Back to My Nemesis's Youth

Li Yuanshu and Xiao Xuexun fought for their entire lives. They poisoned each other, sent assassins after each other, and still had to act like a pair of ruler and minister who got along perfectly.

After a lifetime as a powerful minister, Xiao Xuexun finally lost by one move and died. Li Yuanshu had barely enjoyed a few peaceful days when she suddenly keeled over and died too.

Furious, Li Yuanshu cursed Xiao Xuexun on her deathbed for still causing trouble even after dying. Was a single act of kindness really worth fighting so hard for?

She truly couldn't understand how someone as cold-hearted as Xiao Xuexun could still remember a kindness.

When Li Yuanshu opened her eyes again, she was back in her youth. She was seventeen that year.

Li Yuanshu rubbed her hands together, eager for action.

As far as she knew, Xiao Xuexun, who had fought her for a lifetime, was at her lowest point. If she didn't kick her while she was down, when would she?

At her first sight of the young power broker, the future formidable minister was frail and slender, as if a gust of wind could knock her over.

Li Yuanshu thought she was putting on an act and playing the sympathy card again.

At her second look, the future minister seemed puzzled, but she managed to stand up.

At the third look, the young minister fainted right onto her, landing in Li Yuanshu's arms.

"..."

Li Yuanshu exploded. "That's a fake injury! Xiao Xuexun, get up!"

Years later, after Li Yuanshu was reborn as emperor, she nudged the minister on the bed. "I'm not done yet. Shall we play another game of chess by hand?"

Xiao Xuexun, too exhausted to open her eyes, answered helplessly, "Your Majesty, do you want chess players across the land to throw their boards at you?"

Li Yuanshu said innocently, "Other people use the world as a chessboard and the people as their pieces. I'm simply more down-to-earth. I use the bed as a chessboard, and, mmph..."

Unable to bear it any longer, Xiao Xuexun raised a hand and covered her mouth.

*

Reborn ruler x fallen minister

Li Yuanshu was reborn from birth, and isn't the brooding type.

Probably a sweet, satisfying story, and likely not very long.