My Love Rivals Have All Reborn - Chapter 62

When Xie Yu played the rogue, Xiao Kunning was ready to concede defeat. Having followed Zhao Xiran and seen all sorts of people, she had even encountered the street hooligans who specialized in causing trouble. Their skin was thick; they trampled their own face underfoot and simply abandoned all shame. Xie Yu’s methods were almost identical to theirs, but there was one difference: Xie Yu’s confidence was lacking.

Xie Yu suddenly lowered her head, losing her previous momentum. As she turned to lie down, Xiao Kunning leaned in closer: “Xie Yu, aren’t you afraid that after marrying me, I’ll poison your food?”

The girl across from her looked fierce, with a crystalline gleam in her eyes. Xie Yu suddenly sat up straight. “You don’t have the courage. If Miss Xiao had the chance, she would have killed me long ago. Why wait until today? You feel nothing for Wen Yuke because someone else still exists in your heart.”

Xiao Kunning raised an eyebrow: “Is that ‘someone else’ you?”

Xie Yu’s face flushed. She didn’t answer. Meeting Xiao Kunning’s indifferent gaze, she chose to reach out and touch her. “Last night, I returned my life to you, but you didn’t take it. Now, you and I are even.”

“Even? Why is your skin so thick? Xie Yu, do you think you are flawless?” Xiao Kunning avoided her hand, sneering as she poked her forehead. “Xie Yu, I don’t like you, and I don’t want to live my life with you. Furthermore, even if all the women in the world die…”

“Stop saying such nonsense!” Xie Yu quickly covered that incessantly chattering mouth, pulling her closer and shamelessly wrapping her arms around her soft waist. Through the thin summer clothes, she clearly felt the soft body.

Xie Yu’s palm grew warm, unconsciously seeping fine sweat. She endured the tremor and said seriously, “Think whatever you want. The marriage contract is signed. Xiao Kunning, I won’t give you up to Wen Yuke. You should see less of her in the future.”

“Where do you get the nerve to say that?” Xiao Kunning felt the heat around her waist. The spot where Xie Yu’s hand rested felt like it was about to ignite. She unconsciously cooled her gaze, but meeting Xie Yu’s eyes, which were filled with worry, her own aggressive stance weakened. She said, “I don’t like you. I will choke you to death one day.”

“Then wait until after I take my revenge, and then you can choke me.” Xie Yu smiled deeply, her sharp eyes glistening with a gentle breeze. She instinctively leaned against Xiao Kunning’s shoulder, breathing in the unique fragrance of the girl. “Xiao Kunning, let’s get along, okay?”

The last words carried a hint of pleading, and her voice softened, calming the heat in Xiao Kunning’s heart. Even the air she inhaled felt warm. Xie Yu was too heavy. Xiao Kunning reached out to push her, but Xie Yu said, “Don’t move. My back hurts.”

Xiao Kunning truly stopped moving.

Xie Yu found her hand and carefully squeezed it. Staring at the slender wrist, she seemed to feel the beating pulse. She unhesitatingly kissed the tender flesh on the wrist.

Xiao Kunning trembled all over and verbally warned Xie Yu: “Don’t push your luck.”

Xie Yu smiled contentedly: “You can push me again.”

Xiao Kunning held her breath: “Push you again? You’ll just end up lying on top of me. The Grand Tutor of the current court, with skin as thick as a city wall.”

There were only two people in the room, and it was extremely quiet. Xiao Kunning looked straight ahead, while Xie Yu lowered her eyes and chuckled softly: “If you have self-knowledge, you won’t do anything wrong.”

“Xie Yu, do you believe I can make your back hurt even more?” Xiao Kunning couldn’t help but warn her.

Xie Yu finally slowly got up, lay down on the soft couch, and instructed Yu Yin to deliver a few messages to the Ministry of Justice.

The summer heat was scorching, making people dizzy. Cicadas buzzed outside the window, their sound echoing through the still afternoon, making one feel drowsy. The sun was so bright that even a glance outside made one not want to move. Xiao Kunning also chose to climb onto the bed to rest, with a few travel diaries placed on the nearby table.

Since Xie Yu was on leave, the Ministry of Justice staff made their trips to the Xie manor early in the morning and late in the evening. After the account books were found, they were delivered to the Emperor’s desk. The most troublesome matter was the impeachment of King Gaoyang for leaving his fiefdom without permission. King Gaoyang submitted a memorial confessing his crime, explaining the events of that day and the unauthorized deployment of the infantry by the Jiangnan Prefecture.

After learning this, the Emperor distrusted both sides and ordered the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review to investigate together. Wen Yuke was implicated, so the Emperor bypassed her and sent someone else.

Wen Yuke was dealing with the aftermath of the corruption case and came to see Xie Yu despite the hot sun. Yu Yin brought her iced fruit to quench her thirst. Water droplets condensed on the grapes, making them round and glistening. Xie Yu plucked one and put it in her mouth. Wen Yuke handed her a document and spoke about the Gaoyang matter: “His Majesty is furious.”

“His Majesty trusts no one. Since the Yan family suffered great losses this time, he must be quite pleased,” Xie Yu said casually, her slender fingers pinching a grape, her gaze unfathomably deep.

Wen Yuke’s mindset was much calmer than a few days ago. With a different perspective, her words were also different. “Zhao Ji’s death—was it related to you?”

“Zhao Ji had his own guilt. It was nothing but a word’s matter.” Xie Yu’s voice sank slightly, and she instinctively glanced toward the inner room.

Wen Yuke didn’t understand the meaning of that glance, but her thoughts immediately returned to state affairs: “The situation with Shen Rui is quite calm.”

Xie Yu turned her eyes: “What about Shen Rui?”

“You don’t know?” Wen Yuke was surprised. The biggest winner in the previous life was Shen Rui. The sons of the Shen family were loyal, but Shen Rui was different. At the last crucial moment, he killed the Emperor installed by Xie Yu, overturned the Great Zhou court, and established himself as king. At this time, Shen Rui should be showing his ambition.

“The frontier is unsettled. Shen Rui is guarding the border against the enemy.” Xie Yu replied, a chilling sharpness in her clear eyes. She added, “Don’t hesitate to speak plainly.”

Wen Yuke suddenly smiled. Xie Yu actually didn’t know that Shen Rui became the monarch of the new dynasty. “Grand Tutor Xie, the Princess Shen you groomed eventually brought down the monarch you installed and became the new king. Didn’t you know?”

The words were ordinary but full of sarcasm. Xie Yu was stunned at first, then understood her meaning. “I did not know. The Shen family is loyal; the Emperor just pushed them too far.” King Zhennan was shot, Shen Nan died innocently, and the Zhao imperial clan was already a mess. What Shen Rui did was not wrong.

After Wen Yuke finished smiling, the coldness in her starlit eyes gradually emerged. Facing Xie Yu, more sarcastic words were useless. One thing was certain: Xie Yu must have eventually pursued Xiao Kunning, or she wouldn’t have known that Shen Rui became the ultimate winner.

“Grand Tutor Xie has the Zhao clan’s bloodline,” she reminded her.

Xie Yu was indifferent. “Having it or not makes no difference. Do you think Xiao Kunning’s temperament is suited for the palace?”

“You…” Wen Yuke was counter-attacked again.

Xie Yu was lazy, covered by a thin blanket, her back supported by a soft pillow. She was utterly comfortable. She had no intention of hiding her advantage. She said, “Minister Wen, you should cut ties with the Wen family sooner. Then you might have a chance. After all, her nature is wild and cannot stand any restraint.”

Wen Yuke’s momentum inexplicably weakened. “Isn’t it petty behavior to hide someone in your manor?”

Xie Yu retorted, “She willingly chose to stay. There was no coercion.”

“She deeply loathes you,” Wen Yuke reminded her.

“There is no hate without love. Take away the hate, and it is love. What do you think?” Xie Yu readily accepted the premise.

Yu Yin and Nong Qin in the hallway were stunned, especially Nong Qin: “Mr. seems to have changed. Her skin is even thicker.”

Yu Yin twitched her mouth: “Take out the word ‘seems’.”

Nong Qin shut her mouth.

The two inside started arguing again. Wen Yuke was weak in spirit, her words filled with sarcasm, while Xie Yu was like a ball of cotton. No matter how hard you punched, she wouldn’t even flinch.

Finally, they fell into silence. Xie Yu half-sat up, supported herself on the armrest, and stood up. Her face was normal. “It’s getting late. I won’t keep Minister Wen for a meal.”

Wen Yuke stood up to take her leave. Who would eat the food made in your house?

Xiao Kunning slept in the bedroom until evening. When she woke up, Xie Yu was sitting by her side. She turned over, moving farther away from Xie Yu, and closed her eyes, intending to go back to sleep.

Xie Yu took the book from one side, gently leaned in toward Xiao Kunning, and used her hand to poke the fair, soft skin on her face: “Are you planning to go out and be a thief tonight?”

The sleeping girl’s face was flushed, clearly having slept very comfortably. Displeased by Xie Yu’s disturbance, she covered her face with her hand. Xie Yu stared at her rosy lips and suddenly had an idea: “If you don’t get up, I’m going to kiss you.”

The person on the couch immediately opened her eyes, scrambled up to a sitting position, and glared at Xie Yu, cursing: “You are truly shameless.”

Xie Yu was used to being cursed. For days, it was ‘hooligan’ or ‘shameless,’ occasionally ‘blatantly shameless.’ At first, she was angry, but after a long time, she was completely unfazed.

“I am shameless, and you should get up.”

Xiao Kunning was fully awake. She hugged the thin blanket, her loose long hair falling over her shoulders, covering one side of her beautiful face. Xie Yu opposite her smiled warmly, like a fool who had struck it rich.

“Has Grand Tutor Xie found silver?” She rubbed her sleepy eyes, estimating that someone else must have fallen into Xie Yu’s trap.

Xie Yu smiled faintly: “Wen Yuke left, carrying a stomach full of anger.”

Xiao Kunning was stunned: “Does bullying her make you so happy?” That foolish Xie.

“Happy,” Xie Yu said without reservation.

Xiao Kunning covered her eyes, refusing to look at this fool anymore, and started dressing and getting off the couch.

The two quietly finished their dinner. Xiao Kunning went outside to take a walk to aid digestion. Xie Yu went to the study to deal with the official duties accumulated over the past few days.

The actions of the Jiangnan Prefecture army had angered Zhao Mian. The case was just one step away from its final verdict. Removing Yan Huaizhen’s secret moles in Jiangnan was also a major step forward. Unfortunately, Zhao Mian had better imperial ability than Zhao Ji, so the Yan family couldn’t be brought down in one swoop.

After a few peaceful days, Xie Yu resumed her duties at the Ministry of Justice, and Xiao Kunning felt extremely comfortable.

The moment Xie Yu entered the court, she perceived a change in the political wind. The Minister of Rites pulled her aside to talk privately: “The biggest official behind the Jiangnan corruption case is Prime Minister Yan. Yesterday, he was confined to his manor. Princess Jingyang came to plead for him, but I heard she didn’t even see His Majesty.”

No wonder. Xie Yu chuckled softly: “That is Minister Wen’s merit.”

The side of the Hanguang Palace was shady and cool, providing a refreshing breeze. The green ivy climbed the walls, its leaves dripping with moisture, like a natural heat barrier.

The Minister of Rites looked displeased: “I heard this Minister Wen is becoming more and more favored by His Majesty. She toppled a pillar of the court with just one case. Her intentions are not simple.”

“The collapse of a dam is not the work of a single day,” Xie Yu said lightly.

The Minister of Rites had no further comment. Indeed, the figures in the account books were too large, shocking the court. Even if the Emperor wanted to show old affection, he had to consider the rule of law.

After a brief private talk, the two entered the hall. Before long, the Emperor arrived. The court was silent. After routine announcements, the session was adjourned. Today’s court meeting was uneventful, without a single blink of an eye.

After adjourning, the Emperor went to the Noble Consort in the back palace. Despite the Yan family’s misfortune, the Noble Consort’s favor remained undiminished. Everyone sighed. They retreated from the Hanguang Palace like a tide. The Yan faction kept their tails tucked and quickly departed.

Xie Yu’s leg was only slightly better, so she dared not walk too quickly, strolling slowly behind the crowd. The Minister of Rites was also quite old and walked with her. When they reached the palace gate, they encountered Princess Jingyang. The two avoided her, waiting for her carriage to leave before proceeding.

Xie Yu glanced at the direction the carriage departed, her expression stern, coldness hidden in her eyes. The Minister of Rites said to her, “Princess Jingyang came to plead again. The Emperor’s favor for the Noble Consort remains, which suggests he still cares for the Yan family.”

“Serving a ruler is like accompanying a tiger,” Xie Yu said casually.

Zhao Mian’s cunning was no less than others’. He was short on heirs. With the Noble Consort pregnant at this time, he would certainly value her. But after the Noble Consort gave birth, things might change.

The Minister of Rites sighed repeatedly, recalling Prime Minister Yan’s arrogance and control over the court. Falling to this fate was his own doing.

When Xie Yu returned to the Ministry of Justice, Wen Yuke placed the case files of the past few days on her desk. She left without saying another word. Before noon, Nong Qin rushed in to report that Princess Jingyang had sent a message asking for a meeting.

Xie Yu frowned: “I won’t see her.”

Nong Qin leaned closer to her ear and whispered, “The Princess is at the manor and refuses to leave.”

Jingyang was an aggressive person, with the arrogance of a princess. At this time, she still wouldn’t humbly beg for help. Knowing Xie Yu wouldn’t see her, she went to the manor to wait. Normally, not seeing her would be fine, but the situation was different now. Xiao Kunning and King Zhennan were still at the manor. Trouble could put them both at a disadvantage.

Xie Yu dared not take the risk. She instructed Nong Qin to return and convey a message that she would follow shortly.

As she was leaving, Wen Yuke approached with a stack of official documents: “The Minister of Justice is leaving the office quite early.”

Xie Yu glanced at the documents in her hand: “Is there something you need?”

Wen Yuke said: “Many things. They all need your review.”

“Are you doing this on purpose?” Xie Yu looked at her coldly.

Wen Yuke handed the documents to her, her eyebrows raised: “And if I am? You are the Minister of Justice. This is your duty.”

“Leave them. I will be back,” Xie Yu said with great impatience, walking away without waiting for Wen Yuke to speak.

Her expression was anxious, and her steps were hurried, not seeming like a normal matter. Wen Yuke withdrew her gaze from Xie Yu’s retreating figure, and her faint smile completely disappeared.

Meanwhile, Xie Yu rushed back to the manor and saw the luxurious carriage outside the gate. Yu Yin was waiting at the entrance. She immediately stepped onto the stairs: “How long has Your Highness been here?”

Yu Yin said: “An hour, since returning from the palace.”

Xie Yu was about to go change her clothes. Xiao Kunning was lying on the soft couch reading. Hearing the movement, she sat up. Seeing Xie Yu’s hurried look, she found it strange: “Why are you back?”

“Nothing important,” Xie Yu grabbed her clothes and left.

Xie Yu usually concealed her emotions, but just now she was clearly anxious. Xiao Kunning sensed something was wrong, put on her shoes, and followed her.

Xie Yu walked slowly. By the time she reached the front courtyard, Jingyang was already impatient. The white jade teacup in her hand felt hot, and her eyes were narrowed. Seeing Xie Yu, she spoke: “Grand Tutor kept me waiting.”

She sat in the main seat, so Xie Yu had to choose a seat beneath her. Impatience colored her eyes: “Your Highness arrived too early. I still have many matters to deal with.”

Xie Yu was not easy to manipulate. Jingyang knew this person’s nature well. She suppressed her anger and said, “Do you remember how you attained your position?”

“Prime Minister Yan’s recommendation,” Xie Yu replied.

“So you still remember.” Jingyang sneered. Xie Yu’s posture was dignified, her face like jade, and her expression carried unusual pressure. Such a woman was uncontrollable. Since the Emperor’s ascension, she had advised Yan Huaizhen to eliminate this woman, but he didn’t listen. Even with great dissatisfaction, she had to endure it, trying to maintain her usual authority: “The status you have today is thanks to Prime Minister Yan. Now that the Yan family faces a great disaster, shouldn’t you repay the favor?”

Xie Yu’s faint smile turned ice-cold. She showed no surprise at Jingyang’s overbearing manner. Even at this point, Jingyang still didn’t see her position clearly. “I can still repay it. I’m just afraid His Majesty won’t agree.”

Jingyang’s expression turned gloomy: “What do you mean?”

“Your Highness knows what the Empress Dowager did. Your Highness knows better than I do about the death of the little prince. If the Empress Dowager is to be dealt with, the Yan family must be eliminated first. You only have one path left at this moment.”

Jingyang looked up at her in shock. Thinking of all the small details, she couldn’t refute it, having no choice but to swallow her pride. “What path?”

“Divorce (和離).” Xie Yu opened her red lips slightly.

“Divorce?” Jingyang stared at the quick-witted woman in disbelief. The summer heat quickly surged into her heart. She realized the implications the moment the word landed. The Emperor wanted to deal with the Yan family. If she wanted to survive, she could only cut ties with the Yan family. She was disappointed with Yan Huaizhen to reach this point, but she had never considered divorce.

She quickly refused Xie Yu’s suggestion: “Impossible.”

“You are a Princess. If you divorce, no one will dare object.” Xie Yu’s fair, slender finger tapped on the table, once, then again, tapping directly on her heart.

Listening to the soft tapping, Jingyang’s heart grew more troubled, her face almost pale. “That is your solution?”

Xie Yu said calmly: “I have no solution. I can only obey what His Majesty wishes to do. I have no room to refuse. When the ruler orders the subject to die, the subject must not refuse.”

Hearing the last sentence, Jingyang’s heart completely sank. The Emperor’s resentment towards the Empress Dowager and his wariness of the Yan family had been present for a long time. The corruption case must have been carefully planned by the Emperor. She swallowed her anger and said, “Grand Tutor, telling me this so clearly today—aren’t you afraid of His Majesty’s displeasure?”

“Your Highness just mentioned repaying Prime Minister Yan’s kindness,” Xie Yu’s expression was calm, showing no ripples of emotion.

The sunlight outside the house was bright. Jingyang, under the scorching sun, still felt waves of coldness. The Emperor had begun to move against the Yan family. She had anticipated this day for a long time but hadn’t expected it to come so soon. Gazing at the glaring sun in the sky, the coldness in her eyes melted away. She struggled to restore her usual authority, lifted her foot, and crossed the threshold of the Xie manor. She could put Zhao Mian on the throne, and she could pull him down. Since he was unjust, she couldn’t be blamed for being unrighteous.

Xiao Kunning stood under the tree, her eyebrows slowly relaxing. Zhao Mian was not as benevolent as Zhao Ji. The Yan family was a major threat to Zhao Mian. This time, someone would make a move without Xie Yu’s direct involvement.

The girl under the shade was bright and generous, the light in her eyes like the clear blue sky, brilliant and vivid. Xie Yu leaned against the doorframe. “It’s time to eat.”

The woman by the door was radiant as ever, her faint smile like a spring breeze, making one feel cheerful. Xiao Kunning snorted softly and reluctantly walked over. “Xie Yu, what bad idea did you give her this time?”

“Divorce (和離),” Xie Yu opened her lips slightly, reaching out to stroke the loose hair at Xiao Kunning’s temple, revealing a fair, glistening ear, like a piece of dough.

“I knew you weren’t up to anything good.” Xiao Kunning pushed her hand away, feeling that she was at a disadvantage. She reached out and pinched her nose: “Xie Yu, you must do some good deeds for your own sake.”

Xie Yu hesitated, “Then should I open a charity house?”

Xiao Kunning rolled her eyes: “It’s not my business. Why ask me?”

“You and I are one entity. Naturally, I have to ask your opinion,” Xie Yu said calmly.

Xiao Kunning narrowed her eyes: “Your skin is getting thicker and thicker. However, opening a charity house is a good deed. If you’re going to open one, open a few more. It’s good to provide for the elderly, and also take in the street beggars.”

Xie Yu’s eyes twitched. She ordered Nong Qin to the side: “Madam, did you hear what Madam said?”

Nong Qin trembled, quickly replying: “I heard, I heard! I will go arrange it immediately.”

Xiao Kunning was furious, hands on her hips, cursing: “Xie Yu, who is your Madam?”

Xie Yu ignored her. As she turned to leave, she thought of something. She turned back and smiled gently at Xiao Kunning: “The required money will be deducted from your betrothal gift.”

“Xie Yu…”

The girl behind her stomped her foot and ran off quickly.

Xie Yu’s heart felt greatly relieved. She strolled to her seat, and remembering Jingyang’s hateful glare before leaving, the smile on her face slightly faded. Divorce? Will Jingyang divorce? Time will tell.

Shen Siyuan returned from the King Gaoyang manor in low spirits and sought Xie Yu for a drink. It was high summer, and his single layer of clothing was soaked with sweat. Xie Yu’s foot injury hadn’t healed. Seeing his face full of worry, she felt troubled, ordered for wine, and ignored the doctor’s instructions to have a drink with him.

The window was open for ventilation, and an occasional cool breeze swept through. Shen Siyuan was hot and dizzy, and the breeze made him feel even dizzier. He took the wine delivered by the maid, poured two cups, and drank his first as a salute.

Xie Yu feigned incomprehension: “What did he tell you?”

Shen Siyuan’s stern features twisted together. After the clear wine, his blood was boiling, and his limbs and bones were heated. He sighed heavily: “He didn’t say much. He only said that after Gao Zong died, he had a difficult life, and that boy Zhao Mian misunderstood him a lot. He also said that if he had some ability and some soldiers, he wouldn’t let people bully him.” Shen Siyuan was also dejected. He drank a full cup of wine in one gulp, then said resentfully, “If the late Emperor hadn’t used such wicked methods, the throne wouldn’t have been his. Look at that Zhao Mian; he can’t even tolerate his own brother. Can he be an enlightened ruler? The Great Zhou will eventually be ruined by his hands.”

Xie Yu paused with the wine cup in her hand and sneered: “Did he want to ask you to help him reclaim the throne?”