My Love Rivals Have All Reborn - Chapter 33.2

The night was peaceful. Early the next morning, Zhao Xiran returned very early. Su Ying hadn’t left the house yet. The two met in the courtyard. Su Ying spoke first. “The second Proprietor must have something?”

Zhao Xiran smiled charmingly. “I have a patient here. I would like to trouble Doctor Su to help treat her. The consultation fee is negotiable.”

With a doctor’s compassion, Su Ying didn’t refuse, only saying, “Bring her to the Su Pharmacy in the afternoon. There will be fewer people then.”

Zhao Xiran shook her head. “I’m afraid that won’t do. How about I come to you in the afternoon?” For noble families, doctors usually made house calls, while only commoners would go to the pharmacy themselves. If it were before, Su Ying would have agreed, but since returning that night, she didn’t want to make house calls. It was too dangerous.

Hesitating, Zhao Xiran proactively said, “Doctor Su need not overthink this. I have had many years of friendship with Proprietor Gu. Would I harm you? Besides, just tell Gu Ning when you leave, and I will personally escort you back.” It was a reasonable request. Su Ying could not refuse and agreed to it first.

Soon after Su Ying left, Gu Ning also had to go out. The verdict for yesterday’s court hearing was postponed for two days, so he had to return to count the losses of the Hengxiang Pavilion and report them to the yamen (local government office) today.

After the couple left, Xie Yu slowly opened her door, rubbed her eyes, and immediately saw Zhao Xiran standing in the courtyard. She was so startled that she instantly closed the door again.

Zhao Xiran in the courtyard felt a shadow flash by, the door opening and closing. Was she a plague god? Xie Yu’s mental state was too low; she was so boring.

After breakfast, Xiao Kunning packed up the things in the room and had the manager load them onto the carriage, leaving the Moxiang Study in the afternoon. The main gate was too conspicuous, so she chose to enter through the side gate. Xie Yu followed her as usual.

Stepping over the side gate’s threshold, the doorman’s face was strange. Xiao Kunning didn’t pay attention. Halfway, she encountered a maid from the Xie Manor, who also looked odd when she saw the two of them. She couldn’t help but look back at Xie Yu. Her appearance hadn’t changed, and she didn’t look like an imbecile. What was so strange?

Xie Yu stopped, also sensing something was amiss. She touched her face. Nothing wrong. She looked at Elder Sister Xiao. The two shared the same confusion.

They stopped in the garden, smelling the faint, refreshing fragrance of flowers.

The staff member of the manor rushed over after receiving the news. He bowed to Xie Yu, then saw Xiao Kunning and bowed to her. “Miss Xiao is here too.”

Xiao Kunning nodded, returning a smile.

The staff member stepped back two paces, inviting her to walk towards the front courtyard. His respectful attitude made Xiao Kunning realize that Xie Yu was the teacher, and she was the student. There was a clear hierarchy. She should not walk in front of Xie Yu.

After the staff member’s reminder, Xie Yu stood still, waiting for Elder Sister Xiao’s response. The staff member was unaware of the truth. Seeing her not moving, he kindly asked, “Does the Master have other matters?”

Xie Yu didn’t utter a sound, only blinking at Xiao Kunning.

Xiao Kunning’s eyes subtly flickered. She couldn’t give her a hint in front of the staff member. She could only start walking first.

As soon as Xiao Kunning moved, Xie Yu moved, following her steps as if she were a puppet. After walking a few steps, Xiao Kunning slowed her pace, intentionally letting Xie Yu go first.

As Elder Sister Xiao slowed down, Xie Yu’s steps became even slower, still quietly following behind her. The staff member was dumbfounded. Why was the Master lagging behind Miss Xiao today?

Xiao Kunning was practically picking up ants on the road, her toes scraping the ground as she walked, while Xie Yu would stare at the ants for a few seconds before moving her feet. The two wouldn’t walk, which tormented the staff member who followed them without understanding the reason.

When they reached the front courtyard, Xiao Kunning held Xie Yu’s hand and walked into the courtyard, instructing the staff member not to follow.

The courtyard was filled with Xie Yu’s personal maids. Xiao Kunning didn’t pay attention. When Nongqin walked out from inside, she was momentarily stunned. Finally, a competent person has returned.

She decisively pushed Xie Yu towards Nongqin. “Here is your Master.”

Xie Yu was pushed hard, leaning towards Nongqin, blinking her eyes quickly. Nongqin didn’t dare to touch her Master. She helped her stand upright and looked at her respectfully. “Master, your subordinate has something to say.”

Xie Yu was unhappy, inexplicably disliking the person she didn’t recognize. However, the other party’s attitude was excellent, so she couldn’t show any strange behavior. After standing still, she earnestly said, “Speak.”

As she spoke, Xiao Kunning turned to bid farewell. Xie Yu’s heart grew anxious, and she quickly followed her.

Nongqin, who was left behind, didn’t quite understand what was happening. Her face was solemn. What was wrong with the Master? Where was her cold and serious Master?

Little Xie Yu was like a piece of sticky plaster that couldn’t be peeled off. Xiao Kunning had no choice. She turned back halfway and walked straight into Xie Yu’s bedroom. Xie Yu followed her inside. Nongqin looked speechless. After several days apart, the Master seemed to have become Miss Xiao’s follower.

Inside, Xiao Kunning didn’t know whether to sit or stand. Nongqin, opposite her, had removed her quiver. Her narrow sleeves had dark patterns, making her look full of murderous intent.

It was Xiao Kunning’s first time entering Xie Yu’s bedroom. The pillars in front of the room were painted red. The room was not large, divided into inner and outer chambers by a purple sandalwood screen inlaid with jade. The inner chamber was dimly lit and unclear, but the outer chamber’s doorway was bright, and everything was clearly visible.

Xie Yu naturally had a cold demeanor. There were two or three items that seemed to be women’s accessories in the room, but they were easy to overlook.

A maid entered to add tea. The white porcelain cup filled the air with the fragrance of tea. Xie Yu saw that she wouldn’t sit, so she stood awkwardly. After the maid withdrew, Xiao Kunning looked at Nongqin and apologized. “Your Master has lost her mind. Doctor Su said she will recover in a few days. Therefore, I have brought her back. I originally thought the people in the manor couldn’t be trusted, but since you are back, I will hand her over to you.”

Nongqin was shocked. Upon receiving Xiao Kunning’s signal, the Master leaned down and sat. Her slender white fingers picked up the teacup and lowered her head to sip the tea. Her posture and movements were the same as before, not resembling an imbecile.

Nongqin stared blankly. Xie Yu sensed her gaze, looked up, and smiled at her. Her eyes were clear and pure, not her Master’s. Nongqin choked back the words she wanted to say. She considered it and said, “I understand what you mean, Miss. I will guard the Master closely and will not let anyone harm her.”

Xiao Kunning finally relaxed. After days of toil, she was finally at peace. However, Xie Yu was following her closely, which was troublesome. If she left, Xie Yu would follow. So, she simply decided not to leave for now and inquire about the Prince of Zhennan’s family’s affairs here, especially since Nongqin was present, making things easier.

“I have something I want to ask you.”

Nongqin was respectful. “Miss Xiao, please ask whatever you wish.”

“It’s nothing major. Just how are things at the border? What happens after the Prince of Zhennan’s death?” Xiao Kunning raised her eyebrow. The Shen family had guarded the border for many years. No one was more suitable than the Shen army. Her concern was Minister Yan seizing power. At that point, Shen Rui would have no support and would very likely repeat the path of the previous life.

Nongqin didn’t worry much and replied, “After the Prince died, there were several sneak attacks, all of which were repelled by the Heir leading the men. The crux of the matter is that the Prince’s body is not returning to Chang’an. The Shen army is restless, and the Heir is very likely to do something foolish.” Forcing the Prince of Zhennan’s body back to Chang’an was equivalent to treason.

Xiao Kunning understood. The Heir’s intentions were right, but the method was wrong. “Did the Master make any prior arrangements?”

Nongqin looked at the silent Master sipping tea, her heart wrenching. She said, “The Master instructed me to send a letter to the Heir, telling him to be patient, and also sent the Shen County Princess back to the border as a means of appeasement.”

Xie Yu had made arrangements. Xiao Kunning breathed a sigh of relief. As long as the Heir remained steady, the military power in their hands could not be taken away, and the Yan family’s reputation in court would inevitably decline after this incident.

She watched the silent Xie Yu, frowning slightly. She said to Nongqin, “When you have time, invite Doctor Su from the Su Pharmacy. The Master’s illness cannot be made public. For the next few days, you must fend off all visitors and keep it completely concealed.”

“Rest assured, Miss. I know what to do. I have also managed the matter with Proprietor Gu. No trouble will arise.”

Xiao Kunning nodded. “Was Official Wen of the Jingzhao Office transferred here by the Master?” Xie Yu held a nominal position, but the Emperor trusted her immensely. Whatever she said, the Emperor would listen. The position of Jingzhao Official was neither big nor small. To say it was big, Chang’an was under the Emperor’s direct rule; to say it was small, it was just an official managing Chang’an’s affairs. The position was not high-ranking and easily offended people, requiring someone who could navigate various factions. How could the cold and stern Wen Yuke be suitable for this?

Nongqin said, “Wen Yuke was originally a low-ranking official in Luoyang, and was not highly regarded. Later, she was promoted by the Luoyang Prefect, which is how she gained the Master’s favor. However, the Master only mentioned her in passing. It was His Majesty’s decision.” Meaning, the relationship with Xie Yu was not significant.

Xiao Kunning subconsciously looked at Xie Yu. Xie Yu looked up and smiled at her. Her smile was obvious, simple, and direct. Her face was a little paler after entering the room, and the scar on her cheek was quite noticeable. Up close, it was still visible. What was different from before was that her eyes were beautiful and spirited, and the scent of her medicine was uniquely fresh.