My Love Rivals Have All Reborn - Chapter 73

The sky was covered with clouds in the winter. The long sky was clear, and today’s court assembly did not adjourn until noon.

The evidence presented by the Ministry of Justice was a complete slap in the Emperor’s face. The Emperor remained silent, and even the people from the Zhao imperial clan couldn’t help but argue a few points. Wen Yuke paid them no mind, repeating only one sentence: “The evidence from the Ministry of Justice is true. Arguing is useless.”

The evidence Xie Yu had in the previous life was far more than this. There was not a single clean member among the Zhao descendants. Wen Yuke didn’t need to overthink; by following Xie Yu’s lead to search for evidence, she was sure to gain something.

The Zhao officials were all debated into silence. Finally, someone shouted: “Official Wen’s actions today—could it be that she is jealous of others’ promotions?”

Wen Yuke looked back at the person, waves surging beneath her calm surface, a trace of a smile invisible. A passage flashed through her mind, and she narrated it slowly in front of everyone: “Qin Zhiwei, the eldest son of the Commander Princess of Linping, at the age of twenty, coveted a woman and forcibly dragged her into his residence. Unexpectedly, the woman committed suicide by smashing her head against a pillar. The Commander Princess of Linping personally went to the woman’s home to apologize, appeasing her parents with a thousand taels of silver. Another year, you coveted a piece of land to build a separate residence. When the owner refused, Official Qin ordered people to negotiate. Unexpectedly, they accidentally beat the owner to death and bought the land. Your mistress is currently living in that residence.”

Everyone was astonished. Qin Zhiwei’s face was flushed crimson with shame. He pointed at Wen Yuke and cursed: “Slander! Wen Yuke, how dare you spout nonsense! When did I ever do such a thing?”

Wen Yuke was not angered by being cursed to her face. Instead, she continued: “That mistress was the concubine of the Prince of Xiang’an, whom you favored, so the Prince simply gifted her to you. If you don’t believe me, you can find the person at that separate residence. Furthermore…”

“Enough!” the Emperor roared angrily. Everyone bowed and knelt. Qin Zhi’an was too terrified to speak.

Wen Yuke stood ramrod straight, neither servile nor overbearing, without a hint of fear. She held up her court tablet and addressed the Emperor: “Your Majesty, every word this official speaks is true. Please deliver your judgment.”

The Emperor suppressed his towering fury. His murderous gaze fell upon Wen Yuke. Only after struggling did he say: “Every word Official Wen speaks is true. Qin Zhi’an’s conduct is improper. He shall be demoted. Furthermore, Zhao Zhitang, the Minister of Rites, is stripped of his official post and sent to the Ministry of Justice for pending trial.”

“Your Majesty is wise,” Wen Yuke kowtowed.

“Court adjourned.” The Emperor flicked his sleeve and left.

Only then did the crowd rise, exiting in a stream. No one dared to associate with Wen Yuke. The people of the Zhao imperial clan harbored deep resentment toward her.

The two Vice Ministers of the Ministry of Justice slowly followed behind her. Xiao Mingwang, concerned about her situation, pulled her aside as they left: “You must temper your sharpness. Your actions will incur the resentment of the powerful nobility.”

“It doesn’t matter. I was prepared long ago. Qin Zhi’an ran into me himself today. The Ministry of Justice has the common people’s lawsuits against him suppressed. Later, both the lawsuits and the evidence will be delivered to His Majesty. As for the others, they should just keep a low profile. The Ministry of Justice has many old cases that have been suppressed and not dealt with.”

Which family had not done a thing or two—extorting the common people, abusing their power and bullying others? If they were investigated seriously, a blank sheet of paper could be dyed black.

Xiao Mingwang saw her confidence and grew even more fearful. “Antagonizing the Zhao family is not a good thing. His Majesty is also surnamed Zhao. Your actions look like you are opposing His Majesty.”

“The Ministry of Justice handles affairs only for the truth, not for His Majesty, not for the imperial clan, and not for itself,” Wen Yuke’s tone was icy.

Only by walking the old path that Xie Yu once walked did she realize how difficult it was. What she did was clearly right, yet the world pointed fingers. On the contrary, instead of praising her for redressing injustice, they condemned her for opposing the nobility.

Xie Yu’s actions were selfish, but they were rooted in reality. What Wen Yuke did today was for the common people and for the truth.

The court assembly incident spread like wildfire. The streets and alleys were all talking about it. Tea houses, wine shops, and even pleasure houses all knew of this iron-headed Minister of Justice.

Two days later, the Censorate impeached Wen Yuke for abusing her authority and distorting black and white.

The next day, someone filed a lawsuit against that Censor, accusing him of corruption and bribery, sending the evidence directly to the Ministry of Justice. The Ministry of Justice immediately arrested the person and dealt with him according to the law.

Wen Yuke was so angry when she saw the evidence that she slammed the table. Xie Yu, you bastard! She was creating enemies everywhere for Wen Yuke. The lawsuit against the Censor must have been orchestrated by her.

Without waiting for the office to close, she rushed to the Xie residence in a fury. Xie Yu was discussing the wedding date with Qi Shanbai. The two exchanged words, completely ignoring her.

After Qi Shanbai left, no matter how calm Wen Yuke usually was, she could not suppress her anger. “Xie Yu, if you don’t provoke me, I won’t provoke you. We should stay out of each other’s way. Why did you do those things behind my back?”

Yu Yin saw the enraged Official Wen for the first time. Beneath her cold eyebrows, a storm surged, and there was a lurking ferocity in her icy expression that made people dare not approach.

Xie Yu, however, gently folded the red paper and said slowly, “The twelfth day of the twelfth lunar month is a good day. Suitable for marriage. Does Official Wen think it’s a good date?”

The already irritable Wen Yuke was provoked even further, feeling uncomfortable all over. “Xie Yu, shut up. Whatever you want to do, do it openly and honestly. Sneaking around and slandering me—what kind of sage do you think you are?”

“Xie Yu is a small-minded person, not a sage. Furthermore, you can say it has nothing to do with you, but whether others believe it or not is another matter.” Xie Yu’s expression was relaxed and at ease, her tone radiating cheerfulness. Her composed posture was enough to infuriate a person for quite some time.

“Xie Yu,” Wen Yuke was speechless. A scholar facing a soldier cannot argue reasonably. Now, she was facing a rogue, and all reasoning was futile.

“Would Official Wen like to stay for a meal? My wife made roasted meat today. I heard she learned it from Second Proprietress Zhao. The flavor is good. Would you like to stay and have a piece?” Xie Yu smiled faintly, her starry eyes shimmering with light, bright and moist.

Wen Yuke turned and left in a huff. As she reached the door, she suddenly realized something was amiss: “Xiao Wenxue is the elder sister. By rights, she should marry first. Why are you marrying before me?”

Xie Yu rested her chin on her hand, her smile brilliant: “Because I want to get married in winter to make the New Year livelier. You can also change your date and set it for the same day.”

“Vile, shameless,” Wen Yuke’s excellent upbringing was completely destroyed by Xie Yu’s provocation. Only after leaving the Xie residence did she gradually realize the truth. Xie Yu was doing this on purpose, using her to sweep away the obstacles presented by the imperial clan. Wen Yuke was doing the dirty work, and Xie Yu was sitting back and enjoying the benefits.

She was more than vile; she was barely human.

After returning to her residence, Wen Yuke received a set of clothes sent by Xiao Wenxue. They were loose-sleeved casual clothes that fit perfectly.

Her mood slightly softened. She calmed down and began to think about the recent events. The Emperor wanted the support of the Zhao imperial clan, which was why he placed people in important positions exceptionally. What Xie Yu wanted to do was cut off his right and left arms, but she couldn’t allow Xie Yu to use her to do it.

Deep into the night, she was too angry to sleep, tossing and turning. After pulling the quilt over her head, she suddenly heard sounds of fighting outside. She opened the door and saw people exchanging blows in the courtyard.

Immediately following, the guards of the residence arrived and joined the fight.

One person retreated from the crowd, scurried forward, bowed, and saluted: “Nongqin has been sent by Mister Xie to protect Official’s safety.”

It’s Xie Yu again…

Wen Yuke didn’t sleep all night. After capturing the assassin, she sent him to the Ministry of Justice for interrogation in the middle of the night, first removing his jaw to prevent him from committing suicide.

At dawn, she rushed to the court assembly. The Emperor appointed a new Minister of Rites, who was indeed a member of the imperial clan—Prince Yongping, a cousin of the Emperor.

The officials did not speak again. Wen Yuke did not have the energy to listen to these matters. After the assembly adjourned, she rushed back to the Ministry of Justice. The assassin had committed suicide.

The jailers did not know how it happened, only that he had died unexpectedly, guessing he couldn’t withstand the torture.

Wen Yuke was mentally exhausted. At noon, she went to the Xie residence to thank Xie Yu for saving her life.

Xie Yu was carefree and leisurely at the residence, fishing and roasting meat, and accompanying Xiao Kunning to the Moxiang Pavilion. She looked slightly more radiant, leaning against the window-side couch, smiling as she welcomed her guest.

“Official Wen must be fond of the Xie residence. You came yesterday and again today. Do you perhaps want to live here?”

“I came to thank you for saving my life. Your kindness is truly appreciated,” Wen Yuke said through clenched teeth.

Xiao Kunning was at the table checking account books and felt the atmosphere was subtle. She instinctively separated the two people who were standing close together: “What riddles are you two speaking? What saving grace?”

“Nothing. You just sit and enjoy the show,” Xie Yu pulled her to sit down on one side, her hand gripping her slender waist possessively, raising her eyebrow at Wen Yuke: “Official Wen, please sit and have a cup of tea. Shall we talk slowly?”

“Xie Yu, be careful not to get beaten up on the road,” Wen Yuke chose to sit on the side, watching the two clinging people with cold eyes.

“I haven’t been beaten, but you were assassinated. Without Nongqin, you would be a dead person. Is this how you speak to your savior?” Xie Yu sneered, meeting Wen Yuke’s angry gaze. She chose to pull Xiao Kunning closer again, whispering in her ear: “She hasn’t taken her medicine today. Pay her no mind.”

Xiao Kunning frowned. “Is Official Wen sick? Why does she need medicine?”

Wen Yuke’s eyes were stung by the sight before her. Her hands rested politely on her knees, and she struggled to speak steadily: “Mister Xie’s actions are becoming increasingly shameless. She uses my name to find trouble for the imperial clan and feels guilty, so she ordered Nongqin to protect me. I returned from court, and the assassin had already committed suicide. Mister Xie, how do you think this matter should be dealt with?”

Xiao Kunning forced a smile and comforted her: “Official Wen, please calm down. Why bother arguing with a petty person? You are a magnanimous person; don’t stoop to her level. Please endure what comes next.”

The light in Wen Yuke’s eyes grew dimmer at her words. What did she mean by ‘endure what comes next’? Was she asking her to take the blame again?

“Miss Xiao is becoming increasingly unreasonable.”

Xiao Kunning chuckled. “Proximity to cinnabar makes one red; proximity to ink makes one black. That is the principle you often speak of, isn’t it?”

Wen Yuke choked. It seemed impossible to reason at the Xie residence. She simply changed the topic: “If this matter is shelved after the assassin’s suicide, I fear there will be no peace in the future.”

“Handle all the old cases suppressed by the Ministry of Justice together. Catch them off guard,” Xie Yu said lazily, her calm posture revealing a hint of ruthlessness.

Wen Yuke was now in a difficult position and followed her lead. “I believe there must be an insider in this matter. Even if the old cases of the Ministry of Justice are handled, they may change their pleas. Instead of alerting the enemy, let’s focus on new cases.”

“New cases?” Xie Yu pondered, but her hands did not stop, holding the person beside her tightly, unwilling to miss a single gap.

Xiao Kunning was held so tight she couldn’t breathe. She secretly pinched Xie Yu’s hand to get a chance to catch her breath.

Wen Yuke pretended not to see their little movements and actively threw a challenge at Xie Yu: “As for what new case, that depends on Mister Xie’s methods. His Majesty summoned several members of the imperial clan today, presumably to gain their support.”

Luring the imperial clan and seeking support—Zhao Chulin was different from Zhao Mian. Being on good terms with the clan would bring many conveniences.

Xie Yu couldn’t help but glance at her, saying: “Official Wen has cases piling up like mountains, so it shouldn’t be difficult. But if you want a new case, so be it. No one in the vortex is clean. Is Official Wen clean? Tracing the roots, the Wen family’s past is also your stain.”

“Mister Xie’s reminder is suggestive. The Wen family’s actions have nothing to do with me.”

“Good. Official Wen, will you stay for dinner?” Xie Yu asked with a smile. Xiao Kunning also nodded: “Please stay for dinner.”

“No,” Wen Yuke felt uncomfortable, utterly uncomfortable, even physically distressed. She’d rather go hungry.

Xiao Kunning didn’t understand her reaction and tried to persuade her kindly: “Little Yu cooked personally today. Her bone broth is quite good.”

“I won’t drink it,” Wen Yuke turned to leave. What did personal cooking have to do with her? What was so good about bone broth? It wasn’t like she couldn’t make it herself.

Xiao Kunning tried to dissuade her further but was silenced by Xie Yu covering her mouth. A hot breath tickled her ear: “She is angry. We will drink the broth ourselves. We’ll ask your sister to make soup for her.”

Xie Yu’s voice was soft as wind, conveying ‘triumph.’ Xiao Kunning couldn’t help but roll her eyes. She pushed Xie Yu’s hand away and said: “Can you stop provoking her?”

“Why should I not provoke her?” Xie Yu pretended not to understand. She rubbed Xiao Kunning’s lips, pulled her whole body over, and contentedly bit down on the soft petal of her lips.

Xie Yu was becoming increasingly shameless. She had been reserved just a few days ago, but the longer she stayed, the more she forgot the meaning of decency.

Xiao Kunning was kissed unexpectedly. The icy atmosphere suddenly turned ambiguous.

Yu Yin came to report from outside the door. She crossed the threshold but heard no talking. Remembering how the two got along, she withdrew her foot and shouted loudly from outside: “Sir, your subordinate has something to report.”

Xiao Kunning gasped in surprise, unconsciously biting Xie Yu’s lip. Xie Yu flinched in pain and slowly released her, covering her lip. Xiao Kunning ran away apologetically.

Only then did Yu Yin dare to enter. She handed the intelligence report to her Sir: “Sir, the matters you instructed have been properly arranged.”

Xie Yu leaned on the armrest, her slender, fair fingers covering the bitten spot. She stared intently at Yu Yin: “Is there anything else?”

Yu Yin’s forehead contracted under her gaze. She instinctively took two steps back and lowered her head: “No, Sir.”

“Don’t you know how to wait?” Xie Yu’s expression turned cold.

Yu Yin trembled slightly: “When you gave the instructions, you asked for it to be done quickly. Your subordinate thought it was urgent, so I rushed a bit.”

“Get out,” Xie Yu couldn’t help but explode in anger. She opened her mouth, and the pain made her frown. She wished she could beat Yu Yin.

Yu Yin hurriedly scurried out. Unexpectedly, just as she stepped out, a maid rushed over: “Sir, Madam Xiao is here.”

When Xie Yu stepped into the main hall, she saw the woman in the bamboo-green color. Her hair was adorned with a jade-green bamboo leaf hairpin. Her sitting posture was dignified, and her hands, resting on her stomach, wore a smooth, white jade bracelet.

Her simple attire exuded an imposing aura that commanded respect. The maids in the hall lowered their heads, not daring to speak, knowing Madam Luo had come to confront their Sir.

Xie Yu approached and saluted: “Madam Xiao.”

Madam Luo remained seated. Today, Xie Yu only had the title of Commandery Princess but nothing else, so Madam Luo didn’t need to look up to her. She raised her eyes slightly and said: “I came today to ask for Mister Xie’s intentions. The Xiao family’s daughters are not without suitors. You cling stubbornly, and the Xiao family is helpless.”

The maids exchanged glances. Their Sir was not without suitors either. Xie Yu remained silent, not refuting her words.

Madam Luo continued: “Since you like A-Ning, our Xiao residence is not a demanding household. You are A-Ning’s teacher, like an elder.”

“She showed me kindness years ago. I have always remembered it and kept it in my heart. I want to spend the rest of my life with her and not fail her in this life,” Xie Yu said steadily.

Madam Luo scanned her. “A-Ning was so young then. She wouldn’t remember you at all. As for those past events, they are likely only your concern. The Xiao residence also has rules. Whether you are Xie Yu or Zhao Yu, we don’t care. The marriage must follow the Xiao family’s rules. As A-Ning is the youngest, she must marry after Wenxue.”

“Impossible. Everything else is negotiable, but not this. The wedding will be in the twelfth lunar month,” Xie Yu refused with a frown.

“The Xiao residence observes rules. If you are unwilling, we won’t force it,” Madam Luo’s tone was firm.

Xie Yu massaged her forehead. Madam Luo indeed had many rules. She suddenly had an idea: “Does it mean that as long as Xiao Wenxue is married, A-Ning can get married?”

Madam Luo nodded: “Naturally.”

“Does Madam have anything else to say?” A hint of relief eased Xie Yu’s heart.

Madam Luo said: “I must take her back. You two must not meet again before the wedding.”

Xie Yu’s face instantly turned cold. Madam Luo added: “The Xiao family has rules. I hope Mister Xie complies. We have already acknowledged the marriage certificate. If you become unreasonable again, things will be difficult.”

Xie Yu remembered Madam Luo’s personality. Compared to Xiao Mingwang, she cared more about propriety. If Xie Yu made a scene, Madam Luo would truly renege on the marriage. She could only agree: “Very well.”

Only then did Madam Luo stand up. “Please ask Mister Xie to bring my daughter.”

Xie Yu ordered Yu Yin to fetch the person.

A moment later, Madam Luo took Xiao Kunning and left just like that. Yu Yin watched the dust beneath the sun and sighed to Xie Yu: “Sir, what is this? Someone who isn’t even their own can be taken away just like that. You couldn’t refute a single word.”

Xie Yu was unhappy. She gave Yu Yin a cold glare, turned, and went back into the residence in a huff.

After Xiao Kunning returned to the Xiao residence, Xie Yu was free to focus her energy on the court, adding many cases to the Ministry of Justice.

The Ministry of Justice worked quickly, deciding several cases in a single day. Once a case was closed, the person was detained directly, and the decision to execute or demote was left to the Emperor.

For a time, many members of the Zhao imperial clan were implicated in unknown cases. The memorials received by the Emperor piled up like mountains, leaving him no time to deal with Xie Yu and the Shen family.

For half a month straight, the cases at the Ministry of Justice accumulated like snow. Many people blocked the door of the Ministry of Justice, terrified of being implicated.

Shen Siyuan took the opportunity to seek out Xie Yu for a game of chess. The two often sat for an entire afternoon. In the twilight, Shen Siyuan could be seen furiously cursing Xie Yu for being disrespectful to her elders.

Amidst the chaos, Wen Yuke proactively moved her wedding date forward to the end of the eleventh lunar month. The Xiao residence initially refused, but after the Wen family’s grandmother went to the Xiao residence and spoke nicely, Madam Luo finally agreed.

Xie Yu seized the chance to follow suit, setting her wedding for the twelfth day of the twelfth lunar month. Madam Luo nearly fainted from anger, but fortunately, the Old Prince intervened to mediate, preventing the two families from falling out completely.

The Six Ministries were in a state of chaos. The Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works constantly shirked responsibility during account reconciliation. After much bickering, the Ministry of Justice presented evidence of the Ministry of Works falsely reporting silver expenditures and the Ministry of Revenue’s corruption.

The Xiao residence was quite peaceful. Xiao Wenxue rushed day and night to embroider her wedding dress. Xiao Kunning sat in the room by the fire, flipping through the gift list provided by the Xie family and joking with Xiao Wenxue.

As the two sisters talked and laughed, heavy snow began to fall outside. The frontier demanded grain and supplies at this time. The Ministry of Revenue shirked responsibility, claiming that the silver had already been allocated and sent.

A maid brought news from outside. Xiao Kunning popped a piece of venison into her mouth. The delicious scent of meat warmed her heart. It was a time of turmoil, not much different from the previous life, and nine times out of ten, Xie Yu was orchestrating it behind the scenes.

Xiao Wenxue pinched the flesh on Xiao Kunning’s jaw: “Look at you. Mister Xie sent the venison in winter to nourish you, not for you to roast and eat like this.”

Xiao Kunning’s gluttony was inherited from Zhao Xiran. She often roasted meat to eat.

Xiao Kunning picked up a piece of roasted meat and put it into Xiao Wenxue’s mouth: “It’s going into the stomach either way. Why bother with the way it’s eaten? Eating roasted meat in the snow is the only way to feel warm.”

“In the snow…” Xiao Wenxue’s mouth was full of venison, making it difficult to speak. She chewed and swallowed slowly. “Soup is nourishing. Roasting it is too greasy. It’s better to drink more tea in the evening to cut the grease. The flower tea you brought back from Jiangnan is still here. Have a cup, it helps you sleep.”

“Whatever you say, whatever you say,” Xiao Kunning felt her sister was getting increasingly noisy. She didn’t pay any mind until she finished the roasted meat, then asked the maid: “How is Official Wen doing recently?”

Xiao Wenxue’s chopsticks paused. She also looked at the maid, her eyes filled with concern. Wen Yuke was walking the path Xie Yu took in the previous life, but she didn’t have Xie Yu’s powerful backing.