After Rebirth, My Wife Turned Out to Be Myself - Chapter 2

In the evening, the setting sun hung low in the sky, its afterglow casting a warm light upon the crimson palace courtyards.

Xie Wan, clad in imperial robes, stood on a palace tower with her hands clasped behind her back, gazing into the distance as the procession escorting Consort Wan slowly entered the palace gates.

In her previous life, she was the one sitting inside that sedan chair.

Wearing elaborate headwear, draped in a fiery red wedding dress, she had entered the palace filled with resentment.

But now, she was the Emperor.

The person currently sitting in that sedan chair was also Xie Wan, but it was the sixteen-year-old Xiao Xie Wan. More accurately, at that time, she was still called Xie Anyu.

When she was young, a fortune teller said she had a tribulation in her fate. Her mother, worried about her, gave her the nickname ‘Anyu’.

Before marrying into the palace, she was still called Xie Anyu.

Everything was the same as what she had experienced in the past. The sixteen-year-old Xiao Anyu still walked the path of marrying Emperor Ruiming, failing to become her little general and being forced to abandon her beloved swords, spears, and martial arts.

But looking on the bright side, at least… this time, the Emperor was herself.

“Prepare the imperial carriage to return to the palace,” Xie Wan withdrew her gaze.

Zhaoxia replied, “Yes.”

Sitting in the imperial carriage, Xie Wan gently closed her eyes.

If everything was the same as in the past, then she should now be worried about another problem.

According to her memory, Consort Wan, who had just entered the palace tonight, would use a vase to crack Emperor Ruiming’s head open.

And now, she was Emperor Ruiming.

Her younger self had quite a bit of strength. She wasn’t sure if Emperor Ruiming’s frail body could withstand a blow from Xiao Anyu.

…

Today, Her Majesty didn’t drink her medicine and reviewed memorials much faster than usual. Before, she would always sit in the Imperial Study for half a day.

She even returned to the palace in the evening.

She also personally instructed the Imperial Kitchen to prepare a few dishes.

It seemed… her appetite had also improved significantly.

This abnormality left the palace attendants in the sleeping quarters puzzled.

“Zhaoxia, do you also think I’m strange today?” Xie Wan put down her chopsticks and wiped her mouth. Being an emperor, though busy, one could easily obtain whatever they desired. At the very least, there was no worry about food and clothing.

Zhaoxia, as the female official who had served the Empress the longest, was neither servile nor arrogant. “Your Majesty has finally listened to what the imperial physicians said. This servant is overjoyed, how could I find it strange?”

Handle court affairs when they should be handled, rest when she should rest. It was a pity Her Majesty didn’t listen to advice before, but now that she had changed, it was a good thing. She even ate more dinner than usual.

“Yes, I should take care of my health,” Xie Wan seemed to ask casually, the darkness in her eyes flashing for just a moment before she concealed it.

If Zhaoxia noticed or guessed anything, she couldn’t keep her.

Zhaoxia was unaware that her words had saved her life. She simply smiled and said, “Your Majesty is wise.”

“I’ve eaten. Let’s go see Consort Wan at Wanyi Palace,” Xie Wan glanced at the food box that had been prepared long ago. “Bring the food box.”

The dishes were definitely the most suited to Consort Wan’s taste.

She really didn’t want to get beaten up this time.

“Yes,” Zhaoxia quickly picked up the food box, thinking to herself, Her Majesty is so thoughtful, she even guessed that Consort Wan might be hungry by now.

Palace rumors said Her Majesty summoned Consort Wan into the palace to balance the court. Now it seemed, things were a little different?

After all… the dishes in this food box were personally ordered by Her Majesty, one by one.

Did Her Majesty even know what Consort Wan liked to eat?

…

At this moment, the atmosphere in Wanyi Palace was somewhat unusual.

The maids were performing their duties, but they couldn’t help but peek towards the sleeping quarters from time to time.

Today, Wanyi Palace had a new mistress.

But everyone still didn’t know what kind of temperament the new mistress of Wanyi Palace had.

Rustling sounds came from the sleeping quarters… listening closely, it was someone biting an apple.

The maids guarding the sleeping quarters all lowered their heads, not daring to utter a sound towards Consort Wan, who was wearing a golden crown and a red wedding dress, sitting at the table and gnawing on an apple.

The Xie family had been generals for generations, a family of military commanders in the Da Yue Empire. In this generation, Great General Xie only had one daughter, Xie Anyu.

This meant that the one who would take over the Xie family’s military seal in the future would definitely be Xie Anyu.

Xie Anyu also lived up to expectations. Her martial arts talent was excellent from a young age. Whether it was swords, spears, or bows, she was proficient in all of them. When Great General Xie mentioned his daughter, his mouth would truly split into a wide smile.

But now, an imperial decree from Her Majesty had summoned this person in, confined her to Wanyi Palace, and imprisoned her within these palace walls.

A person who was meant to be a general in the future, had thus become a consort.

The maids present could all feel Xie Anyu’s resentment.

So they could only stand trembling to the side, watching Consort Wan gnaw on the apple with clenched teeth.

Suddenly, a loud shout came from outside—

“Her Majesty has arrived!”

The voice was very loud.

The maids instinctively knelt down.

Consort Wan, sitting at the table and gnawing on an apple, reacted half a beat slower.

It wasn’t until Her Majesty entered the sleeping quarters that Consort Wan unhurriedly wiped her hands and stood up, “Xie Wan pays respects to Your Majesty.”

This made the maids break out in a cold sweat.

Consort Wan, how bold! She didn’t even kneel when she saw Her Majesty?

Anyu didn’t know what they were thinking, but as for herself, being able to politely say “pays respects to Your Majesty” was already her trying very hard to endure.

Because the culprit who forced her into the palace to be a consort was right before her eyes!

She was someone who was going to the battlefield to become a general!

She loved wielding swords and spears, she loved leading troops into battle, and her dreams at night were of herself as a little general.

But the imperial decree came, and everything about her, her life, was forcibly changed.

With one imperial decree, she had to put on a wedding dress and become a palace consort.

She could see the end of her future days at a glance.

Ultimately, it was because the Emperor didn’t trust the Xie family, listened to the slanders of those civil officials, felt that the General’s Manor was plotting rebellion, and thus hastily brought her in as a hostage!

Xie Anyu clenched her fists, her gaze fixed on the female Emperor before her.

The maids were worried that this new mistress would speak disrespectfully, but being stared at like this by the sixteen-year-old Consort Wan, Xie Wan, as Emperor Ruiming, didn’t show any annoyance.

Instead, her eyes were filled with interest.

“Consort Wan, dispense with the formalities.”

The sixteen-year-old Xiao Anyu was young and lively, she hadn’t even learned how to hide the anger in her eyes.

Xie Wan walked closer on her own, noticing the unfinished apple. She lowered her head and looked at Xiao Anyu, “I conferred you as consort, making you so angry that you’re gnawing on an apple here?”

Was she really this childish when she was young?

“I’m young, my father doesn’t let me drink!”

She ate the apple because she was hungry, gnawing on it with clenched teeth was because she was angry. She should have been angry enough to drink, but her father wouldn’t allow it.

Xie Anyu wasn’t intimidated at all, meeting her gaze. She was also puzzled, how dare the Emperor appear before her? Was she really not afraid of her beating her up?!

Xie Wan suddenly remembered that the Xie family did have such a family rule. Learn to lead troops, but not the ways of a ruffian soldier.

Xie Wan glanced at Zhaoxia.

Zhaoxia understood immediately and quickly opened the food box to arrange the dishes. “Consort Wan must be hungry. Her Majesty ordered the Imperial Kitchen to prepare food for you, and it’s still warm.”

Consort Wan didn’t even look.

“You can drink today,” Xie Wan raised her hand and poured her a cup of wedding wine.

“Wedding wine for becoming someone’s concubine, does Your Majesty think I should drink it with a smile or with tears?” Consort Wan’s words were astonishing.

Wasn’t being a concubine to the Emperor still being a concubine?

Xie Wan’s hand holding the wine cup paused.

At this moment, no one in the entire Wanyi Palace dared to make a sound, the atmosphere was very tense.

Xie Wan’s face was expressionless, showing no sign of joy or anger. She just said in a low voice, “Everyone, leave.”

The maids bowed their heads and withdrew.

Zhaoxia hesitated for a moment, then also retreated.

In this palace hall, decorated to be very festive, only the two of them remained.

“This wedding wine, you still have to drink it with a smile,” Xie Wan pushed the wine cup towards her, thinking that because of this imperial decree, she had resented the Emperor for a long time in her heart.

Therefore, she could also imagine how resentful Xiao Anyu was towards her now.

To avoid getting her head cracked open, it was better not to anger Consort Wan.

Her young and spirited self wouldn’t care whether the person in front of her was the Emperor or someone else. Moreover, the situation was clear now, the Xie family was still here, and the Emperor couldn’t do anything to her.

“Crispy roasted duck, Beggar’s Chicken, braised shark fin with yellow sauce, crystal pork knuckle, and this bowl of cuttlefish egg soup. Want to try?” Xie Wan brought her a bowl and chopsticks.

Xiao Anyu: …

Every single one of these was her favorite.

But the bigger picture was important.

Xie Anyu stared at Emperor Ruiming, her tone carrying a hint of a martial artist’s fierceness, “Your Majesty specifically learned my preferences to win me over, are you afraid that this action offended my father, and when something truly happens to the Da Yue Empire and war breaks out, there will be no one from the Xie family to lead the troops?”

Xie Wan paused, then smiled and said, “Consort Wan, those words are quite treasonous.”

“Isn’t it?”

“Let’s not talk about the Da Yue Empire for now. Today is the wedding night for me and Consort Wan. I just came to see you, is that not allowed either?”

As soon as these words were spoken, Xiao Anyu’s nerves instantly tensed.

Wedding night!

Ah, she had forgotten, starting tonight she would be this person’s concubine!

She immediately took a deep breath. With a single imperial decree, she had changed her future, and now she even wanted her to serve her in bed?! Didn’t they say the Empress liked men?

Wait… was the Emperor trying to humiliate her by having her serve her in bed?!

Xie Anyu’s inner fire instantly ignited, her gaze filled with fury falling upon Xie Wan before her.

“Cough… Consort Wan looks like she wants to eat me,” Had she said something wrong?

“Perhaps Your Majesty looks delicious,” Anyu narrowed her eyes. She realized that this sickly Empress seemed even frailer than she had imagined.

She wanted her to serve her in bed, did she?

“Since it’s the wedding night, and it’s getting late, Your Majesty, it’s time to retire,” Anyu’s words were astonishing, pressing closer step by step.

Xie Wan retreated two steps, “I, I just came to see you… I like men, you know…”

Suddenly, her younger self in front of her grabbed her wrist.

“This concubine has never served in bed before, I’m afraid I might be a bit rough, please don’t mind, Your Majesty,” Xie Anyu finished with a smile, and with one hand, she pulled the sitting Emperor Ruiming directly towards the bed.

If she didn’t beat her up, the hatred in her heart would be hard to dispel! Even if she was held accountable afterwards, she wasn’t afraid! Anyway, in the Emperor’s eyes, their Xie family were ‘treacherous officials’!

Xie Wan: …

Where exactly had she angered herself?

…

Soon, Emperor Ruiming’s cries of pain came from the room.

Zhaoxia: !

“Your Majesty? Are you alright?” Zhaoxia called out softly.

“…I’m fine. Consort Wan served me hiss… served me very well,” Xie Wan covered her stomach, looking at ‘herself’ sitting on top of her, her face full of despair.

Indeed, everything that happened in the past would happen again.

Including Emperor Ruiming getting beaten up.

Her answer, however, made Consort Wan’s raised fist stop in mid-air. She looked at the Emperor beneath her with surprise and uncertainty, “Why aren’t you calling for someone…”

“This imperial decree was my mistake.”

Xiao Anyu didn’t react for a moment.

“You are originally a military talent, it was I who confined you. Once the court stabilizes, I will personally send you out of the palace. The mountains are high and the waters are long, you can go wherever you want to venture.”

These words made Xie Anyu freeze.

The Emperor, admitted her mistake…

And even said she was a military talent?! She would send her out of the palace in the future?

“The current situation is pressing, and I cannot say more to you. In short, my word is gold, and I will definitely send you out of the palace in the future.”

Those peach blossom eyes were filled with helplessness, seemingly wanting to lightly erase her anger. And the darkness in her eyes, seemed to be a strategy that couldn’t be discussed with others.

…Before entering the palace, her father hadn’t told her that the Emperor was so good at acting!

Or, did the Emperor have some unspeakable reason for marrying her?

Xie Anyu slowly lowered her fist, her mind in chaos.

This was completely different from what her father told her before she entered the palace.

Her father had said that Her Majesty was instigated by civil officials and regarded the Xie family as a thorn in her side. Her attitude towards her would definitely not be good. But how… was it different from what her father said.

“I don’t have to serve in bed?”

Xie Wan was helpless, “No need.”

“You will send me out of the palace in the future?”

“Yes.”

“I don’t believe it,” Xiao Anyu narrowed her eyes, “Are you trying to trick me because you’re afraid I’ll beat you up?”

“Yes.”

Xiao Anyu: ??

Xie Wan rubbed her stomach, her pair of peach blossom eyes smiling until they were slits, “Tricking you, so that when something happens to the Da Yue Empire, Consort Wan can put on armor and go to battle for the Da Yue Empire, resisting foreign enemies.”

Anyu frowned, not speaking.

Perhaps her words, as Emperor Ruiming, had stunned her.

But Xie Wan knew that even if Emperor Ruiming was constantly wary of the Xie family, favoring petty people and alienating virtuous officials, when something truly happened to the Da Yue Empire, the only ones who would truly stand out were the Xie family and herself.

“You can’t figure it out, you don’t understand the meaning of my words, and you can’t guess my intentions. I have unspeakable difficulties, but I do not regard the Xie family as rebels. Just remember this one point.”

Emperor Ruiming’s words before her struck Anyu’s heart.

She prided herself on being intelligent, but she still couldn’t understand her words, nor could she figure out the Emperor’s intentions.

She lowered her head slightly, meeting those eyes.

Her intuition told her that this person seemed to truly be able to guess what she was thinking.

“Crispy roasted duck, Beggar’s Chicken, braised shark fin with yellow sauce, crystal pork knuckle, and this bowl of cuttlefish egg soup,” Xie Wan said softly, “Are you really not going to eat?”

“Those dishes on the table will get cold if I don’t eat them,” Xiao Anyu muttered as she got up, “Can’t waste food.”

Xie Wan got up, rubbing her aching stomach, and sighed softly as she watched her walk towards the table of dishes.

She really was a foodie back then.

It was just that later, when she went to the battlefield, she had no choice but to give up those enjoyments.

Xie Wan rubbed her aching stomach. Regardless, she had managed to avoid the disaster of getting her head cracked open today.