My Love Rivals Have All Reborn - Chapter 59

Yu Yin handed over the marriage contract written by Zhao Xiran, cautiously preventing the Xiao family from tearing it up.

Xiao Mingwang read the contract from beginning to end many times, only focusing on Xie Yu’s name. He didn’t notice it was written by Zhao Xiran. He was stunned for a long while, then said, “Is Grand Tutor Xie serious?”

Yu Yin immediately asked, “How does Minister Xiao wish for our Mr. to express her sincerity?”

Xiao Mingwang was speechless. Xie Yu’s temperament was unbearable to most people. However, given her ability to hold such a high-ranking position as a woman, A’Ning marrying her wouldn’t be a bad match. He was just afraid Xie Yu was playing a joke. While he was hesitating, he noticed Zhao Xiran’s name on the marriage contract and gasped sharply. He quickly covered the three characters and said to Yu Yin, “By what right does Zhao Xiran decide who my daughter marries?”

As his voice fell, Lady Luo walked in, supported by Xiao Wenxue, “What is the matter?”

Xiao Mingwang shut his mouth, refusing to speak. He shoved the contract back into Yu Yin’s hand, feigning composure: “Since there is nothing, you should go back now.”

“Lady Xiao, you’ve come at a good time. My Mr. has come to fulfill the marriage contract.” Yu Yin ignored Xiao Mingwang’s attitude and quickly presented the contract.

Xiao Wenxue noticed something was wrong from Xiao Mingwang’s expression. She took the contract first. After reading it, she understood Xiao Mingwang’s concern and instinctively said, “Has Mr. made a mistake? A’Ning is a daughter of the Xiao family, not surnamed Zhao.”

“But Young Mistress Zhao acts as Miss Xiao’s mother, and Princess Gaoyang witnessed the contract being written,” Yu Yin’s words were forceful.

Lady Luo snatched the contract and was instantly enraged, wanting to tear it to shreds without a second thought. Yu Yin, with quick eyes and hands, snatched it back. Her Mr.’s happiness for half a lifetime was resting on this piece of paper. Seeing it snatched away, Lady Luo was furious and disregarded everything, saying, “Xiao Kunning is my child. Even if she were to become a nun, it is not for Zhao Xiran to decide. I do not acknowledge this marriage.”

Yu Yin carefully put the contract away and slowly said, “That is fine. Our Mr. anticipated that the two of you would not consent. Tomorrow, she shall ask His Majesty to decide. I take my leave.”

Xiao Mingwang rubbed his forehead, and Xiao Wenxue frowned. Mr. was acting a bit too hastily. She comforted Lady Luo, “I saw A’Ning return yesterday and she didn’t mention this matter. I believe she is unaware.”

“Yes, yes, this was mostly decided by Zhao Xiran and the Grand Tutor. You calm down first. I’ll go and ask the Grand Tutor what she means,” Xiao Mingwang took the opportunity to leave, to prevent his wife from finding fault with A’Ning again.

Lady Luo was pale with anger and didn’t care about anything else. She turned to find Xiao Kunning to settle the score.

When she went to the North Courtyard, she found the room empty. Xiao Kunning had left the manor early in the morning. Lady Luo sneered, “Raised by merchants indeed. There is no such word as ‘rules’ in her heart. She vanishes the day after returning to the manor. If she doesn’t want to stay, she doesn’t have to. Tell the gatekeeper not to let her in.”

Xiao Wenxue sensed that things were going badly. She patted Lady Luo’s slightly heaving back, “Mother, you are speaking in anger. No matter how bad A’Ning is, she is still your daughter. She is just a bit too fond of play. She even brought you many good things when she returned. Please calm down.”

“Don’t say such sweet words. You also stay away from her, lest you be tainted by bad habits. Don’t think about speaking favorably for her. If she doesn’t want to return, she doesn’t need to,” Lady Luo pushed Xiao Wenxue’s hand away and left furiously.

Xiao Wenxue didn’t chase after her. She instructed a maid to prepare the carriage and went to the Xie manor first to clarify the matter. What exactly did Xie Yu intend? Knowing that Lady Luo disliked Zhao Xiran, she insisted on presenting the marriage contract written by her.

When the Xiao manor’s carriage arrived at the Xie manor, Nong Qin specifically came to greet her and first said, “Mr. is not at the manor. She asked me to relay that the second Miss Xiao has her own place to go.” Xie Yu had already arranged A’Ning’s whereabouts. Xiao Wenxue had nothing to say and returned the way she came.

Meanwhile, Xiao Kunning had been invited out by Zhao Can.

Since parting ways with Wen Yuke that day, Zhao Can returned to Chang’an. She and Wang Qingqing spent every day together, practically inseparable. King Gaoyang didn’t bother with her and let her cause a commotion.

The two arranged to meet at a restaurant. Xiao Kunning listlessly swirled her wine cup. Across from her, Zhao Can and Wang Qingqing were seated shoulder-to-shoulder, their eyes locked.

Zhao Can smiled cheerfully, “Sister Xiao, how was the investigation in Jiangnan? I heard it was the Yan family?”

When the topic turned to serious matters, Xiao Kunning bothered to lift her eyelids and took a small sip of wine, “It seems to be something like that.” Zhao Can always knew a lot, and this time was no exception.

Zhao Can’s eyes were clear. She wrapped her slender arm around Wang Qingqing’s arm, instinctively leaning closer to her, and said to Xiao Kunning, “Did you bring all the account books back?”

“No,” Xiao Kunning said honestly. The young woman across from her smiled sweetly. Xiao Kunning caught a hint of curiosity in her clear, watery eyes. Since when did Zhao Can care about court affairs? If Xie Yu hadn’t dragged her into the case, she wouldn’t have known anything. Zhao Can loved to play even more than she did. Had she changed her nature?

Zhao Can used her slender white hand to pick up a pastry and fed it into Wang Qingqing’s mouth. She squinted and smiled happily, “If you didn’t bring them back, they must be in Minister Wen’s hands. I heard you and Mr. got engaged?”

“Nonsense. That was Young Master Gu getting married,” Xiao Kunning denied.

Zhao Can let out an ‘oh’ and drew out the sound. She shook her head, “I don’t believe it. Mr. has liked you for a long time. Why else would she never scold you when you slept in her class? She cares about you, that’s why she didn’t interfere. Mr. is not bad, just a bit strange in temper. I heard Emperor Brother wants to make her Empress. Do you think she is in such a rush to get engaged because she wants to discourage Emperor Brother’s idea of making her Empress?”

“Using me as a smokescreen?” Xiao Kunning was suspicious.

Zhao Can pursed her lips, holding the small pastry. She looked like she wanted to speak but stopped. Finally, with great determination, she denied it, “No, Mr. wouldn’t do that. She must genuinely like you.”

Xiao Kunning fell silent. Xie Yu was accustomed to calculating people’s hearts. It wouldn’t be strange for her to calculate her as well.

After chatting for a while, Xiao Kunning couldn’t stand the sickeningly sweet behavior of the pair and left the restaurant first. After leaving the restaurant and walking for a while, she saw the Su Family Pharmacy open, with Su Ying as the seated doctor. She decided to go in and take a look.

The patients at the Su Family Pharmacy were mostly poor common folk, dressed in rough, torn cloth. When Xiao Kunning entered, the pharmacy assistant was distributing medicine to a patient, and Su Ying was taking someone’s pulse. Seeing the novel visitor, Su Ying had someone else take over the pulse diagnosis and led Xiao Kunning to the back courtyard to sit.

The back courtyard was extremely quiet, with a large tree shading them from the intense summer sun. The two sat down under the tree, and Su Ying spoke first, “Why did you come here?”

“I just happened to walk this way. How are things with you and Young Master Gu?” Xiao Kunning asked kindly.

“We got married. Old Master Gu is in the Ministry of Justice prison. The case is significant, and he likely won’t be released. His collusion with the Provincial Army alone is a severe offense. It’s useless even if Gu Ning voluntarily hands over the account books. Gu Ning has come to terms with it. We are both well. How are things with you and Mr. Xie?” Su Ying smiled faintly, her tone as gentle as always.

When Xie Yu was mentioned, Xiao Kunning sneered, “Mr. Xie is clever and skillful in planning, and cunning in her schemes. How can I possibly compare?”

“So sarcastic. Mr. Xie just doesn’t know how to please girls, that’s all. Her feelings for you are very deep. I’ve heard Gu Ning talk about her childhood these days. She said Xie Yu often worried about a young girl. The girl was a bit clumsy and loved to play. Later, for some unknown reason, she came to Chang’an, and Xie Yu followed.”

Xiao Kunning was unconvinced, “In what way am I clumsy?”

Su Ying was amused, “You admit you are the girl Mr. Xie worried about?”

“I…” Xiao Kunning couldn’t refute it. That old sachet was indeed hers, embroidered for her by Zhao Xiran. She had long forgotten it, but Zhao Xiran still remembered.

Su Ying gazed at the bright and captivating young woman, “I heard you had a crush on Mr. Xie before?”

“No,” Xiao Kunning denied immediately. That was a matter of her previous life and had nothing to do with this life.

Su Ying didn’t believe her, “You denied it too quickly. It shows you have a guilty conscience. Xie Yu has her flaws, but her feelings for you are real. Xie Yu learned scheming from childhood. Perhaps no one taught her how to love. Liking someone is simple. The difficulty lies in how to make the person you like, like you back. Xie Yu looks clever, but she’s actually quite simple-minded.”

Xiao Kunning fell silent. Xie Yu acted without reserve and was ruthless, but she was indeed simple-minded, acting without considering the consequences.

Su Ying continued, “Xiao Kunning, why don’t you teach her how to love someone?”

“Me, teach her?” Xiao Kunning was incredulous.

The girl across from her was neither stupid nor clever, but her bright, captivating face was mesmerizing. Most people loved her face, but Xie Yu loved her simple-mindedness.

Su Ying saw through it but didn’t say more. She stood up, “Teach her how to win a girl’s favor, instead of pushing her further and further away, pushing her into the embrace of others.”

The pharmacy assistant came to call her. Su Ying was in a hurry to see a patient. Xiao Kunning also didn’t want to delay. It was enough to know that she and Gu Ning were doing well.

After leaving the Su Family Pharmacy, Su Ying’s words kept echoing in her ears. Xie Yu’s cleverness was all used for causing trouble, and she couldn’t think of anything else.

Xiao Wenxue, who had returned from the Xie manor, didn’t find Xiao Kunning at the restaurant, only seeing Zhao Can and an unfamiliar girl. She didn’t dare to tell the truth and left after making up a lie. She searched for her along the street and found Xiao Kunning outside the Su Family Pharmacy. Xiao Kunning seemed preoccupied. Xiao Wenxue anxiously urged her into the carriage. Her usual calm and collected demeanor was long forgotten. She hurriedly told her everything that happened at home, finally having to complain, “What are you and Mr. Xie thinking? Marriage is not child’s play.”

“If Xie Yu wants to cause trouble, let her cause trouble. You didn’t tell Zhao Can about this, did you?” Xiao Kunning didn’t care about Xie Yu causing trouble at all. Zhao Can’s words just now were loaded, and it took her this entire walk to realize it. Xie Yu had a thousand ways to make the Emperor change his mind if she didn’t want to be Empress. There was no need to use her as a smokescreen.

Zhao Can’s small intentions were not normal.

Xiao Wenxue frowned, “I didn’t dare to tell anyone outside either. You shouldn’t go back yet. Wait until Mother’s anger subsides. Are you going to stay at Moxiang Study?”

Xiao Kunning suddenly became a free person and felt a bit unaccustomed to it. If she hadn’t just returned from Jiangnan, she would truly want to go play again.

“No, I’m going to find Xie Yu and get the marriage contract back.”

Xiao Wenxue’s heart sank, “A’Ning, you can try, but remember to get out quickly.”

It would be a problem if she couldn’t get the marriage contract back and couldn’t get herself out either.

The carriage stopped outside the Xie manor. Xiao Wenxue had been out for a long time and didn’t dare to stay any longer.

Xiao Kunning walked in through the main entrance openly. Yu Yin greeted her with warmth and eagerness, asking a maid to bring out the pre-prepared pastries and fruits, and said with a smile, “Mr. will return in the late afternoon.”

Xiao Kunning suddenly found it amusing, “Sister Yu Yin, your enthusiasm is making me a bit uncomfortable. You don’t need to wait for Mr., just hand me the marriage contract.”

Yu Yin, who hadn’t finished making the tea, immediately dropped her smile and pleaded, “Miss, please don’t make things difficult for me. Can you not?”

Xie Yu was a genius, and Yu Yin was not far off. Xiao Kunning understood in her heart that Yu Yin was not a simple person. Compared to Nong Qin, she had even mistakenly thought Yu Yin had died and grieved for a while, “Then I’ll wait for Xie Yu to return.”

Yu Yin breathed a sigh of relief. She poured the brewed tea and handed it over. Just as she was about to ask if Xiao Kunning would stay for dinner, she saw her throw the teacup to the ground. She was enraged.

Yu Yin retreated to a safe distance. Mr. had guessed correctly and instructed her to put away the valuable decorations in the room beforehand. She smiled, “As long as Miss is happy.”

Xiao Kunning lifted her eyes, “If Xie Yu doesn’t return my marriage contract, I can burn this place down.”

Yu Yin’s expression was unchanged, “You would be burning your own money.”

“Stop talking sarcastically. I hear Minister Wen is coming back soon?” Xiao Kunning sat back down. Seeing Yu Yin’s lack of distress, she knew that preparations had been made beforehand, and smashing things was pointless.

Mentioning Minister Wen inexplicably, Yu Yin stopped smiling, “It seems so.”

“Tell your Mr. that I’ve been kicked out of my house and will stay at the Wen residence tonight. She can give me back the marriage contract whenever she wants me to leave.” Xiao Kunning felt she had found a way. If Xie Yu was shameless, she could be shameless too.

Xie Yu felt a wave of unease at the Ministry of Justice. The Gu family’s account books were just a drop in the ocean and couldn’t settle the case. Everything now depended on the account books in Wen Yuke’s hands.

Magistrate Sun was also locked in the prison, but his mouth was tightly shut, refusing to say a single unnecessary word. The Ministry of Justice was no gentle place. Anyone who entered would at least lose a layer of skin. The constables used all the torture available before managing to extract a few words.

Xie Yu slowly walked into the cell. The familiar smell of blood made her frown inadvertently. She covered her nose and approached the person on the wooden rack. The bound man on the wooden rack was covered in injuries, his clothes soaked in blood. He opened his eyes only when he saw Xie Yu, instantly widening them: “Grand… Grand Tutor…”

Xie Yu’s eyes were icy, without the slightest emotional leakage. She stared at him, “Which people in the capital did you send money to? Where are the account books? Otherwise, I cannot guarantee the safety of the Sun family.”

“Grand Tutor…” Magistrate Sun was terrified. His limbs, wrapped in iron chains, trembled continuously. He swallowed and said, “Grand Tutor, I don’t have the account books…”

Xie Yu nodded, smiling faintly, “That’s fine if you don’t have them.” She glanced at the constable on the side. The constable understood and took out a stack of long needles. Xie Yu stood beneath the candlelight, her shadow long on the ground, radiating a chilling atmosphere in the darkness.

“To be honest with Minister Sun, I have learned some basic medical skills from a doctor. I know which acupuncture points, if a needle is inserted a certain depth, will cause agonizing pain, and if inserted a bit deeper, will lead to a horrific death.”

Xie Yu’s voice was very soft, like a ghost that came and went without a trace. Yet, her smile was ordinary, and her feminine beauty added a touch of charm. Magistrate Sun was a man of passion and was first drawn by Xie Yu’s beauty. But when he saw the needle, he couldn’t help but tremble. Xie Yu’s fair hand flickered before his face, and a sharp pain shot through his head. Then his head felt like it was splitting open.

Xie Yu said calmly, “This doesn’t hurt.”

She took another needle and said, “If a needle is inserted incorrectly, the limbs will lose all sensation. Even branding irons will feel nothing. How about I help you? Then you won’t feel pain from any future torture.”

Magistrate Sun was startled all over. He watched as the long needle was inserted between his legs. First, it was the pain of an ant bite, and then there was no feeling at all. Fear suddenly engulfed his entire body. He cried out to Xie Yu in terror: “Grand Tutor, I’ll tell you. The account books are in Wang Qingqing’s hands.”

Xie Yu slowly lifted her gaze, “Who is Wang Qingqing?”

“She… she is the woman Princess Zhao Can likes… it’s her.”

Xie Yu put down the needle and summoned the Vice Minister of Justice, “Go to King Gaoyang’s manor and arrest Wang Qingqing. Do it secretly.”

After the instruction, Nong Qin ran in to pass on a message: “Mr., Miss Xiao is here.”

Xie Yu’s hands were stained with a few drops of blood, emitting a foul odor. She pulled out a handkerchief to wipe them, saying carelessly, “If she wants to smash things, let her.”

Nong Qin shook her head, “She said she is going to stay at Minister Wen’s house.”

Xie Yu’s face turned cold, “Where is she now?”

“Still at the manor,” Nong Qin said uneasily.

Xie Yu threw away the handkerchief. After giving a few more instructions, she prepared to return to the Xie manor. As she walked out of the Ministry of Justice yamen, Yan Huaizhen immediately blocked her.

“Where is the Grand Tutor going?”

Xie Yu had no time to deal with him, “I have an urgent matter at home.”

The two stood at the entrance, and many people were watching. Yan Huaizhen found it difficult to forcefully stop her, but the matter was urgent, and he said recklessly, “No urgent matter at home can be greater than state affairs.”

Xie Yu’s expression was grim, clearly unwilling to talk to him anymore. The two words ‘state affairs’ were too heavy. She had no choice but to turn back and invite him into the yamen to discuss in detail. Everyone behind them glanced at each other, and after the two entered the room, they gathered to whisper.

“This Jiangnan case involves many people. Did Prime Minister Yan come in a rush because of this?”

“Unlikely. Prime Minister Yan would not come personally. It’s mostly for other reasons.”

“That’s true. Prime Minister Yan must be here for something else. I heard Noble Consort’s pregnancy is four or five months along.”

“Is it related to Noble Consort?”

Outside, discussions were rife. King Gaoyang’s manor was surrounded by Ministry of Justice constables. Zhao Can and Wang Qingqing were intercepted as soon as they returned home. The Vice Minister of Justice wanted to take Wang Qingqing away, but Zhao Can refused and even started a commotion with him. King Gaoyang rushed over to mediate, but Zhao Can would not budge. While the two sides were at a stalemate, Zhao Can released Wang Qingqing through the back door. The Vice Minister of Justice ordered a pursuit, but she had long vanished.

The Ministry of Justice team returned empty-handed.

Inside the yamen, Xie Yu and Yan Huaizhen had a dispute, and they parted on bad terms. Everyone was speculating about what was said. When the Vice Minister of Justice hurried back to report, Xie Yu couldn’t suppress her anger and lashed out, “You let a girl escape? Are the swords in your hands made of wood? Why didn’t you forcibly bring her back? Now that she’s escaped, if you don’t find her, all of you will hang from the trees outside.”

Everyone was afraid and dared not speak.

Xie Yu personally requested an order to search the city gates from the palace. The patrol soldiers went door-to-door to search and posted a reward notice. Zhao Can was also punished by the Emperor.

By the time Xie Yu finally returned to the manor, the moon was already high. Xiao Kunning was nowhere to be seen.

Yu Yin was frantic. Seeing Mr. she apologized guiltily, “This subordinate couldn’t keep Miss Xiao. I ordered Nong Qin to follow her all the way. I believe she will be safe. Minister Wen has not returned yet, so she won’t go to the Wen residence.”

Xie Yu was tired of speaking. Faced with Yu Yin’s caution, she didn’t have the energy to care. Xiao Kunning’s temperament was one to respond to kindness, not coercion. Forcing her to stay would have been useless.

Just barely half an hour after she sat down, King Gaoyang rushed in, wanting to plead for Zhao Can.

Xie Yu gathered her spirits to greet him. After exchanging pleasantries, King Gaoyang asked about the inside story, “Miss Wang is a lotus picker from Jiangnan. How did she get involved in a corruption case? A’Can is simple-minded and I fear she was used.”

“I fear this girl approached the Princess with her own motives from the start. We are currently searching for her. If Your Highness asks for details, I do not know,” Xie Yu kept silent about the specifics.

King Gaoyang had no choice but to sincerely plead with Xie Yu, “I trouble the Grand Tutor to plead on her behalf before His Majesty.”

Xie Yu agreed and personally escorted King Gaoyang out of the manor.

Before the Hai hour (9 PM – 11 PM), she ordered a carriage to be prepared and instructed the coachman to go to Moxiang Study. If Xiao Kunning wasn’t returning to the manor, she could only be staying at Moxiang Study.

Patrol soldiers were inspecting the streets. Any carriage was searched, and Xie Yu’s carriage was no exception. By the time they reached Moxiang Study, it was already midnight.

Xiao Kunning had changed her ways. She closed the door and refused to let Xie Yu enter. After waiting outside the door for half an hour, Xie Yu returned unsuccessful.

The day after Wang Qingqing was released by Zhao Can, King Gaoyang’s manor was surrounded by soldiers. Even King Gaoyang himself was forbidden from entering or leaving.

In court, Xie Yu’s argument with Yan Huaizhen ultimately failed to make the Emperor change his mind. No one else dared to say a word.

In the afternoon, Wen Yuke returned on horseback. The first thing she did when she got back to the Ministry of Justice was to ask Xie Yu for Magistrate Sun’s account books. Everyone else in the Ministry of Justice quietly withdrew. Xie Yu didn’t speak for a long while.

Wen Yuke’s stern face was full of sarcasm. She said directly, “The Grand Tutor is full of strategies when calculating her subordinates, but why is she at a loss now? There are so many people in the Ministry of Justice, yet they couldn’t catch one young girl. Is it because your mind is not on the case?”

Xie Yu also felt regret. She should have gone to King Gaoyang’s manor herself to apprehend the person. She said, “I did not calculate you.”

“Is the Grand Tutor speaking with a hand on her heart?” Wen Yuke handed the recovered account books to the desk and said, “The account books of the Gu and Zhao families and the Jiangnan merchants can only prove the corruption of Jiangnan officials. They have nothing to do with the high-ranking families in Chang’an.”

Magistrate Sun’s account books were the only ones that could incriminate Yan Huaizhen.

Xie Yu was in the wrong and said, “Minister Wen means I was negligent?”

Wen Yuke looked up and met her gaze, “Wasn’t it? If the Grand Tutor were fully focused, how could Wang Qingqing have escaped without a trace?”

“Is Minister Wen throwing a tantrum out of embarrassment?” Xie Yu regained some composure. Wen Yuke’s coercion was only for the sake of others. She stood up and said confidently, “Whether I was negligent or not, you are welcome to report me to His Majesty. As for your comments about me being unfocused, it reminds me of a saying.”

Wen Yuke frowned, “What saying?”

Xie Yu smiled faintly, “Sour grapes.”

“Does Grand Tutor Xie think a fraudulent marriage is justifiable?” Wen Yuke was almost laughed to anger.

“Justifiable or not, the matter is decided. If I do not annul the marriage, Minister Wen can only continue to speak of sour grapes.” Xie Yu calmly organized the account books, ordering them to be packed into a chest to be sent to His Majesty. She then remembered something, “Has Minister Wen made a copy beforehand?”

It wouldn’t be safe for the account books to reach His Majesty without a copy.

Wen Yuke replied, “The Grand Tutor can rest assured.”

Xie Yu smiled, “I am going to see His Majesty. Minister Wen can take a few days to rest before returning to hear the case.”

Wen Yuke thanked her with a cold expression.

The chest containing the account books was loaded onto a carriage. Xie Yu did not ride the carriage but rode a horse toward the palace.

Wen Yuke also did not return to her residence but went to Moxiang Study instead.