My Love Rivals Have All Reborn - Chapter 2

She had reincarnated, much like a dream, leaving one perplexed.

Eighteen-year-old Shen Rui stood beside her, half a head taller, an heroic and spirited young woman whose fervent emotions were like a blazing sun overhead, driving out the filth from her heart.

Shen Rui was different from ordinary women. She had grown up on the frontier, where the environment of sand-covered skies forged a character unlike that of a sheltered young lady: unrestrained, lively, and passionate.

In contrast to Shen Rui, Xiao Kuning was a legitimate daughter of the Xiao family, yet she was not raised in the Xiao household.

The world is full of absurdities. Over a decade ago, Xiao Wangming, who had just achieved the Jinshi degree, took his wife to take office in Yingchang Prefecture. There, he became acquainted with the local wealthy merchant Zhao Kaizhi, whose sister, Zhao Xiran, entangled herself with Xiao Mingwang.

One could say Zhao Xiran actively offered herself to Xiao Mingwang. Later, when the First Wife, Madam Xiao, refused to acknowledge the resulting child, Zhao Xiran became furious and swapped the newborn girl.

Madam Xiao was kept in the dark for many years until five years ago, when Zhao Kaizhi traveled to the capital and informed them. Only then did the couple, Xiao Mingwang and his wife, bring Xiao Kuning back.

In those years, Xiao Kuning had followed Zhao Xiran across the country, growing up with a wild temperament. Upon first entering the manor, how could she win the affection of her parents compared to Xiao Wenxue, who had usurped her position? This had nothing to do with blood relation; it was purely her personality, which Madam Xiao, née Luo, found hard to tolerate. She was not as tactful as Xiao Wenxue, and over time, the mother and daughter drifted further apart.

Madam Luo was reluctant to part with Xiao Wenxue, so she claimed publicly that Xiao Kuning was frail and had been raised in Jiangnan before being brought back at the age of fourteen.

It was on the journey back that she ran into the troublemaker Xie Yu, who learned of her secret. This life, starting anew, she would sooner let that secret rot in her bones than utter a single word of it again.

Shen Rui, full of vigor, took Xiao Kuning’s hand and was about to head outside. Looking at Shen Rui’s spirited face, Xiao Kuning vaguely recalled Xie Yu’s words: abandon Shen Rui, exploit Wen Yukezhi…

In the previous life, the two of them had spent a wonderful period together. After her initial return to the Xiao manor, the servants there treated her almost like an idiot, and even Madam Luo couldn’t tolerate the coarseness in her demeanor, repeatedly trying to force her to change.

How could she change habits formed over fourteen years?

Because she couldn’t change, Madam Luo disliked her. The bond of blood was worthless, unable to compare to Xiao Wenxue, whom she had raised herself.

Later, Shen Rui, finding the situation unbearable, personally went to the Xiao manor and confronted Xiao Mingwang. Although it was unclear what she said, afterward, Madam Luo stopped managing her. As long as she didn’t provoke Xiao Wenxue, Madam Luo would turn a blind eye, treating her as if she didn’t exist.

Yet, at that time, she loathed Xiao Wenxue and would try to seize anything that belonged to her.

This enraged Madam Luo, who threatened to disown her. It was again Shen Rui who intervened, persuading Madam Luo to calm down.

In the few years after her return, it truly was Shen Rui who protected her and doted on her. Xie Yu’s use of the word “abandon” was, indeed, not wrong.

Now that she had struck Xie Yu, Shen Rui, upon learning of it, would certainly try to smooth things over for her. In this life, starting over, she could now hope that the Zhennan Prince’s Manor could safely weather the dangers and avoid the calamity of the previous life.

Starting now, she had to solve problems herself. She withdrew her hand from Shen Rui’s grasp. “Shen Rui, I suddenly thought of a question I don’t understand. I’m going to ask Teacher Xie.”

What kind of person was Shen Rui? The daughter of the court’s sole non-imperial prince, she was intelligent from a young age, had been tempered by years of experience on the frontier, and possessed some understanding of court politics. She and Xie Yu also frequently met. Upon hearing her words, she was even more delighted: “Good, I’ll go with you. It’s a good opportunity to see Teacher Xie.”

Xiao Kuning’s eyelid twitched. She refused her kindness: “No need. You wait for me here. I can go by myself.”

“Ah Ning, why are you being so distant? Isn’t it better if we go together?” The young woman smiled brightly. Standing beneath the tree, her figure was straight and tall, and the heroism in her eyes was a little intimidating.

Shen Rui was pure. Her dark eyes were bright and brilliant, like sparkling stars. Unaffected yet by the tragedy of the impending family annihilation, she was still full of vitality, like a white lotus growing in the mud. Xiao Kuning felt she wasn’t worthy of such a Shen Rui.

Faced with her radiant smile and unconcealed affection, anyone would be captivated.

Such a Shen Rui was too fervent, like the morning sun, its bright, warm light shining directly into her heart.

Xiao Kuning frowned: “You wait for me here.”

Shen Rui acknowledged her, watching her silently for a moment. Not wanting to upset her, she returned to the tree to wait.

Xiao Kuning had forgotten one thing: Shen Rui was extremely obedient. As long as she was unhappy, Shen Rui would obey her command without even asking why.

Just then, Shen Yunzhi dragged an imperial physician inside. From the open space beneath the tree, she immediately spotted Xiao Kuning and instantly gnashed her teeth: “Xiao Kuning, how dare you try to escape?”

Xiao Kuning felt she was in the wrong and didn’t argue with her, merely giving a provocative smile: “I’m not escaping. I’m going to apologize to Teacher Xie right now.”

As expected, Shen Yunzhi was furious: “You struck Teacher Xie, and you can still smile?”

Shen Yunzhi was habitually arrogant and, being Xiao Mingwang’s superior, thought highly of herself. She looked down on Xiao Kuning, the ‘wild girl,’ and naturally seized any opportunity to step on her.

Xiao Kuning was aware of her intentions early on and was not meek, immediately retorting: “Teacher Xie is neither a god nor a devil. If I accidentally offended him, must I stop eating, stop sleeping, and invite him home to worship him?”

“You…”

“Ouch, have you two finished arguing? Where is the patient?” The Imperial Physician impatiently interrupted the two.

Shen Yunzhi glared fiercely at Xiao Kuning and dragged the Imperial Physician toward the Guanzhi Hall.

Behind them, Shen Rui, who had heard the entire argument, furrowed her heroic brow. Ah Ning didn’t want her to follow because she had struck Teacher Xie?

No, Ah Ning’s temperament was too simple; she must go and see.

The students who were attending the lecture in the hall were now coming out one after another. They began to whisper amongst themselves, and upon seeing the County Princess, they all gathered around her.

Shen Rui acted as if she didn’t see them, walking worriedly toward the hall entrance.

As soon as she entered the hall, she heard Shen Yunzhi’s voice: “Xiao Kuning, if you strike the teacher just because you had a nightmare today, does that mean you can strike your parents if you have a nightmare at home?”

Xie Yu sat to one side, his back to the hall entrance. His expression could not be seen, but just from his back, he appeared to be detached from the mortal world.

Shen Rui quickly moved forward, pulling Xiao Kuning behind her. She lowered her gaze, but the chill did not dissipate. Without even looking at Xie Yu, she addressed Shen Yunzhi: “Did Xiao Kuning strike you?”

“No, she…”

“She did not strike you, so why are you lingering? The Teacher is present and has not yet spoken. Is it your place to speak? Do you not understand the principle of respecting the teacher and valuing the Dao? Magistrate Shen is strict in raising his daughter, and I would like to ask him how he taught you to be so unruly.”

Shen Rui interrupted Shen Yunzhi’s words, leaving her speechless. Shen Yunzhi’s face turned red and then white, a truly spectacular sight.

Xiao Kuning was also unsure why Shen Rui had followed her. She quietly tugged on her sleeve, signaling her not to worry. Shen Yunzhi was merely pouring her unrequited affection onto Xie Yu.

Shen Yunzhi was blind. In the previous life, she had waited for Xie Yu, rejecting all suitable men. In the end, when Xie Yu imprisoned her, she heard nothing of Shen Yunzhi, suggesting her devotion was misplaced.

Shen Rui was, after all, a County Princess, and her words were extremely harsh. Shen Yunzhi immediately felt humiliated and looked toward Xie Yu, but alas, Xie Yu was looking at his face in a bronze mirror and paid no attention to her meaningful glance.

In a fit of pique, she ran out of the hall.

What a pity.

After scolding Shen Yunzhi, Shen Rui took a small box from her sleeve and handed it to Xie Yu: “Teacher, please calm down. Ah Ning knows she was wrong. Please forgive her. This ointment is excellent for reducing swelling and will not leave a scar. I guarantee your face will be flawless, without any scarring.”

Xie Yu moved the bronze mirror away. Perhaps because his face was swollen, he was unwilling to look up, merely brushing off some dust from his robes. He said, “The County Princess actually carries ointment on her person.”

There were only three people in the hall, so Shen Rui didn’t try to conceal anything and spoke frankly: “I intended to give this to Ah Ning.”

Xie Yu glanced at it, then looked away. “I will not take what belongs to another. The County Princess should take it back. Also, Miss Xiao, you can fall asleep during class. It seems you are fully aware of what I have lectured on. Why don’t you tell us what you learned today?”

What did she learn today? Xiao Kuning was startled. Having just reincarnated, she had no idea of the content taught. She quietly looked back at the desk for the textbook, only to find that it was cleaner than her face; there wasn’t a single book there.

She was truly defeated by Xie Yu.

In her previous life, Xie Yu taught chess and poetry taken from ancient texts. So, was today’s lesson about poetry or chess?

She racked her brain, unable to figure out which class she had reincarnated into. Troubled, she looked to Shen Rui’s earnest, passionate eyes. Shen Rui quietly squeezed her hand, drawing a circle on her palm.

She quickly corrected her posture and, with a renewed attitude, said, “Teacher, I don’t quite understand the chess moves you taught today.”

Xie Yu smiled faintly: “What I taught today was not chess.”

Xiao Kuning was dumbfounded. Wasn’t a circle a sign for a chess move?