My Love Rivals Have All Reborn - Chapter 48.1

After staying in Luoyang for over a month, Zhao Can returned to Chang’an in early February. Ten or so food boxes, large and small, were carried by her maid and delivered to the Xiao Residence.

Xiao Kunning had not eaten this many types of pastries in her entire life. Zhao Can meticulously listed them all for her. Xiao Wenxue tasted a few and asked, “Did you finally bear to come back?”

“I’m back. I heard there was a big case in Chang’an. Have you heard?” The courtier mysteriously leaned close to Xiao Kunning, poking her fair, jade-like nose: “I heard that Gu Zheng, the Minister of Personnel, has been dismissed. Now, many people are scrambling to get the vacant Minister position. Do you think Wen Yuke will have a chance?”

Upon mentioning Wen Yuke, Xiao Wenxue could not help but look at A-Ning a couple of times. She said, “This Minister Wen’s promotion speed is a record-breaker for all time. In just a few months, she has surpassed what others achieve in twenty years. She is only twenty years old. If she becomes the new Minister of Personnel, she will be the youngest Minister.”

Zhao Can nodded in agreement. She leaned in, saw Elder Sister Xiao’s lips curve into a smile, and casually picked up a rose pastry to stuff into her mouth: “Why are you so happy, Elder Sister?”

Xiao Kunning’s eyes sparkled like stars, and her heart felt warm. Wen Yuke was capable, so her fast promotion was normal. She chewed happily twice: “Minister Wen solved the scholar’s case. I am happy for her.”

Zhao Can nodded: “Elder Sister Xiao, I also heard something else. The Zhou family of Dingyuan Marquis Manor wants to propose a marriage with Minister Wen. They want to marry Zhou Wenqing to her. Minister Wen is currently in high favor, and Zhou Wenqing is a disabled girl, so it would not be a marriage beneath her status.”

“Zhou Wenqing?” Xiao Kunning was surprised. Even with a broken leg, she is not settling down. She is simply bullying Wen Yuke because she has no one to back her up.

Xiao Wenxue did not find it strange. The Zhou family was never a stable household, colluding with the Yan family. Unfortunately, their fate was not good: the legitimate son was in poor health, and the legitimate daughter had a broken leg.

No family in the entire Chang’an city would likely want to marry into them now. Thinking of Wen Yuke was probably a last resort. What a pity; Wen Yuke was a tough nut to crack. The mere fact that she managed to take down her superior, Gu Zheng, in the scholar’s case showed she was not to be underestimated.

Zhao Can nodded emphatically: “Minister Wen investigated the scholar’s case right under the bad guys’ noses. I heard that after the assassin was captured and taken to the Ministry of Personnel, Gu Zheng had someone poison him, almost killing the assassin. Fortunately, Minister Wen’s planning was effective, preventing him from succeeding. My father says Minister Wen has an unlimited future, second only to Grand Tutor Xie. However, she is a few years younger than Grand Tutor Xie, which is also a plus.”

Xiao Kunning’s face changed. It was as cold as ice. She chewed the rose pastry fiercely. The Zhou family was going too far. Of all people to marry, why use a disabled person to pressure her?

Xiao Wenxue observed A-Ning’s reaction. A-Ning was displeased when marriage to Wen Yuke was mentioned. No one would believe there was nothing between them.

She sighed inwardly. Judging solely by ability and intellect, Wen Yuke truly surpassed Xie Yu.

If she had not been entrusted by someone, she might have wavered.

Forget it, I will not interfere. Wen Yuke’s one box of lip balm was worth a thousand, even ten thousand, words from Xie Yu. Forcing the matter was useless; letting nature take its course was best.

Zhao Can left the pastries behind and returned to her manor only after she had eaten her fill. She then asked Xiao Kunning how her political studies were progressing. Xiao Kunning remained awkwardly silent; she had forgotten it all. Zhao Can sighed heavily: “I cannot rely on Sir Xie for pastries. I do not know what she likes. I wonder if I can exchange something she likes for some.”

In the eyes of a food lover, there was only pastry. Xiao Kunning said grumpily: “Marry her, and she will make it for you every day.”

Thinking of Sir Xie’s fierce demeanor, Zhao Can shivered for no reason: “No, no, I would rather not eat it. It is too costly to live with a tiger every day just for a bite of food.”

Xiao Kunning burst into laughter, her eyes curving: “Now that you mention it, there is a similarity—a tigress.”

Zhao Can remained silent, leaving sadly. When she returned to the manor, she asked Prince Gaoyang if he knew what Xie Yu liked.

Prince Gaoyang had a good relationship with Xie Yu. The two often discussed Buddhist scriptures. When his daughter asked him this, he seriously recalled past details. Xie Yu was calm as water, disliked worldly affairs, and was indifferent to music and ceremony.

Thinking this way, Xie Yu was a solitary person who seemed to like nothing.

Prince Gaoyang found it difficult: “As far as your father knows, Sir Xie acts indifferently and has no hobbies.” Xie Yu’s cooking skills were good, especially her white pastry, which was similar to the one Le Yang used to make.

If Le Yang were still alive, the two might have become friends despite the age difference.

Zhao Can was discouraged: “Sir Xie likes nothing. She might as well shave her head and become a nun.”

Prince Gaoyang was reminded by her words and felt she had a point, but Xie Yu was a person of true talent, not an ordinary good-for-nothing, and could not be compared to common folk.

Zhao Can sullenly returned to her room.

Meanwhile, after finishing her duties, Wen Yuke was stopped by the Wen family elders from Luoyang. The Wen family was a prominent surname in Luoyang, and Wen Yuke’s grandfather was once the family head. After his death, the Wen family was managed by the legitimate wife. Madam Wang was a concubine and could not raise her head in the Wen family, which also lowered Wen Yuke’s status.

The person stopping her was Wen Yuke’s paternal uncle, Wen Zhilin, a bloated middle-aged man nearing fifty. His features made him look like a cunning merchant, lacking the refinement of a scholar.

Wen Yuke always traveled on foot, partly to see the street scenes of Chang’an, and partly because she was thinking of moving houses and hiring servants to attend to her grandmother.

She saw Wen Zhilin before leaving the yamen. Since her colleagues were around, she did not drive him away, instead inviting him into her office.

The Ministry of Personnel was grim and chilling everywhere. Wen Zhilin, who had been full of confidence, began to tremble upon seeing the people and the environment.

Wen Yuke asked her subordinate to prepare tea and personally poured a cup for Wen Zhilin. She did not speak, waiting quietly.

The woman before him was no longer the Wen Yuke who could be easily manipulated. Wen Zhilin was a commoner and was somewhat afraid of officials. However, the thought that the person in front of him was his niece, the daughter of his illegitimate brother, brought his confidence surging back.

He pretended to drink the tea, not daring to look at Wen Yuke across from him. He pretended to be concerned: “Your grandmother asked me to come here to discuss your marriage. I assume the Zhou family has already indicated their interest to you. Miss Zhou is beautiful and talented, a student personally chosen by Grand Tutor Xie. The two of you are quite compatible. Your grandmother means that as long as you nod, you do not need to worry about anything else. We will take care of everything.”

He had rehearsed this reasonable speech countless times in his mind.

Wen Yuke was unperturbed, as if the matter had nothing to do with her. Her slender fingers gripped the cup, her face expressionless. She replied: “I am of age and the Assistant Minister of Personnel. I can handle my own marriage. You said all that, but do you know that Miss Zhou has a bad leg? It takes a hundred days for broken bones and torn ligaments to heal. Has her leg recovered?”

“This…” Wen Zhilin did not know this detail. The Zhou family had not mentioned her leg injury when proposing marriage in Luoyang. He was caught off guard by Wen Yuke’s question and stammered, “The Zhou family is a prominent family, a Marquis Manor. The Wen family is not worthy of them. A bad leg is not a major issue. Compromising a little is acceptable.”

Wen Yuke’s eyes shifted. She personally added tea to her uncle’s cup and flatly refused: “I will not marry her. Whoever agreed should marry her.”

“You…” Wen Zhilin was so angry that fire flared in his chest. He had spoken so humbly, yet she was still so arrogant: “You have eaten the Wen family’s food for so many years. Do you not think about how difficult things are for the Wen family? You have grown wings…”

“You may leave,” Wen Yuke stood up and left without even looking at him.

Wen Zhilin ran after her. The two exited the Ministry of Personnel yamen one after the other. He had come by carriage, but Wen Yuke was young and walked quickly, leaving him breathless trying to keep up.

The two crossed the street. Wen Yuke turned onto the long street and unconsciously walked toward the Hengxiang Pavilion. Remembering Xiao Kunning’s performance on the qin there, her heart stirred, and she walked in.

Gu Ning was sitting inside the shop. Her sharp eyes spotted Wen Yuke walking in. She rubbed her eyes in disbelief. Without even catching her breath, she went up to greet her: “Minister Wen.”

Seeing Gu Ning, Wen Yuke frowned. This was the future President of the Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce, which meant she was Xie Yu’s person.

I went into the wrong shop. She turned to leave: “Wrong shop.”

Gu Ning: “…” She watched helplessly as Wen Yuke went to the Ink Fragrance Chamber across the street.

Does Wen Yuke have no brain? Can’t she read the six characters: Hengxiang Pavilion, Ink Fragrance Chamber?

The Ink Fragrance Chamber across the street was Xiao Kunning’s shop. Zhao Xiran lived in the guesthouse with Prince Gaoyang every day and could not be seen. Zhao Kaizhi had personally come to find her and was temporarily staying in the backyard. Xiao Kunning came to see him today. After a few words, the shopkeeper hurried in: “Miss, Minister Wen of the Ministry of Personnel is here to buy a qin.”

Wen Yuke buying a qin? Xiao Kunning touched her ears, thinking she might be hallucinating. She quickly said goodbye to Zhao Kaizhi and rushed to the front shop to see Wen Yuke.

Wen Yuke had a rough understanding of the qin. The assistant was picking out the most precious ones to explain. She calculated the silver in her sleeve—she could buy, at most, one qin string.

Before the assistant could finish speaking, Xiao Kunning walked in. Wen Yuke looked up at the sound. The young woman wore a light purple spring jacket. The weather was warm in spring, and the thin fabric accentuated her slender waist. Her long hair was like a raven’s wing.

The girl smiled brightly, her small face like the warm sun in spring, vibrant and pretty. Her eyes shifted gracefully in the spring light, moving the hearts of those who saw her.

Wen Yuke released her tightly clenched fists and bowed toward her: “Miss Xiao.”

Xiao Kunning smiled lightly: “Minister Wen, you are too polite. Are you buying the qin for yourself?”

Wen Yuke’s face blushed under her gaze. She lowered her eyes and replied, “I cannot learn it myself, so it is naturally a gift for someone.”

Xiao Kunning walked closer. Seeing the redness on her face, she chuckled: “I cannot learn it either. I think the qin and I became enemies in my previous life. We are destined not to get along in this life.”

“You do not like the qin, Miss?” Wen Yuke was slightly surprised. In the final years of the previous life, she always heard the lingering qin music from the central palace. Was that not played by her?

Xiao Kunning did not know why she was surprised. She waved her hand with a look of disdain: “I do not like it. Who are you giving it to?”

The young woman’s bright face held a lively energy that moved the heart, like a flower in spring, swaying in the wind and evoking pity.

Wen Yuke smiled slightly: “I will not give it as a gift. I suddenly remembered that the person probably does not like the qin either. Is this your shop, Miss?”

“Yes, it was given to me by my foster mother. Is Minister Wen leaving if you are not buying a qin?” Xiao Kunning looked at the dim sky outside. This place was not far from the Wen Residence.

Wen Yuke remembered her paternal uncle who had followed her all the way and did not want Xiao Kunning to know. She said, “I have wasted your time, Miss.”

Xiao Kunning waved her hand: “You are too kind. I have to return to the manor, too. How about I give you a ride?”

“There is no need…”

“Please come inside…”

Wen Yuke’s words were interrupted by the assistant. The two turned to look. A man appeared at the door, his face sly. He walked over and spoke to Wen Yuke: “Let us go to your house to talk. I need to see Madam Wang.”

His tone was rude, sounding more like an elder scolding a junior. Xiao Kunning thought of the Wen family matter. Her first reaction was that this was a Wen family member. She sneered, “This is a qin shop. If you are not buying a qin, please leave.”

Wen Zhilin’s gaze lingered between the two of them: “For a girl to drive away customers immediately is not the way of business.”

Xiao Kunning was displeased: “The Wen family is scholarly for generations, different from business. I do not need you to teach me.”

Wen Yuke shielded her and asked Wen Zhilin to speak outside: “Let us go out and talk.”

Wen Zhilin was already upset and had been driven away by a young girl. Feeling overlooked, he said, “For a girl to show her face in business, do you know what shame and propriety are?”

Suddenly bringing up irrelevant matters, Xiao Kunning’s face immediately changed. Wen Yuke glared at the man, her eyes revealing a cold chill: “Uncle, you are forcing a marriage with the Zhou family. Do you know what shame is? Self-reliance and working openly, where is the shame in that?”

Xiao Kunning also felt this man was hypocritically righteous. She followed up: “Minister Wen is an official of the court. If the forced marriage matter blows up, the ones who lose face are the Zhou family and your Wen family. If I were you, I would hide and dare not be seen. A woman showing her face in business is better than forcing a marriage to climb the social ladder.”