My Love Rivals Have All Reborn - Chapter 64

Xiao Mingwang first met Xie Yu at Zhao Mian’s enthronement ceremony. Xie Yu’s contribution was immense, and she was the first woman to hold such a high position, naturally commanding respect. He was no exception and exchanged a few words with Xie Yu, who then proactively sought a good relationship with him. Judging by the current situation, Xie Yu had laid a trap for him to jump into long ago.

Xie Yu’s smile was flawless, and her answer was loophole-free. Yet, her calm and unhurried demeanor made him extremely frustrated. “Since that is the case, I will take her back today.”

“Very well. I just hope that Madam Xiao can treat her kindly,” Xie Yu remained utterly composed.

Others, unaware of the conflict between the two, glanced over and then left.

Xiao Mingwang returned to the Ministry of Personnel, only to be overwhelmed by official duties. Many flaws were picked out of the documents sent out and sent back for revision. The entire Ministry of Personnel was thrown into chaos. Everyone was revising documents, and even those finalized days ago were sent back. The Minister of Personnel was no fool. Seeing this, he knew something was wrong—someone was deliberately targeting the Ministry.

The Ministry of Personnel was the head of the Six Ministries, usually maintaining peaceful relations with the other five. With this disruption, many of the Ministry’s duties were delayed. They were busy with this matter all day. Xiao Mingwang, at this point, became smart. He offended Xie Yu after the court session, and upon returning to the Ministry, encountered so many thorny issues. If he said this had nothing to do with Xie Yu, he would have been fooling himself after more than ten years in court.

Xie Yu’s intentions were too obvious and overly ruthless. That foolish girl, A-Ning, wouldn’t be able to compete with her even with a few more brains. He took a deep breath. The marriage must be called off. A-Ning’s careless nature required caution even in an ordinary family. If she so much as twitched a finger in front of Xie Yu, Xie Yu could see through her thoughts. He made up his mind to go to the Xie manor and take her back after leaving the office.

In the evening, someone arrived from the palace. The Emperor invited him in for a talk. When he left the palace, it was nearly Hài Shí (9 PM – 11 PM). He returned home swallowing his anger, planning to retrieve A-Ning tomorrow.

Unexpectedly, for the next few days, he didn’t have time until Hài Shí. All the officials in the Ministry of Personnel were complaining loudly. Xiao Mingwang almost wanted to scratch out his own eyes. While he was at a loss for a solution, something happened at the Xie manor. Yu Yin had been searching for King Zhennan for two days but couldn’t find him.

King Zhennan, Shen Siyuan, was supposedly dead, so the Xie manor dared not search openly. They could only search privately, but after two days with no result, Yu Yin panicked. Xie Yu notified Commander Sun of the Patrol Camp to secretly mobilize troops to search. The Patrol Camp naturally had the best ability to search for people in the city.

Few people in Chang’an recognized King Zhennan. Searching extensively would raise suspicion. After two days, Xie Yu dared not continue searching and withdrew everyone.

Xiao Kunning suddenly remembered that the old Prince had gone drinking with King Gaoyang the night before last. Had he returned that night?

The mention of King Gaoyang suddenly changed Xie Yu’s cool expression. She was about to lead Yu Yin to the princely manor to demand his return. Xiao Kunning quickly said, “Mr. is being rash. If they were the ones who moved him, you won’t find him if you go. Let me go see Zhao Can.”

Xie Yu disagreed: “Zhao Can’s intentions are not pure. You will likely be lured by her if you go.”

Xiao Kunning’s face flushed: “You… do you look down on me that much?”

“Have you forgotten how Zhao Can framed you?” Xie Yu suppressed her turbulent heart.

Xiao Kunning countered: “Are you hiding something from me? The framing only proves that she cares deeply for that Miss Wang. It has little to do with the old Prince. Is it King Gaoyang whom you are resisting now?”

“Getting smart,” Xie Yu observed her deeply. After half a month of assistance in the manor, the girl’s mind seemed to have broadened considerably. From her bright features to her long, fair neck, her delicate skin carried a faint pink, and even her brows were less troubled.

Seeing her so beautiful, Xie Yu’s heart felt inexplicably restless. “Are you getting used to staying at the manor?”

“Yes, I am,” Xiao Kunning met her cold gaze frankly, her eyebrows curving. “Xie Yu, being on the same boat as you is quite comfortable because I don’t have to worry. If I were your enemy, I would have to be meticulous, and I’d die without understanding where I went wrong. For example, the obstacles you put in my father’s way. I hear that whatever he does these days is wrong. Grand Tutor is truly meticulous.”

Xie Yu felt uneasy after being praised so seriously. Her eyelashes fluttered unnaturally, and she saw something wrong in the joy on her eyebrows: “Are you mocking me?”

Xiao Kunning raised an eyebrow: “You’re overthinking it. I’m praising you. Praising your intelligence, praising your meticulousness, and incidentally, praising your ruthlessness.”

“Think whatever you like,” Xie Yu gave up arguing.

“Actually, you clearly know that the old Prince is fine. King Gaoyang just wants to use him to control the 300,000 frontier troops. The letter to Lord Shen’s son warning of danger is already on its way to the frontier, right?” Xiao Kunning said smugly, her bright eyes filled with brilliant light.

Xie Yu felt uneasy under her gaze and avoided her eyes. “You’re overthinking it.”

“Don’t hide. What’s the use of looking at the table? With your meticulous mind, you wouldn’t use the Patrol Camp to search for him. Once the old Prince is discovered to be faking his death, the Shen family will face the capital crime of deceiving the Emperor. Furthermore, with the old Prince in King Gaoyang’s hands, the Shen family will have to rebel even if they don’t want to. Am I right?” Xiao Kunning reached out and turned Xie Yu’s averted face back, meeting her shifting eyes.

Their eyes locked. Xiao Kunning’s smile grew more pronounced. She touched Xie Yu’s cheek. “Xie Yu, you first force Jingyang to try to bring down Zhao Mian, and then you scheme to make the Shen family rebel against Chang’an. You just want to cause chaos in Chang’an so you can fish in troubled waters.”

Xie Yu was not a coward. She stared intently at the confident girl, then reached out and wrapped her arm around her waist, pulling her into her embrace. “You think you know, but is that all there is after the Shen family rebels against Chang’an?”

“What else is there?” Xiao Kunning asked instinctively. After Xie Yu gains political power, she could install the bloodline of Princess Yueyang as the new Emperor.

“A fool looks even more like a fool when she can’t figure things out.” Xie Yu’s cold eyes brightened slightly, reflecting Xiao Kunning’s confused expression. She leaned in slowly and whispered in Xiao Kunning’s ear: “I won’t tell you. I won’t go to the King Gaoyang manor either. Why don’t you think about how to make trouble for your father? After all, you look quite happy about it.”

Xiao Kunning realized she had overplayed her hand and been countered. Suppressing her annoyance, she gently pushed away Xie Yu’s restless hand. “Xie Yu, I don’t want to ask what you’re doing, but you just need to ensure the safety of my Xiao family and the Shen family.”

“I ensure the Xiao family and the Shen family, and you marry me?” Xie Yu followed the natural flow, a flicker of interest in her eyes. She moved one step closer, right in front of her. “I don’t want Shen Rui to return, and I want to kick Wen Yuke out of Chang’an even more.”

Xiao Kunning’s pupils contracted. “If you have the ability, then do it, but don’t tell me. Xie Yu, I hate your confident look the most.”

“Fine, then I’ll pretend to be undecided?” Xie Yu immediately grabbed her hand, her thumb rubbing against her wrist. She whispered, “Xiao Kunning, you are clumsy yourself, yet you want me to be as clumsy as you?”

Xiao Kunning laughed in exasperation: “You become like those you associate with. If you spend time with a fool, you’ll become foolish sooner or later.”

Xie Yu shook her head: “No, it’s you who will become smart.”

“You’re not going to the King Gaoyang manor now?” Xiao Kunning couldn’t stand Xie Yu’s shamelessness and quickly changed the subject to distract her.

Returning to serious matters, Xie Yu finally regained her normal expression, suppressing her smile, and said seriously, “I’m not going to the King Gaoyang manor to demand anything, just to cause a slight disturbance. Don’t leave the manor. The Xie manor is much safer than the Xiao manor.”

Xie Yu’s guards, whose origins were unknown, were exceptionally skilled and acted cautiously. Just Yu Yin and Nong Qin were enough to make people think twice. As for the tragically killed Bi Shu, her martial arts were also above average. Xiao Kunning firmly believed this. Without hesitation, she said, “I’ll stay. How about bringing Xiao Wenxue here?”

Xie Yu, whose foot was already at the door, paused. Her cold gaze fell upon Xiao Kunning’s smiling face. “You two are not blood-related.”

Xiao Kunning was surprised: “What’s wrong with not being blood-related? She worries about me, and I worry about her. Isn’t it fine for sisters to get along well?”

Xie Yu’s eyes were first puzzled, then suddenly enlightened, surging with a smile: “Alright, I’ll have Nong Qin fetch her. If Lord Xiao disagrees, then I can’t do anything about it.”

Having already ‘lost’ one daughter, Xiao Mingwang would certainly not let Xiao Wenxue come to the Xie manor.

Xie Yu led Yu Yin to the King Gaoyang manor. King Gaoyang, Zhao Chulin, welcomed her with the usual enthusiasm. The two entered the manor together, leaving Yu Yin outside the hall. Xie Yu sat down and went straight to the point: “The old Prince is missing.”

King Gaoyang, Zhao Chulin, looked slightly unnatural upon hearing this, then feigned surprise: “He left after drinking at my manor that night. Which day did he go missing?”

“I’m not sure which day. The situation in Chang’an is unstable now. I’m worried he was captured, so I sent people to search for a few days, but to no avail. I came specifically to ask you if you know his whereabouts,” Xie Yu was indifferent as usual, speaking with a faint, subtle smile, no different from normal.

Zhao Chulin scrutinized her for a moment. After failing to get an answer, he sighed worriedly: “I haven’t seen him for days. Did he leave Chang’an? Or was his trail discovered?”

“I don’t know. Since Your Lordship doesn’t know, I must take my leave. Thank you for your trouble, Your Lordship.” Xie Yu stood up anxiously, not hiding her impatience, and left quickly.

King Gaoyang stared at the woman’s hurried retreating figure, maintaining his composure for a long time. It wasn’t until Xie Yu’s shadow had disappeared for a while that he sat down calmly, picking up the teacup offered by the maid. The tea was fragrant, instantly filling his nostrils. Good tea should be savored slowly. He took a light sip and felt the bitterness of the tea’s aroma. In the curling smoke, he smiled.

Nong Qin went to the Xiao manor to pick up Xiao Wenxue, but was shouted at and beaten by Madam Luo, Xiao Kunning’s stepmother. She returned crestfallen to report. Madam Luo had been fierce. Nong Qin was left with blue and purple bruises all over her body. Upon returning to see her master, she gasped, “Fortunately, they used thick sticks. If it were swords, this subordinate would not have returned alive.”

Xie Yu leaned against a bolster, holding a battle report sent by Shen Rui. Seeing Nong Qin’s miserable state, she was not in the mood to tease. She summoned her staff member and asked, “What is the situation at the Yan manor?”

Imperial guards surrounded the Yan manor, but Princess Jingyang’s residence was free for entry and exit. The Emperor dared not touch Jingyang, allowing her to move around freely. The staff member replied cautiously, “Aside from the food delivery person, the Imperial Guards are watching strictly. Not a fly has gotten in. However, Pei Yu, the Vice Minister of the Court of the Imperial Clan, is quite close to Minister Wen. What do you think?”

Pei Yu was part of the Empress Dowager’s faction and secretly helped Prime Minister Yan. His purpose in approaching Wen Yuke could be guessed easily. Xie Yu put the battle report aside and instructed the staff member, “Tell them not to watch so closely. Give the people inside the manor whatever they need. Keep an eye on Wen Yuke’s place, and just ensure her safety.”

The staff member agreed and then added, “I heard that the Empress Dowager’s hall in the palace is surrounded. I don’t know if the news is true, but it’s said that the Noble Consort did it.”

As a married-out daughter of the Yan family, Yan Ruyu would definitely choose a side. It was obvious she chose the Emperor, Zhao Mian. Xie Yu said, “Tell this news to Prime Minister Yan. Have someone in the palace go to the Empress Dowager’s residence and ask if she needs any help.”

The staff member followed the order and spoke of a few more matters, to which Xie Yu gave answers one by one. Soon after, the staff member conveyed the message to the person in the palace. The Empress Dowager personally met with the mole. The two spoke for half an hour before the mole withdrew.

In the evening, Xie Yu received the reply and suddenly laughed. Yu Yin didn’t know what happened and asked cautiously, “Mr., what is it?”

Xie Yu placed the note on the candle flame to burn. The leaping flames illuminated her dark eyes. “The Empress Dowager wants to make Yan Ruyu’s child stillborn.”

Yu Yin was not surprised. People in the palace were always like this, accustomed to killing casually. “Then, will you do it?”

“What does it have to do with me? I’m just opening a convenient door for the Empress Dowager’s people. The rest has nothing to do with me.” Xie Yu casually flipped open an official document. The ashes left on the table were blown onto the paper by the wind. She suddenly pinched the ashes, her expression grim. “Does Jingyang still have people in the palace?”

Yu Yin shook her head: “Yan Ruyu rooted them all out.” Knowing the enemy and herself, the mole, Yan Ruyu, caused Jingyang heavy losses.

Xie Yu’s mind was unchanged: “Let them fight. We will pretend not to see.”

After several days of upheaval, the Ministry of Personnel settled down again. The Minister of Personnel dared not act rashly, hoping the trouble would subside so he could investigate the forces behind it. After a few days, he understood that Grand Tutor Xie Yu was responsible. He went to the Ministry of Justice angrily to settle the score with Xie Yu.

At this time, Wen Yuke, overwhelmed by Pei Yu’s persistence, ‘accidentally’ leaked evidence that the late Emperor Zhao Ji’s prescription contained poison. Pei Yu was shocked. Without waiting for Wen Yuke to say another word, he eagerly left the Ministry of Justice.

Pei Yu left the Ministry of Justice just as the Minister of Personnel rushed in. The two bumped into each other. Pei Yu dared not delay, rushing to Princess Jingyang’s manor. Jingyang was secretly contacting military generals. Seeing Pei Yu’s flustered look, she was displeased and chastised him verbally. Pei Yu wiped the sweat from his forehead: “Your Highness, Prince Yanping (Zhao Ji) did not die of illness.”

Xie Yu was invited into the room by the Minister of Personnel. After a brief chat, the Minister of Personnel burst into a huge fit of anger. “Have I offended you, Xie Yu? Or did the Ministry of Personnel offend you, that you conspire with others to play tricks? Can such important matters be trifled with?”

Xie Yu listened to the scolding without a word, then personally brewed a cup of good tea and handed it to him. “Calm down. Those were oversights in your Ministry of Personnel. Those were the official documents you submitted before. If His Majesty had seen them, wouldn’t they have been sent back for revision? You tell me, isn’t that right?”

Xie Yu had a good temper and greeted him with a smile. The Minister of Personnel had vented his anger for a while. Being parched, he took the tea from Xie Yu and drank it in one gulp. He said angrily, “If you had told us properly, would we not have revised them?”

“I told you once before. Did you listen?” Xie Yu personally refilled the tea.

The Minister of Personnel had no retort. Recalling the last incident, he felt ashamed, but he wasn’t so easy to fool. Xie Yu must have had another reason for doing this. He refused to give up. “Grand Tutor, you and I are not strangers. Tell me honestly, who in the Ministry of Personnel did you have a grudge against that you want to target them like this?”

Xie Yu shook her head: “No one.”

The Minister of Personnel saw her tightly closed jaw and tried to guess himself. After a long time, he still had no clue and was unwilling to stop. Xie Yu promptly said, “This matter was my lapse in judgment. I will apologize to you another day. When you return, you should certainly reorganize your Ministry.”

With face and a way out provided, the Minister of Personnel had no reason not to leave. Xie Yu owed him a favor, which he could ask for help with in the future. Killing two birds with one stone, he left satisfied.

Wen Yuke saw him enter furiously and leave with a smile on his face. She had to concede that Xie Yu’s ability to fool people was becoming increasingly formidable. Remembering that she hadn’t seen Xiao Kunning for twenty days, she bought some snacks and went to the Xie manor to visit after leaving the office.

Upon arrival, she was blocked as usual. Yu Yin smiled as she accepted the snacks, her tone tactful and gentle: “Miss Xiao and my master have an agreement. You cannot see her.”

Wen Yuke’s tone turned cold: “What agreement?”

Yu Yin refused to answer: “I cannot say.”

The servant and the master shared the same temperament. Wen Yuke couldn’t outlast them. She left the snacks behind, tossing out a final remark as she left: “Some birds are destined not to be kept in a cage.”

Yu Yin pretended not to understand, smiling as she escorted her out of the manor. Once the person was gone, she spoke fiercely: “The bird won’t go with you either. Why pick this fight? Fighting your superior for a wife? If I were the master, I would have kicked you out of Chang’an long ago.”

After her futile trip, Wen Yuke returned to her manor and saw the persistently annoying Pei Yu outside her gate again. Pei Yu smiled broadly, stepped forward to salute her, and his words were tactful: “Your word today gave this subordinate sudden insight. There are some questions I would like to consult you on.”

Wen Yuke’s face went cold: “What if I refuse?”

Pei Yu immediately dropped the act: “Among many methods, there’s always one that can make the Minister move. Since you come and go alone every day, this subordinate can simply tie you up and take you away, just like right now.”

The Wen manor was in a new, secluded and quiet area. Pei Yu deliberately chose a tranquil spot for his move. Wen Yuke, familiar with the surroundings, abandoned the thought of resistance and conceded, “Lead the way.” Pei Yu immediately ordered his men to clear the path. Wen Yuke boarded the carriage.

The carriage eventually stopped at the back door of the Pei manor. Wen Yuke quietly entered. Someone had been waiting in the manor for a long time. Jingyang, dressed in gorgeous robes, sat in the main seat, her eyes sharp, staring at Wen Yuke with fierce intent. Wen Yuke was not timid. Seeing the aggressive Jingyang, she showed no fear, bowing without servility: “Your Highness, you went to great lengths to see this official.”

“Minister Wen is a close official to His Majesty. I am just a princess who has fallen out of favor. It naturally takes effort to see you,” Jingyang’s words were full of sarcasm. She gestured for Pei Yu to wait outside. Pei Yu obeyed, closing the door and driving away all extraneous people.

Jingyang had enjoyed glory for most of her life, and the arrogance of a royal princess was still in her bones. Her way of resolving issues was still brutal. Looking at Wen Yuke with disdain, she said, “I have a few questions for you.”

Wen Yuke bowed, staring at the ground, respectfully saying, “Please speak, Your Highness.”

“Was the corruption case orchestrated by His Majesty?” Jingyang gritted her teeth.

Wen Yuke was tall and slender, standing upright like a pine tree in the room. Her expression remained unchanged upon hearing the question, and her tone was the same as before: “To receive the ruler’s salary is to relieve the ruler’s worries.”

Jingyang sneered: “I knew it was the Emperor’s intention.”

Wen Yuke blinked. I didn’t say that.

Jingyang felt much calmer after getting her answer. She then asked about Zhao Ji’s ‘death by illness’: “The Empress Dowager ordered the Ministry of Justice to investigate back then, and the result was death by illness. Did your Ministry of Justice conceal anything?”

Wen Yuke frowned suddenly, not answering for a moment. Jingyang became more certain that Pei Yu’s words were true. Zhao Mian was an ungrateful wretch. They helped him ascend the throne, but only a few years later, he wanted to execute the meritorious officials. He wouldn’t even spare his own brother. She clenched her fist and said calmly, “Hand over the evidence to me, or I won’t be kind enough to let your grandmother return.”

“Your Highness…” Wen Yuke was shocked. She couldn’t imagine Jingyang resorting to such contemptible means. Suppressing her tremor, she said, “Just state your commands, Your Highness. This official will certainly help.”

Jingyang smiled faintly: “If you obey, your grandmother will be fine. Once this matter is over, you two will be reunited. Also, do not try to fool me. Your grandmother’s life is in your own hands.”

Wen Yuke dared not object and nodded in agreement.

Xiao Kunning was dragged by Yu Yin to look at properties in the north of the city. Xie Yu wanted to provide relief for the elderly, orphans, and children, and property in the north was relatively cheaper. The north of the city was populated mostly by common people and far from the palace, lacking the atmosphere of conspiracy. Yu Yin searched for days before finding a suitable property.

The house was slightly dilapidated. Even in summer, it was difficult to hide its desolation. The corners of the walls were covered with dead vines, leaves were everywhere, and even the houses were missing bricks and tiles, making them completely uninhabitable. Xiao Kunning was entangled by dead vines after walking a few steps. She bent down to pull the vines, her palms turning red from the scratches. She couldn’t help but complain, “Yu Yin, did you buy this for ghosts to live in?”

The path was completely impassable. Yu Yin had to use her sword to cut the dead vines, eventually becoming so tired she couldn’t straighten her back. She finally said, “Mr. said to buy a cheaper one, so I chose this place. It’ll be fine after a cleanup.”

“Is Xie Yu running short of money? I have money! Let’s find another place. I’m exhausted.” Xiao Kunning stopped walking. Even though it was a good deed, Xie Yu made it seem like she was going bankrupt. Had she become so stingy from spending too much time with Gu Ning?

The two returned to the manor. When the carriage stopped, a simple blue carriage was parked outside the main entrance, not like that of a noble family. When they went to ask the doorman, they saw Gu Ning hurrying by. Yu Yin felt something was wrong and caught her. “Did something happen to Mr.?”

Gu Ning’s face was flushed, panting heavily. She thrust a prescription into Yu Yin’s hand: “Go to the Su Pharmacy and fill this prescription. Hurry!”

Yu Yin dared not delay. She immediately turned and used a knife to cut the reins, quickly and neatly. The horse’s hooves flew, and she disappeared in an instant.

Xiao Kunning wasn’t sure if it was real or fake. Just as she was wondering, Gu Ning told her: “Xie Yu threw her life away. She foolishly went to block a sword for King Gaoyang.”

“Block a sword?” Xiao Kunning didn’t understand. This didn’t seem to happen in the previous life.

Gu Ning saw her looking dazed and preoccupied and decided not to say more. Since a trusted servant had gone to get the medicine, she didn’t need to worry. Xiao Kunning walked toward the bedroom. Outside the door, she saw Nong Qin giving instructions to a maid. She walked over and asked: “How serious is Mr.’s injury?”

“Not good. It’s close to a vital spot,” Nong Qin looked gloomy.

Xiao Kunning peered into the room. Nong Qin stopped her: “Dr. Su said no one should go in. Too many people will be noisy and distract Mr.”

“Alright, I won’t go in.” Xiao Kunning felt slightly forlorn. She didn’t leave, just waited quietly outside the room.