My Love Rivals Have All Reborn - Chapter 9

Xie Yu’s arrival plunged the Zhao manor into tension.

Business and officialdom were fundamentally different. Regardless of the reason, Xie Yu’s mere presence—her brilliant aura, severe and aloof composure—made people afraid to speak loudly.

Zhao Xiran personally led her in, offering her a seat and serving tea.

Xie Yu’s reputation preceded her. She was a descendant of the Luo-yang aristocratic family, recommended to Emperor Zhao Mian by Duke of Jin, Yan Hui. At that time, Zhao Mian had been Crown Prince for twenty years. Before the late Emperor passed away, he felt Zhao Mian lacked virtue and considered changing the heir. The Duke of Jin’s subordinates recommended the Xie family daughter, Xie Yu, who managed to turn the tide and ensure Zhao Mian successfully ascended the throne.

The late Emperor met with Xie Yu before his death and then issued a final decree that Crown Prince Zhao Mian would succeed him.

No one knew what Xie Yu said to the late Emperor. Even when the Emperor asked, Xie Yu only smiled faintly and said nothing more.

Upon first meeting Xie Yu, with her gentle demeanor and stunning beauty—possessing the ancient style of a sage—Zhao Xiran still didn’t believe this person was any good.

She felt the guest brought ill intent.

Xiao Kuning stood to the side, eyes focused straight ahead, not uttering a word. Zhao Xiran was skilled in social dealings. Seeing this, she understood the two must know each other. She smiled and asked Xie Yu: “Grand Tutor Xie’s visit to my Zhao family today must be for a purpose.”

Xie Yu took a shallow sip of the fragrant tea. The aroma lingered between her teeth. She said lightly: “His Majesty has decreed that I should come and examine the Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce.”

The Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce was originally initiated by the Zhao family—more accurately, proposed by Zhao Xiran. All members of the Chamber were forbidden from suppressing others or inflating prices. When traveling, members of the Chamber would be granted convenience by the Chamber.

The Chamber had branches in various regions. As for the position of president, only a person of high virtue and reputation could assume it.

Zhao Xiran seemed older, but was considered a junior within the Chamber and could not take on the role of president. Thus, to this day, she had only established it but never managed it herself.

Even so, Zhao Xiran was a well-known name within the Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce.

As Xie Yu spoke, Zhao Xiran was internally cursing. The Emperor had quietly set his sights on the Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce. Merchants could not fight officials. She held back and said: “Then you have come to the wrong person. I am not the president. The current president is the owner of the Gu family.”

This casual conversation reminded Xiao Kuning of the previous life. Zhao Xiran became the president of the Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce a few years later. The Zhao family’s shops spanned the world, their wealth was immense, and they gradually became the foremost merchant family in Great Zhou. In the end, Xie Yu wiped them out entirely.

She is starting to target them this early?

Xie Yu held the teacup with her long, slender fingers. Her fair skin was nearly indistinguishable from the white porcelain cup. The smile on her face was so faint it was almost invisible: “Jiangnan is governed by the court, and so is the Chamber of Commerce. Who the president should be ought to be determined by the court.”

Zhao Xiran mentally straightened up: Xie Yu, do you have no shame?

Even Shen Rui understood the hostility. What difference was there between the Emperor doing this and outright robbery? If the Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce fell under the court’s control, it was equivalent to all the merchants in the Jiangnan region working for the Emperor.

This was going too far. Especially for Teacher Xie to state this so self-righteously.

Xiao Kuning was not as shocked as the other two. She wanted to raise her head to speak, but meeting Xie Yu’s penetrating gaze, she had no choice but to keep silent.

It was easy to offend an immortal, but extremely difficult to provoke a devil.

Zhao Xiran laughed awkwardly: “I cannot make the decision on this matter.”

Xie Yu frowned slightly: “This is the Emperor’s intention.”

“Then please ask Grand Tutor Xie to discuss it with President Gu. The Zhao family cannot and will not manage this,” Zhao Xiran refused. “Although the Chamber of Commerce was proposed by the Zhao family, compared to families who have been in business for centuries, the Zhao family is too weak to command the respect of others.”

Xie Yu glanced at Xiao Kuning and said: “Proprietress Zhao should think clearly. This matter involves too much. The interests at stake are not as simple as you imagine.”

Interests at stake? Xiao Kuning recalled that in the previous life, the Zhao family eventually obtained a minor official position, thus entering the court. But was Xie Yu making a move now, in this life, too early?

She didn’t understand. Zhao Xiran felt a pain in her chest. “Interests are good, but honor is also important. This face of mine cost a lot of money, and I don’t want to lose it just like that.”

She refused outright. Xiao Kuning’s heart pounded faster. She was nervous. She absolutely should not have broken ties with Xie Yu.

She took the opportunity to mediate: “My mother means that the Zhao family values its reputation. The Chamber of Commerce does not belong to the Zhao family. With tens of thousands of people in it, the Zhao family’s word alone cannot convince the masses.”

Xie Yu sat there, like an unfathomable abyss. The smile on her lips flickered, yet she responded calmly: “To speak of difficulty before even attempting the task—everything is difficult then.”

Zhao Xiran had a short temper and was immediately about to get angry. Xiao Kuning quickly pressed her hand down and spoke to Xie Yu: “Teacher is right. Your student is enlightened. It is almost noon. Why don’t you stay for lunch?”

The atmosphere was tense, about to explode. Shen Rui also quickly stepped in: “Yes, the roast lamb chops at the manor are excellent. Teacher is sure to like them.”

In a moment, Zhao Xiran calmed down. She rubbed the corners of her eyes, almost getting crow’s feet from being angered by this shameless person. She apologized to Xie Yu: “Very well. Ning Ning calls you ‘Teacher,’ so we are family. Stay and have a meal.”

The obedient Xiao Kuning’s eyelid twitched. Calling her ‘Teacher,’ how does that make us family?

Xie Yu put down her teacup, her smile deepening significantly: “You are too kind. The scenery in Qingcheng is beautiful and admirable. Since I have come, I would like to go and see it.”

Xiao Kuning’s heart thumped fiercely. Is Xie Yu determined to have her way?

Zhao Xiran choked on her breath, insisting on keeping Xie Yu for lunch. She held onto the person, refusing to let her leave. In the end, she had to say: “Let’s discuss the Chamber of Commerce matter more with the Grand Tutor.”

Xie Yu stayed.

With four people present, the Zhao manor set up a small feast. Even the local officials of Qingcheng came. Xiao Kuning recognized no one, but with Teacher Xie, the one who determined the new monarch with a single move, everyone rushed to curry favor. After seeing Xie Yu and then Shen Rui, they couldn’t help but fawn over them.

Shen Rui was used to such occasions. She smiled and greeted everyone, taking a seat beside Xiao Kuning.

Xie Yu sat alone. Everyone at the table said many flattering words to her, but Xie Yu did not respond to any of them. It was Zhao Xiran who held the wine pot and personally poured her wine.

Seeing the two of them, Xiao Kuning wanted to pull Zhao Xiran away, urging her not to get involved with the devil Xie Yu.

Zhao Xiran’s smile was gentle and charming. She was well-maintained, with delicate skin. She proactively offered a toast to Xie Yu: “The Grand Tutor is Ning Ning’s teacher, so I toast you a cup. Please take good care of Ning Ning in the future.”

If Xie Yu didn’t drink the wine, it meant she refused to take care of Xiao Kuning.

Xie Yu took the wine cup, lifted her head, and drank it all. Wine stained the corner of her lips, red like a ripe edible fruit. Zhao Xiran was astonished by her beauty, while Xiao Kuning subconsciously touched the corner of her own lips. In the previous life, when she kissed Xie Yu, those rosy lips were very cold.

Just like Xie Yu’s person, cold as a deep pool.

Shen Rui had drunk a few cups. Seeing Ah Ning cover her mouth and open her eyes wide, she asked her: “Ah Ning, does your mouth hurt?”

“No, it doesn’t hurt.” Xiao Kuning quickly withdrew her hand, her heart racing. She picked up the fruit wine in front of her and took a small sip.

On that side, Xie Yu drank the first cup. Zhao Xiran immediately poured her a second cup, her eyes holding a sincere smile: “I trouble you to worry more about the Chamber of Commerce matter.”

Left with no choice, Xie Yu drank the second cup.

As the wine cup was emptied, Zhao Xiran filled it again with lightning speed: “The Chambers of Commerce in various regions are complicated. Does the Grand Tutor have any suggestions?”

Xie Yu did not want to discuss it, but drank the third cup again.

Then, to the astonishment of Xiao Kuning and Shen Rui, they watched as Teacher Xie drank cup after cup under Zhao Xiran’s encouragement.

Eight cups, nine cups, ten cups…

Zhao Xiran kept pouring, and Xie Yu accepted every single one, seeming utterly unaffected. Not until the wine pot was empty was Xie Yu still completely fine. She even handed the empty cup back to Zhao Xiran: “Does Proprietress Zhao have any more?”

No more, dammit! Zhao Xiran admitted defeat. If she had known Xie Yu could hold her liquor so well, she should have added some medicine.

After Zhao Xiran’s failure, the Qingcheng officials followed suit to toast, offering countless flattering words to the Grand Tutor. The two people across the table were neglected by the crowd.

Shen Rui did not mind. She took a small sip of wine and pulled Xiao Kuning, ready to run.

Why waste a lot of time on such boring things?

When her hand touched Xiao Kuning’s wrist, Xiao Kuning was startled. Sensing her intention, she complied, preparing to sneak away together.

Shen Rui took her hand, a smile curving her lips. Ah Ning’s arm was soft. Everyone surrounded Teacher Xie, confining her. Through the gaps in the crowd, they could see the corner of her robe.

They bent their backs and shuffled their feet. Reaching the doorway, they straightened up. Victory was in sight.

Just as they were about to exit the room, Teacher Xie’s voice came from behind: “Little County Princess.”

Shen Rui frowned, yet forced a smile as she turned around: “Does Teacher have any instructions?”

“It is getting late. I request the little County Princess to escort me.”

Shen Rui was a thousand percent unwilling. She opened her mouth to refuse but saw that the Teacher’s face was flushed crimson, and her jade-like skin was tinged with red from the alcohol.

Her beautiful face was exceptionally rosy, and Xie Yu’s lips held a seven or eight-tenths smile. Her already stunning looks were now even more breathtaking.

Xiao Kuning, standing beside her, noticed the astonishment in Shen Rui’s eyes. She recalled their conspiracy to assassinate the Emperor and rebel in the previous life. Could Xie Yu genuinely like Shen Rui?

While she was distracted, Xie Yu walked closer. Her drifting gaze lingered between the two of them, finally fixing on Xiao Kuning’s bright face: “Perfect. Let me ask you about your homework.”

Xiao Kuning’s mouth twitched. Is her homework that important?

She felt they should be alone, so she immediately shook her head: “Your student will go to the post house to see Teacher tomorrow.”

Xie Yu refused: “Today.” Her autumn-water eyes stared intently at Xiao Kuning, tinged with a never-before-seen persistence.

Xiao Kuning vaguely recalled that Xie Yu had the same look when she tried to seduce her in the previous life. She felt embarrassed and turned her head, unwilling to respond. At this moment, Zhao Xiran walked over. Unaware of the entanglement between the three, she kindly suggested: “Teacher Xie is drunk. Why not rest at the Zhao manor?”

“Drunk?”

“Drunk?”

Shen Rui and Xiao Kuning exclaimed in unison. Teacher Xie’s stance was like a pine tree, her body straight as bamboo, and her eyes clear. Where did she look drunk?

Xiao Kuning looked left and right and belatedly realized that Yu Yin and Nong Qin were missing. These two were Xie Yu’s crucial aides, yet they were absent now.

Zhao Xiran graciously ordered someone to prepare a room and instructed Xiao Kuning to lead her teacher to soak in the hot spring, returning later.

She clearly saw when Xie Yu arrived that she only had a few guards. Now that she was drunk, if she encountered any trouble, they would ultimately come back to blame her.

Xiao Kuning had no choice. She led Xie Yu toward the spring room, with Shen Rui following close behind.