My Love Rivals Have All Reborn - Chapter 32.1

Yan Lin  had seen many beauties. His own elder sister, Yan Ruyu, possessed a rare beauty, but the young woman he first met was even more beautiful than his sister.

Perhaps due to Xie Yu’s  presence, Xiao Kunning  was glamorous yet carried a hint of gentleness. Her radiant face was as pure as a fresh lotus, her prettiness enhanced by brightness. The morning sun rising in the east offered the most glorious light.

Although Yan Lin felt amazed, he still maintained some composure. Xie Yu’s people were not to be casually provoked. He chuckled, “Teacher Xie worries too much. A graceful lady is a gentleman’s fair pursuit. A young lady’s beauty is meant for appreciation; unappreciated, it loses its charm. I apologize for my suddenness, please forgive me.”

His words sounded pleasant, but his eyes were fixed on her. Xie Yu was angered, saying, “How dare you even think of appreciating her?”

Xiao Kunning frowned and subconsciously tugged at Xie Yu’s sleeve, signaling her not to speak carelessly.

Yan Lin saw this and took it as a sign of affection towards him, sneering inwardly. Sure enough, a woman will yield if you give her a little face. He had urgent business and wasn’t in a hurry today. With the Yan family’s prestige in Chang’an, acquiring such a woman would not be difficult.

Facing Xie Yu, he offered a smiling apology. Seeing the two were alone, he became even more fearless. “Teacher is joking. I will come and apologize properly after I deal with the matter of the fraudulent merchant.” He then raised his chin and commanded, “Take Proprietor Gu to the Jingzhao Office. We shall settle this matter there.”

Xiao Kunning immediately felt things were wrong. Merchants couldn’t compete with officials. Proprietor Gu Ning  would only suffer if taken to the Jingzhao Office. She pulled at Xie Yu’s sleeve. Xie Yu snapped back to attention and sternly rebuked, “Audacious!”

Masking her inner childishness, Xie Yu’s voice carried authority. The Yan Mansion guards stopped and looked towards Yan Lin. Xie Yu was the Grand Tutor, the Emperor’s favorite. Who would dare oppose her?

Yan Lin was momentarily stunned by her presence, halting his actions. Xiao Kunning then tilted her chin towards Gu Ning. Gu Ning understood and said, “Teacher Xie is unaware, but I have a written proof here. Young Master Yan sold it to me himself. I was not trying to forcibly buy it.”

Hearing “written proof,” Yan Lin panicked. Without delay, he yelled at the guards, “What are you standing around for? Take him away!”

The four or five clerks inside the Hengxiang Pavilion were constantly swinging wooden sticks. Under the guards’ offensive, they were slowly forced back, cornered in a retreat. Gu Ning shouted for help. Xie Yu was annoyed. These people are bullying him. She turned to look at Elder Sister Xiao. Thankfully, she’s alright. Elder Sister is safe.

Xie Yu stood still for a moment, seemingly in thought, but slowly moved towards Xiao Kunning. Her hand waved inside her sleeve, then suddenly grabbed her sister’s hand. “Should we run?” If you can’t beat them, run.

Gu Ning was shouting for help inside. Xie Yu was indifferent, only concerned with Xiao Kunning’s safety.

Xiao Kunning was tightly furrowing her brow. Xie Yu’s hand was very cold, just like it was in her previous life, utterly devoid of warmth. She wanted to shake it off, but upon looking up, she saw the shimmering radiance in Xie Yu’s eyes, which held purity and innocence—a stark contrast to the cold, caustic person she was in the previous life. She was inexplicably dazed. Who exactly was standing in front of her?

The interior was a mess. Yan Lin hadn’t expected Xie Yu to interfere. He only wanted to send the man to the Jingzhao Office and secretly execute him. His peripheral vision caught the silent Xie Yu, and he secretly calmed himself.

An elegant figure appeared at the doorway at some unknown point, having stood there for some time, like a spectator watching a street show. She clapped her hands and cheered, “The prestige of the Yan family in court truly opens my eyes!”

Yan Lin was suddenly startled. Seeing the annoying face of Princess Gaoyang, he felt an inexplicable hatred. He clenched his fist and said, “This is a matter for my Yan family. Princess Gaoyang seems to be interfering too much. I am merely sending the man to the Jingzhao Office.”

Gaoyang was in a relaxed posture, her eyes looking sleepy. Her every movement was slow, as if she were utterly nonchalant. She covered her face and said, “Going to the Jingzhao Office, you say? Not bad. Why don’t you and I go there and have a look? I have nothing to do and can listen to the excitement.”

Yan Lin had encountered a thorny person. His face turned livid. “Princess, you are meddling in others’ affairs.”

Gaoyang slowly walked towards Xie Yu, her gaze leisurely falling upon Xiao Kunning’s radiant face. The hand covering her own face swayed in the air, slowly reaching out. Just as it was about to touch the tender cheek, a pale hand slapped it away. “Your Highness, please mind your demeanor.”

The beauty flew away.

Gaoyang was displeased. Xiao Kunning lowered her head and said, “I know everything about your matter with my mother.”

Gaoyang couldn’t remain composed. She felt inexplicably embarrassed. Can Xiao Kunning not speak properly? Doesn’t she know tact? What kind of daughter did Zhao Xiran raise? She has no sense of propriety!

Boring.

Gaoyang turned and walked away, calling out to Yan Lin, “Aren’t you going to the Jingzhao Office? Why are you standing there stunned? Am I waiting here to watch a play?”

“You…” Yan Lin was mortified and choked up. Faced with the aggressive and unreasonable Princess, he couldn’t find a way to deal with her. Gaoyang was an expert at causing trouble; how could he fight her?

Xie Yu, who had been silent for a long time, seemed to awaken from a dream and seized the opportunity. “Instead of causing a ruckus here, why not go to the Jingzhao Office to resolve the matter?”

Yan Lin was furious. What kind of people are these? A dignified Grand Tutor speaks one sentence after half a day. What a chaotic scene! He decided he wouldn’t go today.

Gaoyang was forceful. She waved her hand, and many people rushed in from outside. Unlike the Yan family guards, they were armed with swords. With one command, they drew their blades, ready to fight.

An expression almost bordering on cruelty appeared on Yan Lin’s face. “Princess Gaoyang, you go too far!”

Gaoyang smiled faintly. “I am merely learning from your legitimate mother. Back then, my Elder Sister, Princess Leyang, was already betrothed to Minister Yan. It was she who was shameless, seduced Minister Yan, and framed Princess Leyang, resulting in her death and that of her unborn child. What I am doing now is nothing.”

The sudden mention of the events from years ago shocked Xiao Kunning. This was almost exactly the same as Zhao Can’s  account.

The commoners outside the Hengxiang Pavilion were also stunned. As mere spectators looking for excitement, they became even more thrilled, vying to crowd inside.

Yan Lin was dumbfounded. Why the hell are you bringing this up to me?

Xie Yu’s eyelashes trembled. She subconsciously tightened her grip on Xiao Kunning’s hand, her lips slightly pressed together.

Princess Gaoyang walked up to Yan Lin. “Speak up! If you won’t speak, we will go to the Jingzhao Office to settle the case.”

Yan Lin clenched his jaw and remained silent. Meanwhile, Gu Ning, having been freed, immediately rushed forward, bowed to Princess Gaoyang, and said, “Gu Ning thanks Your Highness for upholding justice. Since we are going to the Jingzhao Office, Hengxiang Pavilion has reason on its side and naturally has nothing to fear.”

Gaoyang glanced at him contemptuously, a hint of obvious smugness and arrogance in her demeanor. She approached Xie Yu again. “Grand Tutor Xie, would you like to come along?”

Xie Yu was expressionless, curtly refusing. “No.”

The beauty is beautiful but a block of wood, like holding a portrait of a beauty. It’s uninteresting. Gaoyang was rebuffed again, her expression almost completely breaking. Xie Yu truly was a hard nut to crack. One day, she would surely chop this bone into bone fragments.

Yan Lin refused to leave and was escorted away with a sword held to his neck. The Hengxiang Pavilion was a mess. The clerks, fearing retaliation from the Yan family, immediately closed the doors.

The guards in front of the shop left. After a while, the commoners also dispersed. Xiao Kunning and Xie Yu walked together into the Moxiang Study. Zhao Xiran was calmly sipping tea, beaming. “The Moxiang Study’s business has hope now.”

After this incident, the Hengxiang Pavilion’s credibility had severely dropped. The store had been heavily damaged, and it would take some time to recover. It wouldn’t be difficult for the Moxiang Study to catch up in the meantime.

Xiao Kunning was accustomed to this. An antagonist in the same industry was not at fault. Only Xie Yu grumbled a few words, seemingly dissatisfied.

Facing a person who had lost her mind, Zhao Xiran didn’t want to speak to her. Dazed and foolish, the former Grand Tutor Xie was preferable, at least she was hateful.

The door opposite hadn’t been closed for long when Su Ying  rushed over. Xiao Kunning personally went out to greet her. Xie Yu lifted her foot to follow.

Before stepping over the threshold, she was called back by Zhao Xiran. “Little Xie, I have something to say to you.”

Xie Yu had one foot out but pulled it back. “What is Little Xie?”

“Little Xie is you, this big living person.” Zhao Xiran felt their conversation was going nowhere. She walked over, grabbed the person, and the two went to the back courtyard.

The matter had caused such a big commotion. Su Ying rushed over as soon as she received the news, her heart extremely anxious, her face even turning pale. Xiao Kunning led her into the Moxiang Study and explained the situation.

“Princess Gaoyang has a grudge against the Yan family. With her presence, Proprietor Gu won’t suffer a loss. You shouldn’t go there. I have already sent people to investigate the situation. At worst, Teacher Xie is still here and won’t let you suffer a loss.”

The reasoning was sound, but Su Ying remained uneasy. Her hands were clasped together. She looked at the tightly shut door of Hengxiang Pavilion. After a long while, she still felt it was inappropriate and said, “I’ll go to the Xie Manor. Teacher Xie’s people will surely handle things properly.”

Even though Xie Yu was not here, her mansion would still have capable people. Putting hope entirely on Gaoyang was too precarious.

Xiao Kunning didn’t stop her. She personally escorted her to the carriage, adding, “If the Xie Manor refuses to help, come back, and I will go to my own father.” Su Ying’s kindness and thoughtfulness had been branded onto her heart during these few short days.

The coachman cracked his whip, and the horse sped away, quickly disappearing at the end of the street.

After all that commotion, it was already noon. Xiao Kunning was famished. When she returned to the back courtyard, she suddenly saw two people sitting in the courtyard. Zhao Xiran and Xie Yu were sitting opposite each other. Xie Yu was sitting upright, her posture solemn, while Zhao Xiran was sprawling lazily, almost lying down.

Getting closer, one could see Xie Yu’s indignant expression. Although she wasn’t speaking, her expression clearly showed her discontent.

Zhao Xiran stopped talking when she saw someone approaching and said to Xie Yu, “Hurry up and move out. Stay away from her. I don’t like you, and she doesn’t like you either.”

It wasn’t a major issue, so Xiao Kunning didn’t pay it much mind, only saying, “It’s time for lunch. Mother, will you eat here or go out?”

Zhao Xiran waved her hand. She was tired from last night and had originally planned to come back to catch up on sleep. Who knew she would encounter such an incident? Since coming to Chang’an, many people had invited her to dinner. Business gatherings meant many banquets, which were unavoidable.

Xiao Kunning habitually reached out to hold Xie Yu’s hand, saying, “The cook hasn’t prepared lunch yet. Let’s eat out. You can have whatever you want.”

Xie Yu didn’t speak, silently following her out the door.

It was close to noon. The taverns were crowded, and with all the commotion, the business of the nearby taverns was exceptionally booming. The two still found a tavern with fewer people.

As soon as they stepped inside, they heard discussions: “The new Jingzhao Official, Official Wen, is a hard nut to crack. Don’t let her being a woman fool you; she’s incredibly tough. Since taking office, she’s handled several major cases with great skill and a steady mind. This matter falling into her hands will be interesting to watch.”

Official Wen, don’t let her being a woman fool you… Xiao Kunning felt a shock like thunder when she heard the three words ‘Official Wen.’

Taverns were places where all kinds of people, from high officials and nobles to street beggars, mixed. It was the best place to get news of the city.

The two stepped inside the entrance. The waiter enthusiastically came to greet them. “Welcome, both of you. Upstairs, please.”

Xiao Kunning snapped back to attention and pretended to ask casually, “Who is the Official Wen they are talking about?”

The waiter enthusiastically replied, “It’s Official Wen Yuke, who recently took office. I heard she was transferred from Luoyang after handling a major case. She is a good official. Some people even compare her to Grand Tutor Xie; Official Wen’s ability is also quite remarkable.”

Comparing her to Xie Yu? Xiao Kunning forced a smile. “What major case did she handle?”

“The Luoyang Prefect forcibly bought and sold fertile land, buying it from the common people at a low price and then selling it to merchants at a high price a few days later. I heard the difference was substantial, causing the common people to complain bitterly and the merchants to feel helpless but angry. Official Wen went directly to investigate the case. I heard the process was quite difficult.”

The explanation was simple, but the hardship involved was undoubtedly untold. Xiao Kunning didn’t ask further and went upstairs with Xie Yu.

The second floor had more private rooms, but fewer people, making it less lively than downstairs. This was especially good for overhearing discussions. Xie Yu didn’t say a word from beginning to end, quietly drinking tea and eating. Xiao Kunning was distracted, listlessly picking at the rice in her bowl. The sounds from downstairs drifted up, still discussing the Yan family matter.

Someone shouted, “The eldest Young Master Yan is the son of the concubine. He’s fundamentally incompetent. He sold an antique guqin worth tens of thousands of silver for only a thousand taels. He’s simply ignorant.”

“That’s not right. I heard Proprietor Gu tricked him.”

“Tricked him? If Young Master Yan himself didn’t lack discerning knowledge, there wouldn’t even be talk of trickery. I heard it was sold more than half a year ago. Who would acknowledge the debt coming back to settle accounts now?”

Xiao Kunning scoffed. Yan Lin was always a blockhead. He was clever and sharp when he was young and was taken under Jingyang’s  name. Although Minister Yan sent him to study under the esteemed old gentleman Zhou, what exactly he learned was unknown. Compared to Xie Yu, who shared the same mentor, the difference was enormous.

Downstairs was extremely lively, with constant laughter and chatter. Even Xie Yu couldn’t sit still and put down her bowls and chopsticks to go look. Xiao Kunning followed her. The two stood on the stairs, side by side. A scholar downstairs stood up and said, “You all said that with this matter falling into Official Wen’s hands, I think Proprietor Gu will win the lawsuit. Who would dare to forcibly buy and sell in front of Young Master Yan? I think the Yan family will definitely suffer a loss this time, especially with the righteous Princess Gaoyang involved.”

Xie Yu looked at the uninhibited scholar. He wore a gray robe, his eyes high and low. The word ‘uninhibited’ was used incorrectly; he was just a ruffian in a long robe. “Elder Sister, don’t you find that scholar strange? He is dressed like a scholar and puts on an air, but his every move is odd. Look at his leg resting on the bench leg. Have you ever seen such an undisciplined scholar?”

The moment she finished speaking, the scholar spoke again, “I heard that Minister Yan married two Princesses back-to-back. He first sought to marry Princess Leyang, but after