My Love Rivals Have All Reborn - Chapter 63

The wine in his mouth lost its original flavor. Shen Siyuan found the wine too astringent. Xie Yu’s clear eyes suddenly deepened, taking in his actions. “The late Emperor did not install Zhao Mian initially for fear of the Empress Dowager interfering, and Zhao Ji lacked the ability of a monarch. His benevolence could not suppress the powerful officials, which would easily lead to the usurpation of power by the Emperor’s maternal relatives.”

Shen Siyuan had spent many years at the frontier and clearly understood the situation in Chang’an. He knew what Xie Yu was saying, but he was unconvinced. He said, “The court is unstable, the Emperor and the Empress Dowager are at odds, and the Emperor and the Prime Minister are estranged. This will eventually lead to disaster.”

“Did King Gaoyang tell you these things?” Xie Yu asked coldly.

Shen Siyuan suddenly stopped. Facing Xie Yu’s cold expression, he chose to hide the truth: “Do you take me for a fool?”

“The late Emperor intended to give him the throne before he left, which shows he must have done something. Do you still think he is cowardly?” Xie Yu stood up and filled the two empty wine cups. The clear liquid reflected her deep, waveless eyes in the candlelight.

“My Lord, I have been looking for the person who drove my mother mad, and also the person who risked their life to save me later.”

Shen Siyuan’s hand, holding the wine cup, trembled slightly, causing the wine to spill over. “Was it him?”

“I dare not guess. Gu Zong in Jiangnan works for Prime Minister Yan, but this time, he confessed everything without being interrogated.” Xie Yu speculated.

“Confessed so eagerly?” Shen Siyuan was slightly incredulous. Yan Huaizhen and the Empress Dowager had controlled the court for so many years. Zhao Mian utterly hated them. Did the Yan family fall too quickly? Although the Emperor planned it, this time it was a corruption case, and Yan Huaizhen wouldn’t be so indiscreet.

He pondered for a moment and had to concede, “Is there someone else’s effort besides the Emperor’s?”

Xie Yu didn’t answer immediately. In her previous life, she was blinded by hatred, and she didn’t want to uncover the person behind it. It was precisely because of her blind confidence that she killed too many people, too much slaughter. When she went to retrieve her mother, the abandoned palace was already empty. She couldn’t find where her mother had gone.

“It seems the Yan family has incurred everyone’s hatred,” she chuckled softly, raising her head and pouring the wine from the cup down her throat, choking and coughing several times.

Shen Siyuan heard something wrong in her coughing. “Why did she go mad?”

“She suddenly went mad. Every time she held my hand, she would ask if it was dawn. She would ask me why I ruined her.” Xie Yu’s straight spine finally curved slightly. Hatred surged in her deep eyes, and the uncontrollable resentment rushed in quickly and violently like a tide. That unbearable memory instantly flooded her mind—the days in the palace were unforgettable. The dilapidated eaves, the mottled walls, the palace hall open to the wind on all sides…

She took a sharp breath: “I really want to know how my mother ended up in that situation back then. Do you know?”

Xie Yu’s expression was grim, and an uncharacteristic resentment surged across her delicate features. Her usually slender fingers clenched tightly into fists. Shen Siyuan, seeing that she couldn’t control her emotions, refilled her wine cup: “The old matters are in the past…” He suddenly paused, linking it to the current situation, and realized: “Was it King Gaoyang who drove her mad?”

Xie Yu didn’t speak, her silence confirming it.

Shen Siyuan couldn’t sit still. The stool felt like it had nails in it, preventing him from sitting comfortably. He paced back and forth in the room a few times, then impatiently asked Xie Yu: “Is this all just your conjecture?”

“Just conjecture,” Xie Yu drank another cup. No matter how Shen Siyuan asked, she remained silent.

Cup after cup, Shen Siyuan wasn’t drunk, but she was. She sat by the table, slightly dizzy, talking to the candlelight. Shen Siyuan didn’t know her experiences over the years. He could only let her drink by herself. Finally, when he couldn’t understand her words, he sent someone to fetch Xiao Kunning.

“She seems drunk.” He took the last pot of wine and left, sighing repeatedly as he departed.

Xie Yu rested her chin on her hand, staring at the lamp without blinking. Her already rosy lips were glistening like they were touched by dew, sometimes blooming into a smile, sometimes pursed, murmuring softly and sweetly. “Xiao Kunning, fool, little liar…”

Xiao Kunning heard these words before approaching. Upholding the principle of not bullying a drunkard, she ordered someone to make sobering soup. She sat down next to the drunkard, gazing at her tipsy face. “Little Xie Yu, who do you love the most?”

Xie Yu ignored her, her eyes staring at the lamplight growing tired. Her long eyelashes trembled. She mumbled a few phrases but wouldn’t speak. Xiao Kunning had no choice but to take away her precious lamp and sit in the lamp’s place. “Little Xie Yu, do you like Xiao Kunning?”

“Who is Xiao Kunning?” Xie Yu’s eyelids drooped, and her rosy face gained a hint of childlike innocence.

“Then who do you like?” Xiao Kunning repeated her question.

Xie Yu lifted her eyes: “Like, the, little, fool.”

Xiao Kunning clenched her fist and glared at her: “The little fool doesn’t like you. She likes Wen Yuke.”

“Little fool…” Xie Yu paused, then switched hands to rest her chin. She raised her hand and knocked on Xiao Kunning’s forehead. “You liar.”

Xiao Kunning pouted, disdainful: “Are you very smart?”

“Smart. Little Yu is the smartest.” Xie Yu confidently lifted her head, her hazy eyes lighting up. She moved closer to Xiao Kunning and whispered to her: “Xiao Kunning is the dumbest. I like dumb people.”

Xiao Kunning: “…”

The maid brought the sobering soup. Xie Yu refused to drink it. Xiao Kunning ordered a clean wine cup, poured the sobering soup into the cups, and lined them up in front of Xie Yu. “Want to drink?”

Xie Yu nodded vigorously: “Drink.” Without Xiao Kunning’s urging, she picked up a cup and drank it. She frowned, confused, as the liquid went down her throat. “This doesn’t seem right.”

A drunkard was hard to fool. Xiao Kunning simply drank a cup herself in front of her. “What’s wrong?”

Only then did Xie Yu believe her, chugging down the rest of the ‘wine’ in one go. Finally, she leaned against the table and fell asleep. Xiao Kunning had Yu Yin carry her back to the bedroom.

The night was cool like water. The bright, round moon hung in the sky, brilliant and splendid.

Back in the bedroom, Xie Yu lay on the couch as if in a coma. No one could wake her, but luckily the drunkard wasn’t noisy and simply slept. The maid attended to her washing. Xiao Kunning was tired and poured herself a cup of water to drink. The person on the couch was mumbling again, though it was unclear what she was saying.

Xie Yu usually didn’t talk much. Outside of official duties, nothing good came out of her mouth, and her temperament was cold. Xiao Kunning couldn’t be bothered to listen to the childish words of ‘Little Yu is smart, Xiao Kunning is dumb’ and went back to her own room to sleep.

The person who had a hangover missed the morning court, only waking up at noon. Her head was splitting, and she had no energy to listen to the reports from her staff. Shen Siyuan hadn’t slept all night from anger. He practiced boxing in the morning, and after a whole morning of it, he asked Xiao Kunning to take him to a restaurant or tea house to listen to public sentiment.

There was a storyteller in the tea house, and waiters hurried back and forth. The place was full of customers, taking up most of the tables. The old man and the young woman chose a spot to sit. Xiao Kunning ordered a few snacks and a pot of good tea. Shen Siyuan just sat quietly.

The customers were all talking about the corruption case, repeating the same few phrases. Shen Siyuan found it boring and asked Xiao Kunning about her background: “I heard you grew up in Jiangnan?”

Xiao Kunning was shelling melon seeds, listening to the guests at the next table, and replied casually, “My foster mother was the second mistress of the Zhao family in Jiangnan.”

“I know. Zhao Xiran, a rare and brilliant woman. The Zhao family also has business on the frontier. I’ve met her twice and knew at a glance that she was thoughtful. Why don’t you engage in business?” Shen Siyuan took a sip of tea.

Xiao Kunning said, “I came to Chang’an when I was thirteen. She didn’t teach me those things. At first, I didn’t understand. Later, I realized she didn’t teach me because I wasn’t a member of the Zhao family. I would eventually leave the Zhao family. It’s not right to covet others’ things.”

“Your thinking is quite pure. Although Zhao Xiran is a merchant, she is far-sighted. Without her, the Zhao family wouldn’t be where they are today. It’s a pity she misjudged people.” Shen Siyuan lamented. If others had Xiao Kunning’s mindset, the Zhao imperial clan wouldn’t be so volatile.

More and more guests came to the tea house. Seeing that it was getting late, the old man and the young woman moved to a restaurant to listen to stories. The biggest news recently was the Yan family’s corruption case. Everyone said the Yan family brought it upon themselves and that the Emperor was benevolent. Xiao Kunning felt something was wrong after hearing this. She asked Shen Siyuan, “Why do they say the Emperor is benevolent?”

Shen Siyuan glanced at her: “Xie Yu is so smart. How did she teach such a fool as you? The common people repeat what they hear. It’s not that the Emperor is benevolent; it’s that someone deliberately says so. It’s a way to manipulate people, similar to military strategy.”

Xiao Kunning realized that this was a trick she had used herself. Xie Yu called her dumb, and yet others were using the tricks she had abandoned. She hummed twice. The waiter came to serve the dishes, and Shen Siyuan drank a pot of wine by himself.

After the meal, the two walked along the street for an entire afternoon, hearing different stories. Shen Siyuan felt a contradiction with what Xie Yu said last night. The people praised the Emperor, and King Gaoyang was not mentioned at all.

Shen Siyuan, who often marched with the army, had no problem walking for days. Xiao Kunning was different. After walking all day, her feet were blistered, her legs ached, and she collapsed upon returning to the manor.

Xie Yu worked until dark before stepping into the manor, followed by the “dog skin plaster,” Wen Yuke. Wen Yuke followed Xie Yu after leaving the office, requesting to see Xiao Kunning. The two argued briefly, as they did every day at mealtime, and Wen Yuke followed Xie Yu back to the manor.

Yu Yin set the dinner table. Shen Siyuan arrived. He was surprised to see the woman in official robes and guessed she was an uninvited guest, given Xie Yu’s cold, impatient expression. He walked into the hall as usual.

Wen Yuke saw the newcomer and stood up to salute: “This official, Wen Yuke, greets His Lordship.”

“You know me?” Shen Siyuan was a little surprised.

Xie Yu said impatiently, “She is my subordinate.”

Shen Siyuan understood. They were in the same boat, not a threat. Seeing that one person was missing from the hall, he instructed Yu Yin: “Please fetch Xiao Kunning.”

“No need,” Xie Yu interrupted curtly.

Wen Yuke sneered: “Grand Tutor, your efforts to hide her cannot change the outcome.”

Xie Yu raised an eyebrow: “Hiding her is my business. Minister Wen should return to her manor early.”

Shen Siyuan was confused. Just as he was about to speak, he saw Minister Wen leave angrily, completely bewildered. “What were your subordinates arguing with you about?”

Xie Yu was silent. Nong Qin whispered, “They are arguing over Miss Xiao.”

Shen Siyuan was enlightened: “Arguing over a wife.”

No one in the room dared to respond. Wen Yuke, who had left in a huff, returned directly to her manor after leaving the Xie manor. She was followed all the way. The next day, after the court session, the Vice Minister of the Court of the Imperial Clan, Pei Yu, approached her.

The discord between Wen Yuke and Xie Yu was not new. Since the Ministry of Justice was seized, Wen Yuke and Xie Yu had been rivals. The court officials saw it but didn’t say anything. Pei Yu, who was a distant relative of the Yan family, followed her out of the palace.

Xie Yu was detained by the Emperor, who smiled and made no secret of his thoughts to Xie Yu: “This time, thanks to the Grand Tutor’s trip to Jiangnan.”

Xie Yu avoided specific words: “This official is honored to relieve His Majesty’s worries.”

“I heard that my Aunt Jingyang visited you two days ago?” Zhao Mian asked directly, setting aside his usual caution and not concealing his desires when facing Xie Yu.

There were only two people in the hall. Xie Yu lowered her eyes and stared at the floor tiles, carefully replying: “She asked me to mediate, but this official refused.”

“You refused?” Zhao Mian was somewhat unconvinced. He slowly walked down from the dragon chair, pacing in front of Xie Yu. His gaze fell on her clearly defined hands, her fingernails pink and round. The natural, unadorned beauty made it hard to look away.

Xie Yu replied: “This official believes that since the Noble Consort is pregnant with His Majesty’s heir, Your Majesty will certainly show kindness to the Yan family.”

Zhao Mian’s gaze paused sharply. He quickly withdrew his eyes from Xie Yu, strode back to the dragon chair, and resumed his imperial ruthlessness. “What you said is true. Aunt Jingyang has been trying to curry favor with officials recently. In time, this will surely lead to great unrest. Do you have any suggestions?”

“Princess Jingyang is merely worried about Prime Minister Yan. She is a Princess of the Zhao clan and would not be detrimental to Your Majesty,” Xie Yu replied.

“Is that so?” Zhao Mian obviously didn’t believe this explanation. Facing Xie Yu, he recalled Yan Ruyu’s words: The Grand Tutor is ill-intentioned and merely pretends to serve you. Your Majesty must be vigilant. Although Yan Ruyu’s words were not entirely trustworthy, Xie Yu’s behavior today made him suspicious. But on the other hand, the corruption case was investigated by Xie Yu, so she wouldn’t conspire with the Yan clan. Yan Ruyu was from the Yan family, so her dissatisfaction with Xie Yu was normal. After suppressing his thoughts, Zhao Mian waved his hand, dismissing her.

Before Xie Yu left, she suddenly suggested, “The Noble Consort has been troubled recently. Your Majesty should provide more comfort.”

“I know.”

Xie Yu silently retreated from the main hall and returned to the Ministry of Justice.

On that side, Pei Yu had invited Wen Yuke to a private talk. Others paid no mind and returned to their respective offices. Wen Yuke was famously upright and stubborn. No one could make her change her mind. Pei Yu spoke cautiously for a few words. After exchanging pleasantries, he casually brought up: “I heard this case is due to the Minister’s efforts?”

Wen Yuke said: “Just speak plainly.”

“Prime Minister Yan’s case is still under detailed investigation. There are still some issues regarding the authenticity of the account books provided by Magistrate Sun,” Pei Yu said cautiously. He looked around and whispered, “The Prime Minister initially intended to recommend you to His Majesty as the Minister of Justice, but the Grand Tutor intercepted it. If the Grand Tutor were gone, the Ministry of Justice would be under your control.”

The flattery, preceded by subtle criticism, was cautious. Wen Yuke showed no sign of wavering. She glanced at him and walked away. Pei Yu refused to give up, following her closely all the way to the Ministry of Justice. He happened to encounter Xie Yu returning from the palace and quickly found an excuse to leave.

Wen Yuke paid her respects to Xie Yu, then immediately entered the Ministry of Justice without saying a word. Pei Yu observed this and was even more delighted. For the next few days, he walked even closer to Wen Yuke.

After Xiao Kunning lived at the Xie manor for half a month, the Xiao family came to take her back. Xiao Mingwang had agreed to the marriage. Xiao Kunning, who hadn’t gotten the marriage contract back, gasped. Before one wave settled, another rose. Xiao Wenxue, unaware of the truth, pulled her aside to persuade her: “What exactly are you thinking? If you’re unwilling, why stay at the Xie manor?”

Xiao Kunning was enduring a silent bitterness she couldn’t express. She couldn’t reveal King Zhennan’s feigned death, so she changed the subject: “I have an agreement with Mr. After staying at the manor for a month, she will return the marriage contract to me.”

“Where is there such an agreement?” Xiao Wenxue muttered. Remembering Xie Yu’s schemes, she swallowed her words. “As you wish. The corruption case has made everyone in Chang’an uneasy. You should also be careful and not leave the manor without reason.”

“I know. You should hurry back.” Xiao Kunning urged her to return. The Xie manor wasn’t safe either. Xiao Wenxue sighed silently. Seeing that her sister showed no signs of worry, she knew she wasn’t doing too badly and felt relieved. She cautioned her: “Come back in half a month. Xie Yu has made too many enemies. If the Yan family isn’t eliminated, things will remain unsettled.”

In the previous life, after the corruption case, Zhao Ji was forced by Xie Yu to issue a decree. Zhao Mian was different. He prioritized the overall situation and clung to the case, leading to the current widespread anxiety. Xie Yu in this life was less murderous and more humane. Xiao Wenxue wondered how this would end.

Xiao Wenxue felt increasingly uneasy. She wanted to pull her sister back to the manor. “A-Ning, let’s go back together. Forget the marriage contract. You can come back after the Yan family case is over. Honestly, I feel uneasy. I’m afraid something will happen to you.”

“Don’t be afraid. Xie Yu won’t let herself suffer any loss,” Xiao Kunning comforted her. Xiao Wenxue was sensitive. She patted her sister’s shoulder: “If things go wrong, I will return to the manor. Today, you and Mother shouldn’t go out. It’s not safe.” Xie Yu wouldn’t remain quiet for long. A storm was brewing. Staying in the manor was the right choice.

Xiao Wenxue tried to persuade her a few more times without success and had to return to her manor alone.

After she left, Shen Siyuan arrived, wanting to take her out for a walk. The old Prince was a martial arts expert, so there was no worry about assassins on the road, but after a day of walking, her legs wouldn’t feel like her own. Since he had come to invite her, refusing would be disrespectful. She smiled and went out with him.

It was the same routine: walking all day, collapsing upon return. Shen Siyuan comfortably went to drink with King Gaoyang.

Xie Yu returned to the manor when it was already Hài Shí (9 PM – 11 PM). After a quick dinner, she went to find Xiao Kunning, but the girl was already asleep. After pacing outside the door for a bit, she chose to push the door open and enter.

“Xiao Kunning, are you asleep?”

The person in bed covered her ears. “Little Xie Yu, what do you want now?”

Xie Yu smiled. She lit the candles in the room. Seeing the shadow on the couch, she asked concernedly, “I heard your legs hurt?”

“Don’t talk to me. I don’t want to say a single word,” Xiao Kunning turned over.

The lights in the room were bright. Xie Yu walked closer and touched her forehead: “No fever. It seems you’re just tired. Where did the old Prince go?”

“He went to drink with King Gaoyang,” Xiao Kunning said weakly. Not having seen Xie Yu for a few days, she remembered Xiao Wenxue’s worry and asked Xie Yu a serious question: “How will His Majesty deal with the Yan family?”

“Prolong it,” Xie Yu’s tone softened. She lifted the quilt, revealing Xiao Kunning’s long legs. Her eyes flickered, and she became serious: “If your legs hurt, massaging them will help. Relaxing the muscles will make you feel much better.”

Before Xiao Kunning could respond, she reached out and grasped the pair of fair ankles. Xiao Kunning’s ears turned red. Just as she was about to refuse, a sudden soreness shot through her legs, and she couldn’t help but cry out, “It hurts…”

Xie Yu paused her hands: “Keep your voice down.”

Xiao Kunning covered her mouth and remained silent, lying on the couch, letting Xie Yu knead and press. The pair of cold hands jumped on her skin, bringing waves of soreness and numbness. Once she got used to the strength, she felt relief and completely relaxed, yielding to Xie Yu’s massage.

Xie Yu’s strength was just right, following the acupoints, going from light to deep. Xiao Kunning didn’t even remember when she fell asleep. After walking all day, she slept sweetly, her cherry lips pursed. In her dreams, with the thin blanket hugged around her, she looked unintentionally foolish.

When she was asleep, Xie Yu’s arm was tired. She sat on the edge of the couch to rest, her eyes fixed on Xiao Kunning’s sleeping face. She touched her lips and instantly kissed them.

The light kiss concentrated all of her strength.

The person in the dream groaned, frowned, and slept on, showing no discomfort. Xie Yu felt unsatisfied. Her hand lingered on Xiao Kunning’s jaw, unwilling to pull back for a long time. For a moment, only Xiao Kunning’s breathing filled the room, quiet and uneventful. Xie Yu gazed deeply at her, intently focused, forgetting to breathe, forgetting where she was.

A thin, bright candlelight fell on Xiao Kunning’s fair sleeping face, adding a layer of hazy light, ethereal like floating clouds, making her look somewhat unreal. Xie Yu sat there for a long time. She should have left, but felt reluctant. The faint fragrance on her nose was extremely captivating, much more pleasant than the scent of books.

Finally, she chose to be shameless and lay down, snuggling close to the sleeping person. That fragrance was like a sleep-inducing incense. Unconsciously, she fell asleep. Before dawn, Yu Yin came to wake her. Xie Yu woke up and reached out, pulling the person into her arms. Xiao Kunning was sleeping soundly, completely unaware that she was being taken advantage of.

Xie Yu was in an exceptionally good mood at the morning court today. When people argued, she would even say a few encouraging words. The officials nearby could occasionally see her lips curving into a smile. Did the Grand Tutor encounter a happy event? There were no major issues recently. Since the corruption case had not yet been finalized, officials dared not speak carelessly.

After the court session, Xie Yu left the hall in a composed manner, followed by Wen Yuke. Seeing the smile on her lips, Wen Yuke felt something was wrong. In all these years of being in court together, when has Xie Yu ever smiled so happily?

“The Grand Tutor’s smile is unusual,” she said, quickening her pace to catch up with Xie Yu.

Xie Yu glanced at her, her eyebrows smiling: “Minister Wen, want to guess?”

Wen Yuke was not a chatterbox and had no habit of guessing people’s thoughts. Xie Yu’s comment must be related to Xiao Kunning. She didn’t need to guess. She snorted coldly and strode past Xie Yu. Pei Yu and a group of officials clearly saw the discord between the Ministry of Justice’s superior and subordinate. Pei Yu seized the opportunity to follow Wen Yuke.

Xie Yu slowed her steps, deliberately stepping on an ant, walking leisurely behind. Xiao Mingwang parted the crowd and walked up to her, getting straight to the point: “Grand Tutor, when will you let my daughter return to the manor?”

“I have not confined her. On the contrary, it is Madam Xiao who refuses to let her return,” Xie Yu chuckled softly.

Xiao Mingwang was filled with suppressed anger. Yet, he dared not speak harshly to Xie Yu. He never imagined that the graceful and flawless Xie Yu would actually deceive his daughter into marriage. Looking at her unsullied appearance, he felt as if he had been blind.