My Love Rivals Have All Reborn - Chapter 18

Gu Ning had never encountered a young girl with such a calculating mind. Xiao Kuning was selling the qin to her at a low price, but the so-called low price was, in reality, not low at all.

The students taught by Xie Yu are indeed not easy to deal with. Gu Ning waved her hand: “I don’t want it.”

Xiao Kuning was unhurried. She instructed the manager to bring out the most exquisite qin in the shop and said leisurely, “This qin comes from the hands of a Master. You can see that the body is made of the finest wood, and the lacquer shines like a mirror. I imagine you have seen it before.”

This was Zhao Xiran’s treasure of the shop. If Gu Ning were not tempted, she would have to be blind.

The qin, being a luxury item, carried different weight depending on whether it was made by an ordinary person or a Master. Regardless of quality, the former’s presence already lost.

Gu Ning knew this well. Upon seeing a fine qin, she first evaluated its worth and then thought about bargaining, not dwelling on other matters. In her Hengxiang Pavilion, there was no qin she couldn’t sell.

She praised it in her heart but showed absolutely nothing on the surface. Not only did she keep her face blank, but she also displayed a look of disdain. If the Xiao Kuning opposite her hadn’t been familiar with this person’s greedy and stingy nature, she would have almost been fooled.

She had her own way of dealing with a liar. She said, “The Master came yesterday to look at the qin and said it could be sold for five thousand liang. Since Proprietress Gu is buying more than just this one qin, how about four thousand liang?”

Gu Ning leaped up from her seat, disbelief all over her face: “F-four thousand liang? Little girl, are you suggesting I don’t understand the qin? I won’t buy it for four thousand liang.”

Xiao Kuning did not press her, saying regretfully, “Since you don’t want it, I will sell it to the Master for five thousand liang. Since he is my Master, I’ll sell it to him for four thousand five hundred liang. That counts as maintaining our teacher-student relationship.”

Gu Ning slowly sat back down. She knew Xie Yu well. Since the seller was Xiao Kuning, Xie Yu might actually buy it. She grit her teeth and said, “Fine, four thousand liang.”

The fish had taken the bait. Xiao Kuning’s smile was brilliant. She then instructed the manager to introduce the remaining qin to Gu Ning one by one.

Meanwhile, Xie Yu encountered Qian Shilan, the Minister of Revenue, who expressed regret over the Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce incident.

Xie Yu’s intervention had failed to achieve success. If someone else had been sent, they wouldn’t just fail; they might also incur the merchants’ resentment. Qian Shilan spoke of the profits the Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce had earned over the years. If they were given to the court, the state treasury would never be empty.

Xie Yu quietly sharpened her dagger. The blade shone like a mirror. She never looked up. Qian Shilan didn’t understand why she was sharpening the dagger and suggested, “The dagger is blunt. Perhaps you should replace it.”

Xie Yu said, “The organizers of the Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce are merchants. The world bustles for profit, and the world rushes toward profit. They are merely working for their own interests. If they were employed by the court, they certainly wouldn’t be as dedicated. A blunt dagger can still be sharpened. Is the human heart not the same?”

People work hardest on their own matters. If they toil for many days only to benefit others, they will not be dedicated next time.

Qian Shilan thought she was right. He stared at her clearly defined fingers. Her slender fingertips applied pressure, lightly stroking the blade. A tiny bead of blood appeared with a slight touch. His eyelids twitched. Mr. Xie frowned and said, “It’s too sharp. It’s not easy to use.”

Its sharp edge is fully revealed, too attention-grabbing.

Qian Shilan was sharp-witted and understood immediately. The Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce was like the knife in the Master’s hand—it shone brightly and had a sharp edge. For the court to touch it would inevitably ‘draw blood.’ Now, dissolving it might not be a bad thing. Perhaps the court could establish a chamber of commerce to ‘protect’ the merchants.

The Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce could be destroyed, and another could be founded.

After getting the desired answer, he couldn’t help but observe Xie Yu. She was a sage as clear as the breeze and the moon. Her fingernails were round and pink, giving her a gentle appearance, yet the action of stroking the blade carried a chill. One gentle, one cold—making her intentions inscrutable.

Many years ago, Xie Yu was recommended to Chang’an by Chancellor Yan—no, he was the Duke of Jin back then. She helped the Emperor ascend the throne during a crisis. However, Xie Yu wanted to leave afterward, saying she wished to travel. It was a great fortune for the Emperor to have such a highly capable person by his side, but if she left and was used by others, it would be a disaster.

Emperor Zhao Mian forcibly kept her, grateful but daring not to grant her substantial power. Coincidentally, the little Prince was born, and she was given the honorary position of Grand Tutor.

Qian Shilan thought of this. His heart grew cautious. He kept his limits in mind, not saying too much, and rose to take his leave.

The room returned to peace. The wound on Xie Yu’s fingertip stopped bleeding. Yu Yin stood aside and said, “Gu Ning has been across the street for a full half hour.”

“Let her be,” Xie Yu said. The dagger returned to its sheath, concealing its sharpness.

After a while, Madam Gu came over with clear tea. She was a woman from Jiangnan, pure as water, with a delicate face and beautiful, arching eyebrows. Her movements were fluid and graceful.

Yu Yin retreated outside. Xie Yu placed the dagger on the table, unsurprised by Madam Gu’s arrival.

Madam Gu poured the tea. The light green tea filled the cup. With her clean, clear hands, she lifted the teacup and took a gentle sip: “Newly arrived autumn tea. The taste is light and fragrant. The Master should try it.”

Xie Yu took a sip as requested, saying, “Jiangnan tea is different from Chang’an’s after all. Jiangnan tea is mild, with a ethereal fragrance, while Chang’an tea has a strong, rich flavor, which takes some getting used to.”

Madam Gu smiled faintly, her gaze falling on the jeweled dagger. Xie Yu’s nature was detached, so a dagger inlaid with jewels did not suit her. She laughed: “If a person like Mr. Xie has someone they like, I’m afraid it won’t be easy. If the Master doesn’t speak, I fear the girl won’t even realize it. Others send hairpins and cosmetics, but you are interesting, sending a dagger instead. If I were the girl, I would definitely chase you out with a big stick, let alone accept your gift.”

Madam Gu’s original name was Su Ying. After marrying into the Gu family, she changed it to Gu Ying. Later, when she came to Chang’an with Gu Ning, she reverted to her original name, Su Ying. Su Ying’s father was a local scholar. Having been exposed to classical learning since childhood, Su Ying possessed a scholarly air, which was vastly different from Gu Ning’s vulgar scent of money.

The Gu family had many children and many rules. The daughters often competed and strove to climb higher. Su Ying understood the minds of women well. Gu Ning was special—the only child in the main branch. She loved Gu Ning and put a lot of effort into their relationship.

She knew a little about Xie Yu’s feelings and kindly advised: “A dagger is not as good as clothing.”

Xie Yu lowered her eyes and said, “A dagger can be used for self-defense and murder. What use is clothing?”

Su Ying was stunned: “Mr. Xie, are you pursuing a girl or teaching a subordinate? It’s true that a dagger can be used for self-defense, but what are you expecting it to do?”

You won’t protect her yourself, but you rely on a dagger?

Xie Yu’s way of thinking was surprising and truly difficult to comprehend.

Xie Yu still insisted on her original thought: “If it is as Madam says, and I cannot always be there, a dagger can protect her.”

Su Ying was speechless. She vaguely felt that discussing matters of love with the Sage Xie was fruitless. She thought she’d rather spend this time telling Gu Ning some interesting things. She chose to give up: “The Master speaks with reason. I confess I am not as profound.”

Xie Yu noticed her lack of conviction. After thinking for a moment, she said, “Madam Gu’s words also make sense.”

Su Ying didn’t bother with the wooden stick—Xie Yu was not a tree. Watering a tree allows it to grow, but watering a piece of wood is useless effort. She smiled at Xie Yu and rose to leave.

Xie Yu stared alone at the sharply polished dagger, perplexed by Su Ying’s words.

Not long after, Gu Ning returned triumphantly, hugging the four-thousand-liang antique qin. She couldn’t bear to let go and raised her chin toward Xie Yu: “I bought twenty qin, acquiring all the high-quality ones from the Moxiang Study.”

Xie Yu said, “Congratulations.”

Gu Ning placed the qin in front of Xie Yu and gently strummed the strings. “I heard you were planning to spend five thousand liang to buy it? I’ll give it to you cheaper—four thousand five hundred liang? I don’t need to say more; this qin is three or four hundred years old.”

Xie Yu didn’t understand what she was saying: “When did I say I wanted to buy a qin?”

Gu Ning’s smile froze. She pointed to the qin body and then to the window outside, shocked: “She said you liked it, so I bought it! You don’t like it?”

The story of the thousand-jin pursuit of the qin was so wonderful. Could it not be true?

Xie Yu smiled faintly, effortlessly: “When have you ever seen me buy a qin?”

This was the key point. Gu Ning remembered the qin the Yan family boy sold her a few years ago. Xie Yu immediately took a fancy to it, cherished it, and bought it at a high price. But since then, she had never seen her buy another.

Was she fooled by Xiao Kuning?

Xie Yu stood up and said, “This qin is named Boxi (Cypress Stream). Xiao Kuning sold it too cheaply. Five thousand liang is not excessive. The Empress Dowager’s birthday is approaching. Those who come to buy qin will not be few. If you are capable, sell it to the Yan family boy for ten thousand liang.”

“Ten thousand liang?” Gu Ning was pleasantly surprised. The Yan family boy didn’t understand the qin. A little flattery should work. She reluctantly agreed.

Before leaving, Xie Yu asked one thing: “How much money did you spend today?”

Gu Ning said excitedly: “Twenty qin, twenty thousand liang of silver.”

Xie Yu remained silent. The blockhead girl gained twenty thousand liang of silver right after taking over the Moxiang Study. Her mind is not dull after all. But what does she need so much money for?

Xiao Kuning, who had gained twenty thousand liang of silver, ate lunch at the Moxiang Study, then went to the Prince of Gaoyang’s Residence to return to the palace with Zhao Can.

Zhao Can saw Xiao Kuning but did not ask about her disappearance yesterday. Instead, she handed her a box of pastries: “I heard Mr. Xie was angry last night. He likes this. Go coax him, or you’ll have to suffer the punishment of copying books again.”

Xiao Kuning opened the lacquered box. Inside was a Cloud Pastry. It was pure white and diffused a scent of milk, similar in appearance to the pastry Xie Yu had been eating yesterday, but with extra milk added. It was clear the Prince’s Residence kitchen staff was very thoughtful.

They simply assumed it was for the County Princess, so they naturally added milk.

Upon returning to the Guanzhi Study Hall, it was already time for class to end. Everyone returned to their respective rooms. Zhao Can quietly returned to her room with the pastries she brought, afraid of being seen and having them stolen.

Xiao Kuning held the box and stood outside her sleeping chamber. Should I go or not?

She didn’t want to see Xie Yu, but what should she do with the pastries Zhao Can gave her?

Should I eat them myself? It would be much more comfortable to eat them herself. Why should she benefit Xie Yu?

She opened the pastry box, picked up a small piece, and slowly put it into her mouth. The sweet scent of milk spread in her mouth. It was indeed delicious. No wonder Zhao Can was so picky about food.

She was full after eating half the Cloud Pastry. She placed the remaining half on the table.

The next day in class, Xiao Kuning forced herself to pay attention. Whether she understood or not, she kept her eyes wide open.

Xie Yu didn’t usually care about her—if she didn’t want to listen, she didn’t have to. After all, not knowing how to play weiqi (Go) wasn’t a big deal. However, seeing the once lively eyes now dull and unfocused, she couldn’t resist hauling her back to the side hall.

After the two left, Zhao Can grumbled: “Did the pastries yesterday not work?”

Yan Ruyu, sitting in the front row, heard this and secretly frowned. A moment later, she smiled at Zhao Can: “What is the County Princess saying?”

Zhao Can sealed her mouth and returned to her room with her textbook.

Yan Ruyu was left embarrassed. The others quickly returned to their rooms as if they hadn’t seen anything.

In the side hall, Xiao Kuning racked her brain, unable to understand where she had offended Xie Yu this time.

In her previous life, Xie Yu was never on her path. Since she reincarnated, why did Xie Yu seek her out for trouble every few days? Were the two of them natural adversaries?

She raised her head, dissatisfied. With that one glance, she saw the dagger resting on Xie Yu’s desk—the one she used to commit suicide.

Her gaze was fixed and lost in thought. Xie Yu naturally noticed. Her lips curved into a faint, fleeting arc. She said calmly, “Do you know what a dagger is used for?”

Xiao Kuning felt a headache coming on. Her steps involuntarily moved backward. She shook her head, not knowing.

Xie Yu said, “The blade faces outward to protect oneself.”