After Rebirth, My Wife Turned Out to Be Myself - Chapter 23

Encountering Grand Consort Qin and then going to Jiahua Palace to see Chu Tang did not bring any change to Anyu’s days.

On days when it didn’t rain, she went to the Martial Arts Ground to train troops for Her Majesty. When it rained, she stayed in Wanyi Palace, listening to the pitter-patter of rain outside, engrossed in reading a rare book.

However, Her Majesty the Emperor hadn’t come to Wanyi Palace much these past few days. Anyu knew she was busy.

The corruption case involved many, and the drought in the north seemed to be worsening. Investigating the offending officials and allocating funds and grain for disaster relief were not tasks that could be accomplished overnight.

Being busy was normal.

Anyu wasn’t too concerned either.

It was just that occasionally, when she paused and spaced out, Anyu would still remember what her eldest brother had said.

Actually, Anyu wasn’t incapable of understanding her brother’s words. If she had a sister, she wouldn’t want her to fall for the Emperor either.

Setting aside the three palaces and six courtyards, the other person was also a woman.

In her understanding, love was one-on-one; only through mutual understanding and commitment could hearts connect.

Her father and mother had connected their hearts; even though Mother had passed away many years ago, Father had never remarried or taken a concubine.

Her eldest uncle and aunt had connected their hearts, inseparable for many years; even when they argued, they wouldn’t tolerate others speaking ill of their spouse.

Her younger aunt and uncle had connected their hearts; because Younger Aunt was the only daughter of the previous generation of the Xie family, Younger Uncle willingly married into the family and hadn’t let Younger Aunt suffer any grievance for many years.

Therefore, when the Xie family had no choice but to marry her off to Her Majesty, the entire Xie family was furious and cursed the Emperor countless times in their hearts.

However, after entering the palace, the anticipated life did not arrive; the Emperor unexpectedly treated her very well.

So well—

To the point that even she would feel dazed.

Xie Anyu looked out the window.

The rain had stopped, the sky was gradually clearing, rainwater dripped down from the eaves, and the mixed scent of earth and flowers filled her nose.

Just like Anyu’s current mood, after a light rain, it had cleared up again.

She touched her nose, thinking—

Big Brother’s words came too late; she was already a little moved by Her Majesty.

But only a little.

If Her Majesty were truly an incompetent invalid, she would never have any thoughts about her in her entire life. But unfortunately, she wasn’t.

That she was moved was both unexpected and reasonable.

But so what if she was moved?

Her Majesty was right.

She was still young.

Life’s road is long, and for people to spend a lifetime together, just relying on affection is not enough.

And if just relying on affection required her to give up the chance to leave the palace, give up becoming a general… and then sit in this deep palace for a lifetime waiting for the other’s occasional glance, while watching the other have numerous wives and concubines, beauties by their side…

If this was love, then love was too painful.

Big Brother had worried too much; at sixteen, her favorite thing wouldn’t be anything else, it would definitely be mounting a horse, taking up arms, rushing to the battlefield, and becoming a general who could protect her home and country!

As for matters of love, let her grow up a bit more!

Just then, Qingcui pushed open the door, saw her sitting there in a daze, and couldn’t help but worry:

“Your Ladyship, Her Majesty’s birthday is approaching. The mistresses in the other palaces are all racking their brains to prepare gifts. Don’t you have any ideas at all?”

Which palace mistress was like her Ladyship? Was this ‘becoming arrogant due to favor’!

The harem was not allowed to interfere in politics, so regardless of how tense the atmosphere in the court was currently, the mistresses in the harem were completely unaffected, constantly thinking about how to curry favor with the Emperor on her birthday.

“But I don’t know how to do anything she likes,” Anyu pouted helplessly.

Things like zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting were the skills of scholars and literati. Everyone in the capital knew that Xie Anyu of the Xie family didn’t have much ink in her belly.

Qingcui hesitated, “Then perhaps Your Ladyship could try a different approach? There’s always a way to please Her Majesty.”

In Qingcui’s view, her mistress was probably the person closest to Her Majesty in this harem. As the saying goes, the pavilion closest to the water gets the moonlight first; it was always true.

Anyu thought for a moment, looked back at her bed, and finally fixed her gaze on the headboard.

A different approach, would this count?

As the corruption investigation uncovered more and more, the one having the hardest time was undoubtedly Prime Minister Xu.

After Minister Qian fell, Prime Minister Xu’s eyelids had been twitching, always feeling uneasy.

Her Majesty’s change was truly unexpected, causing him to lose Minister Qian, this valuable ally.

Fortunately, the corruption case could only be traced back to Minister Qian by Her Majesty; it wouldn’t reach higher up.

Prime Minister Xu thought, learn from the setback; this time, he would just accept the loss.

As for Minister Qian… even if given eight hundred guts, he wouldn’t dare expose him. Unless his Qian family truly wanted to end their lineage, completely wiped out.

After Prime Minister Xu came out from pleading guilty in the palace, he immediately arranged for men to rush to the estate outside the capital.

While Minister Qian had just been imprisoned, he had to move the things in the estate first.

Otherwise, by the time Her Majesty traced it from Minister Qian to his wife’s cousin’s estate, it would be too late.

There was no time to delay; Prime Minister Xu immediately dispatched men.

But the confidant who returned to report was trembling—

“Prime Minister, the estate has been raided. The secret passage beneath the Buddhist hall is empty; everything is gone.”

Prime Minister Xu felt the world go dark.

If Minister Qian’s fall cut off one of his arms, then raiding that estate was cutting off his foundation.

How many years of diligent effort did it take to accumulate those treasures?

Prime Minister Xu’s hand gripping the armrest of the grand chair trembled, his voice filled with anger and hatred: “What happened…!”

“Prime Minister, inquiries with the people at the foot of the mountain revealed that they saw Her Majesty’s Imperial Guards going up the mountain… Everyone alive in the estate was captured.” The confidant was sweating profusely, “Fortunately, those people are all death warriors; they shouldn’t implicate the Prime Minister.”

Xu Ping gritted his teeth, “Her Majesty’s Imperial Guards… How did I not receive any news!”

“The one leading the Imperial Guards to raid the estate that day was not Commander Sun. Commander Sun seems to have been dismissed by Her Majesty. The one who went to the estate that day seemed to be Consort Wan… And it’s said that even the young master of the Xie family’s main branch went.”

“The Xie family! Since when did Her Majesty become so close to the Xie family!” A metallic sweetness welled up in Xu Ping’s throat.

The confidant lowered his head, daring not to speak.

Xu Ping gripped the armrest tightly, furious.

Actually, he knew it all in his heart!

The Xie family, originally instigated by rumors spread by him and other officials, should have already been deemed ‘rebellious ministers’ in Her Majesty’s heart. But ever since that legitimate daughter of the Xie family entered the palace…

That’s right, starting from then, in just half a month, rumors of Her Majesty doting on Consort Wan spread continuously, and now even major matters like the Imperial Guards and home confiscations were entrusted to the Xie family!

Even his estate was raided!

Could this Xie family woman be a demonic enchantress?!

“Prime Minister, could it be that Minister Qian exposed you? Even Minister Qian’s wife’s cousin wasn’t entirely clear about the estate’s affairs, yet everything in the secret passage under the Buddhist hall was confiscated. It could only be Minister Qian’s betrayal!” the confidant said, a hint of ruthlessness in his words.

This Minister Qian, daring to betray, must truly want the Qian family to end its line!

Xu Ping swallowed the metallic taste in his throat and waved his hand, “It wasn’t Minister Qian. If the things in that estate were revealed, his entire nine clans wouldn’t escape.”

Moreover, if Minister Qian had truly exposed him, he wouldn’t be sitting safely in his manor right now. Her Majesty had always trusted him; if she learned he had deceived her, he would be the first one arrested and interrogated.

But now, only the estate was raided…

Xu Ping closed his eyes, saying heavily: “Something’s wrong, something’s wrong.”

He had hidden the matter of the estate extremely well; it was impossible for Her Majesty to know. But if it wasn’t Minister Qian, then who…

Could it be that Her Majesty found out herself?

But how could Her Majesty have impartially investigated the estate outside the capital and raided it before he could?

Rather than being unable to figure it out, it felt more like something uncanny.

This passive situation, where he received no prior warning, made Xu Ping even more uneasy.

He had a feeling this was just the beginning.

“Regardless, this daughter of the Xie family cannot be allowed to live,” Prime Minister Xu narrowed his eyes.

“Prime Minister?” The confidant could sense his killing intent.

The Prime Minister had been an official for many years; he hadn’t personally handled or inquired about killings for a long time.

It was clear the Prime Minister was truly enraged.

“Prime Minister, I will arrange for people. Although it’s troublesome in the palace, we can always wait for an opportunity when she leaves the palace.”

Xu Ping waved his hand, “No, don’t act rashly for now.”

Confidant: ?

“At this time, the Xu family cannot afford any more scandal.”

The case of embezzling disaster relief funds hadn’t passed yet, and Consort Wan, who led the Imperial Guards to raid the estate, encountered trouble… If there wasn’t a mastermind behind this, no one would believe it.

The Xu family couldn’t afford any more scandal. It was best if the corruption case ended with Minister Qian.

Xu Ping calmed down and wiped his face.

Most importantly, the more he thought about it, the more he felt…

Even the scenario where he, the mastermind, dared not act rashly at this moment, had been calculated by Her Majesty.

No…

It was the person behind Her Majesty giving her advice.

If even this scene was calculated, then the opponent the Xu family faced this time was not simple.

The Xu family’s temporary lack of movement allowed Xie Wan some breathing room.

She slowly exhaled.

Before her was a small mountain of memorials she had finished reviewing. Without Xu Ping stirring trouble behind the scenes, coupled with the recent tense atmosphere at court, no one submitted those irrelevant, whining memorials to her for a while.

Perhaps because she, the Emperor, paid particular attention to the northern drought this time, those observant officials also began to care about the north.

And so, all the memorials were urgent, filled with important matters concerning the north.

Reviewing them was particularly tiring.

Sitting like this took another afternoon. Rubbing her lower back, Xie Wan picked up the lidded tea bowl and took a sip. The bitter taste of the tea instantly cleared her mind considerably.

The drought in the north was intensifying. The urgent task was to buy grain with the confiscated money and send it north.

Official grain supplies were definitely insufficient.

Buying grain from merchants, then spending half a month on transportation… should be enough time to provide support.

Fortunately, Li Mingxin had been sent north early, allowing the current situation to be barely managed.

After handling these matters, Xie Wan finally breathed a sigh of relief.

“Zhaoxia, what has Consort Wan been doing lately?”

Zhaoxia smiled: “Her Ladyship Consort Wan has either been at the Martial Arts Ground or staying in Wanyi Palace.”

Xie Wan nodded.

She was actually thinking, Xiao Anyu was only sixteen; was it appropriate to keep her in the palace? She had promised Xiao Anyu she would send her out of the palace, but when would be the right time?

If the little eaglet didn’t experience trials, how could it grow…

Just as she was thinking, the door was pushed open. It was Zhaoxia.

“Your Majesty, this was presented by Eldest Young Master Xie.” Zhaoxia walked quickly closer, placing the light letter paper before her.

Eldest Male Cousin…

Eldest Male Cousin had recently been handling the matter of buying grain to send north. He currently held no official title but acted as her advisor in this task.

Could there be difficulties in buying grain too?

Xie Wan opened the letter, and after reading it, her brow gently smoothed out.

“Your Majesty, what happened?” Zhaoxia asked.

Xie Wan shook her head, “It’s good news. Minister Xie found the leader of a civilian merchant association. With them acting as an intermediary, buying large quantities of grain won’t be a problem. Moreover, if it’s disaster relief grain for the north, they are willing to sell it to the court at a low price.”

There was grain in the south. Xie Wan hadn’t forcibly requisitioned it but spent money to buy it, precisely for the sake of the people’s hearts.

“Then Your Majesty…” Isn’t this good news? Why the frown?

Xie Wan was helpless: “However, the other party doesn’t trust Minister Xie and proposed to meet Us.”

Zhaoxia was incredulous, “A transaction is just money for goods. Why do they need to see you?”

“Wanting to see Us is understandable,” Xie Wan shook her head with a smile.

Because the amount being purchased was too large.

Plus, news of the northern drought was no longer a secret; it was inevitable that some might buy grain to profit from the disaster.

Proposing to meet her was actually a clever move.

This person was willing to contribute manpower and resources to help with disaster relief, yet worried that those buying the grain might profit from the disaster… In the face of national disaster, such a person with great breadth of mind and wisdom… Xie Wan was genuinely curious.

“Zhaoxia, order someone to deliver the paper to Minister Xie.” After speaking, Xie Wan dipped her brush in ink and quickly wrote a character on the paper.

Zhaoxia looked closely, “Yes!”

Ten-li express, soon, Xie Wan’s personal letter was transmitted from within the palace to outside.

Inside a certain teahouse.

Xie Yunyu, who was currently discussing business with someone, hadn’t expected Her Majesty to read the memorial he sent to the palace so quickly.

So when the attendant carefully presented the brocade pouch, Xie Yunyu was momentarily stunned.

“Boss Qi, please wait a moment.”

Then, opening the brocade pouch, he saw a piece of paper and a palace passage token inside.

On the paper was boldly written a large character—

‘Invite’

The brushwork was vigorous, grand, and imposing.

And in the bottom right corner of the paper was stamped the personal seal of Da Yue’s most revered Majesty—

The two characters ‘Chu Long’ leaped onto the paper.

Xie Yunyu sighed with a smile, placed the paper and token together on the table, and pushed them towards the person opposite him.

“Boss Qi, what do you think?”

Boss Qi didn’t pay attention to the paper but stared at the palace passage token for a moment.

She was a merchant, naturally knowledgeable about goods.

This token was not a fake.

“Boss Qi, time is of the essence. Every moment delayed means the grain arrives a moment later. Let’s have this tea another time; let’s go see Her Majesty first.”

“Alright,” Boss Qi nodded.

Xie Yunyu immediately stood up, “…Please.”

The two walked out of the teahouse and boarded a carriage.

Neither Xie Yunyu nor Boss Qi had expected that the letter sent to the palace just an hour ago would receive a reply so quickly.

Once in the carriage, Boss Qi examined the paper with the personal seal again and said softly, “Her Majesty has beautiful handwriting.”

As the saying goes, a single leaf foretells autumn; it’s the same with people. One can know a thing or two about a person by looking at their handwriting.

And the handwriting before her was grand in execution, the brushstrokes powerful. Every stroke exuded strength.

The writing reflects the person; a weak person could not write such characters.

Her Majesty was indeed beyond her expectations.

“It seems Boss Qi also dabbles in calligraphy and literary treasures.”

Boss Qi shook her head, “An old illness becomes a good doctor. My family has been merchants for generations. Having seen many paintings and calligraphy works, I can tell a thing or two.”

Xie Yunyu smiled without speaking.

Her Majesty was indeed different from her past reputation. He had only recently understood this point.

She always seemed to have a gentle smile on her face, but in reality, her actions were strategic and decisive.

Out of ten corrupt officials, nine were executed. In this corruption case, there wasn’t enough space at the Meridian Gate entrance for them all to kneel.

Power over life and death, ruthless execution.

Not the image of a benevolent Ziwei ruler. More like a Pojun Emperor.

But if one called her fierce, she punished corrupt officials… making it hard to judge.

A Ziwei-Pojun dual-fate Emperor, theoretically, should be an enlightened ruler of heaven and earth.

Combining grace and power, it was Da Yue’s fortune.

Da Yue might truly achieve prosperous peace.

But right now… was not the time to discuss those things.

Xie Yunyu glanced again at the paper in Boss Qi’s hand.

Something felt off, he looked again.

Her Majesty’s handwriting… why did it resemble Anyu’s somewhat?

Anyu, that girl’s handwriting had always been good, her brushstrokes powerful, often praised by the teacher during school.

But upon closer look, it seemed similar… yet not quite.

Anyu’s handwriting always had too sharp an edge.

Her Majesty’s handwriting didn’t reveal its edge, yet… one absolutely dared not underestimate it.

Such handwriting shouldn’t belong to Anyu.

He must be overthinking.

Perhaps it was just the initial strokes that were similar.

When the two arrived at the palace, Xie Wan did not receive them in the Golden Throne Hall.

The Imperial Study also had a quiet courtyard.

When Xie Yunyu brought Boss Qi, what they saw was Xie Wan dressed in simple, casual clothes, sitting by the pond drinking tea and waiting.

She clearly wasn’t wearing imperial robes.

Yet her aura alone could command respect.

This was the Emperor Ruiming of Da Yue, Chu Long.

Boss Qi lowered her gaze slightly, about to kneel: “This commoner Qi Shu pays respect to Your Majesty…”

“Kneeling is waived. Attendants, grant seats.”

Once the two were seated, Xie Wan got straight to the point: “We already know the matter from the message Minister Xie sent. Boss Qi wished to see Us, and We also wished to meet Boss Qi.”

Qi Shu: “It was this commoner’s audacity.”

Xie Wan waved her hand, “Boss Qi did nothing wrong. Let’s talk business. We want to buy half of the south’s commercial grain to support the northern drought relief. Does Boss Qi have a way?”

Qi Shu took a deep breath and said: “It’s not difficult. Merchants trade for those few silver pieces; as long as Your Majesty has silver, there’s nothing that cannot be bought. This commoner’s family has been merchants for generations, and the family’s children travel north and south, getting acquainted with many people. Contacting grain merchants in various parts of the south is not hard. But this commoner doesn’t understand why Your Majesty asked Eldest Young Master Xie to buy grain privately…”

She was the Emperor; with one decree, the local government offices could directly contact the local grain merchants. Why go through this trouble…

“News of the embezzlement case related to disaster relief must have spread among the common folk by now,” Xie Wan sighed, “We are still shaken by it. We will personally oversee this northern matter, ensuring we don’t repeat the same mistakes. Furthermore… actually, We sent Minister Xie to contact grain merchants because We want the transportation talent of the merchant caravans.”

Qi Shu frowned, “Your Majesty means…”

“Between the north and south lie continuous mountain ranges, and bandits run rampant near Lingbei. Even the official roads… With the current drought in the north, bandits will only become more brazen in robbing silver and grain. If We first send troops to suppress the bandits, then order people to deliver the grain, by the time it reaches the north, the common people will have starved to death,” Xie Wan shook her head.

“We know that merchants traveling between north and south have ways to avoid the threat of bandits. Whether the merchants know shortcuts or secret paths, or have dealings or paid respects to the bandits, We will not pursue it. But merchants can safely transport goods between north and south, and that’s what We value. We are not afraid of bandits causing trouble, but We fear the people of the north won’t receive the grain in time.”

Xie Wan gently tapped the table, “In short, you provide the manpower and resources, We provide the money.”

The current priority was to deliver the disaster relief grain to the various cities in the north as quickly as possible.

Qi Shu was surprised.

Lingbei bandits were indeed rampant, each claiming a mountain as their kingdom. Ordinary merchants traveling the official roads usually avoided robbery because they had paid ‘passage fees’. Bandits weren’t stupid either; robbing too much would attract the court to suppress them, which was more troublesome.

So they collected ‘passage fees’.

Sometimes, bandits even observed ‘righteousness’; after receiving money, they might escort the merchant for a distance.

But this was also a tacit ‘secret’ among merchants. She was very surprised that Her Majesty could think of this layer.

“If Your Majesty provides the silver, this commoner is confident in persuading the merchant caravans.” Merchants prioritize profit; as long as the money was sufficient, what was arranging transportation teams?

She agreed. Xie Wan’s lips curled slightly. Qi Shu, whose family had been merchants for generations. The Qi family might not be the wealthiest in the capital, but they had the widest network among merchants. It wasn’t surprising that Eldest Cousin sought out the Qi family.

But merchants always weigh gains and losses in everything they do. Qi Shu was willing to be the leading merchant for this disaster relief; doing good deeds was one aspect, but she couldn’t possibly contribute effort for nothing.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have come to see her personally.

“If this matter succeeds, We will lower merchant taxes. The Qi family will become Imperial Merchants,” Xie Wan gave her promise. “Once the northern drought situation stabilizes, We will also dispatch troops to suppress the bandits. The Lingbei bandit plague has become a disaster; it’s time to clean it up.”

As soon as these words were spoken, Qi Shu was stunned.

She had requested an audience with the Emperor; naturally, it wasn’t out of pure self-sacrificing altruism. Selling half of the southern grain to the court was not an easy task in any respect. Coordinating grain merchants across the south required significant effort and financial resources, far from trivial.

She had her objectives, or rather, conditions for exchange. But she hadn’t said anything yet, and Her Majesty had already stated everything.

And even offered more.

“This commoner Qi Shu thanks Your Majesty! This commoner will definitely do her utmost for this matter!”

Lowering merchant taxes, becoming Imperial Merchants, suppressing bandits—what did this mean for merchants? No merchant would be unaware.

This matter had to succeed, even if it seemed impossible!

After receiving the Emperor’s promise, Qi Shu hastily took her leave, escorted out of the palace by palace attendants.

Xie Yunyu had been standing silently beside them all along. Only after Qi Shu left did he speak: “Your Majesty, are you planning to promote commerce?”

Xie Wan took a sip of tea, “Is it that obvious?”

Xie Yunyu: “…Yes.”

“Minister Xie is intelligent.” Xie Wan rubbed the lidded tea bowl and smiled: “We were just worrying about how to find an appropriate reason to promote commerce… Qi Shu just gave Us a good reason.”

Merchant Qi is greatly benevolent, transporting southern grain to relieve the common people. We personally bestow the title of ‘Imperial Merchant’, lower merchant taxes, hoping merchants throughout the realm will follow Merchant Qi’s example; the wealthy should benefit the world.

She had even thought about how to write the imperial decree.

The Lingbei bandit plague, she wanted to deal with it. After dealing with it, build grand roads, post stations, markets, facilitate extensive trade between north and south, driving the development of both regions.

Only then could Da Yue’s prosperity be within reach.

Xie Yunyu vaguely guessed Her Majesty’s thoughts, but he frowned slightly: “However, Your Majesty, the Lingbei bandit plague is a disaster. Eradicating it… will likely not be achieved overnight.”

Xie Wan said with a smile: “Prosperity is also not achieved overnight. We are not in a hurry. Step by step, the lives of Da Yue’s common people will improve day by day.”

“We not only want to solve the Lingbei bandit plague, We also want to solve the northern drought. To achieve a permanent solution, We can only start with water conservancy. But constructing water conservancy projects, diverting southern water north, is much more difficult than solving a bandit plague. This isn’t money that can be obtained by confiscating a few corrupt officials’ assets. Minister Xie, when the people are rich, the country is rich.”

Xie Yunyu was stunned by her words, bowed his head, and said in a deep voice: “Your Majesty is wise.”

Xie Wan yawned, “We are returning to the palace to sleep for a while. Minister Xie, please put more effort into Merchant Qi’s matter.”

Being an emperor wasn’t easy; it felt even more so after becoming one. Xie Wan sighed; she hadn’t slept well for three consecutive days. This body was also weak.

Xie Yunyu looked up, and sure enough, there were faint dark circles under her eyes.

“Respectfully seeing Your Majesty off.”

Xie Wan returned to the palace, wanting to collapse into sleep.

Zhaoxia initially wanted to help her change clothes but saw Xie Wan take off her outer robe herself and turn towards the bed. Seeing this, Zhaoxia also sighed softly, “Your Majesty, shall I light some calming incense?”

“No need. Wake Us up for the meal.” She hadn’t been to Wanyi Palace for several days either; after waking up, she’d go find Xiao Anyu for dinner.

Eating alone always felt too lonely.

“Yes.”

Zhaoxia walked out of the bedchamber with light steps, carefully closing the door.

Xie Wan yawned as she approached the bed.

The calming incense burner was still placed by her bedside. Emperor Ruiming’s body was weak, a light sleeper; even for a nap, a small stick of calming incense had to be burned.

Xie Wan, however, disliked it.

Her pillow was made from special calming wood that her grandfather happened to obtain when she was young, and it was infused with the scent of herbs. So since childhood, she didn’t need to burn any incense to sleep soundly.

Seeing Xiao Anyu, one knew that her sleep had always been excellent since childhood.

Even later, when she went to the battlefield, she only slept poorly when she first saw the scene of bodies strewn everywhere.

Xie Wan took off her boots, tidied her inner clothes, and was just about to lie down when suddenly, her eyes sharpened.

One leg of the low stool by the bed holding the incense burner seemed slightly crooked…

As if someone had accidentally bumped it in a hurry.

Suddenly, Xie Wan’s ear twitched.

Her movement to lie down abruptly stopped. She grabbed the incense burner from the low stool by the bed and threw it towards the ceiling beam with lightning speed.

Its speed was fast, accurate, and ruthless.

In that instant, the killing intent in her eyes was fully revealed.

Only a ‘thud’ sound was heard.

The incense burner landed on the floor.

At the same time, Xie Wan’s hand had already gripped the handle of the dagger hidden under the pillow.

In that split second, the person on the beam was also startled. To dodge the suddenly thrown incense burner, their body tilted and they nearly fell.

But just as they were about to fall, like a monkey, they nimbly grabbed the beam, using it as leverage to land steadily.

“Close call—” the ‘assassin’ who landed steadily exclaimed in relief.

Xie Wan saw the assassin’s appearance clearly, immediately released the dagger in her hand, looked at the person before her, and sighed: “Consort Wan, how did you become a gentleman on the beams? Is there anything in my bedchamber that Consort Wan fancies and wants to take away?”

Who else could the person before her be but Xie Anyu.

But no one announced her, meaning she sneaked in.

The shadow guards didn’t react; it was her own fault for telling them not to stop Xie Anyu, leading to this false alarm.

Xie Anyu’s face flushed red from her teasing, “I… I was about to leave, but Your Majesty happened to return.”

She wasn’t some thief!

However… that incense burner just now…

Just as Anyu was about to ask something, she heard Xie Wan ask: “Then why come secretly? Could it be… you have something you don’t understand and need to ask Us again?”

“No…” Since she was discovered anyway, Xie Anyu decided not to hide it anymore, pulled open the hem of her outer robe, and took out a small wooden pillow hidden near her stomach.

Xie Wan: ?

“Isn’t this Consort Wan’s pillow?” Xie Wan said with a smile, “Could it be that Consort Wan plans to talk with Us all night today?”

Even brought her own pillow.

Xie Anyu shook her head, quickly walked towards her, and placed the wooden pillow in her arms, “This pillow is made of calming wood, it helps one sleep well.”

“A gift… for Us?” Xie Wan almost blurted out ‘me’, nearly forgetting her proper form of address.

That pillow was her treasured possession from her youth.

Taking it out to give away? Was she really that generous?

Xie Wan was very surprised.

“Not a gift, just lending it to you for a few days,” Anyu scratched her head.

“Consort Wan… is so generous.” Xie Wan was genuinely stunned. Although at first glance, Xiao Anyu seemed quite stingy, only lending it for a few days. But only she herself knew that her younger self couldn’t bear to be separated from this pillow even for a day.

This pillow ranked easily within the top three of her most cherished possessions.

Hearing this, Xie Anyu’s face flushed red, “Are you mocking me?”

What generous.

Yes, she was just being stingy, only wanting to lend it for a few days!

Other people’s birthday gifts were things like calligraphy, paintings, poems, gold, silver, and treasures. But she had no money and wasn’t versed in poetry; the most precious thing she brought into the palace was this pillow.

Being able to lend it for a few days was already parting with it reluctantly!

“Forget it if you don’t want it. Your Majesty is the Emperor, what kind of calming wood haven’t you seen? It was this consort’s impoliteness.” After saying that, Xie Anyu turned to leave.

That’s right, giving a pillow, her own frequently used pillow, even though she had carefully wiped it many times before coming, it was only natural to be disdained!

Thinking this, anger flared in Anyu’s heart, wanting only to leave this bedchamber immediately.

That’s right, she shouldn’t have come.

The sickly Emperor liked books and poetry; anyway, she had nothing to do with those! What birthday gift? It’s fine not to give one!

“Consort Wan, you misunderstood!” Xie Wan quickly got up and stopped her.

But looking closely, she was stunned again.

Anyu’s small face was tense, her lips pressed into a thin line. Her eyes, usually bright like pearls, were now filled with a different kind of anger, and even… some grievance.

This appearance…

Even she herself hadn’t seen it before.

Why had it come to this?

Why let herself suffer such great grievance?

Xie Wan sighed, “We also like this pillow of yours. It looks like it can make one sleep soundly. We even asked to borrow it from you before, doesn’t Consort Wan remember? You refused Us outright then. We remember this pillow is your treasure, why are you willing to part with it for Us?”

Xie Anyu asked with pressed lips: “Isn’t your birthday coming up?”

Xie Wan was surprised, “So this is a birthday gift?”

“Yes,” Xie Anyu turned her head away.

Indeed… Emperor Ruiming’s birthday was approaching; she had forgotten in her busyness.

Xie Wan reached out and took the item from her arms, “We were just getting sleepy, and you brought Us a pillow.”

Seeing that she didn’t seem to dislike her pillow, and noticing the dark circles under her eyes, Anyu’s anger somehow subsided. She explained, “This is calming wood, it helps one sleep well… I originally intended to put it down and leave, but you happened to come back. I don’t know why, but the shadow guards saw me and didn’t stop me.”

“Mm, We ordered it.”

Anyu: !

How much trust did she have to even let her into a place like the bedchamber?

“Next time… I’ll use the main door,” Anyu said awkwardly. “You are Her Majesty; the bedchamber should still be strictly guarded.”

Otherwise, perhaps she wouldn’t have seen Xiao Anyu climbing over the wall to deliver a gift.

Sixteen, truly an age where it’s hard to say whether one is straightforward or awkward.

Xie Wan sighed with a smile: “Alright.”

Glancing again at her weary face, Anyu immediately became serious: “Then Your Majesty should rest, I’ll head back first.”

Xie Wan didn’t stop her either; she was indeed very tired, her vision even getting a bit blurry. She nodded and said: “We’ll take a short nap. You have dinner with Us later.”

“…Alright.”

“We’ll go experience Consort Wan’s pillow,” she said, holding the pillow, and walked somewhat dazedly back to the bedside.

Experience her pillow… Anyu’s face flushed red. She opened her mouth, wanting to say something but finding it difficult.

If she didn’t know Her Majesty was clueless about love, she would have taken those words as lewd!

Forget it, never mind her, hmph.

Xie Anyu stood for a moment, then prepared to leave. Looking back again, Xie Wan had already lain down in her inner clothes, her boots placed casually to the side.

She couldn’t help but walk closer again and straighten the boots.

Standing up, she happened to see her sleeping soundly. Face pale, dark circles under her eyes, how many days had she stayed up…

Listening to her light and steady breathing, Anyu was sure she was truly asleep.

“I haven’t even left yet, and you’re sleeping so soundly. How much trust do you have in me…” Anyu muttered very, very softly.

After speaking, Anyu couldn’t help but look at her pillow again.

Her pillow was being used by the sickly Emperor.

“You have to give her a good dream, okay,” Anyu instructed.

After the instruction, Anyu also planned to leave.

But halfway there, her peripheral vision suddenly caught the incense burner lying tilted not far from the bed.

Just now, this thing had hit her.

She hadn’t intended to sneak in; there were shadow guards in the palace, and Her Majesty’s bedchamber naturally had guards too. But on second thought, if those people in the palace knew about her giving a pillow, they would definitely laugh at her behind her back.

So she avoided the maids and slipped in.

She thought the shadow guards would stop her. But they didn’t.

She wanted to put down the pillow and leave…

Who knew Her Majesty would suddenly return? In her panic, she climbed onto the beam, thinking she’d leave after Her Majesty fell asleep.

But without warning, that small palm-sized incense burner suddenly flew towards her face. She was completely unprepared and could only hastily dodge, nearly falling off the beam.

Thinking about it now.

There was no one else in the room, so Her Majesty must have thrown the incense burner, right?

Anyu walked closer to the incense burner.

There was no more incense ash in the burner; clearly, it hadn’t been used for a long time.

When the incense burner flew towards her, it was fast and ruthless, with unusually good accuracy; even she almost didn’t react in time.

Anyu picked up the incense burner and looked at it, not quite understanding.

Her Majesty… had she also learned martial arts?