My Love Rivals Have All Reborn - Chapter 40

In her previous life, Xie Yu, to put it nicely, was self-disciplined; to put it simply, she was unromantic, knowing nothing of the taste of human love. She was especially unique toward Shen Rui, but she had not harbored feelings of love for some time, and in this life, she would certainly still die alone.

She shook her head. “Proprietor Gu, please tell me.”

Gu Ning’s eye narrowed. “One word, a thousand gold. Three words, three thousand gold.”

Xiao Kunning’s small face immediately fell. Gu Ning was constantly thinking about earning silver, making it hard to know what to say. Three words for three thousand gold suggested that the woman Xie Yu cared about had a three-character name, which would rule out Shen Rui.

Xie Yu was displeased. She took the ointment from the maid’s hand and shoved it into Xiao Kunning’s hand. “Apply it yourself.”

“Thank you, Master,” Xiao Kunning said, disregarding Xie Yu’s unfriendly tone; coldness was Xie Yu’s unique way of expressing emotion.

Gu Ning frowned at the sight across from her. This woman was truly preparing to die alone. A golden opportunity to show affection had just slipped right through her fingers. What could she possibly say?

To save Xie Yu’s ‘stiff’ brain, she strode forward, took the ointment from Xiao Kunning’s hand, and gently chuckled. “The injury is on the back of your hand; you can’t apply it yourself. I’ll help you.”

Xiao Kunning’s scalp tingled. Why did it feel like Proprietor Gu was deliberately causing trouble?

Xie Yu had just wiped her hands clean. The self-nominated Gu Ning succeeded in making her expression even worse. Without thinking, Xie Yu pushed Gu Ning away and said coldly, “Are you very idle? What are you causing a fuss about here instead of going back to your estate to sleep in the middle of the night?”

Gu Ning stumbled from the push, almost falling. She truly repays kindness with ingratitude.

That’s right, Xie Yu was the ungrateful one, and she was the kind-hearted Lu Dongbin.

The ointment returned to Xie Yu’s hand. Ignoring Xiao Kunning’s surprised gaze, she unscrewed it, picked up some ointment with her fingertip, and gently applied it to the swollen back of the girl’s hand.

Inadvertently, her fingertip brushed against the tender skin. A subtle sensation made her pause. Years ago, when Xiao Kunning first met her, the fair, pretty back of her hand was covered in dust. She was crying non-stop, vaguely recounting her background.

The little girl, barely waist-high, didn’t know how to avoid taboos or conceal her origins. She spilled everything at once, wiping the tears from her eyes with her dirty little hands as she spoke, turning her otherwise pleasant face into a little tabby cat.

Xie Yu had also used her hand to wipe the dirt from the little tabby cat’s hand then. The little tabby cat opened her moist eyes, stopped crying, and asked her in return, “Sister, are you truly your mother’s child?”

Thinking about it now, it was amusing. After all this time, Xiao Kunning had forgotten her completely, only remembering that Xie Yu had wanted to kill her, ignorant of their past.

The ointment had a cooling and pain-relieving effect on the wound. Perhaps due to the contact they had shared in the previous life, Xiao Kunning didn’t feel much discomfort from Xie Yu’s touch. Xiao Kunning stopped feeling the pain and remained silent. Gu Ning stood to one side, wearing an expression of self-satisfaction.

Xie Yu tidied the medicine bottle, lowered her gaze, and saw Xiao Kunning’s thin red lips tightly pressed, looking moist. Her heart trembled. She pretended not to see it, trying hard to control herself.

Rushing footsteps came from outside. Nuongqin carried a person in, followed closely by Xiao Wenxue and Zhao Can. Nuongqin rushed inside and anxiously said, “Minister Wen is injured. The blade entered her shoulder, and she has lost too much blood. Quick, stop the bleeding.”

Xiao Kunning’s eyelid twitched. She immediately stood up to go see, but Gu Ning was faster. She felt Wen Yu-ke’s pulse and said, “Go find Su Ying, and quickly move her into a clean room.”

Xie Yu remained calm. She glanced at Nuongqin, secretly thinking that Nuongqin was inept at handling things.

Nuongqin saw the person off. Xiao Kunning, without waiting for Xie Yu to speak, hurriedly followed, having no intention of returning to the estate. Xiao Wenxue sighed inwardly after noticing Xie Yu’s deep gaze. It seemed A’ning’s attitude toward this Minister Wen was unusual.

Zhao Can also trotted over to follow. Seeing Xiao Wenxue not moving, she reached out and pulled her. “Let’s go take a look.”

Gu Ning remembered something and was momentarily stunned. “I remember you wanted to kill her. How did Nuongqin bring her back?”

Xie Yu pondered the matter, sitting back down in her chair without answering.

Gu Ning was troubled. “Master Xie, should I save her or not?”

Xie Yu said, “Save her if you wish. It is none of my concern.”

Gu Ning’s heart skipped a beat. “The case Wen Yu-ke is investigating has nothing to do with either of us. However, this clearly shows that Prime Minister Yan cannot tolerate her. If she dies like this, Prime Minister Yan might be in trouble.”

The implication was that it was acceptable not to save Wen Yu-ke.

Xie Yu did not speak anymore. Her fingertip lightly tapped the armrest. Her fair fingers were slightly flustered, but she quickly calmed down, and still said, “Save her if possible.”

Gu Ning could not guess her thoughts. What was she still considering at this point? Wen Yu-ke’s death would immediately lead to the discovery that Yan Huaizhen was the culprit behind the scenes. Why would she retreat from something that was both harmless and beneficial to her?

At this moment, Su Ying rushed back. Before leaving, Gu Ning had sent someone to tell her to come to the Xie Estate after finishing her tasks.

Xie Yu composed herself. Seeing Su Ying carrying her medicine box, she finally spoke. “Did your trip today yield any results?”

Su Ying shook her head. “That woman’s illness is not easy to treat. Madness is inherently difficult to cure.”

Xie Yu did not ask further, remaining seated in her chair.

Su Ying saw her expression and also kept silent. Nuongqin came in and asked, “Master, can she be saved?”

Xie Yu looked at Su Ying. “That depends on Physician Su.”

Su Ying, however, said, “Saving the injured and assisting the dying is my responsibility. Why wouldn’t I save her?”

Gu Ning did not interrupt. She leaned back in her chair, looking languid. Only after Su Ying and Nuongqin left did she speak. “You chose not to save Wen Yu-ke for the greater good, so why save her now?”

Xie Yu wanted to speak, but the words caught in her throat. She got up and left the front hall, heading straight for the back courtyard. Gu Ning eagerly followed behind. Her ‘wife’ was saving someone in the back courtyard.

The guest house was brightly lit. Maids constantly moved in and out. Xiao Wenxue and the others stood outside waiting.

Xie Yu approached and said, “It is getting late. I will have someone send you back to your estates.”

Xiao Wenxue had the same intention. If they didn’t return soon, their parents would worry. She quickly bowed and saluted. “Thank you, Master.”

Zhao Can grabbed the Master’s arm and recounted the events of the time. “Master, you don’t know how rampant the assassins were. They rushed in and started slashing, killing many people. Fortunately, Minister Wen led us to hide. Even so, she was injured protecting us. Minister Wen is truly good.”

“She is quite good. A good, good flower protector,” Gu Ning interjected appropriately, signaling Nuongqin with her eyes to send these simple little girls away. Being overly simple often led to dislike.

Zhao Can nodded heavily. “Minister Wen is very good.”

Xiao Kunning came out of the room. Her face was not well, and she looked less energetic than before. Xie Yu sneered. “Is Miss Xiao saddened?”

Xiao Kunning opened her mouth. Someone pulled her sleeve from behind. The words she was about to say were swallowed back. She changed her tone and said, “Minister Wen was traveling with us. Shouldn’t I be sad?”

Xie Yu’s thin lips curled into a sarcastic smile. “You care so much about someone you have only met twice?”

Xiao Kunning could not stand Xie Yu’s disregard for human life. Her heart cooled a few degrees, and she no longer argued with her. She simply said, “Your student wishes to stay here to care for Minister Wen, to fulfill the duty of a fellow traveler. If we hadn’t persuaded her, she wouldn’t be in danger today.”

Xiao Wenxue frowned. Looking at Xie Yu, her face was icy cold, and her eyes under the lamplight were like a bottomless abyss. She was clearly unhappy. Xiao Wenxue tentatively suggested, “Mother is waiting for us at the estate. How about we return tomorrow?”

Xiao Kunning knew Lady Luo would be unhappy, but Su Ying had just said the night was perilous. It wasn’t that she was being willful; Wen Yu-ke was genuinely in danger.

Xie Yu said coldly, “Nuongqin, see the guests out.”

Gu Ning slapped her forehead. Not only had she failed to win the girl over, but she was pushing her further away, and all the goodwill was gone. She immediately moved closer to Xie Yu, pushed her slightly, and whispered in her ear, “You like her; she doesn’t like you. Why are you being so stubborn? If you can’t humble yourself, then shut up.”

The anger in Xie Yu’s heart was suppressed. Xiao Kunning’s stubborn expression two steps away softened her heart. Gu Ning, smiling by her ear, smoothed things over. “Miss Xiao, you are being willful. Your parents are waiting for you to return home. Even if you don’t go back, you should send a message. It is late, and the dew is heavy. It is best for everyone to stay at the Xie Estate. I will have someone send messages to the Xiao Estate and the Prince Gaoyang’s Estate. No one is leaving. How about Master Xie prepares breakfast and pastries for you tomorrow?”

“Master’s pastries?” Zhao Can’s eyes sparkled brightly, like a new moon. She immediately agreed. “Not leaving, not leaving.”

Xiao Kunning also felt her attitude had been poor. Anxiety had made her reckless. She apologized to Xie Yu. “Your student’s attitude was bad just now. Master, please do not take offense.”

“That is correct,” Gu Ning answered on behalf of Xie Yu, nudging her back again. “The Master will not take offense. After all, she still genuinely likes a cute student like you.”

Xie Yu: “…” When did I ever say I liked Xiao Kunning?

Gu Ning’s mouth was quick, turning conflict into peace with a few words. Su Ying walked out and said, “The bleeding has stopped. She will not wake up temporarily. Her body is too weak to be moved.”

Xie Yu was displeased. “Is Physician Su suggesting she stays at the Xie Estate?”

Su Ying was helpless. “More or less. If you want her to die, move her home. I am only responsible for saving people. I don’t care about the love-hate drama between you.”

Zhao Can was confused. “Where does the love-hate drama come from?”

Xiao Wenxue mediated. “Physician Su is joking. Since we are not returning home, we will impose on the Master.”

Gu Ning finally noticed the peacemaker, the little girl. She praised her. “Miss Xiao Wenxue is reasonable. Your Master Xie will eventually be defeated by her own words. Physician Su, should we go home?”

Six or seven people stood under the eaves, completely blocking the doorway. Su Ying pushed past the crowd impatiently. “All of you, go back and rest. Do not block the way. The patient needs quiet recovery. All of you go back. I will guard here. I do not need your noise.”

Gu Ning slapped her forehead. “I’ll guard my wife. All of you leave.” Finished speaking, she pushed Xie Yu outward, signaling her to quickly humble herself.

If you like a young lady, you must show a proper attitude. If your attitude is as tough as the Emperor’s, who would like you?

Xie Yu finally summoned the maid to lead the three girls to rest. She glanced inside the room, then turned and left.

Xiao Wenxue, as a reborn person, clearly saw everyone’s emotions. A’ning was actually developing feelings for Wen Yu-ke. In the previous life, they were only sovereign and subject and had no romantic relationship.

Did she miss something?

Xiao Kunning was uneasy, worried about Wen Yu-ke’s injuries, but in the current situation, she had no power to help. She could only hope Wen Yu-ke would survive this ordeal.

The maid led the way with a lantern. The Xie Estate was secluded and quiet, unlike other bustling estates. It was cold with every step. The estate was like Xie Yu herself—terrifyingly cold.

Zhao Can was extremely scared, hugging Xiao Kunning’s arm, muttering incoherently. Upon reaching the courtyard, Zhao Can almost rushed into the room. The maid, unaware of the situation, assumed the Xiao family girls were close sisters and arranged for them to stay in the same room. Zhao Can stayed in the room next door.

Since they were here, the Xiao sisters did not object. They washed up and lay down together.

Only a solitary lamp remained by the bed. The two sisters could not sleep. Xiao Kunning pondered, feeling that tonight’s assassins must have been targeting Wen Yu-ke. In the previous life, Wen Yu-ke rose step by step, never encountering such a sensational case, nor offending anyone.

No one mentioned that case in the previous life. From beginning to end, there were only rumors, and no one took it seriously. The fact that it was causing such a commotion now suggested it was intentional.

The truth behind it must involve a massive conspiracy, but one thing was unclear: why wait so many years to investigate? After so many years, the evidence would have been destroyed, and the witnesses would have long since died.

She turned over and saw Xiao Wenxue’s bright eyes in the dim light. Their eyes met.

Xiao Wenxue flinched backward, unconsciously avoiding her gaze. “A’ning, don’t look at me like that.”

Xiao Kunning found it strange. “I opened my eyes and saw you. I was thinking about today’s events.”

Xiao Wenxue knew she was unclear about matters of love, so she didn’t explain. She kindly advised, “Do not go against the Master. You are unique to her.”

In the previous life, after Shen Rui became emperor, he summoned her to the palace and bestowed many treasures upon her. During their conversation, he revealed that Xie Yu and Xiao Kunning had known each other since childhood.

When Shen Rui and A’ning met, A’ning was only fourteen. A’ning had known Xie Yu since her childhood. Her mistake was meeting A’ning too late.

Xiao Kunning understood. “I know. She doesn’t trust me.” It’s just some old, broken matter. I don’t even want to know.

Occasional rustling sounds came from the blankets, faintly heard outside.

After listening for a while, Xie Yu’s eyes were shadowed with the loneliness of the late night. Her slender figure was desolate under the moonlight.

After a long time, the room quieted down, and she finally left. As she walked out of the courtyard’s circular gate, she saw Gu Ning pacing on the road. Seeing her, Gu Ning said, “Many officials’ relatives died tonight. This incident has escalated.”

Yan Huaizhen intended to target Wen Yu-ke, so there shouldn’t have been anyone else. However, the guards just reported that more than a hundred people were injured, and the wife and young daughter of the Minister of Revenue were tragically killed.

Xie Yu walked past her directly, clearly not wanting to know about this. Gu Ning chased after her and asked, “Xie Yu, was this your doing?”

Xie Yu stopped. “What if it was?”

“You admit it?” Gu Ning felt her entire body trembling. The lives of over a hundred people were lost in a single thought of Xie Yu’s.

Xie Yu said, “The reasons behind it do not need me to state them explicitly. You know what they did.”

Gu Ning stopped. Indeed, those people deserved to die in Xie Yu’s view. She suddenly let out a sigh of relief and said, “Xie Yu, seeking revenge is your business. I hope you do not let hatred blind your eyes.”

Tonight’s moon was exceptionally bright. The silver light outlined Xie Yu’s cold profile. Her deep, dark eyes were like the night, revealing no trace of light.

Xie Yu did not respond. The estate gate was knocked open by the patrol. Li Ye, covered in blood, burst in.

Xie Yu hurriedly went to meet him. Li Ye looked like he had been through a major battle. His muscular body trembled constantly, and the usual fierce aura in his eyes was diminished.

“Is Commander Li encountering an assassin?” Xie Yu sat down, ordered the maid to serve tea, and said, “It’s cold. Have a cup of water to warm yourself.”

Li Ye bowed respectfully. “Grand Tutor, several officials’ relatives died tonight. They insist it’s because the City Defense Camp was negligent. Please judge for me. How is it my fault?”

He had come to seek rescue.

Xie Yu, however, said, “You were indeed negligent tonight. How can I defend you?”

Li Ye argued, “Grand Tutor, I immediately brought people after the incident occurred.”

Xie Yu’s expression turned cold. “The City Defense Camp is only two streets away from the festival market; a round trip takes one chai (about 15 minutes), yet you took half an hour. This is point one. Point two is that I did not see your soldiers at the festival market today. May I ask where your soldiers went? I walked around the market several times. Do not tell me I just happened not to see them.”

Li Ye’s face was grim. He had come to Xie Yu for help tonight because she did not participate in any factional struggles, belonging neither to the Emperor nor the Empress Dowager. Everyone in court highly regarded Xie Yu, and having such a person speak for him would not arouse suspicion.

But Xie Yu immediately exposed the secret of tonight, delivering a blow too quickly. He remembered that Xie Yu was a civil official and did not understand defense deployments. He hardened his resolve and lied, “The assassins happened to attack during a shift change tonight. You did not see the patrol because they were changing shifts.”

Xie Yu did not expose him. “Since there was a shift change, why come to me?”

Li Ye choked. “But those civil officials are being unreasonable. They insist it’s my negligence.”

Xie Yu was in a bad mood and did not want to argue with him. She said, “If that is the case, go see His Majesty. Given such a major incident tonight, the palace gates should be open. Go see the Emperor in the palace.”

The Grand Tutor was merciless and inhumanly cold. Li Ye was worried but still insisted, “You were also at the festival market. Can you testify for your subordinate?”

“Testify?” Xie Yu’s eyes were clear, but upon hearing this, they turned sharp. “The Assistant Minister of Justice, Wen Yu-ke, is lying in the Xie Estate, her life uncertain. How can I testify for you?”

“Wen Yu-ke?” Li Ye was surprised. The wrinkles on his face deepened considerably. He remembered the bloody scene in the tavern, and his heart grew more fearful. He bowed to Xie Yu. “Tonight’s matter was my negligence. I hope the Grand Tutor will assist me.”

Xie Yu waved her hand. “Only you know the entire story of tonight’s events. You have already done what you did. What good is it to seek me out now?”

Li Ye’s entire body chilled. Tonight’s incident was too big. The people above had told him to be slow by only one kè (about 15 minutes), but the current situation had nothing to do with arriving early or late. It was about the lives of hundreds of officials’ relatives.

He had caused great trouble—no, he had been framed. Someone had to take the blame for what happened tonight.

That person was him, Li Ye.

Xie Yu ordered Nuongqin to see the guest out. She felt irritated herself. Her fingertip constantly rubbed the armrest. Her brows did not relax; instead, they furrowed tighter. Her limbs were cold, as if she had fallen into an ice cave.

Gu Ning saw her hesitation. The words she was about to say were swallowed back. She turned and left. No one could stop what Xie Yu intended to do.

The lights of the Xie Estate burned all night. Similarly, many people in Chang’an City remained sleepless.

Xie Yu sat up all night and submitted a petition for leave. Similarly, many people in the court did not attend the morning assembly. White banners were hung, and memorial halls were set up in their estates.

It took Zhao Mian half an hour to react to such an incident. Someone had actually committed murder right under the Emperor’s nose, assassinating several ministers’ relatives.

The defense of the patrol camp seemed robust but was actually worthless. Without the need for officials to impeach him, Li Ye was thrown into the Ministry of Justice prison. The Assistant Minister of Justice, Wen Yu-ke, had not yet awakened. The Minister of Justice, Gu Zheng, did not dare to accept such a difficult case. He sought an imperial decree, asking Xie Yu to assist him.

The Minister of Justice, Gu Zheng, compiled a list of casualties. Five officials were killed, and the number of family members reached forty, not including common citizens. The wife and children of the Minister of Revenue, Qian Shilan, perished in the tavern. When Minister Qian received the news, he fainted and had not yet regained consciousness.

After reading the list, Xie Yu’s eyes were filled with gloom. She sneered repeatedly. “Right under the Son of Heaven, this is too rampant.”

Gu Zheng nodded. “His Majesty is also furious because of this. What do you think Minister Qian should do when he wakes up, all alone?”

Xie Yu looked at the list again, her gaze fixed on the name Qian Shilan. Her expression was moved, but she did not answer Gu Zheng. Instead, she asked about the casualties among the common people.

Gu Zheng said, “It was chaotic at the time. The bodies of the common people were transported to the Metropolitan Prefecture Office. Some have not yet been claimed. They will be recorded after they are claimed.”

Xie Yu disliked his attitude of prioritizing officials over the common people. She said, “This incident is too big. Why not give some compensation to the families of the deceased common people? Fifty taels of silver per person to provide comfort, lest the matter escalates and damages the court’s reputation.”

Gu Zheng frowned. The families of the officials hadn’t even been dealt with yet, so why deal with the common people first? He did not want to agree. Xie Yu then said, “This incident has become too big. It will be very troublesome for the Ministry of Justice to investigate. You decide for yourself. If they come daily to cause trouble and block your way, even with three heads and six arms, you won’t be able to handle it.”

Hearing this, Gu Zheng agreed and said, “I will immediately discuss it with the Assistant Minister of Revenue. You start the investigation first.”

Gu Zheng seized the opportunity to slip away. Nuongqin could not help but curse. “Minister Gu just doesn’t want to offend anyone. He wants you to take the lead. Why did you agree?”

“Let him be. If he doesn’t want to investigate, I will. He will regret it.” Xie Yu held the list and returned to the estate.

The Xie Estate was much livelier than usual. Zhao Can was looking forward to the Master’s breakfast and had been waiting eagerly on an empty stomach for half a day. The maid informed her that the Master had gone out.

Zhao Can felt like the sky had fallen. She cried in the room for a while. Finally, Xiao Kunning could not stand it anymore. She pulled her to the Xie Estate’s kitchen and personally made white pastries for her.

The cook, seeing the two young ladies, dared not be negligent and followed them closely. When Xiao Kunning wanted dough, she kneaded the dough.

When Xiao Kunning wanted hot water, she started the fire.

When Xiao Kunning wanted ingredients, she quickly prepared them.

Zhao Can found it interesting. She called the cook away and went to the stove to add wood herself. Xiao Kunning placed the pastries she had shaped one by one into the pot, instructing Zhao Can to steam them over a low flame.

They worked together very well. The cook didn’t dare to blink, afraid the two of them would burn down the kitchen.

Xie Yu did not go to the study after returning to the estate. Instead, she turned toward the kitchen. The promise Gu Ning made last night had to have a follow-up. If she didn’t speak, Xiao Kunning would brand her with the crime of breaking her word.

Before reaching the kitchen, she saw a burst of thick smoke. Servants and maids ran desperately with buckets of water. The thick smoke was slightly choking.

It was obvious the kitchen was on fire. Xie Yu stopped and called a maid to ask, “Why did it suddenly catch fire?”

The maid anxiously said, “It was the two guests from the estate. It was fine originally, but somehow it suddenly caught fire.”

Two guests? Xie Yu seemed to understand something. It must be the foodie Zhao Can and the clumsy Xiao Kunning.

Sure enough, the two were standing outside the kitchen, their faces smeared with dirt. Zhao Can was crying, hugging Xiao Kunning tightly. Xiao Kunning gently patted her back to comfort her. “Master is tolerant. She won’t blame us. Don’t cry.”

Xie Yu rubbed her forehead. These two never did anything good together, especially Xiao Kunning. Clumsy people always doubled the work for half the result.

Zhao Can hugged Sister Xiao’s neck and cried. Xie Yu raised her eyebrows unhappily. She approached and said, “If you two hug and cry, who should I hug and cry with?”