My Love Rivals Have All Reborn - Chapter 10

The afternoon sun in autumn was warm, gently striking the face. It was neither the scorching heat of summer nor the uncomfortable chill of winter, but very pleasant.

Xiao Kuning led the way. Xie Yu and Shen Rui walked side-by-side. She occasionally turned back to glance at them. Both looked straight ahead. There was room for two people between them, and they were not looking at each other.

When they arrived at the spring chamber, the maids had everything ready, including clean clothes for changing.

The Zhao manor treated its guests with warmth and thoughtfulness; everything was well-prepared. After escorting Xie Yu into the spring chamber, Xiao Kuning did not wish to stay. She left Xie Yu with the maids and sat with Shen Rui on the outer veranda.

Shen Rui peeked inside, very curious: “Ah Ning, do you think Teacher Xie is really drunk? I just counted. The Teacher drank at least a dozen cups, and the wine she drank was different from ours. The flavor was rich, and the after-effect is potent.”

The fruit wine they drank was primarily fruity, but the Teacher’s was the opposite. Madam Zhao must resent the court’s intention to seize the Chamber of Commerce and used the opportunity to retaliate against the Teacher.

Xiao Kuning had not thought of these details; instead, she was focused on the Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce matter. Xie Yu was aggressive today, which was unlike her usual style.

Xie Yu was gentle, regarded by the world as a saint. It was only later that she tore off her saintly facade and killed everyone in the Zhao royal family. Even so, she still maintained the appearance of a celestial being. Just now, in the hall, a few simple words showed her determination to seize the merchant assets. She was clearly intentionally provoking Zhao Xiran.

What was the use of provoking Zhao Xiran?

Xiao Kuning felt somewhat frustrated. If she couldn’t even guess Xie Yu’s intentions, how could she compete with her?

The Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce had deep roots, having existed for many years. It was no longer the exclusive domain of the Zhao family, but it certainly wouldn’t allow the court to take advantage easily. Given Zhao Mian’s character, it was highly likely to end badly.

She looked at Shen Rui: “Do you think the Teacher is drunk?”

Shen Rui was suspicious: “It seems like she is drunk. When she looked at you just now, it was different from usual, seemingly with a trace of obsession. But I don’t know what she is obsessed with.”

That look just now made her feel that the Teacher had bad intentions. She looked at Ah Ning, still worried, and said: “Ah Ning, let’s go. The maids here can take care of things.”

Xiao Kuning felt something was wrong and countered: “Did you see Yu Yin and Nong Qin?”

Shen Rui thought back according to her words: “I didn’t see them. They must have gone to handle some business for Teacher Xie.”

Xiao Kuning smiled. The key now was what business? Xie Yu came here for the Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce, so Yu Yin and Nong Qin must be handling matters related to it.

The inability to guess the reason was like a fishbone stuck in her throat. Xie Yu was immensely capable, but since she was inside the Zhao manor, Xiao Kuning could certainly try to probe her.

After all, the person was already drunk…

Since the conventional path was blocked, why not try a crooked one? Zhao Xiran once said that as long as it didn’t harm people, a crooked path could also be used.

What scheme was Xie Yu concocting?

She bit her lip, recalling the humiliation and fear when she tried to seduce Xie Yu in the previous life, and was forced by her to commit suicide. This debt should also be settled.

She rolled up her sleeves and walked toward the room. Shen Rui, sensing something was wrong, quickly held her back: “Ah Ning, the Teacher is soaking in the hot spring. You cannot go in.”

She had originally intended to go and elicit information, but being exposed by Shen Rui like this, her face flushed red. Was she that wicked? Did she look like someone who would take advantage of Xie Yu while she was drunk?

She said angrily: “Xie Yu is heartless and wants to deal with the Zhao family. I must go and find out the truth.”

Shen Rui saw her face was flushed, like a beautiful, vibrant peony. She became even more reluctant to let go, whispering: “I will go and find out what Yu Yin and Nong Qin are doing for you. Also, give me a few days. I will have people investigate the Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce matter thoroughly. We are upright people—no, we don’t do those bad things.”

The last part was mumbled like a mosquito’s buzzing, but Xiao Kuning still heard it clearly and felt even more ashamed. Was she not an upright person?

In the previous life, she was full of schemes, but in this life, she had sincerely tried to change her ways. Why did she not seem like an upright person?

After a moment of hesitation, Shen Rui held onto her, cautiously reminding her: “If Teacher Xie finds out, you will get a spanking.”

Xiao Kuning was famously afraid of pain. Xie Yu seemed to know this weakness and would use the ruler to beat her a few times whenever she criticized her homework.

Mentioning the embarrassing incident made Xiao Kuning feel aggrieved. She reluctantly glanced through the crack of the door. With just that one glance, Shen Rui hurriedly blocked her path: “Ah Ning, do not act rashly. The Teacher is open and tolerant. If you have questions, just ask her directly.”

Xiao Kuning: “…”

Finding this method unworkable, she had no choice but to give up. Pretending no one was around, she walked to the window. She quickly glanced left and right, and seeing no one, she swiftly opened the window. Her peripheral vision happened to catch Xie Yu’s fair, smooth shoulder inside the hot spring…

She hurriedly fled.

Shen Rui ordered people to investigate the Chamber of Commerce matter. Since Zhao Mian had designs on it, it meant there would be further actions later.

After dispatching her people, Zhao Xiran, who had sent off the Qingcheng officials and finished handling matters in the front courtyard, rushed to find Xiao Kuning.

“Xie Yu is a Grand Tutor, holding a nominal position. Why is she getting involved in court affairs?”

Xiao Kuning had a guilty conscience, her eyes flickering from side to side. She said: “Xie Yu is not as simple as just a Grand Tutor. She is the Emperor’s confidante and a favorite before the imperial presence. Others dare not easily offend her. The Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce matter is very serious. Her being sent here means the Emperor has great faith in her. Since the court has set its mind on it, they won’t stop easily. What will you do?”

Zhao Xiran was burning with anger. The court was going too far. “What will I do? The Chamber of Commerce controls most of Jiangnan’s business. If the court gets its hands on it, we will be like meat on a chopping board. We cannot let them succeed. I have already written to President Gu, asking him to dissolve the various regional chambers. It is better to be a shattered jade than a whole tile.”

If it couldn’t be used for themselves, it shouldn’t benefit the court. It was better to part ways completely.

“That fast?” Xiao Kuning was surprised. Zhao Xiran was habitually decisive, making up her mind in a moment. This showed her intent.

Zhao Xiran sneered: “Look at your Teacher Xie, acting so condescendingly. I have a whole fire burning in my belly. I wish I could hit her with a brick and kill her.”

Hearing this, Xiao Kuning’s eyelid twitched. She wished for the same, but lacked the ability. Xie Yu was subtle and profound; her background was not simple. She said helplessly: “Teacher Xie is not as simple as she appears. She was deliberately provoking you.”

Zhao Xiran also felt that something was amiss. If Xie Yu were so simple, she wouldn’t have come to Qingcheng. She wondered what further plot lay ahead. Merchants could not fight officials. Dissolving the Chamber was the fastest way. Not even an empty shell could be left. With Xie Yu’s capability, she could manipulate even an empty shell.

“Whether she was intentional or not, I feel stifled. I’m going to sleep for a bit. You keep an eye on Xie Yu. If necessary, send her away so she’s not a sight for sore eyes here.”

Xiao Kuning nodded. She watched Zhao Xiran leave. With Shen Rui gone on business, she walked back to the spring chamber alone.

Xie Yu woke up at dusk. The lingering effects of the alcohol made her head heavy and her steps unsteady. As soon as she opened her eyes, she saw thick water vapor. The water in the pool was steaming, and the surrounding furniture and screens, as well as the clothes on her body, confirmed this was a bath chamber.

The events before she fell asleep slowly came back to her. She struggled to sit up. A moment later, the door was pushed open. The setting sun cast its lingering glow behind the person.

Xiao Kuning approached: “Teacher is awake.”

Xie Yu slowly lifted her eyelids, her expression unwavering: “I apologize for the disturbance.”

Xiao Kuning said: “Yu Yin and Nong Qin are not here. Why don’t I escort Teacher back to the post house?” Zhao Xiran was afraid Xie Yu would be assassinated and die on the way, in which case it would fall on her. She couldn’t afford the trouble.

Otherwise, why would she send her? Zhao Xiran was close to wanting to kill her herself.

Xie Yu wore a single undergarment, her long hair scattered over her shoulders. Her face was still flushed. Compared to the skin on her neck, that rosy hue added a touch of seductiveness to her.

Her looks were gorgeous and captivating, dazzling like peach blossoms, giving the appearance of a wise teacher. But peel back the surface, and a demon was revealed.

Xiao Kuning sneered. In the previous life, she was fooled by Xie Yu’s exterior. After seeing through her, she only felt ridiculous, judging people by their appearance.

If she had known earlier that Xie Yu was cold-blooded, cold-boned, and heartless, she wouldn’t have foolishly fallen for her. Now that she saw through her, she understood that Xie Yu could only be respected, not associated with. She had the beautiful skin of a saint, but the cold blood and heart of a devil.

Xie Yu’s clothes were by the pool. Xiao Kuning fetched and handed them to her, then went outside to wait.

When the door closed, Xie Yu looked up. The depth in her eyes receded, leaving them clear as water, like a gentle spring breeze in March.

The post house’s carriage was parked outside the Zhao manor’s gate. Shen Rui had not returned. Xiao Kuning boarded the Zhao manor’s carriage behind, following Xie Yu.

The carriage moved slowly. The Zhao manor’s gate receded. After a quarter of an hour of travel, they were still within the Zhao manor’s territory. It was more spacious than the Xiao manor in Chang’an. Zhao Xiran lived a more unrestrained and free life than Madam Luo.

Exiting the Zhao manor’s boundary, they entered the streets of Qingcheng, which were bustling and prosperous. A peddler, carrying his load on a pole, was shouting his wares in front of the carriage. Many people gathered around the peddler, picking and choosing items from the load, haggling for what they liked.

Xiao Kuning watched from afar. The world’s prosperity was within reach. Unlike Chang’an, the people here were simple and honest, with less hidden malice.

Leaning against the carriage window, she smiled. As she pulled the curtain closed, the peddler turned to look at the carriage. Inside, it became completely dark. Outside, someone shouted loudly: “Assassin! Assassin!”

Screams and the sounds of killing clashed together, a fight to the death.

She looked out of the carriage. The peddler from earlier was gone, and the people who had surrounded him now wielded knives and attacked.

They were assassins in disguise! Their earlier kind faces were replaced by fierce, ferocious expressions. In a moment, the Zhao manor’s guards fell one after another.

With bodies strewn everywhere, she didn’t have time to look. The carriage curtain was suddenly yanked open, and a cold sensation hit her neck. A silver blade was pressed against her throat.

Is the devil Xie Yu going to kill her this quickly?