My Love Rivals Have All Reborn - Chapter 60

Xie Yu was only halfway on her journey when someone rushed out. A man in black directly swung his knife at Xie Yu. The Ministry of Justice guards reacted, rushing forward to block the assassin. Xie Yu immediately flipped off her horse. After rolling on the ground once, she was helped up by Nong Qin.

While she was busy covering herself from the dust, the carriage carrying the account books was set on fire. It was a dry summer day. As soon as the wood was ignited, the dry kindling and fierce fire quickly climbed to the carriage roof. The group was instantly stunned. There was no water nearby to put out the fire, and they could only watch helplessly as the entire carriage of account books was burned to ashes.

The account books were gone. Xie Yu had twisted her ankle when she fell from the horse, and she couldn’t even walk. The entire team from the Ministry of Justice felt that their outing had been highly unfortunate. The group returned the way they came, and Xie Yu was sent to the Su Family Pharmacy for treatment.

Su Ying took time out of her busy schedule to examine her injuries. Xie Yu’s face was covered in dust, her pale skin looking haggard. Su Ying couldn’t help but laugh: “Has Grand Tutor Xie been struck by a ghost?”

Xie Yu said calmly, “Perhaps I am simply unworthy to ride a horse.”

“There are things you are unworthy of, after all.” Su Ying stopped laughing. After looking at the swollen ankle, she said, “It’s a sprain. Rest for a few days, and don’t walk around.”

Xie Yu nodded, and when leaving, she had someone pay the consultation fee. Su Ying accepted the money and added, “Miss Xiao came by. I looked at her, and she seemed preoccupied.”

“Her only preoccupation is Wen Yuke,” Xie Yu replied coldly.

Su Ying didn’t press further. Since meeting Xiao Kunning, Xie Yu had been embarrassed quite a few times. She looked indifferent, but deep down, she was worried.

The news that the Ministry of Justice account books had been burned spread quickly. Noble Consort Yan Ruyu, the mastermind, lay on her imperial couch. Upon hearing the news, she laughed aloud, “Xie Yu finally had her moment. Were they all burned?”

The transmitting eunuch laughed and said, “They were all burned. Not a single page was left. And our people were pulled out. The Ministry of Justice thought we were trying to kill Xie Yu and desperately protected her. They were dumbfounded after we burned the carriage.”

Yan Ruyu sat up, her lower abdomen slightly protruding. She gently caressed it with her slender fingertips, a satisfied smile spreading across her face. “Without the account books, even if Xie Yu were a Great Luo Immortal, it would be useless. Keep an eye on the patrol division—no, no, keep an eye on Zhao Can. She will definitely meet that woman again.”

The eunuch nodded, “But the little Princess is confined to her manor. It will be useless even if she wants to meet her.”

Yan Ruyu waved her hand. “No, Zhao Can likes her so much that there must be a backup plan. Zhao Can is naive, but King Gaoyang is not. To have survived under the late Emperor’s authority until today, his thinking is certainly not simple.” In her previous life, King Gaoyang and Xie Yu were together. It’s not guaranteed that he is kind.

The eunuch received his orders and quickly left the palace to execute them.

At this time, images of Wang Qingqing were posted on every entrance in Chang’an. Not only that, but the patrol division was also searching lively areas with the images in hand.

Xie Yu returned to her manor, bathed, and changed clothes. In the late afternoon, Yu Yin led an elderly man in through the side door. Xie Yu, in clean clothes, sat in the main hall. The elderly man strode in with a vigorous air. Yu Yin personally poured and offered tea. The elder removed his veil, revealing a face similar to Shen Nan’s.

“The person the Prince wishes to see is not with me, but in Gaoyang’s fiefdom,” Xie Yu said casually.

King Zhennan, Shen Siyuan, sat directly on the pear blossom wood chair and waved away the tea offered by Yu Yin. “I heard you were looking for a woman? Your wife?”

Xie Yu’s face flushed. She unconsciously said, “That’s the person Zhao Can likes. What does she have to do with me?”

Shen Siyuan had misunderstood. He waved his hand and said, “If she’s not your wife, then forget it. I’ll release her later.”

“You caught her?” Xie Yu was shocked.

“When I was at the city gate, a woman was walking back and forth. I thought something was strange. I overheard someone saying that Grand Tutor Xie was looking for a woman. I saw from a distance that she looked somewhat similar to the portrait, so I grabbed her easily. I only thought she was your wife, or I wouldn’t have bothered,” Shen Siyuan regretted.

“Since you’ve caught her, you might as well send her to me. As someone who is supposed to be dead, it is not wise for you to stay in Chang’an for long. Why don’t you return to the frontier? The frontier is unstable, and I’m sure you worry about the Crown Prince and Princess,” Xie Yu chose her words carefully. King Zhennan was presumed dead; his sudden appearance would cause a major incident.

Shen Siyuan frowned and replied, “You don’t need to worry about me. I plan to go see Zhao Kuo.”

Xie Yu supported her head. “Aren’t you afraid King Gaoyang will reveal your whereabouts?”

“No, with his cowardly appearance, he wouldn’t dare to say anything even when drunk.” Shen Siyuan was completely unconcerned. He complimented the good structure of the hall, “This place of yours is quite nice. Yu Yin said you got engaged to a girl. When is the wedding?” Yu Yin felt a debt of gratitude to Shen Siyuan for blocking the knife for her, and the two were like father and daughter, so she had been a bit talkative on the way.

Xie Yu fell silent, pretending not to hear. Yu Yin, however, said, “It’s the second daughter of Vice Minister of Revenue Xiao Mingwang, Xiao Kunning.”

“Xiao, Kunning. That name sounds familiar. I think I’ve heard it somewhere.” Shen Siyuan sat up straight and then leaned back against the chair. He pondered for a moment. Xie Yu opposite him silently glared at Yu Yin. The latter, not knowing how she had offended her, shrunk back slightly.

As the master and servant were at a deadlock, Shen Siyuan clapped his hands and laughed aloud: “I remember! Rui told me he likes a girl, and he wanted me to propose for him when I returned. Her name is also Xiao Kunning.”

Yu Yin froze instantly. Oh no, oh no…

Xie Yu’s expression turned cold. “It would be better for you to return to the frontier.”

“You like the same girl as Rui?” Shen Siyuan figured out the problem and instinctively looked at Xie Yu. “Are you chasing me away because of Xiao Kunning?”

“No, you are overthinking it,” Xie Yu immediately refused, her eyes avoiding his gaze, her cheeks flushed.

Shen Siyuan was displeased. “You’re already engaged, what are you afraid of? Be more confident.”

Xie Yu still didn’t speak. Shen Siyuan had met Xie Yu ten years ago. She was only a teenage girl then, traveling alone through mountains and rivers to the frontier, walking through piles of dead bodies. At night, the wind howled and spirits seemed to cry, but the young girl was calm and composed, even helping to bury the soldiers’ remains. It was that night that he realized the extraordinary nature of this young girl. Xie Yu had a proud streak in her bones, without the weakness of other young girls. She was forged into her proud disposition through hardship.

Since Xie Yu remained silent, he had to change his attitude again: “I won’t help Rui. You can rest assured. When are you getting married? I’ll leave after drinking your wedding wine.”

Yu Yin subconsciously said, “Miss Xiao doesn’t intend to marry our Mr.”

“You’re engaged, so why renege?” Shen Siyuan was confused again. The Xiao Kunning Rui spoke of was beautiful and generous, careful and kind to people, with almost no faults. Why would she suddenly break the engagement?

Xie Yu quickly interrupted the confusion, saying to Shen Siyuan, “Wait a moment.”

“Wait for what? I came back for one thing only. If I don’t stay in Chang’an, I’m going to find your mother.” Shen Siyuan found the girls’ affairs troublesome. Impatient with Xie Yu’s slow pace, he said, “When you came to me with Leyang’s token, you were a straightforward and decisive person. Why have you become so wishy-washy after all these years? If you’ve settled on it, get married! Why so much drama? Why won’t she agree? If your mother were alive, she would smack your head.”

Xie Yu’s face was crimson, and she couldn’t utter a word in return. Yu Yin shrunk her head, unable to imagine King Zhennan’s words.

When the master and servant stopped speaking, Shen Siyuan focused his attention on Yu Yin: “You came from my King Zhennan’s manor. Tell me the truth. Did she trick her into marriage?”

Yu Yin was startled: “You are truly prescient.”

Shen Siyuan’s stern face froze, as if he hadn’t fully grasped it. After a moment, he showed a look of disbelief: “Tricked her into marriage? You’re not much better than Rui. Rui has been thinking of Miss Xiao for quite a few years, maybe five or six.”

Xie Yu interjected, “When I first saw her, she was only five or six years old.”

Shen Siyuan let out an “oh” and stammered, “Then… Rui should give up. Why don’t you just get married? Get her in your hands first. It will be fine once she realizes your good qualities.”

Xie Yu didn’t want to talk about matters of the heart. She told Yu Yin to bring the frontier battle report. “The Crown Prince sent a letter, saying the frontier is still under control, and the Tartars are very quiet.”

Having guarded the frontier for many years, Shen Siyuan understood the enemy’s habits. They would launch a few battles and then retreat, taking advantage of the situation, but they feared a protracted fight. The court didn’t provide enough logistical support, or they could have decisively defeated them once and for all. The young Emperor was a bit troublesome, always coveting his military power. It was better to keep fighting back and forth like this.

Yu Yin brought the battle report and summarized the general situation. Xie Yu continued, “Princess Gaoyang sent money to the Crown Prince.”

Shen Siyuan scoffed after reading the report, “What is she stirring up trouble for? She doesn’t have Leyang’s brains or your ability. Just a bit of money, and she wants to compete? Even if she were made Empress, she’d be pulled down. Did Shen Nan accept it?”

“The Crown Prince dared not accept,” Xie Yu said.

“It’s best not to accept. You keep your distance from her. By the way, when are you getting married?” Shen Siyuan placed the battle report on the table, fixing his gaze on Xie Yu.

Round and round, the topic couldn’t be avoided. Xie Yu couldn’t bear it anymore and said, “I don’t know.”

“Troublesome. Shall I go on your behalf?” Shen Siyuan offered. If he didn’t offer, Xie Yu wouldn’t let him stay.

Xie Yu lifted her eyelids: “You should stay safely at the manor. What if you’re spotted outside?”

“The woman I caught is at the inn. You take people to arrest her. Yu Yin, let’s go handle some business,” Shen Siyuan was too lazy to go into detail with her. He took Yu Yin and left the manor.

Xie Yu dared not be negligent again. Since her leg was inconvenient, she sent a messenger to inform Wen Yuke. If the person was lost again, it would be Wen Yuke’s fault for being ineffective.

Since the Hengiang Pavilion across the street closed, Moxiang Study’s business had improved considerably. At least a few qin (zithers) were sold every day.

When Shen Siyuan stood outside Moxiang Study, he hesitated slightly: “Has Miss Xiao switched to business?”

Yu Yin didn’t know how to explain: “It’s a long story.”

“Then don’t bother. It’s too much trouble to listen to.” Shen Siyuan waved his hand and strode into the room. Yu Yin quickly followed.

The shopkeeper was speaking to a distinguished guest about a qin. Seeing the unfamiliar person, he instructed the attendant to serve them. Upon seeing Yu Yin, his eyelids twitched, and he immediately had someone find Xiao Kunning.

Xiao Kunning didn’t suspect anything when she saw the unfamiliar elderly man. She led the two into a private room to sit. Shen Siyuan had been away from Chang’an for over twenty years, and his appearance had changed long ago. Xiao Kunning hadn’t seen him in her previous life, so she treated him as a regular guest, “Are you looking at qin?”

After seeing the person, Shen Siyuan understood Xie Yu’s eye for people. She was indeed picky. As for Rui, it would be better for him to focus on fighting battles.

Anyone brought by Yu Yin was definitely a distinguished guest, so Xiao Kunning personally poured and offered tea. Shen Siyuan created an identity for himself: “I am from the Xie family in Luoyang, an elder of Xie Yu.”

Xiao Kunning subconsciously thought of the Wen family in Luoyang. She asked cautiously, “How should I address you?”

“I am Xie Yu’s uncle,” Shen Siyuan’s throat was dry, and he drank the tea in one gulp.

Xiao Kunning noticed some habits of a martial artist in his demeanor, such as the calluses on his palms and the way he drank tea in large gulps. Both the Xie and Wen families were scholarly families for generations. Xie Yu’s uncle didn’t seem like a martial artist. Where did this swindler come from?

She instinctively looked at Yu Yin, who quietly lowered her head. The elder spoke again: “Why are you looking at Yu Yin? Tell me what you want. I will try my best to help you, except for breaking the engagement. Xie Yu has a poor temperament, but she can change if you say so.”

The elder’s tone was very straightforward, like haggling for vegetables at the market. If this part is not good, I can pick it off. What you receive will definitely be to your liking.

Xiao Kunning’s guard immediately dropped. She chuckled softly, “I don’t like Xie Yu. I don’t like anything about her.”

“Well, well, that can’t be changed. Re-forging her from scratch—even her mother couldn’t do that.” Shen Siyuan was troubled. This was too difficult. He added, “Xie Yu looks alright. Why don’t you just make do? If that doesn’t work, she can marry you. You can make her change however you want after marriage.”

Yu Yin covered her face: Mr. has become like unsalable Chinese cabbage on the street.

Xiao Kunning didn’t buy it. The elder across from her was definitely not from the Luoyang Xie family. His speech was not that of a scholar. His face was stern, and his rigid features looked like they had weathered a lot of dust and wind. He didn’t seem like a deceitful person. She rejected the elder’s proposal: “Xie Yu’s heart is not good. That cannot be changed.”

“Her heart is not good?” Shen Siyuan muttered. When Xie Yu sought him out years ago, she had a fierce look and was full of murderous intent. That was a mind blinded by hatred.

He smiled, “If Xie Yu were kind-hearted, she wouldn’t be alive today. I imagine Miss has grown up with sweets, knowing nothing of blood, wind, or dust, and not knowing that Xie Yu spent a whole night among piles of dead bodies.”

Xiao Kunning was more certain than ever that the elder was not from the Xie family. “You are not from the Xie family.”

“The young lady is very clever. I am indeed not from the Xie family. My daughter mentioned you in her letter—bright and kind. She wanted to marry you, but alas, she has no fate with you,” Shen Siyuan said immediately, his eyes showing signs of age. “You should already know Xie Yu’s identity.”

“I know,” Xiao Kunning’s tone deepened. The person across from her was the supposedly dead King Zhennan, Shen Siyuan. Indeed, a kind person would not have survived to this day. She sighed, “To be honest, the matter between her and me is not as simple as you think. It’s not just about having feelings to get married. I have no feelings for her.”

Shen Siyuan felt the young lady was being dishonest. “If you don’t like her, why write a marriage contract? Xie Yu is quite likable.”

Likable? A subtle smile appeared on Xiao Kunning’s lips. “Likable? You are mistaken. Mr. Xie is not likable. She only has talent but no heart. The matter between her and me is not something I can clearly explain to you.”

“If you can’t explain it, then don’t. It’s a waste of breath. You won’t marry Xie Yu?” Shen Siyuan pressed.

Xiao Kunning shook her head.

Shen Siyuan sighed, “If you don’t like her, then you don’t. Break the engagement. I will choose a new one for Xie Yu. Do you like my Rui?”

“Your Highness…” Xiao Kunning covered her eyes, not wanting to speak anymore. She suddenly remembered something else: Xie Yu orchestrated King Zhennan’s feigned death, which diverged from the events of her previous life. What exactly was influencing her thoughts?

This was a question only Xie Yu could answer. It’s good that he is alive. She smiled cheerfully, “I remember the Princess’s kindness to me.”

“Then you still like Xie Yu. Why don’t you try being with her? If in a month you still want to break the engagement, I will have Xie Yu return the marriage contract to you,” Shen Siyuan slammed the table. This way, he could stay in Chang’an for another month.

Xiao Kunning was suspicious: “Can you speak for Xie Yu?”

“Yes,” Shen Siyuan said confidently.

Xiao Kunning did not refuse: “Fine.”

Shen Siyuan returned satisfied.

The Ministry of Justice worked quickly. Wen Yuke ordered the inn to be surrounded. To prevent information from leaking, Wang Qingqing was put into a wooden box and taken back to the Ministry of Justice in a carriage. Once she entered the Ministry of Justice, there was no escaping.

The Ministry of Justice prison was grim. The torture instruments were stained with blood. After a few strikes of the rod, she confessed the location of the account books. Wen Yuke had people guard the prisoner and personally led a team to King Gaoyang’s manor to search for the account books.

The Ministry of Justice’s investigation was off-limits to everyone. Wen Yuke had no deep emotional ties with Zhao Can, nor would she worry about King Gaoyang’s reputation. She arrested Zhao Can and brought her back to the Ministry of Justice, while the rest continued to search for the account books. Xie Yu acted with reservations, emphasizing personal favor, while Wen Yuke was strictly guided by the law, showing no mercy to those who crossed the line.

The news of Zhao Can’s arrest quickly reached the Xie manor. Xie Yu lifted her eyelids, pretending not to hear. Nong Qin silently withdrew. As she was leaving, she happened to run into Shen Siyuan returning, with Xiao Kunning following behind.

Xiao Kunning asked curiously, “Nong Qin, why do you look worried?”

Nong Qin told her everything about the Ministry of Justice’s arrest. Although Xiao Kunning was surprised, she knew Wen Yuke was strict with rules but wouldn’t harm innocent lives, unlike the bloodthirsty Xie Yu.

Shen Siyuan felt something was wrong. Zhao Kuo only had this one daughter. If she was ruined in the Ministry of Justice, there would be no one to send him off in old age. He entered the room to question Xie Yu.

Xie Yu first saw Xiao Kunning following behind. Her eyebrows lifted in delight. Before she could speak, King Zhennan tapped her on the forehead: “I’m asking about Zhao Can. Why are you staring at Miss Xiao?”

Xiao Kunning secretly laughed. Serves her right. That was too light a tap.

“Minister Wen of the Ministry of Justice knows the boundaries and handles matters appropriately. He won’t harm anyone. Instead of worrying about others, you should consider when the Crown Prince will inherit your title,” Xie Yu’s expression was now cold.

Shen Siyuan felt he had lost face and said, “I understand why people say you’re not likable. Every word strikes at a person’s sore spot. I misjudged you.”

Xie Yu: “…”

Shen Siyuan left in a huff. Xiao Kunning found it amusing and raised her eyebrows at Xie Yu, “Serves you right.”

“Xiao Kunning.” Xie Yu didn’t give her a pleasant look either. She stood up and walked toward her own courtyard. She walked with a limp, her posture awkward. Xiao Kunning covered her mouth, enjoying the sight, “Mr., do you know what you look like right now?”

Xie Yu ignored her and walked forward. Xiao Kunning added fuel to the fire: “You look exactly like a duck coming out of the water.” The moment the two met, they were like a lit fuse, just needing a spark.

“A duck coming out of the water is still better than…” Xie Yu suddenly stopped. She looked up at the person a few steps away, forcefully swallowing the words that were about to leave her mouth. She walked over and took her hand. “Did you come to break the engagement?”

“Pushing your luck,” Xiao Kunning felt a surge of anger. She lifted her hand and pinched the pearl on Xie Yu’s earlobe, rubbing it between her fingers. “Mr. Xie, I used to be afraid of you. Now, I just think you’re utterly shameless.”

“That counts as progress. From fear to liking—that also takes a process,” Xie Yu endured the embarrassment and spoke the ‘shameless’ words.

Xiao Kunning thought Xie Yu was trying too hard. Her fingertip lightly scraped Xie Yu’s ear, and seeing Xie Yu’s cheeks flush crimson, she suddenly felt her action was too flirtatious. She drew her hand back as if she had seen a ghost and said, “Did Mr. Xie take the wrong medicine today?”

Xie Yu took a slight breath. Xiao Kunning was rubbing her sleeve, trying to wipe away Xie Yu’s body heat. Under the lamplight, their silhouettes overlapped, slowly blending into one.

Xiao Kunning rubbed for a while. Xie Yu watched her little action, then leaned in closer, touching her lips to Xiao Kunning’s corner of the mouth. The soft touch sent shivers through them.

Xiao Kunning instinctively pushed the ‘lecher’ away, looking at the fallen Xie Yu in disbelief: “You…” Xie Yu had injured her foot and had trouble walking. She was standing on one leg. When Xiao Kunning suddenly pushed her, she lost her balance and fell backward onto the ground, crying out softly in pain.

“Xie Yu…” Shen Siyuan’s powerful voice came from outside the room. Shen Siyuan entered the room and saw the fallen person. He instinctively looked at Xiao Kunning: “Isn’t that… not appropriate?”

The lecher had become the victim. Xiao Kunning suddenly felt like she couldn’t explain herself. She couldn’t explain it to Shen Siyuan either. She was like a mute eating bitter herbs—she couldn’t speak of her suffering.

“My fault, my fault,” she helped Xie Yu up. Seeing the lecher frown and remain silent from the pain, she said angrily, “Are you doing this on purpose?”

“Troublesome. I’ll come back tomorrow.” Shen Siyuan saw that no proper conversation could be had tonight and left the main hall immediately.

Xie Yu couldn’t stand straight. She leaned most of her weight on Xiao Kunning. Nong Qin, who had crossed the threshold, was pulled back by Yu Yin, who signaled her not to enter.

Xiao Kunning felt a headache coming on. She examined Xie Yu from head to toe, her gaze pausing at her lower back. She asked uncertainly, “Where does it hurt?”

Xie Yu’s cheeks were red like vermillion fruit, her ink-black eyes filled with shyness. After gaining her footing, she pushed Xiao Kunning away instead. “I’ll have Yu Yin show you to your room to rest.”

“What, are you wronged now? Who kissed whom first?” Xiao Kunning was internally annoyed. Why had Xie Yu turned into a shy young girl? “If it hurts, it hurts. I didn’t do it on purpose. You stole a kiss from me, and I haven’t settled the score yet.” That accursed Xie Yu, what is she wronged about?

Xie Yu slightly straightened her back. Hearing the last sentence, her delicate eyebrows furrowed: “Return it?”

Xiao Kunning’s black, grape-like eyes were filled with bright light: “Return what?”

Xie Yu said, “The kiss.”

Xiao Kunning: “…” Utterly shameless.

Yu Yin and Nong Qin outside heard the last exchange clearly. Nong Qin stammered, “Has Mr. been reading many romance novels lately? I saw a lot of miscellaneous notes when I tidied her study today. How did she suddenly become enlightened?”

Yu Yin also speculated, “Mr. must have been provoked by Minister Wen.”

Nong Qin didn’t understand: “What does that have to do with Minister Wen?”

Yu Yin pushed the clumsy Nong Qin and shouted inside, “Mr., should I prepare bathwater?”

Inside, Xiao Kunning glared at Xie Yu: “Are you latching onto me?”

Xie Yu’s lower back ached. “Without you, I’ll die alone.”

Xiao Kunning put her hands on her hips and sneered: “Without you, I’ll be very happy.”

Xie Yu said confidently: “You’re not happy. You don’t like Wen Yuke, and you don’t like Shen Rui.”

Xiao Kunning was agitated and restless: “How are you so sure?”