family and Ye Qingtang's fiancé. Betrothed in childhood, he bided time until her sixteenth year to claim her in marriage.

Ye Ling approved heartily of this future son-in-law and beamed at his prompt visit to Ye Qingtang.

Alas…

No maidenly blush colored Ye Qingtang's cheeks. Sarcasm alone flickered in her wide, lucid eyes.

Duan Tianrao.

How could she possibly forget him?

Shortly after her shattered spirit root became known in her past life, Duan Tianrao stormed the Ye family—not for solace, but to twist the knife deeper.

Ye Qingtang slowly closed her eyes. Scenes of his past-life arrival at the Ye family surged through her mind.

Veiled constantly, Ye Qingtang faced Lin Town whispers branding her grotesquely ugly in that era. Fear kept her from venturing beyond the Ye estate; even inside, the veil stayed firm.

Her longtime betrothed, Duan Tianrao, had never beheld her bare face.

Ye Qingtang once deemed his affection real. But when her spirit root broke, he came not to soothe but to dissolve their bond, picking another woman in her stead.

“Tang Tang?” Ye Ling fretted, noting the peculiar shift in Ye Qingtang's expression.