My Love Rivals Have All Reborn - Chapter 54

In front of the Gu family manor stood two stone lions, said to have been blessed by a master to ward off demons and evil spirits. They were rumored to weigh a thousand jin (half a ton), and their mere presence was enough to deter thieves.

Gu Ning hadn’t come out since returning to the manor. Su Ying waited for several days at the inn without a word. When her anxiety peaked, Yu Yin brought people over. Yu Yin was Xie Yu’s person, having narrowly escaped death a few days ago, a scar remaining on her chest to this day. Upon entering the inn, she immediately took Su Ying to a temple outside the city. Subsequently, members of the Gu family searched for Su Ying, only to return empty-handed and report back to Old Master Gu. Old Master Gu, whose full name was Gu Zong, was over sixty, with white hair at his temples and circles of wrinkles on his face. Dressed in a grey-blue robe, he smashed a cup fiercely upon hearing of Su Ying’s departure: “Useless! You can’t even find one woman! Go look for her immediately. If she resists, kill her directly!” The steward dared not upset him and led his people away sullenly. Not long after, Gu Ning arrived from the inner court. She pretended not to notice the hasty figures and went straight into the room to greet her father. Gu Ning was Old Master Gu’s only daughter. His reputation was poor, and all the sons he had died, leaving only Gu Ning to grow up safely—it seemed fate decreed he should have no male heirs. Gu Ning saw the shards on the floor and laughed: “Father, why are you so angry?”

“Nothing. By the way, how is your account investigation going?” Old Master Gu concealed the matter of Su Ying. Gu Ning had formally taken over the Gu family business these past few days and discovered many loopholes and deficiencies. Furthermore, she found that the Gu family was no longer as prosperous as when she left, having accumulated many debts, a stark contrast to the Zhao family. But she didn’t reveal this: “I’m still looking. I just came to check after hearing the noise from the front courtyard.” Old Master Gu was then relieved and said earnestly: “Settle your heart. The Gu family business will be yours sooner or later.” Gu Ning lowered her eyes: “I know. Since there’s nothing wrong, I’ll go back now. Father, please don’t get angry again.” “Alright.” Old Master Gu didn’t press her to stay, nor did he voluntarily mention Su Ying.

The steward searched the city high and low but found no one. Meanwhile, Xiao Kunning awoke to find herself in a strange place. The small room contained only a simple bed, a table, and a chair. Although clean, the damaged corner of the table suggested poor living conditions. Shortly after she jumped into the water that day, Xie Yu immediately followed. Xiao Kunning knew how to swim and could have escaped easily, but Xie Yu sank right away. She never dreamed that Xie Yu was a complete non-swimmer. She might have made it to shore alone, but taking Xie Yu along felt beyond her strength. As soon as she grabbed Xie Yu’s body, several figures faintly emerged from the water. Many assassins lurked underwater, unable to surface, so they surrounded the boat to cut off escape. The summer lake surface wasn’t cold, but the underwater temperature froze one’s limbs. The assassins moved very fast. She tried to pull Xie Yu ashore to call for help, only to find Xie Yu had already closed her eyes. What a burden. The more she moved while holding Xie Yu, the more they sank. Underwater weeds also wrapped around her feet. Just as she was untangling the weeds, the black-clad men surged toward her. Getting caught by them might at least keep her alive; continuing to escape underwater meant risking drowning. Waking up without seeing Xie Yu, had she drowned or been killed by assassins? Xiao Kunning got up and found she had been changed into a set of clean, poor-looking blue cotton clothes. When she pushed the door open, she was surprised to see the accursed Xie Yu drinking tea outside. The summer morning was cool. Xie Yu had changed her clothes, her long hair draped over her shoulders. Two tea bowls were placed before her. Xiao Kunning quietly walked over and sat across from Xie Yu: “Where is this?”

Xie Yu pushed the teacup towards her: “This is a Gu family estate.” The tea in the bowl was yellow, looking like it had been brewed many times. Xiao Kunning didn’t touch it: “Gu Ning?” “Yes, the person who rescued me from the palace back then also had the surname Gu.” Xie Yu picked up the cloudy tea and took a sip. Her eyes were calm, and her eyelids flickered under Xiao Kunning’s scrutiny. She chose to speak softly: “I was born in the temporary palace, but my mother didn’t die. We were taken back to Chang’an, living in an abandoned palace hall. You must be curious why my mother couldn’t resist?” Xiao Kunning wasn’t surprised. She vaguely sensed Xie Yu’s extraordinary past. She also lowered her voice: “Because of you. Without you, she could have made a comeback, but with you, she chose to give up.” Xie Yu’s lips curved, showing little emotion, mostly numbness. She met Xiao Kunning’s gaze of pity: “You’re right. Later, she went mad, tormented until she lost her mind. And I was rescued. I haven’t seen her since. The person who saved me was a guard. He sent me to the Gu family in Jiangnan. Old Master Gu might have known my identity, or perhaps not. In any case, he gave me everything he could. When I was ten, he sent me to the Xie family in Luoyang, and I became Xie Yu.” Passed around like this, her fate was never her own. Xiao Kunning felt parched and couldn’t describe her emotions in words. She felt a sense of powerlessness, the powerlessness of being a woman. If Princess Leyang had been a man, such a tragedy wouldn’t have happened. The inner palace was treacherous and full of peril. It wasn’t that Princess Leyang was incompetent, but that the world was unfair. “When she was lucid, she told me she had countless times wanted to kill me so that she could pretend nothing had happened, but in the end, she compromised for me,” Xie Yu said flatly, her eyes like an ancient well, without a ripple. Her voice was equally smooth and emotionless. “This is a Gu family house, and to this day, I still don’t know who was behind the person who saved me from the palace.” Xiao Kunning was shocked: “You don’t know?” Xie Yu shook her head: “I don’t. Perhaps I’ll know in a few days.”

“So, were the people who tried to kill you sent by the Gu family?” Xiao Kunning grasped a few ideas. Perhaps it wasn’t an alienation scheme, but that the Gu family wanted to kill Xie Yu, or that Xie Yu was a chess piece. An uncooperative piece had to be removed. “Mm, you’ve become smarter. A few gulps of lake water cleared your head,” Xie Yu laughed. Her peripheral vision caught a shadow at the courtyard gate. She reached out and grabbed Xiao Kunning: “Just pretend you know nothing. Zhao Ji is dead.” Zhao Ji is dead? Xiao Kunning found it unbelievable. Xie Yu took the opportunity to explain: “The Empress Dowager is the Emperor’s adoptive mother, so naturally she would plan for her own biological son. The Empress Dowager plotted to kill the young Prince. To secure his throne, Zhao Mian orchestrated the removal of Zhao Ji. Thus, the Empress Dowager has completely lost hope.” With Zhao Ji’s death, Chang’an would fall into chaos. This was also why she came to Jiangnan: the person who saved her from the palace back then would also show their face. Xiao Kunning pulled her hand away and rubbed her temple: “Xie Yu, I’m a bit confused.” Xie Yu found it amusing: “I just praised you for being smart, and you’re already revealing your true colors.” “You…” Xiao Kunning felt her self-esteem hurt again. She slapped his hand away and got up to leave. The person at the courtyard gate walked in at this moment, carrying a food box, and placed the dishes and two bowls of herbal medicine on the table. Xiao Kunning’s eyelids twitched. Xie Yu remained calm. The person stood by, seeming to wait for them to drink the medicine before leaving. Xie Yu generously picked up the medicine and drank it in one gulp. Seeing her drink it, Xiao Kunning also didn’t insist on resisting and drank it down. Only after both had finished did the person leave. Xiao Kunning felt a wave of nausea: “What kind of medicine is this?” “Medicine that takes away your strength,” Xie Yu explained. “How many days have I slept?” Xiao Kunning wanted to vomit but couldn’t. Xie Yu said: “Three days. You were too tired in the water, so you slept a little longer.” After speaking, she pulled Xiao Kunning into the room and closed the door.

Closing the door in broad daylight felt wrong. Xiao Kunning’s eyelids twitched a few times. Just as she was about to speak, Xie Yu took out a pill and popped it into her mouth. “We’re going to the Gu manor tomorrow. Do exactly as I say.” After feeding her the pill, Xie Yu turned and left. Xiao Kunning was utterly confused. The Gu family seemed to have many issues. If this was a Gu family estate, why would Old Master Gu make them take the medicine? Gu Ning was the president of the Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce in the previous life, yet no one in the Gu family mentioned it. What was the Gu family planning now? The next day, someone delivered the clothes they had worn when they fell into the water. After changing, the two each took a carriage to leave the estate. When the carriage stopped, they saw the two majestic, awe-inspiring stone lions. Xie Yu got out first, then walked to Xiao Kunning’s carriage and reached out to help her down. Xiao Kunning didn’t want to be close to her, but in adversity, one couldn’t be so particular. Staying alive was paramount.

The two walked hand-in-hand into the main gate of the Gu manor. The Jiangnan courtyard featured small bridges, flowing water, and pavilions. Gu Ning hurried over from the other side of a bridge. Xie Yu tightly held Xiao Kunning’s hand, gripping it hard, as if afraid that she would disappear the moment she let go. Gu Ning was almost speechless with shock when she saw them. Xie Yu’s expression was calm, as if facing an ordinary matter, but after one look at the cold cruelty in her eyes, Gu Ning froze in place: “Did you come willingly, or were you forced?” Xie Yu held Xiao Kunning’s fingers, sensing her fear. Being in a dangerous situation and facing an unknown fate, fear was natural. She wanted to hug her and offer comfort, but there was no chance. She lazily raised her eyes: “The latter.” The Gu family in Jiangnan was not as ordinary and peaceful as it seemed on the surface. Gu Ning rubbed her forehead, recalling something dangerous, and her face instantly turned pale: “Su Ying…”

Xie Yu said contemptuously: “You have no ability but still pretend to marry a wife.” Xiao Kunning retorted: “Grand Tutor Xie has ability but is destined to die alone. You are also a pitiable person.” “Xiao Kunning…” Xie Yu gritted her teeth. The coldness in her eyes was slowly melted by this sentence. She pretended to be angry: “If I die alone, it will definitely be after you’ve already perished.” “You… you curse me.” Xiao Kunning blushed. Since they were both in the same boat now, with no difference in status, she didn’t think twice before stepping on Xie Yu’s foot and whispering in her ear: “There’s one more possibility for you to die alone: I marry Wen Yuke.” The two went back and forth, neither willing to concede a word. Gu Ning’s nervous heart gradually calmed down amid their arguing, and she led the two towards the main hall.

Xiao Kunning, still verbally unyielding, closely followed Xie Yu inside. Upon seeing the solemn-faced old man in the main hall, she recalled seeing him once in the Empress Dowager’s palace in the previous life, where he was claimed to be a merchant. Was there a connection between Old Master Gu and the Empress Dowager? Gu Zong rose to personally greet Xie Yu, inviting the two to sit and talk, speaking with affection: “You haven’t come back to visit for so many years. Gu Ning was well taken care of by you in Chang’an. Since you’re here today, please stay for a few more days.” All three knew what was going on, but no one dared to expose it. Xie Yu smiled: “You’re too kind. I came today to visit you, and also to inform you that I wish to marry.” “Marry? Getting married is a good thing.” Gu Zong was slightly surprised. His gaze fell upon the radiant young woman next to her. The girl was beautiful and stuck closely to Xie Yu, indicating a very close relationship. Gu Ning was also surprised for a moment, then immediately understood the meaning behind the words, and said directly: “How about holding the wedding right here at the Gu manor? I’ll arrange the welcoming ceremony for you.” Gu Zong immediately stopped her: “That’s too rushed. Improper, improper.” Xiao Kunning remained silent, leaning against Xie Yu, sensing the grand scheme unfolding within the Gu manor. Xie Yu held Xiao Kunning’s hand, her smile gentle, and her voice much softer than usual: “Ah Ning is right. I intend to propose marriage to the Zhao family in Jiangnan and invite Shopkeeper Zhao II. What do you think, Uncle?” Gu Zong was puzzled: “Shopkeeper Zhao II might not agree.” The performance was half over. If Xiao Kunning still didn’t understand, she would be a fool. She forced a smile: “My mother will agree, depending on the Xie family’s sincerity.” Gu Ning’s eyelid twitched. Was Xie Yu genuinely marrying, or was it a pretense? Marrying a daughter of the Zhao family was not easy. “Since Miss Xiao has agreed, Shopkeeper Zhao II will certainly permit it.” Xiao Kunning nodded: “Shopkeeper Gu is absolutely right.”

Gu Zong’s hesitation was dispelled by the phrase “invite Shopkeeper Zhao II.” This sentence was too enticing. He stroked his beard and laughed: “Very well. In that case, I will preside over your wedding once.” Xie Yu humbly replied: “You’re too kind. My life was saved by you, so I naturally regard you as a father.” Gu Zong laughed heartily. Gu Ning quietly let out a breath and, once everything was settled, led the two towards the backyard.

Maids followed closely behind the three. Gu Ning couldn’t speak freely and, frustrated, glared at them: “Step back. I have private things to say to them.” The maids refused. Xiao Kunning pretended to squat down to pick something up, and Gu Ning took Xie Yu aside to question her: “Is Su Ying with you?” Xie Yu said coldly: “If Xiao Kunning leaves Jiangnan alive, I will return Su Ying to you. If Xiao Kunning dies, I will throw Su Ying into the river to feed the fish.” Gu Ning was so angry that she poked Xie Yu’s forehead: “You abandon friends for beauty! Just you wait. When I see Su Ying, I’ll make Xiao Kunning marry Zhao Ji!” Xie Yu said calmly: “Zhao Ji is dead.” Gu Ning snapped: “Then marry Wen Yuke! Wen Yuke is much more considerate than you. He would cherish and coax the girl he loves, greeting her with smiles. Look at your ice-cold face—who would be blind enough to like you? If I were Xiao Kunning, I wouldn’t like you even if I had to kill myself. You wooden doll, ice face, cold-hearted, cold-blooded, cold-boned!” Xie Yu’s expression was as calm as water: “If Xiao Kunning doesn’t marry me, I’ll make Su Ying divorce you.” Gu Ning: “…” How did she become friends with someone who disliked seeing others happy? She must have been blind.

The Gu family arranged for Xie Yu and Xiao Kunning to stay in the same room. Maids stood outside, preparing two sets of clothes for each of them. Gu Ning left after arguing with Xie Yu. Their displeasure quickly reached Old Master Gu’s ears. Xiao Kunning had few thoughts. Exhausted, she lay on the bed. Thinking of Gu Zong’s appearance sent a chill down her spine. She grabbed Xie Yu: “Is the Empress Dowager behind Old Master Gu?” “No,” Xie Yu denied. The Empress Dowager was vindictive, not someone who would be so forbearing and remain indifferent while seeing Xie Yu become Zhao Mian’s capable assistant in court. That was clearly impossible. She explained: “The rift between the Empress Dowager and Princess Leyang runs deep. It’s impossible for her to have saved me.” “It’s too complicated,” Xiao Kunning sighed. Xie Yu smiled and said no more. She opened the window and saw the maids walking back and forth in the courtyard, occasionally looking up at the room. In the evening, the maids brought the medicine as usual. The two drank it in front of them, and Xie Yu slipped another pill to Xiao Kunning. It was summer, and they needed to bathe. The maids brought hot water. Xiao Kunning, holding her clothes to wash, thought of something bad and stared at Xie Yu: “You go outside.” Xie Yu sat still, pinching the cuff of her sleeve: “If I go out while you bathe, Gu Zong will become suspicious.” Xiao Kunning held her breath in frustration. There was nothing she could do. Not only was the large room visible at a glance, but she was also afraid Xie Yu would stick to her. She searched the room for a while and finally found a silk ribbon. Without hesitation, she tied Xie Yu’s hands and blindfolded her eyes. Xie Yu let her do as she pleased, allowing herself to be bound without any thought of resistance. She said: “When I bathe later, can I also bind you like this?”

Xiao Kunning untied her own clothes. Hearing such a smug remark, she immediately threw something at her: “Dream on!” Xie Yu turned her head towards the sound: “Wouldn’t that be unfair to me?” “Any unfairness you face is your own doing, Xie Yu. Ever since I met you, I’ve been assassinated every time. It’s one thing for the Gu family to scheme against you this time, but you’ve dragged me into it too.” “The first time I met you, was the assassin you hired yourself?” Xie Yu, blindfolded, didn’t utter a sound. A moment later, the sound of water reached her ears, and Xiao Kunning fell silent. Everything before Xie Yu’s eyes was darkness, but the sound of water grew louder. She recalled something, and her lips pressed tightly together. Gradually, her face turned red.

After Xiao Kunning finished bathing, she untied Xie Yu’s hands and called someone to clean up. Xie Yu remained seated, touching her own face. It felt a little hot. It was normal to feel hot in the summer. Xie Yu went to sleep without bathing that night. Xiao Kunning slept on the bed, and Xie Yu slept on the floor. The two were clearly separated, maintaining distance. After a few quiet days, Xie Yu wanted to go out, but Gu Zong didn’t agree. Xie Yu didn’t insist further; instead, she settled down with even more peace of mind, trying to teach Xiao Kunning to play chess in her spare time. Xiao Kunning hummed a few times, refusing. She had just escaped her clutches; she didn’t want to think about chess. When she refused, Xie Yu began to list all the embarrassing things she had done, as if counting her treasures: “When you were six, you lost a tooth. You hid it, and later threw it into the pond. The next day, all the fish in the pond died.” Xiao Kunning was furious: “That was an accidental spill of medicine by a maid! What does it have to do with my tooth?” Xie Yu didn’t respond and continued counting: “When you were eight, you asked your tutor if you could skip reciting poetry. The tutor hit your palm, so you burned the tutor’s books.” Xiao Kunning, feeling guilty, explained: “The tutor said she knew them all, so the books were useless. Might as well burn them.”

“When you were nine, you roasted chicken with your sisters in the backyard and accidentally burned several pots of peonies in the garden, and even the neighbor’s tree.” Xiao Kunning was driven mad with anger: “Shut up!” Xie Yu acted as if she hadn’t heard: “When you were ten, you ran away from home to play and were abducted halfway. Yu Yin rescued you. That year, you were persistent and ran away again to find some friends, but Zhao Xiran caught you before you even left the city gate. I heard you were hung on a tree all night, listening to dogs barking. Only then did you temper your nature. When you were twelve…” “You’re annoying.” Xiao Kunning couldn’t stand her embarrassing deeds being recounted. She lunged at Xie Yu, covering her mouth: “Xie Yu, do you know what? I hate your calm demeanor the most. I just want to see you scared.” Xiao Kunning’s behavior in her fury looked like deliberate seduction, but Xie Yu knew she was just angry. Very angry. The angry girl carried her emotions like a person in a heatwave. Xie Yu gazed at her reflection in Xiao Kunning’s eyes. She suddenly liked this moment. Only now were Xiao Kunning’s eyes completely filled with her. It must be the same in her heart. She felt it wasn’t enough and should add more fuel to the fire: “When you were twelve, you suddenly changed your mind and spent the whole day following a girl from the Zhao family, calling her ‘Sister, Sister,’ sticking to her like a plaster. Later, that girl got married, and you cried for quite a while.”

“Xie Yu, do you believe I’ll hit you?” Xiao Kunning’s heart ached. All the foolish things she had done since childhood were known to this person in clear detail. She thought back to their first meeting when Xie Yu shamelessly asked her: “How should I address you, Miss?” Address my foot! The accursed Xie Yu. She gritted her teeth: “Xie Yu, I want to kill you today. If I can’t kill you, I’ll beat you to death. How did you talk to me the first time we met? ‘How should I address you, Miss?’ You’ve been watching me for so many years, so why pretend to be a stranger?” Xie Yu’s hands were pinned down. Her fair skin flushed pink, the blush like peach blossoms, looking somewhat soft. Xiao Kunning directly covered her mouth: “Stop talking! If you say one more word, I won’t be able to stop myself from hitting you.”

The maids under the porch didn’t know what was happening inside. Gu Ning walked over anxiously. Hearing the last sentence, she suddenly felt satisfied. Finally, someone was dealing with Xie Yu. She shouted inside: “Do you want a knife or scissors? I can even give you a whip. It wouldn’t be excessive to beat her to death.” As soon as her voice fell, Xie Yu’s furious voice came from inside: “Get lost!” “Still so rampant. Miss Xiao, I think a whip suits her best. People like Xie Yu are always so stubborn.” Gu Ning leaned against the doorway, shooed the maids away, and knocked on the door: “Go find ten whips.” The maids exchanged confused glances, unwilling to leave. Gu Ning pushed the door open and shouted inside: “Are ten enough?” Then she glared at the maids: “Hurry up! Didn’t you hear the request inside?” Only then did the maids quickly leave. Gu Ning sneered a few times: “I’m coming in.” The moment her voice fell, a teacup seemed to fly straight at her face, narrowly missing her head. Gu Ning patted her chest to calm herself, then spoke: “Xiao Kunning, after you lost your tooth at six and poisoned a pond full of fish, Xie Yu laughed at you, calling you ugly and stupid. When the girl you liked got married, she said you were a toad trying to eat swan meat. And when you ran away from home and were caught before leaving the city gate, Xie Yu said you were hopelessly stupid, a girl she wouldn’t even take as a maid. Also, when you didn’t recognize her in Chang’an, she said she must have been blind to like you.”