My Love Rivals Have All Reborn - Chapter 8

Zhao Xiran was no ordinary woman. Her observation of people and events carried her own subjective perspective, and she sensed a difference in the heroic young woman before her. After a keen appraisal, she finally looked at Xiao Kuning: “A rare guest. You actually came back. Is that Madam Xiao not treating you well?”

She spoke of the Xiao Mingwang and his wife with such calmness, as if they were strangers she did not know, leaving Shen Rui unable to understand this woman.

A woman who dominated the business world was decisive and sharp, without any hesitation.

Shen Rui paid her respects as a junior: “Aunt Zhao.”

The two words ‘Aunt Zhao’ made Zhao Xiran’s mouth twitch. Just as she was about to show her displeasure, Xiao Kuning shielded Shen Rui behind her: “Zhao Xiran, has your daughter returned?”

Zhao Xiran was well-maintained, her face fair and delicate like a young girl’s. Though she was not Xiao Kuning’s mother, the two shared one point of similarity: their pair of peach blossom eyes.

She stroked the stray hairs at her temple and said: “No. If she doesn’t come back, then so be it. It’s cheap for you. When I die, all the Zhao family’s money will be yours.”

Upon hearing this, Shen Rui was displeased, and a surge of anger rose within her. It felt as if Ah Ning was only getting this because Xiao Wenxue didn’t want it. A chill immediately appeared in her youthful eyes: “Aunt Zhao is overly concerned. Ah Ning is not lacking for such things.”

Zhao Xiran became serious. She looked at Shen Rui again, drawn to the jade pendant on her slender waist. It was of excellent quality, exquisitely polished, and obviously belonged to someone wealthy and noble.

The Xiao family did not have any extremely wealthy relatives. The Luo family had long declined and could not produce such a priceless item.

She couldn’t help but look again: “Which manor does the young lady belong to?”

Shen Rui smiled faintly, proudly raising her chin: “The Shen family of the Zhennan Prince’s Manor.”

Zhao Xiran beamed: “So it’s the little County Princess. Please come in, please come in.”

Xiao Kuning: “…”

Shen Rui: “…”

Zhao Xiran took Shen Rui’s hand and walked toward the house, holding her hand and asking about her family background, how many people were in her household, and if she had siblings.

She asked about everything in meticulous detail.

Xiao Kuning was used to this. Zhao Xiran traveled all over the country. Her eyes were sharp, and she knew what to say to different people. She could converse fluently with peddlers, soldiers, and court officials and could discern Shen Rui’s identity, so this was not strange.

Her purpose for coming to Qingcheng was to use the Zhao family’s power to gather intelligence about the border situation.

Did the Zhennan Prince truly rebel?

The two people inside engaged in small talk. A maid entered carrying floral tea. Zhao Xiran’s cup contained rose tea, made from the softest rose petals, stir-fried over high heat until dry.

Shen Rui looked at the roses floating in the cup, quite curious. Zhao Xiran explained to her: “It’s for the complexion, but you are young and don’t need it. Just drink a cup casually.”

Xiao Kuning held the floral tea, taking a gentle sip. The rose fragrance lingered. Memories from many years ago flooded her mind. She looked up, right at Shen Rui’s profile.

It was impossibly familiar. Compared to the Shen Rui in her memory, this one had less hostility and sharpness, replaced by a gentle, calm beauty.

A moment later, Zhao Xiran found an excuse: “I have a hot spring here. Go take a look and try it.”

To invite someone to soak in a hot spring the moment they enter the house—Madam Zhao’s way of thinking was truly unique.

Shen Rui did not refuse but agreed obediently. She smiled at Ah Ning and happily left.

The steady and outgoing young woman was like a warm breeze, always comforting.

Xiao Kuning looked down guiltily. As she stared at the floor tiles, a shadow fell before her. Zhao Xiran stood there, poking her forehead: “Can’t win her heart, so you came to me for help?”

“You are overthinking it. You should have some business dealings on the border, right?”

Zhao Xiran held the floral tea: “What, do you want my business on the border? To be honest with you, the Zhao family’s business on the border is a losing venture. Do you know that the Emperor’s military allocation to the Zhennan Prince is less and less each year? That little County Princess may look infinitely glorious, but she probably doesn’t know the difficulties involved.”

Xiao Kuning was surprised: “The Emperor intends to force the Zhennan Prince to his death?”

After experiencing so much in the previous life, though she did not understand court politics, a military force without funds was a grave taboo.

Zhao Xiran shook her head: “I don’t understand these things, it’s just news from the border. Right, how did that old woman, Madam Luo, agree to let you come back?”

She used the word ‘come back,’ not ‘come over.’

Xiao Kuning smiled bitterly: “She doesn’t know. I want the information about your border transactions. Will you give it to me?”

She wanted to know if the Zhennan Prince had truly rebelled before Zhao Mian condemned him.

Shen Rui eventually rebelled, but it was with Xie Yu.

Zhao Xiran was a merchant, the lowest class in the social hierarchy of Great Zhou (scholars, farmers, artisans, merchants). But she lived freely. She did not understand Xiao Kuning’s distress and, for a moment, did not grasp her intentions. She said: “If you want it, I’ll give it to you. You’ll have to put your own money into it.”

Xiao Kuning: “Give me your Moxian Hall (Ink Fragrance Studio).”

Zhao Xiran agreed: “You can have it. That’s also a losing venture. The backer of Hengxiang Pavilion across the street is a big shot. I don’t need to compete with them.”

In Chang’an City, business is not based on how capable you are, but on managing all connections. While ability is important, life is more so.

Xiao Kuning got a headache upon hearing this: “If it’s all losing ventures, why are you doing it?”

Zhao Xiran said: “Chang’an is the capital of Great Zhou, right under the Emperor’s nose. We live far away in Jiangnan. To know what is happening in Chang’an in a timely manner, we must have our own network. By the time others tell you, it will be evening. Do you think you’d still have time to make plans?”

Xiao Kuning was silent. In the previous life, she was in Chang’an but ignored many things. Thinking about it now, she was merely a small shrimp compared to the big fish, Xie Yu.

Even being compared was a compliment to Xiao Kuning.

“I understand what you mean. Just give me Moxian Hall. I won’t do anything that loses money. I’ll take it as practice.”

Zhao Xiran, however, looked down upon her: “Do you understand the qin?”

Xiao Kuning shook her head: “No.”

Zhao Xiran almost flipped the table: “You don’t understand the qin, and you want to open a qin shop? They could cheat you out of your entire fortune with one instrument.”

Xiao Kuning: “…”

Zhao Xiran thought about it again: “If you want it, I’ll give it to you. I don’t care. I don’t care if you spend all your monthly allowance.”

She had more than just this one shop in Chang’an anyway.

Xiao Kuning insisted on taking Moxian Hall. She left the front hall absent-mindedly. The Zhao manor was very spacious, with houses spread out like stars. If she hadn’t lived here for a while, she would have almost gotten lost.

The luggage from the carriage had already been taken and delivered to the courtyard. A maid led her to see Shen Rui.

Shen Rui was soaking in the hot spring.

She was dressed only in an undergarment. The damp collar clung tightly to her skin, glimpsed through the mist like distant mountains, wearing a thin veil.

Xiao Kuning stopped far away. A thick mink fur was spread on a soft couch on one side, and behind a huangauli wood screen was the steaming hot spring.

The spring room was quite large, like a small courtyard in the Xiao manor. Xiao Kuning, who was used to the extravagance of the palace life in her previous life, did not widen her eyes at the sight.

Zhao Xiran was unconventional and had done many astonishing things, yet her business acumen could not be forgotten.

When she fell out with Xiao Mingwang, the Zhao family was merely a small household. It steadily grew stronger under Zhao Xiran’s management, making rapid progress in the following years. Even Xie Yu began to be wary of her.

Zhao Xiran was different from others. Her demeanor and thoughts were above average.

As a child, she had seen Zhao Xiran curse the heavens while drunk. Women were inherently delicate, and in this era, they faced many inconveniences, restrained by more rules than men. Yet, Zhao Xiran lived freely and unrestrainedly.

When dealing with people, because Zhao Xiran was a woman, they often showed contempt or even behaved frivolously. She could immediately turn hostile, never blinking even for the greatest profit.

One year, Zhao Xiran beat a business owner unconscious and almost faced imprisonment for it.

Shen Rui emerged, dressed in clean clothes. She was still carefree. The round-collared robe added a touch of childishness. She sighed in comfort and said: “This Proprietress Zhao is worlds apart from Xiao Wenxue in temperament. You, on the other hand, resemble her somewhat. The Zhao family must be a place of good fortune to have raised such a fine young lady as you.”

Xiao Kuning did not care for her compliments. Her purpose for coming was achieved. After staying for two days, it would be time to return to Chang’an.

Shen Rui asked: “Teacher went to the post house. Do you want to go see her?”

Visit Xie Yu? Xiao Kuning immediately shook her head. She wished she would never see Xie Yu again in her life.

“Alright then. We won’t go,” Shen Rui indulged her, asking for no reason.

Dinner at the Zhao manor was exquisite, especially the grape wine. The reddish liquid was sweet in taste but potent.

The chef roasted lamb chops. The seared texture and the sauce seasoning were unique. Biting into it, one couldn’t even detect any gamey smell.

Shen Rui grew up on the border and rarely got to eat this kind of lamb chop. She couldn’t help but eat several pieces in the evening, praising it profusely.

Zhao Xiran sat in the main seat. The red wine filled the cup in her hand. Her slender fingers made her skin appear fair. Her rosy lips were slightly pursed. The wine was intoxicating. She looked at the primly seated Xiao Kuning: “Are you tired?”

Xiao Kuning turned: “What do you mean?”

Zhao Xiran looked up at the ceiling, speaking unconventional words: “Life is short, only a few decades. You have already lived seventeen years. Don’t you think it’s a waste to be so unhappy? Seizing the day is the ultimate principle. This world is unfair to women. You are so miserable at such a young age. It would be better not to live.”

Shen Rui wiped the grease from the corner of her mouth. She didn’t quite understand the phrase ‘This world is unfair to women’ and asked: “Aunt…”

“Shut up. If you call me ‘Aunt’ again, I will marry Ning Ning off to someone else,” Zhao Xiran said, displeased.

Shen Rui grumbled, stopping her words. Should I call her ‘Elder Sister’?

Then wouldn’t she and Ah Ning be of different generations?

Zhao Xiran proactively said: “You can call me ‘Elder Sister’ until you two get married.”

Shen Rui: “…” She does not lack an older sister.

After eating and drinking their fill, Zhao Xiran escorted Xiao Kuning back to her room.

The moonlight shone, and the scent of flowers permeated the air along the way. The scenery of the Zhao manor was beautiful even at night.

Zhao Xiran pulled Xiao Kuning forward. Shen Rui sullenly followed behind, listening to the Zhao Elder Sister speak: “I don’t understand what kind of potion Madam Luo fed you. A woman should prioritize herself. Don’t learn Madam Luo’s belief that the husband is everything. If the man is no good, change him. The little County Princess is excellent…”

Shen Rui was delighted.

A hurried footsteps sounded behind them. The steward chased after them: “Proprietress, a card has arrived from the post house. It says that Grand Tutor Xie will come to pay a visit tomorrow.”

Zhao Xiran had almost traversed every inch of Great Zhou. She had seen all kinds of people: wandering swordsmen traveling the world, wealthy young men touring the mountains and rivers, and even court officials sitting in high halls. Each had their own unique characteristics. Sometimes, she could discern their identity with a single glance.

Only the person before her possessed the air of a lone sail disappearing in the distance, a graceful and free demeanor, behaving like a hermit, with a face like an immortal from the moon.

Her beauty was stunningly enchanting, her eyes like the white snow on a high mountain.

She lowered her head, looking uncertainly at the name card: Grand Tutor Xie Yu.

A woman who taught the royal family was a little higher in rank than a teacher in a school—no, her monthly allowance was much higher.

Considering her official rank and family background, she didn’t seem to be any better than the little County Princess.