My Love Rivals Have All Reborn - Chapter 43.2

Seeing how lively and graceful you are shows that Jiāngnán is a land of outstanding people.”

Xiāo Kūnníng cautiously replied, “Jiāngnán is indeed a very good place.”

Outside the hall, the cold wind caused people to wrap their robes tightly. The Minister of Rites was already old and was shivering so much that his beard stuck up, yet he endured it by the side.

From a distance, he saw a woman in luxurious robes approaching. Squinting, he saw it was the Noble Consort. He stepped aside, and only bowed after she drew near.

Yán Rúyù was holding a hand-warmer and did not feel cold. Seeing the Minister of Rites shivering so much he could barely stand, she felt strange: “Does the Minister have an urgent matter?”

The old Minister of Rites said, “Not an urgent matter, I am just waiting for Young Lady Xiāo to come out.”

Yán Rúyù was suddenly startled: “Which Young Lady Xiāo?”

The old Minister of Rites was so cold that he couldn’t articulate clearly and mumbled, “Xiāo Míngwàng’s daughter, Xiāo Kūnníng.”

Hearing this, an inexplicable hatred surged in Yán Rúyù’s heart. Holding the hand-warmer, she forced a smile: “Why is she inside?”

The Emperor keeping the person as a hostage was a secret and could not be widely publicized. The old Minister of Rites had been in officialdom for many years and pretended not to know, shaking his head subtly.

His cryptic behavior was interpreted differently by Yán Rúyù. Did Zhào Miǎn take a fancy to Xiāo Kūnníng, or was this cheap woman, Xiāo Kūnníng, seducing Zhào Miǎn?

Zhào Miǎn was not a lecherous Emperor, and the concubines in the harem were few. It must be Xiāo Kūnníng seducing him.

Yán Rúyù forcibly suppressed the surge of anger in her heart, turned around, and pinched the back of a palace maid’s hand, pinching hard enough to leave a mark. Only when the maid’s face looked pained did her heart relax slightly. A cheap woman is a cheap woman; she can’t stand to see others do well.

She called the attendant guarding the door: “Go and inform His Majesty that this Consort requests an audience.”

The attendant nodded, pushed the door to announce her, and returned after a while, saying awkwardly, “His Majesty said to please return to your residence first and said he will come to your residence tonight to speak.”

Yán Rúyù’s expression instantly became unsightly. Zhào Miǎn never refused her. Yet today, he refused her for the sake of Xiāo Kūnníng. She lost to her in the previous life, and she absolutely would not in this one.

This cheap woman, Xiāo Kūnníng, does not deserve it.

In front of the palace maids and attendants, she smiled and said, “Very well. This Consort will return to the palace first and wait for His Majesty in the hall.”

The Minister of Rites avoided them and pretended not to see any of this. He stood with his back turned, waiting until it was dark before he finally saw Xiāo Kūnníng emerge.

Xiāo Kūnníng knew she had offended Yán Rúyù today, and she cursed Xiè Yú from beginning to end in her heart. She helped the old Minister of Rites to the palace quarters to rest. She couldn’t leave the palace tonight, so everything needed to be handled carefully.

A palace attendant held a four-cornered glass-patterned lantern to light the way ahead. The old Minister of Rites was shivering all over, which made Xiāo Kūnníng feel sorry for him.

The palace attendant brought the evening meal. She was extra cautious and borrowed a silver needle from the attendant to test the food. Only after confirming there was no poison did she eat.

The Patrol Army outside the palace was waiting. Their movements were being monitored. The Patrol Army’s barracks were in the south of the city. Xiè Yú led Nòng Qín and went there. The large group of Jīnwǔ Guard troops was left behind.

With the Commander absent, the two Deputy Commanders were confronting the Emperor outside the palace. Only some less capable individuals were left behind. After Xiè Yú entered, someone immediately sent a message to the two Deputy Commanders.

Less than a zhănchá (time it takes to brew a cup of tea, about 15 minutes) after she entered, the two Deputy Commanders rushed down from their carriage. Seeing the delicate woman, they relaxed their guard.

Xiè Yú dismissed the others, leaving only the two Deputy Commanders. Gazing at the dark night outside, she said earnestly, “Do you know that Commander Lǐ was not innocent in the Lantern Festival murder case? He took money from others and followed their instructions, arriving a moment late. Do you know how many people can die in a single moment?”

The two were brave, rugged men and did not believe Xiè Yú’s words, their eyes revealing confusion. Nòng Qín, however, said, “Our Teacher was right there at the Lantern Market. You were indeed fifteen minutes late.”

One of them was surprised and said, “We left as soon as we received the message, without the slightest delay.”

Nòng Qín said, “It is a fact that you were late. Furthermore, His Majesty has issued a killing order. If you do not withdraw your troops, your entire families will be executed for the crime of rebellion.”

The two did not believe her. Nòng Qín explained, “You were used as a target. Mutiny has never had a good outcome. Not to mention that your Commander is getting what he deserves, simply confronting His Majesty is a crime of great disrespect.”

“Our Commander is innocent, Grand Tutor, please investigate thoroughly.”

The two spoke in unison. Xiè Yú sighed helplessly: “The evidence is conclusive. What do you expect me to do? I came tonight to let you escape quickly. Although I don’t know why you are doing this, for the sake of your wives and children, you should wake up.”

The two Deputy Commanders still insisted on Lǐ Yè’s innocence, saying, “We have followed the Commander for many years. Although he was sometimes improper in his actions, the events of last night were not his fault. We also know that this is a capital offense. Now, we only hope His Majesty will give justice to the Commander.”

Xiè Yú sighed, stood up, and said, “I have said all I can say. Lǐ Yè deserves to die. If you persist in your delusions, there is nothing I can do, but you must think of your wives and children. I will tell you one last thing: if you continue this uprising, His Majesty will first execute Lǐ Yè to appease the populace.”

The two were greatly shocked: “Execute him before investigating? How can His Majesty be so confused?”

Xiè Yú did not answer. Nòng Qín replied directly: “You forced him to do it. No one else is to blame for this. If you must blame someone, blame the person who incited you to mutiny.”

“Grand Tutor, you, you…”

Xiè Yú turned and left: “I will give you one hour. The Jīnwǔ Guard will arrive after one hour.”

The late night was pitch dark. There was a lamp every few steps. The soldiers were all gathered on the parade ground. Excluding those patrolling in various places, there were still five thousand men in the camp. Looking out, they merged with the darkness.

Xiè Yú did not spare them a glance, mounted her horse, and rode away. Outside the camp, she dismounted. The Jīnwǔ Guard troops waited quietly. The clear moonlight shone on their armor, reflecting spots of light.

The night was cold. Nòng Qín worried that the Teacher’s body could not endure. The wind was so strong that it felt like knives cutting the face. She found a warm stove and slipped it into her hand.

Through the faint light, one could see Xiè Yú’s slight anxiety. After receiving the hand-warmer, she instructed Nòng Qín: “Go into the palace and see Xiāo Kūnníng. Tell her not to eat the food in the palace.”

Nòng Qín was stunned: “Isn’t it a little late now?”

Holding the warm stove, Xiè Yú didn’t feel any warmth and gradually grew regretful. Xiāo Kūnníng was born beautiful, and she feared that Zhào Miǎn, being young and vigorous, might harbor inappropriate thoughts. Furthermore, the palace was no ordinary place. One mistake could lead to death.

Tonight’s moonlight was different from usual—clean and bright. It reminded Xiè Yú of that scene many years ago: Xiāo Kūnníng running out of the manor, asking everyone she met, Who is my mother?

The little girl’s small face was round, her eyes bright. She pulled at her sleeve and cried. A very simple matter felt like the sky was falling in her mind. She had caught a cold back then, and her body was burning hot. She was leaning by the roadside, unable to take a single step. Xiāo Kūnníng saw her and ran over.

She rambled for a few words, then pulled her hand, wanting to find her mother.

She was curious: “Who is your mother?”

The little fool stopped crying: “I don’t know.”

That was interesting. If she didn’t even know who her mother was, how could she find her, and how could she prove her identity if she did? She smiled and said, “Is your adoptive mother good to you?”

The little fool’s big eyes rolled, and she said forlornly, “Yes.”

Her head spun from the fever, dizzy spells hitting her. The little fool in front of her swayed. She somehow managed to grab the small, white hand: “Just remember that she is good to you. Forget all these bad things.”

The little fool looked bewildered, stared at her for a moment, then her small mouth started moving incessantly, talking endlessly. Unable to stop her, she pushed the person away: “Shut up, you’re making my head spin.”

She thought the little fool would run away after being pushed, but the little fool took down the tiny purse from her waist and stuffed it into her hand: “You’re sick. Go see a doctor quickly. I have money.”

With that, she turned and ran.

She followed the whole way until the little fool ran into the Zhào manor. Only later did she learn it was the Zhào family in Jiāngnán.

Afterward, when Zhào Kăizhī exposed the truth, the Xiāo family sent people to bring her back. She met that fool on the road. Things were different now. The fool had become even more foolish. Left with no choice, she could only feign sickness to get close to her.

A blast of cold wind hit her face. Xiè Yú felt dizzy. Nòng Qín quickly supported her, anxiously saying, “Teacher, why don’t you return to the manor first and wait? I can keep watch.”

Just as she spoke, a sound came from inside. The Jīnwǔ Guard drew their swords in preparation for a confrontation. The two Deputy Commanders walked out and knelt toward Xiè Yú: “Grand Tutor, your subordinates were wrong.”

Xiè Yú glanced at them: “Go and beg His Majesty for forgiveness.”

With that, she paid no further attention to the matter, mounted her horse, and galloped toward the palace city.