My Love Rivals Have All Reborn - Chapter 68

The woman in the red shirt was not Princess Gaoyang. She was a steward in the residence. Princess Gaoyang, meanwhile, was sitting to one side, holding fish food and casually sprinkling it into the lake.

Not a single fish swam over. Princess Gaoyang seemed a bit disappointed. When her peripheral vision caught the two people approaching, she scattered all the fish food into the water, clapping her hands and saying cheerfully: “A big fish has arrived; that’s not bad either.”

Both people walked in simultaneously. Xiao Kunning’s steps lagged slightly, while Xie Yu let go of her hand immediately upon entering. Her eyes surged with mighty waves. Without waiting for Princess Gaoyang to speak, Xie Yu went straight to the point: “It seems Your Royal Highness was waiting for me?”

Princess Gaoyang lifted her chin toward the woman in the red shirt. The woman bowed and retired. Only then did Princess Gaoyang straighten her back, holding a wine cup in her fair hands and taking a sip. “I’ve been waiting for you for many years. I’m curious: you’ve been in Chang’an City for so many years, so why haven’t you gone to rescue her?”

“With Your Royal Highness present, I did not need to act,” Xie Yu replied calmly.

Princess Gaoyang was startled by Xie Yu’s confident attitude. Recalling what had happened before, and based on the character of the Empress Dowager and Jingyang, they knew that the forces behind Xie Yu would never tolerate Princess Yueyang being alive. Xie Yu’s thinking seemed unfilial, but the palace was safe. After all, she had survived all these years, so a few more days wouldn’t hurt.

Princess Gaoyang still could not resist a sarcastic remark: “You are truly filial.”

“Tolerably so. As long as you release her, Xie Yu will willingly submit to your command.” Xie Yu had no emotional fluctuations. Neither her voice nor the light in her eyes showed any change.

Her readiness to agree so calmly made Princess Gaoyang indecisive. She was not afraid of refusal; she was afraid of such ready acceptance, especially from a meticulously calculating person like Xie Yu.

Princess Gaoyang hesitated for a moment and then turned her gaze upon Xiao Kunning. The young woman looked quite presentable. Her starry eyes were bright, and she seemed to have matured considerably compared to before, with her features gaining a hint of alluring charm. The young girl Xie Yu was interested in had finally grown up, which also meant Xie Yu had gained a new weakness.

Princess Gaoyang withdrew her gaze and smiled sweetly. “Miss Xiao’s beauty makes me sigh. How about staying in the Princess’s residence to play with me for a few days?”

Princess Gaoyang’s serious manner contained a hint of impropriety, which made both of them frown and refuse, especially Xie Yu. She absolutely could not tolerate such blatant hijacking. She rejected the proposal directly: “Your Royal Highness, please speak of serious matters. I can help you with anything you wish to accomplish. There is no need for a hostage.”

“Xie Yu, I do not trust your words. Take the matter of Zhao Chulin’s enthronement: was it within your expectation or outside of it?” Princess Gaoyang restrained her smile. She remained suspicious of Xie Yu’s proactive surrender.

Xiao Kunning subconsciously looked at Xie Yu, swallowing nervously. Was Xie Yu’s action intentional?

Xie Yu noticed the concerned gaze and her eyes unconsciously softened. “Do you think I would joke with my own life? I have come to surrender today. If Your Royal Highness is unwilling, then I shall leave. She is your elder sister. Surely she is safe with you. Whether I see her or not will not have any impact. Your Royal Highness, please consider it yourself.”

The tall figure gracefully turned to leave. Princess Gaoyang suddenly grew anxious. “After not seeing you for several days, you seem very impatient. Sit down for a good talk; that’s better than rushing off like this. Would you like a drink? It’s excellent wine; the aroma is tempting you.”

Xiao Kunning stood outside the immediate circle, understanding both their feelings. On the surface, neither cared, but inwardly, they were both suspicious and nervous. Princess Gaoyang, in particular, desired Xie Yu as her right-hand woman but feared being bitten by her in return. She was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan, and in her indecisive state, she wanted to keep Xie Yu here.

“I must refuse Your Royal Highness’s kind offer. You just need to let me see her once. If not, I won’t have the patience to help you,” Xie Yu refused.

Xiao Kunning was slightly astonished. Princess Gaoyang frowned, seemingly not expecting Xie Yu to refuse so flatly. She pondered for a while, looking extremely troubled. As Xie Yu calmly turned to leave, she immediately agreed: “Fine, see her once.”

Xie Yu smiled faintly. “I thank Your Royal Highness.”

Princess Gaoyang’s compromise made Xiao Kunning breathe a sigh of relief. She quietly looked at Xie Yu, who seemed completely unfazed by everything before her. The self-assured Xie Yu had returned.

The person was not at the residence. Princess Gaoyang ordered a carriage to be prepared. Xie Yu did not hesitate, taking Xiao Kunning’s hand and boarding Princess Gaoyang’s flashy carriage. Upon entering, Xiao Kunning realized that it was full of surprises. There were hidden compartments in the dark corners. When she stepped on the floorboard, it seemed to make some noise. Princess Gaoyang was practically reclining on the couch.

The entire carriage was not only unique on the outside; the interior was spacious. When Xie Yu moved her foot, Princess Gaoyang suddenly spoke: “Don’t move randomly. There are concealed arrows underfoot.”

Xiao Kunning subconsciously pulled Xie Yu to sit to one side, moving further away from Princess Gaoyang. The carriage was built by Zhao Xiran, most likely custom-made for Princess Gaoyang. The multiple mechanisms were for the safety of the person inside the carriage.

“It seems my mother is extremely devoted to Your Royal Highness,” she couldn’t help but say sarcastically.

Immediately after speaking, she felt Xie Yu’s grip on her hand tighten. She didn’t understand. Xie Yu cast a faint glance at Princess Gaoyang: “The Zhao family is a vast and wealthy enterprise, like an inexhaustible bank. Your Royal Highness has quite the scheme.”

Xiao Kunning’s eyebrows twitched. Surprise flashed in the eyes of the person reclining on the side. Her fair hand brushed aside a large peony flower on her waist, and she smiled at Xie Yu: “Nothing escapes you. They all said the Zhao family’s Second Proprietress was fond of women, yet many beauties sent to her did not please her. In desperation, I went to see her, and who knew, she ended up sending me a lot of silver.”

Xiao Kunning: “…” In terms of shamelessness, Princess Gaoyang Chang was first. Even the unblushing Xie Yu could not keep up.

Xie Yu, however, said: “The Second Proprietress Zhao spends money like water, which suits you perfectly. A foster daughter is no match for a lover. Poor Miss Xiao couldn’t even get a single penny.”

Xiao Kunning: “…” Xie Yu, would you die if you didn’t remind me?

Princess Gaoyang pretended to be surprised: “No wonder Miss Xiao didn’t take over the Zhao family business. So, Zhao Xiran doesn’t like you.”

“Foolish Xiao Kunning is an idiot. How could she compare to someone as good at strategy as you? If the Second Proprietress Zhao were to know what you’ve been doing, where do you suppose your silver for helping the Emperor would come from?” Xie Yu warned subtly.

“I am still your junior maternal aunt, after all. There’s no need to be so utterly ruthless,” Princess Gaoyang waved her hand. Her seemingly composed face betrayed a slight tremor in her eyelashes, like a butterfly fluttering its wings, hinting at uneasiness.

Xiao Kunning intended to keep silent from beginning to end. Both the aunt and niece were wolves in sheep’s clothing. Princess Gaoyang had calculated against Zhao Xiran. Thinking about it this way, Zhao Xiran was the unwitting benefactor. She deserved it! Xiao Kunning didn’t pity her at all. It was an arrangement where both parties were willing, so no one else was to blame.

The aunt and niece bickered the entire journey. Xie Yu’s grip on Xiao Kunning’s hand grew tighter in secret. Xiao Kunning could understand her nervousness; after years of separation, she felt anxiety as she approached home. With Xie Yu’s meddling, Princess Gaoyang revealed everything that had happened between her and Zhao Xiran. The two of them listened to gossip all the way. Princess Gaoyang had been eyeing the Zhao family’s silver for a long time. Unlike Zhao Mian, she used herself as bait, successfully gaining both wealth and affection.

Xiao Kunning whispered to Xie Yu: “She is just like you.” Both have been thinking about that person for many years.

A blush suddenly appeared on Xie Yu’s pale face. She coughed softly and said with slight dissatisfaction: “You give me too much credit. I only care about you. You are penniless.”

“Are you looking down on me because I have no money?” Xiao Kunning glared at her, which made Xie Yu quickly change her words: “I have money, and it’s all yours.”

“Where did you get the money?” Xiao Kunning whispered. In Chang’an City, the residences of officials and nobles would have some farms and shops, all given by superiors, just like Zhao Xiran. Her ability to expand her business now also benefited from the Zhao family’s original deep pockets. Hadn’t Xie Yu come to Chang’an alone?

The sound of the carriage wheels muffled the conversation. The rumbling noise covered Xie Yu’s words: “The Shen family gave it to me.”

“The Shen family?” Xiao Kunning recalled Shen Rui’s lavish spending. That was inherited family property. They just gave it to Xie Yu? The Prince of Zhennan truly favored Xie Yu.

Princess Gaoyang hadn’t clearly heard their conversation. Taking advantage of Xie Yu not engaging with her, she was reviewing the situation in Chang’an. The two words “helping the Emperor” that Xie Yu had mentioned gave her a lot of ideas. Zhao Chulin had seized the throne with the military power of the Shen family. Logically, he was not the legitimate ruler. Faced with such an emperor, the Zhao clan would be dissatisfied. At this time, mobilizing troops to help the rightful Emperor would garner considerable support.

The carriage left the city gate and slowly headed toward the mountain on the east side. Autumn arrived late in the mountain, and at the foot of the mountain, there were still shady trees with fresh, green leaves, as if they were stepping into the light of spring.

After getting out of the carriage, Princess Gaoyang got into a sedan chair. Xiao Kunning and Xie Yu exchanged glances and also took a sedan chair. The path was strange. After countless turns, Xiao Kunning felt terribly dizzy, while Xie Yu listened carefully and was completely unaffected.

Finally, when the sedan curtain was lifted, they were faced with a majestic, ancient mountain gate. The gate and the gigantic rocks on both sides were integrated, suggesting it could not be easily breached. Xie Yu carefully examined the mountain gate. Connecting this with the winding path they had just taken, she suddenly understood. She walked toward the gate with light steps. Xiao Kunning followed obediently like a small rabbit behind her.

Princess Gaoyang noticed their tightly clasped hands and frowned: “Can you two behave yourselves?”

The environment inside the mountain was quiet and elegant. The sights were like the gardens of a Jiangnan water village. The scenes unfolded as if they were walking in Jiangnan. Hearing Princess Gaoyang’s “jealous” voice, Xie Yu deliberately rolled up her sleeve, raising her interlocked hands. “It’s just holding hands. How is that improper? Does Your Royal Highness know what is truly improper?”

“The improper thing is you two being intimate in front of me.” Princess Gaoyang felt Xie Yu was a difficult person to deal with. Princess Yueyang was very reasonable, full of talent, and attached to rules. Having a child like Xie Yu was truly eighteenth-generation bad luck.

“When Your Royal Highness was intimate with the Second Proprietress Zhao, I didn’t say a word. Besides, your carriage is proof to me that the Second Proprietress likes you.”

Princess Gaoyang stopped, exasperated. “Xie Yu, you seem to enjoy arguing with me today. I am your elder.”

“No, you are mistaken. By using her to threaten me, you are unworthy of being my elder,” Xie Yu smiled lightly. Her eyes, shadowed by the green trees, turned inexplicably dark, surging with sudden waves of anger.

Princess Gaoyang was taken aback by her gaze and felt a sudden unease in her heart. “If you are unhappy, you are free to leave.”

“It is my voluntary choice to work for Your Royal Highness,” Xie Yu stated with renewed humility, which made Xiao Kunning’s face change so quickly she could hardly keep up. She truly changed her expression faster than turning a page.

Princess Gaoyang rolled her eyes, annoyed. “You are the most shameless person I have ever met.”

Xie Yu said: “Your Royal Highness, why be modest? When it comes to this ability, I can never catch up to you. In your presence, I am merely showing off my meager skills.”

After saying this, she leaned slightly toward Xiao Kunning and winked at her: “Did you learn that?”

“Learn what?”

“Everyone has an ability that others can’t catch up to. In the presence of Princess Gaoyang, that ability is shamelessness. So, did you learn that?”

Xiao Kunning suddenly realized and nodded repeatedly: “I learned it! I learned it!”

“Showing affection, spreading dog food, you will not prosper,” Princess Gaoyang muttered the golden phrase of Zhao Xiran, full of dissatisfaction.