My Love Rivals Have All Reborn - Chapter 13

Early the next morning, Xiao Kuning dragged her injured legs and eagerly headed to the post station.

Shen Rui had to investigate the matter of the clothing and thus remained at the Zhao manor. She instructed people to secretly protect Xiao Kuning and also slipped her a sharp dagger.

Holding Shen Rui’s dagger, Xiao Kuning’s hand trembled. In her previous life, Xie Yu had also sent her a dagger, commanding her to commit suicide.

It was the same kind of weapon, a dagger, but Shen Rui was protecting her, while Xie Yu was killing her.

She gripped the dagger given by Shen Rui and arrived at the post station. The one who greeted her at the door was Yu Yin, who was leaning against the doorway, her eyes somewhat unfocused.

Yu Yin followed Xie Yu closely; her martial arts were not as good as Nong Qin’s, but she was clever. Upon seeing Xiao Kuning, she led her to see Xie Yu: “The Master seems not to have risen yet. You go and take a look.”

Xiao Kuning nodded. Once inside the room, she realized the doors and windows were tightly shut, making the room cramped and airless. She asked curiously, “What did the physician say?”

Nong Qin stood outside, holding her sword: “The Master never consults a physician when ill.”

Xiao Kuning was unaware that Xie Yu had such a habit. She had prepared herself before coming and couldn’t give up halfway. She put on a worried expression: “I am also Mr. Xie’s student. Due to our teacher-student bond, why don’t I go check on her? Did she take any medicine?”

Nong Qin maintained a cold expression: “The Master took medicine she carries with her.”

The fact that Xie Yu carried her own medicine was not a secret; Xiao Kuning had known it from the first time she met her. Without further hesitation, she walked straight inside.

Yu Yin originally didn’t want her to enter. She opened her mouth and moved her lips, but said nothing. Just then, Xiao Kuning reached the couch. Xie Yu was lying flat. Her usually pale face was now slightly red, indicating an abnormal blush that showed her high fever had not subsided.

No lamp was lit inside the room, and the light was dim. After looking around, Xiao Kuning found a small white porcelain bottle beside the couch, similar to the one in her memory.

Xie Yu was stubborn and refused to use medicine. That night of the heavy snow, she clearly had the medicine decocted for her, but she refused to drink it, spilling the soup. In the end, when she wanted to drink it, there was none left.

In Xiao Kuning’s opinion, Xie Yu was simply sick; what normal person refuses medicine when they are ill?

She leaned over and gazed at Xie Yu’s sickly appearance. Her dark, lustrous hair was spread across the pillow. Her brows were furrowed in illness, and her long eyelashes fluttered gently. Her thin lips were dry and pale, having lost their usual rosy color.

She looked fragile and pale, lying there very obediently, almost unreasonably so.

In her previous life, she felt love for Xie Yu, which later turned into hatred stemming from unrequited love. Now, she was at peace.

She felt neither love nor hatred for Xie Yu. She only wanted to salvage the tragedy of the Zhennan Royal Manor and secure a good outcome for herself. As for Xie Yu, she must not be an enemy; being a friend would suffice.

Xie Yu was habitually composed, and she was the same even in her sleep, behaving perfectly. Her hands were placed on her lower abdomen, her distinctively jointed fingers clasped together.

Xiao Kuning wanted to pump her for information, but she didn’t know how to start. After a moment of hesitation, she poked Xie Yu’s cheek with her hand: “Mr. Xie?”

Xie Yu was alert. At the soft call, she slowly opened her eyes, her ink-black pupils unfocused. Seeing her like this, Xiao Kuning knew Xie Yu was not entirely conscious, but she was still cautious, probing, “Mr. Xie, are you feeling better?”

Xie Yu did not answer, slowly closing her eyes, her lips pressed into a straight line. Seeing this, Xiao Kuning quickly poured a cup of water from the side, helped her up, and coaxed, “Mr. Xie, drink some water.”

Xie Yu’s body was very hot; just touching her arm felt intensely warm. The water touched the corner of Xie Yu’s lips. She moved slightly. Xiao Kuning quickly raised the cup and carefully fed the water to her.

The Grand Tutor Xie at this moment was innocent and harmless, drinking the water quietly like a child.

Xiao Kuning gently laid her back down. After gazing at her for a moment, she asked tentatively, “Mr. Xie, are you awake?”

Xie Yu’s eyelashes trembled slightly; only her eyelashes were moving.

Xiao Kuning just watched her, from her hair to her jawline, without missing the skin of her neck, all of which she had seen in her previous life. She wasn’t afraid. She touched Xie Yu’s forehead, which was still burning hot.

She looked out. Seeing no one, she began her interrogation: “Mr. Xie, why did you come to Jiangnan? Was it for sightseeing or for the Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce?”

Xie Yu’s eyes opened at that moment, and her lips moved: “Xiao Kuning…”

Not calling her “Second Young Miss Xiao” surprised Xiao Kuning. She immediately said, “Mr. Xie, I’m here. Are you feeling better?”

Xie Yu did not utter a sound, her gaze fixed forward, having lost its usual brilliance.

Xiao Kuning had a headache; asking directly like this wasn’t working. She tried to frame the question based on what Xie Yu had said the other day: “Where are you from?”

Xie Yu replied: “Chang’an.”

“Right, Chang’an.” Xie Yu was from an aristocratic family in Luoyang, and she only came to Chang’an after being recommended by a prominent figure. Yet, she claimed she was from Luoyang… Xiao Kuning felt more confident and asked again: “Did you come to Jiangnan for the Chamber of Commerce?”

Xie Yu frowned, seemingly disliking the question. Her lips moved for a long time before she said one word: “No…”

Not for the Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce? Xiao Kuning was shocked. If not for the Chamber of Commerce, then for what? She couldn’t help but press: “Then what for?”

Xie Yu stopped speaking, keeping her mouth tightly shut.

Xiao Kuning desperately wanted to know her true motive. She stared into her eyes and asked, “Is it for the Zhennan Royal Manor?”

Xie Yu did not answer, but her entire body began to tremble.

Xiao Kuning swallowed in surprise. Did Xie Yu have a hand in the false accusations against the Zhennan Royal Manor in the previous life? Or was Xie Yu helping the Zhennan Royal Manor? Later, Shen Rui stood behind Xie Yu, indicating they were of one mind and would certainly not frame them.

Xie Yu was a favored official of the Emperor; knowing his movements was not difficult. She took a deep breath. “Do you not want the Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce?”

“No, I don’t,” Xie Yu opened her eyes again, which were bloodshot and deeply clouded like dark storm clouds.

Xiao Kuning dared not say more and fled in panic. Xie Yu closed her eyes and sank back into slumber.

Yu Yin and Nong Qin saw the visibly composed Xiao Kuning and grew suspicious. After she left, they walked over to the couch to see Xie Yu.

Seeing Xie Yu was safe, they retreated again.

Xiao Kuning, with a guilty conscience, staggered out of the post station. The journey back was uneventful.

Absentmindedly, she returned to the Zhao manor. Zhao Xiran had ordered people to investigate the source of the clothing fabric. The Zhao family’s silk business did not enter Chang’an. These pieces of clothing were all made of the same fabric, which did not originate from the Zhao family.

Zhao Xiran believed in the principle of “Know yourself, know your enemy, and you will win a hundred battles.” She happened to keep samples of fabrics from other major silk merchants, which allowed her to make the discovery so quickly.

The fabric came from the Gu family, the family of the President of the Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce.

The situation took a sudden turn, catching everyone by surprise. However, just because the Gu family’s business reached Chang’an, it didn’t necessarily mean the Gu family was involved.

The investigation had reached this point; the rest was Xie Yu’s concern and had nothing to do with the Zhao family. Zhao Xiran sent someone to relay the information to Xie Yu.

Shen Rui was about to leave to meet A’Ning. Just as she instructed someone to go to the post station, she saw the person return. “A’Ning, how is the Master’s health?”

Hearing the question, Xiao Kuning saw Shen Rui’s ardent gaze and sincere, warm smile, which was comforting. Xiao Kuning managed a slight smile: “The Master refused to see a physician. The high fever hasn’t subsided, but she took her own medicine.”

“Refused to see a physician? Is there some unspeakable illness?”

Zhao Xiran looked up. Thinking of Xie Yu’s cold demeanor made her shiver. Such a woman clearly wasn’t very likable. She preferred a ray of sunshine like the Little County Princess.

At this, even Shen Rui and Xiao Kuning, two girls inexperienced in romance, couldn’t help but blush. Xiao Kuning was already used to such suggestive remarks, but Shen Rui was embarrassed and tried to defend Xie Yu: “Auntie, you’re joking. The Master is pure and unsullied.”

Zhao Xiran was purely making a joke. Considering their identities, she couldn’t continue the topic. She pretended to be concerned: “A high fever can easily damage the brain. It would be better to find someone to check on her.”

Xiao Kuning was not worried about Xie Yu. With Yu Yin and Nong Qin serving her closely, nothing major would happen. However, the matter of the Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce was most pressing. She subtly separated Shen Rui from Zhao Xiran and said, “Xie Yu’s interest is not in the Chamber of Commerce; she doesn’t want the Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce. The purpose of her trip must be something else.”

Zhao Xiran coldly snorted: “Just because she doesn’t want it, doesn’t mean the Emperor doesn’t. Look at the lives of the common people after the taxes were increased. Even if she doesn’t want it now, she has already set her eyes on it. It is best to dissolve the Chamber while we have the chance.”

Xiao Kuning knew her mother had made up her mind and couldn’t say more. She was curious about Xie Yu’s true purpose for this trip.

In her previous life, she was studying in the palace at this time, constantly competing with Xiao Wenxue, trying to snatch everything the other girl had. She paid little attention to Xie Yu’s status in the court. On the contrary, Shen Rui had a lot of contact with Xie Yu. The main event was the matter of the Zhennan Royal Manor. After the Prince of Zhennan was executed and Shen Rui fled, Xie Yu took charge of the Ministry of Personnel, becoming Xiao Mingwang’s superior.

Next, she married Zhao Ji. Not long after, Zhao Mian’s son drowned, and after a period of court rectification, Zhao Mian died of illness, Zhao Ji ascended the throne, and she logically became the Empress. Then came the struggle with the Yan family.

It wasn’t until Shen Rui returned with troops that Xie Yu seized the Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce. These events seemed to be happening earlier now. Or was it that she was so preoccupied with competing with Xiao Wenxue that she missed something?

The simplest way was to have someone follow Yu Yin and Nong Qin to find out what they were doing.

This matter still required Shen Rui’s help.

Thinking of Shen Rui filled Xiao Kuning with guilt. She bade farewell to Zhao Xiran and left.

In her previous life, Shen Rui was the most indispensable person, but she was blinded by infatuation. Now that she had seen the light, the catastrophe still loomed, and she didn’t know what to do.

Limping back to her room, a maid brought water for her to wash up. She changed into a light, thin dress. Just as she was about to lie down, the window moved, and Shen Rui entered by climbing through the window, holding a flower wreath.

The wreath was intertwined with various colored flowers—white and red, among others—and the fresh green branches looked clean and pleasing in the autumn light. Shen Rui smiled and placed it on Xiao Kuning’s head. Looking at the girl she adored, who was now delicate and bright, utterly charming, she nodded in satisfaction: “My A’Ning is truly beautiful.”

It was worth the effort of sneaking into the Zhao manor’s greenhouse to steal the flowers.