My Love Rivals Have All Reborn - Chapter 70

Xie Yu left in a hurry. She did not encounter Xiao Kunning on the way but ran into Princess Gaoyang, who had come to cause trouble.

They had been staying in the mountain for three days without realizing it. Princess Gaoyang’s patience was exhausted. Zhao Chulin was uprooting her personnel one by one with sharp and swift methods, leaving her no time to react. If Xie Yu did not return soon, she would truly be waiting to become a fish on the chopping block, to be slaughtered at will.

“You’ve come at the right time. When will you return to Chang’an City? How about tomorrow? I’ll hold a farewell feast for you tonight, what do you say?”

Xie Yu was worried about Xiao Kunning and did not refuse. Three days spent with her mother was already a rare gift. “If Your Royal Highness trusts me, then send your people to me as well.”

Princess Gaoyang’s eyelid twitched. “You have been in the imperial court for many days. Do you not have your own support?”

Xie Yu smiled, “I do, but they are not very related to Your Royal Highness. It’s enough that I contribute my manpower. If I have to contribute your finances as well, it wouldn’t be appropriate. How about you provide a monthly allowance?”

“Is that so? Does Grand Tutor Xie also lack silver?” Princess Gaoyang saw her negotiate listlessly, seemingly unconcerned, but she dared not underestimate Xie Yu. One mistake could lead to eternal damnation.

Xie Yu adopted a lazy posture, her gaze directed toward the direction where Xiao Kunning had left. “Yes, I do. After returning to Chang’an City, I need to send betrothal gifts. Madam Xiao is already difficult to deal with. If the Xie family is too stingy, I’m afraid she will throw me out.”

Princess Gaoyang glared at her, annoyed. “Are you really so spineless? Is she the only one who will do?”

“To be honest, the Xie family didn’t teach me much, and certainly not backbone. Having Xiao Kunning in the Xie residence is enough. I don’t need any backbone or ambition. What do you think?” Xie Yu’s clear eyes reflected Princess Gaoyang’s look of frustration. Unsure if Xie Yu was being truthful, Princess Gaoyang said, “I’ll ask Zhao Xiran to prepare some extra dowry.”

Xie Yu counted on her fingers, feigning confusion. “Is this from you?”

Princess Gaoyang said brazenly, “It’s from me.”

“Then I thank my Aunt, Your Royal Highness. Please prepare some travel funds. I will take your niece-in-law back to Chang’an tomorrow and won’t disturb you from putting horns on Second Proprietress Zhao’s head.” Xie Yu waved dismissively at Princess Gaoyang and walked away with her hands clasped behind her back.

Her few words were full of sarcasm, angering Princess Gaoyang, who blinked rapidly and forced herself to swallow her fury.

Xie Yu was led by a maid to Xiao Kunning’s quarters. It was a simple courtyard. A table was set in front of the main door of the house, and Xiao Kunning was sitting there. The maid withdrew outside the courtyard gate. Xie Yu walked in alone. Before Xiao Kunning could stand up, Xie Yu embraced her from behind, stroking her cheek. “Did I scare you?”

Xiao Kunning was taken advantage of unexpectedly, and a warmth spread near her ear, melting into her heart. She inhaled gently, pretending to be nonchalant. “No, I’m not a child. How is she?”

“She’s the same as always. She doesn’t recognize me. In her mind, she only remembers me from when I was a few years old and still constantly thinks of me. Unfortunately, she doesn’t recognize me even when I stand in front of her,” Xie Yu’s tone became heavy. Even with a lighthearted tone, her disappointment was hard to conceal.

Xiao Kunning didn’t know how to comfort her. Zhao Xiran treated her like a friend, valuing friendship over family affection. Returning to the Luo family, there was no mother-daughter affection either. She couldn’t truly empathize with Xie Yu, so she could only hold her hand, gently massaging her wrist, and telling her: “Xie Yu, it’s good that she is alive. She will recognize you in time. The Xie Yu in her eyes is a kind and pure child. That is the cherished memory of all mothers.”

“Mhm,” Xie Yu responded softly, her lips gently touching Xiao Kunning’s soft, fair cheek, slowly rubbing and moving to her ear.

Xiao Kunning shrank, remaining silent.

The next day, the two left Dengzhou by carriage and returned to Chang’an City traveling light.

Upon returning to the Xiao family residence, they saw many brocade boxes in the front courtyard, filling half of it. Xiao Kunning, unsure of the reason, cornered a servant to ask: “What is this?”

The servant was beaming with joy, even happier to see the Second Miss return. “It’s Official Wen coming to send the betrothal gifts.”

Xiao Kunning was puzzled. “Which Official Wen? Sending what betrothal gifts?”

“Official Wen, the Minister of Personnel, came to propose marriage to the Eldest Miss. Official Wen came to seek marriage with the Eldest Miss a while ago.”

Xiao Kunning was enlightened. So, Wen Yuke and Xiao Wenxue had become involved. Both were figures of immaculate purity. Xiao Wenxue was delicate-minded, and Wen Yuke was a rare blend of civil and military talent. They were indeed a good match. She was happy for them.

She went to the rear courtyard to pay her respects to the Luo family. She happened to see the Wen family people who had come to send the betrothal gifts. Luo did not seem particularly happy to see her long-separated daughter. She instructed Xiao Kunning not to wander around after returning and continued talking with the Wen family.

The person who had just narrowly passed inspection’s eyes widened with joy. She eagerly went to Xiao Wenxue’s courtyard. The early winter was slightly cold, and Xiao Wenxue was sitting by the window, embroidering her wedding dress. From afar, she could see the red embroidery. Closer inspection revealed the wedding dress was extremely delicate. Xiao Kunning exclaimed: “Sister, you must have put a lot of effort into this.”

Xiao Wenxue’s heart trembled. The tip of the needle almost pricked her finger. Her pretty face immediately turned cold. “Why did you come back?”

“You don’t welcome me, then,” Xiao Kunning said casually. Seeing the begonia petals on the embroidery, she touched them with her hand. The gold-thread embroidery was opulent and looked incredibly lifelike in Xiao Wenxue’s hands. She shamelessly said: “When will you finish embroidering? Can you embroider one for me too?”

“No, I also need to embroider Official Wen’s clothes.” Xiao Wenxue took her words as casual nonsense. Regarding the sudden return of Xiao Kunning, her heart was inexplicably flustered. She looked at the familiar person nervously. “A-Ning, did you return alone?”

“And Xie Yu,” Xiao Kunning did not notice her disappointment. Instead, she happily picked up the embroidered small red items on one side to examine them one by one. They were exquisite and tiny, and the key was that Xiao Wenxue had personally embroidered them. Personal creations carried a different kind of sentiment. It was at this moment that she felt the importance of needlework.

Xiao Wenxue did not speak, gazing at Xiao Kunning’s relaxed back, her heart in turmoil, unable to settle down. Wen Yuke only cared about Xiao Kunning. If she returned, could this marriage still proceed?

Xiao Kunning was ecstatic. Looking at so many exquisite items, she looked happily at Xiao Wenxue: “Do you like her? Her personality is a bit straightforward, but her mind, like yours, is very subtle. Your taste is excellent. Official Wen’s family has a grandmother who is also very understanding. You will be able to get along harmoniously. As for the Wen family in Luoyang, you don’t need to care. If they come begging for favors, just chase them out. Don’t be merciful.”

“You know her so well?” Xiao Wenxue felt increasingly lost. She didn’t want to ask too much in front of Xiao Kunning, but she still told the truth: “Actually, it’s a pretense. Mother forced me to get married, and I didn’t want to marry someone I hadn’t met, so I begged Official Wen to marry me. We will divorce eventually. I won’t delay her.”

“A pretense? You are truly brave,” Xiao Kunning was dumbfounded. She could hardly believe that someone who valued rules would do something so unconventional and daring. Thinking of Wen Yuke’s gentle appearance, she said with relief: “If you interact with her with sincerity, you will find that she is also an excellent choice. Good partners are rare. You should cherish her.”

“Mhm,” Xiao Wenxue replied. With Xiao Kunning’s sudden return, things seemed to have become uncertain. The wedding was still months away. If Wen Yuke backed out, she would find herself in a predicament.

The happy news of the Xiao family spread throughout the city. Xiao Mingwang was very satisfied, but when he heard that Xie Yu had returned to Chang’an City, his joy immediately vanished. He still had a score to settle regarding Xie Yu’s designs on A-Ning.

Just as he was about to personally go to the Xie residence to reclaim the marriage certificate, Xie Yu showed up at his door. With a formidable adversary present, he personally went to greet her.

Xie Yu was no longer the Grand Tutor, and the position of Minister had been filled by Wen Yuke. Her current situation was somewhat awkward, but her demeanor was undiminished; the pressure of high office remained.

Xiao Mingwang’s anger turned into a smile. “I heard your health has improved greatly.”

That dry sentence seemed to have been forced out of a stone. Xie Yu, knowing full well his reluctance, acted unaware and walked with him into the hall to sit and talk.

Xiao Mingwang saw the person whose temperament was unchanged and felt thirsty. He took the tea from the maid and took a sip, then said, “Did you come today to return the marriage certificate?”

“No, I came to ask about the betrothal gifts. Whatever the Wen family offers, the Xie residence will not offer less,” Xie Yu said frankly, her brows and eyes full of springtime delight, with a hint of pride in her words.

Xiao Mingwang was infuriated by her pride. Arrogant, overbearing, and conceited. He regretted his past blindness. “The Xiao family is not worthy of the Xie residence.”

“It doesn’t matter. The Xie residence doesn’t mind,” Xie Yu smiled faintly.

Xiao Mingwang struggled to suppress his temper and said, “The Xiao family does not wish to marry into the Xie family.”

“It doesn’t matter. Xie Yu is marrying Xiao Kunning. Zhao Xiran said she can still marry her daughter off.”

Xiao Mingwang: “…” He had never encountered such a shameless person. Even her attitude toward proposing marriage was so atrocious. He couldn’t imagine how she would treat A-Ning in the future.

“I will not agree to this matter. You can give up that idea.”

“It’s fine if Official Xiao doesn’t agree. I will take the marriage certificate to His Majesty to seek justice.”

That light sentence instantly extinguished Xiao Mingwang’s anger. He stared at her for a moment and had no choice but to concede. “I still need to ask A-Ning for her opinion.”

“Your esteemed daughter brought me out of Chang’an City and personally cared for me for several months. There’s no need to ask about the marriage. Instead, you should consider the wedding date. How about holding the ceremony in winter? What do you think?” Xie Yu took out a red paper from her sleeve, on which several auspicious dates were written.

Xie Yu was fully prepared, catching Xiao Mingwang completely off guard. Seeing that the situation was almost settled, Xie Yu did not linger, saying sincerely, “Official Xiao, please think about it. I will return to my residence first and await your good news.”

Xiao Mingwang was too busy seeing her off to say anything to keep her. He ordered a servant to escort the guest and then went to the rear courtyard to settle accounts with Xiao Kunning.

Xiao Kunning was preoccupied with preparing a trousseau for Xiao Wenxue, thinking of taking some silver from the Moxiang Pavilion. Before she could leave, she saw Xiao Mingwang storm in angrily.

Hellan was flustered. She opened the door, and the figure rushed in. “Xiao Kunning!”

Xiao Kunning knew what this was about and didn’t want to aggravate him further. No one could get the better of Xie Yu. She smiled placatingly: “Please speak slowly. I’m listening. Don’t take out the anger Xie Yu gave you on me. I’ll teach you a trick: demand a lot of betrothal gifts. If she can’t produce them, she will give up.”

Xiao Mingwang saw her trying to appease him carefully and immediately felt awkward about his anger. Xie Yu had now changed her identity as the daughter of Princess Yueyang. Betrothal gifts would certainly not stump her. “Don’t try to gloss over this. Xie Yu is no easy person to deal with. Of all people, why did you have to like her? You are clearly jumping into a pit.”

Xiao Kunning hung her head. “You can’t blame me for being humiliated. Furthermore, Xie Yu is inherently difficult to get along with. Ultimately, it’s all your fault. If you hadn’t provoked Zhao Xiran, Zhao Xiran wouldn’t have taken me away. Xie Yu wouldn’t have met me, and none of this would be happening today. After all that, you planted the seed of this misfortune. You can’t blame me.”

“My fault?” Xiao Mingwang’s face was flushed with anger, turning ashen. He slammed his hand heavily on the table. “This is going too far! I will report this to His Majesty—Xie Yu is engaging in deception and trickery!”

Xiao Kunning countered: “You forget that the current Emperor is Xie Yu’s maternal uncle. People are naturally biased. If you go to His Majesty, he will only favor Xie Yu. Then you will lose face. You should be thinking about how to recover your losses from Xie Yu.”

No matter what, Zhao Chulin would still consider appearances and would not punish Xie Yu. Xiao Mingwang thought of Xie Yu being part of the Zhao family, and his heart felt suffocated. With the power struggles in the court, there was no fairness to speak of. He had no choice but to yield. His guilt toward his daughter deepened. “Alas, it is only you who is wronged. I’ll think about the betrothal gifts.”

Their father-daughter conversation left him with a rush of emotions. After comforting his daughter, he went to Madam Luo to discuss the marriage.

Madam Luo was comparing the gift lists. The Wen family was not a grand family. The betrothal gifts looked average but were acceptable. However, Wen Yuke herself was excellent and a good partner. Although she had many dissatisfactions, thinking of Wen Yuke’s rapid promotion made her feel better. It was possible she could become a Chancellor in the future. The new Emperor was not a conventional person and valued women in official positions. This year, she had already chosen several women for important roles. In time, Wen Yuke’s future was boundless. The lack of generous gifts was her biggest point of dissatisfaction.

When Xiao Mingwang came in, Madam Luo was still frowning. She pushed the gift list toward him. “The Wen family is very proper with their rites, and I know their family situation, but I still can’t swallow my anger. How much dowry do you think we should prepare?” Xiao Wenxue was a foster daughter. She didn’t want to give too much dowry, but giving too little would cause her to lose face.

Xiao Mingwang took the gift list and looked at it, feeling uncertain. “You decide. Xie Yu came today, so you should understand her meaning.”

“Absolutely not. Xie Yu is unpredictable. We don’t know what her intentions are for A-Ning,” Madam Luo’s attitude changed immediately.

Xiao Mingwang put down the gift list and said earnestly, “His Majesty is her maternal uncle. You can’t fight city hall. You should just accept her.”

“You! Are you really so spineless?” Madam Luo was indignant, but her good upbringing kept her composed. She lowered her voice. “This is a matter for life. You yield so easily. What will A-Ning do in the future?”

“Xie Yu has liked A-Ning since childhood. A-Ning has sacrificed a lot for her. You should understand that A-Ning is willing. Otherwise, with her temperament, she wouldn’t have returned with Xie Yu,” Xiao Mingwang said, swallowing his anger.

Madam Luo said, “Is liking someone enough? Can A-Ning even see clearly? Xiao Mingwang, I will not agree to this marriage. Xie Yu’s current situation is awkward. I will not let A-Ning follow her and be scorned.”

“Luo!” Xiao Mingwang slapped the table and stood up. “This is a decision she made herself. If things turn out badly in the future, she will have to bear the consequences herself.”

“Xiao Mingwang, is that what you truly think?” Madam Luo’s eyes reddened. Xiao Mingwang knew he was in the wrong and, unwilling to face her, flicked his sleeve and left.

After the couple argued, they went their separate ways. Xiao Kunning changed her clothes and went to the Moxiang Pavilion.

The business of the Hengxiang Pavilion had gradually declined. Gu Ning’s heart was not in it, so she let it be. In contrast, the Moxiang Pavilion’s business soared. People in Chang’an City naturally followed trends. Once the business improved, many came, and people didn’t mind even when the prices were raised.

Xiao Kunning had not expected this. After checking with the manager, she withdrew some silver. The manager did not refuse, only saying that it would be delivered to the Xiao residence in a few days.

Business was good at the Moxiang Pavilion. The private rooms were almost all occupied by guests listening to the qin. The crowds surpassed the Hengxiang Pavilion of old.

A guest stood outside the door. She wore a cerulean-blue skirt, with long hair draped over her shoulders, resembling a tall, resilient green bamboo. Pedestrians could not help but take a second look.

As Xiao Kunning walked down the stairs, she saw that figure. Momentarily surprised, she walked closer, bowed, and greeted her: “Official Wen, how have you been recently?”

“Miss Xiao,” Wen Yuke bowed in return. Her gaze swept over Xiao Kunning’s eyebrows, nose, lips, and finally rested on her smile. She spoke with a smile: “I presume you have also heard the news.”

The two stood at the door, one as brilliant as a peony, the other as upright as a green pine. Both were striking figures, attracting the attention of many.

Across the street, Xie Yu was playing chess with the Minister of Rites. Xie Yu held a cup of hot tea, while the Minister was frowning at his pieces, which were crumbling under defeat. “You are bullying me, an old man, again. You show absolutely no consideration. I quit, I quit.”

Xie Yu wore a moon-white cloak today. In winter, she always felt a bone-deep cold. Facing the old Minister’s frustration, she smiled faintly: “It’s not bullying.”

“Let’s stop for today. Have you paid your respects to the Emperor yet?” The Minister of Rites threw down his pieces, raising his head to look at the woman across from him. He said: “The new Emperor’s handling of state affairs is not as good as the deposed Emperor’s. I hear many things are very tricky. Furthermore, the Old Prince has been staying in his residence and refusing all invitations. Everyone is guessing there is friction between the new Emperor and him.”

“I don’t know about friction, but the new Emperor seeks to rule with military power. His foundation is unstable. While many soldiers are good, he has neglected the critical elements of the court. We all know what the new Emperor is thinking, but we choose not to say it. Also, I am getting married. You must attend,” Xie Yu’s smile was deep. She was drastically different from her past reserved and taciturn self, as if she were enveloped in honey, sweet but not cloying.

The Minister of Rites was influenced by her smile and involuntarily thought of the Xiao family’s daughter. Today, Xiao Mingwang was quite pleased about the engagement with the Wen family. Would Xie Yu’s return without an official post be awkward? He worried, “Will Xiao Mingwang agree?”

“He will agree, completely agree. We’ve settled on the wedding date. I will need you to run a few errands then,” Xie Yu said, closing her eyes and lying.

“Such good news! I will certainly take care of it for you.” The Minister of Rites agreed without thinking, completely taken in by Xie Yu.

A figure near the window suddenly frowned and walked to Xie Yu’s side. “Mr., Miss Xiao is here, across the street.”

Xie Yu stood up, personally pouring tea for the Minister of Rites, and thanked him: “I will remember your kindness.”

“No trouble, no trouble,” the Minister of Rites readily agreed.

As Xie Yu passed the window, she glanced casually and caught sight of Xiao Kunning and Wen Yuke’s backs. The two walked toward the Moxiang Pavilion. The private rooms were full of guests listening to the qin. Xiao Kunning had no choice but to lead Wen Yuke to the rear courtyard to talk.

The rear courtyard was quiet. The clean environment calmed Wen Yuke’s heart. Xiao Kunning boiled tea, crushing the tea cake and putting it into the boiling water, a smile gracing her face. “Xiao Wenxue is a good girl, with a kind heart. You can spend more time with her. A pretense turning into reality would be a good thing.”

Wen Yuke gazed at her slender back. A sense of joy flowed into her heart. She felt that Xiao Kunning was different from before. Xie Yu had significantly changed her outlook.

“You still have an obsession with Xie Yu.”

The aroma of tea slowly drifted into her nostrils. The heat was bubbling. Xiao Kunning felt relaxed all over. Wen Yuke’s words were like a basin of cold water poured over her, instantly making her realize the truth.

Was her feeling for Xie Yu an obsession?

Xie Yu’s feeling for her was the obsession—a deep, bottomless obsession, fallen into an abyss from which she had not awoken. Xie Yu was not an inherently evil person; she was forced to jump into the abyss by her own fate.

“Official Wen, be kind to her,” she chose to evade the topic.

Wen Yuke smiled bitterly. “She is excellent, but different from your temperament. The wildness in your bones makes you unconventional, while she is confined within the framework of rules. The difference is heaven and earth, but each has her merits. I am helping her because of her helplessness.”

Xiao Kunning gazed at the boiling tea. “Official Wen, open your heart, and you will discover many beautiful things. Don’t be constrained to one place. Zhao Xiran often says to broaden your horizons and not let the things before your eyes deceive your heart.”

“Yes, don’t let a cheat deceive your heart.”

A voice of agreement came from outside. Wen Yuke looked up. Xie Yu stood at the doorway, ethereal like an immortal, the coldness tinged with a human warmth, like a banished immortal who had wandered into the mortal world.

“Long time no see. You’ve become much more confident,” she murmured sarcastically.

“Confidence comes from the heart. Official Wen, instead of serving your new Emperor, you come here to find your sister-in-law to discuss feelings. You have quite the ambition,” Xie Yu stepped over the threshold, moving right up to Wen Yuke, separating her from Xiao Kunning. Her tone suddenly darkened: “You need to mind your boundaries.”

Wen Yuke was speechless. Especially the term “sister-in-law” made her blush instantly. She bowed and left immediately.

Xiao Kunning looked at Xie Yu, frustrated. “Why chase away my guest? Who will drink the brewed tea now?”

“Can’t I drink it?” Xie Yu poked her forehead discontentedly, her tone stern: “You are not allowed to meet her. If you make a firm decision, you should be prepared not to see her.”

“You…” Xiao Kunning was defeated by her unreasonableness. Since reasoning with Xie Yu was impossible, she simply brewed the tea and lined up more than ten cups in front of Xie Yu.

“Drink the tea. You are not allowed to leave until you finish it. If you drink one cup less, I will go meet Wen Yuke once.”

An evil person requires an evil method to tame her.