My Love Rivals Have All Reborn - Chapter 23.2

After sending everyone away, she rushed to the Su Family Pharmacy.

The pharmacy was open, but Xie Yu was nowhere to be found. The pharmacy was full of patients. An old man was breathing heavily as the apprentice handed him the prepared medicine. A child was crying nonstop, and Su Ying was coaxing him with candy. Bi Shu looked around, but no one paid her any attention.

She felt tricked. She pulled Su Ying into the back courtyard: “Where is Master Xie?”

Su Ying, holding a flower-shaped candy, shoved it into Bi Shu’s mouth without thinking and smiled gently: “Master Xie left yesterday. How should I know where your Master went? As for you being here, you’re scaring my patients. Didn’t you see that child burst into tears when he saw you?”

“She left?” Bi Shu’s eyebrows shot up. If Xie Yu didn’t go back to the residence, where could she go?

She was with Xiao Kuning yesterday. Did she go to the Xiao Residence?

The pharmacy was empty. She quickly rode to the Xiao Residence, presenting Xie Yu’s calling card to gain entry.

Madam Xiao was ill. Xiao Mingwang had taken leave to care for her at home. Xiao Wenxue usually came to pay her respects daily, but last night she was angrily dismissed, with Madam Luo saying she didn’t want to see her at all.

The couple, Wang San and his wife, were still staying at the residence, being served food and drink. Wang San’s wife was not a quiet woman. Once she entered the guest courtyard, she complained that the furnishings were not as luxurious as the main reception hall, and the bed wasn’t soft, making her waist ache when she woke up.

For breakfast, she complained the porridge was too watery and asked for noodles. Then she complained the soup was too salty. In one day, she had everyone in the Xiao Residence grumbling.

Xiao Wenxue, overhearing the complaints in her room, was so angry she clenched her wooden comb. She, who had never cried before, suddenly burst into tears. She had her maid put all her private silver into a wooden box and sent it over.

It was over a thousand taels, her allowance saved up since childhood.

Who knew that Wang San’s wife would take the silver but refuse to leave, saying in front of her personal maid: “It’s only a thousand taels of silver. She has a pretty face and is so good at sweet-talking. If she goes back and marries some old master as a concubine, she’ll easily get ten thousand taels.”

Her daughter, whom she painstakingly raised, becoming a concubine for a merchant? Madam Luo almost vomited blood when she heard this.

Wang San’s wife claimed she didn’t want the silver, but she hugged the wooden box tightly. Xiao Wenxue lost both her money and her dignity. The normally gentle and good-tempered woman smashed the soup bowl in her hand and cried: “If I die, she won’t get a single penny!”

Just after she said this, Bi Shu presented the calling card and met Xiao Mingwang. She immediately said: “Master Xie wishes to see the Second Miss Xiao.”

Xiao Mingwang, having worked in the bureaucracy for twenty years, naturally wouldn’t let her take Xiao Kuning with just those words. Since Grand Tutor Xie had given instructions before, he feigned ignorance: “The Grand Tutor sent word yesterday, saying she was going to discuss poetry and music with my daughter. My daughter did not return yesterday. Have you made a mistake?”

He finished speaking with a stern expression.

Bi Shu sensed something was wrong. Her expression was now somewhat unnatural. If she couldn’t give a reasonable explanation, Xiao Mingwang would surely turn hostile. She bowed apologetically: “Master sent me a message yesterday, but I completely forgot. I came to invite her today, having missed the appointed time. I beg for your forgiveness, Master.”

Xiao Mingwang was not easily fooled. He didn’t believe a word and immediately called the guards: “The Master and I have some history. I have never seen you before. Why don’t you take a trip to the Jingzhao Yin so we can get things clear?”

Bi Shu was greatly alarmed. She replied: “I am the Grand Tutor’s maid. Is the Master not afraid of damaging the reputation of both residences?”

Xiao Mingwang ignored her and ordered the guards to arrest her. He didn’t want to talk at all. He just wanted to send her to the Jingzhao Yin. He had been prepared since receiving the message yesterday. A trap was set for this person.

Bi Shu was skilled in martial arts but was overwhelmed by the number of people. Exhausted, she was tied up and carried out of the residence, publicly paraded all the way to the gate of the Jingzhao Yin’s office.

The Jingzhao Yin, hearing that someone was using Grand Tutor Xie’s name to deceive people, was immediately furious. He ordered her to be beaten and thrown into jail, locked up for three to five years.

Meanwhile, a distinguished guest was at the Moxiang Study. Gu Ning was standing in the rival shop, even selling their qin, which she felt was somewhat wrong.

Xie Yu was reading a book in the courtyard. Xiao Kuning was checking the accounts next to her. As she was going through them, a pair of eyes eagerly leaned over, pointing to an item in the accounts: “That’s wrong. It’s a false entry.”

Xiao Kuning gasped. What kind of demon is Xie Yu? Her mind isn’t broken. Or did she learn to read account books at such a young age?

She simply handed the account book to Xie Yu: “Then you check it. I’m going out for a meeting.”

Xie Yu nodded: “When will Jiejie be back?”

She hadn’t even left yet, and she was asking when she would return. She was truly clinging to her. Xiao Kuning touched her neck, suppressing the urge to cut Xie Yu’s throat. She smiled: “I’ll be back in half an hour.”

“Good, I will wait for Jiejie.” Xie Yu said obediently. As soon as she turned away, Xie Yu seemed to remember something and quickly said: “Jiejie, will you buy some pastries?”

Still a foodie.

Xiao Kuning waved her hand: “I’ll remember.”

She said goodbye to Gu Ning and rode in a carriage from the side gate back to her home.

Her maid, Hé Lán, seeing her, happily recounted everything that happened at the residence, even using hand gestures. It was a terrible incident, but it sounded somewhat comical in her telling.

To the people in the residence, the two young ladies had always been at odds. Since the other side suffered such a great loss, Xiao Kuning must be very happy.

However, the person involved wasn’t happy at all. She returned to pack some clothes and sent someone to inquire about the Prince of Zhennan’s residence. Since she was home, she had to see Madam Luo.

Zhao Xiran’s move was designed to kill and condemn the heart. Madam Luo would be tormented for the rest of her life.

Wang San and his wife shouting about their daughter becoming a concubine was like stabbing her heart with a knife. A delicate daughter raised in a family of scholarly politeness becoming a merchant’s concubine was something no one could bear.

But Wang San and his wife were Xiao Wenxue’s biological parents. If they came to claim their child and the Xiao Residence refused, it would be unjustifiable even if they took the matter to the Jingzhao Yin.

Xiao Kuning went to the main courtyard and saw Xiao Wenxue waiting outside the corridor.

Madam Luo refused to see her, so standing there was useless.

Xiao Kuning walked closer. Xiao Wenxue stepped aside. The sisters looked at each other. Xiao Kuning spoke first: “The two of them will ask for at least ten thousand taels of silver. Whether to give it or not is up to you. To avoid future trouble, it’s better to have them sign a deed of separation, so there will be no future ties.”

Xiao Wenxue sneered: “Where am I supposed to get that much silver?” The Xiao Residence was not wealthy. Madam Luo was supporting it with her dowry. Ten thousand taels of silver would kill Madam Luo.

Ordinary families only spent that much to marry off a daughter. Their demanding so much was blatant extortion.

She could not give it.

Xiao Kuning no longer held resentment towards her. However, their fates were now intertwined. If the matter escalated, it would be bad for the entire Xiao Residence. She fell silent.

She had the silver, but she couldn’t bring herself to help Xiao Wenxue.

She would let Madam Luo suffer the loss herself. Xiao Kuning kindly suggested: “You don’t have it, but Mother does. She loves you. That is your leverage. Besides, she raised you, and you are the glory of her half-life. She understands the principle of swallowing her teeth with blood better than I do. If I were you, I’d go see them, wearing a common cloth dress, and tell them you are willing to give up the glory of the Xiao Residence to leave with them.”

If they couldn’t get a single penny, they would seek a lesser demand.

Xiao Wenxue suddenly understood and smiled brightly: “Thank you.”

Xiao Kuning ignored her and walked into the room alone.

Madam Luo was leaning against a cushion, her face sallow, her hair disheveled. Her lips were cracked from excessive anger. Seeing Xiao Kuning, she burst into tears, pounding her chest: “You came to see my shame, to see how I’ve raised someone else’s child all these years! First, it was the Xiao family’s. I accepted that. Now it’s an outside bastard! And you, you come back and don’t care for me at all, constantly mentioning Zhao Xiran! Don’t you think about who harmed you like this? Who separated us, mother and daughter, for so many years?”

After the events of the previous life, the restlessness in Xiao Kuning had been completely worn away. Seeing the haggard and distraught Madam Luo, she felt no sympathy.

“Whose fault is it but your own for the wrongs you committed?”

“Wrongs I committed?” Madam Luo roared. Her excellent upbringing was almost breaking down at this moment. She spoke carelessly: “If that Zhao Xiran had any sense, she wouldn’t have seduced my husband! Whose fault is it? Feel your conscience! Since you came back, I have treated you with my whole heart, but you always bring up Zhao Xiran. You torment me. Is that my fault?”

Xiao Kuning didn’t know how to respond. She pondered: “She maintained her innocence. You can see she didn’t do such a thing back then. It was you who didn’t trust Father and didn’t trust her.”

Madam Luo hated her: “I didn’t trust her? How could I not trust her? She was scantily dressed…”

“Enough!” A fierce shout came from outside the door. Xiao Mingwang walked in with a dark expression, a rare display of temper towards Madam Luo: “She is unmarried! What do you mean by saying such things? Do you still care about your reputation?”

He turned and gave Xiao Kuning an eviction notice: “Get out.”

Xiao Wenxue, standing in the corridor, heard everything clearly. For a moment, her emotions were complex. Madam Luo marrying into the Xiao Residence was a step down. She was arrogant and proud. In the early days of her marriage, how could she allow another woman to snatch her husband?

Madam Luo not allowing Zhao Xiran into the house was understandable. But Zhao Xiran’s revenge was also born of hatred.

Stepping back, if she had allowed Zhao Xiran into the residence back then, these subsequent events would never have happened.

Whose fault was it, ultimately?

Trying to distinguish the blame now was meaningless.

When Xiao Kuning walked out, Xiao Wenxue hadn’t left yet. The girl, who resembled a valley orchid, looked confused at first. Seeing Xiao Kuning, her eyes instantly became clear and bright, concealing a hint of wisdom.

Calm and composed.

In less than half a day, she had recovered. She was indeed very smart.

Xiao Kuning didn’t linger and walked away. Xiao Wenxue suddenly remembered something and quickly stopped her: “County Princess Shen came yesterday, couldn’t see you, and asked me to pass on a message.”

Xiao Kuning turned around, her eyelids trembling: “What message?”

Xiao Wenxue glanced back at the room and then whispered: “The County Princess said that the time is long, and she asks you to wait for her. If you truly have someone you love, she will surely send a wedding gift.”

Leaving without return, the rest of her life lonely. If fate allows, she would wait. Love was always uncertain. Shen Rui was full of joy, but with her father killed in battle and the Emperor suspicious, she must have endured immense pain to utter those words.

Xiao Kuning’s heart ached terribly. The future of this life was uncertain. She only wanted Shen Rui to live well. With her kind and thoughtful nature, she would surely meet a better girl than her. At the very least, marrying and having children would be good.

The room fell silent. Neither sister wished to stay long. Xiao Wenxue returned to her room and had her maid fetch an inconspicuous coarse cloth dress. She removed all her pearl hairpins and earrings and went to Wang San and his wife alone.

The now-free Xiao Kuning summoned Zhou Quan and carefully instructed him on a few things: “Have people inquire everywhere about how His Majesty intends to handle the death of the Prince of Zhennan in battle. If necessary, use silver to gather information. Don’t be timid.”

She truly had few connections. She only gained some after becoming Empress in the previous life, but those people were nowhere to be found now. Even Wen Yuké was probably not in Chang’an yet.

Zhou Quan accepted the silver and carefully tucked it into his sleeve.

At this time, Hé Lán had selected the clothes for her to change into, packed them in a trunk, and instructed a servant to load them onto the carriage by the side gate.

A little over an hour later, Xiao Kuning boarded the carriage alone. Hé Lán did not follow her.

The carriage reached a bustling street. The scent of cooking smoke wafted over. Seeing a child with a sugar figure, she suddenly remembered the pastries Xie Yu wanted and asked someone to buy some from the pastry shop.

The carriage stopped in front of the shop. The coachman went to buy the pastries. She sat alone in the carriage. Across the street was a jade shop. The window on the upper floor was open. A woman in embroidered, luxurious clothing stood at the window, looking down at the crowd.

Xiao Kuning lowered the curtain to avoid suspicion. Having been Empress for many years, she would never forget that this was Elder Princess Jingyang, Minister Yan’s wife.

Few people knew about Elder Princess Leyang and Minister Yan’s affair. Secretly giving and receiving favors was not honorable. Those who knew the old story said Elder Princess Leyang degraded herself. However, Zhao Can clearly said that Elder Princess Leyang disliked Minister Yan that day, suggesting that the rumors were false.

What exactly happened, probably no one knew except the people involved.

Elder Princess Leyang faded from public view after the late Emperor ascended the throne and died shortly after. The child also died young. After all, the child was illegitimate, and Minister Yan had no intention of taking it back. Instead, the late Emperor arranged his marriage to Elder Princess Jingyang.

The vicissitudes of life made everyone sigh.

Elder Princess Jingyang eventually pushed Yan Ruyu into the palace when Zhao Ji became Emperor. She succeeded, but ultimately did not meet a good end, dying at Xie Yu’s hands, just like Minister Yan.

The coachman was waiting for the pastries. Just then, Elder Princess Jingyang walked out of the shop. She wore a hibiscus-colored, cross-collared jacket, her hair was elegantly coiled, and she wore the fashionable plum blossom makeup on her forehead. She was exactly as in her memory, radiating arrogance everywhere.

The long street had few people. The sunlight shone on the road, making it look pale. The Princess’s residence’s carriage, pulled by two horses, was especially prominent. At a glance, the curtains on the carriage were made of rare Hangzhou satin, not to mention the carved lacquer on the carriage body and the pure gold on the roof. It glittered when the light hit it.

In terms of splendor, not even the Empress could compare to Elder Princess Jingyang. In terms of extravagance, not even the Empress Dowager could compare to her.

As Elder Princess Jingyang emerged, she was followed by Yan Ruyu, dressed in a bright plum-red jacket. Yan Ruyu kept her eyes downcast, personally helping her mother into the carriage, her posture humble and her manner gentle.

Just then, the coachman, holding the pastries, walked out of the shop, and the carriage across the street slowly began to move.

She expected the carriage to head toward the Princess’s residence, but the coachman turned around and drove in the same direction as Xiao Kuning’s carriage.

The Princess’s carriage was too extravagant, so the Moxiang Study’s carriage dared not drive side-by-side. It deliberately slowed down. After walking for the time it took for an incense stick to burn, she found that the carriage had stopped at the gate of the Hengxiang Pavilion. The money-loving Gu Ning came out to greet them.

Only after everyone entered the Hengxiang Pavilion did Xiao Kuning get out of her carriage. Before anyone could notice her, she quickly entered the Moxiang Study.

In the back courtyard, Xie Yu was sitting, supporting her chin, her thin lips slightly pursed, her face calm and gentle. Seeing the familiar person return, a faint smile appeared. She stood up but did not move, looking like a tall, straight green bamboo in the garden.

Her every gesture exuded the noble manners of a scholarly family. This was known, but for this “young” Xie Yu to still possess this quality made Xiao Kuning feel inferior.

From childhood, Zhao Xiran taught her to do as she pleased and not worry about worldly rules. Madam Luo, with her restrained personality, would never possess such a carefree temperament.

She handed the pastries to Xie Yu and looked at the accounts on the table. There were many marks and notes on them that she hadn’t noticed at all.

Xie Yu’s ability was truly astonishing. Luckily, she had figured it out and decided not to compete with this woman in this lifetime.

The pastries were chosen by the coachman. According to a girl’s preference, they were five-colored floral cakes like a rainbow, just as exquisite as those Yan Ruyu possessed.

Remembering Yan Ruyu, Xiao Kuning lost her appetite. Xie Yu thoughtfully divided them in half: “One for each of us. Jiejie should eat.”

Hearing the word “Jiejie,” Xiao Kuning almost wanted to cover her ears. Remembering that it was time to brew the medicine, she pushed Xie Yu back into the room, instructing her not to leave, and took the medicine to the kitchen.

It wasn’t dark yet, but the kitchen lights were already lit. She told someone to watch the medicine pot and returned to her room.

Walking into the courtyard, she saw Gu Ning carrying two food boxes, with Su Ying slowly following behind her.

Gu Ning was indeed a good wife. She was completely flushed with effort but wouldn’t let Su Ying touch a single finger.

Gu Ning was hosting tonight. The food boxes contained delicacies, and although the ingredients were common, they tasted special upon eating.

Xie Yu was very satisfied with the meal. Tonight, they had steamed mandarin fish. Gu Ning spent the entire night removing the bones. Su Ying was tired of eating and rolled her eyes at her: Do you have a problem tonight?

Gu Ning didn’t say anything, instead speaking to the happily eating Xie Yu: “Don’t you eat fish?”

Xie Yu had a mouthful of rice. She looked a little more innocent and had a gentle, reserved warmth she never had before. She didn’t rush to speak when asked. She slowly swallowed the rice in her mouth. Only after not a single grain remained did she reply: “I don’t want to eat fish.”

Gu Ning was curious: “Why don’t you want to eat fish?” As she spoke, her eyes glanced at Xiao Kuning.

Xiao Kuning didn’t look up and didn’t know the meaning of the question or the glance.

Xie Yu, however, said: “I just don’t want to. There is no reason.”

Xiao Kuning agreed. If she didn’t want to, she didn’t want to. There was no reason at all. Why was this Gu Ning always looking for trouble?

Gu Ning was thwarted again. She couldn’t outsmart the “fool” Xie Yu and angrily finished her meal. She followed Su Ying back to her room to rest.

The cook in the kitchen brought the medicine and also the hot water for washing. Xiao Kuning applied the medicine to Xie Yu and then watched her wash her face, undress, and go to sleep.

Before closing her eyes, Xie Yu said: “Jiejie, go to sleep quickly.”

Having heard the word “Jiejie” too many times, Xiao Kuning’s ears were numb, but her heart was calm. She responded, closed the door, and returned to her room.

The night was very dark, heavy with gloom. No one could be seen anywhere. Gu Ning’s window was lit. Walking…