My Love Rivals Have All Reborn - Chapter 61

Xiao Kunning’s temper was growing more and more volatile. Each time, Xie Yu pierced her where it hurt, and watching Xie Yu’s smug expression almost drove her mad. She couldn’t even outwit her after being reborn. It wasn’t that she was slow; it was that Xie Yu was the problem. Xie Yu was simply an enchantress.

The two women outside pushed the door open and saw the fury in Xiao Kunning’s eyes, like gunpowder, ready to ignite instantly. Their Mr.’s expression was one of contentment. Yu Yin wished she could cover her Mr.’s mouth—she was speaking nonsense again.

Xiao Kunning felt increasingly certain that Su Ying was right: Xie Yu was simple-minded. She tried hard to console herself that Xie Yu was a person deprived of love and shouldn’t be treated as an equal.

“I will apply the medicine for Mr. Otherwise, you won’t know what pain feels like.”

Nong Qin blinked. Just as she was about to speak, Yu Yin dragged her out. “Don’t disturb them.”

Xiao Kunning held out her hand to Xie Yu: “Shall I help you?”

Xie Yu glanced at her: “From the look of you, you want to kill me. But let’s see if you have the ability.”

Xiao Kunning’s eyes widened: “Do you have a brain? Who raised you? Didn’t they teach you humility?”

Xie Yu looked puzzled: “Why should I be humble?”

“Because…” Xiao Kunning couldn’t think of an explanation. Humility was a virtue, but did Xie Yu possess this virtue? The answer was definitely no.

Xiao Kunning clenched her teeth, pulling Xie Yu toward her own courtyard. It was pitch black, and no lamps were lit. They walked forward in the faint moonlight. Xie Yu was accustomed to walking at night and could have moved smoothly, but the person leading the way was wobbling, which instead made it difficult for her to move.

They stumbled and staggered back to her courtyard. Xie Yu’s waist and foot throbbed with pain. Xiao Kunning also stumbled several times along the way. She ordered the maid angrily, “Prepare water. Your Mr. needs to bathe.”

The maid immediately went to prepare.

Xie Yu’s heart skipped a beat, losing her composure from moments ago. “I don’t need you.”

Xiao Kunning seized the opportunity: “I injured Mr., so naturally, I should take care of you. Isn’t this what you wanted anyway?”

Xie Yu’s face was flushed. She struggled to maintain her usual authoritative air: “I said I don’t need you.”

“If you say no, it’s no? Who do you think you are? I’m engaged to you, so serving you is what I should do.” Xiao Kunning stood with her hands on her hips, meeting her gaze. If you don’t want it, I will insist.

The maid outside was unsure of the situation between the two and hesitated: should she prepare the water or not? Yu Yin rushed over, whispered a few words into the maid’s ear, and the maid nodded and withdrew. Yu Yin entered the room and first said to Xie Yu, “Mr., the King Gaoyang manor sent a message. The Prince wishes you to look after the Princess a bit.”

“Wen Yuke is investigating this matter. I cannot interfere,” Xie Yu’s tone was impatient.

Yu Yin was troubled: “I already sent word to Minister Wen. The reply just now was that only prisoners, not the Princess, are held at the Ministry of Justice.” Minister Wen’s character was unusual—a hard bone that couldn’t be easily chewed.

Xie Yu glanced at Xiao Kunning and said to Yu Yin: “Then there is no Princess. Minister Wen doesn’t acknowledge his own father inside the Ministry of Justice.”

Xiao Kunning snorted twice and opened her mouth to Yu Yin: “Go prepare hot water. I’ll serve your Mr. for her bath.”

Xie Yu’s expression was stern: “You are forbidden.”

Yu Yin stood still, seeing that both were in a temper and unsure whom to side with. She chuckled softly and quickly scurried out of the bedroom. Miss Xiao’s audacity was growing.

While the two were at a stalemate, the maid finished preparing the hot water. Xiao Kunning rolled up her sleeves, revealing a fair wrist, and said with a look of disdain, “You say I bullied you. I’m here to apologize by serving you. Let’s see if you can bear it.”

Nong Qin’s scalp tingled. Would she be able to sleep tonight? She called the maid and instructed: “Burn more hot water, lest Mr. catches a cold.”

The maid didn’t understand why, curtsied, and ran toward the kitchen.

Xie Yu felt her ankle was throbbing painfully, and her lower back from the fall still hurt. Xiao Kunning pushed her luck, rummaging through her closet and muttering, “Mr. should wear red tonight.”

“Wearing red in the middle of the night? To play a ghost?” she couldn’t help but retort.

Xiao Kunning lingered in front of the closet, showing only a busy back. “Mr. playing a ghost would certainly shock everyone. Chickens would fly, dogs would leap, and turtles would dance.”

“That’s quite rhythmic,” Xie Yu clearly had nothing more to say, her lips curving slightly.

Xiao Kunning searched for a full zhǎntí (tea-drinking time) but couldn’t find a single red garment. In the end, she reluctantly found a pink sleeping gown and shook it in front of Xie Yu: “Mr. would certainly look beautiful wearing this.”

This time, it was Xie Yu’s turn for her scalp to tingle. “Yu Yin bought that.”

“It’s new, so Mr. has clearly never worn it.” Xiao Kunning was certain. She glanced at the maid lingering near the door. “Mr., don’t struggle. I will serve you very, very comfortably.”

The last two words were spoken with heavy emphasis. Xie Yu’s eyelashes trembled upon hearing them. “Miss Xiao sounds like a girl from the Huaxiang Tower (brothel).”

“Shut up, it’s time to wash.” Xiao Kunning roughly reached to undress the other, extending her hand while mimicking Xie Yu’s ‘humble’ tone: “Mr., don’t overthink it. You’ve been seen naked many times anyway. It makes no difference this time. Oh, right, you hurt your back, didn’t you? Later, I’ll rub some medicinal wine on you. You’ll be fine by tomorrow.”

“Xiao Kunning…”

With an angry roar, Yu Yin covered her ears under the eaves. Nong Qin swallowed hard: “Has Miss Xiao taken the wrong medicine?”

“No, she is giving Mr. medicine.” Yu Yin walked towards the corner door, almost not wanting to listen any further. She sighed to Nong Qin, “Mr. isn’t someone who speaks of feelings to begin with. You have to force her. She should eat some hard consequences. What is this called again? Doctor Su said it’s called playing hard to get (欲拒還迎).”

Nong Qin vaguely heard a few phrases but didn’t understand the meaning of ‘playing hard to get.’ Was this a rejection or an acceptance?

The scene inside had completely changed. Xie Yu tightly clutched her lapel. Xiao Kunning was practically pressing against her, her expression and posture exactly like the unruly Zhao Xiran. Zhao Xiran was unreasonable, and Xiao Kunning had learned it ten out of ten—if she could use her hands, she wouldn’t use her mouth.

The girl’s body was hot. In the summer, her closeness was like charcoal in winter—a shiver first, followed by a blazing heat. It burned, making one agitated and uneasy.

Xiao Kunning was oblivious. Seeing Xie Yu’s anxiety, she felt avenged. She grabbed the other’s lapel: “Will you ever scheme against me again?”

Xie Yu’s panicked eyelashes fluttered: “Never schemed against you.”

Xiao Kunning sneered: “If you haven’t schemed against me, return the marriage contract.”

Xie Yu refused: “Impossible. Perhaps when I die, you can remarry.”

“I’ll kill you now, how about that?” Xiao Kunning tightened her grip, wishing she could choke this accursed person immediately.

Xie Yu’s heart was warm. Facing Xiao Kunning’s less-than-vicious fierceness, she smiled: “You can kill me. Try it. Just use a little more strength. You’re so silly and clumsy, always thinking of one thing and forgetting the next. Even after being reborn, planning for the King Zhennan, building momentum, and using scholars to spread rumors. Did you think you were meticulous? The scholar betrayed you with just a few words. Did you think those people would keep quiet after taking your silver? Shen Rui is just as unwise as you are. Wen Yuke’s upright nature has angered so many people; Yan Huaizhen and Jingyang are the first to want her dead. You offended Yan Ruyu. Did you think you could live well in Chang’an?”

Xie Yu’s faint, sarcastic smile was like a strong beam of light that stung Xiao Kunning’s eyes. Her hands inexplicably lost their strength, slowly releasing Xie Yu. Xie Yu, however, suddenly grabbed her hands and pressed them against her own neck: “You want to kill me? You’ve had so many chances, why didn’t you kill me? You had so many opportunities at Moxiang Study, why didn’t you make a move? Xiao Kunning, if you wanted to kill me, you would have done it long ago. Why wait until today?”

“Xie Yu…” Xiao Kunning felt a wave of powerlessness wash over her, her face turning pale. The hands Xie Yu forced against her neck felt like touching thorns, causing a piercing pain. When their eyes met, her hatred, hidden for so long, suddenly surged up. She ignored everything and tightened her grip on the slender neck.

When a person loses reason, they become possessed. Her usually weak hands were filled with strength, instantly choking Xie Yu, who couldn’t speak.

The room suddenly fell silent. Yu Yin, leaning against the tree, relaxed. Miss Xiao was naturally soft-hearted. As long as Mr. didn’t say irritating things, they could certainly coexist peacefully. Nong Qin was dozing off and was about to go back to sleep when she heard no sound for a long time.

Xiao Kunning was on the brink of madness. The skin under her palms was warm, so real and alive. She watched wide-eyed as pain twisted Xie Yu’s face. Seeing Xie Yu’s fair complexion turn red, slowly swelling, she struggled to steady her trembling arms. Xie Yu slowly closed her eyes, a single tear slipping from the corner of her eye, disappearing into her temple hair.

Xie Yu is dead…

Xiao Kunning snatched her hands back, staring in disbelief at the face she had once loved and hated. Her heart suddenly ached intensely. She retreated backward in panic, threw open the door, and ran out frantically.

Yu Yin saw the fleeting shadow and subconsciously followed. Xiao Kunning ran towards the main gate with the wind at her heels. Yu Yin ordered the gatekeepers to stop Xiao Kunning. Xiao Kunning violently tried to rush out. The gatekeepers couldn’t stop her. Yu Yin, unsure what was happening, lifted her hand and knocked the person unconscious, quickly catching her in her arms, terrified.

While Yu Yin was flustered, someone knocked at the gate. The gatekeepers on both sides went to open it. It was Wen Yuke. Yu Yin was cautious. Minister Wen coming at this time must mean she was coming from the Ministry of Justice. The person in her arms could not be seen, or ten mouths wouldn’t be enough to clear her Mr.’s name. She instructed the gatekeepers to open the door slowly while she carried Xiao Kunning to Mr.’s bedroom.

When Wen Yuke entered, she only saw a quickly retreating back. She was preoccupied and didn’t think much of it, sending a message to see Xie Yu.

Inside the room, Xie Yu was resting on the couch. The water in the tub was already cold. She ordered a maid to bring hot water. Yu Yin placed the unconscious person on her bed. The night was deep, and dew was heavy. The wind occasionally blew in through the window. As the gauze curtains moved, the maid announced, “Minister Wen wishes to see you.”

Xie Yu pretended not to hear and slowly closed the door. Yu Yin wisely went to reply to Wen Yuke.

“Please excuse us, Minister Wen. Mr. has taken medicine and is asleep,” she entered the hall and apologized to Wen Yuke.

Wen Yuke’s brow furrowed: “The matter is urgent. Can you wake the Grand Tutor?”

Seeing her urgency, Yu Yin dared not conceal the truth further: “Wait a moment. I’ll go try.”

Coming to the bedroom door, she knocked: “Mr., Minister Wen says the situation is urgent.”

During her words, the sound of water was heard. Her ears burned, and she dared not say anything more.

A moment later, Xie Yu opened the door. She wore a more vibrant garment, her long hair damp and slightly wet. “I will go see you. Find the manor’s doctor to examine her.”

“Understood,” Yu Yin replied.

Wen Yuke was waiting patiently in the front hall. Hearing footsteps, she looked up. Xie Yu stepped through the door, carrying a slight moisture. The vibrant clothing she wore suppressed her usual aloofness, adding a hint of worldly charm. Wen Yuke lowered her gaze after a quick look: “Zhao Can confessed, saying the account books are in Xiao Kunning’s hands.”

“Why did she say that?” Xie Yu showed no surprise.

Wen Yuke looked troubled: “Xiao Kunning met Zhao Can the day after returning to the capital.”

Xie Yu sat down on a chair, her lower back aching, causing her posture to be slightly off: “Did you believe her?”

Xie Yu’s tone carried slight arrogance and disdain, seeming to mock. Wen Yuke also didn’t believe it, saying, “I want to see Xiao Kunning.”

“No need to see her. She knows nothing of the account books,” Xie Yu refused outright.

Wen Yuke grew angry: “It’s just a meeting.”

Xie Yu looked at her coldly: “In what capacity will you see her? As the Vice Minister of Justice?”

Wen Yuke met the deep gaze in her eyes: “Your refusal cannot represent her decision.”

Xie Yu said: “If you see her as the Vice Minister of Justice, it means you suspect her.”

“I do not suspect her, Xie Yu. Don’t be too clever for your own good. She must confront Zhao Can at the Ministry of Justice.” Wen Yuke also refused to indulge the other’s unreasonable nature. Xie Yu was too arrogant. Zhao Can and Xiao Kunning were friends, and there must be something unexpected involved.

Xie Yu ignored her: “Someone randomly incriminates a person, and you believe it? Wen Yuke, did you use torture?”

Wen Yuke paused: “No.”

Xie Yu: “Under severe torture, there is bound to be the truth.”

“You…” Wen Yuke was speechless. “You go interrogate them.”

Xie Yu looked down at her ankle, thought for a moment, and summoned Nong Qin: “Get ready. We are going to the Ministry of Justice.”

“But…” Nong Qin hesitated. Seeing her firm resolve, she had no choice but to follow the order.

After midnight, the prison was quiet as if deserted. The creaking sound of the wheelchair rolling on the ground woke the sleeping prisoners along the way. When a cell door inside opened, Zhao Can shivered. She looked up and saw Xie Yu sitting in a wheelchair. Her heart slightly settled. “Mr.”

“To be called Mr. by the Princess, I am truly flattered.” Xie Yu smiled, then said to the constable, “It’s too dark here. Light the lamps.”

Moments later, several lamps were lit in the cell. The glaring light made Zhao Can squint. “Mr., what is the reason for this?”

“Perhaps the Princess doesn’t recognize me. This way, you can see me clearly.” Xie Yu’s eyes were icy.

Zhao Can, huddled in the corner, trembled slightly. Faced with Xie Yu’s calm demeanor, she couldn’t guess her thoughts, so she endured her shivers and said, “I recognize Mr.”

Xie Yu placed her hands on the armrests, looking at Zhao Can as she usually did: “No, you don’t recognize me. You thought I was benevolent, you thought I was a good person, you thought I liked Xiao Kunning. So you dragged Xiao Kunning into the water, hoping I would let go of Wang Qingqing in exchange.”

Zhao Can was terrified into silence, her face filled with dread. Xie Yu had no intention of letting her off the hook. She said slowly, “Unfortunately, you don’t know me. I won’t let personal feelings interfere with official business. You probably didn’t consider the consequences. If Xiao Kunning can’t produce the account books, both you and the King Gaoyang manor will be in a desperate situation. You can test me. Will I change the outcome of this matter for Xiao Kunning?”

She stepped down from the wheelchair and squatted in front of Zhao Can, staring into her terrified eyes: “Zhao Can, I am the Emperor’s subordinate. The Emperor has been wary of your father for more than a day or two. You’ve delivered such a perfect handle right into my hands. You really are my good student.”

Zhao Can slowly widened her eyes, almost in disbelief. Xie Yu in the bright light was like a demon, completely overturning the Mr. she had known. Xie Yu’s foot hurt terribly. After squatting, she couldn’t stand up. She pressed her hand against the ground, using her uninjured foot to support her entire weight, slowly standing up in front of Zhao Can. She looked down at her: “Xie Yu is not the Xie Yu in your mind, Zhao Can. I am the Emperor’s confidant.”

Zhao Can was petrified. She hugged her knees, pressing her tongue against her teeth to keep them from chattering. She looked up at Xie Yu: “Mr., Mr., I, I was wrong.”

“You were wrong the moment you met Wang Qingqing. Now you know she is Magistrate Sun’s person, yet you still persist in your delusion, Zhao Can. You are as foolish as Xiao Kunning.” Xie Yu sneered and walked back to sit in the wheelchair. “I will give you one night. I can abandon Xiao Kunning, but you will also sacrifice the lives of hundreds in the King Gaoyang manor as her company.”

“Mr….” Zhao Can burst into tears. Xie Yu left without looking back.

A moment later, Wen Yuke, dressed in her official robe, walked in, her eyes cold. “I am not Xie Yu. You can try the torture instruments in the Ministry of Justice. I believe you will make a choice between severe torture and the woman who deceived you.”

By the time Xie Yu returned to the manor, it was the second watch (9 PM – 11 PM). The doctor had left the bedroom. Yu Yin was standing guard. Nong Qin helped Xie Yu walk in. Xie Yu’s eyebrows furrowed; her ankle hurt so much she couldn’t take a step. A maid brought hot water to help her take off her shoes. Xie Yu’s usually fair ankle was swollen several times its size. Yu Yin said heartbrokenly, “Mr. forgot the doctor’s instructions.”

“It doesn’t matter. I had to go anyway.” Xie Yu glanced at the inner room. “What did the doctor say?”

“She suffered some shock. The doctor said she must not be subjected to any more frightening events,” Yu Yin said quietly.

Xie Yu didn’t ask again. She dismissed everyone and walked into the inner room alone. Xiao Kunning’s complexion was poor, her small face as pale as white paper, her eyebrows tightly knitted, as if she were experiencing pain and anxiety in her dream. After so many years, Xie Yu seemed to see the small, foolish person who was once immersed in pain.

Xie Yu lifted her hand and touched her neck. She walked to the bronze mirror and stared at the faint marks there. She lifted her eyelids and saw the face she once hated. A flicker of malice crossed her calm face. Her cold gaze settled on her reflection in the bronze mirror. She randomly grabbed something from the dressing table and violently threw it at the mirror.

With a loud crash, the bronze mirror was shattered, leaving a fractured mark.

The person on the couch suddenly opened her eyes. Hearing the sound, she looked at the back facing her not far away. The bronze dressing mirror was broken, making Xie Yu’s expression unclear. Xie Yu stared fixedly at the shattered mirror, unable to see that hateful face anymore.

Xiao Kunning remained silent, watching the frenzied Xie Yu quietly. One stared at herself, and the other watched the frenzy. Neither wanted to speak first.

The person immersed in her own delusions stood still. The broken mirror reflected a blurry image. It was unclear, but Xie Yu stared intently at it. She stared until her eyes ached and her legs were numb. Then she slowly returned to her senses, straightened her back, and regained her usual composure.

Xiao Kunning didn’t want to talk to her and chose to lie back down, pretending to still be asleep.

Xie Yu slowly walked to the couch and sat down. She inadvertently saw the trembling eyelashes. Her lips pursed, and the depth in her eyes was eventually replaced by a smile. She leaned over to the person feigning sleep. Their breaths mingled. Just as they were about to touch, she kissed the tightly pressed lips without hesitation.

Xiao Kunning suddenly opened her eyes, reaching out, only to find her arms restrained. The restless tongue gently bit her lips. Xie Yu had attacked again.

Xie Yu did not deepen the kiss; a light taste was enough. She smiled faintly: “Keep pretending, go on. You don’t even have the strength to kill me. What else can you do? Isn’t it good to just stay here obediently?”

“Xie, Yu…” Xiao Kunning clenched her teeth, the hatred in her eyes leaping out.

Xie Yu took her time: “I’m here. What do you want to say?”

Xiao Kunning couldn’t help but curse: “You’re sick.”

Xie Yu’s eyes trembled: “Yes, I’ve been sick for a long time. Do you have medicine?”

“Get out.” Xiao Kunning didn’t want to see her. She turned and shifted to the inner side of the couch. Xie Yu’s illness was severe.

Xie Yu lay down on the outer side accordingly. After lying down, she found her lower back hurting terribly. She shifted and lay on her side facing Xiao Kunning. Xiao Kunning fiercely guarded her territory. Xie Yu did not push her luck, and the two spent the night in silence.

When dawn broke, no one knocked on the door. Xiao Kunning couldn’t stay still. She turned over and looked at the person on the outside: “Aren’t you going to court?”

“No,” Xie Yu slowly opened her eyes, but she didn’t lie down anymore. She called the maids to prepare for washing and dressing. After washing, Yu Yin personally changed her medicine and ordered breakfast.

Before she could take a bite, someone from the Ministry of Justice arrived. Zhao Can had confessed. Wen Yuke was leading a team to track down the location of the account books. Xie Yu acknowledged the news with a hum and drank a few mouthfuls of light porridge. Xiao Kunning slowly walked out of the inner room. Yu Yin poured her a bowl of porridge.

The two still didn’t say a word. Yu Yin felt embarrassed and quickly withdrew.

Xie Yu’s back hurt intensely. After breakfast, she lay down on the soft couch. Her long hair scattered across her shoulders. Xiao Kunning glanced at her without speaking, then couldn’t resist looking again. She finally said, “Xie Yu, will you break off the engagement?”

“No. My back hurts. You be quiet.” Xie Yu turned over, leaving a cold back to face her.

Xiao Kunning suppressed her fiery temper and ignored Xie Yu’s words. She walked over and sat behind her: “Xie Yu, I know I’m clumsy. I can’t outwit you, and I don’t want to fight with you. Can’t you just pretend you never saw me?”

Xie Yu closed her eyes, her throat tight: “I’m not blind yet.”

Xiao Kunning immediately lost her temper: “What if I said I was blind?”

“That’s your business. It has nothing to do with me.” Xie Yu’s voice was like last night, weak but stubborn.

Xiao Kunning couldn’t help but pull her up, staring into her spiritless eyes: “Xie Yu, you’re like a child, completely unreasonable.”

When she was forcibly pulled up like that, Xie Yu’s eyebrows twitched in pain. She sucked in a cold breath: “So what?”

Xiao Kunning laughed out of anger: “You’re such a grown woman. Didn’t you ever consider whether I was willing or not?”

Xie Yu tried hard to straighten her back, looking directly at the person in front of her: “You once said you liked me, and I never gave you a reply, so you thought I hurt you. Now that our circumstances are reversed, are you hurting me?”

“I…” Xiao Kunning was so choked up she couldn’t say a word. She poked Xie Yu’s arm with her hand: “Don’t you think you’re being a rogue? I don’t want to talk about the past with you.”

“If I am a rogue, then you are a hooligan.” Xie Yu said righteously.