My Love Rivals Have All Reborn - Chapter 12

She regretted her whole life. Why did she take advantage of Xie Yu…

Although Shen Rui accompanied Xiao Kuning to meet Zhao Xiran, most of the arrangements along the way were handled by Xie Yu. However, Shen Rui’s own people also followed, and she instructed them to investigate the affairs of the Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce. As they were returning, Xiao Kuning saw Xie Yu off back to her residence.

Upon hearing that assassins had appeared in Qingcheng, Shen Rui rushed off on her horse toward the direction of the post station without a second thought.

Along the way, she saw members of the Zhao manor lying horizontally and vertically on the ground. The common people dared not approach and chose to walk around, while the officials from the Yamen (magistrate’s office) had arrived and were moving the bodies.

She did not see Mr. Xie nearby, nor could she see A’Ning. Someone mentioned that a carriage had left the city, and she immediately spurred her horse into a fast gallop.

Upon arrival, she saw A’Ning limping toward the carriage, with Mr. Xie at her side. She went over to greet them.

Xie Yu nodded, and Shen Rui then took Xiao Kuning away.

After returning to the Zhao manor, Zhao Xiran was so upset upon hearing of the assassination that she almost slapped herself. She helped Xiao Kuning back to her room and sent for a physician.

Despite having been reincarnated, Xiao Kuning was still very uncomfortable seeing such a bloody scene. Her entire body was trembling. Upon seeing this, Shen Rui felt heartache.

She immediately took Xiao Kuning’s hand in front of Zhao Xiran. Her hand was very cold, without any warmth, indicating she must have been terrified. “A’Ning, it’s alright now. They were all targeting Mr. Xie; you won’t be in danger anymore.”

Her words were true, but in her heart, she also regretted accompanying Mr. Xie; it had been rash.

Xiao Kuning shook her head in surprise: “No, they…” She had been frightened by the assassins’ ferocious expressions, but today’s Xie Yu was very strange. Her last sentence seemed to be an allusion to something.

“Only a fool would kill herself.” Why did Xie Yu have such a thought?

In her previous life, she did commit suicide, but she was forced into it by Xie Yu. The former dynasty required her to be buried alive with Zhao Ji, and Xie Yu pressured her, leaving her with only death as an option.

Was she a fool in her previous life? Or had Xie Yu treated her as a fool from beginning to end?

She couldn’t figure this out. A warm temperature spread from her palm. She lifted her eyes and saw Shen Rui’s worried gaze. Suddenly, everything became even more fantastical. In her past life, she thought she understood Xie Yu, but judging by that single sentence today, she realized she did not understand Xie Yu at all.

Shen Rui’s concerned gaze made her feel increasingly guilty. She lowered her eyes, afraid to meet the other woman’s gaze.

Shen Rui was unaware of her thoughts, assuming she was just overly frightened, and held her hand even tighter.

Just then, the physician was ushered in. After a careful examination, he declared that the injuries were all superficial abrasions on her legs. They looked alarming, covered in scrapes, but a young person would recover after a few days of rest.

Zhao Xiran ordered someone to fetch medicine. Seeing that Shen Rui was reluctant to leave, she simply shooed her out. “Do you know if they were targeting you or Xie Yu?”

After all, Xie Yu was perfectly fine, yet Ning Ning was injured alongside her, which inevitably raised suspicions.

In fact, Zhao Xiran was more suspicious that the assassins were targeting the Zhao manor or the Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce.

As Xiao Kuning calmed down, she began to feel the pain all over her body. She frowned and said, “I don’t know either.” She actually felt like Xie Yu had tried to kill her.

Xie Yu’s final actions, however, were a bit strange, seeming to save her. The appearance of Yu Yin and Nong Qin added a layer of confusion to Xie Yu’s trip to Jiangnan.

She instinctively said, “Xie Yu’s trip is aimed at the Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce. Making such a huge display to provoke you, followed by encountering assassins, seems suspicious. Are you being tricked by dissolving the Chamber of Commerce so quickly?”

Zhao Xiran replied, “Regardless of Xie Yu’s intentions, the Chamber of Commerce cannot fall into the hands of the imperial court. The Emperor has heavily increased taxes over the years, causing merchants great hardship.”

As Emperor, Zhao Mian was better than his brother, Zhao Ji, but Zhao Mian was tyrannical and greedy, unlike Zhao Ji, who was more benevolent.

Xiao Kuning understood the reason. Zhao Mian was extravagant and reckless, and the national treasury was empty. Now he was even withholding military pay for the border troops. However, in a few years, Zhao Mian would die of illness without an heir, and the throne would pass to Zhao Ji. Things would improve significantly then.

She comforted her: “Mother, just endure it. The Emperor’s actions have caused public resentment, and the imperial court officials will counsel him.”

Zhao Xiran, however, stated: “The situation will not cease until the Emperor dies.”

Xiao Kuning sighed. This was indeed the case; the situation would only end with the Emperor’s death. She thought of Xie Yu. “Xie Yu is targeting the Chamber of Commerce, so she won’t give up. You must keep a close eye on her.”

Zhao Xiran found it odd: “Tell me, what does a woman her age, who isn’t thinking about love, want, staring daggers at everyone all day long?”

Xiao Kuning: “…” When she died in her previous life, Xie Yu was over thirty and had no woman by her side. She was indifferent to love. Let alone romance, she wouldn’t even spare a glance for women. No, wait, Shen Rui seemed to be around, but at that time, Shen Rui was constantly running to her Changqiu Palace, which didn’t look like there was any love between her and Xie Yu.

It was truly strange.

A maid brought the medicinal paste and handed it to Zhao Xiran. Zhao Xiran took it. Xiao Kuning’s face flushed, and she quickly took it, saying, “I—I’ll do it myself.”

Zhao Xiran let her. Thinking of Xie Yu, she felt annoyed again. She had never met such a difficult woman in all these years. “Are you and she teacher and student?”

Xiao Kuning nodded.

Zhao Xiran recalled something and said, “Why don’t you try to sound her out?”

Xiao Kuning was horrified: “You’d better save yourself the trouble. It might be possible if you pump her for information when she’s drunk, but it’s impossible when she’s sober.”

Zhao Xiran thought about it. Indeed, how could such a shrewd woman be fooled? She lamented, “I wish I had forced a few more cups of wine down her earlier today, if only to vent some frustration.”

Xiao Kuning covered her face. Zhao Xiran was truly Zhao Xiran. This was the first time she had been slightly disadvantaged by Xie Yu.

After applying the medicine, Zhao Xiran finally went out and pulled Shen Rui to do some heavy lifting.

Zhao Xiran was different from the Luo family. The former was perceptive and broad-minded when dealing with matters, while the latter was a secluded gentlewoman, strictly adhering to rules, especially regarding her attitude towards Xiao Kuning. The contrast was stark: one, her birth mother, treated her like she wasn’t; the other, not her birth mother, treated her even more like she was. In comparison, she still preferred Zhao Xiran.

Zhao Xiran wanted to understand who the assassination attempt was aimed at. She sent Shen Rui to the Yamen to find out.

Shen Rui was uneasy and wanted to check on A’Ning’s injuries. Zhao Xiran saw right through her intentions: “Ning Ning is fine with me. Hurry to the Yamen and take a look. We’ll wait for you to return. In a few days, when her injuries heal, you can go mountain climbing. Hurry up and go.”

Shen Rui was thus rushed out. Zhao Xiran gasped for breath, truly exhausted after the day’s events.

Qingcheng, being the land of fish and rice, had mostly unsophisticated folk. People didn’t lock their doors at night, let alone commit murder; there was barely any theft. The people at the Yamen were extremely concerned about the assassination, especially since the victim was the Grand Tutor of the current court, and they dared not be negligent.

Shen Rui stayed at the Yamen until dark. Yu Yin also came to investigate. After exchanging greetings, Shen Rui casually asked how Mr. Xie was doing.

Yu Yin replied, “The Master is well. She was not startled.”

Shen Rui did not ask further. It was her A’Ning who was startled.

The official sent all the items found on the bodies to Yu Yin for examination, saying, “The assassins were all killed. There was nothing on their bodies to prove their identity.”

Yu Yin, however, said, “Examine the clothing. Strip their clothes off.”

The official was confused: “How can we examine the clothes?”

Yu Yin said, “You take them off and give them to me. I have my own method of investigation.”

Shen Rui suddenly understood. Clothing varied from place to place. For example, the silk woven in Jiangnan was different from the clothes in Chang’an. This could reveal the general origin of the assassins.

A moment later, the official handed over a bundle. Yu Yin took it and left after bidding farewell to Shen Rui.

Shen Rui felt there was a clue and followed Yu Yin back to the post station.

Upon arriving at the post station, Nong Qin stood under the eaves, leaning against the door. Maids were busy coming and going. Seeing Yu Yin, she said, “The Master has developed a fever.”

Shen Rui, who was a half-step behind, almost tripped upon hearing this. Had the bad deed A’Ning did during the day come to fruition so quickly?

Mr. Xie was delicate and frail. She had been drunk and then assassinated today. At noon, while she was bathing, A’Ning had opened the window, letting the wind in. In the warm and cool autumn, developing a high fever was a distinct possibility.

Shen Rui went inside to see Xie Yu and inquired after her with concern. Xie Yu sat under the lamp, her face looking wrong, staring straight ahead. The book in her hand had not been turned for a long time. Yu Yin was worried at her side and quietly asked, “Master, should I call for a physician?”

Xie Yu’s eyes were red. She sat upright and refused: “No need. You go down first.”

Yu Yin bit her lip and retreated.

Shen Rui approached and boldly observed the Master’s expression. Her face was flushed, as if she were still drunk. “Master is unwell, surely you must see a physician.”

Xie Yu blinked. Her eyes were shimmering with moisture. She put down the book in her hand. “How is Xiao Kuning’s injury?”

Shen Rui replied, “Superficial wounds. A’Ning was frightened and didn’t speak for a long time after returning.”

Xie Yu nodded. “Take the assassins’ clothes to Proprietress Zhao. She should be able to distinguish their origin.”

“Alright, Master, please rest well.” Shen Rui dared not stay long. She took the bundle and immediately hurried back after saying goodbye.

At the Zhao manor, Zhao Xiran was secretly amazed by Xie Yu’s quick thinking to investigate the clothes. However, even if they traced the source, with the assassins having traveled around, it might not necessarily close the case.

She did not hesitate and had someone take the clothes. Shen Rui then went to see A’Ning.

After applying the medicine, her legs felt much more comfortable. Xiao Kuning lay on the couch, her mind recalling the scene of her first encounter with Xie Yu.

Snow was falling heavily. Xie Yu was injured, running a high fever, and incoherently held onto her hand, refusing to let go, sometimes calling out for her mother, sometimes for her father.

It was said that since that time, Xie Yu had carried an old ailment, and her body was not as good as before, often falling ill.

Tossing and turning, she couldn’t sleep. The sound of knocking came from outside the door. She sat up, shuffled her way to the door, and saw Shen Rui standing there with a food box.

Upon seeing her, Shen Rui smiled brightly. “Does your body still hurt? If we eat some candy, it won’t hurt anymore.”

Xiao Kuning stared blankly at the food box in her hand. Shen Rui was still the same Shen Rui, caring for her meticulously. She suppressed the urge to shed tears and stepped aside, letting her enter the room.

Shen Rui came from the streets. She had bought all the flowered candies from the shop and arranged them one by one in front of A’Ning. She said, “Mr. Xie has a high fever. She looks unwell, somewhat listless.”

“A high fever?” Xiao Kuning was jolted out of her emotion. Xie Yu’s image, running a high fever on a snowy night, appeared in her mind, mumbling strange words, like ‘father’ and ‘mother.’ She curiously asked a few questions, and Xie Yu, in her delirium, answered them one by one.

That was how she came to know the so-called secret, which she would regret for the rest of her life. Why did she take advantage of Xie Yu?