My Love Rivals Have All Reborn - Chapter 15

“The Grand Tutor seems a bit distracted today.” Zhao Ji was shy. Shame rushed to his handsome face as he seriously said, “The Xiao family girl, Xiao Wenxue.”

Xie Yu gently put down the teacup and said, “Not bad. Madam Xiao is strict with rules, and the girl she raised is proper and sensible.”

Zhao Ji was surprised, as if he himself had been praised: “You also think she is good?”

The young man was pure-hearted. His gaze was ardent, and the smile on his gentle face was as clear as water.

Xie Yu showed no emotion. Since she was there to resolve his confusion, she naturally had to explain every aspect clearly: “Assistant Minister Xiao is considered an official of integrity in the court. Although capable, compared to the Yan family, he is negligible. If you marry her, the Empress Dowager will disapprove, and Chancellor Yan will refuse. This path will be difficult for you. The Xiao family has no deep foundation, while the Yan family is a distinguished noble clan. The contrast is stark. You should be clear on which side is beneficial to you.”

Zhao Ji’s face paled again. “But didn’t you say before that I should marry the person I like?”

“This official is merely analyzing the situation for you. The choice now rests with Your Highness,” Xie Yu said.

Zhao Ji was torn. Just then, a woman’s sweet voice sounded outside the hall: “Master.”

Xie Yu slightly curved her lips. Zhao Ji frowned, glanced at the south window, and whispered, “Master, please remember I was never here.”

“Your Highness, this is…” Xie Yu was astonished. The young man in front of her quickly scrambled out the window and ran. His figure vanished beneath the south window.

When Yan Ruyu entered, only Xie Yu remained in the hall.

Yan Ruyu approached with light steps, holding a plate of floral pastries. They were multicolored, like a rainbow after the rain.

The woman was true to her name (Ruyu meaning ‘like jade’), with skin like beautiful jade, a lovely and dignified appearance. Every smile and frown showed the excellent upbringing of a noble family, and she treated people gently.

She glanced around the hall, her delicate eyebrows slightly furrowing, but she quickly returned to her usual expression. She placed the pastries on the table in front of Xie Yu and smiled gracefully: “Your student newly made these floral pastries, using a variety of flowers for flavoring—roses, plum blossoms, peonies, and chrysanthemums, among others. Would the Master test them for your student?”

This was during the break, and Xie Yu had no class today. After glancing at the pastries on the table, she regretted stepping into the Guanzhi Study Hall today. She was contemplating how to decline when a few people suddenly crouched outside the window.

Leading them was Zhao Can, the youngest daughter of the Prince of Gaoyang. She was no more than fifteen years old. She peered through the window at the plate of pastries, muttering, “We take classes together. How does she have time to make pastries for the Master? Do you think she likes the Master? It’s one thing that the Master is beautiful, but she’s also so capable. I like her too.”

Shen Yunzhi, the daughter of the Minister of Revenue, scoffed: “Are you stupid? How could she be interested in the Master? She has bigger ambitions. She wants to become a Royal Consort; how can she be compared to vulgar people like us?”

Xiao Kuning, who had been dragged along, involuntarily trembled. These people were just as fond of gossip as they were in her previous life.

Zhao Can found it strange. Her dark, bright eyes were fixed on the inside: “Which Prince came today?”

Shen Yunzhi was annoyed at her stupidity: “Which Prince do you think would be suitable for her?”

Zhao Can understood: “My elder brother, the Prince of Yanping. Since she has such great ambition, why doesn’t she try to become the Imperial Consort? That would be even more noble.”

Shen Yunzhi was even more disdainful: “Are you silly? The Prince of Yanping is the Empress Dowager’s biological son, and His Majesty is not. Besides, His Majesty has been on the throne for so long and only has a sickly little Prince. Which one do you think has a better future?”

This reminded Xiao Kuning. In the previous life, the little Prince died without cause at the age of five. Then Zhao Mian also died of illness, and Zhao Ji, who was uninterested in court affairs, was pulled onto the throne. Yan Ruyu entered the palace and became a Royal Consort, though she was merely a concubine. The Yan family felt humiliated and constantly tried to cause her trouble, but before she could act, Xie Yu brought down the Yan family.

A cup of poisoned wine ended Yan Ruyu’s life, and the Inner Palace finally settled down.

Could the little Prince’s death be related to the Empress Dowager?

Inside the hall, Xie Yu did not taste the pastries. Instead, she thoughtfully told Yan Ruyu: “His Highness just left. If you pursue him, you might still catch up.”

Xiao Kuning was stunned. Why was Xie Yu helping Yan Ruyu, this trouble-maker?

Yan Ruyu smiled sweetly: “It seems the Master doesn’t care for the pastries your student made. I won’t insist. Class is about to start, so your student will return first.”

Smiling gracefully and holding the pastries, she turned elegantly, easing her awkward eagerness to chase after Zhao Ji.

Xiao Kuning secretly nudged Zhao Can: “If you want to eat the pastries, hurry up.”

With that push, Zhao Can ended up in front of Yan Ruyu. Her two large eyes lit up, staring intently at the pastries: “Sister Yan, I can taste them. My taste is the same as my elder brother’s.”

Yan Ruyu looked up and saw the three people clearly. She immediately grew angry and ashamed: “How dare you eavesdrop?”

Shen Yunzhi was cunning and deliberately looked at her in surprise: “What eavesdropping are you talking about? She wants to eat pastries. What does that have to do with us?”

Xiao Kuning pretended not to see her. She had crossed paths with her in the previous life. This Eldest Miss Yan was clever, but she was no match for Xie Yu. Since the two had no interaction now, and she had no desire to become a Royal Consort, she decided to let Yan Ruyu be. After all, her current rival was Xiao Wenxue.

If they fight, won’t I be more at ease?

The four began to argue in the corridor. Yan Ruyu already disliked Xiao Kuning and immediately showed her claws: “Second Miss Xiao stood behind, letting Miss Shen offend people. Your intentions are truly admirable.”

Xiao Kuning noticed something was wrong. Was the knife suddenly pointed at her?

She was confused. Shen Yunzhi was provoked and turned back to look at Xiao Kuning: “You were the one who pushed the County Princess just now. Why are you blaming me now?”

An incompetent teammate. Xiao Kuning cursed silently. No wonder Xie Yu didn’t choose her in the end; she was incredibly stupid.

The commotion in the corridor had long reached the room. Xie Yu walked out and looked at the annoyed Yan Ruyu: “His Highness has already left the Guanzhi Study Hall.”

It will be too late if you don’t chase him now.

Xiao Kuning reacted quickly and immediately followed the flow: “I was only helping the County Princess. She likes your pastries. If I didn’t help her, then my intentions would truly be bad.”

Zhao Can, whose mind was only focused on pastries, felt that Sister Xiao was right. She angrily faced Yan Ruyu: “It’s just one plate of pastries. Is it worth getting so angry? I won’t eat them then! They don’t look tasty anyway, and my elder brother definitely won’t like them either.”

She was clearly being a sore loser. Xie Yu coldly glanced at them: “It’s time for class. Are you going to continue lingering?”

Xiao Kuning was sensible. She saluted and left. Shen Yunzhi followed closely behind. Only Zhao Can was internally conflicted, looking longingly at Yan Ruyu’s pastries. She pointed and commented: “Look at your colors—they’re all gaudy. What man would like such flashy colors? They’re barely suitable for coaxing a child.”

Yan Ruyu’s dignified composure cracked. She glared back: “County Princess, mind your words. When did I say I made them for a man?”

Her eyes were slightly red, clearly infuriated. Xie Yu watched, remaining expressionless.

Zhao Can ignored Yan Ruyu’s soft, sulking appearance. Instead, she clapped her hands happily: “Since they aren’t for my elder brother, then give them to me! I’ll remember your kindness, and next time I get some freshly brewed medicinal paste, I’ll share half with you.” With that, she reached out, snatched the pastries from Yan Ruyu’s hand, and happily ran toward the classroom on the side.

Yan Ruyu: “…”

She turned to complain to Xie Yu: “Master, their behavior violates your daily teachings. Should they not be punished?”

Xie Yu rarely concerned herself with children’s antics and did not wish to say too much. She said, “The County Princess likes your pastries and even offered a review. Perhaps it is helpful to you. The time is up. Do not linger anymore.”

Yan Ruyu’s anger was hard to dispel, but she bowed and saluted, suppressing the surging rage in her heart: “Thank you, Master.”

“Go,” Xie Yu waved her hand, turned, and returned to the hall, closing the door.

Outside the hall, Yan Ruyu completely calmed down. Her expression was restored, but her heart was turbulent. In her previous life, Xie Yu drove her Yan clan to ruin and extinction. In this life, she vowed to repay the favor.

After the simple farce, the biggest winner was Zhao Can, who returned with a plate full of pastries.

After class ended, everyone returned to their respective rooms.

Yan Ruyu once again assumed a dignified and virtuous posture, leading the crowd back. However, Shen Yunzhi, behind her, was unconvinced. She followed silently. After glancing at the pouting Zhao Can, she chose to leave the group.

Xiao Kuning walked leisurely at the back, not wanting to steal Yan Ruyu’s thunder. Xiao Wenxue, who hadn’t seen her for several days, was slightly worried and deliberately slowed her steps: “Are you alright lately?”

Shen Yunzhi, who had retreated, happened to hear this sentence. Did the sisters have a rift?

She then thought that Xiao Kuning claimed to be ill and had been missing for so many days. There must be a story. She pricked up her ears.

Xiao Kuning immediately saw her gossiping look and deliberately moved close behind her. When the two were close, she intentionally stamped heavily on Shen Yunzhi’s heel.

Shen Yunzhi immediately cried out in pain. Yan Ruyu, up ahead, looked back, concerned: “Sister Shen, what’s wrong?”

Xiao Kuning moved closer to her: “Did Sister Shen sprain your ankle?”

“Xiao—Kun—Ning…” Shen Yunzhi gritted her teeth, the hatred in her eyes clearly visible.

Xiao Wenxue frowned and subconsciously stepped forward: “Sister Shen sprained her ankle herself. Why don’t I help you back to rest?”

Another one talking about spraining an ankle. Even if Shen Yunzhi gave them some face, she would not argue with this pair of sisters. She couldn’t out-argue the two of them. She actively stepped away and walked back to her room, feeling wronged.

Yan Ruyu in front lowered her eyes. Her long eyelashes concealed the gloom in her eyes. The resentment in her heart deepened a little. When Xiao Kuning looked up, she quickly masked it, leading the group to retreat again.

The two Xiao sisters walked leisurely at the back. Xiao Kuning acted as if she did not notice Xiao Wenxue’s help and walked straight toward her own room. Xiao Wenxue hesitated but followed her into the room.

Xiao Kuning spoke directly: “There is no way I will tell you anything about Zhao Xiran. The Moxiang Study is now under my name. You can give up.”

She was the same as before, holding no goodwill toward Xiao Wenxue. Now the two were clearly separated, having no connection.

Seeing her stubbornness, Xiao Wenxue did not say much, cautioning her: “The Prince of Yanping is selecting a consort. If you are not interested, do not get close to him. During the days you were away, His Majesty ordered him to choose a consort from the students in the Guanzhi Study Hall. You should understand the implication.”

The implication was to yield to Yan Ruyu. The Xiao family could not compete with the Yan family.

Xiao Kuning felt something was amiss. Logically, Xiao Wenxue should be the one staying far away from Zhao Ji. Why had the advice fallen to her? “That is what you should be telling yourself.”

Xiao Wenxue was slightly surprised: “Why me? I don’t know the Prince of Yanping.”

Doesn’t know him? Xiao Kuning was shocked. Did Xiao Wenxue not go out to see the lanterns that night? She remembered that on the day of her reincarnation, Shen Rui invited her to see the lanterns, and Xiao Wenxue also went and met the Prince of Yanping. Why did she now say she didn’t know him?

She probed: “Did you not go out to see the lanterns that night of the holiday?”

Xiao Wenxue’s eyes flickered slightly: “I never went out. Why would I see lanterns?”

Xiao Kuning looked at her, her eyes deepening. Did her reincarnation change history that day? She didn’t go because she didn’t want to, giving Xiao Wenxue a chance to meet Zhao Ji alone. Why did Xiao Wenxue not go either?

Does this mean Xiao Wenxue has lost interest in Zhao Ji?