My Love Rivals Have All Reborn - Chapter 27.2

Gu Ning ate to her satisfaction and clapped Xie Yu’s shoulder triumphantly: “Little Xie Yu, you were very impressive today. Continue tomorrow. Pick a bigger fish, or it won’t be enough.”

Xie Yu, having learned from someone, rolled her eyes at Gu Ning and sarcastically said, “I won’t cook for you.”

Such an annoying person.

Gu Ning wanted to argue with her and make her realize her mistake, but before she could speak, her wife (Gu Furen) grabbed her collar and dragged her away.

Xie Yu made a face at her. Xiao Kunning once again saw a different side of Grand Tutor Xie.

After a short rest, the two changed and put on makeup. The Xie Residence’s carriage was waiting at the back gate. Xie Yu seemed very calm, just as she was the last time they went out for breakfast.

Xie Yu sat up straight, her eyes calm and gentle, much like the temperature of the faint autumn sun outside. Xiao Kunning had only seen this warm, gentle look once in both her lifetimes.

She had long lost her old infatuation for Xie Yu. Looking at Xie Yu’s innocent expression, the deep-seated resentment that had been suppressed in her heart for a long time began to spread.

She also felt a little restless. Today was different from the past; it was not the time to be distracted. She pinched her temples, suppressing the feeling of aversion.

Xie Yu did not notice Xiao Kunning’s thoughts. Instead, she kept remembering Doctor Su’s words: You are her family.

Golden Guards stood watch at the palace gates. Different ranks used different gates. Xie Yu’s carriage took the usual route. The Golden Guards checked her waist token, then lifted the carriage curtain. Seeing Grand Tutor Xie Yu, they respectfully bowed, then returned the waist token.

Xie Yu remained silent, maintaining a cool demeanor. Apart from her eyes, she was largely similar to her former self.

The first and simplest checkpoint was passed. Xiao Kunning gazed at the eaves of the palace, each with a different outline, feeling a sense of firmness in her heart. Tonight was bound to be very exciting.

In her previous life, Princess Gaoyang, a person who would want nothing more than to cause chaos in the court, did not attend. Since old grudges remained, Xiao Wenxue could not be chosen, and Yan Ruyu was also in a very precarious position.

She only needed to sit and watch the show.

It was already dusk when they entered the palace. A palace attendant came to lead the way. The sunset glowed on the palace walls, highlighting the weathered marks, which looked like a mirror reflecting every ugliness clearly.

The banquet was held at the Empress Dowager’s Cining Palace. The sound of revelry could be heard from far away within the palace walls. The world’s prosperity was closely linked to those in high positions, who both created the flourishing age and enjoyed it.

Palace servants were guarding the entrance. Seeing Grand Tutor Xie, they quickly curtsied, their delicate features breaking into a smile, enthusiastic and thoughtful: “Grand Tutor has arrived. The feast is about to begin. The Empress Dowager has been waiting for you.”

Xiao Kunning knew the rules for banquets: the more distinguished the guest, the later they arrived. At this time, the Emperor should not have arrived yet, but he would be there in a moment.

Arriving too early would seem dull and risk exposure, while arriving too late would incur blame. This moment was the most secure.

Inside the hall, court officials and their families sat facing each other. The Great Zhou obviously placed few restrictions on women. Unmarried daughters sat in the back, shielded by a beaded curtain, while the wives sat in front.

Xie Yu was different. Being a court official and the Grand Tutor, her seat was near the front.

Everyone came forward to pay their respects. Xie Yu’s cold eyes remained clear and cool. After the greetings, everyone retreated. There was only one seat at Xie Yu’s table, as no one dared to sit beside her.

The palace servant setting up the banquet saw Xiao Kunning closely following behind her—Grand Tutor Xie’s student—and wasn’t sure if she had a seat. Unable to make a decision, he reported it to the manager.

The manager was also sharp-witted. Knowing that Grand Tutor Xie had brought her, he wouldn’t let her stand. He quickly instructed someone to add a seat.

Xiao Kunning did not stand on ceremony. Standing for so long would be uncomfortable. A banquet lasts at least an hour, and if it was longer, her legs would give out.

She sat down next to Xie Yu. Moments later, Zhao Mian and the Empress Dowager arrived, followed by Zhao Ji and Yan Ruyu. Their clothes were sapphire blue, making them look well-matched.

Upon seeing their attire, everyone realized that the position of Princess Yanping (延平王妃) was going to the Yan family.

Princess Gaoyang was seated directly opposite Xie Yu. Jingyang was not sitting alone but with her husband, Minister Yan. Thus, the two sisters were separated.

Otherwise, if they started fighting, there would be a show to watch.

Zhao Mian was handsome and imposing, dressed in the Dragon Robe, with an extraordinary look. After instructing everyone to rise, he ordered the banquet to begin.

Princess Gaoyang, sitting across the hall, stared openly at Xie Yu. Even Jingyang noticed and immediately began arguing: “Gaoyang, it’s the Empress Dowager’s banquet. You should behave yourself. The Grand Tutor is upright. No matter how much you look, she will not belong to you.”

She glanced again at Xie Yu, whose expression was unchanged, seemingly ignoring the words.

Gaoyang heard this but did not argue. Instead, she had a faint smile on her lips: “I am only admiring Grand Tutor Xie’s beauty. Who doesn’t love youth and beauty? The Grand Tutor possesses both talent and beauty, which I admire greatly. However, I can look, but you cannot. You should be looking at which concubines in your backyard are beautiful and quickly send them away to avoid heartache. I’m not like you. I can like whoever I want, and I won’t acknowledge the children of concubines as my sons or daughters. Even if you are raised to the position of Empress, they won’t be your own flesh and blood, and you’ll be in a terrible position when they kick you out.”

“You… you are presumptuous!” Jingyang hadn’t expected such vicious words right away. Her exquisite makeup couldn’t hide her fury, and her eyes flashed with malice.

Everyone put down their wine cups, concentrating on the words of the two sisters. The Empress Dowager on the main seat had long since paled and spoke to reprimand Gaoyang: “It is a great day today. Gaoyang, what are you trying to stir up?”

Gaoyang’s smile concealed a sharp edge. Holding a wine pot, she stood up and toasted the Empress Dowager from afar: “Your servant wishes the Empress Dowager a fortune as boundless as the Eastern Sea and a life as enduring as the Southern Mountains. My fiefdom is poor, and I have nothing much to offer for your birthday. However, I acquired a fine zither and a maid skilled in playing it. Since I have both the zither and the person, I shall have her play for your celebration.”

Xiao Kunning smiled faintly. Gaoyang’s main event had arrived.

The beauty’s face was covered by a veil, revealing only a pair of clear, intelligent eyes that sparkled like autumn water.

When the palace servant brought out the guqin, Jingyang’s face instantly changed, and even the Empress Dowager’s expression shifted upon seeing the instrument. Yan Ruyu did not recognize the zither, only sensing that this one was far superior to the one her legitimate mother had bought. The body of the zither was clearly ancient, and its age was different.

If this was the case, her zither performance later would be a failure. Firstly, her zither was inferior, and secondly, no matter how she played, she could not surpass a professional musician.

Her aunt had specifically changed the zither piece today to make her stand out, but Princess Gaoyang had suddenly appeared to disrupt her plan. Why was a person who had never appeared in the previous life here now? She looked across the hall at Xiao Kunning, who was sitting with Xie Yu. Her face was plain and her clothing simple, which made Yan Ruyu feel a little relieved.

As long as she was more beautiful than Xiao Kunning, the position of Princess Yanping would be hers.

As the musician played the guqin, attracting everyone’s attention, Xiao Kunning was watching Princess Gaoyang. If Jingyang’s face changed upon seeing the zither, why was the Empress Dowager so shocked?

Did that zither have a story?

Xie Yu, sitting next to her, did not move a muscle. She looked straight ahead, but secretly glanced at Xiao Kunning out of the corner of her eye. Seeing her staring at the Empress Dowager, she also took a look and noticed that the Empress Dowager was unhappy. Princess Gaoyang, on the other hand, was very pleased and praised it: “I bought this from a Hu (Western) merchant. The person and the zither together cost only one hundred liang of silver.”

One hundred liang*?* Minister Yan, who had remained silent, now had a flicker of emotion in his eyes. Princess Jingyang, sitting beside him, pinched his hand, her nails digging into his flesh. She spat venomously, “Is your past scandalous affair showing again, huh?”

Everyone was watching. Even the Empress Dowager did not dare to easily call a halt. Prince Gaoyang (High Duke Gaoyang, likely her brother/husband), who had drunk a few cups of wine, vaguely saw the words “Nine Heavens” (Jiu Xiao) on the body of the zither and immediately sobered up. He carefully scrutinized the Empress Dowager’s expression.

A dense cloud of gloom.

Jingyang had long since sunk into a dark expression. Minister Yan was as solid as a mountain. He smiled, picked up the wine pot, and drank from it, simultaneously praising Zhao Mian: “Your Majesty is generous today. This wine is truly excellent.”

Zhao Mian did not know the inside story but sensed the undercurrents in the hall and also remained silent. Hearing the praise, he raised his cup to Prince Gaoyang: “If Uncle likes it, I will order someone to send some to your residence tomorrow.”

The royal family members in the hall were uneasy, all staring at the words ‘Nine Heavens.’ Even the music seemed unimportant.

Only Xie Yu, who was detached from the situation, was thinking about other things. The food on the table was cold and clearly unappetizing. Bored, she took Xiao Kunning’s hand: “Elder Sister, this is not good. I’ll go back and make you something new.”

It would have been better if she hadn’t held her hand. With this open, public grasp, Princess Gaoyang on the opposite side noticed it. Is there something improper about the relationship between these two?