My Love Rivals Have All Reborn - Chapter 71

It was rare to see Xie Yu defeated. Xiao Kunning bent over with laughter, refusing to concede a single step and forcing her to drink all the tea. In the end, Xie Yu was warm all over, her face not looking good.

The person who had been overly triumphant was suddenly pressed against the doorway by Xie Yu. Seeing her flawless, jade-like face at close range, her heart suddenly began to beat fiercely for some reason.

In the silent room, the sound of the other’s breathing could be clearly heard. The unintentional closeness allowed a person to feel the scorching breath, so hot that it felt impossible to open one’s eyes.

Xie Yu embraced the slender, barely-a-handful waist, her hands quietly and slowly moving upward, finally resting at the back of Xiao Kunning’s neck, gently pressing down, and their lips met.

The bitter tea fragrance still lingered in Xie Yu’s mouth, rich and long-lasting, refusing to dissipate. Xiao Kunning instinctively bit down on the warm lips.

Passive became active, and Xie Yu unconsciously fell into her trap.

Holding their breath, the kiss was brief and ended quickly.

When they parted, Xie Yu’s eyes were slightly red. Xiao Kunning scorned, “No ambition.” As she stepped out of the room, she couldn’t help but let the corner of her mouth curl up.

After leaving the Moxiang Pavilion, Xie Yu brought Xiao Kunning back to the Xie residence. The Old Prince of Zhennan had been waiting for a long time, and Shen Rui was also present.

Shen Rui’s heroic brow and eyes were more solemn than before. Seeing Xiao Kunning, her gaze deepened, but there were no extra emotions. Instead, it was Xiao Kunning who greeted her. Shen Rui nodded calmly.

Shen Siyuan saw the more lighthearted Xie Yu and was gripped by a sharp pain in his heart, recalling the incident of taking the blow. He asked, “What are your plans?”

“Get married first. The deposed Emperor’s influence remains in the shadows. You don’t need to rush,” Xie Yu was as calm as ever, settling Xiao Kunning in the seat across from her, and instructing Nongqin to prepare tea.

“Get married first?” Shen Siyuan didn’t understand the meaning. It was already strange that the new Emperor had not summoned Xie Yu until now. This marriage would only sink her deeper into the mud, doing more harm than good. “Why are you getting married first?”

“I’m getting older, so naturally I should get married.” Xie Yu glanced at Shen Rui across from her, clenched the hand hidden in her sleeve, and smiled faintly. “I heard His Majesty proposed a political marriage to appease the Shen family. Zhao Can is no longer simple. Shen Rui, have you thought this through?”

Shen Rui looked directly at Xiao Kunning, clearly not intending to answer.

“An imperial command is hard to disobey. I heard she previously had a girl she liked?” Shen Siyuan answered on her behalf, though he felt helpless seeing Shen Rui unhappy.

Xiao Kunning was outside the conversation. Shen Rui’s gaze made her nervous. She picked up her tea cup and took a sip to avoid Shen Rui. Noticing Shen Rui’s dark look, Xie Yu stated directly, “There was a girl named Wang. She died under torture when I was still at the Ministry of Personnel. Zhao Can was heartbroken for many days and dug a grave to pay tribute to her.”

These were not secrets, but Zhao Can had jumped to the rank of Princess Royal, so people dared not discuss her past. Therefore, Shen Siyuan was unaware of these minor details. After Xie Yu’s mention, he became even more reluctant. He said, “I will ask His Majesty to annul the engagement.” Bringing Zhao Can and Shen Rui together would inevitably create a resentful couple.

“Have you decided to stay in Chang’an City?” Xie Yu evaded the topic of annulment.

The Shen family’s situation had not improved due to the new Emperor, and had even become more difficult. The danger of a general whose merits overshadowed his ruler was a common phenomenon throughout history and was not surprising.

Shen Siyuan had spent many days in the Prince’s residence and had thought things through clearly. “The fact that he pushed you out to take a sword blow shows that he has long regarded us as pawns. The Shen family assisting her ascension was an act of desperation. Water can float a boat, but it can also overturn it.”

Xie Yu did not respond. Instead, she looked at Xiao Kunning, who was drowsily nodding off on the side, and patted her hand. “Go rest for a while. I’ll come find you later.”

Xiao Kunning readily accepted the offer. After bidding farewell to the Old Prince, she hurried away.

Shen Rui’s gaze followed her as she crossed the threshold, finally leaving nothing behind.

Regardless of what Shen Rui thought, Xie Yu ordered someone to fetch the letters sent to Chang’an from various regions and invited the Old Prince to the study. The two talked for a long time, leaving only at dusk. The Prince of Zhennan’s residence was right next door, so the round trip was quick. Xie Yu personally escorted him out of the mansion. As she turned back, Yu Yin came to report: “Sir, a message has arrived from the palace, requesting you to enter the palace.”

Twilight set in. Faint light surged in the soft glow. Xie Yu stood tall and straight by the door, gently coughing. “Reply to His Majesty that I am feeling slightly unwell and will enter the palace tomorrow.”

Yu Yin was confused. “Refusing His Majesty is a great disrespect.”

“It doesn’t matter. There’s only a thin veil between him and me. The moment he pushed me out to take that sword, we already tore off all pretenses,” Xie Yu said with a look of frankness. Zhao Chulin was accustomed to patience. Having endured for so many years, one more night would make no difference.

Yu Yin acknowledged the order and immediately had someone go to the palace to report.

Xie Yu felt a wave of exhaustion, her face showing clear weariness. On her way back to the residence, she couldn’t help but walk toward Xiao Kunning’s courtyard. Taking faltering steps, she suddenly remembered something: Wen Yuke had mentioned that in the previous life, it was Shen Rui who overthrew the Zhao dynasty and ascended the throne. Shen Rui had great ambition, and the wildness dormant in her bones could no longer be controlled.

Seeing the bright lamplight in the room, she stopped for no reason. A new calculation suddenly arose in her heart, and she turned toward the study instead.

When Wen Yuke returned from the Ministry of Personnel, she ran into Nongqin, who promptly seized her and brought her to the Xie residence without a word. Even with her good temper, she couldn’t stand being treated this way. As she stepped into the study, seeing the lone figure in front of the map, she suppressed her anger and walked in.

“Wen Yuke, did you return to Chang’an for your own future or for Xiao Kunning?”

Xie Yu’s voice was placid, like a calm lake surface that clearly reflected Wen Yuke’s inner thoughts.

“Why I came has nothing to do with you. Just say what you need to say. His Majesty is already restless because of your return. The Old Prince’s visit to your residence should have been discreet, but you were so brazen in escorting him out. What were you thinking?” Wen Yuke was a bit impatient. Xie Yu’s skill at sowing discord was truly exceptional.

Xie Yu’s body remained unmoved. Hearing the question, she didn’t turn around, simply saying, “He has a guilty conscience. I came because I want to discuss something with you. You and I should let fate return to its original course.”

“Return to its original course?” Wen Yuke was instantly shocked. The fate of the past and present lives had already been altered. Zhao Chulin had seized the opportunity, the Prince of Zhennan and his son were alive, and even Xiao Kunning’s destiny had completely changed. If they were to revert it, all their previous efforts would be in vain. She flatly refused: “No, I will not agree.”

“The Zhao dynasty’s fate is at an end. You and I forcibly elevated Zhao Chulin to the throne. The problem lies with the two of us. What kind of predicament will a nation whose fate is finished face? It is unfair to the common people.”

“So what? Do you actually want Shen Rui to be Emperor?” Wen Yuke found Xie Yu to be utterly unreasonable.

Xie Yu slowly turned around, staring at Wen Yuke’s cold expression. “It is not impossible.”

“You…”

“Do you think there is a second path? The moment the Shen family’s troops entered Chang’an City, they became a target. Even if Zhao Chulin is pulled down, can you guarantee that the Shen family’s situation will change?”

“Xie Yu, you are selfish. Reverting the course is just an excuse. You are selfishly trying to overthrow the Zhao dynasty because you hate the Zhao family so deeply that you want the nation to change its name. All your high-sounding excuses cannot cover your wicked heart. You hate the Zhao family and the Yan family, but you ignore that the Zhao dynasty has lasted for a hundred years. How much trouble will there be if the name is changed? Think of the common people. They just want abundant food and clothing; they don’t want to be displaced and wander.”

“Wen Yuke, have you seen what the Shen dynasty’s situation was like? Did the common people not live well? Don’t be confined by your own thoughts. Who should bear the consequences of you and I defying and altering fate? You? Or me?”

Both had valid points, and neither would yield a single step. In the end, Wen Yuke left the Xie residence in a rage.

Xie Yu was utterly exhausted, sitting at the desk and gazing at the map, emotionally and physically drained.

Xiao Kunning rushed over upon hearing the news and saw the lonely figure in the room. She instructed Nongqin to fetch some food and went in to inquire about the situation.

The map showed the entire frontier, with Chang’an City being no bigger than a soybean, and beyond the frontier lay thousands of miles of yellow sand. Documents were stacked neatly on the table, a sign of Xie Yu’s usual habits.

Hearing the footsteps, Xie Yu knew who it was and, without raising her head, rallied her spirits and picked up a book, pretending to read it. In her haste, the book was upside down. Xiao Kunning smiled silently, gently took the book away, and moved closer to her. “What were you arguing with Wen Yuke about? Tell me.”

“What’s the use of telling you?” Xie Yu reached out and pulled Xiao Kunning into her embrace, pinching her cheeks. “Are you going to vent my anger for me?”

“No, now let go.” Xiao Kunning felt her face wasn’t her own anymore. She grabbed Xie Yu’s hand and bit her lip, telling her fiercely, “Xie Yu, you deserve for Wen Yuke to wake you up. I couldn’t ask for anything more.”

“Teaming up with her to bully me? You’ve gotten bolder,” Xie Yu’s eyes were shadowed. The hand that was pinching her cheeks moved to her waist and gently gave a pinch. The person in her arms instantly shrank away.

She was ticklish.

Xiao Kunning hadn’t expected Xie Yu to use a trick. When under duress, one must bow one’s head. She immediately changed her tone, “I was wrong. I’ll go vent your anger for you, please, stop, stop…”

“How will you vent my anger?” Xie Yu didn’t fall for it, using her hands to pinch Xiao Kunning’s waist as a threat, ready to pinch back whenever the little liar showed a sign of disobedience.

Xiao Kunning was pressed against the table, her eyes staring at the roof beam, her mind wondering about Wen Yuke’s upright and fearless manner, and what she and Xie Yu had been arguing about. Could it be that Xie Yu had bullied her again?

“Mister Xie, did you bully her?” Wen Yuke was not a hypersensitive or unreasonable person. The disagreement must have stemmed from a clash of opinions, and she absolutely could not fall for Xie Yu’s trick.

Xie Yu sneered, “I bully her? I’ll bully you too.”

Xiao Kunning instinctively sensed a dangerous aura. She covered Xie Yu’s eyes and shouted outside, “Yu Yin, Yu Yin! The Sir is having an episode! Come in quickly!”

There was no response for a long time. Xie Yu found the outer clothes bothersome. She reached out and took off her outer robe. Touching the soft inner garments, she couldn’t help but tremble.

The study door suddenly opened, and a blast of cold wind rushed in. The person who pushed the door open was instantly stunned. Seeing the clothing in her Sir’s hands, she was so frightened that she closed her eyes and slammed the door shut with a bang.

Xie Yu’s face was flushed red, almost the same color as her lips. Xiao Kunning chuckled, “You get shy too? If your face gets any redder, you’ll look like a hawthorn berry. I almost want to take a bite.”

Xie Yu’s nature was reserved. The step she had finally taken was scared back by Yu Yin. She stood in place, completely flustered. In contrast, Xiao Kunning was calm as usual. She wrapped her arms around Xie Yu’s neck and gently bit her crimson earlobe: “Mister Xie, your flustered appearance is endearing. How about I teach you a lesson tonight?”

“Wicked intentions,” Xie Yu rebuked with a red face, her hands still holding the slender waist.