My Love Rivals Have All Reborn - Chapter 72

After the atmosphere in the Xie residence turned cozy, Yu Yin went to fetch water to wash her eyes. Meanwhile, in the Hanguang Palace, the new Emperor slammed down a memorial. He maintained his imperial dignity in front of the palace servants, but after the attending eunuch left, he furiously kicked the desk, his chest heaving with rage.

“Xie Yu, Xie Yu! She has the nerve to talk with Shen Siyuan but dares to disobey Our decree! Utterly audacious! Rampant, too rampant! We will certainly make you pay the price.”

The sound of his angry words echoed above the cold palace hall, with no one daring to respond. The inner attendant outside the hall was too scared to move, bowing and waiting after hearing a crash of breaking objects inside.

The restored quiet of the hall was filled with an eerie, icy solemnity. The Imperial Guard patrolled back and forth outside the hall. The winter wind whipped across their faces, causing a shiver.

The next morning during the court assembly, the Emperor used the opportunity to demote several ministers. The officials dared not voice their anger. Wen Yuke stood in the hall, also afraid to speak, quietly observing the Emperor seated on the throne. His expression was sullen, and his posture was rigid.

She lowered her gaze and remained silent. A moment later, the Emperor seized the opportunity to dismiss Qi Shanbai, the Minister of Rites, citing his advanced age and inability to serve, and immediately appointed someone to replace the Minister’s position.

Killing the chicken to scare the monkeys. This phrase appeared in Wen Yuke’s mind. The elderly Official Qi Shanbai trembled as he expressed his gratitude, removed his official hat, and slowly walked out of the central political hall with a stooped back. Others looked on with pity. The newly appointed Minister of Rites was a member of the Zhao clan, over thirty, and without any notable achievements.

Wen Yuke was not surprised like the others, not even blinking, and quietly stood in her place.

After the assembly adjourned, the officials quickly withdrew. Wen Yuke slowly walked amidst the crowd, heading out against the cold wind. Lately, the palace guards had doubled, strictly protecting the Emperor’s hall and preventing anyone from easily entering.

Qi Shanbai had met Xie Yu yesterday and was dismissed today.

Wen Yuke walked out of the palace as if nothing had happened. The others did not dare to talk and rushed back to their respective departments to handle their duties.

When boarding her carriage, she encountered Xiao Mingwang. She bowed in greeting. Xiao Mingwang climbed into her carriage and anxiously inquired about today’s events: “I always feel that was an implied warning?”

“Is that so? Official Xiao, you are overthinking. The old Minister is indeed advanced in age.”

Xiao Mingwang shook his head. “No, he was close to Xie Yu. If he was to be dismissed, why not earlier? It just so happens that Xie Yu returned before he was sent home. Don’t you think that’s strange?”

Xiao Mingwang’s worry was about being implicated by Xie Yu. Wen Yuke saw through people’s hearts and understood his intention, so she said: “Official, you are mistaken. Why would His Majesty dislike Xie Yu? How could a nephew and uncle harbor enmity? It is merely that His Majesty wants to court the Zhao imperial clan to gain support from the Zhao family.”

“Is that what you think?” Xiao Mingwang was convinced and gradually felt relieved. After leaving the palace road, he got out of the carriage to return to the Ministry of Personnel.

Wen Yuke calmly returned to the Ministry of Justice, sorting through the cases in her hands one by one. The middle-aged man who replaced Qi Shanbai today was a Prince of the Commandery. Although he had no achievements, he relied on his imperial status to do many things. A case regarding him was in the Ministry of Justice. If exposed, the court would surely be shaken.

She was truly unwilling to let such a corrupt element enter the court. After a struggle, she compiled the case into a file, intending to report it to His Majesty at tomorrow’s court assembly. This was not meant to cause trouble, but Xie Yu’s words echoed in her mind: The Zhao dynasty’s fate is at an end.

The winter day grew colder and colder. A gust of wind blew like a sharp knife. Xie Yu wrapped herself in a great cloak when she left the house. Xiao Kunning waved her off at the gate, then turned and went to the Moxiang Pavilion.

Xie Yu’s carriage slowly drove into the palace. Yu Yin and Nongqin guarded the side, watching her walk slowly into the hall.

There was no charcoal burning in the hall, so the temperature was similar to the outside. The Emperor sat at the imperial desk. The anger of the previous night had long been suppressed, replaced only by a kindly smile on his face.

As Xie Yu approached, the Emperor personally walked down to greet her: “It’s been a long time. Is your health better? You didn’t even enter the palace to see Us after returning. If We hadn’t heard from others, We would barely have known.”

“Your Majesty,” Xie Yu knelt to salute, then spoke again, driven by self-interest: “You are too kind. I have returned for my marriage. Once the wedding is over, I will leave and do not wish to disturb Your Majesty.”

“Getting married?” The Emperor feigned surprise, guiding Xie Yu to a chair on the side. He ordered palace servants to brew tea, and seeing Xie Yu shivering slightly from the cold, thoughtfully ordered charcoal to be prepared. After giving the instructions, he sat down again. “Who are you marrying?”

“The Second Miss of Official Xiao Mingwang’s residence. I have known her since childhood,” Xie Yu said softly.

“That’s good news. Will you leave after getting married?” The Emperor observed Xie Yu’s expression, which was as calm as ever.

Xie Yu replied: “She wants to return to Jiangnan and desires a quiet life.”

“Are you willing to give up the prosperity of Chang’an City for her?” the Emperor probed.

Xie Yu smiled faintly. “I intended to seek revenge. Now that my vengeance is complete, I also wish to leave Chang’an.”

The Emperor was uneasy. “To be frank, there are still people of Zhao Mian in the court. We are troubled by headaches. Since you have returned, why not stay and assist Us?”

“Your Majesty overestimates me. You are the divinely chosen Emperor, an enlightened ruler. My ambition is not here. I hope Your Majesty will choose someone else,” Xie Yu ignored the probing in his tone, unwilling even to be perfunctory.

Xie Yu’s straightforwardness made the Emperor uneasy. Xie Yu’s expression was as before, her frankness mixed with a sense of certainty, as if she had set a trap for him to fall into. “You seem to have changed. Are you still harboring resentment toward Us?”

The palace servant gently placed the tea cups in front of them, not daring to linger, and quickly withdrew.

“My willingness to take that sword blow for you was to repay your kindness for saving my life back then,” Xie Yu said listlessly, cupping the scalding tea to warm her hands. Noticing the dark circles under the Emperor’s eyes, she casually inquired: “Your Majesty looks unwell. You must be overly fatigued. You should take care of your health.”

The two of them exchanged pleasantries, caring for each other as they had in the past. After a brief talk, the Emperor sincerely tried to persuade her to stay: “The Prime Minister position is vacant. Why don’t you stay?”

Xie Yu smiled. “To be honest, my mother is still alive. After marrying, I hope to accompany her and fulfill my filial duty.”

“What…” The Emperor suddenly froze, forgetting even to breathe. He quickly recovered, picked up his teacup, and took a large gulp. The scalding tea burned his throat, making him nearly jump up.

Xie Yu pretended not to notice and gently explained to him: “I rescued my mother and settled her outside. Chang’an City is too complicated and not suitable for her recovery.”

“Where did you put her? Is she well?” The Emperor’s tone was slightly panicked. Even he was unaware that he was so nervous.

Xie Yu was calm. “She is very well. She misses you very much, her younger brother.”

“That’s good, that’s good,” the Emperor repeated, unconsciously rising and walking toward his imperial seat. “Let’s talk after your marriage.”

The intention to dismiss her was very clear. Xie Yu stood up to take her leave.

The moment she stepped out of the hall, the Emperor’s vicious gaze attacked her like the darkness of night. He slammed his hand down on the table, and boundless hatred poured out, enveloping the room.

Meanwhile, Xie Yu, having left the palace, detoured to the Su Family Apothecary.

The Su Family Apothecary was crowded with people. Gu Ning was at the counter collecting silver, her hands trembling from counting. The money was all small change—one or two copper coins—which could not compare to a single deal at the Hengxiang Pavilion.

The hardworking Proprietress Gu, upon seeing her savior, eagerly shoved the abacus toward the pharmacy assistant and politely welcomed Xie Yu to the back courtyard: “Mister Xie, how can I help you?”

“Proprietress Gu is so enthusiastic because of the silver. I arranged a marriage for you. Shouldn’t you repay me?” Xie Yu accepted the tea Gu Ning offered so attentively.

Hearing that, Gu Ning’s expression immediately dropped. “So you want me to do free work. Forget it, forget it. I owe you. How should I arrange it for you? Big or small ceremony?”

“Just make it lively, like the ceremony in front of the Gu residence.”

“You want to cause trouble?” Gu Ning’s face immediately turned cold. She instinctively warned Xie Yu: “This is Chang’an City. What are you trying to stir up? Are you not afraid that Xiao Kunning will change her mind and refuse to marry you if you use your own wedding?”

Xie Yu remained unfazed and continued to smile: “We must have a grand ceremony because we are getting married. A joyous occasion should be known throughout Chang’an City, lest interested parties continue to stare at the Xiao residence.”

Gu Ning decided not to interrupt her line of thought. After all, she was just a merchant and didn’t understand other matters, so she said: “Very well, I’ll listen to you.”

Xie Yu put down her teacup, not wanting any more tea. She instructed Gu Ning on a few details and then led her people away.

Passing by the Prince of Zhennan’s residence, Shen Rui was instructing the gatekeepers on some business, then led her horse out. Xie Yu lifted the curtain of her carriage. Shen Rui trotted closer, bowed, and saluted: “Mister Xie.”

“The Commandery Princess’s mind is unstable. It is better for her to reflect at the residence for some time.”

“Mister Xie should worry more about your own affairs. A relationship obtained through forced marriage, deception, and calculated seduction is surely not destined to last long,” Shen Rui didn’t even raise her eyes, the hand gripping the reins tightening slightly, as she looked ahead at the road.

Xie Yu smiled faintly. “I was never a virtuous person. All that matters is obtaining the person. In contrast, the Commandery Princess’s efforts for so long were useless.”

Shen Rui was shaking with rage. She raised her head, her gaze fixed on Xie Yu filled with ferocity, her eyes deep. “What are you so proud of, Mister?”

“I am not proud. I am merely advising the Commandery Princess to be more open-minded.” Xie Yu smiled as she lowered the carriage curtain, closed her eyes, and ordered the coachman: “Return to the residence.”

Shen Rui turned to look at the departing carriage, her hand unconsciously resting on the hilt of the sword at her waist, her eyes full of hatred.

Back at the Xie residence, Yu Yin handed her the letter sent from Dengzhou. “Princess Gaoyang is hurrying you.”

“Burn it. Even if I am to get married, all other matters move aside,” Xie Yu bypassed her and walked straight to the rear courtyard.

Yu Yin nodded and ordered a person to head to Dengzhou.