My Love Rivals Have All Reborn - Chapter 29

Princess Gaoyang—who was she? She acted without restraint, doing as she pleased and never adhering to rules.

Xie Yu followed rules to the letter, Jingyang followed them by half, but Gaoyang barely followed any at all.

Xiao Kunning could hardly believe that Gaoyang would come looking for trouble with her after turning the palace upside down last night. Was this woman not clever, or was she seeking her out not for fun, but with some other motive?

Xiao Wenxue tightly furrowed her brows upon hearing the news and kindly reminded Xiao Kunning: “Princess Gaoyang has a strong appetite for women. You should be cautious.”

There were many instances of women loving women in Chang’an. Since the reign of Emperor Gaozong, women had been permitted to marry women, which was officially recognized by the court, but a formal marriage was required. Princess Gaoyang was not a woman who seemed interested in proper marriage. To associate with her would not only waste time but also ruin one’s reputation.

Xiao Kunning had just returned. Xiao Wenxue tried to find a way: “Why don’t you leave through the back door, pretending you never came back? I will handle her.”

Xiao Kunning did not refuse. She was indeed anxious to rush back to Moxiang Pavilion. She thanked her briefly and left again, secretly avoiding her parents.

In the front hall, Xiao Mingwang was speaking with Gaoyang in a humble tone, but Gaoyang barely wanted to engage with him. What was there to say to a boring old man? She would rather be by herself.

After waiting for the time it took to drink two cups of tea, the maidservant outside announced: “The Eldest Young Miss has arrived.”

The Xiao family had two daughters. The eldest was gentle, talented, modest, and warm; the youngest was rough, willful, and a rare beauty that could topple cities.

When Gaoyang heard that Xiao Wenxue had arrived, a playful smile appeared on her lips. Beauty was a great attraction for her. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to see a beautiful woman every day?

Xiao Wenxue was right at the door, walking in. Her figure was slender but very upright, her demeanor warm. She walked in from the light, the radiance around her fading with her delicate steps, her bearing graceful and elegant.

Step by step, she walked into the room, like a white lotus flower from the south of the river—untouched by dust, her gentle grace ingrained in her bones.

Gaoyang sat up straight, openly scrutinizing her. Her slender fingers tapped the cup. A woman’s body was an excellent mask; beauty was deceptive and would gradually become the greatest fatal temptation.

But she was only interested in Xiao Kunning. If she could use one person to attract two, it was the simplest route. She looked at the person standing still: “Eldest Young Miss Xiao is very beautiful, but you are still not as good as your sister.”

Xiao Wenxue smiled lightly, meeting her gaze: “Your Highness does not need to compare the two of us. My sister and I are of one heart. Whoever is beautiful, the surname remains Xiao.”

The indifferent words piqued Gaoyang’s interest; it was very intriguing.

The true and false daughters could actually coexist harmoniously. They truly were an example for the age. She smiled: “I want to see your sister because she was with me last night. I left a personal item with her and wanted to ask for it back in person. I was afraid she would think me stingy, so I could only use the pretense of wanting to play.”

Xiao Mingwang could not sit still and nearly slid off his stool. Xiao Wenxue spoke first: “Your Highness is joking. Anning returned home at two ke after Haishi (around 9:30 PM) last night after attending the banquet. How could she have been with you? Anning is mischievous. Perhaps she offended you somewhere. I hope you will be forgiving and not joke about her reputation.”

Just now, Anning was shocked when she heard Princess Gaoyang’s name, neither joyful nor calm. This indicated they were strangers and could not have spent the entire night together.

Gaoyang across from her laughed. Minister Xiao might be muddled, but his two daughters were smart and sensible, and reacted quickly. She immediately smiled: “Why are you nervous? I just happen to like your sister, genuinely like her. She is very beautiful and possesses a detachment that girls in Chang’an do not have.”

Xiao Mingwang’s face went white. Being liked by others was not a big deal, but being liked by Princess Gaoyang was definitely not a good thing. He quickly calmed himself: “Does the Princess have some misunderstanding? My young daughter rarely leaves the house. How could the two of you know each other?”

Gaoyang toyed with the white porcelain teacup in her hand, her eyes scrutinizing: “I have seen her several times without realizing it. She is always following Xie Yu. It’s hard not to notice. Minister Xiao, don’t be nervous. I’m just talking. Isn’t it a good thing for a young lady to be appealing?”

It was a good thing, indeed, but being liked by you, Gaoyang, was not. Xiao Mingwang was practically gasping for breath. Meeting such a difficult person gave him a headache. He had to make himself clear and immediately explained: “You are overthinking. My young daughter has been frequently associating with County Princess Shen.”

Hearing this, Gaoyang showed surprise. Xiao Wenxue was getting a headache. What kind of father would say his daughter was frequently associating with someone else? While it drove Princess Gaoyang away, it also sullied her own reputation. Killing a thousand enemies, but losing eight hundred of your own.

Gaoyang put down the teacup. Her peripheral vision caught Xiao Wenxue’s anxious look, which she found amusing. The relationship between the two Xiao sisters was not bad. Zhao Xiran’s words were also incorrect. Ignoring Xiao Wenxue for now, she needed to understand the relationship between Xiao Kunning and Shen Rui. She brazenly asked Xiao Mingwang: “Has a betrothal been made, or has a marriage contract been signed?”

Xiao Mingwang was not afraid of Gaoyang misunderstanding. He spoke frankly: “Neither. But I ask the Princess to be careful with your words. The word ‘like’ must not be spoken again.”

It was terrifying.

Gaoyang found it interesting: “If you don’t make it clear, I will go to the Emperor tomorrow and ask him to bestow a marriage between me and the Second Miss Xiao.”

Xiao Mingwang almost fainted upon hearing this. Princess Gaoyang was over thirty, while Anning was only eighteen. The age difference was vast. Wouldn’t this make them a laughing stock?

Since reasoning was futile with Gaoyang, he had to state clearly: “Marriage requires mutual affection. You cannot force it. You know that you and my daughter are not suitable.”

Xiao Wenxue saw that the two were speaking without paying attention to her. She quietly retreated, ordering a maidservant to inform Xiao Kunning that Princess Gaoyang wanted to marry her.

The maidservant told Helan, who was so frightened she couldn’t stay put and personally rushed to Moxiang Pavilion to deliver the news.

In the pavilion, Xie Yu had been busy in the kitchen all afternoon and was exhausted. After leaving the remaining tasks to the cook, she wanted to return to her room to rest.

As soon as she entered the courtyard, she saw a woman hurriedly knocking on Xiao Kunning’s door, looking anxious and constantly banging on the door, but there was no movement inside.

It was clear that Elder Sister Xiao had not returned. Xie Yu kindly approached to inform her: “She hasn’t returned.”

Helan did not recognize Xie Yu. She saw the woman’s freshness, but her expression and appearance seemed contradictory, as if veiled in a layer of mist—real yet wrapped in a hazy beauty.

She cautiously sized her up for a few moments, then quickly composed herself: “And you are?”

Xie Yu was not one to be easily fooled. She would not casually reveal her name. Instead, she looked earnestly at the other person: “And who are you?”

Observing her appearance and attire, Helan dared not be presumptuous. She calmly replied: “I am a maidservant from the Xiao Residence, here to find our Young Miss.”

Oh, a person from the Xiao family. Xie Yu understood. She pointed to a stone stool in the courtyard: “You can wait here.”

Helan had no choice. She bowed in thanks and then sat down to wait.

The sun began to set. The lingering glow of the sunset softly illuminated the courtyard. Su Ying walked in, stepping through the light, followed closely by Gu Ning.

The two were holding hands. Gu Ning considerately carried the medicine chest. Suddenly seeing Helan, she immediately recognized her as Xiao Kunning’s maidservant and went over to ask what was wrong.

Helan refused to speak. Moxiang Pavilion and Hengxiang Pavilion had always been at odds. How could she reveal her family’s secrets? She clenched her teeth and remained silent.

Gu Ning, seeing her reluctance to speak, couldn’t be bothered to pry and nudged Xie Yu to handle it.

It was related to her sweetheart, so she should deal with it.

Xie Yu was thinking about the chicken soup in the kitchen, wondering if the cook remembered it, as the time was approaching. Since it concerned Elder Sister Xiao, she had to ask clearly: “Tell me what’s wrong first. My surname is Xie.”

Surname Xie? Helan jolted and stood up from the stool, boldly scrutinizing the slightly childish-looking woman in front of her. How many people with the surname Xie did her Young Miss know?

Other than Grand Tutor Xie Yu, there was no second person.

She quickly bowed: “This servant has poor eyesight and has been disrespectful to you. Princess Gaoyang came to the manor and said she wants to marry my Young Miss.”

Leaving the Xiao Residence, Xiao Kunning saw that it was still early and ordered the coachman to detour to the Prince of Zhennan’s manor.

The manor was much quieter after the Prince of Zhennan’s death. A pair of white lanterns hung over the main gate. The autumn air swept through, making the atmosphere mournful and desolate.

Xiao Kunning got out of the carriage and knocked on the manor gate. Moments later, the heavy gate slowly opened. A person peeked out and, seeing her, quickly opened the door: “It is Miss Xiao! Please come in quickly.”

The Prince of Zhennan’s manor gate was forever open to Xiao Kunning.

Xiao Kunning lifted her skirt and stepped inside. The steward immediately rushed over: “I was wondering who it was. It is Miss Xiao. The County Princess was still thinking of you when she left and left some things for you. She instructed me to deliver them to you if you ever ran into trouble. Since you have come, it saves me a trip.”

Shen Rui was considerate, a rarity in the world.

The steward led her into the flower hall. Within moments, a maidservant brought over a small box.

Xiao Kunning did not know what it was. She wanted to open it but dared not. Shen Rui’s affection was so fervent; she did not feel worthy to touch or contaminate it. Shen Rui in this life was different from the previous one. Without the unwarranted charges, she would still be filled with patriotic passion, guarding the border for Great Zhou and resisting the invaders.

The steward saw her hesitation and, with a look of distress, proactively said: “Please open it first. If you want it, take it with you.”

Xiao Kunning remembered the steward’s words, ‘If you have trouble, instruct me to send the item to you.’ This was Shen Rui’s life-saving item for her. That made her even less qualified to take it.

Her outstretched hand paused in mid-air. She smiled softly: “I came to ask about the border issue. How did the Prince of Zhennan die in battle, and what is the court’s disposition?”

The steward’s smile faded, replaced by bitterness: “To be honest, that defense wall had been exposed to the wind and sun for years and was already falling apart. The Prince repeatedly submitted memorials requesting funds for its repair. The late Emperor intended to allocate the money but was delayed by a sudden illness. When it reached the current Emperor, he rejected it, saying there had been no war for years, so there was no need to rush. Some time ago, the enemy took advantage of the situation and attacked. The city wall collapsed. You must know how perilous that was. The Prince was severely wounded, and the shock and grief were too much. He passed away just like that.”

These events did not happen in the previous life. As for the city wall, she heard about it later when Minister Yan mentioned it. In the end, the money was allocated but never reached the frontier soldiers.

It was a massive corruption case, top-down, from Chang’an to the border, implicating tens of thousands of people. Xie Yu investigated it thoroughly and executed over a thousand people. Zhao Ji was indecisive and overly reliant on Minister Yan. He originally intended to minimize the matter, even ordering Xie Yu to stop the investigation.

Xie Yu had always been gentle, but that time she defied the imperial decree. She not only confiscated and exterminated the Yan family but also arrested Minister Yan, locked him in an iron cage, and placed him outside the palace gate for officials to view as they entered and exited the court.

It was around that time that Zhao Ji’s health began to decline. Once the Yan family was destroyed, the court prioritized Xie Yu, and with the Emperor falling ill, the political center began to shift.

At that time, she still did not know it, and Xie Yu’s fangs had not been fully revealed. After Zhao Ji died, she became unrestrained, uprooting even the collateral branches of the Yan clan and sparing none of the Zhao Imperial Clan. Helpless, she turned her attention to the vassal kings, but the moment the decree was issued, the chosen crown prince died.

How could she dare choose again? One chosen, one died. Even the final choice came to naught.

Thinking about it now, the collapse of the city wall might change the fate of the Yan family. She wondered how Xie Yu would fight with the Yan family now.

But the matter of the Prince of Zhennan’s manor still needed investigation. She suddenly thought of Wen Yukei. Minister Wen should not have come to Chang’an yet. Thinking about him was useless.

She asked about the progress: “How is the court handling it, and has the heir apparent returned?”

At the mention of the heir apparent, the steward looked bitter: “This is the most vicious thing. The Prince defended the border all his life and did not dare return even after the Princess Consort passed away. Now that he has died, he is still not permitted to return for burial with her.”

Xiao Kunning felt a pang in her heart. Shen Rui also hated Zhao Mian’s cold-heartedness. If the Prince and Princess Consort could be buried together, perhaps she could feel some comfort.

No one in the court spoke up; she needed to find another way.

She did not accept the box. She did not deserve it.

When she left the manor, the sun was setting. Pedestrians hurried along the streets, and the air was thick with the dust of the road.

On the way back, she kept thinking about how to change Zhao Mian’s mind. The Prince of Zhennan had spent his life in the military and should not have met such an end.

The carriage stopped at the entrance of Moxiang Pavilion. The shopkeeper came out to greet her and said: “Someone from your manor came. Mr. Xie received them. They couldn’t wait for you to return and rushed back, seemingly about a major matter.”

A major matter? Xiao Kunning was not worried. What major matter could there be? Luo Shi was ill, so the manor must be quiet, unless Xiao Mingwang was implicated and lost his official position due to Xiao Wenxue’s incident.

Such a major matter had little to do with her.

It must be related to Princess Gaoyang.

Judging from the banquet last night, this Princess Gaoyang was too adept at causing trouble. Compared to her capabilities, Luo Shi was nothing.

Xie Yu carried the chicken soup out of the kitchen. As soon as she entered the courtyard, Gu Ning snatched it, making her angry, chasing Gu Ning all around the courtyard.

Gu Ning never imagined Xie Yu would chase her for ten laps over a bowl of chicken soup. All that talk about being weak and sickly was a lie.

When Xiao Kunning entered the courtyard, Xie Yu stopped, quickly ran up to her, her face flushed, a pitiful look hidden in her eyes: “Elder Sister, did someone try to steal you for marriage?”

Xiao Kunning: “…” What did she miss?

Gu Ning carried the chicken soup and walked into the room. Whether Xie Yu’s mind was clear or muddled, she only had Xiao Kunning in her head, and the chicken soup was reserved for her wife.

Xie Yu stood straight, her hands clasped in front of her waist. She hesitated briefly, then lowered her voice: “Your family said Princess Gaoyang wants to marry you. Do you like her? If you don’t, then it’s a marriage snatch.”

She always felt that Princess Gaoyang seemed somewhat old and unsuitable for Elder Sister Xiao. Doctor Su said this was called ‘an old cow eating young grass.’

Xiao Kunning finally understood what was happening and felt a little awkward: “It’s nothing. Don’t listen to her. Nothing will happen.”

The relationship between Princess Gaoyang and Zhao Xiran was complicated. Judging by that outrageously flamboyant carriage, there must be some ambiguity between them.

She hadn’t said a word to Zhao Xiran the last time they met, so she probably wasn’t interested in Gaoyang. Gaoyang must be taking revenge on her personally.

Xie Yu refused to give up. The cold wind blew on her face. Her eyes flickered, showing a sharp, cold light: “Elder Sister doesn’t care? Then if she forces you, what should you do?”

Xiao Kunning wasn’t in the mood for this. Princess Gaoyang liked her foster mother; she wouldn’t actually marry her daughter. Besides, she was twelve years younger. Luo Shi would never agree, even if she died. There was no need to offend Gaoyang. It was better to let Luo Shi refuse.

Luo Shi was only in her thirties, while Gaoyang was already thirty. With only a few years difference, Luo Shi would surely be disgusted at the thought.

“She won’t. My parents will refuse. But as for you, why are you chasing Proprietor Gu?”

“Proprietor Gu?” Xie Yu realized belatedly. She turned to look, but Gu Ning was already gone. She stomped her foot: “My chicken soup!”

Xiao Kunning smiled. Little Xie Yu was so amusing, much more fun than Xie Yu. She watched Xie Yu go to knock on the door, desperately banging on the room door: “Gu Ning, give me back my chicken soup! Give me back my chicken soup!”

Seeing Xie Yu’s childish actions, a question suddenly came to mind: Would Xie Yu remember these foolish things when she recovered?

Xie Yu hardly ever went to the kitchen. Even if she did, it was just a plate of pastries for herself.

Little Xie Yu could roll up her sleeves and spend an afternoon in the kitchen, cooking a full table of dishes. She could desperately chase Gu Ning for a bowl of chicken soup.

Foolish, not clever, but she knew how to please people.

She was a good child, so how did she go wrong later?

Xie Yu stewed a pot of chicken soup in the kitchen, taking out the best bowl and specially saving it for Xiao Kunning.

She never dreamed that Gu Ning would shamelessly steal it.

She stole it and didn’t drink it herself; she gave it to her wife.

Xie Yu angrily kicked open the room door and almost got into a fight with Gu Ning.

Finally, Xiao Kunning separated the two. The chicken soup was already gone, so fighting was useless. But Xie Yu, rolling up her sleeves to fight, was very cute. Xiao Kunning couldn’t resist stroking her head a few times.

During dinner, Xie Yu still glared fiercely at Gu Ning. Whenever Gu Ning picked up a dish, Xie Yu stared intently.

Gu Ning acted as if nothing unpleasant had happened. She took a sip of the delicious chicken soup and told Xiao Kunning an interesting anecdote: “Yan Ruyu’s position as Princess Consort was given to the Yan family’s concubine-born daughter. Do you know why?”

The conversation turned to the main point. Xie Yu was still pouting angrily. To appease her, Xiao Kunning placed a piece of fish on her plate. Finding a moment, she asked Gu Ning: “Why?”

Gu Ning raised an eyebrow, triumphantly saying: “Because… the elder brother took his younger brother’s wife.”

Xiao Kunning was stunned: “Did the Emperor do it, or did someone try to drive a wedge between them?”

Gu Ning scoffed: “The Emperor’s conduct is inherently poor. Besides, would he pass up an opportunity like that to drive a wedge between his brother and the Yan family? In any case, he saw the woman’s body but refused to take her. It’s a shame about that beautiful face. What a pity, what a pity.”

Such blatant sarcasm was typical of Gu Ning.

Looking at Xie Yu again, the two were quite similar—wolves in sheep’s clothing. But ultimately, as Emperor, Zhao Mian was only overly suspicious, not fundamentally wrong. Conversely, Zhao Ji’s personality was too weak, and even if he were forced onto the throne, he might not achieve much.

In the previous life, he fought with Xie Yu over the Yan family affair. He was the Emperor, but in the end, he compromised with Xie Yu.

She was more concerned about one thing and looked at Gu Ning with a question: “If the Emperor doesn’t want Yan Ruyu, will Princess Jingyang drop the matter?”

Gu Ning said: “With such a disgusting incident, the positions of the Emperor and the Yan family have completely reversed. Before, the Emperor was interested in bringing Yan Ruyu into the palace, but Princess Jingyang looked down on him. And now? Even if Jingyang begs him, he still won’t take her. That’s how much of a slap in the face it is.”

She imagined Yan Ruyu being severely humiliated: You looked down on me before, and now you beg me, but I still don’t want you.

This meant Yan Ruyu definitely couldn’t stay. Since Zhao Mian didn’t want her, she could only wait to die alone, or perhaps be sent out of Chang’an to avoid suspicion.

Xiao Kunning finally let out a sigh of relief. Su Ying, however, said: “When I took her pulse today, Xie Yu’s pulse was much better than a few days ago. The medicine is working well. I believe she will recover in a few days.”

She would recover in less than a month.

Gu Ning lost interest: “Whether she is awake or foolish makes no difference to me. But Miss Xiao, you can relax a bit. When she wakes up, remember to ask her for money. She is quite wealthy.”

Xiao Kunning did not respond. Knowing about the Emperor and the Yan family did not make her feel relaxed. As for Xie Yu, recovery was fine. It saved her from constantly pestering her.

After dinner, Moxiang Pavilion returned to quiet.

Xie Yu sat at the table carving wood, her head bowed. Her face was exquisite like a painting. Her slender index finger pressed against a section of wood, her fingertip white. The carving knife was steady, just like the measured composure of Grand Tutor Xie in the past.

Xiao Kunning rested her chin on her hand, gazing at her. Xie Yu in the previous life was aloof, inspiring awe. After rebirth, she realized that her former obsession with Xie Yu might not have been love, but perhaps envy and reverence. Otherwise, how could she stop liking her so easily? Her greatest love was always power.

Now that she understood, while power was good, her own life was more important.

Before going to sleep, the wood had been roughly carved into the outline of a girl’s face.

Xie Yu, at such a ‘young age,’ already had budding romantic interest and improper thoughts.

Xiao Kunning rolled her eyes. She never expected that Xie Yu, who died alone in her previous life, already liked other girls when she was young. Tsk, tsk, tsk, she was really good at pretending.

And she kept up the pretense for so many years.

Xie Yu did not sleep. She wanted to carve out the face shape and worked hard late into the night. It was evident how deeply she cared now. She occasionally looked back at the person on the bed, and at a crucial moment in the carving, she ran to the bedside and stared at Xiao Kunning’s face.

Xiao Kunning’s face shape was very different from before. A woman’s face changes drastically as she grows up.

After midnight, she put the carving knife and the wooden figure into a box and lay down on the outer side of the bed.

The autumn night was cold. When she lay down, the quilt was cool. It was quite cold to lie in.

As she lay there, she found that the inner side of the bed was warmer. She moved the quilt inward and moved her body inward as well, pressing close to Xiao Kunning.

It was so comfortable.

Feeling the warmth surrounding her, Xie Yu closed her eyes and fell asleep.

Moxiang Pavilion opened late, while Hengxiang Pavilion across the street welcomed guests early. Comparing the two, Zhao Xiran was displeased.

Upon arriving in the capital, seeing such a lackluster scene made her uncomfortable. She ordered someone to knock on the door of Moxiang Pavilion.

Seeing the Second Proprietor Zhao abruptly, the shopkeeper was practically overjoyed, enthusiastically welcoming her in: “Why have you come? Miss Xiao has been living here for quite some time, along with a Miss Xie, who seems a bit absent-minded.”

The polite way of saying ‘absent-minded’ was ‘a fool.’

Zhao Xiran was dusty from her journey. She had rushed here immediately after receiving Xiao Kunning’s letter. Gaoyang’s ability to cause trouble surpassed that of all the “green tea bi**hes.”

A simple girl like Xiao Kunning was no match for her.

“Surname Xie? Is she quite good-looking?”

The shopkeeper led her toward the courtyard, answering as he walked: “Miss Xie is not only good-looking but also an excellent cook, and she goes in and out with Miss Xiao.”

“Goes in and out together?” Zhao Xiran stopped abruptly. Good-looking and surnamed Xie.

Who else could it be but Xie Yu?