After Rebirth, My Wife Turned Out to Be Myself - Chapter 27

No sooner had Xie Wan learned that Anyu had gone to attend Song Nanfeng’s tea party than she heard a report from outside that Lady Consort Wan had arrived.

Had she just finished teaching those people a lesson?

Xie Wan thought, perfect, she could also tell her about changing the birthday gathering to a martial arts competition.

Xie Wan had just put down her brush when Anyu’s figure appeared at the doorway.

Lifting her gaze, she met the sight of Anyu dressed in a goose-yellow palace dress with wide sleeves, her head adorned with numerous pearl and flower hair ornaments.

Xie Wan’s eyes held a smile: “Consort Wan is so elaborately dressed to see me today.”

She naturally knew why Anyu was dressed like this; it was probably because she didn’t want to lose to those young masters and be at a disadvantage.

But… well, she just couldn’t resist teasing her.

Anyu glared at her without speaking, as if resisting her in silence.

Xie Wan: ?

Xie Wan also noticed something was off. She paused and asked, “Consort Wan, what’s wrong?”

Her first thought was that little Anyu had been bullied by Song Nanfeng.

But she quickly dismissed it.

Her younger self back then had even dared to hit the Emperor; with Song Nanfeng’s slender build, he probably couldn’t withstand a single punch from little Anyu.

Xie Anyu straightened her back, standing rigidly, and glared at Xie Wan sitting in her chair, saying, “I just attended Lady Consort Song’s tea party.”

Lady Consort Song… Xie Wan was startled, then laughed after she reacted. “Mm, and then what happened?”

“My… colleagues told me that at Her Majesty’s birthday poetry gathering, one could be promoted in rank just by painting a good picture.” Xie Anyu didn’t blink, staring fixedly at Xie Wan, as if checking if such an absurd thing had truly come from her imperial lips.

Xie Wan rubbed her chin, “That was indeed the case in previous years, but…”

Before she could finish, Anyu cut her off, “Does Your Majesty know how much merit and compensation soldiers who die on the battlefield receive?”

Those people never enjoyed much glory in their lives, and the average age of the soldiers reported killed in battle each year wasn’t much older than them.

Xie Anyu came from a general’s family; she was very clear about the inside story.

Although she had never seen what a battlefield looked like with her own eyes, she remembered the weariness and sorrow in her father’s eyes when he returned to the manor after a campaign.

Xie Wan watched her silently, the smile in her eyes gradually fading. “So that’s why Consort Wan is unhappy.”

Anyu clenched her fist, “I am very unhappy!”

“Then let’s change it. I will summon the Minister of War and military officials into the palace tomorrow to discuss how this system should be revised.”

Xie Wan’s words were startling, leaving Anyu rooted to the spot.

She stared wide-eyed, unable to believe it, but at the same time, the anger in her heart flared up. “You… you…”

Xie Wan looked up, puzzled, “What’s wrong?”

“You… how does that saying go…” Anyu slapped her forehead, indignant, “How can you change a national system just because of something a consort said…”

Xie Wan was silent for a moment, then tentatively asked, “But I think Consort Wan is right.”

Anyu suddenly realized, right, she wasn’t some wicked consort disrupting the court.

“Even if I’m right, you still have to…” Anyu stammered, “Your Majesty is the Emperor, even if what I say makes sense, you must deliberate repeatedly… before making a decision!”

“But this matter requires no deliberation.”

Anyu pursed her lips.

Damn it!

She had clearly come to be angry, but how had she been left speechless by just two sentences?

“No, what I wanted to say wasn’t about changing the military system, the urgent matter is that group of… that group of parasites in your harem!” Anyu tapped the table. “What use are they? Why are they eating Da Yue’s grain and receiving stipends to enjoy themselves in the palace for nothing? The common people know they have to farm to feed themselves, are these people relying on being Her Majesty’s consorts to be useless for a lifetime?”

“Consort Wan is right.” Xie Wan nodded, expressing strong agreement. “Indeed, if they cannot produce heirs for the imperial family and cannot serve the nation, this group truly are parasites.”

Xie Anyu picked up the tea beside her, took a sip, and nodded heavily. “Exactly!”

Xie Wan nodded. “Yes, Consort Wan is right, it’s all my fault. This year’s selection has already been cancelled. As for the current ones, I will also find a suitable time to let them leave the palace.”

“It’s Your Majesty who made that group of men useless!” Anyu frowned, sternly condemning her! She was the culprit who fostered this group of parasites!

“Yes.” Xie Wan listened, feeling helpless, but since the blame had been placed on her head, she could only accept it tearfully.

“What are you doing…” Seeing this, Anyu didn’t know how to react. This wasn’t what she had expected!

She had practically called her incompetent and lustful! How could she keep nodding?

“I said all this, and Your Majesty isn’t angry?” Anyu looked at her hesitantly, completely confused.

“Angry about what? I am very pleased that Consort Wan cares so much about Da Yue’s soldiers.” Xie Wan beckoned her over and patted the chair she was sitting on.

The chair in the Imperial Study was very wide; it was easy for both of them to sit, and it wouldn’t even feel crowded.

Anyu just glanced at it and shook her head vigorously.

She wasn’t going!

“I permit you to sit, what are you afraid of? Come here.”

Anyu: !

Was she afraid! She, she, she! She liked this person a little!

How could she sit with her! It was too close!

Anyu shook her head like a rattle drum, “I won’t sit, I’ll stand for a bit. Your Majesty can just say it! Charge me with disrespect or interfering in court affairs… whether it’s punishment or scolding, I’ll bear it.”

She had thought it through before coming. Even if she was punished, she had to say these things.

If Her Majesty wasn’t the one who was willing to be beaten by her on their wedding night, she probably wouldn’t have made this trip, no matter how much she felt for the soldiers of Da Yue. Some incompetent rulers don’t listen to advice, and saying more is useless; besides being disrespectful herself, it would likely make the incompetent ruler resent the Xie family. It wouldn’t be worth it.

But the incompetent ruler before her listened. Since she listened, perhaps she wasn’t that incompetent?

That’s why she came.

It didn’t matter if she was charged with a crime!

Xie Wan observed her carefully and smiled. It seemed this burst of anger was over, and she had calmed down.

“Why would I charge you with disrespect? Consort Wan merely spoke the truth. The harem is indeed like this, and I think Consort Wan is right.”

“As for interfering in court affairs… how can that be considered interfering? Isn’t it just that Consort Wan was invited for tea by Lady Consort Song and got worked up?” She said humorously, emphasizing the words ‘Lady Consort Song’.

Xie Anyu remembered Song Nanfeng’s dull expression and couldn’t help but chuckle. Realizing the situation, she quickly stops and lowered her head.

…Still wanting to laugh, Anyu bit her lip to hold it in, thinking this person was really annoying!

“I don’t think it’s interfering in court affairs. Consort Wan clearly feels there are too many men in the harem, which is why she eagerly came to tell me that those young masters are useless.” Xie Wan nodded seriously. “This little bit of jealousy, I understand.”

Xie Anyu suddenly looked up.

Xie Wan smiled, got up, and stroked her head.

“I won’t punish Consort Wan. Rather, I think having Consort Wan is my good fortune.”

Saying this, Xie Wan walked outside and opened a door.

Allowing the warm sunlight to fall on her face.

Seeing Anyu speak so urgently, criticizing the deeds of Emperor Ruiming, the incompetent ruler, she only felt happy.

It was like looking in a mirror.

The mirror reflected her own past unwillingness. What Anyu said and thought was exactly the same as her past self.

But back then, she couldn’t make Emperor Ruiming a wise ruler.

Now she was Chu Long, and this was good. ‘Xie Wan’ was gone, but ‘Xie Anyu’ was still here, telling her where she was lacking and what needed to be changed.

This prevented her from losing herself, constantly reminding her that being an emperor is about bringing blessings to the people, and things that shouldn’t be done must absolutely not be done.

She has become Chu Long, but she will never become that incompetent Emperor Ruiming. The present glamour will not blind her eyes, because there is a little Anyu, cracking a little whip and saying, ‘You can’t do it like this.’

Thinking this, Xie Wan smiled softly.

Xiao Anyu, cracking a little whip, was also very lively and interesting.

Thinking this, Xie Wan naturally didn’t notice that Anyu behind her was standing dumbfounded, her ears bright red.

What did Her Majesty just say?

Jealousy?

Was she jealous of the men in the harem? How could that be!

She clearly just came to scold her!

But…

In Her Majesty’s eyes, did she look a little jealous of those men in the harem just now?

Anyu shouted heavily in her heart—

She wasn’t!

What was she jealous of…

Her Majesty had always only been good to her, only stroked her head, and never stayed overnight in other palaces.

She wasn’t jealous.

She was just a little scared—

Anyu couldn’t help but cover her chest.

Xie Anyu, you can only like her a little bit.

She is the Emperor.

“Consort Wan.”

“Here!” Anyu instantly straightened her body.

Xie Wan turned back and smiled. “I forgot to tell you some good news.”

Anyu blinked: ?

“This year, my birthday poetry gathering has been changed to a martial arts competition.”

Anyu was stunned.

“Watching that group of young masters compete in martial arts will definitely be more fun than watching them shake their heads and read.”

Xie Anyu: “…”

Xie Wan walked back, pinched her little face. “Not happy? I thought Consort Wan would be so happy she’d jump onto the beam. Consort Wan will also participate in this martial arts competition and win first place for me.”

Anyu: !

“I’m not going!” Anyu blurted out her refusal.

Xie Wan: ?

“I, I… On Her Majesty’s birthday, this consort has things to attend to!” Saying this, Anyu rushed out in a panic. “Your Majesty, I’m leaving!”

Xie Wan: “…?”

Qingcui, who was waiting outside chatting with Zhaoxia, also didn’t expect her mistress to come out so quickly. Just as she was about to call out, she saw her run out swiftly.

She must have used lightness skill, and disappeared in an instant.

Qingcui and Zhaoxia looked at each other: ?

“Mistress, wait for this servant!” Qingcui quickly lifted her skirt and chased after her.

Anyu ran out, breathing in the fresh air in large gulps.

The birthday poetry gathering was changed to a martial arts competition.

Why change it!

Although a martial arts competition sounds much more fun than a poetry gathering, why change it!

Anyu didn’t want to think wrongly, but it was so hard.

It wasn’t changed in previous years, but this year, after she entered the palace, it was changed.

People will really misunderstand! She will misunderstand, everyone will misunderstand!

Anyu wiped her face. Dad! Your daughter is going to become a wicked consort!