My Love Rivals Have All Reborn - Chapter 32.2

Emperor Gaozong ascended the throne, he tore up the engagement and married Princess Jingyang. First, he was an unfaithful lover, and later he became an unrighteous man. Now, the Prince of Zhennan, who spent half his life fighting battles, has died in battle. It is reasonable, benevolent, and filial for the Heir to want to bring the Prince’s coffin back to Chang’an to be buried with his mother. However, this unfaithful lover, Minister Yan, opposes it.”

The mention of the Prince of Zhennan opened the floodgates of discussion. The Prince of Zhennan’s achievements were undeniable. Although the news of his death was spread, the matter of not allowing his coffin to return to the capital for burial with his mother was concealed by the court. Not many people knew. After such a loud announcement, almost everyone started talking.

Xie Yu held Xiao Kunning’s hand, her body leaning close to her shoulder, saying, “Elder Sister, don’t you think he is strange?” Strange? No, it was very strange. But Xiao Kunning couldn’t say it. Xie Yu continued, “He must be stirring up trouble, inciting public outrage.”

Xiao Kunning raised her eyebrows, annoyed. “Are you very smart?”

Xie Yu smiled sweetly, bashfully saying, “Elder Sister is smart.”

Xiao Kunning ignored her and turned to go downstairs. A familiar voice came from the noisy hall: “Grand Tutor, stop.”

Turning back, Xiao Kunning nearly fainted. Xiao Mingwang (蕭明望) was standing at the private room door in his official robe. He bowed to Xie Yu, his gaze sweeping to her, seemingly displeased.

Little Xie Yu didn’t recognize him. In secret, Elder Sister Xiao squeezed her palm, pushing her forward. Seeing him approach, she smiled and said, “What a coincidence.”

Xiao Kunning whispered, “Father.”

The sound reached Xie Yu’s ears, deepening her smile. She was about to call him ‘Uncle,’ but Xiao Kunning pressed her mouth shut. She could call him ‘Aunt,’ but calling him ‘Uncle’ would reveal the secret.

Their intimate gestures were a bit conspicuous in public. Xiao Mingwang frowned. Recalling their teacher-student relationship, he didn’t dwell on it. “Is the Grand Tutor leaving?”

Xie Yu nodded. “Yes.”

Xiao Mingwang didn’t feel it was appropriate to delay them further. Just as he lifted his foot, a voice came from downstairs. “Why do you think Minister Yan opposes the Prince of Zhennan’s coffin returning to Chang’an?”

The three simultaneously turned their heads. The question was posed by a young man. An old man sitting beside him answered, “The way of the military has always been a point of contention.” Military power had always been highly sought after. Having many soldiers wasn’t a problem, but controlling the army brought great benefits.

The scholar spoke again, “That makes sense. You say Minister Yan is both the Imperial Son-in-Law and the Emperor’s Maternal Uncle, and his followers occupy a large portion of the court. Why would he need so many soldiers too?”

The old man smiled and said, “Young man, look more and speak less.”

The scholar’s face flushed red. He silently sat back down in his seat. Someone else chimed in, “Who is Princess Leyang? Why have I never heard of this Princess?”

Xiao Kunning was also curious and looked at Xiao Mingwang. “I haven’t heard of this Princess either.”

Xie Yu, beside her, kept a close eye on the old man. Xiao Mingwang sighed without speaking. The old man’s gaze was distant. He took a sip of wine before saying, “Princess Leyang and Princess Gaoyang are born of the same mother. She had a forthright personality and once attended court, offering strategies for disaster relief. After Emperor Gaozong died, she disappeared.”

Someone else asked, “What happened between her and Minister Yan?”

The old man put down his wine cup and said, “She was a daughter of the imperial family, but sadly, she lost her sight.”

Everyone was astonished. “So she was blind? What a shame.”

“Wait, if she was blind, how could she attend court and offer strategies for disaster relief? Old man, you must be speaking drunkenly.”

The old man laughed loudly. “Failing to see people clearly is losing one’s sight, isn’t it?”

“Oh, like that! Well, in that case, she truly lost her sight.”

Xiao Mingwang on the second floor frowned and cursed, “These people truly ignore the law. They dare to talk carelessly about the Imperial Family’s affairs. Minister Yan holds immense power in court. How dare they discuss him behind his back?”

Xie Yu’s clear, black-and-white eyes stared at the old man, her gaze as deep as black lacquer. The old man seemed to sense something, turned to look at the second floor, smiled slightly at her, and then stood up and left.

Xiao Kunning was talking with Xiao Mingwang. By the time she finished, the old man was gone. The discussion below was still heated. Xiao Mingwang sighed. “The Shen family is truly a pity.”

As he spoke, he looked at Xie Yu, hoping for some response. However, Xie Yu didn’t even give him a sidelong glance.

Grand Tutor Xie was known for not involving herself in such matters, and he didn’t want to press her, but he still wanted to help the Prince of Zhennan’s family. He restrained himself before finally saying, “Grand Tutor, what do you think should be done about the Prince of Zhennan’s family?”

Xie Yu didn’t understand. She considered it and said, “What should be done will be done. They have their own path.”

Xiao Mingwang was confused. “What does the Grand Tutor mean?”

Xie Yu was annoyed. How should she know what he meant? She couldn’t disrespect him because he was Elder Sister Xiao’s father, but she didn’t know how to answer. Suddenly, she remembered her mother’s words and borrowed them. “Everything has its own ending. It cannot be forced.”

Xiao Mingwang said, “A loyal official is being wronged. Shouldn’t the Grand Tutor lend a hand?”

Xie Yu shook her head. “Lending a hand is good, but it won’t help the situation.”

Xiao Kunning was shocked. Had Xie Yu recovered?

The first floor was bustling. The old man’s words were like cold water poured into a hot oil pan, sizzling and exploding, creating a noisy clamor. The voices of the three were gradually drowned out by the crowd. Xiao Mingwang dared not say more after hearing Xie Yu’s words. If the Grand Tutor was unwilling to help, talking until his mouth was dry would be useless. He looked at Xiao Kunning. “Your mother is still ill. Go back to the manor to see her.”

Xie Yu understood this sentence. Elder Sister Xiao’s mother was fine this morning. How could she suddenly be sick? She asked curiously, “I just saw her this morning. She was perfectly well.”

Xiao Kunning gasped. Xie Yu thought Madam Luo  was Zhao Xiran! This mother is not that mother. “Teacher misunderstood.” To avoid further misunderstanding, she pulled Xiao Mingwang to one side. “The Teacher has seen Zhao Xiran. You had better keep your doors shut recently. Zhao Xiran might come looking for you at the manor.”

“She dares to come? She deceived me for eighteen years! I will make her pay for her mistake!” Xiao Mingwang was enraged.

Xiao Kunning said, “If you want to blow the matter up, go ahead and fight her.”

“You…” The malice in Xiao Mingwang’s eyes was replaced by helplessness. There were indeed too many things one couldn’t control in Chang’an. But he couldn’t let the Zhao family off the hook just like that.

Seeing his hatred, Xiao Kunning kindly reminded him, “She is now the honored guest of Princess Gaoyang. You had better be careful.”

Xiao Mingwang was so angry that he rolled his eyes. He flicked his sleeve and walked away.

Several officials walked out of a private room nearby. Seeing Xie Yu, they were surprised and immediately stepped forward to bow, calling her “Grand Tutor.” Xie Yu feigned her usual demeanor and nodded in acknowledgment. The officials didn’t linger and left with Xiao Mingwang.

Xie Yu curiously scrutinized those people, finally bursting into laughter. “They are so foolish!”

Xiao Kunning didn’t want to deal with a fool. She held her sleeve. “It’s time to go back.”

Xie Yu cheerfully said, “Your father is foolish too!”

Xiao Kunning: “…” You are smart. Your whole family is smart. So smart that you will be alone in the end.

The commoners in the tavern were all listening to the commotion. The tables were full. Some people were even standing in the corner holding a pot of wine, listening. Clearly, everyone loved to hear about the officials’ wrongdoings.

The two got into the carriage. The coachman cracked his whip, heading towards the Moxiang Study. Xie Yu sat inside the carriage, an arm’s length away from Xiao Kunning. She looked up. Xiao Kunning’s face was bitter but carried a tenacious brightness, without too much gloom. Recalling the conversation in the tavern, she felt there was something off about Elder Sister Xiao.

“Elder Sister, do you know that Official Wen?”

Xiao Kunning didn’t answer, not even raising her head, seeming somewhat resistant.

Little Xie Yu felt she had guessed correctly and pressed on. “Elder Sister, do you like that Official Wen?”