My Love Rivals Have All Reborn - Chapter 27.1

The Great Zhou Dynasty severely restricted merchants; for instance, they were barred from taking the Imperial Examinations for three generations, their housing and furnishings were strictly limited, and they were forbidden from wearing fine silks.

Xiao Kunning had previously experienced the helplessness of being a merchant in the traditional scholar-peasant-artisan-merchant hierarchy. When she traveled with Zhao Xiran, she was often scorned by literati and called a person with “a stench of copper.”

Zhao Xiran was reluctant to be so openly extravagant, yet she surprisingly gave the silver to Princess Gaoyang to use. How could Xiao Kunning not be upset? Furthermore, how was it that she didn’t know Zhao Xiran and Princess Gaoyang were acquainted?

Xie Yu was inside the carriage. Xiao Kunning patted her shoulder and instructed, “Don’t get out yet. I’ll go and dismiss her.”

Xie Yu did not object, nodding obediently: “I will wait here for Elder Sister’s return.”

Xiao Kunning calmly stepped down from the carriage and bowed to Princess Gaoyang. Gaoyang subtly glanced at the carriage behind her, walked over slowly, and whispered in Xiao Kunning’s ear, “Are you hiding a beauty in the carriage?”

Xiao Kunning was momentarily stunned, then laughed. This Princess’s thoughts were truly unlike others. To avoid being found out, she smiled, half-truthfully: “My mother said she wants me to learn from you.”

“Learn?”

Princess Gaoyang’s expression faltered. She had expected Xiao Kunning to deny it, or at least blush and feign shyness, but instead, the word ‘learn’ had popped out.

This was completely unexpected, and her pale-pink face instantly flushed. She was considered an elder in front of Xiao Kunning; what was wrong with learning anything, but to learn how to hide a beauty?

She lightly cleared her throat, then pulled Xiao Kunning toward the Moxiang Pavilion. After a few steps, curious about what kind of ‘beauty’ was in the carriage, she signaled with her eyes for her attendant to lift the curtain.

Princess Gaoyang was too overbearing. Xiao Kunning exclaimed that she should not, but the attendant had already lifted the curtain, revealing Xie Yu’s form.

Xie Yu was sitting upright, expressionless, staring coldly at the attendant. Subtly, the imposing and dignified air of her former self returned. At first glance, her features conveyed a sense of cold composure and sharpness.

She was clearly a woman of detached elegance, yet the aura surrounding her made people afraid to look directly.

When Gaoyang saw her, she was first startled, and a memory surged back into her mind: Is this Xie Yu, the Imperial Grand Tutor?

The ‘beauty’ Xiao Kunning was hiding was none other than the Grand Tutor. This was truly unbelievable.

She patted Xiao Kunning’s shoulder: “You’ve ‘learned’ very well. The student is teachable. When I see Zhao Xiran, I will certainly praise you. When is the wedding?”

Xiao Kunning covered her face: “She is my teacher. You’ve misunderstood.”

“Oh, there’s that. I forgot.” Gaoyang only then realized. Rumors claimed that Grand Tutor Xie did not care for women, nor did she favor men; she had overthought things.

Since she had seen the person, she ought to greet her. She stepped forward to say hello.

Seeing no way to avoid it, Xiao Kunning helped Xie Yu step down, seizing the opportunity to whisper in her ear: “This is Princess Gaoyang. Greet her, then get back in the carriage and leave for the Su Family’s pharmacy. I’ll come and pick you up later.”

Xie Yu blinked her moist eyes, indicating she understood.

With the person out of the carriage, they stood closer.

Gaoyang took a close-up look at Grand Tutor Xie. The person was picture-perfect—her features were exquisite, her demeanor was majestic, and her elegance concealed a degree of gravitas. Overall, she was even more beautiful than her portrait, but her only flaw was that she was too cold.

Xie Yu was the Grand Tutor, a woman who stood in a position of high authority. This high position was different from being the Empress; it was a high post in the Imperial Court. Her imposing air lacked the arrogance of the court officials, instead possessing a peaceful quality.

Cold yet peaceful.

It was too contradictory. Gaoyang felt she was being captivated. Standing below the carriage, Grand Tutor Xie was like a bright and clear moon in an empty valley.

It was interesting that such a woman had not been brought into the Emperor’s harem.

The Emperor was not lacking in beautiful or talented women, but he lacked someone who possessed both.

She smiled and approached: “Grand Tutor is even more beautiful than the rumors suggest.”

Xie Yu glanced at Xiao Kunning from the corner of her eye, determined not to lose face, and boldly said: “Princess is even more beautiful than the rumors suggest.”

Gaoyang’s feeling was subtle. Couldn’t Grand Tutor Xie use a different phrase to compliment someone? She knew she was beautiful, but she shouldn’t be so stingy with her words. “Grand Tutor Xie, if you are not busy, would you care to sit for a while?”

Remembering Xiao Kunning’s instructions, Xie Yu shook her head and refused: “I have other matters to attend to. I must leave now.”

Gaoyang: “…” This Grand Tutor Xie is truly arrogant.

Xiao Kunning quickly intercepted Princess Gaoyang’s gaze, instinctively leading her toward the Moxiang Pavilion. “When did you and my mother become acquainted?”

Gaoyang was not easily fooled. She still felt that this Xie Yu was a little odd, but as it was their first meeting, she didn’t know the woman’s personality. Perhaps this was just Xie Yu’s way.

After entering the Moxiang Pavilion, the shopkeeper led the two to a private room and served tea.

Gaoyang stopped thinking about Xie Yu. After all, she would see this rumored figure again tomorrow. The woman was beautiful, but she had the same infuriating flaw as Jingyang: her eyes were too high.

“Zhao Xiran went to my fief three years ago, and that’s how we met. She stayed for a month and then left. This year, she sent me that carriage through an intermediary. I liked the luminous pearl in it, so I accepted it. After all, quite a few people send me gifts, but only her pearl is truly valuable.”

These frank words were comfortable to hear. It sounded as if her impression of Zhao Xiran revolved around that luminous pearl, or perhaps her biggest impression of her was money—the money of the wealthiest person in Jiangnan.

Xiao Kunning felt secretly alarmed. She felt that something was amiss. What exactly had Zhao Xiran done to be so generous? She fussed over giving Xiao Kunning a Moxiang Pavilion, yet the difference in her lavishness was immense.

She didn’t dare show her thoughts in front of Gaoyang. She changed the subject to the guqin (zither): “I have already instructed someone to send the guqin to your residence.”

Gaoyang cradled the teacup, took a light sip, and said, “I will thank her in person tomorrow. Everyone, including your teacher, says she is a figure as pure as the clear breeze and bright moon. What kind of woman does she like?”

Was she inquiring about Xie Yu’s preferences, or did she have ulterior motives? Xiao Kunning did not dare be careless. She pretended to think for a moment before saying, “My teacher seems to prefer women who are more passionate, skilled in martial arts, and considerate.”

In her past life, Xie Yu eventually ended up with Shen Rui, so this should be what she liked.

She was just randomly making things up, and Gaoyang would not find out.

Gaoyang was not close to Xie Yu, but she knew her affairs very clearly, not missing a single detail. She had initially thought Xie Yu was a woman of pure virtue, but she had not expected her preferences to be like this.

She touched her smooth face in front of Xiao Kunning, hooked her lips slightly, and her gaze fell upon Xiao Kunning’s beautiful eyes. “Do you think I still have a chance?”

Xiao Kunning: “…” So that’s what she was planning?

She almost couldn’t hold it in. She couldn’t very well expose the other party’s audacity. Xie Yu was so discerning that she would never choose a woman like Gaoyang, who was known for her promiscuity and who would surely present her with a cuckold’s hat.

She dared not show her inner thoughts on her face and continued to play a careful game with the Princess: “You should ask Teacher Xie about that.”

Gaoyang did not give up: “What does she like? I’ll prepare some things. Money is not an issue.”

Blunt and wealthy.

Xiao Kunning pinched herself to avoid immediately revealing any flaws. Yet another person throwing themselves at Xie Yu like a moth to a flame. She only said, “I don’t know Teacher Xie’s preferences either. She occasionally likes to eat some pastries.”

“She likes to eat pastries?” Gaoyang was slightly surprised. Xie Yu had this preference? Based on what she had seen today, her expression, features, and overall demeanor seemed to have nothing to do with pastries.

Women who love to eat are easy to trick and easy to appease. After all, if a pastry can solve the problem, it is no trouble at all.

Gaoyang made a note of it. She did not delay Xiao Kunning any longer, as she needed to be in good spirits for the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet tomorrow.

Xiao Kunning watched her leave, then went to Su Ying’s place to retrieve Xie Yu.

In the evening, she instructed her on a few things: when she should speak, how she should speak, and how to respond when others greeted her.

Fortunately, in her previous life, she had planted some contacts in the Imperial Court and had a good understanding of the court officials. Otherwise, she would have been completely lost—that would have been terrible.

The two stayed up until midnight. It was late, and the other two in the courtyard had gone to bed early. Xie Yu sat on the stool, not moving. She rested her chin on her hand, her eyes darted around, then she got up and locked the room door from the inside.

Xiao Kunning, who was making the bed, assumed Xie Yu had left and went to the inner room to sort out the clothes she would need tomorrow. Since she was attending the banquet tomorrow as Xie Yu’s student, not as a daughter of the Xiao family, she naturally needed to dress simply and plainly.

While she was being selective, Xie Yu walked in, watched her gaze go back and forth, and couldn’t resist saying, “I think that red one is nice.”

The sudden voice startled Xiao Kunning, nearly making her jump. Xie Yu laughed: “Elder Sister is scared? I’ll sleep with Elder Sister.”

Having said that, she immediately lay down on the bed.

Xiao Kunning was dumbfounded. What did she just say?

How did that make her scared? What was she scared of? Being afraid of ghosts or of thunder in the middle of the night?

Little Xie Yu was going too far. Xiao Kunning pulled at the person, intending to make her get up: “Don’t even take off your clothes. Hurry up and go back to your own bed.”

Xie Yu ignored her, wrapped herself in the quilt, and stared at Xiao Kunning with righteous indignation: “I’m staying with Elder Sister. I won’t take off my clothes; I’ll change them when I get up tomorrow.”

The two wrestled with the quilt until it covered their heads, leaving only their dark hair on the pillow.

Xiao Kunning suddenly felt her patience had been exhausted. Xie Yu was sober, and she constantly had to reprimand her. Now she acted like a child and was fighting her for the bed.

Who had committed such a sin?

There was still a large portion of the bed left. Xie Yu was close to the wall, only occupying a small part.

She couldn’t manage with the chair tonight. The people at tomorrow’s banquet would all be tough opponents, and being tired would easily lead to mistakes.

Suppressing the urge to strangle Xie Yu, she lay down on the outer side with her clothes on, maintaining an arm’s length from Xie Yu.

The past few days had been more exhausting than her time as Empress. Unknowingly, she drifted off to sleep.

She woke up to find it was already Sishi (9 AM to 11 AM). The person beside her was long gone. Most palace banquets were in the evening. Family members of low-ranking officials entered the palace early to wait and pay respects to the Empress Dowager. Xie Yu was different; she did not need to see the Empress Dowager, and it would not be too late to enter the palace around dusk.

She turned over and went back to sleep, only waking up at Wushi (11 AM to 1 PM), feeling much more relaxed.

It was a comfortable sleep.

After washing up, she opened the window and discovered that Gu Ning and Su Ying had not left; they were sitting on the porch.

The autumn sun was not strong, and it was even colder since it had rained a few days ago. Sunbathing at this time was a very pleasant and comfortable thing.

However… Gu Ning and Su Ying were sitting extremely close, their heads leaned together. Fortunately, no one else had come to the courtyard.

Thinking this, she decided not to disturb their intimacy. She drew back the foot that had stepped out, pretending not to have seen anything.

But as soon as she turned back, Xie Yu’s curious voice came from the courtyard: “Doctor Su, what are you two doing?”

This was followed by Gu Ning’s exasperated voice: “Xiao Kunning, take your child away!”

Xiao Kunning covered her face, thinking: They deserved it. Cuddling in broad daylight. The room was large; why did they have to choose such a conspicuous spot?

The person inside did not come out, but Xie Yu outside was flushed. Her white sleeve was stained with grease. She stood in the courtyard, not moving, and angrily retorted, “I am not her child! I am myself, and I have nothing to do with her.”

Su Ying was calm. Observing Xie Yu’s bewildered look, she walked over softly and whispered in her ear: “You are her family. If you weren’t her family, why would she sleep with you?”

Xie Yu suddenly understood. Meeting Doctor Su’s brilliant and gentle eyes, she believed her for no reason. A kind doctor wouldn’t lie to her. She nodded obediently: “I understand.”

Su Ying smiled gently: “What do you understand?”

Xie Yu curved her lips: “I am Elder Sister Xiao’s family.”

Gu Ning, on the side, was stunned to see her wife tricking the ‘child’ like this. Was she ‘abducting’ an ignorant child?

Seeing Xie Yu’s appearance, she inexplicably recalled her former self, who had also been tricked by a few words. Yet, everyone only knew her to be kind-hearted, not that she was a fraudulent swindler.

Because of this, she had carried the burden of ‘seducing and abducting her cousin’ for many years. It was clear that Xie Yu wasn’t stupid; rather, her wife was a millennia-old demon disguised in painted skin, who acted charitably and taught people ‘knowledge.’

Xie Yu made the lunch that day. The dishes were tempting, and the aroma lingered. This was why Gu Ning had specifically stayed.

It was true that Xie Yu could cook, but she hadn’t been willing to do so for years. Since she became a person of high status, let alone cooking, she hadn’t even set foot in a kitchen.

During the meal, Xie Yu picked up a piece of steamed fish, carefully removing the bones while watching Gu Ning, who was constantly picking up fish pieces on the opposite side. She finally couldn’t help but say, “Stop eating the fish.”

There will be none left.

Gu Ning ignored her, not bothering to argue with a fool.

Xie Yu was sulky. She placed the boned fish into Xiao Kunning’s bowl and moved her lips, muttering something unclear.

Xiao Kunning vaguely felt that Xie Yu was being exceptionally kind to her. Gu Ning ate the fish until she was sick of it, but for Xiao Kunning, Xie Yu had painstakingly removed the bones.

This kindness was more than just a little bit.

She wanted to ask, but she knew she wouldn’t get a meaningful answer.

Lunch passed with Xie Yu’s quiet displeasure. Su Ying personally checked her wound. It was still very faint and couldn’t be seen from a distance unless one leaned in close.

She cautioned Xiao Kunning worriedly: “Apply some cosmetic powder before entering the palace to conceal it.”

Xiao Kunning also felt she should wear makeup and agreed.