My Love Rivals Have All Reborn - Chapter 14

The little sun always warms the heart. She had a good temperament and acted cautiously, leaving almost nothing to criticize.

Even Zhao Xiran, who usually picked flaws in everything, nodded in approval. After the two stayed at the Zhao manor for several days, they set off to return to Chang’an.

The Zhao family chose to handle the affairs of the Chamber of Commerce themselves and did not want Xiao Kuning to get involved. Xiao Kuning’s heart was not here anyway. After receiving Zhao Xiran’s answer, she left with Shen Rui.

They had traveled slowly by water on the way here, but without Xie Yu accompanying them, they took the land route back, which was much more convenient.

Upon returning to Chang’an City, the prosperous scenery was fully revealed, and the bustling atmosphere rushed toward them.

Xiao Kuning assumed the Luo family was unaware of her return to the Zhao manor and that she should still be studying in the palace at this time. Therefore, she changed carriages and went directly into the palace.

She had nearly forgotten the people and things in the Guanzhi Study Hall. To avoid suspicion, Shen Rui stopped at the palace gate early, watching her enter the palace.

After several days of getting along, A’Ning’s temperament was more stable than before. Before taking any action, she would think things through carefully. Only after the figure disappeared behind the deep walls did Shen Rui turn around.

Horse hooves clattered at the palace gate. In the distance, she saw His Highness the Prince of Yanping. She dismounted and waited. Only when he approached did she salute: “Your Highness.”

The Prince of Yanping, Zhao Ji, was as handsome as polished jade. His dark robe made him appear gentle and scholarly. Adorned with a yu huang (jade pendant) at his waist, he sat on the horse like a son of an aristocratic family, unlike a royal descendant. The biggest difference between him and his elder brother, Zhao Mian, was his lack of interest in court affairs; he rarely interfered in politics, preferring to travel and enjoy nature, and his temper was good.

Shen Rui dismounted and waited. Zhao Ji also dismounted. Seeing that she was travel-worn and her hair was slightly messy, he pulled her to walk into the palace together to see his elder brother. “Long time no see. What have you been busy with lately?”

Busy preparing to marry A’Ning and bring her into the residence. Shen Rui was too shy to answer and instead changed her words: “Recently, I have been free, staying at home to study calligraphy.”

Zhao Ji knew her words were untrue but did not expose her. He invited her to walk inside together: “I happen to have something to discuss with Mr. Xie. Would you like to come along?”

Shen Rui was curious: “Has the Master returned?”

The horses were handed over to the guards, and the two walked in together. Along the way, Zhao Ji finally replied: “The Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce was becoming increasingly rampant, maliciously raising prices, which led to rising commodity prices. Mr. Xie went specifically to handle it and returned yesterday. I hear the Chamber of Commerce has been dissolved, so Mr. Xie’s trip was quite smooth.”

Maliciously raising prices? Shen Rui gave Zhao Ji a deep look. This explanation was different from what the Master had said. Having been in Chang’an City for many years, Shen Rui was familiar with court affairs, and some things should not be exposed. Seeing through it, she did not comment, agreeing with Zhao Ji: “With the Master’s intervention, it would naturally be smooth.”

Zhao Ji said, “The Master asked me yesterday about the selection of concubines. His Majesty ordered me to choose from the daughters of official families who are studying in the palace. However, the Master told me to choose the one I genuinely like. This leaves me unsure how to respond. The Master’s implication seemed to be that these girls are not suitable choices.”

Logically, the Master and His Majesty should be of the same mind, but this time it was different. He didn’t know whether to listen to his elder brother or the Master.

The daughters of official families studying in the Guanzhi Study Hall were all personally selected by Xie Yu. It was difficult for her, a woman, to enter the court, so she gathered some bright students, hoping they would become her capable assistants. These students not only had the backing of their fathers and brothers but were also smart and sensible. Once they became Xie Yu’s students, it helped her considerably.

When the matter was first brought up, Zhao Mian didn’t care and casually allocated a palace hall to her. Now, seeing those students become more and more promising, he began to have his own plans for them.

Shen Rui’s heart skipped a beat, recalling that A’Ning was also among those students. She faced Zhao Ji, her clear, bright eyes tinged with the cold stillness of the deep palace, and said, “The Master is looking out for you. After all, when marrying, you should marry someone you genuinely like. If you don’t like her, wouldn’t it be miserable to face her every day?”

The deep red palace walls were marked with mottled traces—scars left from the wars of the previous dynasty. Swords had cut small nicks, which no one would notice unless they looked closely. Shen Rui, however, noticed them. Having practiced martial arts for many years, she could tell they were left by blades.

Zhao Ji, who was walking with her, didn’t pay attention. He was thinking about the selection of concubines: “What you say is also right. I would like to choose casually, but I fear my elder brother and my mother (the Empress) won’t agree.”

It was common for the marriages of Zhao imperial clan members not to be determined by their own wishes. Glory and freedom could not be had at the same time.

Shen Rui grew up on the border, possessing a broad mindset. She could not fully understand his dilemma, but she could guess that the matter had another meaning. The girls who could enter the Guanzhi Study Hall were all highly regarded by Mr. Xie. Not to mention their status as daughters of distinguished families, their backing and power alone were enough to make people take notice.

A’Ning’s father’s official position was relatively low, so she should not catch the eye of the Prince of Yanping. Shen Rui felt relieved.

Upon entering the Guanzhi Study Hall, Xie Yu was not there. Zhao Ji went to see his elder brother, and Shen Rui took a detour to glance at A’Ning outside the hall.

Xiao Kuning was sitting in the corner, her head drooping and her back slumped, clearly taking a nap.

To avoid being discovered, she only took a quick look and reluctantly sneaked away.

Meanwhile, Xie Yu was outside the palace. She had acquired a new dagger. Gu Ning, the proprietress of the Hengxiang Pavilion, enthusiastically explained the dagger’s ingenuity: “Don’t underestimate its size. The blade is incredibly sharp; a puff of air can sever a strand of hair. Also, look at the gemstone on the scabbard—it’s bright and large. I’ll give it to you for the friendly price of three thousand liang (taels). How about that?”

Xie Yu played with the dagger, her thumb slowly tracing the scabbard. Her expression was cold as ice. She said, “You bought this for five hundred liang and are selling it to me for three thousand. Do you take me for a fool?”

Gu Ning was stunned: “How did you know I bought it for five hundred liang?”

This woman was too frightening. She even knew about her private transaction.

Xie Yu took the dagger and instructed Yu Yin to give Gu Ning five hundred liang.

Gu Ning leaped up: “I’m not making a single coin of profit! I won’t sell it, won’t sell it!”

Yu Yin directly handed her the banknotes. She had to take it whether she wanted to or not.

Gu Ning held the money, glaring at Xie Yu as if she wanted to devour her: “How did you know I bought this dagger for five hundred liang?”

Xie Yu calmly said, “The Yan family sold this dagger to you. Why would you be foolish enough to buy this dagger for three thousand liang?”

Gu Ning was notoriously stingy, unwilling to part with even an extra coin, so three thousand liang was a ridiculous fantasy. Exposed by Xie Yu, she felt humiliated: “That miserable guy from the Yan family told me it was a tribute item, awarded by the late Emperor to his father. Five hundred liang was a cheap sale!”

“Awarded by the late Emperor to his father?” Xie Yu’s fingers gripping the dagger suddenly tightened. Her eyes were sharp, and an inexplicable surge of malicious energy floated on her face, frightening Gu Ning into shrinking her neck: “Do you believe that wretched fellow’s words? I sold it to you for five hundred liang.”

Xie Yu took the dagger. As she stood up, her gaze fell on the Moxiang Study across the window. She kindly reminded Gu Ning: “The Moxiang Study across the street has changed owners. Be careful.”

“Across the street?” Gu Ning pushed her aside and went to the window, looking at her competitor, who seemed no different from usual. “That’s a Zhao family shop. Is the Zhao family so poor they’re selling shops? The Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce dissolving mainly hurts my family; it has little to do with the Zhao family.”

Gu Ning’s father was the President Gu of the Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce. However, she married a wife and was driven out by her father, almost severing their ties.

Women could marry, but the Gu family only had Gu Ning as a child. Old Master Gu absolutely refused to allow it. Gu Ning had no choice but to carry her bags and her wife to Chang’an to start a business.

Xie Yu, however, said, “It is indeed someone from the Zhao family.”

Gu Ning still didn’t understand: “Then why the hell did it change owners?”

Gu Ning often swore. Yu Yin’s mouth twitched. She proactively told her: “Zhao Xiran’s adopted daughter, Xiao Kuning.”

Gu Ning suddenly understood: “Xie Yu’s Confidante? Xie Yu, you are unkind. Why is your confidante stealing my business? My small business is already difficult enough! You must be helping her. Tell me, how much money do you need to move out?”

Nong Qin, leaning against the door, heard the phrase “Xie Yu’s Confidante” and her eyes immediately turned cold: “You’re talking nonsense.”

Gu Ning was indignant: “You are the one talking nonsense! Your whole family is talking nonsense! When Xie Yu had a high fever, she kept calling out ‘Xiao Kuning.’ I couldn’t help but hear it.”

Nong Qin opened her mouth, her face flushed crimson with frustration. Xie Yu’s expression, however, was placid. She lowered her head and played with her new dagger, seemingly unconcerned by Gu Ning’s “nonsense.”

Seeing her reaction, Gu Ning wisely dropped the subject and instead tried to cozy up to Xie Yu: “I’ll return the five hundred liang to you. How about you take your confidante and change shops?”

Xiao Kuning was just a little girl with no business experience, but Xie Yu, this fox, was different. If she intervened even slightly, her Hengxiang Pavilion would surely close down, costing her so much that even her wife wouldn’t recognize her.

Xie Yu lifted her eyes: “Do you think I am that poor?”

“The Master is not poor, but we beg you to be merciful. Why compete with us?” A woman’s voice, gentle as water, floated in. A figure in a green dress walked in gracefully, looking as if she had stepped out of the water towns of Jiangnan.

Gu Ning’s eyes lit up. Xie Yu seemed to know something and stood up to leave: “I only warned you out of goodwill.”

“Don’t leave! I think we can discuss this. Our love has nothing to do with you,” Gu Ning ignored her wife and pulled Xie Yu, preventing her from leaving.

Xie Yu lowered her eyes and scanned the hands grasping her sleeve: “Let go. I have no feelings for you.”

Yu Yin and Nong Qin immediately exited the room.

Gu Ning wanted to curse but couldn’t get the words out. Facing someone who could block her every word and leave her speechless, she could only give up and let Xie Yu leave.

Exiting the Hengxiang Pavilion, she happened to see the deserted Moxiang Study, which was just as quiet as ever, drawing no attention.

After entering the palace, someone was already waiting in the Guanzhi Study Hall. Zhao Ji was humble and polite. Shen Rui had already left.

Yu Yin and Nong Qin stayed outside the palace waiting. Xie Yu invited the person to sit down. Zhao Ji sat opposite her and spoke first: “I have a question that I wish to ask the Grand Tutor.”

Xie Yu did not lift her eyelids. She picked up her tea bowl and took a sip: “Your Highness, please speak directly.”

Zhao Ji smiled gently. Seeing that Xie Yu was not impatient, he spoke boldly: “The Master once told me that when selecting a concubine, I should choose the girl I like. However, the family status of the one I love is too low, and my elder brother is unwilling.”

The girls in the Guanzhi Study Hall had good learning, good family backgrounds, but different personalities. Having taught them for many days, Xie Yu was the most familiar with their character.

Although Zhao Ji was a member of the imperial clan, he had not experienced the ups and downs of the court and was as simple as a son from an ordinary family. He regarded Xie Yu as his teacher and came to her for answers when he had doubts.

The tea went down her throat, quenching her thirst. Xie Yu finally found a moment to ask him: “Your Highness favors whom?”

Speaking of the person he liked, Zhao Ji’s face flushed slightly with shyness: “The Xiao family girl.”

Xie Yu’s hand, holding the teacup, froze. She looked up at him: “Who did you say?”