After Rebirth, My Wife Turned Out to Be Myself - Chapter 17

“Your Majesty, Prime Minister Xu requests an audience.” Zhaoxia’s voice sounded from outside the door, interrupting Xie Wan and Anyu’s playful banter.

The smile on Xie Wan’s face vanished at the words. She said sternly, “Tell him to wait in the Imperial Study.”

“Yes.”

Turning back, Xie Wan said to Anyu, “Let’s go, come with me to the Imperial Study.”

Anyu was puzzled. “What would I do there?”

“Go get the rare books. After you get them… I’ll grant you a day’s leave to go out of the palace.” Xie Wan said half and left half unsaid.

“…Alright.” Anyu knew that another task was coming her way.

Seeing her agree, Xie Wan got up and headed back to the Imperial Study.

…

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Xu, who was waiting in the Imperial Study, didn’t see Her Majesty arrive for quite some time, naturally growing suspicious. He inquired with a palace attendant.

It wasn’t a big deal not to ask, but once he did… the attendant said that Her Majesty was currently at Wanyi Palace, and it would take some time for the message to reach her.

Prime Minister Xu nodded, appearing patient as he waited.

But inwardly, he was extremely puzzled.

At Wanyi Palace?

If Her Majesty had discovered Minister Qian’s corruption, she would surely blame him as well. At this critical juncture, instead of anxiously waiting in the Imperial Study, she had gone to Wanyi Palace?

Her Majesty was not someone who indulged in pleasure. Although she hadn’t achieved much in governance, at such a crucial moment, she shouldn’t be going to Wanyi Palace.

Wait a minute…

It seemed to be Xie Chengdong who was sent to confiscate Minister Qian’s residence.

Prime Minister Xu’s eyes darkened.

Consort Wan, the Xie family, Xie Chengdong… and Her Majesty’s recent change in attitude, which seemed to have occurred not long after the Xie family’s eldest daughter became Consort Wan. There must be some connection between these things.

If the Xie family was behind Her Majesty’s change, then for him, eliminating the Xie family would return everything to the original starting point. Xie Chengdong had been his opponent for many years, and they had dealt with each other quite a bit. In his view, Xie Chengdong was just a brute.

Could the one capable of all this… be that eldest daughter of the Xie family?

But he had heard that this eldest daughter of the Xie family was only sixteen years old and should be more skilled in martial arts than in political maneuvering. What ability did she have to become a favored consort, capable of charming Her Majesty into being so different from before?

The more he thought about it, the more Xu Ping felt it shouldn’t be the case. However, the name Consort Wan still instilled a layer of apprehension in his heart.

In fact, besides this possibility, there was another—

That Her Majesty’s ‘abnormality’ had nothing to do with anyone.

Instead, she had always been biding her time, sitting on that magnificent golden throne, looking down and taking in every little move of her officials.

It wasn’t that she wasn’t acting against them, but rather like a hunter who had cast bait, quietly waiting for the moment to strike a fatal blow.

If that were the case…

Then Her Majesty would be too terrifying.

But this possibility didn’t make sense.

Her Majesty’s indulgence towards the Xu family over the years didn’t seem fake.

With various thoughts swirling in his mind, even someone as cunning and experienced as Xu Ping couldn’t help but rub his head at this moment.

The most pressing matter now was Minister Qian.

Just as he finished thinking, the voice of an attendant came from outside.

Her Majesty had arrived.

Xu Ping quickly composed himself, his expression respectful as he went to greet her at the door.

“This subject greets Your Majesty…” Xu Ping suddenly paused, seeing Xie Anyu behind Xie Wan as she entered. He quickly lowered his head and added, “…and Lady Consort Wan.”

“Prime Minister Xu, dispense with the formalities,” Xie Wan said, then smiled and added, “Zhaoxia, take Consort Wan to get the rare books. I have matters to discuss with Prime Minister Xu. No one is allowed in here.”

“Yes.”

Zhaoxia led Xie Anyu quickly towards the library within the Imperial Study.

Anyu glanced back once more, meeting Prime Minister Xu’s murky and deep eyes.

Why is he looking at me?

Anyu wasn’t afraid; instead, she carefully observed him. This was Xu Ping.

With just one look, she felt that Xu Ping’s eyes were very deep, and she couldn’t see through them.

The sickly emperor, in the past, had been deceived by these eyes, which was why she had targeted the Xie family so much.

Anyu remained calm and showed no fear.

After meeting his gaze for a second, she calmly turned her eyes away. “Zhaoxia, let’s hurry and get the rare books.”

“Yes, Your Ladyship.”

While Xie Anyu was observing Prime Minister Xu, how could Prime Minister Xu not have looked at her a few more times?

Seeing him, she remained quite calm.

Looking at it this way, this Consort Wan… wasn’t as useless as the rumors suggested, being nothing but reckless.

It wasn’t until Consort Wan followed Zhaoxia’s steps and disappeared down the palace corridor.

Xu Ping raised his hand and closed the door.

At the same time, he made a decision in his heart—

Regardless of whether Her Majesty’s ‘abnormality’ was related to the Xie family, this woman must not be allowed to remain.

“Prime Minister Xu, what brings you to see me?” Xie Wan sat down, weakly covering her mouth and coughing twice.

Xu Ping knelt down directly with a thud. “Your Majesty, this subject is here today to plead guilty!”

“Oh? What crime has Prime Minister Xu committed?”

“This subject was lax in supervision and was unaware that Minister Qian had embezzled the disaster relief funds allocated for the drought in the north!” Xu Ping’s face showed shame.

Xie Wan leaned against the desk, glancing at him. “Did Prime Minister Xu truly know nothing about the embezzlement of disaster relief funds?”

Xu Ping looked indignant. “This subject knows that anything I say now will be difficult to prove my innocence. This subject is willing to enter the Censorate Office and submit to Your Majesty’s scrutiny!”

“Prime Minister Xu need not do this,” Xie Wan sighed, sounding as if she truly believed him. “I do not blame Prime Minister Xu. Prime Minister Xu has toiled for Da Yue for decades, I cough cough… I know it all. As for this case, I will personally oversee the thorough investigation. All those involved in this case will be severely punished without leniency! I am greatly comforted that Prime Minister Xu was not involved.”

“Prime Minister Xu doesn’t know, I sent people to investigate, and the list that came out is this long…” Xie Wan gestured with her hand to indicate a rough length, saying mockingly, “I thought that under my rule, Da Yue was a scene of prosperity, but who would have thought, these parasites… these hateful parasites, eating the salaries I issued, drinking the bl00d of the common people right under my nose! Those disaster relief funds… are the lives of the northern people! How dare they!”

After a furious rant, Xie Wan looked tired. “I will thoroughly investigate this matter. As long as they embezzled, even a single stroke of ink, no one will escape. If Prime Minister Xu is here to plead for someone… then there is even less need. In this case… I will not show anyone face.”

Xu Ping dared not test her sharpness. Seeing this, he could only say with indignation, “This subject dares not plead for anyone, only begs Your Majesty for forgiveness! It is this subject’s lax supervision that has disheartened Your Majesty!”

Xie Wan waved a hand. “There is no need to speak of this matter.”

Xu Ping sighed. “Your Majesty, this subject dares to offer another suggestion. While the embezzlement case must be investigated, someone still needs to be sent to control the drought in the north… This subject has heard that things in the north… may not be good this year.”

Xie Wan stared at him for a moment. He hadn’t mentioned the situation in the north at all before, but now he was using this point to divert attention…

“Wouldn’t that be perfect? The money and grain confiscated from the homes can be used for disaster relief in the north!” Xie Wan sneered. “I have already made a decision on this matter, so Prime Minister Xu need not worry. I will check the accounts of the Ministry of Revenue, item by item! Not just this time, but last year, the year before, I will check them all!”

Xu Ping: “…Yes.”

Xu Ping also knew that with such a major incident regarding the disaster relief funds, Her Majesty naturally wouldn’t be pleasant towards him. Not being punished on the spot was already due to his status as a ‘clean’ Prime Minister.

Xu Ping could only bow his head and withdraw.

…

As soon as he left the palace, Xu Ping immediately summoned his confidant.

Seeing the Prime Minister’s gloomy face, the confidant knew something was wrong and quickly stepped forward. “Prime Minister…”

“Go to the estate. Before Her Majesty’s people find that estate, move everything,” Xu Ping ordered.

The confidant was stunned upon hearing this. “Prime Minister, what about Minister Qian…”

Xu Ping waved his hand, saying coldly, “Abandon him.”

The confidant suddenly fell silent.

This meant abandoning Minister Qian.

It seemed Her Majesty was truly determined to punish Minister Qian as a warning to others.

“Prime Minister, why has Her Majesty suddenly become so decisive?” The confidant was puzzled. They hadn’t heard any hint of this confiscation and arrest.

Xu Ping frowned upon hearing this.

Why suddenly like this? Asking him? He was more puzzled than anyone!

He only knew that if Her Majesty suddenly became ‘clever’, then the Xu family would have to act cautiously.