My Love Rivals Have All Reborn - Chapter 35.2

Being too closed off was not a good thing; one should listen widely.

Xiao Kunning nodded and boarded the carriage back to her estate.

At the estate, Xie Yu met the disheveled Bishu.

Bishu had been unjustly confined for so long and harbored resentment. Xie Yu didn’t mind her arrogant attitude and said: “Your actions were muddled. If you had been a bit more cautious, Assistant Minister Xiao would not have mistaken you for an impostor. This is Chang’an; the ministers are not useless.”

Bishu was unconvinced: “The Master speaks as if it’s all my fault. You left Su’s Pharmacy without informing me.”

Xie Yu looked up, staring at her deeply. “Should I inform you of my actions?”

Xie Yu was expressionless. The light in the room illuminated her calm, deep eyes, which seemed serene but were actually filled with lethal intent. Bishu dared not speak her anger. “It is my subordinate’s fault. I promise it won’t happen again.”

“Princess Gaoyang is coming to a banquet tomorrow. If you wish to see her, you may serve at the banquet. Otherwise, stay as you are,” Xie Yu said.

Bishu seemed hesitant. Xie Yu added: “Give me your answer tomorrow morning.”

Only then did Bishu withdraw.

In the other corner, Xiao Kunning returned to her estate and was immediately called into the room by Luo Shi, who handed her a name list. Opening it, Xiao Kunning saw that they were all young talents.

Xiao Kunning’s scalp tingled. The first page was the Heir of the Duke of Dingguo, who was Zhou Wenqing’s elder brother. He was handsome and rumored to take the imperial exams next year, unwilling to rely on his family’s hereditary title. Many people praised him endlessly. Luo Shi actually thought he would look favorably upon the Xiao family.

Before she could refuse, Luo Shi, leaning against the bedside cushion, spoke: “The Heir of the Duke of Dingguo is a good match. The Duke has some acquaintance with your father. If you are interested, we can finalize the matter.”

“Finalize?” Xiao Kunning frowned. Luo Shi’s quick method felt like the Xiao estate was failing, rushing to settle her marriage so she would have a support system in the future.

Luo Shi leaned back against the cushion, her breathing irregular. Her face was haggard, and even her lips were white. Seeing her resistance, she became unhappy and said: “You know the Xiao family’s situation. The Prince of Zhennan’s estate can barely look after itself. The Heir of Zhou is good. If you don’t like him, there are others on the list.”

If a girl of eighteen or nineteen didn’t discuss marriage soon, she would be talked about. Before, they were waiting for the Prince of Yanping to choose his Princess. Now that the Prince of Yanping had chosen his Princess, the Xiao family should take action.

If she didn’t marry soon, she would become an old maid.

Xiao Kunning heard another meaning: that it was already quite good for the Xiao family to be able to latch onto the Duke of Dingguo’s estate.

Just think: Xiao Mingwang was entangled in trouble, his romantic affairs known throughout the city, and the Emperor’s thoughts were unknown. At this time, the Duke of Dingguo was so solicitous; the Xiao family would surely be delighted.

In her past life, this Heir of Zhou had died of illness, something like consumption, though she couldn’t remember the details. At that time, she was Empress, and when the court ladies came to pay respects, someone mentioned it, but she didn’t pay attention. Now, the thought was terrifying.

Did the Zhou family have some ulterior motive?

Xiao Kunning silently refused. Luo Shi was unhappy but endured it. She flipped the list to another page, patiently saying: “If you don’t think the Zhou family is good, Prime Minister Yan’s nephew, from a collateral Yan family branch, serves in the Imperial Guard.”

Xiao Kunning’s eyes twitched. This man was killed by Xie Yu and his bones scattered to the wind. “Does Father know about these matters?”

Luo Shi was not well. After speaking a few sentences, she began to pant. She looked coldly at Xiao Kunning’s obedient appearance and simply tore off the veil of pretense: “If you are sober, forget about the little Princess. Not only is she observing the three-year mourning period for her deceased parents, but given her current situation, you should distance yourself from her.”

In her past life, Xiao Kunning would certainly have retorted. Shen Rui had done so much for her; she wouldn’t tolerate such words about her.

But Luo Shi was ill, and she didn’t feel like arguing. However, marriage was out of the question. She blocked Luo Shi with a single sentence: “I like women. I don’t like these men.”

Marriage among women was not a complete secret, but many families who valued propriety still could not accept it. Previously, because Shen Rui was of noble status, Luo Shi had endured it. Now, she no longer wanted to endure. She grabbed the list and flung it at Xiao Kunning: “Give up on that notion!”

Xiao Kunning didn’t dodge. She smiled and said: “If you want to think of these things, why don’t you offer them to Xiao Wenxue? After all, she is so outstanding, she is perfectly suited for the sickly man from the Zhou family and the short-lived ghost from the Yan family.”

Luo Shi was shocked. She watched as Xiao Kunning turned and left. Suddenly recalling something, she coughed abruptly and hastily called for a maidservant: “Go, go invite the master here.”

As Xiao Kunning left the courtyard gate, she heard the sound of the maidservant running. Seeing her run toward the study, she didn’t stop her. Luo Shi was easily swayed and didn’t know she was being fooled.

Zhou Wenqing was also a candidate for the Princess of Yanping. At this moment, she should also be planning her next move. After all, a legitimate eldest daughter of the Yan family like her could not possibly be overlooked.

The dispute between the Yan family and the merchant continued for several days. The final victor was surprisingly the merchant. The reputation of the Hengxiang Pavilion soared for a time. From imperial relatives and nobles to common people, everyone went to buy a qin.

Gu Ning made a fortune, but the silver she earned was quickly spent on the medicinal herbs being distributed by Su’s Pharmacy for winter cold prevention. Gu Ning sighed as she looked at the account book.

The newly appointed Prefect of Jingzhao, who was widely praised, spent one tael of silver at the flower market to buy a pot of peonies. Upon returning home, she picked all the petals. Her grandmother, Wang Shi, watched and sighed: “Why are you picking all the petals from such a beautiful flower?”

Wen Yukou collected the petals and placed them in gauze, crushing them with a stone pestle to extract the red flower juice. Wang Shi understood: “Have you finally figured it out? But you can buy lip rouge at the shops. Why bother ruining these petals? Besides, will the ones you make even be usable?”

There were only two people in the small courtyard. This was a small house Wen Yukou had bought with borrowed money. Wang Shi usually cleaned it, and the two lived very comfortably.

Wen Yukou dropped a few drops of rose essential oil into the flower juice. After letting it dry for a while, she added a few pieces of beeswax and finally roasted it over a low fire, waiting for it to slowly solidify.

Wang Shi saw her working intently. She didn’t know why Wen Yukou suddenly figured it out, and she no longer felt sorry for the petals or the silver. She pulled her over and asked: “You’ve changed a bit since you returned recently. Have you taken a liking to some girl?”

Making lip rouge was certainly not for personal use. There were so many rougebars in the shops; there was no need to make it herself. Working so hard all day meant it must be for another girl.

With this thought, Wang Shi became energized, pulling her granddaughter to ask about every detail.

Wen Yukou didn’t say anything, only tending to her lip rouge. By dusk, she realized she had failed. Although it had solidified, the color was terrible.

Wang Shi had, after all, lived in the Wen family. She could easily distinguish good lip rouge from bad. Homemade ones were nowhere near as good as those outside. She earnestly advised her: “Why don’t you buy some outside? Your hands are untrained; you can’t make it well.”

“No matter. I’ll try again.” Wen Yukou carefully examined the failed lip rouge. If she didn’t know what was wrong, she would surely fail again next time.

Before she could figure it out, there was a knock on the courtyard gate. Wang Shi went to open the door, and in came a timid young maidservant.

The girl held a silk box and bowed to Wen Yukou: “Greetings, Minister Wen. My Princess asked this servant to deliver this to you.”

Wen Yukou wiped her hands clean in the water. Her expression was cold, her lips sharp as a blade. She spoke, immediately dismissing the guest: “One does not accept unearned rewards. Please inform your Princess that my actions are entirely reasonable and based on impartial judgment.”

The maidservant had seen too many court officials but had not expected this female official to be so cold. She persuaded: “The Minister works hard. My Princess is concerned for you. Why are you so determined to refuse?”

Wen Yukou was unlike the usual gentle women. She was cold even when silent. Hearing the maidservant’s words, she walked to the courtyard gate: “My humble dwelling is unsuitable for your long stay, Miss. Please return.”

The maidservant shot her a glare, twisted her body, and walked away.

Wen Yukou closed the courtyard gate and continued to study the lip rouge. Wang Shi didn’t mind, but one tael of silver for flowers was too expensive. She said: “Change the flowers. Peonies are too much of a waste.”

Wen Yukou thought this was also true. She would run out of her salary before she could make a good lip rouge. She moved all the utensils back into the house, deciding to try again another day when she had time.

Princess Gaoyang’s first attempt with Wen Yukou ended in failure and quickly spread. This Prefect of Jingzhao was once again at the center of attention.

After Xie Yu woke up, classes resumed at the Guanzhi Study. Xiao Kunning was dragged into the palace and faced Xie Yu every day.

Xie Yu had more and more time. After class, she would always leave some strange questions, such as: Why did Kong Rong yield the pears?

At the appearance of such a divine question, Zhao Can muttered: “Kong Rong yielded the pears because the small pears were sweet.”

Xie Yu didn’t answer and floated away. Shen Yunzhi, however, pulled Xiao Kunning: “Noble Consort is holding a banquet today and invited us. Are you going?”

Xiao Wenxue, rarely, reached out and pulled Xiao Kunning back from Shen Yunzhi’s grasp, not giving a pleasant look: “Miss Shen, if you are going, you should go yourself. Anning and I have other things to attend to.”

All the students in the hall had received the Noble Consort’s invitation, except for the Xiao sisters, who were unaware of it. Shen Yunzhi wanted to mock them, but unexpectedly, Xiao Wenxue had such an attitude. She then said: “One of unknown origin, and one raised by a merchant. As expected, they are both looked down upon.”

Xiao Wenxue’s face flushed red. Xiao Kunning walked closer. Before Shen Yunzhi could react, she raised her hand and slapped her.

The hall instantly fell silent. The preserved fruit in Zhao Can’s mouth had lost its flavor. Her eyes widened. Sister Xiao is so fierce.

Shen Yunzhi was stunned by the blow. As she recovered her senses and prepared to retaliate, Xiao Wenxue pulled her sister back and said: “Our identities are not for Miss Shen to discuss, but I know Miss Shen’s thoughts. The Master has discerning eyes. Do you think she would like a mean-spirited woman?”

“You…” Shen Yunzhi hadn’t expected to be turned against so easily, especially being threatened with Xie Yu’s feelings. Ignoring the pain, she ran out of the hall: You wait.

Xiao Kunning was surprised. Hitting her was intentional, but she hadn’t expected Xiao Wenxue to resolve it so easily. She said to Xiao Wenxue: “How do you know she likes Master Xie?”

Xiao Wenxue smiled faintly: “Her eyes. Others look at the Master with respect, but her gaze is different.” A young girl admiring her teacher was not a major scandal, but it was bad for one’s reputation. However, it didn’t matter; making Shen Yunzhi suffer was a delight.

But Shen Yunzhi was on bad terms with the Noble Consort. Why would she suddenly take her side?

Xiao Kunning knew her mind was delicate and didn’t say much, walking out of the hall with her.

Halfway, Xiao Wenxue smiled and said: “Your hitting Shen Yunzhi today reminds me of something.”

Xiao Kunning was surprised. Xiao Wenxue continued to smile: “The way you look at the Master is disdainful, but the Master’s gaze toward you is also different from everyone else’s.”

Not only do I know Shen Yunzhi likes Xie Yu, but I also know the Master’s mind.