My Love Rivals Have All Reborn - Chapter 16

Do you understand?

Xiao Kuning thought about it for a long time that night, unable to understand: Xiao Wenxue liked Zhao Ji in the previous life, but now she claims not to like him?

She couldn’t figure it out after thinking all night.

The next morning was Xie Yu’s class. No one dared to be careless. Even Yan Ruyu listened with rapt attention. The entire hall was serious.

When Xie Yu finished lecturing, she looked up and saw the ‘poor student’ in the corner, Xiao Kuning, who was sleeping, resting her chin on her hand and pretending to look outside.

The hall fell silent. Many people noticed Xiao Kuning, holding their breath and waiting for the Master to make trouble.

Xiao Kuning’s academic performance was at the bottom of every subject. Apart from Xie Yu, the other Masters basically ignored her. Whether she attended or not was irrelevant to them. Only Xie Yu would take extra care.

After class, she would inevitably be hauled back to the side hall for a private lecture behind closed doors.

The side hall was for Xie Yu alone. No one else was allowed to enter freely. Xiao Kuning was used to being taken there by Xie Yu. At most, she would be scolded a few times. Having adopted a reckless attitude, she didn’t truly want to become an official anyway; enduring a few months was all that was required.

The furnishings in the side hall were all to Xie Yu’s liking. They lacked the warmth of a woman’s room, containing only cold bookcases and tables, and even the decorations seemed somewhat heavy.

Xiao Kuning reluctantly followed her in. After smelling the familiar incense from her past life, she instinctively felt like vomiting. Other women used floral fragrances, but Xie Yu’s incense—she didn’t know what it was—was foul-smelling and strong.

With such preferences, it was no wonder she ended up lonely in her previous life.

Xie Yu sat down. Seeing the dull-witted girl opposite her looking resentful, she pointed to the seat in front of her: “Are you too stupid to sit down?”

Her words were harsh right from the start. Xiao Kuning found it difficult to confront Xie Yu directly. She pretended to be obedient and sat down in front of her. The two suddenly faced each other, separated only by a table. A slight lift of her eyes was enough to see Xie Yu’s jawline.

By observing the details, the full scope of Xie Yu’s beauty was revealed in every part.

Xiao Kuning continued to droop her head. Lowering her eyes, she again saw Xie Yu’s long fingers, their tips rounded and pink, with clearly defined joints. She cursed silently, closing her eyes. This way, she wouldn’t see anything.

Xie Yu took out a plate of pastries from the stove on the side. They were white as snow and soft as cotton. She should have offered some to Xiao Kuning, but she saw that the girl had closed her eyes again, looking dispirited.

“I didn’t realize that the matters causing Second Miss Xiao such distress that you are sleepless all night were ones that troubled a girl barely seventeen or eighteen.”

Her tone was slightly unkind. Xiao Kuning was startled. How had she offended Xie Yu again? Given the vast difference in status, she could only tolerate it: “Yes, there are matters. You see, I have taken over the Moxiang Study. If I don’t want to lose money, I have to think carefully about how to manage it.”

This was the truth. The Moxiang Study’s business was utterly crushed by the Hengxiang Pavilion. Gu Ning was an experienced merchant with connections, buying an item for one liang and selling it for at least ten.

The Moxiang Study, in contrast, was highly likely to buy for ten liang and sell for one, relying entirely on the Zhao family’s foundation to sustain itself.

It was an establishment that used to be expendable, but now that it was in Xiao Kuning’s hands, what would she use to maintain it? Her monthly allowance of a few liang?

Since it was the truth, Xie Yu had no choice but to believe it. She picked up a piece of white pastry, but instead of putting it in her mouth, she waved it in front of Xiao Kuning: “Compared to yesterday’s floral pastries, which one do you think has a better appearance?”

Appearance? The white pastry was like snow, clean and flawless, but its color was too monotonous. The floral pastry, on the other hand, was colorful, clearly showing great care. Comparing the two, the floral pastry naturally won.

Xiao Kuning’s brow furrowed heavily. Xie Yu was vengeful. Defying her own thoughts, she said, “Naturally, the Master’s pastry is better.”

Xie Yu lifted her eyes: “Are you awake yet?”

Xiao Kuning chuckled falsely: “I’m awake, I’m awake. The Master’s pastry is pure and flawless, like jade, extremely rare. Yesterday’s floral pastry had colors that were too flamboyant. Although it resembled a rainbow, it was too tacky…”

“Say something human,” Xie Yu interrupted the insincere flattery bluntly.

Xiao Kuning’s heart clenched: “In terms of appearance, the floral pastry is more favored by women.”

Xie Yu was appeased: “Do you understand?”

Xiao Kuning blinked: “Understand what?”

Xie Yu sighed: “Have you not learned anything in all these years beside Zhao Xiran?”

How could Zhao Xiran, such a shrewd merchant, have taught such a stupid person?

Xiao Kuning felt offended. She raised her head and glared back, staring angrily at Xie Yu: “Did you see her save the Moxiang Study?”

Offended? Xie Yu felt a rush of irritation. She squeezed the white pastry in her hand into crumbs, scattering them on the dark table surface. Xiao Kuning shrank her head back. Only then did Xie Yu realize her lapse in composure. She suppressed her irritation and patiently explained to her: “The Zhao family uses the Moxiang Study to gather information; it is not about profit. You, however, are different. Do you have the funds to cover the shop’s expenses?”

Xiao Kuning stared at the crumbs on the table. She suddenly realized she was arguing with Xie Yu. Was she looking for death in broad daylight? She quickly changed her tone: “The Master is right. Your student has learned a lot.”

“Hypocritical,” Xie Yu muttered quietly. Ignoring the crushed pastry on the table, she seriously analyzed the situation for her: “Although a qin (zither) has different qualities, it is unlike common goods. Wealthy people will take a second look, but ordinary people, even if they like it, won’t have the money to buy it. The Hengxiang Pavilion raises its price several times over to sell to the gentry. This distinguishes people. Even if you sell to common folk at a loss, they will still complain it is too expensive.”

Xiao Kuning was bewildered: “Does the Master mean I should raise the price, even higher than the Hengxiang Pavilion?”

Xie Yu asked: “Did I say that?”

Xiao Kuning responded cautiously: “I understand the Master’s meaning.”

The qin was a luxury item; it was not essential and not a must-have. The Moxiang Study had many fine qin but was neglected.

The dull-witted girl opposite her suddenly smiled strangely. Xie Yu was suspicious. Did she really understand everything she said?

Xiao Kuning was excited. She stood up, bowed, and prepared to leave. Xie Yu exposed her little scheme: “Did I say you could leave?”

Hopelessly stupid.

Xiao Kuning paused. Instead of drooping her head, she raised it and looked at Xie Yu: “Does the Master have any other instructions?”

Xie Yu covered her forehead and said, “Don’t sleep in class next time.”

“Oh, good, good. Your student has made a note of it.” Xiao Kuning was greatly relieved. She scurried out, holding her skirt.

Everyone was long accustomed to Xiao Kuning’s ‘special education,’ and even when she returned, they acted as if they hadn’t seen her. Zhao Can was sitting in the corridor eating snacks. Seeing her return, she greeted her: “Sister Xiao, are you going out of the palace tonight? It’s my elder brother’s birthday. I’ll take you to see him.”

Zhao Ji’s birthday? Xiao Kuning tried hard to recall. It seemed there was such an event. In her previous life, Zhao Can had also secretly dragged her there. She saw Zhao Ji carrying Xiao Wenxue’s hairpin and immediately told Zhao Ji it belonged to her mother and asked him to return it.

Zhao Ji’s jade-like face instantly turned the color of pig’s liver. He handed the hairpin to her and left. Only later did she learn it belonged to Xiao Wenxue, who had accidentally dropped it, and Zhao Ji had picked it up.

Since Xiao Wenxue did not leave the house in this life, that hairpin likely did not exist.

If she didn’t go, wouldn’t tonight be Yan Ruyu’s moment to shine?

Xiao Kuning hesitated. Zhao Can, eating her pastry, pulled her: “I heard Mr. Xie is also going tonight, but don’t worry. My father told her she doesn’t have to come to class tomorrow. Do you want to come along?”

No class tomorrow? Xiao Kuning was tempted. She agreed: “Alright then. I’ll go change my clothes.”

Zhao Can nodded: “Good, good. Let’s be quiet and not alarm anyone else.”

My elder brother said he would bring the Xiao family girl to the Prince’s Residence. I should be able to do it.

Tonight, the Prince of Gaoyang’s Residence was decorated with pairs of red lanterns, appearing strikingly crimson from afar.

The Prince of Gaoyang was the Emperor’s uncle, more than ten years younger than his nephew. It was said that before the late Emperor’s death, he intended to depose the Crown Prince and had the intention of abdicating to the Prince of Gaoyang. Xie Yu, however, averted the crisis. The Prince of Gaoyang dared not accept the throne under any circumstances, and the late Emperor gave up the idea of abdication.

As a result, the Prince of Gaoyang was always cautious. After the late Emperor’s death, he stopped participating in court affairs to avoid the suspicion of Emperor Zhao Mian.

Zhao Can took Xiao Kuning back to the residence to change clothes. The carriage waited outside. The Prince of Gaoyang sat alone in the residence drinking wine. After exchanging greetings, the two left.

They made their way to the Prince of Yanping’s Residence. The magnificent stone lions at the entrance were majestic. Carriages lined up like dragons, winding all the way to the alley’s entrance, a truly spectacular sight.

Zhao Can was excited. She pulled Xiao Kuning out of the carriage and ran all the way into the residence.

The Prince of Yanping’s Residence had a grand layout and occupied the largest area. Tonight, lights hung everywhere, creating a joyous atmosphere. Zhao Can and Xiao Kuning walked through the crowd, looking up and around. They noticed that many unfamiliar people had come tonight.

“Sister Xiao, there are so many people tonight.”

“Yes, many people,” Xiao Kuning replied casually. Chancellor Yan held power, the Empress Dowager was involved in court affairs, and the little Prince was sickly. The Prince of Yanping was the Empress Dowager’s only biological son and the future Emperor. Naturally, many people would try to curry favor with him.

Zhao Can was simple-hearted and unaware of these inner workings. She pulled Xiao Kuning to see her elder brother.

The guests attending tonight accounted for more than half of the imperial court. Many people coveted the position of the Prince of Yanping’s Consort. It would be a huge loss not to attend tonight.

Xiao Kuning was dressed plainly tonight and went unnoticed in the crowd. Zhao Can was quick and soon reached the main room.

Zhao Can crouched down to peek. It was lively outside, but the main room seemed relatively quiet by comparison.

Xiao Kuning looked around, wanting to take the opportunity to leave for the Moxiang Study. However, Zhao Can held her hand tightly, insisting on taking her to see Zhao Ji.

They pushed open the window to look. Inside the room, there was not only Zhao Ji but also Shen Rui. The two were admiring a sword. There was also a person behind the screen, conveniently blocked from view, with only a corner of their garment showing.

Since no one was outside the door at the moment, Zhao Can knocked and entered: “Elder Brother.”

Xiao Kuning could not escape and could only deal with the situation first. After entering, she immediately saluted Zhao Ji: “Your Highness.”

Zhao Ji frowned inexplicably upon seeing Xiao Kuning. Shen Rui was overjoyed and tried to go over to speak, but after taking two steps, she remembered something and forcefully held back, only smiling at Xiao Kuning.

Shen Rui was wearing red martial attire tonight, with her sleeves tied up. Her arms were slender. Standing in the room, she looked valiant and heroic, bright like a traveling light. Her eyes curved like crescent moons, warm and ardent.

Xiao Kuning smiled knowingly. Looking behind her, her eyes widened in shock. Xie Yu was actually there too…

Zhao Can hadn’t expected it either. She boldly saluted Xie Yu: “Greetings, Master.”

Xie Yu sat on the side, a chessboard in front of her. Her long fingers held a black piece. In stark black and white, she was quietly looking at Xiao Kuning.

Xiao Kuning’s hair stood on end. Why was this troublemaker everywhere?

Only Zhao Ji had a headache. Why did Xiao Kuning come?