My Love Rivals Have All Reborn - Chapter 28

The zither music was pleasant, like high mountains and flowing water, drawing some people into its embrace, while others stared intently at the word “Nine Heavens”  inscribed on the instrument.

The atmosphere in the hall was unusual; undercurrents surged among the Imperial Clan members, though the court officials found the scene pleasing to the eye.

Feeling the surprised gaze from across the room, Xiao Kunning instantly pulled her hand away and quickly raised her wine cup as a cover.

Xie Yu was incapable of thinking too deeply and felt a momentary loss. She imitated Xiao Kunning, picked up her wine cup, and took a shallow sip, immediately furrowing her brow.

It was so spicy.

Having experienced much in high society, Princess Gaoyang sensed something was amiss, especially given Xie Yu’s usually detached nature—to actively grasp her student’s hand? Respect for one’s elders was lacking.

No, that’s not right. Xie Yu is much younger than me. If Xie Yu was lacking respect for an elder, what did that make her?

Inappropriate wording, inappropriate wording.

Gaoyang stopped looking at the teacher and student, instead focusing her gaze on the Emperor, Zhao Mian. She straightened her posture and opened her mouth to address the Emperor with a smile: “Your Majesty, what do you think of this Hu (foreign) girl? Hu people are beautiful and possess an exotic flair. Why not change your taste? She is all alone, so consider it finding her a good position. Even if she cannot serve you with calligraphy and ink, she could at least make your bed.”

The court was astonished by her speech. Would the Emperor lack people to make his bed? She was clearly trying to recommend a beauty.

The Hu Ji was captivating and seductive, her eyes glistening with brilliance above her half-veil, a charm unmatched by the women of Great Zhou.

Zhao Mian was vigorous and youthful. Seeing such a beauty already made his heart stir. Upon hearing the phrase ‘all alone,’ he understood. The palace was filled with many consorts, but they were deeply rooted, backed by entire clans. He had to favor them even if he didn’t want to, and he had to be constantly vigilant.

A Hu Ji was different; with no backing, it was much simpler.

Ignoring the Empress Dowager’s expression, he agreed cheerfully, “My imperial aunt’s people are naturally beautiful.”

Gaoyang smiled: “The person is for you, but the zither must remain mine, or wouldn’t I suffer a great loss?”

Zhao Mian threw back his head and laughed: “Imperial Aunt truly loves to joke. Given the hardships of the journey, why don’t you wait until winter has passed before returning to your fief? Chang’an is very lively.”

He was already at odds with Jingyang and was delighted to see her frustrated. Another layer of reasoning was that Gaoyang’s presence also displeased the Empress Dowager.

What was there not to be happy about?

Gaoyang and Zhao Mian instantly saw eye-to-eye and nodded. She did not forget to glance at Xie Yu across the hall: “I heard Grand Tutor Xie’s residence is quite large. Might this Princess stay for a few months?”

Stay? Xie Yu frowned, looking slightly childish. Xiao Kunning broke out in a cold sweat, secretly squeezing Xie Yu’s hand, signaling her to refuse.

If such a demanding figure were brought into the residence, their secret would be exposed sooner or later.

With that squeeze of the hand, Xie Yu’s lips curved slightly. Remembering her Elder Sister Xiao’s instruction to feign displeasure, she immediately straightened her back, put on a long face, and refused: “No, the residence is too crowded; there is no room.”

The courtyard was only so big. Doctor Su and Gu Ning occupied one room, she occupied one, Elder Sister Xiao had one, and the rest went to the cook and the shopkeeper. If the Princess moved in, she would have to sleep with Elder Sister Xiao.

Absolutely not.

Gaoyang had never expected Xie Yu to refuse so flatly, making her lose face. She slammed her hand on the table in anger: “Xie Yu, don’t be so ungrateful!”

The Emperor took a sip of wine, his smile faint. He now understood: this widowed imperial aunt was setting her sights on Grand Tutor Xie.

What kind of person was Xie Yu? When he had offered her the position of Empress, she hadn’t batted an eye.

Given Gaoyang’s notorious reputation for promiscuity, Xie Yu would have to be blind to fancy her.

The ‘blind’ Xie Yu still held her wine cup, her hand gripped by Xiao Kunning. She quietly watched the enraged woman opposite her: “Mm.”

Just that one sound, “Mm,” acknowledging that she was “ungrateful.”

Gaoyang was at a loss for words. She had interacted with many high officials and emperors—some capable, some inept, some arrogant—but this was the first time she had met someone with such a detached disposition.

You curse her, and she doesn’t talk back. You humiliate her, and she is unmoved.

It was like punching cotton; all her strength vanished.

You couldn’t just keep staring and cursing her in front of all the officials.

It would be a loss of dignity.

Gaoyang sat down sullenly. Jingyang was overjoyed, following up with a taunt: “Grand Tutor Xie is a person who loves peace and quiet, and who is untainted by the mundane world. She is not someone the common masses can touch.”

The meaning was clear: Xie Yu looked down on you. You are too mediocre to be worthy of her.

Gaoyang said nothing. What good was verbal sparring? The real show was yet to come.

With the hostilities subdued, Jingyang also closed her mouth sulkily. Yan Ruyu’s guqin performance for the evening had been ruined, and she watched the opportunity slip through her fingers.

Tonight was not Xie Yu’s main stage. She was almost unnoticed by the crowd. The Empress Dowager’s side was boisterous, with officials constantly offering toasts.

After three rounds of wine, Zhao Ji, who had been silent for a long time, stood up. His jade-like face was flushed, and he looked intoxicated. As he walked out from behind his table, he swayed, and the person next to him reached out to steady him, but he pushed the person away.

His behavior was unruly.

Just then, Xie Yu showed a look of disgust and tried to move closer to Xiao Kunning, but since she couldn’t pick up the stool, she settled down quietly.

Xiao Kunning was accustomed to her habit of wanting to lift the stool. Fearing Gaoyang would become suspicious again, she pulled Xie Yu to sit properly: “Watch the show.”

Xie Yu stopped moving after trying for a while. Just as she was about to get discouraged, she felt Elder Sister Xiao’s hand, soft and comforting.

Feeling very comfortable, she quieted down.

The drunken man knelt before the Empress Dowager. Although it was a joyous occasion, a look of sorrow, especially loathing and pain, was visible in his eyes. It was hard to conceal.

As soon as Zhao Ji knelt, Gaoyang began to sing a discordant tune: “What’s wrong with Prince Yanping today? Tears of joy?”

The Empress Dowager’s grip on her wine cup tightened, while Yan Ruyu was flushed with shyness. It was the final step—as long as Zhao Ji spoke, she would be Princess Yanping, and eventually, the Empress.

Xiao Kunning was just a minister’s daughter. What could she use to fight her?

A joke.

Zhao Ji kowtowed solemnly, first congratulating his mother on her birthday, then spoke numbly: “Your son has long admired Minister Yan’s legitimate eldest daughter. A fair lady is a good match for a gentleman. The Prince’s Manor lacks a mistress. Miss Yan is wise and virtuous, excelling both internally and externally. I beg the Emperor and the Empress Dowager to agree. Your subject wishes to marry Minister Yan’s legitimate eldest daughter as Princess Yanping.”

“Wise and virtuous, excelling both internally and externally”—the eight characters sounded like sarcasm. Xiao Kunning pretended to be surprised, but her heart mocked him. In her previous life, she and Xie Yu’s interference led to the selection process. In this life, without any obstacles, Yan Ruyu was directly chosen without a formal selection.

It was a pity for Zhao Ji.

She had intended to stop it, but seeing Zhao Ji’s tortured expression, she suddenly felt relieved.

After Prince Yanping solemnly bowed, Emperor Zhao Mian’s expression was subtle. The curve of his lips suggested a smile, yet it looked more like mockery.

For a moment, the scene was thrilling.

Xiao Kunning was pleased. Princess Gaoyang threw a fruit at her, seemingly asking her why she was laughing.

Xiao Kunning smiled, gripping Xie Yu’s hand tighter. Yan Ruyu’s life would be difficult in the future. How could she not be happy?

Gaoyang thought Zhao Xiran’s adopted daughter looked foolish. She had heard that Prince Yanping liked the daughter of the Xiao family, so Xiao Kunning should be crying now that her hopes were dashed.

Then she observed the two hands tightly clasped under the table and immediately understood.

Zhao Ji requested to marry Minister Yan’s legitimate eldest daughter tearfully. Everyone assumed his love was deep and those were tears of joy, thinking nothing more of it.

The Emperor’s hands, hidden in his sleeves, were clenched tight, yet his expression was excellent, and the slight intoxication made him look dashing and unrestrained, less like an emperor and more like an ordinary young noble. Facing the crowd, he smiled and helped Prince Yanping up: “I know your wishes, and I agree. An edict for the marriage will be issued tomorrow. The little Prince is lonely; it will be fun for you to give him a sister to play with.”

Zhao Mian’s words had double meaning: first, he hinted that he had a son, and second, he wished Zhao Ji to have a daughter.

Xie Yu was not far from him and sensed a suppressed anger. She leaned close to Xiao Kunning and whispered, “He seems unhappy.”

Xiao Kunning was ecstatic. She squeezed Xie Yu’s hand tightly, no longer disliking her: “Because the person he likes was stolen.”

Xie Yu said: “Steal them back.”

Xiao Kunning said: “But the person doesn’t like him.”

Xie Yu fell silent. Seeing Zhao Ji stand up and the Emperor looking distressed, she whispered, “Then who does she like?”

Xiao Kunning said: “She likes someone else.”

Xie Yu ground her teeth: “Then kill him.”

Xiao Kunning’s smile froze on her lips. She withdrew her hand and stared blankly at her. Xie Yu’s eyes, however, glowed with a hazy, gentle light. She was beautiful, cool, and detached, like the embodiment of a devil.

Over on that side, the Emperor issued the marriage edict. Minister Yan stepped forward to express gratitude on behalf of Yan Ruyu. Zhao Ji retreated to his seat, dazed.

The greatest excitement of the Empress Dowager’s banquet was over. Officials rose to offer congratulations to Prince Yanping and Minister Yan. Yan Ruyu, blushing shyly, took a small sip of wine in response to the congratulations.

The banquet ended near Haishi (9 PM to 11 PM). The Emperor left, taking the Hu Ji with him. He would certainly favor her tonight.

Xie Yu did not leave immediately. She waited for everyone to depart before getting up. Princess Gaoyang walked slowly along the palace path, the bright lights of the palace gate visible in the distance.

Midway, she took the opportunity to leave through a side path.

Xie Yu, sharp-eyed, noticed it and grabbed Xiao Kunning’s arm: “She’s not going home. Where is she going?”

Princess Gaoyang had been away from the capital for ten years. Logically, she should be unfamiliar with the palace grounds. Wandering around in the dark, wasn’t she afraid of being caught by the Empress Dowager?

As they were about to leave the palace, Xiao Kunning, though curious, could not follow. Xie Yu had a special status and could not linger.

Suppressing her curiosity, she returned to Moxiang Pavilion with Xie Yu.

The shopkeeper had left the back door open. After they entered, the Xie Residence carriage returned to the Xie Residence as usual.

There were no lights in the courtyard, and they walked slowly. Xie Yu went straight to Xiao Kunning’s room. Xiao Kunning couldn’t stop her. She didn’t know what kind of mesmerizing words Doctor Su had poured into her ears, as she kept mentioning thunder every day.

Gu Ning’s room still had a light on, and laughter could be heard inside. As Xie Yu closed the window, she couldn’t help but wonder: “What are they laughing at? Why aren’t they sleeping?”

She didn’t understand. Xiao Kunning surely understood, but knowing and saying were two different things. “They have something happy going on. You go to sleep early and don’t worry about them.”

Xie Yu reluctantly closed the window, washed her face, and lay down. Xiao Kunning brought the quilt from Xie Yu’s room and handed it to her: “Sleep with this. You are not allowed to sleep with mine.”

The light in Xie Yu’s eyes blossomed. She hugged the quilt, lay down, and eagerly said goodnight.

Xiao Kunning: “…” Was she too benevolent? Wouldn’t it be better to just strangle Xie Yu?

Peace returned to the Moxiang Pavilion, but chaos erupted in the palace.

After the Emperor returned to his chamber, he ordered the Hu Ji to wash. Who knew that the person lying on the Imperial bed was actually Yan Ruyu.

She was lying there naked.

The Hu Ji was brutally murdered in the bathroom, her body hidden in the closet. If blood had not flowed out of the cabinet, the palace servants might not have discovered it right away.

It would have been bad enough if the Hu Ji had simply died, but the Emperor had touched Yan Ruyu.

How he had touched her, no one knew. When faced with such a great temptation from a woman, no man would refuse, especially an intoxicated Emperor.

The Emperor had no choice. He covered her with the quilt and ordered someone to summon the Empress Dowager.

It was late and cold. The aged Empress Dowager arrived at the Emperor’s sleeping quarters by carriage, muttering nothing but cursing under her breath. In this freezing weather, people just couldn’t be trouble-free.

The Emperor was wearing a thin sleeping robe, sitting barefoot by the table. A group of palace servants knelt on the ground, trembling and daring not to look up.

The Empress Dowager, whose face was initially frosty, saw the scene and her anger dissipated. Entering the hall, she immediately asked, “Emperor, why are you not resting so late at night?”

Upon seeing the Empress Dowager, the Emperor seemed to awaken from a dream. He stood up and bowed first, his face surging with distress. He pointed to the person on the Imperial bed: “Your son wants to ask Mother, what exactly is the Yan family’s intention? Aji likes Yan Ruyu, so why did this woman kill the Hu Ji and appear in my bed? A brother taking his younger brother’s wife—what would others think of me if they knew?”

His first words were an accusation, pushing all the responsibility onto the Yan family. This opening move was something the Empress Dowager had not anticipated.

Seeing was believing. The Empress Dowager pushed away the hands of the palace servants and quickly walked to the bed, swiftly pulling back the quilt to see Yan Ruyu with her eyes tightly closed.

Her clothing was scant, and her exposed figure was clearly visible.

No need to say, the Emperor had seen it all.

She roared: “Yan Ruyu is just a daughter. How could she commit murder? How could she get herself into your bed? Don’t think I don’t know what you are trying to do, Emperor.”

She knew that if he took Yan Ruyu, Minister Yan and Jingyang would immediately change their allegiance.

Yan Ruyu had gone to such great lengths to become Princess Yanping. At this final step, she should be overjoyed, so who would believe she would present herself to the Emperor?

The Emperor narrowed his eyes, his anger turning into a cold smile, with a hint of sharpness in his gaze: “If I wanted her, I would have taken her long ago. Would I wait until after the marriage edict? Is Mother trying to absolve the Yan family? Yan Ruyu is foolish; do you think I would fancy her? I want to marry Xie Yu, and the position of Empress is reserved for Xie Yu. With a pearl like that, I wouldn’t even want Yan Ruyu if she was offered to me.”

“You…” The Empress Dowager was speechless for a moment. Indeed, with Xie Yu in front of her, any other woman would pale in comparison.

The Emperor’s words also reminded her that she couldn’t let him have Xie Yu. If Xie Yu hadn’t appeared back then, the throne would have belonged to her son, Zhao Ji. With a precedent already set, Xie Yu either had to be eliminated or married off for her own benefit.

A woman must eventually marry.

However, Yan Ruyu, this chess piece, was now useless. It was pointless to look for the murderer now. Regardless of who the mastermind was, she could no longer marry Zhao Ji.

Having suffered a silent loss, she had to deal with the matter discreetly. After being touched by the Emperor, Zhao Ji would never want Yan Ruyu.

The Empress Dowager ordered Yan Ruyu and the bedding to be moved out. Calming down, she said: “The matter must be investigated thoroughly. Yan Ruyu cannot marry Prince Yanping, nor can she marry you. She must be sent out of Chang’an, or the scandal of a brother taking his younger brother’s wife will create city-wide uproar.”

The Emperor waved his hand, signaling the palace servants to move her out. He also showed no respect to the Empress Dowager: “Mother, please take charge. I am tired and will rest now.”

The Empress Dowager, filled with stifled fury, looked grim. Supported by a palace servant, she left the Emperor’s chamber and summoned the maids who had served Yan Ruyu.

The Golden Guards launched a search and retrieved a corpse from the pond outside Qingyun Hall, but the person had been dead for some time.

The Empress Dowager was furious and ordered a thorough investigation. Then, remembering the sordid details, she called the people back and instructed: “Keep it secret. Do not let anyone know.”

After a busy half-night, just as she was mentally exhausted, a fire broke out in the palace again.

An abandoned palace hall had been vacant for a long time, rarely visited. Last night, when the Golden Guards were searching everywhere, a spark from a torch accidentally fell onto the withered grass. Due to carelessness, it quickly caused a large fire.

After hearing the report, Gu Ning frowned: “How can the Golden Guards be so careless? A spark from a torch fell, and are the Golden Guards all dead? Didn’t they see it?”

Su Ying was grinding medicine. Hearing these words, she also found it strange: “Is there some hidden motive?”

Xiao Kunning suddenly remembered that Gaoyang had gone to the back palace last night. Connecting this to the recent events, it seemed unusual. She tentatively asked: “Gaoyang did not leave when she left the banquet last night. Instead, she went to the back palace.”

Gu Ning’s mouth twitched: “That has nothing to do with us. We will pretend we don’t know and get back to our own business.”

Su Ying continued to grind the medicine. She subconsciously looked up at Xie Yu, her eyes deepening. Xie Yu was carving wood as if no one else were there. Su Ying leaned closer. As the wood began to take shape, she asked: “Where did you learn this?”

Xie Yu raised her head, glanced at her, then looked back down without speaking.

Xie Yu’s mental state was not what it once was, but her guard was still up, and she spoke even less, like a bottomless well that one could not see into with the naked eye.

She watched Xie Yu’s long, jade-like fingers resting on the brown wood, carving away the excess wood, knife by knife. The simple, ordinary movements showed a certain composure.

Despite her diminished intellect, she hadn’t said a single inappropriate word recently. This Little Xie Yu was remarkable.

Xie Yu carried too many secrets. She didn’t know it before, but now, being poisoned had given her an intellect beyond her age, revealing her difference.

Su Ying finished arranging the medicinal herbs. Xie Yu across from her smiled radiantly, captivatingly. Then Su Ying looked at Xiao Kunning, who was lost in thought, never once glancing at Xie Yu.

The flower had the intention, but the water had none.

Serves her right.

Su Ying finished organizing the herbs, called Gu Ning, and the two went to the pharmacy together. Xie Yu looked up. After they were gone, she smiled at Xiao Kunning: “Elder Sister, do you like to eat fish?”

Xiao Kunning was still thinking about Princess Gaoyang. Why would she burn down an abandoned palace hall? If she went to all that trouble to start a fire, she should have targeted the Empress Dowager’s palace.

When Xie Yu called her, she snapped out of her daze: “No, I don’t like it. Too many bones.”

Xie Yu put down her carving knife and eagerly said, “I saw a fish in the kitchen just now. We’ll have fish tonight. I’ll remove the bones for Elder Sister.”

Xiao Kunning turned around, her eyes like clear autumn water lifting up, filled with surprise: “Why are you so good to me?”

Her kindness felt a little abnormal.

Xie Yu replied: “You are good to me, so I am good to you. Isn’t that normal?”

Xiao Kunning was perplexed. When had she ever been good to Xie Yu?

With the grievances of the previous life, she wished she could strangle Xie Yu and kill her. Where did this ‘goodness’ come from?

A joke. Little Xie Yu was full of lies; she shouldn’t pay her any mind. It was still early. She needed to go back to the manor to see if Luo Shi’s illness had improved.

She sent Xie Yu to the kitchen, letting her busy herself with whatever she wanted, and instructed the shopkeeper to guard the door and not let Xie Yu run off.

She hadn’t seen Xiao Mingwang at the banquet last night, so she wondered what was happening at home. She entered the manor through the side gate. As she entered the courtyard, Helan came out of the room.

Upon seeing her mistress, whom she hadn’t seen for days, Helan immediately stepped forward to report the recent events: “That couple left. They took the thousand liang of silver the Eldest Young Miss gave them and went back to the countryside. Before they left, they signed a severance agreement, breaking off their relationship with the Young Miss. However, the Madam is still unhappy that she won’t be able to be Prince Yanping’s Princess.”

Xiao Kunning didn’t feel much joy upon hearing this. Given the bizarre events of last night, Yan Ruyu’s position as Princess was still uncertain.

For example, what were the Golden Guards doing at the abandoned palace? While there were incidents during patrols in the past, a palace only burned down yesterday. Was Princess Gaoyang involved in the background?

All were unresolved mysteries.

She ordered water for bathing. After a comfortable soak, her whole body felt much more relaxed. If Xie Yu wasn’t around, she could have comfortably slept for a while.

Coming out of the bath, she saw Xiao Wenxue sitting in the room.

Xiao Wenxue was wearing a green ruqun (top and skirt) today, looking fresh and elegant, with a gentle smile. Xiao Kunning had just emerged from the bath, her body still misty and damp, like the crystalline beauty of morning dew.

The resentment between the two had faded due to their shared bloodline. Xiao Kunning casually sat down while drying her hair: “Congratulations on your freedom. I went to the palace last night. Zhao Ji chose Yan Ruyu, but it was done unwillingly, so there will be no peace for her in the future.”

Xiao Wenxue folded her hands in front of her, her manners impeccable. Hearing the news, she smiled faintly: “It wasn’t Yan Ruyu who was chosen last night. It was the Yan family’s legitimate eldest daughter.”

Xiao Kunning paused in drying her hair, surprised: “Isn’t Yan Ruyu the Yan family’s legitimate eldest daughter?”

Xiao Wenxue smiled deeply: “It is not Yan Ruyu. She was born to a concubine and registered under Princess Jingyang’s name. Before her, there was an elder sister, and Princess Jingyang also registered Yan Xi under her name. Therefore, the Princess Consort is not Yan Ruyu, but a daughter born to a concubine who is not well-known.”

This was different from what Zhao Ji had requested last night. Zhao Ji had mentioned the Yan family’s legitimate eldest daughter, but everyone knew only Yan Ruyu was registered under the Princess’s name, holding the title of ‘legitimate.’

The sudden change meant that Yan Ruyu was useless.

Yan Ruyu was groomed by Princess Jingyang for Zhao Ji. To abandon years of careful cultivation overnight, there could only be one explanation: Yan Ruyu had an improper relationship with Zhao Mian.

Xiao Wenxue said no more. She opened a wooden box on a nearby side table, a gentle smile appearing on her lips: “I don’t have any money, so I don’t have much to thank you with. This is a sachet I embroidered; consider it my thanks to you.”

Xiao Kunning scoffed: “Mother said that a woman should not easily use a needle for needlework unless it is for the man she loves.”

Xiao Wenxue was startled. She truly had no money and felt too embarrassed to ask her mother for it. She had stayed up for several nights to embroider this. The white silk was embroidered with distant mountains and vast water, a scene that perfectly matched Xiao Kunning’s free-spirited nature.

She laughed: “When have you ever listened to Mother?”

Xiao Kunning thought the same. With this recent incident, Luo Shi (her mother) had developed a rift with Xiao Wenxue. Whether she listened or not was now entirely up to Xiao Wenxue.

She took the sachet. “You are indeed very excellent. I also want to tell you that a woman should not be confined to a single world. You should step out and see the world.”

Xiao Wenxue stood up, her figure tall and graceful, like a fluttering butterfly, flawless. She changed the subject: “That’s fine. However, Father intends to discuss a marriage proposal for you and me. We should settle it quickly while he is still in the Ministry of Revenue.”

Xiao Kunning paid no attention. She glanced down at her waist, which was empty, and casually tied the sachet there: “I will not marry. If you want to marry, you marry yourself.”

Xiao Wenxue smiled, but looking up, she saw a maidservant hurrying into the courtyard.

As soon as the maid reached the porch, she called out: “Young Miss, Princess Gaoyang has arrived and wishes to invite you out to play!”