My Love Rivals Have All Reborn - Chapter 69

The mountain was quiet and secluded. The large expanse of green was far removed from the outside world, like two different realms of existence. The estate in the mountains gave off a sense of mystery. The further one went inside, the thicker the mysterious atmosphere became. There were few servants; occasionally, one could see maids walking. Every blade of grass and every tree seemed deliberately placed; the spacing and alignment gave one a unique feeling.

Princess Gaoyang led the two, barely wishing to speak to Xie Yu again, until they reached the front of a courtyard gate.

The courtyard door was closed, with various chrysanthemums planted in front, adding an autumnal atmosphere to the estate. Princess Gaoyang pushed open the door, and the sight inside the courtyard was revealed. Xiao Kunning craned her neck to look. The courtyard was no different from the outside. Her peripheral vision turned toward Xie Yu.

Xie Yu stood as if petrified for a long time, her legs straight, unmoving, while Princess Gaoyang strode inside. A maid waiting inside the room quickly walked out, first respectfully saluting Princess Gaoyang, then whispering a few words. Princess Gaoyang smiled. She turned her head to look at the person standing at the courtyard gate: “She is awake. Will Xie Yu see her?”

“Yes.”

Hearing that one word, heavy with nasal congestion, Xiao Kunning’s heart thumped twice. Xie Yu slowly released her hand and walked toward the steps in front of the house as if nothing was wrong. Xiao Kunning instinctively stopped in place. A strong-willed person like Xie Yu would never expose her weakness in front of others.

Princess Gaoyang, however, wanted to follow her and continue forward. Xiao Kunning subconsciously blocked her path and pleaded: “Your Royal Highness, let her go by herself.”

“You certainly care for her, but sadly, have you not realized that associating with such a person is a very dangerous thing?” Princess Gaoyang stopped her steps, her gaze fixed on Xie Yu’s back. Suddenly, a figure flashed, and Xiao Kunning blocked her view.

The slender body of the young girl was as firm as a city wall, and her mind was resolute. Princess Gaoyang sighed for no reason and asked: “What do you like about Xie Yu?”

“What do you like about Zhao Xiran?” Xiao Kunning did not back down at all. The sound of the door closing came from behind them. For some reason, she was deeply worried about Xie Yu. Xie Yu seemed strong, but her inner self was not like an ordinary person; she had her own weakness.

Having been so bluntly refused, Princess Gaoyang could only turn her gaze back, looking at the neither-humble-nor-haughty young girl: “Why do you address her by her full name?”

“That’s because Zhao Xiran thinks having a daughter as old as me is embarrassing, and it would make people think she is old. If it weren’t for calling her Proprietress Zhao’s Maternal Uncle, she would have wanted me to call her ‘Older Sister’.”

Zhao Xiran was over thirty and well-maintained, so her actual age was generally indiscernible, but the moment Xiao Kunning called her “mother,” it made her feel old.

“It’s that simple?” Princess Gaoyang racked her brain but hadn’t discovered this peculiar habit of Zhao Xiran’s. Calling her “Older Sister”? Truly shameless.

The sky gradually darkened. Twilight settled in. Xiao Kunning sat on the steps waiting, resting her chin in her hand and gazing at the dense clouds covered in black.

Meanwhile, in Chang’an City, earth-shaking changes were occurring. After officials left the court, they returned to their residences, not daring to linger outside.

When Wen Yuke returned to her residence, she saw a visitor. A woman in a cerulean-blue dress sat formally on a huanghuali pear wood chair inside the room. Her expression was solemn, and her hands were clasped, revealing her anxiety and unease.

Wen Yuke strode toward her. “Miss Xiao, is something the matter?”

Xiao Wenxue stood up with a start at the sound. Seeing the dignified woman beneath the official’s robe, she felt intensely bitter in her heart. She nodded: “Yes, there is.”

The two had last met at the temple. Much time had passed since then. Wen Yuke invited her to sit down. Seeing her tightly furrowed brows, Wen Yuke subconsciously recalled the secret of the Xiao residence. It was a secret, but in fact, many people knew about it. Xiao Wenxue held the position of the eldest legitimate daughter, but she was not a true member of the Xiao family, leading to scorn from many people. It was very difficult for her to arrange a marriage. High-ranking families looked down on a foster daughter, while families of lower official rank were disliked by the Luo family. This back-and-forth made Xiao Wenxue’s position even more awkward.

“Miss Xiao, please feel free to speak plainly. I will do whatever I can to help.”

Wen Yuke’s attitude was warm, and her words were kind. This, conversely, made the words stick in Xiao Wenxue’s throat. Her heart was full of hesitation. Wen Yuke across from her spoke again: “Just say it directly.”

Xiao Wenxue’s pale face flushed with color, and even her fair ears turned crimson. Wen Yuke, observing closely, vaguely understood and said: “You want me to help you…”

The hesitation made Xiao Wenxue even more shy. Her throat felt clogged, as if a ball of cotton was stuck there.

Both fell silent. Wen Yuke was already facing a difficult situation with the new Emperor. Although she and Xie Yu had jointly pushed the new Emperor onto the throne, at this point, with Xie Yu absent, she alone was truly fighting a losing battle.

After a moment of silence, she spoke first: “Miss Xiao, you are intelligent and virtuous. Your talents and morals are commendable. The Wen family has many issues, and you know about the mess of the Wen family in Luoyang. Although it’s a pretense, we must face it as reality.”

Wen Yuke was a woman and understood the hardships of women. She chose to be understanding regarding Xiao Wenxue’s helpless course of action.

Xiao Wenxue was startled, opening her almond eyes in disbelief. “How did you know?”

“Just a guess. Besides this, I have no other way to help you. Once things are settled, we will divorce,” Wen Yuke said frankly.

Open and above-board, yet understanding—Xiao Wenxue had never met a woman like this. Wen Yuke was candid, a beacon of integrity in Chang’an City. Xiao Wenxue now believed the rumors.

Compared to Xie Yu, Wen Yuke had her own strengths. Xiao Wenxue sincerely thanked her: “I will remember the kindness of Official Wen. I was abrupt today. Fortunately, you are not offended.”

Wen Yuke shook her head: “You are too kind, Miss. I was the one who brought it up. The Wen family is poor and cannot offer you much in the way of betrothal gifts.”

Xiao Wenxue was awed by her candidness and said unconsciously: “Official Wen’s character is truly rare. Even without a betrothal gift, I imagine many people would still be willing.”

Wen Yuke smiled but did not reply. What did it matter? Having lost Xiao Kunning, her heart could never be truly filled. Xie Yu possessed something others did not. Not to mention her strategic mind, her perseverance alone was astonishing.

After the two reached an agreement, a fake marriage was decided upon. The next day, Wen Yuke sent someone to propose the marriage. As the new Emperor had only recently ascended the throne and the court was unsettled, the Xiao residence agreed without fanfare. They proceeded with the Six Rites. When the Wen family in Luoyang learned of this, they sent people over. Upon seeing it was the Xiao family, they dared not cause a fuss, but upon hearing it was a foster daughter, they generally felt the Xiao family was trying to climb the social ladder. They expressed their displeasure both explicitly and implicitly. Fortunately, Wen Yuke was able to keep the minor dissenters in check and prevented the matter from escalating.

The wedding was set for the following spring. Xiao Wenxue breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing the marriage certificate. Thankfully, the matter was settled.

Xiao Kunning waited for half a day but did not see Xie Yu emerge. She was “invited back” to live in the guest courtyard by Princess Gaoyang.

For three consecutive days, Xie Yu did not show up. Xiao Kunning began to get restless, clamoring to see her. Princess Gaoyang was given a headache by her ferocity, which was so similar to Zhao Xiran’s. After several arguments, she slowly relented, allowing her to go find Xie Yu.

After the anxious figure disappeared from the doorway, Princess Gaoyang sighed and shook her head: “The one Zhao Xiran raised is truly unique. Xie Yu is hovering right outside the door of being a hen-pecked spouse.”

Just as she finished speaking, an aide brought a letter from Chang’an City. The letter mentioned that the three Shen family members were being detained in Chang’an City. Zhao Chulin had arranged a marriage for Shen Rui while she was outside the capital, promising her hand to Zhao Can. Arranging marriages recklessly.

The aide analyzed the current situation: “The new Emperor’s throne was hard-won and relies on the Shen family’s military power. This is also a threat. The Shen family could push him onto the throne, and they could just as easily push someone else. The new Emperor understands better than anyone that the Shen family is both an asset and a threat. It is rumored that the Prince of Zhennan has a private understanding with Xie Yu. Xie Yu is no longer the same as before; she has the Zhao family bloodline. If the step-Empress Gaozong hadn’t used her poisonous scheme back then, Xie Yu might have been the new ruler.”

“If there had been no poisonous scheme, there would be no Xie Yu,” Princess Gaoyang’s single sentence burst the bubble of the aide’s flattery toward Xie Yu.

The aide’s face flushed red, and he immediately corrected himself: “Your Royal Highness is correct, Your Royal Highness is correct. However, the Shen family appears glorious, but they pose a great threat to the new Emperor. Should Your Royal Highness try to win the Shen family over?”

“Shen Siyuan is no fool. He won’t make the same mistake twice. Instead, we can use Zhao Chulin’s suspicious nature to eliminate the Shen family. Only then will the opportunity be greater.”

“But Xie Yu is still present, making it difficult to eliminate the Shen family. I believe securing their alliance is the best policy.”

“Xie Yu might have a solution.” Princess Gaoyang waved her hand. Her aides’ minds were trapped, confined to one place. Their vision could not compare to Xie Yu’s.

The temptation Xie Yu threw out was too great, forcing her to carefully consider the current situation.

Xiao Kunning, who had been let into the courtyard, walked in cautiously. From a distance, she saw two people sitting side-by-side. Xie Yu was wearing a moon-white gown, and the person next to her was wearing a crow-blue dress, simple and elegant, but her shoulders were very narrow, making the clothes appear ill-fitting. The two did not speak a word, sitting in mutual silence, yet a warm atmosphere filled the courtyard.

Xiao Kunning looked intently. Just as she was about to turn and leave, she heard a voice: “Little Yu, the needle should fall here. Do you think this fish is happy?”

The voice was unsteady and carried a hint of hoarseness. It must be Princess Yueyang.

She unconsciously stopped. Xie Yu spoke a sentence: “If you think she’s happy, then she’s happy.”

“Fish… Yu… If only you were truly a fish, free and unrestrained. Little Yu… fish…”

Princess Yueyang’s words were fragmented, unable to form a complete sentence, like rambling nonsense. Xiao Kunning was curious about Princess Yueyang’s appearance. As she moved to take a step, Xie Yu suddenly turned around. Her eyes reflected the surface of the sea under the dark night, with bizarre ripples. A hostile air was hidden between her brows and eyes, like a ruthless demon from hell that people dared not approach.

“Xie… Xie Yu…”

Xiao Kunning was so frightened she dared not move. Seeing Xie Yu’s vicious side, she couldn’t maintain her composure and hurriedly turned and ran out.

From that direction, the discontinuous speaking continued: “Little Yu… little fish… swim quickly… swim… swim…”

Xie Yu regained her composure only after seeing the familiar back figure. She turned her eyes to the pale face of the person next to her, holding her hand and comforting her: “Little Yu is going to swim now. You wait.”

“Swim, swim, swim…”

Xie Yu called the maid who usually served her and quickly chased after Xiao Kunning.