After Rebirth, My Wife Turned Out to Be Myself - Chapter 19

About two hours later, Xie Anyu returned to the palace with the Imperial Guards to report.

Batch after batch of carriage racks carried goods, transported into the warehouses one by one.

Not only were items brought by the Imperial Guards, but also objects confiscated by General Xie from the homes of many officials, all uniformly covered with black cloth and loaded onto carriages for transport.

And just from the corruption case involving disaster relief funds, dozens of officials, high and low ranking, were arrested. High officials were greatly corrupt, low officials were lesser corrupt.

Seeing this scene, Xie Anyu somehow felt a sense of irony.

She wouldn’t have known without investigating, but upon investigation, she realized Da Yue had so many parasites.

But uncovering it at this juncture was also a good thing. At least there was no need to worry about the disaster relief in the north.

“Your Ladyship, are you… coming with us to report to Her Majesty?” the Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guards asked.

Xie Anyu snapped back to reality and quickly shook her head, “This consort won’t go, you go.”

“But…” Before the Deputy Commander could finish speaking, Xie Anyu had already vanished, quickly disappearing before the crimson palace gate.

Deputy Commander: ?

Xie Yunyu also got off the carriage at this time, glanced at his sister’s fleeing figure, and sighed deeply.

The Deputy Commander cupped his hands upon seeing him, “Young Master Xie, together?”

Xie Yunyu nodded, “Deputy Commander, please.”

“Young Master Xie, please as well.”

The Deputy Commander was a straightforward person. Recently, Commander Sun had been temporarily dismissed, finally freeing him from that annoying superior’s pressure. The Deputy Commander was naturally happy, plus he had gained merit by accompanying Her Ladyship out of the palace this time; his smile was almost irrepressible.

…

When the two arrived at the Imperial Study, Xie Wan was listening to the good news reported from General Xie’s side, while using a brush to strike names off a list one by one.

Those marked with a vermilion brush were to be executed.

Those circled with an ink brush were to be thoroughly investigated and convicted.

Stroke by stroke, everything was taken in by Xie Wan.

However, Xie Wan was in a good mood. Each stroke crossed off meant gleaming silver flowing in.

Moreover, with each confiscated home, a corresponding inventory list was delivered to Xie Wan.

Xie Wan stroked her chin.

Some of the items among them were rare treasures even to her eyes.

But what she anticipated more were the things in the estate belonging to Minister Qian’s wife’s cousin.

Just as she was thinking, Zhaoxia’s voice came from outside—

“Your Majesty, the Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guard and Young Master Xie request an audience with the token.”

It seemed, it was done.

Xie Wan stopped her brush, put away the list, “Let them in.”

After the two entered together and kowtowed, “Paying respects to Your Majesty.”

Xie Wan waved her hand to waive the ceremony. Seeing Zhaoxia had already closed the door behind them, she felt somewhat strange: “Commander Zhang, Consort Wan didn’t go with you?”

Deputy Commander Zhang paused, then quickly said: “Your Majesty, Her Ladyship Consort Wan did go with this servant, but when returning to the palace to report, upon reaching the palace gate, Her Ladyship Consort Wan returned to her palace first. She didn’t say why she returned first, just seemed… to be running quite urgently.”

Xie Wan was surprised.

Xiao Anyu had perfectly completed the task she assigned. She had originally intended to reward her, but unexpectedly she didn’t even come for the audience…

Running quite urgently?

Xie Wan thought of her clumsy self, thinking… could it be an urgent need of nature?

Xie Wan then looked at her eldest male cousin. Xie Yunyu currently also had his eyes lowered, appearing extremely respectful…

After looking a couple more times, Xie Wan retracted her gaze, “How did the task We assigned you go?”

Deputy Commander Zhang took out several folded papers from his bosom and presented them: “Your Majesty, this is the inventory list of items confiscated from that estate. The names of the items on it were personally written by Eldest Young Master Xie. This servant’s eyes are clumsy; I haven’t seen many of the items.”

Not only had he not seen them, but some he had only heard of.

Things like antique curios from previous dynasties, and famous paintings, those were all priceless items.

Although he didn’t recognize these, the chests upon chests of gold and silver in that secret passage were tangibly heavy.

How many years had Minister Qian been an official? How could he possess such vast wealth and assets? The Deputy Commander realized this belatedly, breaking into a cold sweat.

He didn’t even know… how much had been embezzled.

“Temporarily deposit it into the public treasury, put it in the national coffers. Wait until We have dealt with everyone up and down this Ministry of Revenue, then we’ll sort out the accounts.”

“Yes.” Commander Zhang was very surprised. Your Majesty… why did she seem not surprised at all?

Xie Wan glanced at Deputy Commander Zhang. This person came from a military background, had been in the Imperial Guard for many years, but unfortunately was suppressed by the parachuted-in Commander Sun, thus having no promotions.

His character was loyal and upright.

“Commander Zhang has rendered meritorious service in this matter. Commander Sun is at home on sick leave. During this period, you shall hold the command token of the Imperial Guard Commander and temporarily assume Commander Sun’s duties.”

Anyone with discerning eyes knew that Commander Sun’s sick leave likely meant he wouldn’t be coming back.

And his temporary assumption… wasn’t that a promotion!

Commander Zhang took a deep breath, “This servant thanks Your Majesty for the profound grace!!”

Xie Wan nodded, “Go back and rest, it’s been a hard journey.”

“This servant… is not tired. This servant thanks Your Majesty. Then… then this servant takes leave!” After stammering out his words, Commander Zhang rubbed his buzz cut and joyfully withdrew.

Xie Yunyu, however, was asked to stay.

“Eldest Young Master Xie, what reward do you desire?” Xie Wan looked up, “This list is written without error. Eldest Young Master Xie is so knowledgeable and talented, you should enter officialdom and serve Da Yue.”

“Your Majesty overpraises; this commoner feels unworthy of this reward.” Xie Yunyu met her gaze, neither humble nor arrogant.

Naturally, he felt unworthy.

She already knew eighty to ninety percent of what was in the estate. The estate’s existence was also fully disclosed by her. And he… was merely invited to watch the show.

“The Ministry of Revenue will be dismissing quite a few people this time. Doesn’t Eldest Young Master Xie have any thoughts?” Xie Wan asked nonchalantly.

“Your Majesty, do you wish for this commoner to enter the court?”

The things Her Majesty had done, from borrowing people upon returning home to send north, to investigating this disaster relief corruption case, she had already proven to them—

She truly wanted Da Yue to prosper.

If her determination remained unchanged, serving in the court… he would be willing.

What Xie Yunyu didn’t understand was, he had no connection with Emperor Ruiming, why did Her Majesty value him so much…

“We said, you have great talent.”

Xie Yunyu sighed, “This commoner can enter the court, but… this commoner has one request.”

“If it concerns Consort Wan, then there’s no need to say it,” Xie Wan waved her hand.

Hearing this, Xie Yunyu’s heart tightened, his tone becoming more urgent, “Your Majesty, Your Majesty has a discerning heart, naturally understands the Xie family’s loyalty. Anyu is just a young girl; she cannot stay confined in the palace… Moreover, she is merely a woman; she cannot serve Your Majesty. So…”

“We haven’t finished speaking yet,” Xie Wan smiled, “We also promised Consort Wan that when the time comes, We will send her out of the palace.”

Xie Yunyu fell silent.

A ruler does not speak idly.

“Consort Wan is straightforward and interesting; We like her very much too. The Xie family is loyal, so in the future, We will not only send her out of the palace, but if Consort Wan finds someone she loves, We will also provide a dowry for her,” Xie Wan said seriously.

Xie Yunyu bowed his head and kowtowed, “This servant thanks Your Majesty.”

Referring to himself as ‘servant’ meant he agreed to enter the court.

“This servant still has a doubt, hoping Your Majesty can resolve it.”

Xie Wan nodded: “Speak.”

“Your Majesty’s attitude towards the Xie family changed… too suddenly. This servant does not understand.”

Xie Wan glanced at him, “The late Emperor visited Us in a dream. If We say this, does it count as an explanation?”

Xie Yunyu: “…”

How could he possibly believe that!

But looking up, Emperor Ruiming had an ‘it is what it is, believe it or not’ expression…

Xie Yunyu: “This servant… understands.”

“We heard from Consort Wan that her eldest male cousin is learned and talented, which is evident from the inventory list submitted. Minister Xie shall first be responsible for the accounts of this case. Once this case is concluded, We will place you in the position you ought to be.”

“Yes.”

The conversation with Xie Yunyu ended shortly after.

Xie Yunyu left as ordered, but Xie Wan stared blankly at the green plants outside the study window.

In the future, she was definitely going to send Xiao Anyu out of the palace.

But a beloved person…

Would Xiao Anyu have one?

Thinking of herself, she lived from ‘Consort Wan’ to ‘Regent King’, from innocent and simple to scheming and profound, it seemed… she hadn’t liked anyone.

As a young girl, she entered the palace. Seeing Emperor Ruiming’s sickly appearance didn’t spark the slightest interest, plus she had cracked Emperor Ruiming’s head open the day she entered the palace, making Emperor Ruiming somewhat wary of her.

While the male consorts in the palace were using all sorts of tricks to gain Her Majesty’s attention, she sat at her desk studying hard, reading military books, looking at policy essays, learning etiquette, practicing needlework.

What men could do, she also had to be able to do. What girls could do, she couldn’t fall short either.

Her originally fierce temperament was also worn down in this deep palace. Witnessing schemes big and small daily, she watched from the sidelines and learned to hide her edge.

Calmness, originally an emotion she only felt when shooting arrows.

Later, it gradually blended into her own personality, becoming a sign of her maturity.

What first awakening of love, it seemed it truly never happened.

Later, Emperor Ruiming died, the country was in peril, and she no longer thought about matters of love.

When everything settled down, she became the Regent King. It wasn’t that she hadn’t seen admiring glances from others, but ultimately, her heartstrings remained unmoved.

She remained single until now.

But Xiao Anyu was different.

She wouldn’t be trapped by the palace walls, nor would she need to carry the banner when the country was in crisis. So she should be different from herself.

Whether in the palace or outside, she would let Anyu live up to her name, Anyu Wuyou (Anyu without worries).

But…

In the future, she would grow up and have someone she loved.

At that time, what kind of person would be worthy of the ‘self’ she had carefully nurtured?

If Xiao Anyu were to fall in love with someone she didn’t approve of in the future…

Thinking this, Xie Wan’s brow furrowed slightly.