My Love Rivals Have All Reborn - Chapter 67

After a vague and hazy moment, there was a sudden tightening around her waist. She abruptly looked toward Xie Yu, who was still keeping her eyes closed, yet her hand rested upon Xiao Kunning.

Was it Xiao Kunning pulling Xie Yu’s hand, or was Xie Yu unconsciously placing it on her?

“Nong Qin, go and invite Doctor Su over.”

Inside the room, the scent mingled with the anxious voice of Xiao Kunning. The person sweeping the floor immediately dropped the broom and ran to Gu Ning’s courtyard, dragging the doctor over without a second word.

Shen Rui arrived upon hearing the noise. She merely observed the several people standing inside the room for a while, then left on her own accord.

Zhao Xiran personally saw Shen Rui off at the pier. With regret in her heart, she offered a few words of persuasion: “Don’t give up. Ning Ning is just single-minded. Her feelings for Xie Yu might not necessarily be love; look at her attitude, it’s like treating an elder.”

The river water shimmered, the blue waves surged, and the waves slapped against the boat planks. Shen Rui gazed straight ahead. Zhao Xiran’s words blew past her ear like a gust of wind, somehow reminding her of her father’s words: “You had better compose yourself. The person Xie Yu has set her heart on is someone you cannot steal.”

Xie Yu was skilled at observation and understanding people’s hearts. A-Ning spoke of not liking her, yet when Xie Yu was in danger, she still blocked the danger for her, risking herself to bring Xie Yu away from Chang’an City.

She offered Zhao Xiran a grateful smile, “Mr. Xie should be waking up soon. You should go back and check on her. I will return to Chang’an first, and we will meet again in a few days.”

Shen Rui’s words were suggestive. Zhao Xiran continued to feign ignorance, “I am not going to Chang’an City. Remember to come and visit often in the future.”

Shen Rui boarded the boat and departed. Zhao Xiran returned to her residence, where a maid happily rushed to report: “Proprietress, Mr. Xie has awakened.”

“So she woke up. It’s not like you’ll gain a pound of flesh,” she said, sounding uninspired. With Xie Yu awake, things would no longer be peaceful. People who stir up trouble are never content anywhere.

Xie Yu’s consciousness was muddled. She only felt a fierce pounding headache. Her vision was shrouded in mist, and her ears were filled with noise. She struggled to open her eyes, only to find her eyelids weighed a thousand jin.

After Su Ying withdrew the needles, Nong Qin was desperately anxious. “Doctor Su, how is she?”

“Soon, soon,” Su Ying repeated her usual phrase.

“Doctor Su, can you change your phrase?” Xiao Kunning was numb to it. It was the same sentence every time. Zhao Xiran said she was crying wolf, and no one would believe her anymore.

Su Ying felt she was in the wrong and checked Xie Yu’s pulse. “This time, it’s real. Just wait, she will wake up by tomorrow at the latest.”

The people fell silent. Xiao Kunning was once again disappointed. She sat down sadly, no longer bothering to expose Su Ying’s words. Soon, soon, she had been saying “soon” for several months, and Xie Yu still hadn’t woken up.

After the false alarm, the room returned to quiet.

Su Ying looked at the disappointed expressions of the group and slowly inserted the needle into an acupoint. “It really is soon.”

The person on the couch tightly knitted her brows, and her hand suddenly clenched into a fist. Nong Qin immediately cried out upon seeing this, “Mr.! Mr.!”

While performing acupuncture, Su Ying teased, “Miss Xiao, have you finalized your marriage arrangement with the Wang family?”

Xiao Kunning was confused. Gu Ning, who had been silent for a long time, was fiddling with a ‘plum blossom’ and casually took up the conversation: “Yes, it’s settled. Didn’t they say the wedding is early next month? Proprietress Zhao has already given the betrothal gifts and is still grieving over the amount of money spent.”

“That’s not right…” Nong Qin’s sentence was cut short as Gu Ning covered her mouth and kicked her out, signaling with her eyes for Xiao Kunning to keep quiet as well.

Xiao Kunning nodded. She watched Gu Ning place the vase of flowers beside Xie Yu’s pillow, whispered a few words close to Xie Yu’s ear, and then stood up. “Xie Yu, Xiao Kunning is getting married.”

Su Ying’s needle suddenly pierced the skin. The person on the couch groaned. Xiao Kunning immediately jumped up from the seat. Xie Yu’s eyelashes fluttered, and she slowly opened her eyes.

The stone in Su Ying’s heart finally dropped. She let out a breath, “It really is soon.”

Xiao Kunning nervously stared at the haggard face. Xie Yu closed her eyes again after only a few breaths. She called out in fear, “Xie Yu, Xie Yu.”

“Don’t shout. She will become lucid after a little more sleep. Nong Qin, go and fetch the medicine,” Su Ying stopped her shouting. The hand that was applying the needle was still trembling slightly. Suddenly, a pair of hands held her wrist, gently rubbing it for her.

Gu Ning helped Su Ying sit down on one side. The two sat closely together. Nong Qin brought writing materials from the outside. Su Ying took the brush to write a prescription and instructed Xiao Kunning: “Xie Yu has slept for too long. Even if she wakes up, she won’t be able to walk immediately. You should persuade her to stay in Qingcheng for a while, recover her health, and then leave.”

Xiao Kunning’s hand, holding the cup, froze solid. She knew Xie Yu had to return to Chang’an, but she still held a little hope. After being stunned for a moment, she said, “I can’t persuade Xie Yu in her own matters.”

Su Ying looked at her, recalling a patient she had treated in Chang’an. The ink from her brush tip dripped onto the clean paper. Gu Ning’s voice rang in her ear: “Xie Yu is not a child; she has her own judgment.”

Xie Yu was no ordinary person. The officials who had followed her until now were still praying for her return. One person’s life or death was a small matter, but the lives of tens of thousands were Xie Yu’s responsibility.

After Su Ying finished the prescription, the person on the couch suddenly opened her eyes again. Xiao Kunning was overjoyed, excited beyond words. “Xie Yu, Xie Yu.”

Xie Yu’s consciousness gradually cleared. The fog before her eyes dissipated with Xiao Kunning’s calls. Seeing the familiar face brought indescribable joy. She struggled to hold Xiao Kunning’s hand: “Has the one-month deadline not passed yet?”

“You slept from summer to autumn, much more than a month,” Xiao Kunning pursed her lips and held Xie Yu’s hand. “Xie Yu, we are in Qingcheng.”

“You brought me out?” Xie Yu struggled to open her mouth to speak. When her peripheral vision caught the red plum blossom, the memory of that harsh winter night, where blood stained the plum blossoms, flooded her mind. The forgotten hatred surged back into her heart. A chilling feeling rushed into her chest and lungs, making her hands tremble slightly.

She closed her eyes. “Gu Ning, take your flowers away. They’re hideous.”

Xiao Kunning then noticed the flowers, not understanding the meaning of the red plum. Xie Yu saying they were hideous was not a literal statement; it must have some other connotation.

Gu Ning casually tossed the flowers out the window, still intent on provoking her: “Xiao Kunning is marrying an idiot to take care of you.”

Xie Yu ignored her, gripping Xiao Kunning’s hand tightly, afraid the other person would vanish. She looked at Xiao Kunning’s bright face: “I want to see Proprietress Zhao.”

Su Ying, having finished the prescription, immediately intervened: “Xie Yu, do you value your life?”

Xie Yu looked at Xiao Kunning and smiled faintly, “Of course I do. At least I’m much stronger than an idiot, aren’t I?”

“In my eyes, you’re not even as good as an idiot. Eight-year-old you was much more interesting. Whatever I said, she listened. All you do is call me stupid.” Xiao Kunning grew angrier the more she thought about it. She shook off Xie Yu’s arm. “I’ll go find Zhao Xiran for you.”

Xie Yu’s hand fell empty. Looking at her dry, weak wrist, the moment she blocked the sword flashed into her mind.

The assassin advanced in a few steps, the chilling blade piercing through the air. Someone behind her suddenly pushed her forward.

It was Zhao Chulin.

When Zhao Xiran was invited over, Xie Yu had changed her clothes and was leaning against a large pillow, holding a stack of documents. The outer coat, which had fit her before her coma, was now visibly loose on her.

“You want to ask about Princess Yueyang?” Zhao Xiran went straight to the point. There was no need to hide anything between her and Xie Yu.

Xie Yu placed the documents on the small table, a smile on her face: “Is she awake?”

“No, she’s delirious, unaware of the current year. If you want to see her, go to Gaoyang’s fiefdom. Just don’t drag Xiao Kunning into whatever you do,” Zhao Xiran stated her condition directly. Xie Yu was a person who had emerged from a sea of fire and blood. Covered in blood, she was bound to seek revenge. Zhao Xiran could not tolerate Xiao Kunning also bearing the burden of hatred.

Xie Yu was not annoyed. A calm smile appeared on her pale face. “I intend to do exactly that. Whether she goes or not is beyond your jurisdiction. She is not a member of the Zhao family. Did you give her a share of the shops?”

“You! Don’t hit people in the face or jab at their hearts! Do you know how to hold a conversation?” Zhao Xiran was utterly furious. Xiao Kunning came from an official family, and commerce was not her intended path. Furthermore, the Luo family was narrow-minded and looked down on merchants. Xiao Kunning engaging in commerce would only deepen the rift between her and her mother. Besides, whatever Xiao Kunning wanted, she gave her. How had she mistreated her? Xie Yu’s words were truly heartless.

“Fine, we’ll set off in a few days, or it will cause trouble for you,” Xie Yu admitted frankly. The situation in Chang’an City was already leaning toward the new Emperor, but the deposed Emperor’s influence in the court still remained. The unstable transition between the old and new regimes would lead to unrest in the court.

Zhao Xiran was momentarily speechless. After holding in her frustration for a while, she finally said, “Are you so sure she’ll go with you?”

“She brought me back to Qingcheng. Don’t you understand?” Xie Yu said confidently, her eyes twinkling. Zhao Xiran moved her lips, held her breath, and left. Xiao Kunning must be blind. Wasn’t the understanding Wen Yuke a better choice? The adorable Shen Rui was much better than Xie Yu. Xie Yu was just an arrogant scholar. She would inevitably fall from grace sooner or later.

After waking up, Xie Yu spent half a day reading through the letters sent from Chang’an City. She had generally sorted out the overall situation. Zhao Chulin dared not move the military power outside Chang’an. Shen Nan commanded the Patrol Camp, so he could not return to the frontier. The Old Prince was getting on in years and would definitely stay in the capital. Either Shen Rui would return to the frontier, or someone else would be sent to the frontier. Sending someone else meant usurping power. With the father and both sons in Chang’an City, the Shen Family Army had long returned to the frontier. Distant water could not put out a nearby fire. They were at the mercy of others. What was the Old Prince thinking? He should not have let Shen Nan stay.

After closing the letters, a voice sounded from outside, “Nong Qin, is Mr. asleep?”

“No, Miss. Please come in.”

It was Nong Qin’s reply. Xie Yu sat up slightly, stuffing all the letters under the quilt, waiting for Xiao Kunning to enter.

Xiao Kunning carried a food box, handing the slow-cooked chicken soup to Xie Yu. Xie Yu blinked, a troubled look in her eyes. “My hand hurts. I can’t hold it.”

Xiao Kunning widened her eyes. “You’re still trying to take advantage of me.”

“That may not be the case. You were the one who changed my clothes when I was unconscious. If anyone’s taking advantage, it’s you taking advantage of me.” Xie Yu was quite confident. As she lifted her eyelids, she saw Xiao Kunning’s indignant look. Realizing her tone was wrong, she immediately changed her words: “Why would you argue with a patient?”

“A patient…” Xiao Kunning instantly lost her temper. She had been working hard for months; one more night wouldn’t hurt. The chicken soup in the food box had been stewed by the cook all afternoon, with some centuries-old ginseng added, as per Su Ying’s instructions. Ginseng was hard to come by, especially aged ginseng. Zhao Xiran was heartbroken over it. Xiao Kunning snorted twice: “You’re heartbroken over a little ginseng, but what about all your luminous pearls?”

Zhao Xiran also snorted: “Ingrate.”

Xiao Kunning scooped a spoonful of soup, blew on it near her lips, and then fed it to Xie Yu. Xie Yu felt relieved, drinking a bowl of soup in one breath. She only stopped when she couldn’t drink anymore. Taking advantage of Xiao Kunning’s good mood, she said, “Will you come with me to see my mother? She has been mad for a long time and doesn’t recognize people.”

“Princess Yueyang is still alive?” Xiao Kunning was incredulous.

Xie Yu smiled faintly, reluctantly holding Xiao Kunning’s wrist, putting everything else aside. “Xiao Kunning, I won’t argue with you anymore, nor will I call you stupid. After I take revenge, we will return to Qingcheng, alright?”

“Are you asking for my help or insulting me?” Xiao Kunning was truly exasperated. Xie Yu’s mouth was truly coated in poison; every sentence was toxic.

Xie Yu frowned: “Did I say something wrong again?”

“Yes, you did. You should have said that from now on, if I tell you to go east, you’ll go east. If I say the moon is out during the day, you can’t say it’s the sun.” Xiao Kunning taught her how to speak, word by word.

Xie Yu said, “Mh-hmm,” and mimicked her tone: “From now on, if I tell you to go east, you’ll go east. If I say the moon is out during the day, you can’t say it’s the sun.”

Xiao Kunning: “You deserve to be lonely for the rest of your life. You’re hopeless…”

Her words were cut short by warm lips sealing hers. Xiao Kunning’s eyes widened. A sharp, clear scent emanated from Xie Yu’s body, slowly being drawn into her nose. The wantonness and indulgence showed her a different Xie Yu.

The moment their breaths mingled, Xiao Kunning was trapped in Xie Yu’s embrace. Although Xie Yu was newly recovered from a serious illness, her strength was surprisingly great, leaving no gap between them. Xiao Kunning couldn’t push her away, so she let herself melt into Xie Yu’s embrace, taking the initiative, biting her tongue, and conquering the territory was not an exaggeration. The inexperienced kiss was solidified with the joy of reunion and a blend of love and hate.

Xie Yu shot herself in the foot. Only when she was pressed down onto the couch did she realize something was wrong. “Why aren’t you refusing?”

“You still want me to refuse? Xie Yu, you’re so thick-skinned! Not only did you scheme against me, but you also made me worry and fear for you,” Xiao Kunning was ignited with desire. Separated by the thin clothing, she bit Xie Yu’s collarbone. The delicate pain instantly intensified, making Xie Yu tremble all over. Her weak body could not withstand Xiao Kunning’s outburst.

“I was wrong. I shouldn’t have schemed against you…”

Xiao Kunning pinned her hand down, completely ignoring her words.

“I was wrong. I will listen to you from now on.”

A taste of rust filled Xiao Kunning’s mouth. She pushed Xie Yu’s attempting to lift waist back down.

“Xiao Kunning, I will reform myself completely. You are clever and intelligent, a beauty who puts the fish to shame…”

Xie Yu gasped in pain. Xiao Kunning finally released her and looked at her. “Xie Yu, honestly, are you scheming against me again?”

“No, no,” Xie Yu instinctively explained, almost covering the wound on her collarbone. She raised her head to look into the clear depths of Xiao Kunning’s eyes. “Zhao Chulin pushed me.”

“I don’t believe you,” Xiao Kunning sneered.

“Then so be it,” Xie Yu gave up struggling, proactively embracing the person who was speaking contrary to her heart. She pulled the quilt over their shoulders, rubbing her chin against Xiao Kunning’s neck. “Let’s get married.”

“I’m marrying the idiot from the Wang family. She treats me well, she doesn’t call me stupid, and she listens to everything I say.” Xiao Kunning instinctively struggled twice, refusing to lie down just like that. “Xie Yu, you’re a tortoise.”

“Yes, a tortoise must also get married,” Xie Yu went along with her words. She took Xiao Kunning’s hand and touched the wound. “I wouldn’t joke with my own life. You are so foolish; you would definitely be bullied by others.”

The quilt covered both of them perfectly. Their noses were touching. Xie Yu’s breath puffed onto Xiao Kunning’s face. The atmosphere beneath the quilt suddenly became intimate. Xiao Kunning did not dare to move. Her palm was alarmingly hot, as if she had touched charcoal. The searing heat rolled from her palm to her heart and up to her forehead. She felt a strange sensation. “I’m a bit hot. My head is so hot. I have a fever.”

Xie Yu found her silly but dared not laugh. She pressed her cool forehead against hers and said, “You have a fever, a fever for me.”

“You heated me up,” Xiao Kunning habitually refuted her words. Touching Xie Yu’s cold hand felt comfortable. “Your hand is so cold.”

“Your body is very hot.”

“No, your body is too cold. Should we ask Doctor Su about it?”

“She’s a quack. If you ask her, she will definitely tell you to warm the bed first.”

“Right, a quack,” Xiao Kunning gritted her teeth in hatred. Five out of ten of Su Ying’s sentences were unbelievable, yet somehow they sounded reasonable coming from her mouth. She had been tricked without realizing it. “She only knows how to trick me.”

“No, the person she tricks the most is Gu Ning. She tricked her into eloping with her,” Xie Yu felt a wave of coldness. A strong drowsiness washed over her, but she was afraid that if she slept, Xiao Kunning would disappear. She tightly held the hand with distinct knuckles and softly told her: “Xiao Kunning, I will tell you a secret when I wake up.”

“What secret?” Xiao Kunning felt Xie Yu’s hand slowly loosen, as if she were letting go after exhaustion. The light beneath the quilt was poor, and she couldn’t clearly see Xie Yu’s expression. She used her hand to touch Xie Yu’s face, her palm pressed against the skin. “Xie Yu, if you attempt to release the devil in your heart, it will only harm you.”

The person in her arms had already closed her eyes, too tired to keep her eyelids open. Through the hazy light, she stared at Xie Yu for a long time until her eyes became sore, and she closed them as well.

Five days after Xie Yu woke up, she left Qingcheng and headed to Dengzhou, Princess Gaoyang’s fiefdom.

Traveling south by boat, Xie Yu’s health gradually recovered. When they reached Dengzhou, Princess Gaoyang had also returned from Chang’an City, followed by a train of people. Nong Qin specifically eliminated those followers before entering the city gate.

Princess Gaoyang’s carriage was still the most flamboyant. The people of Dengzhou were long accustomed to it and made way. When they reached the Princess’s residence, Nong Qin sent in a calling card. A woman in a red shirt came out. She was dressed in several layers of gauze, her long hair falling over her shoulders, and the skin beneath her neck was faintly visible. She was the chief steward of Princess Gaoyang’s residence. She handed Nong Qin a token: “Just take this token to pick up the person. Her Royal Highness is tired and will not see you.”

Nong Qin took the token. “Where should I go to pick up the person?”

“The Princess didn’t say. I don’t know,” the woman in the red shirt suddenly realized. She winked at Nong Qin, gave a charming smile, and then closed the door and went back inside.

Nong Qin was stunned. What did she just see? It looked like Proprietress Zhao had a green mark on her head.

She returned to the inn and reported what she had seen and heard to Mr. Xie, presenting the token.

Xiao Kunning’s eyebrows twitched. She used her hand to massage them. Xie Yu held her hand and pinched her brows, saying indifferently, “Perhaps the two of them are just putting on a show. Proprietress Zhao is rich and generous, that’s all.”

“Can you stop mocking me? Are you uncomfortable if you don’t mock me for a day?” Xiao Kunning slapped her hand away. Zhao Xiran was not generous at all. She haggled over a few taels of silver. The ginseng incident was still vivid in her memory.

Xie Yu felt apologetic. For the first time, she pretended to be weak and didn’t retort. She instructed Nong Qin: “Go to the Princess’s residence and inform them that I will pay my respects to Her Royal Highness Princess Chang tomorrow, and prepare a small gift.”

“I don’t understand why they gave you a token but didn’t tell you the address?” Nong Qin was confused.

Xiao Kunning rested her chin on her hand and interjected: “For example, they know you like roast duck, so they give you a piece of roast duck skin first. Once you’re addicted, you’ll go buy more. They give you a piece of candy to let you taste the sweetness. To put it more plainly, they know you like that girl in the brothel. That girl kisses you first, captivating your soul, and then discusses the price. You certainly won’t haggle.”

Xie Yu showed a look of approval: “You’ve become smarter. What would you like to eat tonight?”

Xiao Kunning could not stand the word “smarter” and instantly changed her expression: “I’ll eat you.”

Xie Yu awkwardly chose not to say more. She waved Nong Qin out, pulled Xiao Kunning back to sit down, and embraced her. “Why is your temper so fierce?”

“Can’t stand it? You can leave then. No one is forcing you to endure it.” Xiao Kunning glanced at her, lifted her foot to leave, but was pulled back by Xie Yu before she could stand up.

“After I fell ill, your temper actually increased. This is called growing increasingly arrogant,” Xie Yu said verbally, but her actions were more sincere than anything. She did not forget to pull Xiao Kunning onto her lap, embracing her body and sighing: “I’ll yield to you, alright? Tomorrow, we will go see Princess Gaoyang.”

The inn was noisy. Passersby in the corridor laughed and chatted. Being in a bustling city, their state of mind was different.

Nong Qin returned to the inn after delivering the message to the Princess’s residence. Xie Yu lay on the couch and gradually fell asleep. Xiao Kunning guarded her side. Hearing a knock on the door, she gently opened it, signaling Nong Qin to keep her voice down.

“Her Royal Highness Princess Chang invites Mr. Xie to a luncheon banquet tomorrow at noon.”

Xie Yu slept until the morning of the next day. When she woke up, clear porridge was set on the table, and Xiao Kunning was nowhere to be found. She searched the room but couldn’t find her. She panicked and stood up to look for her.

Xiao Kunning happened to push the door open, carrying a change of clothes. Seeing Xie Yu disheveled, she looked puzzled: “Did you have a nightmare?”

Xie Yu suddenly let out a sigh of relief and took Xiao Kunning’s hand. “You got up so early?”

“I went to get clothes. Is something wrong?” Xiao Kunning felt a pang of doubt in her heart. Xie Yu was restless early in the morning. Would going to see Princess Gaoyang today result in them being ambushed? Xie Yu had suddenly become unreliable, making her feel uneasy. Thinking about it, the former Xie Yu was better. Although she was verbally harsh, she was cautious in her actions. Following her meant one would not suffer losses or be schemed against.

Xie Yu’s original clothes were a bit too big and didn’t fit well. Since the weather was still cold in spring, Xiao Kunning added a thick layer for her, and she felt the fit was better. The inn was noisy, and the two didn’t speak much. After breakfast, they prepared to leave.

Dengzhou was a territory that Princess Gaoyang had managed for many years. It was obvious that this was the area the new Emperor most wanted to conquer. Princess Gaoyang’s trip to Chang’an City for the congratulatory ceremony lasted only a few days, which hinted at the underlying situation. Xie Yu looked frail. Standing at the gate of the majestic Princess’s residence, she felt a chill. The doorman opened the gate. Xie Yu stepped over the threshold, with Xiao Kunning following closely behind.

The Princess’s residence was different from Princess Gaoyang’s usual style. Princess Gaoyang was known for her extravagance, but the residence’s structure was ancient and elegant, unlike a typical princess’s mansion. Xiao Kunning’s heart was pounding. She followed Xie Yu inside until they stopped at a pavilion. A woman in a red shirt was inside. Xie Yu reached out and held Xiao Kunning’s hand: “Don’t be afraid. She’s just someone who looks tough but is weak inside.”