My Love Rivals Have All Reborn - Chapter 58

There were four people in the house: Yu Yin, Nong Qin, Xie Yu, and Xiao Kunning. A few rooms were just right for living, but they couldn’t hide anyone. Since the infantry couldn’t find her during the search, Xiao Kunning assumed Xie Yu had left.

Yu Yin finished tidying up the east room. Seeing that it was getting late, she said, “It’s late, Miss Xiao. If you want to eat something, you’ll have to cook it yourself.”

Xiao Kunning’s scalp tightened: “Where is Mr.?”

“I’m afraid she won’t be able to cook. Yu Yin and I don’t know how to cook either. How about you cook it yourself?” Yu Yin said awkwardly.

Xiao Kunning couldn’t press further. After tidying up the courtyard, she went to check the kitchen herself. The ingredients were fresh and already sliced and placed on the cutting board. There were also some chicken pieces, suggesting Xie Yu had planned to make soup. The kitchen wasn’t big; she could see the whole thing at a glance. Looking at the washed ingredients, Xiao Kunning rubbed her aching head. After thinking it over, she decided to start by making soup.

Not long after the infantry left, Xie Yu returned to the house, changed into clean clothes, and sat by the table. Yu Yin reported on the situation in the city: “They have been searching repeatedly for several days. They left today, but we don’t know if they will return tomorrow. It is very dangerous for Mr. to stay here. Perhaps Nong Qin and I should escort you out of the city first. When Minister Wen arrives, we can then escort Miss Xiao back to Chang’an.”

The danger to Xiao Kunning in the city was not great; the key was Xie Yu. Gu Zong wanted the account books in her hand and would not give up until he got them. Xie Yu still refused to agree. She couldn’t abandon Xiao Kunning in a dangerous situation. Her eyes darkened as she said, “There’s no need. Wen Yuke should be arriving soon.” She looked around the courtyard but didn’t see the little fool. Where had she gone?

“Where did Xiao Kunning go?” She searched around but couldn’t find her.

Yu Yin chuckled: “The kitchen.”

Xie Yu was surprised: “Aren’t you afraid she’ll burn the kitchen down?”

Yu Yin replied, “If she burns it, we’ll buy something from the restaurant and bring it back. If Mr. is worried about Miss Xiao, you should just say so directly. Since she failed the first time, why would there be a second? You should let her try.”

“Try cooking for you? You have a lot of nerve,” Xie Yu glanced at her, got up, and walked towards the kitchen.

Yu Yin didn’t dare to make a sound. When it came to Miss Xiao, Mr. lost control of her emotions nine times out of ten. As time went on, she wondered if this was a good thing.

Xiao Kunning didn’t burn down the kitchen, only her own clothes. She hadn’t paid attention while adding firewood, and a spark landed on her skirt, burning a pitch-black hole. When Xie Yu walked into the kitchen, the hem of Xiao Kunning’s skirt and her sleeve edges were already scorched. The chicken in the pot didn’t fare well either; it was inexplicably black and unappetizing. Seeing an entire pot of chicken ruined, she took a deep breath. It was fine as long as the person was okay. She took the knife from Xiao Kunning’s hand. “Aren’t you afraid of cutting your hand?”

“No, I have control,” Xiao Kunning said guiltily. The chicken in the pot couldn’t be eaten. There was nothing she could do. Everyone has a first time, and her first pot of chicken soup just wasn’t very good.

Xie Yu didn’t say anything, signaling her to move to the stove to warm herself. As the person walked over, she pulled her back again: “Forget it. Go back and change your clothes. Don’t set yourself on fire.”

Xiao Kunning’s face flushed crimson when she heard that: “You… Am I that terrible?”

Xie Yu poured out the chicken soup in the pot. While changing the water, she answered: “Young Mistress Zhao’s way of thinking is different from others. She said a lady should be raised richly, raising you to be someone with undeveloped limbs who can’t distinguish between the five grains.”

“Xie Yu, you deserve to die alone!” Xiao Kunning couldn’t restrain her anger. Besides the knife, there were no other ‘weapons’ in the kitchen. She picked up a piece of firewood and marched towards Xie Yu, saying aggressively: “Xie Yu, no matter how much you scheme, you will be defeated by your mouth! I wish you a long life, a lonely life, and may you witness the affection of others every single day! Wen Yuke is a thousand times better than you! Even if my limbs are undeveloped, I can still hit people!”

The little fool charged over furiously, and Xie Yu instinctively backed away.

…

Since the last time she was injured saving the Old Prince, it was a near-death experience. Yu Yin always carried good medicine when she went out. Trauma medicine seemed ineffective for injuries caused by a stick, so she had to send Nong Qin to the pharmacy to buy medicine.

Nong Qin stopped by the relay station on her way out and found that the surrounding troops had already left. The conspicuous carriage was still parked at the entrance, and passersby glanced at it. After buying the medicine, she entered the relay station through a side door when no one was around. Gaoyang was still at the relay station, ‘admiring flowers’ daily with Zhao Xiran.

There were hundreds of soldiers Gaoyang had brought, guarding the relay station in the front and back, so it was impossible to get close to them even if she entered. Nong Qin didn’t dare to reveal her identity. After looking around, she returned the way she came.

When she got back, the food was already prepared. Xiao Kunning was eating in the room, a smile hanging on her lips and in her eyes. Nong Qin didn’t dare to provoke this ‘ancestor.’ After giving the medicine to Mr., she pulled Yu Yin to the kitchen to eat.

Xiao Kunning saw the situation and bravely stepped forward to grab the ointment from Xie Yu’s hand: “Should I apply the medicine for Mr.?”

Xie Yu’s eyelid twitched: “No need.”

“I can see where you’re hurt. Besides, I’ve seen your body a few times now, and I don’t mind seeing it again. There’s no difference between one time and a hundred,” Xiao Kunning smiled coldly, feeling much better when she saw the flush rise on Xie Yu’s face. Zhao Xiran always said that to deal with someone, you should bring up the thing they disliked most right in front of them.

Xie Yu felt an atmosphere that was different from usual. Xiao Kunning’s attitude was baffling. Someone who usually hated her suddenly offering to apply medicine must have an agenda. “No need. I can do it myself,” Xie Yu’s eyelashes trembled. She immediately saw the smile on Xiao Kunning’s lips and grew even more certain that Xiao Kunning had a motive. She opened her mouth to call Yu Yin and Nong Qin. She called a few times, but no one answered.

Xiao Kunning stood straight in front of her, sneering and curving her lips: “Calling people? I’m just applying medicine for you. Why are you calling?” In the past, Xie Yu was the wolf, and Xiao Kunning was the utterly foolish little white rabbit. Today, the little white rabbit finally got the upper hand over the vicious wolf and felt triumphant.

Xie Yu’s heart pounded furiously. Her face was red, and she kept her legs stiffly together, instinctively pushing Xiao Kunning away: “Stop making trouble.”

“I’m not making trouble. I’m not. Let’s apply the medicine,” Xiao Kunning pulled her wrist up, revealing a section of her fair, flawless wrist. There were no scars. She let go and checked the other hand in the same manner. Xie Yu’s ears were bright red with embarrassment.

Xiao Kunning praised her sincerely: “Mr.’s arms are really fair and beautiful, they just seem to be lacking something.”

Lacking what? Xie Yu didn’t understand, but Xiao Kunning didn’t give her a chance to figure it out. Xiao Kunning consciously reached out to undo the belt at her waist: “I remember you have scars on your back.”

Xie Yu quickly pressed down on the mischievous hands at her waist: “Don’t mess around.”

Xiao Kunning smiled charmingly, leaning close to her ear: “You’ve been seen already. Just pretend you’re out of your mind.” The young woman’s smile was cunning. In her playful revenge, a clean scent rushed into Xie Yu’s nose. She instinctively swallowed. Xiao Kunning felt even more delighted. She poked her forehead and eyes: “Xie Yu, how can you be so shy and yet so thick-skinned? Playing tricks and scaring me, then pretending you had nowhere to go to trick me.”

Xie Yu’s face was flushed red. Her usually eloquent tongue failed her against Xiao Kunning. Sweat seeped into the palm of the hand braced against the chair. After a long pause, she managed to squeeze out a sentence: “Xiao Kunning, I am not that, that…” She couldn’t finish the sentence.

Xiao Kunning looked at her with a look of disdain: “You look reserved, but you’re fundamentally indecent. I think you should go to a good place. No one would think to search for you there at this hour.”

Xie Yu’s brain didn’t catch up immediately: “What place?”

The Provincial Army searched many places but came up empty-handed. They went to the courtesan houses for distraction when they were frustrated. The largest brothel in the city was the Hua Xiang Lou. The girls here provided entertainment for both women and men, making a very profitable business by charming their guests.

Xie Yu never imagined Xiao Kunning would drag her to a place like this. The place was busiest at dusk, with people coming and going at the entrance, and the girls greeting them with smiles. After a quick glance at the words on the plaque, Xie Yu was too ashamed and pulled Xiao Kunning away: “Nonsense!”

Xiao Kunning laughed so hard she couldn’t stand straight and shook off Xie Yu’s hand: “Mr. Xie is widely traveled. Haven’t you seen a place like this before? The human soul-capturing land, don’t you know it?”

Xie Yu was a reserved and upright person. Even if she walked past such a place, she wouldn’t glance at it. Being deliberately dragged here by Xiao Kunning made her clench her hand tightly. She said coldly, “Deceiving your teacher and elder to come to such a soul-capturing place—you should be caned when we go back.”

Xiao Kunning was already unrestrained. Whether she could keep her life was uncertain, so Xie Yu’s authority had already been trampled underfoot. Even a big stick wouldn’t help. She moved forward instead of retreating, pulling Xie Yu into the Hua Xiang Lou. Xie Yu refused, but just two or three steps in, a girl came to greet them. Xiao Kunning immediately let go of her hand and told the girls: “This is a big patron.” The brightly dressed girls’ eyes lit up. Disregarding Xie Yu’s struggle, they dragged her inside.

Xiao Kunning, who was following Xie Yu, could faintly hear Xie Yu’s cold voice: “Let go! Release me! Stay away!” Her inner resentment was finally vented.

While Xie Yu was deep in the colorful district, Wen Yuke and his men rode in on horseback. Halfway there, they encountered Zhao Can, who had been ‘abandoned’ by everyone. After Xie Yu left the Zhao family, she had someone arrest Magistrate Sun first. Zhao Can, upon hearing the news, couldn’t stay in the Zhao manor and quickly took Wang Qingqing to return to Chang’an. The two traveled by road in a carriage, taking their time and playing along the way, covering only a few dozen li. When they encountered a large group of people, Zhao Can spotted Wen Yuke and immediately stopped her carriage to call out to her. Wen Yuke had been traveling day and night, rushing to the Gu manor without stopping. Being delayed by Zhao Can, she simply pulled her along.

With Zhao Can accompanying her, it was difficult to travel at night. The frail young lady rode a horse all day, and her palms were scraped raw by the reins. In the end, they had to find a place to stay. After staying for two nights, Wen Yuke received a letter from Xie Yu, leaving her stunned. That accursed Xie Yu had married Xiao Kunning…

Wen Yuke felt terrible. She ordered her men to take care of Zhao Can right where they were and went to the Gu manor first. Xie Yu had only agreed on the time to go to the Gu manor, and never mentioned anything about the fake marriage becoming real. Now, while Wen Yuke was tidying up the mess in Chang’an, Xie Yu had stolen her foundation. It was too much.

While Wen Yuke was on her way, Xie Yu was dragged into the Hua Xiang Lou. The girls in the Hua Xiang Lou were good-tempered, understanding, and skilled in singing and dancing. They were almost flawless. The girls were mostly confined to the building and hadn’t seen much of the world, so they recognized Xie Yu’s identity. They had only glanced at the portrait before, and the real person was slightly different. Xiao Kunning’s one line about her being a patron made them forget everything else.

Three to five girls gathered around Xie Yu, pouring wine and offering snacks. Outside, someone was dancing on a high platform. The ambiguous atmosphere instantly heightened. Xiao Kunning sat on the side, almost bending over with laughter, resting her chin on her hand and looking at Xie Yu’s cold expression. Xie Yu was beautiful, even more beautiful than the girls in the brothel. Her face made the girls feel inferior.

Xiao Kunning knew the rules of the house. Without waiting for them to speak, she took out the money. Xie Yu muttered sarcastically from the side, “Big spender.”

Xiao Kunning raised an eyebrow: “It’s worth spending all my family’s wealth to do something for Mr.”

Xie Yu snorted and refused to look at her. She turned and saw a pretty girl, her eyes glistening. Her slender, pale fingers held a wine cup, which she eagerly offered: “Is this your first time, Miss?” The girls in the brothel had sharp eyes and could tell at a glance if it was Xie Yu’s first time. The girl wrapped her arms around Xie Yu’s shoulder and whispered sweetly: “It’s very comfortable here.”

Xiao Kunning covered her eyes, guessing what would happen next without needing to see.

Xie Yu glared fiercely at Xiao Kunning, pushed the girl away, and dragged Xiao Kunning’s hand to leave. A few girls looked at each other, signaling for the two to return, and some even chased after them. Xie Yu suddenly stopped: “Dare to follow us again and I won’t be polite.” The girls stopped. Since they had the money, they didn’t have to serve, so they didn’t lose anything.

As Xie Yu dragged Xiao Kunning out of the Hua Xiang Lou, they saw many soldiers approaching from a distance. The direction they were coming from seemed to be their house. The two stopped in unison and hid in the shadows. After the Provincial Army left, Xie Yu let go of the little swindler’s hand and said, “Go play by yourself if you want to play.” She was angry.

Xiao Kunning naturally wouldn’t go back but didn’t care whether Xie Yu was upset. She walked and said, “Did you learn anything?”

Xie Yu’s angry back radiated coldness. She didn’t answer. Xiao Kunning spoke to herself: “Xie Yu, what is it about you that girls like? I heard the Emperor likes you, is that true?”

“Shut up,” Xie Yu refused impatiently.

In the past few days, the streets became deserted every night. Few people were walking around, so two young women walking on the road were somewhat conspicuous. Xie Yu quickened her pace. Xiao Kunning had to lift her skirt to catch up, whispering: “I’m telling the truth.”

Xie Yu said coldly: “You said yourself that telling the truth won’t make girls like you.”

An instant counter-attack. Xiao Kunning scorned her: “I don’t expect you to like me. Why don’t you become the Empress?”

Xie Yu ignored the foolish question. If a person had someone they liked in their heart, why would they become a bothersome Empress? The fool was speaking foolishly.

When the two returned to the house, Yu Yin and Nong Qin had just finished tidying up the room. Seeing the two return, they breathed a sigh of relief and said, “It’s a good thing Mr. wasn’t here. They came to search again.” They were coming frequently. At this rate, they would come again tomorrow.

Xie Yu waved her hand to show she knew and walked straight to the side to sit down. Xiao Kunning was in a good mood. The sky was beginning to darken, and she was hungry. She asked Yu Yin, “What are we eating tonight?”

Yu Yin replied, “Mr. didn’t cook.”

Xiao Kunning: “Who exactly is the Mr. and who is the subordinate between you and Xie Yu?”

Nong Qin spoke bluntly: “When you and Mr. are together, isn’t it still Mr. who cooks?”

Xiao Kunning had nothing to say and silently poured herself a glass of water. She would have to go hungry tonight. Yu Yin saw the atmosphere in the room solidify and kindly suggested, “How about I go buy some food from the restaurant?”

Xie Yu said, “We’re eating steamed buns tonight.” She glanced at Xiao Kunning and said, “Miss Xiao, aren’t you going to make some?”

Xiao Kunning blinked her innocent big eyes: “What bad trick are you plotting now?”

Xie Yu smiled faintly: “The clean bad trick. I benefited greatly from the Hua Xiang Lou just now.”

Xiao Kunning inexplicably shivered. The wicked demon Xie was going to do something bad again. She patted her stomach and decisively shook her head: “I won’t eat.”

Yu Yin and Nong Qin were scared by the coldness in Xie Yu’s eyes and backed out of the room. Nong Qin didn’t understand why Mr. was unhappy, but Yu Yin felt that Mr. was about to do something foolish again. She quickly pushed Nong Qin: “Go to the restaurant and buy some food. Get what Mr. likes to eat.”

Nong Qin mumbled: “Mr., didn’t she just say she wanted to make steamed buns?”

Yu Yin glared at her: “The steamed buns Mr. makes definitely have bad-tasting ingredients in them. Do you want to eat them?”

“Bad-tasting?” Nong Qin was momentarily confused. When she left, she recalled an unpleasant memory, her face changing color, and she immediately rushed to the restaurant.

In the end, Xiao Kunning reluctantly followed Xie Yu to the kitchen. Xie Yu kneaded the dough in the kitchen, and she stood watching on the side. Xie Yu would tell her to add water one moment, then flour the next, spinning her around until the steamed buns were finally cooked. Xie Yu waited for the buns to cool and handed one to her.

Xiao Kunning didn’t dare to eat it. Xie Yu pointed at her stomach: “If you don’t eat it, you won’t have anything else to eat.” Who told you that you could eat but couldn’t cook.

While Xiao Kunning hesitated, Nong Qin shouted from outside: “Mr., Miss Xiao! Dinner is here!”

“I’m not eating that, you eat it yourself,” Xiao Kunning almost leaped up, rushing out jubilantly, ignoring Xie Yu’s dark, ugly expression.

Xie Yu: “…” Damn Nong Qin.

Nong Qin bought several dishes. Although they couldn’t compare to Xie Yu’s cooking skills, they were much better than the unappetizing steamed buns. Xie Yu could cook anything deliciously, except for steamed buns. No matter how she made them, they always had a bitter taste. Yu Yin had tried them several times. Unable to bear Xiao Kunning being tormented like this, she went against Mr.’s wishes to buy some food and bring it back.

Xiao Kunning ate with satisfaction, not even glancing at Xie Yu’s steamed bun. Finally, she finished eating and returned to her room, taking a pastry with her in case she got hungry later at night. Xie Yu didn’t give Nong Qin a kind look from beginning to end. Nong Qin felt wronged, confused, and at a loss.

A day later, Yu Yin returned from outside with a letter, which she handed to Xie Yu. It was a ‘scolding’ letter from Wen Yuke. Wen Yuke was not a cunning person. The words in the letter were quite formal. The most serious sentence was: Xie Yu is the most utterly shameless person. Yu Yin didn’t understand why Minister Wen was so angry and felt depressed. Xie Yu, however, laughed upon seeing the letter and burned it.

Wen Yuke’s ability to scold had improved, but it was useless. To make the play more real, Zhao Xiran had personally written the marriage contract. She and Xiao Kunning now had a marriage contract. Xie Yu smiled deeply. Yu Yin and Nong Qin exchanged glances. Had the storm passed?

They couldn’t grasp Xie Yu’s thoughts. Wen Yuke was blocked outside by the Provincial Army. The two armies faced off, scaring the common folk. Gaoyang personally stepped forward, leading Wen Yuke into the city. After some discussion, Zhao Xiran revealed the location of the account books, and the Provincial Army retreated. The account books were in Wen Yuke’s hands, and the location where they were hidden was known only to her. Gu Zong left with the fake account books, and Gaoyang also stated that she would not pursue the matter.

After the Provincial Army withdrew, Wen Yuke sent people to look for Xie Yu’s hiding place. Yu Yin only showed up after searching for a day. When Yu Yin saw Wen Yuke, she proactively presented the marriage contract. Wen Yuke blinked in anger, remaining silent for a long time. Zhao Xiran, however, told her, “It’s fake.”

Yu Yin explained, “It has the handwriting of Young Mistress Zhao. How can it be fake?”

Zhao Xiran was also dumbfounded: “Xie Yu said it was just a performance.”

Yu Yin said seriously, “The marriage contract serves as proof. How can it be fake?”

Zhao Xiran suddenly realized. Xie Yu had tricked her, saying it was a fake to deceive Gu Zong, and that the ones getting married would be Gu Ning and Su Ying, so the marriage contract shouldn’t be taken seriously. All of it was nonsense. Xie Yu had dug a pit for her, and she willingly jumped into it. She immediately reprimanded, “Xie Yu is a disgrace to teachers.”

Gaoyang put down her teacup and said carelessly, “Xie Yu read all those ancient texts and they all went to the dogs, but none of you people even read them.” Zhao Xiran trembled with anger, not realizing the meaning of the statement. Wen Yuke was much calmer, calculating when the Jiangnan Provincial Army would return. A verbal agreement couldn’t withstand scrutiny. Once they figured it out, they would come back for revenge.

“Your Royal Highness Princess Gaoyang should return to your fiefdom first. I will handle the aftermath,” she advised. Gaoyang didn’t hesitate. She didn’t want to stay in this accursed place anymore, especially with that Grand Tutor Xie, whose scheming was far greater than ordinary people’s. In the Jiangnan case, the biggest beneficiary was Xie Yu. Double success in officialdom and romance.

The thought made her feel stifled. Looking at the calm and composed Minister Wen, she said kindly, “Minister Wen, did you discuss this with Grand Tutor Xie before you came?” Wen Yuke nodded. Gaoyang showed a look of pity: “Minister Wen, remember to be more careful next time you discuss matters with Grand Tutor Xie. Losing your wife and troops is something you should only do once.”

Wen Yuke’s lips trembled. She endured it and replied, “I remember.” Only then did Gaoyang lead Zhao Xiran back to her fiefdom.

Wen Yuke surrounded the Gu manor. Before anyone could react, she imprisoned Gu Zong and escorted him to Chang’an. By the time the evidence of the Provincial Army’s unauthorized troop mobilization was found, Xie Yu had long vanished. It truly confirmed Gaoyang’s words: losing your wife and troops.

After Xie Yu escaped, she led Xiao Kunning back to Chang’an by water. After Zhao Ji’s death, the Emperor was relieved of a great burden and felt much better. While comforting Yan Ruyu, he was planning the selection of an Empress.

The day after Xiao Kunning returned to the manor, Xiao Mingwang received a marriage contract sent by the Xie manor. Yu Yin asked when to present the betrothal gifts. Xiao Mingwang was utterly confused. What betrothal gifts?