My Love Rivals Have All Reborn - Chapter 1

That night, the snow was heavy, and the red plums bloomed brilliantly.

Xie Yu was in the Chongzheng Hall, her straight spine appearing cool and remote under the lamplight.

Empress Xiao Kuning approached, holding a flask of wine.

Xie Yu raised her head, looking at Xiao Kuning. She was enveloped in a cold aura. The lamplight suddenly flickered, but Xie Yu’s expression remained unchanged, and she did not speak.

The air was filled with the faint, cold fragrance of plum blossoms drifting in from outside.

Xiao Kuning was dressed in a red court gown, as vivid as a red plum. The golden buyao (hairpin with dangling ornaments) in her hair shimmered and caught the eye as she walked under the bright light.

A flirtatious look, rarely seen in her usual demeanor, stirred in her glittering eyes. If one looked closer, there was also a hint of barely noticeable fear.

Xiao Kuning, like the rest of the world, feared Xie Yu.

Seemingly a sage, but actually a devil—who did not fear her at least a little?

Xie Yu remained calm, watching Xiao Kuning silently. The vermilion brush in her hand paused on the white paper, and due to the pressure, a spot of bright red gradually bloomed on the page.

Xiao Kuning walked closer, step by step, while Xie Yu sat up straight, smiling at her. That smile carried a hint of sarcasm, as if mocking her foolishness or stupidity.

Perhaps Xiao Kuning was born with a seductive, fox-like appearance that misled everyone. But the pride deep in her bones prevented her from acting out such a role, even when approaching Xie Yu. She had once loved Xie Yu, loving every part of her; the perfect façade was the ultimate temptation.

It was out of love that she chose to come here today. The past was like smoke that had drifted away, forgotten once it passed.

Those feelings of resentment had long been cast aside.

Xie Yu lowered her gaze, and only then did Xiao Kuning dare to take out the wine. Her wrist was as white as snow, and her delicate fingertips deliberately slid past Xie Yu’s eyes. Her voice was soft to the bone: “Teacher…”

Xie Yu paused, then gently brushed her hand away.

Xie Yu’s hand was as cold as snow, devoid of warmth. Xiao Kuning boldly grasped it, looking at Xie Yu’s moist lips, which seemed to hold a remote, cool breath. Xiao Kuning actively leaned in.

Her tongue acted as a paintbrush, tracing the slight angularity of the thin lips.

After sketching the contours to her heart’s content, the tip of her small tongue peeked out, attempting to advance further.

Her heartbeat abruptly sped up.

Xie Yu violently pushed her away. The dim light entered her eyes without causing the slightest ripple. Her lips were vividly red: “Your Highness the Empress, please exercise some self-respect.”

Xiao Kuning pursed her lips. The trembling fear from moments ago dissipated somewhat. She knelt beside the table, insisting on pouring the wine.

Her hand was radiantly fair but trembling, clearly showing a sense of helplessness and panic. To this day, her hatred for Xie Yu was equal to her love, and at this moment, she couldn’t distinguish which was greater.

Xie Yu watched her quietly, a subtle, unnamable shift hidden in her narrow eyes. She remained silent until the cup of wine was presented to her hand. She gave a soft laugh, gripping Xiao Kuning’s wrist: “Does the Empress use this method to seduce others as well?”

Xiao Kuning’s hand was very warm, gradually warming Xie Yu’s cold hand. Ice and fire; the ice slowly melted under the fire’s assault.

She feigned shyness, but the fear in her bones seeped out: “I once loved you, believe it or not.”

Their conflict—between the Empress and the Grand Tutor, vying for power, vying for the heir, vying for the throne—culminated in this one phrase: I once loved you.

Malice sprang up in Xie Yu’s heart. She didn’t even glance at her, the long-suppressed rage surging up. She sneered, “The Empress’s past nobility was for the sake of the court’s dignity, which this subject admired. Now, performing the acts of a courtesan, this subject is greatly ashamed.”

Ashamed… that old fondness was worth less than a penny.

Xiao Kuning knelt down, her entire body rigid under Xie Yu’s gaze, feeling dirtied.

Yet, in reality, she was completely pure; no one had ever touched her, including the Emperor, who died of illness.

She endured the humiliation brought by Xie Yu, trembling incessantly, while the disgust in Xie Yu’s eyes intensified.

Xie Yu leaned in, her shadow under the lamp enveloping Xiao Kuning. She lifted Xiao Kuning’s chin, pinching it tightly. Xiao Kuning was forced to raise her head, exposing her long, fair neck as their eyes met.

The hierarchy between sovereign and subject was inverted, yet Xie Yu remained as calm as if she hadn’t done anything out of line, still maintaining that detached, world-weary indifference. She looked down at her: “The Empress’s heart must be black. After using so many people, you now claim to like me. Who do you think would believe that? I certainly don’t believe it. But everything you have done, every single action, this subject remembers.”

Her voice was like the silent, misty stillness of a mountain after a rain, strongly resembling resentment.

Xiao Kuning jerked back and shoved her away as if struck by lightning. Xie Yu’s harsh words completely crushed her last sliver of will. Living was painful; death was the quickest release.

Xiao Kuning woke up in pain. She touched her neck, wanting to cry out, but swallowed the sound back into her throat. Having finally mustered the courage once in front of Xie Yu, crying out in pain would be too pathetic. She covered her mouth and stood up.

As soon as she stood, she found someone pulling on her sleeve from behind: “Sit down quickly.”

Sit down? Where would I sit? Xie Yu is standing right in front of me. How can I sit?

She looked up. Xie Yu was standing ten paces away, dressed in white robes. Under the wide cuffs, her fair, long hands were visible, tightly gripping a ruler.

Secluded and lofty like a mountain hermit—she’s putting on quite a show. Her head buzzed. In the ten-pace distance were several desks where various students were seated.

How did the dignified Changqiu Hall of the Central Palace become a classroom?

Xie Yu’s white robe was elegant and serene. Her figure was slender and graceful, and her face was as pale as in the dream, but her clear, luminous eyes were astonishing. Her exquisite features seemed carefully drawn by an artist, embodying a thousand kinds of charm.

Even without speaking, she commanded respect. Everyone held their breath. They watched as Xie Yu slowly walked toward her: “Do you have something to ask?”

Ask what? Xiao Kuning was suspicious. Looking at Xie Yu so close, she remembered the humiliation she suffered that night. Driven by hatred, her mind went blank, and she raised her hand and slapped it across Xie Yu’s face.

The crisp sound of the slap resonated throughout the hall. Everyone was shocked, watching their Teacher Xie take a blow.

“Xiao Kuning, have you gone mad? That’s Teacher Xie!” “Xiao Kuning, you hit Teacher Xie!” “It’s over, it’s over. Teacher Xie was hit by Xiao Kuning.”

After the strike, Xiao Kuning felt pain in her hand. Looking at Xie Yu, a clear handprint was rising on her cheek—so clear and real that it couldn’t be a dream.

Instantly, her hatred was avenged, but her scalp began to prickle.

She hit Xie Yu. She hit the demon Xie.

The students in the hall erupted, rushing to surround Xie Yu, treating her clearly as a protected species.

Xiao Kuning, meanwhile, stared at the hand she had used to hit. Did I just get my revenge?

Someone—she recognized her as Shen Yunzhi, the daughter of the Minister of Revenue, who usually gasped for breath after three steps—shouted for a physician and rushed out quickly, showing none of her usual frailty. She ran quite fast, seeing Teacher Xie was injured.

The place that should have been silent was now in chaos. Seeing the situation, Xiao Kuning quietly slipped out while everyone was distracted.

The study hall was located in the palace. To leave the hall, she had to exit the palace. She looked back at the building she was in: Guanzhi Hall (Hall of Observing Speech and Action).

Observe others’ speech and action, and then examine your own movements—that’s what Xie Yu always said. Simply put, look at how others speak and act before you act.

Utter nonsense. Xie Yu is a charlatan.

The majestic eaves hinted at grandeur, but because Xie Yu was present, they were imbued with the scent of ink and learning, feeling more like the Hanlin Academy.

She was more familiar with the palace paths than her own home. She easily shook off people and slipped out of Guanzhi Hall.

Just as she ran out from under the corridor, she saw an armored woman lying on a tree outside the hall. Her saber leaned against the trunk, and her legs swung in the air. Her delicate features carried an innate sharp energy.

Eighteen-year-old Shen Rui smiled at Xiao Kuning. Her youthful face was radiant with a vibrant energy. Seeing her emerge from the hall, she practically jumped down: “Is class over? It doesn’t seem like time yet.”

Xiao Kuning stared at her for a moment. The Sima family had been feared by the Emperor, and the Old Duke was killed. Shen Rui had miraculously escaped.

Later, she somehow became attached to Xie Yu, and the two were practically inseparable. Perhaps Xie Yu reciprocated, being fond of a girl like Shen Rui.

But eighteen-year-old Shen Rui was in love with her.

The spirited young girl pulled Xiao Kuning along: “Let’s go look at the lanterns. I specially made a few. The styles are very beautiful. Do you want to try making one too? I found making lanterns much easier than doing homework. Teacher Xie is so picky; I really don’t know what kind of work she considers good.”

This enthusiastic young girl, full of joy, could never dream that her family would be destroyed not long from now.

Xiao Kuning was completely bewildered. She pulled her hand away and looked back at Guanzhi Hall.

The calligraphy for the two characters Guan Zhi was personally written by Xie Yu. A mentor to others, she was her goddess, and later, her demon.

The familiar environment slowly brought her to the realization.

She had been reborn. Reborn to the time just when she first entered the palace.

Xie Yu was only the Grand Tutor, and she was not yet the Empress.

But she had just hit Xie Yu. She, as a student, had hit Xie Yu.

This was not a good start at all. Had she offended the devil before even trying to change her fate?