My Love Rivals Have All Reborn - Chapter 66

The autumn in Qingcheng was visibly desolate. Leaves fell layer after layer from the trees in the Zhao manor. Nong Qin swept them twice a day. Gu Ning spent her days following Zhao Xiran, learning her “business philosophy.”

Xiao Kunning spent her free time brewing wine with Su Ying, occasionally roasting lamb to eat. She drank most of Zhao Xiran’s flower tea, so Su Ying learned to roast some more, but her control over the heat was poor, and the resulting tea lacked some of the flavor.

Time in the Zhao manor was quiet. Xiao Kunning bought a few storybooks from the bookstore and would read them aloud to Xie Yu in her spare moments. Xie Yu rarely responded, so Xiao Kunning’s reading was dry and uninspired. Today, she was reading a story about childhood sweethearts where the man abandons his wife for a new one after gaining power.

Halfway through, Xiao Kunning paused, gazing at the face that had grown much thinner. She began rambling about her own thoughts: “Little Xie Yu, men look down on women once they gain power, so why do women still follow them so eagerly? If I were that woman, I’d take a knife and slit his throat. If I’m unhappy, no one gets to be happy. All those days spent together mean nothing compared to power. Little Xie Yu, do you accept that?”

The autumn sunlight suddenly broke through, filtering in from the carved wooden window, brightening the room. Xie Yu’s eyelashes fluttered slightly. Xiao Kunning reached out and touched her brows and eyes. “Little Xie Yu, what kind of wife do you think I should find? A few days ago, Zhao Xiran suggested I marry a girl from the Wang family. She said the Wang family only has one daughter, and if I marry her, I won’t have to share the inheritance and can take charge. The girl is pretty, but she doesn’t seem very bright. Little Xie Yu, do you think I should agree? Zhao Xiran said she won’t give me any of her money. She’s keeping it for the Zhao family, so I have to make my own way.”

After speaking to the ‘wooden person,’ Xiao Kunning’s throat was dry. As she took a sip of water, she heard the sound of clashing blades from outside. She put down her cup and rushed out.

Nong Qin was fighting with someone. Amidst the flashing swords, the person’s figure was clearly visible: red robes, arrow sleeves—it was Shen Rui. Shen Rui was holding back, but Nong Qin didn’t yield a single move. Gradually, Shen Rui fell into a disadvantaged position.

Leaning against the door frame, Xiao Kunning shouted at the two: “Stop fighting! You’ll wake up your Mr.!”

Nong Qin then sheathed her sword. Shen Rui stabilized her footing and strode quickly toward her. Shen Rui’s face clearly showed the hardships of travel. Her features were rigid, and the windswept sands of the frontier had made her mature quickly. Seeing the person she hadn’t seen for a long time, she could barely suppress her affection, but Xiao Kunning only smiled faintly: “I’m getting married, to the Wang family daughter.”

Shen Rui abruptly stopped, her face slowly hardening. “Do you love her?”

“Yes, I do. If I tell her to go east, she absolutely wouldn’t dare go west. If I say the table is round, she would never say it’s square, and she’d even smile and say, ‘Sister Xiao is so clever.’ Where else can I find such an obedient girl? Why wouldn’t I love her?”

Nong Qin was wiping her blade on the side. Hearing such frivolous words, she couldn’t help but interject: “The Wang family girl is an idiot. Of course, she won’t contradict you.”

Shen Rui laughed again. “Why would you marry an idiot? Why not marry me? I can do everything you just said, too.”

“Absolutely not. Miss Xiao already has a marriage agreement with my Mr. The Princess Consort must not take advantage of someone in danger,” Nong Qin stood between the two with her sword drawn.

Shen Rui scoffed: “Your Mr. has been unconscious for a long time. Proprietress Zhao told me. As long as I take care of her, it’s fine. I don’t mind.”

Nong Qin was instantly agitated: “No means no! The Xiao family cannot break the marriage agreement!”

The woman by the door smiled enchantingly, bright and beautiful. She playfully winked at Shen Rui: “Will you take care of Xie Yu for me?”

Shen Rui frowned: “Is this what Proprietress Zhao called a ‘buy one, get one free’ deal?”

“Stop talking nonsense. The new Emperor has ascended. Why did you run to Qingcheng?” Xiao Kunning moved aside, offering a path for her to enter.

The situation in Chang’an seemed clear on the surface. The new Emperor removed corrupt officials after much effort. Xiao Kunning’s room was simple and elegant. Snacks and fruit were placed on the table. She handed a box of fruit to Shen Rui and peeled walnuts for herself. She said, “Zhao Xiran recently made a walnut sesame paste that was very good. You should try it tonight.”

“You are so easygoing. The new Emperor is quite good, rewarding and punishing clearly. He rewarded the ministers and properly handled the corruption cases left by the deposed Emperor. I heard she blocked a sword for him. Was the assassin investigated?” Shen Rui opened the conversation, discussing the situation in Chang’an. “It’s not much different from when you left. Also, the former Emperor restored Mr.’s identity as a member of the Zhao clan. I didn’t know she was a descendant of Princess Yueyang. He also granted her the status of a princess, equal in rank to Zhao Can.”

Xiao Kunning realized the tone was off. “How did he know Mr.’s background?”

“I heard that when Princess Yueyang was imprisoned in the palace, it was the new Emperor who risked danger to save her and send her to the Xie family in Luoyang.” Shen Rui peeled melon seeds. Xiao Kunning’s worries were unsolved. Her knitted brows seemed to have matured her instantly, carrying a sense of composure. After many days apart, she had missed too much time.

“It really is him.” Xiao Kunning looked sarcastic. Gu Zong’s backer was indeed Zhao Chulin. His becoming a monk in the past was a timely escape, fearing Xie Yu would uncover his secret. “Xie Yu blocked a sword for him. She owes him nothing. Also, did you know the assassin confessed that the Shen family was behind it?”

The melon seed in Shen Rui’s hand suddenly became difficult to peel. She felt there was a hidden meaning in Xiao Kunning’s words. “That was a false accusation by the deposed Emperor. His Majesty has already clarified it.”

“If it’s clarified, that’s fine.” Xiao Kunning was bored. One emperor succeeds another, and Shen Rui was clearly loyal to the former Emperor. She kept silent, stood up, and walked inside: “Do you want to see Mr.?”

Shen Rui immediately stood up and looked inside. A figure was hidden on the couch. She moved carefully. The room was infused with a faint, refreshing incense that soothed the mind and relaxed the body. Xie Yu’s eyes were tightly closed, her lips pale. She had never been so quiet. Shen Rui’s eyes turned red when she saw her. Xiao Kunning reminded her: “Serving a monarch is like serving a tiger. The Shen family’s military power can help the new Emperor ascend, and it can also bring him down. Be careful. We’ll decide what to do when Xie Yu wakes up.”

Shen Rui was no longer the naive girl of yesteryear. She instantly sensed the deeper meaning in Xiao Kunning’s words. “You seem to have something more to say?”

“Nothing much. I’m getting married next month. Are you going to stay?” Xiao Kunning fiddled with the dark pattern on her sleeve cuff. She had finally left the intrigues of Chang’an. Without Xie Yu around, she didn’t want to go back. Although Qingcheng was small, it was a place where she could settle down. With simpler intentions, she could handle things here.

“A-Ning, aren’t you going back?” Shen Rui heard the implication in her words. The marriage was fake; she just wanted a simpler life.

Xiao Kunning gazed at Xie Yu’s tranquil sleeping face. She didn’t know what she felt in her heart. The hatred was long gone, replaced by a bitter sorrow. She felt ashamed to face Shen Rui’s deep affection. “Princess Consort, I am no longer the Xiao Kunning of the past. Xie Yu always said I was stupid, and indeed, no one is smart in front of her. The Shen family puts her first. Now you all should be careful.”

“A-Ning, I can stay too,” Shen Rui said urgently, her heart pounding fiercely. Faced with Xiao Kunning’s rejection, she knew there was no hope yet still wanted to save their relationship. “I can also give up the power in Chang’an and stay in Qingcheng to take care of you. A-Ning, I don’t like those schemes. We can take care of Mr. together.”

Her heroic brows were similar to her past self, but the emotions in her eyes were different. The edges, worn by the yellow sand, were colder. The murderous aura she carried made people afraid to look directly at her.

After the events of her previous life, Xiao Kunning had long forgotten about the emotion of love. She liked Shen Rui’s sincerity, Wen Yuke’s uprightness, and Zhao Can’s innocence. Now, all of that had been worn away by power. With things having changed so drastically, she couldn’t summon the confidence she had when she first went to Chang’an, nor could she ignore Xie Yu’s past.

Taking Xie Yu away from Chang’an had brought her a lot of peace. She didn’t have to face the complicated past, nor did she have to worry about how to face Xie Yu.

“Shen Rui, I am very calm now. Xie Yu will definitely return to Chang’an when she wakes up. If she doesn’t wake up, I will care for her for the rest of my life.”

“A-Ning, to be honest, I had already seen Mr. I envied her willpower and ability then. Father often praised that having a daughter like Xie Yu was the greatest comfort. Xie Yu strategizes for the Shen family, something I can’t do. But there’s one thing, A-Ning: you and I have known each other since we were young. Why can’t I make you look at me a little longer?” Shen Rui looked at Xie Yu’s pale face, recalling that night when Xie Yu appeared at the General’s manor, covered in blood. Though just a child, the light in her eyes was as deep as the night. The candlelight couldn’t penetrate her gaze.

When she next saw Xie Yu, it was in the Hanguang Hall, at the deposed Emperor’s political discussions. Xie Yu was already a close minister to the deposed Emperor, the Grand Tutor Xie everyone praised. She knew she couldn’t compete and didn’t want to, but she only loved Xiao Kunning. Why did Xie Yu have to steal her away?

Her gaze on Xie Yu gradually dimmed. “A-Ning, what’s so good about Xie Yu?”

“What’s good about her?” Xiao Kunning raised an eyebrow, not hiding her distaste. “Nothing is good about her. She’s just a little too clever and a little too stupid, staring at one girl for fourteen years. Zhao Xiran is green with regret. If she had known letting me out would lead me to Xie Yu, she would have tied me up with a rope.”

The distaste in her tone sounded like a form of affection to Shen Rui, making her fiercely jealous. “A-Ning, Xie Yu is obsessive. She will bully you.”

“She wouldn’t dare. If she bullies me, I’ll kill her,” Xiao Kunning’s tone suddenly changed. She glared at Xie Yu and, right in front of Shen Rui, pinched Xie Yu’s nose: “Little Xie Yu, you better stay asleep. Don’t wake up, or I’ll kill you. Next month, I’ll marry that silly Wang family girl as a concubine, leaving the position of head wife for you.”

Shen Rui frowned, listening. Before she could speak again, a voice came from outside: “Miss Xiao, Doctor Su is here.”

Xiao Kunning ushered Shen Rui away. “Go rest. I’ll treat you to a drink tonight.”

Su Ying walked into the room with her medicine box and saw the two pushing each other. Her eyelid twitched. “Miss Xiao, your Miss Wang is waiting for you in the front courtyard. Proprietress Zhao is talking about the betrothal gifts.”

Shen Rui couldn’t sit still and turned to run to the front courtyard. Xiao Kunning glanced at Su Ying: “Doctor Su is also lying to deceive people.”

“Xie Yu seems much better. Maybe she’ll wake up in a few more days,” Su Ying awkwardly changed the subject, placing her medicine box on the table.

Xiao Kunning didn’t believe her vague words anymore. “You say she’ll wake up in a few days every day, but she still hasn’t woken up. Can you just tell me the truth? Zhao Xiran said she won’t wake up, right?”

Su Ying opened her medicine box, reciting the usual excuses. “Proprietress Zhao isn’t a doctor. I don’t believe her talk of a vegetable state. Xie Yu is just tired. A few more days of sleep, and she’ll definitely wake up. Why don’t you try a celebratory marriage? I heard people wake up when they are happy. You can try it.”

“A celebratory marriage? You’ve become a quack doctor. A celebratory marriage requires matching birth dates. You just suggest it out of nowhere, trying to trick me again.” Xiao Kunning couldn’t help but roll her eyes. Su Ying was constantly digging pits for her, trying to make her marry Xie Yu.

Su Ying fell silent. Xiao Kunning was becoming harder to fool. She exposed her flaws with just a few words. After the acupuncture, Xiao Kunning closed the door. She ordered the kitchen to prepare dishes Shen Rui liked and sent a message to the Wang family, inviting Miss Wang to be a guest.

Shen Rui stayed in the Zhao manor with no intention of leaving. Xiao Kunning let her be; it wasn’t her money being spent, anyway. It was crab season in the autumn. Zhao Xiran ate them in various ways, ordering the chef to roast a few large crabs. The aroma was enticing when they were served. Shen Rui ate several in a row. Zhao Xiran had the chef roast more, smiling and encouraging her to stay.

Su Ying, cracking a crab leg, whispered to Gu Ning: “Is Proprietress Zhao fond of Princess Consort Shen like this?”

Gu Ning picked up a large piece of crab roe and placed it in Su Ying’s bowl. She didn’t look up at the situation across the table. She only whispered, “Shen Rui will leave in two or three days at most. The Shen family will lose their military power if they stay in Chang’an. They can only protect themselves by leaving Chang’an. Shen Rui doesn’t have time to spend on Xiao Kunning. With the new Emperor enthroned, the old Prince in Chang’an is the best hostage. The Shen family’s path is also difficult.” Zhao Mian had some scruples, but Zhao Chulin was different.

Su Ying pushed her worry aside. Looking at the little idiot from the Wang family, Xiao Kunning was patiently teaching her to crack the crab shell. It felt more like an older sister caring for a younger sister than a couple about to marry.

Everyone was preoccupied with their thoughts during dinner. Only the little idiot from the Wang family happily returned home. Xiao Kunning drank a few too many cups of wine. After returning to her room, she tugged at Xie Yu’s clothes, asking her to move over. Unable to move Xie Yu, she simply lay down on the floor herself. After waking up, she inevitably asked Su Ying for some medicine to ward off the cold.

Shen Rui didn’t settle down after staying. Letters from Chang’an arrived one after another. The new Emperor demoted several old officials. The commander of the Patrol Camp was replaced twice in a short period, finally falling to Shen Nan. The last letter was sent by Shen Siyuan, inquiring about Xie Yu’s health, full of worry, which was unlike his usual forthright nature. Shen Rui hid the letter and specifically went to ask Su Ying.

Su Ying’s courtyard was full of drying medicinal herbs. Xiao Kunning was grinding medicine. Autumn was neither cold nor hot, and the temperature was pleasant. When Shen Rui entered, she happened to see this peaceful scene. Compared to Chang’an, Xiao Kunning’s temperament was much calmer, and her every move carried an indescribable sense of peace.

As she approached Xiao Kunning, Shen Rui slowed her steps. Su Ying noticed and spoke up: “Is Princess Consort Shen here for something?”

Shen Rui recovered her composure, a look of confusion on her face. Her steps turned toward Su Ying. “My father ordered me to ask about Mr. Xie’s health.”

Su Ying casually replied: “Soon, soon.”

Xiao Kunning ignored her. Su Ying’s medical skill was questionable. She threw the herbs onto the stone mortar and said casually, “Doctor Su’s reputation is about to be ruined. She’s been saying ‘soon, soon’ for months. I don’t know what’s so ‘soon.’ If you can’t cure her, I’ll have to find another doctor.”

“Find another doctor for what? Is there something wrong with me?” Su Ying blushed. “It’s not that I’m incapable; it’s that Xie Yu is too severely injured. Being able to save her life is good enough.”

“Doctor Su’s medical skills are excellent. Mr. will surely wake up soon,” Shen Rui timely broke the stalemate. She hesitated in place for a moment, then walked back to Xiao Kunning’s side. “A-Ning, there are many doctors in Chang’an.”

Upon hearing the three words “Chang’an,” Xiao Kunning’s face instantly changed. The stone pestle made a crunching sound, cutting a herb in two. She said coldly, “You know how Xie Yu was injured, and I know clearly how the new Emperor ascended to the throne. Shen Rui, Xie Yu is no ordinary person. She is a chess piece the new Emperor has been cultivating for over a decade. The old Prince asking about Xie Yu’s health means he knows best. Many things are not as simple as you think. I am foolish, so I can only hide Xie Yu here.”

Shen Rui suddenly lost her confidence. Her tall figure cast a shadow in the sunlight. “A-Ning, you and Mr. are separate.” They were not one person; separation was possible.

The herb in Xiao Kunning’s hand snapped again, breaking into two pieces. Su Ying shivered, kindly advising, “Miss Xiao, those are herbs, not human heads. Please be careful.”

“A-Ning, the Zhennan Prince’s manor is enough to protect Mr.,” Shen Rui tried to explain.

“If the sovereign wishes a minister to die, the minister must die. Shen Rui, I only have friendship for you. You are a good person, and I am not worthy of you. You should also understand that you and Lord Shen’s son must return to the frontier. If you don’t return, the Shen family cannot be protected.” Xiao Kunning’s tone was heavy, her expression sharp, much like the former Xie Yu.

The faint lamp in Shen Rui’s heart also went out. Her hands clenched into fists. A-Ning could see the situation clearly, and she wasn’t blind to it, but she prioritized emotion over everything else. You can’t have your cake and eat it too.

“If Mr. doesn’t wake up, I’ll wait for you.” She felt weary and powerless. Xiao Kunning didn’t say anything. The crunching sound of the herbs was like bones being severed, frightening Su Ying into silence. Neither of them was a kind soul.

The wine Su Ying brewed was ready. It tasted a bit harsh. Zhao Xiran took a sip and refused to drink more. She ordered her own brewed grape wine to be brought out for Shen Rui as a farewell gesture. Shen Rui sat on the steps, hugging the wine jar. The moonlight scattered across the courtyard floor. Xiao Kunning sat beside her. Seeing her drink one mouthful after another, she didn’t try to stop her. Getting drunk might ease the pain.

Inside the house, Gu Ning was asking Zhao Xiran about the meaning of “operating revenue is proportional” in the book. She couldn’t find the corresponding explanation after searching through the book. Zhao Xiran drank a few sips of wine, her face slightly flushed. “Why are you so stupid? Go Baidu it yourself.” Gu Ning had been tormented by Zhao Xiran lately and simply couldn’t understand the new terms she constantly used. She wanted to ask why, but Zhao Xiran refused to tell her. She couldn’t even grasp the basics of business, let alone the things she was teaching.

The moonlight was so bright that people could be clearly seen. The courtyard was bathed in silver light. The two on the steps reminisced about the past. Shen Rui was melancholic in her drunkenness, while Xiao Kunning was more accepting, resting her chin on her hand and gazing at the bright moon. Her eyelashes fluttered slightly. Thinking of the things that had happened recently, she felt as if she were living in a different world, like a path that had split into two forks. In the past life, she took the other path, and in this life, she was walking the opposite path, full of chaos, strangeness, and intrigue.

She looked at the person hugging the wine jar: “Shen Rui, you don’t belong to Chang’an, nor do you belong to Jiangnan.”

“I belong to the frontier, right?” Shen Rui smiled idiotically. Xiao Kunning’s smile was bright and dazzling, like flowers swaying and blooming in the wind. “A-Ning, you seem to have matured a lot. You no longer mess around.”

“Shen Rui, everyone grows up, especially when following Little Xie Yu. I was often scolded for being stupid. With people constantly pointing at my head, I had to grow up.”

Shen Rui turned and gazed at the slightly tipsy person. The familiar face was smiling. A familiar face, but an unfamiliar smile. She didn’t know what had happened during this time, but she understood the hardship. The desperate green shoot in her heart grew wildly. She suppressed her desires, strongly restraining the emotions that didn’t belong to her. “Mr. is intelligent, not comparable to ordinary people like us.”

Xiao Kunning smiled but said nothing. She stood up and waved at Shen Rui, then staggered toward her own courtyard. Shen Rui lay down on her back, her heart beating violently. She had lost, lost to a person who knew nothing.

The drunkard couldn’t walk halfway there. She took a few steps and stopped a few steps, finally calling Nong Qin to help her into the courtyard. The room was brightly lit. Once inside, she pushed Nong Qin out, placing her index finger on her lips: “Shhh, don’t talk. I’m going to play weiqi with your Mr.” Nong Qin was used to it. Since arriving in Qingcheng, she got drunk every few days, and when drunk, she’d say she wanted to play weiqi. When the door opened at dawn, she’d find Xiao Kunning lying on the floor, deeply inebriated.

Xiao Kunning was smarter this time. She climbed directly onto the bed, rested her head on Xie Yu’s arm, and played with her hair, muttering: “Where were we? We were talking about abandoning a wife for a new one. Xie Yu, what’s so great about power? All that fighting and scheming—it’s not as good as life in Qingcheng. Let’s continue the story. Let’s talk about many years later… where’s my book? I forgot the rest of the plot. Little Xie Yu, where’s the book?”

The slender arm made her head hurt. She rolled over, lying on top of Xie Yu. Touching the soft body felt much more comfortable. After finding Xie Yu’s ear, she whispered softly: “I’ll bring that little idiot from the Wang family to see you tomorrow, okay? Not getting married is always so troublesome…” Saying this, she bit that ear. Xie Yu’s eyelashes trembled slightly. Xiao Kunning was completely unaware and continued: “Wen Yuke wrote a letter asking me to go back. I’ll tell you that story… where were we?”

The drunkard’s speech was incoherent, making people confused, especially as her hand pressed against Xie Yu’s waist. Unconsciously, she reached under the quilt. Touching the warm body, she suddenly opened her eyes. Dazed for a moment, she opened her mouth and bit Xie Yu’s jaw. Her hand, fumbling at the waist, instantly retracted. Looking at her bright red palm: “You burned me. It’s so hot.”

Xie Yu didn’t respond. She took the opportunity to pinch her waist, muttered a few words, and then held the person, falling into a confused sleep. She woke up in the middle of the night, feeling parched. She climbed up to look for water, moved her body, and realized she was leaning on Xie Yu, and there was a restraint around her waist. Xie Yu was hugging her… Xiao Kunning’s head was muddled. She couldn’t climb up, so she lay back down and fell asleep. She woke up when the sky was fully bright, and the light streamed into the room. The candles had long burned out. Xiao Kunning opened her eyes, her dark, clear pupils rotating. It took her a long time to recall what happened last night.