My Love Rivals Have All Reborn - Chapter 65

Zhao Mian summoned King Gaoyang, Zhao Chulin, at the Chongzheng Hall. The uncle and nephew shared lunch together. They happened to run into Xie Yu upon leaving the palace. They spoke a few words at the palace gate when an assassin, disguised as an imperial guard, quickly rushed toward them. Without thinking, Xie Yu pushed Zhao Chulin away, and an arrow pierced her chest.

The assassin was immediately captured and sent to the Ministry of Justice prison. Wen Yuke took over the case. The Ministry of Justice prison was no ordinary place. Wen Yuke personally interrogated him. Everyone was extremely concerned, and with Xie Yu gravely injured, they were all worried.

The assassin was not a genuine imperial guard but had stolen someone else’s uniform. An imperial guard’s corresponding waist token was found on him. Following the token, they found the imperial guard, who had already died in his home. The clue abruptly ended. Wen Yuke returned to the Ministry of Justice to interrogate the assassin again. The assassin kept his mouth shut, and even torture could not yield a confession. Wen Yuke ordered further questioning and went to the Xie manor herself.

Su Ying stayed in the room until the next morning. When she emerged, she saw Xiao Kunning still waiting outside the door, apparently not having left all night. Compared to Su Ying, Xiao Kunning looked relatively well. She looked toward the room and asked, “How is she?”

“She almost didn’t make it. Don’t go in yet. Wait until her condition stabilizes.” Su Ying was also tired. She had worked all night to save Xie Yu. She called a maid to keep watch.

“I can’t go in?” Xiao Kunning asked, surprised.

Su Ying’s eyes were dark, and her face was haggard. Fearing Xiao Kunning might overthink it, she explained: “Xie Yu is unstable in her coma. If you go in, I’m afraid you two will argue again.”

When Xiao Kunning and Xie Yu were together, most of the time they would quarrel over trivial matters, especially Xie Yu. What she said verbally was completely different from what she thought in her heart. Xiao Kunning was not a mind reader; she took what Xie Yu said literally and, in her anger, would say anything regardless of the consequences. They were constantly clashing, neither one giving ground.

Xiao Kunning showed a frustrated expression: “Doctor Su is overthinking it. I won’t argue with a patient.”

“That’s good. What she says and what she thinks are often the opposite. Remember not to take it to heart. Her injury is severe. If it doesn’t heal well, her arm might have problems,” Su Ying cautioned. She was exhausted and, after giving a few more vital instructions, left to rest.

Xiao Kunning didn’t think much of it. She pushed the door open and walked in. A strong smell of blood filled the room. The scent was so heavy it made her nauseous. She covered her nose and walked inside. Xie Yu lay quietly on the couch.

Xie Yu’s face was very pale. Her whole body was sunken into the quilt, her long hair spread beside the pillow. Against the black hair, her face looked frighteningly white. The collar of her clothes was slightly open, revealing the white gauze wrapped underneath. Having only seen Xie Yu confident and composed, this was the first time she had seen her so haggard.

Xiao Kunning didn’t have many thoughts; she felt somewhat numb, her mind blank, her limbs uncontrolled by her brain. A maid was on the side tidying up the bloody water and soiled cloths, all stained with Xie Yu’s blood. Xie Yu was not a kind-hearted person. There must be a reason for her to block a sword for someone else.

In the previous life, King Gaoyang became a monk. In this life, Xie Yu blocked a sword for him. She wouldn’t change her view of him just because he was her maternal uncle. Xie Yu was ruthless enough to kill her own father, showing it was unrelated to blood.

She gazed at Xie Yu’s tightly furrowed brows, seeing the agonizing pain in her coma, a look completely unlike her usual faint smile. She suddenly guessed that Xie Yu saved Zhao Chulin to repay a debt of gratitude. It was this uncle who saved her from the palace that year, handed her over to Gu Zong, taught her literature, and the ways of the court. Such a favor could only be repaid with her life.

The wild guess gradually filled her heart, making her feel less empty. The maid handed her a cloth for washing. Xiao Kunning stared at the cloth for a moment, then took it hesitantly. Xie Yu still did not respond, her breathing faint. She suddenly wondered: If Xie Yu died, would everyone’s fate change as a result?

Lifting the quilt, she saw that Xie Yu’s arm was severely swollen; even the back of her hand was bruised purple. The injury was indeed very serious. Xiao Kunning carefully wiped her clean, then tucked the quilt in properly. She asked the maid, “When will she wake up?”

“I don’t know. Doctor Su said Mr.’s health has never been good, and this time, things look grim.” The maid’s voice was low, also worried about Xie Yu. Xie Yu was born prematurely. Princess Yueyang even took medicine initially to try and get rid of the child. Her constitution was inherently weak, and this great disaster highlighted her poor health.

After the cleaning, Yu Yin came to report: “Miss Xiao, Minister Wen would like to see you.”

“Alright. You watch over Mr.” Xiao Kunning frowned. Wen Yuke coming to the Xie manor at this time must be about the assassin. As she went to meet her, Gu Ning came from the outer room, holding a stalk of red plum.

“Where did you get this red plum, Proprietress Gu?” Xiao Kunning asked, surprised. As she drew closer, she realized the flowers were fake, made of paper to resemble plum blossoms. From a distance, they looked real.

Gu Ning touched the ‘petals’ and pointed toward the room: “A gift for Xie Yu. Congratulations to her for finally dragging herself into a pit. Su Ying said her losses are heavy this time, so I brought her red plum blossoms. What do you think?”

Xiao Kunning’s expression was inexplicably serious. These sisters were truly baffling. She waved her hand to greet Gu Ning and went to the front to see Wen Yuke. Gu Ning handed the flowers to Yu Yin: “Sprinkle some plum blossom incense and place them where Xie Yu can see them the moment she opens her eyes. Also, say a few words to her. If she dies like this, Wen Yuke and Xiao Kunning will live happily ever after.”

Yu Yin refused to pass the message: “That will make things worse for Mr.”

“It’s fine. She is so strong-willed. She will definitely wake up to deal with Wen Yuke,” Gu Ning asserted. Xie Yu had an unyielding nature. She wouldn’t die like this without getting her revenge. Yu Yin’s heart pounded, but Gu Ning was so confident that she had no choice but to relay the message verbatim.

Wen Yuke came from the Ministry of Justice, carrying a smell of decay. She perfumed herself with incense before entering the manor. Upon seeing the girl she hadn’t seen in a long time, she quickly went to greet her: “You’ve come.”

“Is there news about the assassin?” Xiao Kunning blurted out, the light in her eyes dim.

Wen Yuke’s eyes were sharp. She could tell at a glance that Xiao Kunning hadn’t rested well last night. She forced a smile: “There’s no news yet. How is the Grand Tutor?”

“Not good. From Doctor Su’s tone, it seems the injury is too severe.” Xiao Kunning looked dejected. She had never thought Xie Yu would have such a day. The Xie Yu in her mind was always plotting successfully, the one who calculated others. No one had ever managed to gain the slightest advantage in front of her. Now, seeing her on the brink of death, a very strange feeling suddenly arose in her heart. Xie Yu was just an ordinary person, so ordinary that she had to rely on her own schemes and calculations to survive. Looking across the court, who didn’t have many people supporting them? Even Wen Yuke had her grandmother, while Xie Yu was completely alone.

Wen Yuke’s pupils slightly contracted. She clearly sensed Xiao Kunning’s different emotions—not only dejection but also a hint of loss. “Are you worried about her?”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Kunning suddenly raised her head, meeting Wen Yuke’s scrutinizing gaze. She said distractedly, “Aren’t you worried about her?”

Wen Yuke couldn’t hide her disappointment. “My worry is different from yours. I see many different things in your eyes. You have feelings for Xie Yu. You dislike her and hate her, but there’s still a place for Xie Yu in your heart. When you are with Xie Yu, the intense hatred reminds you that you once loved her.”

Without deep affection, how could there be such intense hatred? Xiao Kunning’s eyelashes suddenly fluttered. Wen Yuke’s words abruptly became sharp, hitting hard: “I asked about the assassin, not… what you are talking about.”

“You asked about the assassin as soon as you walked in, which shows you care about Xie Yu. You didn’t ask about anything else, didn’t ask about me. Your heart holds Xie Yu,” Wen Yuke focused on the key points. Xiao Kunning still looked bewildered, unable to grasp her own feelings.

“I shouldn’t have told you this.” She changed her words. If Xiao Kunning didn’t know, she shouldn’t remind her. Looking down at Xiao Kunning’s clenched fists, the faint hope in her heart vanished again. Some things wouldn’t disappear just because they weren’t brought up. Not thinking about it, not asking about it, not talking about it, didn’t mean it didn’t exist.

Xiao Kunning didn’t understand her meaning. Her mind was a mess. She sat down numbly on the side, her heart pounding fiercely. “Minister Wen, who is the assassin?”

“I don’t know. The interrogation is ongoing. If Xie Yu dies, will you be sad?” Wen Yuke asked bluntly, staring intensely at Xiao Kunning’s expression, unwilling to miss a single reaction.

“Will she die?” Xiao Kunning was confused. Her eyes lost their usual luster, and her delicate brows were tightly furrowed. Will Xie Yu die? Impossible. Xie Yu still had so many things to do. The person who bullied her mother was still alive, and the person who imprisoned her was still sitting in a high position. Such a strong-willed person would not die so willingly. She looked up at Wen Yuke, casting aside the complicated emotions. “Xie Yu won’t die.”

“Xiao Kunning, you’ve changed,” Wen Yuke’s lips curled into a self-mocking smile. “Before, when Xie Yu was mentioned, you were always impatient. Now, you are tense.”

Xiao Kunning placed her hands on her knees. Hearing the word ‘die’ made her nervous again. “She is in danger. Isn’t it natural for me to be tense?”

“Your tension is different from others. Only when you secretly love someone do you show this kind of bewildered and lost state,” Wen Yuke smiled bitterly. Thinking of Xie Yu’s actions, the resentment in her heart surged up. “Is she that good? Xie Yu has many flaws. Is she any different from a bloodthirsty demon?”

“Do you know her past?” Xiao Kunning subconsciously wanted to defend her, but then immediately regretted it. Why was she explaining for Xie Yu?

“The past is no reason for her to be bloodthirsty,” Wen Yuke interrupted her harshly. Her eyes kept drifting to Xiao Kunning’s mournful expression. She felt her tone was too heavy and softened her voice after a moment of thought. “I came to tell you that Lord Xiao misses you. You can take advantage of Xie Yu being unconscious to return to the Xiao manor.”

Xiao Kunning looked bewildered: “Why should I go back? My agreement with Xie Yu is still valid. Wouldn’t returning now mean all my efforts were wasted?”

“Are you staying here voluntarily?” Wen Yuke noticed something was wrong. Lord Xiao had said she was imprisoned by Xie Yu. “What is your agreement with Xie Yu?”

“It’s nothing. Aren’t you going to find the assassin?” Xiao Kunning didn’t want to talk about it, especially with Xie Yu gravely ill. If she left now, it would be equivalent to giving Xie Yu poison.

Wen Yuke was angry. Seeing her confused yet adorable and frustrating demeanor, she felt exhausted by her own anger. “I’m leaving.”

Xiao Kunning simply said, “Oh,” and stood up: “If Minister Wen finds anything, please remember to tell me.”

Wen Yuke, who had just stepped over the threshold: “…” What did I even come here for?

With Xie Yu gravely injured and unconscious, the court instantly erupted. A ladle of cold water was poured into boiling oil, and the court was in turmoil within a day. The Emperor personally visited the Xie manor to check on her. The person lying on the couch was like a dead person. After the visit, he ordered precious medicinal herbs to be brought to ensure her treatment. Not only did the Emperor visit, but the Empress Dowager also sent medicinal herbs from the palace, as did the court officials. Compliments flowed into the Xie manor like a stream every day, and the threshold was nearly worn out.

After three days, she still hadn’t woken up. Su Ying started to panic, constantly taking her pulse and searching through medical books. On the other side, Wen Yuke interrogated the assassin and found out who instructed him. Undecided, she came to the Xie manor to find Xie Yu. Seeing the person lying on the couch, she was so furious she couldn’t help but curse a few times.

Just as she cursed, Nong Qin came to convey a message: “Minister Wen, someone from the palace has come to summon you. They say Noble Consort Yan had a miscarriage.”

“I understand,” Wen Yuke suppressed her temper and said to Xie Yu: “I will report the assassin’s confession truthfully to His Majesty. I cannot control what happens next. If you wake up, the Shen family will be safe. If you don’t wake up, the Shen family will be lost.”

Xiao Kunning, who was searching medical books on the side, didn’t understand the meaning of this statement: “What do you mean?”

“The assassin confessed that he was instructed by the son of the King of Zhennan to assassinate King Gaoyang,” Wen Yuke worried. The Shen family had barely survived one ordeal, and now this happened. Shen Rui would have to rebel even if he didn’t want to.

Xiao Kunning remembered the old Prince’s disappearance earlier. The old Prince was held captive by King Gaoyang. It was reasonable for Shen Nan to assassinate King Gaoyang to save his father, but why did Xie Yu block the sword? The Shen family and Xie Yu were a unit. The Shen family assassinating King Gaoyang meant Xie Yu wouldn’t block it. From this, she guessed that Xie Yu did not know about the assassination. She looked at Wen Yuke: “Could it be a false accusation?”

Xiao Kunning had spent quite some time with Xie Yu and knew her ways. Wen Yuke agreed somewhat with her idea: “I also suspect it’s a false accusation, but the confession is what it is. What I find strange is why they would frame the Shen family. Is it to force the Shen family to rebel? At this point, it seems unrelated to Yan Huaizhen. It doesn’t seem like his style.” The Shen family followed Xie Yu’s orders, and Xie Yu’s reaction was also strange.

Analyzing the current situation cautiously, Wen Yuke said, “Perhaps someone wants to force the Shen family to rebel and also knows Xie Yu will block the sword. With Xie Yu injured, the Shen family will be indecisive at this time.”

Xiao Kunning remembered something after her reminder. She tested her guess: “Could it be King Gaoyang?”

“Unlikely. King Gaoyang is indifferent and wouldn’t get involved in these matters,” Wen Yuke denied.

Xiao Kunning said no more. “Keep this matter a secret. Don’t announce it publicly.”

Wen Yuke’s lips hardened: “I wasn’t the only one there. How can I keep it secret?”

Xiao Kunning shut up dejectedly, not speaking for a long time. Looking at Xie Yu, who was still unconscious, she suddenly felt that with Xie Yu absent, the court situation was quickly spiraling out of control.

Wen Yuke didn’t stay long, rushed by the palace people to enter the palace. Xiao Kunning continued searching medical books, her fingertips slowly pausing. Yan Ruyu had a miscarriage? Did Zhao Mian not want a child of the Zhao family, or did someone with ulterior motives target Yan Ruyu?

These were all unanswerable questions. Her peripheral vision swept over the quiet, sleeping person. Her complexion was much better, at least no longer frighteningly pale, just like she was sleeping normally. She walked to Xie Yu’s bedside. “Little Xie Yu, without you, many things are out of control. If the Shen family rebels, will you become the Emperor?”

“Forget it. You’re about to lose your life. Just stay alive first. It’s too chaotic here. I’ll take you somewhere else to recover. If you wake up, you wake up. If you don’t, I’ll take care of you for the rest of your life. I’ll even marry a little wife to help me take care of you, how about that?”

Xiao Kunning squinted with a smile. Thinking of Xie Yu’s furious look when she woke up, she suddenly felt much better. Yu Yin and Nong Qin had no objection to her decision. Perhaps a change of environment would be beneficial for Mr.’s injury. The current situation was too chaotic. It was better to be prudent and retreat first.

Wen Yuke presented the confession to the Emperor. Zhao Mian was enraged and immediately issued an imperial decree summoning Shen Nan back to Chang’an. The decree ordered Shen Nan to return to inherit the title, to be captured only after arriving in Chang’an. With Xie Yu absent from the court, no one dared to act rashly. The decree left Chang’an that very day.

Wen Yuke was busy with the case of the Noble Consort’s miscarriage. After a few days, she went to the Xie manor to see Xiao Kunning, but the manor was already empty. Yu Yin stayed behind to guard the residence. Yu Yin refused to disclose their whereabouts. After failing to get an answer, Wen Yuke went to the Xiao manor to ask Xiao Wenxue.

Xiao Wenxue refused the marriage proposed by Madam Luo and moved to live in a temple. Wen Yuke reluctantly went to the temple. The two sat under an ancient tree, talking. Xiao Mingwang had many subordinates. Madam Luo selected a few young and promising ones, but Xiao Wenxue was not satisfied with any of them. Madam Luo lost her temper, so Xiao Wenxue had to move out to avoid the conflict.

“Minister Wen’s feelings, A-Ning understands but refuses to respond to. Xie Yu always keeps her by her side. She hates and loves in equal measure. After struggling twice, you should understand,” Xiao Wenxue advised kindly. Xiao Kunning was not a sensitive person. She was raised by Zhao Xiran to be bright and straightforward, clear-headed in major issues, confused in minor ones, and even pretending to be confused at times. Running away with Xie Yu was also typical of her character.

Wen Yuke looked cold. The girl’s demeanor was gentle and graceful, and her words suggested she knew Xiao Kunning’s whereabouts. “Since you refuse to say, I won’t ask again. But why do you think Xie Yu is right for her?”

“It’s not that Xie Yu is right for her; it’s that A-Ning has her in her heart. The moment she left with Xie Yu, you should understand that that foolish girl cannot turn back.” The temple was quiet. It was late summer, and the leaves blocked most of the sunlight, creating a quiet and secluded area under the tree. The girl’s persuasive voice was pleasant, inexplicably comforting. Wen Yuke’s restless heart also calmed down. She picked up the teacup in front of her with her long fingers. “Do you also approve of Xie Yu?”

“Minister Wen is biased. She is our teacher. The kindness between teacher and student still remains,” Xiao Wenxue said gently and softly, her smile faint. She was amused by Wen Yuke’s discomfort around people, not expecting the cold, isolated, and unsentimental Wen Yuke to have such a childish side.

The two sat under the tree for a moment. Wen Yuke left directly after failing to get an answer. Xiao Wenxue stayed in the temple for some time. The quiet days passed slowly. As the sun rose and set, she thought about how to appease Madam Luo and create a fallback plan for herself, when news broke that Chang’an was besieged by troops.

The Empress Dowager deposed the Emperor and installed a new one. She personally summoned troops to besiege Chang’an. Zhao Mian’s imperial guards and the Patrol Camp desperately defended Chang’an, creating a stalemate. The Empress Dowager accused the Emperor of being incompetent and vicious, killing his own brother for selfish reasons. She even issued several charges against him to the common people. Almost everyone in Chang’an had a copy.

The civil and military officials dared not take sides, feigning ignorance and waiting for the outcome. It was at this time that someone remembered Grand Tutor Xie Yu. They went to the Xie manor for advice, only to find that Xie Yu had left Chang’an to recover from her injuries. Finally, the massive army broke through Chang’an’s defenses. The Empress Dowager deposed Zhao Mian and installed a young emperor. Zhao Mian was imprisoned. On the day of the new emperor’s enthronement ceremony, Shen Nan returned with his forces and supported King Gaoyang to take the throne.

When the news reached Qingcheng, Xiao Kunning was learning to roast lamb with the chef. The aroma of roasted meat was mouthwatering. Zhao Xiran handed her a letter. Xiao Kunning didn’t even look at it. She flipped the lamb leg in her hand and sprinkled the Zhao family’s special sauce on it. Zhao Xiran told her, “Zhao Chulin is the Emperor now.”

“I know. He was the one Xie Yu was injured for,” Xiao Kunning’s voice was cold. After setting down the sauce, she remembered the person who was still sleeping and said anxiously, “I’ll go check on her.”

“Su Ying is taking her pulse. Your cooking skills have improved greatly. Finish roasting this before you go,” Zhao Xiran stopped her. “Xie Yu is as good as dead. What kind of relationship can you have with a vegetable?”

Xiao Kunning ignored her ‘advice’ as usual. She checked the color of the lamb leg. The grease sizzled. She used a dagger to slice off a piece of meat and placed it on a plate, offering it to Zhao Xiran: “Try it?”

Zhao Xiran refused: “Let Xie Yu try it?”

“I’ll eat it myself. Are you alone these days?” Xiao Kunning bit into a piece of meat. It was too tough; her cheeks hurt from chewing. It was overcooked. She turned back to take a slice of roasted meat the chef had cut. The chef quickly cut a piece for Zhao Xiran too. Zhao Xiran liked roasted meat and ate a piece right away. She said, “She went to Chang’an to congratulate the new Emperor. I heard your father was promoted. Do you want to go back? I can take care of Xie Yu for you.”

Xiao Kunning didn’t want to show her any expression. She finished her roasted meat and left. Zhao Xiran shouted after her: “Shen Rui is back.”

Xie Yu was staying in Xiao Kunning’s courtyard. Nong Qin was in the room next door. Everything was done according to Xiao Kunning’s instructions. Su Ying had been staying in the manor for a while, staying close to Xie Yu every day. Xiao Kunning moved a stool out and sat under the eaves. From a distance, she smelled the aroma of roasted meat. Sniffing, she saw Xiao Kunning approaching with a box. “Miss Xiao is using roasted meat to tempt Mr.?”

“It’s for you,” Xiao Kunning handed the box containing the roasted meat over. “Is there any fresh news from Chang’an?”

“For me?” Nong Qin’s eyes curved in a smile. She accepted the box and replied, “Nothing much. Miss Shen has returned. Lord Shen’s son has inherited the title, and the new Emperor has summoned Mr. to return.”

“You go rest,” Xiao Kunning suppressed her smile and dismissed Nong Qin, then pushed the door open herself. The room was quiet as if no one was inside. The windows were bright and clean, and the lighting was just right. Su Ying’s medicine box was still on the table, likely forgotten in a hurry. The person on the couch had a faint pink flush on her cheeks, her eyes tightly closed, her breathing almost inaudible. Xiao Kunning’s gaze fell on the red plum blossom. She wasn’t sure what Gu Ning meant by it.

Xie Yu had been asleep for a long time. Su Ying gave her acupuncture once every three days, but the effect was minimal. Fortunately, Xiao Kunning was decisive at the time. Otherwise, such a major event would have surely implicated Xie Yu. Looking at Xie Yu’s sleeping appearance, Xiao Kunning quietly told her, “Zhao Chulin has ascended the throne. Shen Rui is in Chang’an and will probably arrive soon. Xie Yu, you managed to avoid Wen Yuke, only to run into Shen Rui. Look, after all these years of guarding, you are still going to lose. Aren’t you pitiful?”

The sunlight outside the window shone in, falling diagonally on Xie Yu, as if light was enveloping her, warm and gentle. Xiao Kunning was accustomed to talking to herself: “Xie Yu, what kind of partner should I find? Definitely not someone like you. I don’t like it. I like gentle women, women who will praise me every day for being smart. A gentle woman would definitely take care of you too.”