After Rebirth, My Wife Turned Out to Be Myself - Chapter 28

After that day, Qingcui noticed that her Lady Consort had started avoiding Her Majesty again.

Although she didn’t understand why, Qingcui naturally didn’t dare to ask.

It’s worth mentioning that ever since her mistress used a bamboo stick to split the stone table, very few young masters in the imperial harem dared to come before the Lady Consort ‘without knowing better’.

Of course, a legend about her Lady Consort had also spread throughout the harem—

Fierce, impossible to deal with, the smart ones shouldn’t provoke her.

Even Young Master Nan, who had a very strong background in the palace, now avoided the Lady Consort of Wanyi Palace when he saw her. As for the other young masters, there was even less to say.

So, after a brief period of turmoil, Anyu’s life in the imperial harem returned to normal.

Xie Wan, however, was completely unaware of why little Anyu was avoiding her again.

But she was also busy and had no time to spare. Every day, she listened to the reports from her hidden guards, knew that Anyu was doing well, and didn’t bother with it further.

At the same time—

Emperor Ruiming’s birthday arrived.

The palace began to hang lanterns and decorations, preparing for the banquet.

Three days later would be the imperial banquet.

Just as the young masters in the palace and the officials outside the palace had prepared their birthday gifts for Her Majesty and were admiring them with satisfaction, ‘bad news’ arrived—

This year’s poetry gathering was changed to a martial arts competition!

This made all the officials drop their jaws.

What?

Changed to a martial arts competition?

Her Majesty liked elegant gatherings the most, how could it become a martial arts competition? Besides, who would compete?

“Her Majesty has said that officials and their family members may participate, regardless of gender. If one wins the first place in this martial arts competition, Her Majesty will bestow a generous reward!” The attendant read the imperial decree, emphasizing the words “generous reward”.

And the officials who knelt to receive the decree, though incredulous, could only shout loudly in acceptance.

This imperial decree not only meant that the birthday banquet had changed, but also that the balance of status between civil and military officials in Her Majesty’s eyes was likely to begin to tilt.

In short, the military officials were overjoyed, while the civil officials looked as if they had lost a parent.

And Xu Shengwen of the Xu family… was so angry he broke his brush.

“Young… Young Master…” The servant boy couldn’t help but worry when he saw him standing silently in front of the painting.

The brush was still on the ground, ink spilled everywhere.

The Young Master was probably furious.

How could Xu Shengwen not be angry, how could he not be angry!

How much effort had he put in these past few days to create this painting! What was it for? It was for her favor, for her to abandon her suspicion and prejudice against the Xu family, and to look at him differently again!

But now, everything was ruined!

The poetry gathering was changed to a martial arts competition, what could he use to compete with others? With his body that couldn’t even tie a chicken?

Xu Shengwen was so angry his hands were trembling.

“Changing it to a martial arts competition, whose idea was it…” Xu Shengwen asked through gritted teeth.

“Young Master, this… this seems to be Her Majesty’s own idea.”

“Bang!” Xu Shengwen directly knocked over the inkstone on the table.

The servant boy was so scared he quickly knelt down, “Young Master, please calm down!”

Her Majesty held a poetry gathering every year, she knew nothing about martial arts! The birthday banquet’s poetry gathering had been held so many times, yet this year it became a martial arts competition!

Yes, this year there was a favored consort in the palace, a favored consort who knew martial arts!

Xie Wan!

Xu Shengwen recalled that young face, wishing he could tear her to shreds in his heart!

If at first he had only entered the palace because of his father’s instructions, after learning some of Her Majesty’s true nature, he was now unwilling to give up!

Her Majesty was wise and shrewd, not comparable to ordinary women, and she could even make his heart tremble with a single glance!

Xu Shengwen admitted that he was unwilling to give up Her Majesty! Even more unwilling to lose to a little girl like Xie Wan!

Xu Shengwen calmed down and said, “After the painting dries, put it away for me. I will take it into the palace for Her Majesty’s birthday.”

The servant boy quickly got up, glanced at the phoenix painting that hadn’t dried yet, paused, and asked, “Young Master, this painting isn’t finished yet…”

Xu Shengwen: “Don’t paint it anymore.”

The servant boy didn’t dare to say anything, only nodded cautiously. Scholars had big tempers, he understood.

Just then, someone walked into the courtyard.

“Shengwen, what are you doing?” The person shouted loudly.

The servant boy heard the voice and quickly whispered, “Young Master, it’s the Eldest Young Master…”

What was he doing here?

Xu Shengwen frowned, then walked outside.

The person who came was indeed Xu Shengming. He had one hand behind his back, looking smug and self-satisfied.

“Eldest Brother.”

Xu Shengming smiled and glanced at him tentatively, “Shengwen, are you painting?”

Xu Shengwen nodded calmly: “Eldest Brother, is there something?”

“You don’t need to paint this anymore. Haven’t you heard the news? Her Majesty is changing the poetry gathering to a martial arts competition.” Xu Shengming coughed lightly, “I don’t have anything else, I just came to tell you. Father told me to participate in the martial arts competition. The Xu family must have someone participate, we need to show our face in front of Her Majesty. You know, Eldest Brother has also learned some martial arts.”

As soon as the martial arts competition was mentioned, Xu Shengwen’s expression wasn’t very good, “Then congratulations, Eldest Brother.”

But seeing Xu Shengwen’s expression, Xu Shengming curled his lips, “Eldest Brother didn’t come to show off to you, it’s just that as my younger brother, Eldest Brother and you are bl00d relatives, so I should inform you.”

Every year, it was Xu Shengwen who brought honor to the Xu family. This time, it was finally his turn.

“Has Eldest Brother discussed participating in the martial arts competition with Father?”

“Naturally, Father strongly agrees.”

Xu Shengwen was surprised, his father agreed too?

With Xu Shengming’s meager martial arts skills, he could probably only beat the servants who did rough work in the manor. Once he faced someone with real martial arts and internal energy, he probably wouldn’t even know how he died.

“Father said that if I can get a ranking, he will swallow his pride and ask Her Majesty to let me be a military official. You know, our family is representative of civil officials, but now Her Majesty’s intentions have changed, so our Xu family must also change. Having one more military official in the family is like adding wings to a tiger,” Xu Shengming said complacently.

That’s only if you can actually get a ranking. Xu Shengwen simply didn’t believe Xu Shengming could beat that brute from the Xie family.

Furthermore… Her Majesty already had doubts about the Xu family, how could she possibly let Xu Shengming become a military official…

“Eldest Brother is right. Shengwen wishes Eldest Brother success in advance.”

His expression didn’t seem fake, and Xu Shengming was satisfied, “Alright, I don’t have anything else, I’ll go back now and stretch my muscles.”

“Eldest Brother, take care.”

Xu Shengming left, feeling pleased.

“Young Master, the Eldest Young Master is really…” Even the servant boy couldn’t help but frown.

“Don’t mind him,” Xu Shengwen said indifferently.

His Eldest Brother was still as unable to grasp the situation as ever. Since childhood, he wanted to compete for everything, but in the end, he was neither here nor there, useless except for his status as the eldest son of the Xu family.

Father wasn’t unaware, but he always thought about helping Eldest Brother.

However… Father actually wanted Eldest Brother to be a military official. It seems he doesn’t plan to pass on his legacy to Eldest Brother.

Xu Shengwen felt only mockery.

Thinking of the books sent to his courtyard recently, what else was there for Xu Shengwen not to understand?

Father thought Eldest Brother was truly useless, and remembered him, this second son?

Unfortunately, he didn’t want to be an official.

He only wanted…

Xu Shengwen lowered his eyes, the figure of Emperor Ruiming reflected in his mind.

The more unwilling he was, the more he had to obtain her.

He would not lose to Xie Wan, absolutely not.

“Lady Consort, Her Majesty said she wants you to participate in the martial arts competition. Zhaoxia sister has already sent the things,” Qingcui gently knocked on the door of the study in Wanyi Palace and whispered the message to her mistress inside.

At that moment, Anyu was receiving her guest—

Her eldest cousin, Xie Yunyu, who had come to visit her on behalf of the whole family.

“What things?” Anyu cautiously glanced at her eldest cousin, saw that he was still calmly sipping his tea, and then raised her voice to ask Qingcui.

“It’s the robe for the martial arts competition.”

Xie Anyu covered her ears, “I’m not wearing it, I’m not participating.”

“Lady Consort…” Qingcui was very troubled.

“Just leave it there, leave it there.”

“Yes.”

As soon as Her Majesty’s imperial decree was issued, changing the poetry gathering to a martial arts competition, everyone was momentarily stunned. But in the past few days, they had come to their senses and were all speculating that Her Majesty had changed her usual custom for her sake.

So she was no longer an ordinary favored consort.

In everyone’s eyes, she was now a very, very favored consort, one whose words carried great weight in front of Her Majesty!

Anyu met her eldest cousin’s gaze, saw a hint of curiosity in his eyes, and immediately wilted, “Eldest Cousin, do you believe me if I say I don’t know anything?”

Xie Yunyu blew on his teacup and smiled gently: “Seeing you so unwilling, Eldest Brother is quite relieved.”

If Anyu were truly immersed in Her Majesty’s favor and unable to extricate herself, then he would be the one with a headache.

Fortunately, his sister was clear-headed.

Anyu, however, muttered softly when she heard this, “I’m not unwilling either.”

If this kind of favor wasn’t on her, but on someone else, she might feel a little uncomfortable.

Xie Yunyu: “What?”

“Nothing!” Anyu shook her head and asked him, “Eldest Brother, what did my father say?”

Xie Yunyu glanced at her sideways, “Say what? After the morning court today, Her Majesty summoned several military officials to the Imperial Study. Second Uncle naturally went too. Not just military officials, but also the Minister of War and several adults in charge of military affairs, all were summoned to the Imperial Study. Guess what was discussed?”

Anyu: “…What was discussed?”

Xie Yunyu took a sip of tea unhurriedly, “They want to reform the military system.”

Anyu: !

“In front of these people, Her Majesty praised Second Uncle profusely. She praised Second Uncle until he was completely bewildered, as he hadn’t submitted any memorials. Upon reflection, the credit for this military reform will fall on the Xie family, which is likely inseparable from our Lady Consort Wan.”

Anyu swallowed, “What did my father say…”

“Second Uncle didn’t say anything, but his expression was very complex,” Xie Yunyu said with a smile, “But I’m certain he was happy in his heart.”

Because the proposals put forward for reform this time were almost entirely regulations beneficial to the soldiers.

Although this military reform couldn’t be achieved overnight, proposing the motion meant it was on the agenda.

“Previously, when others said you were favored, Eldest Brother was quite worried whether someone was spreading rumors to maliciously target you. Now it seems Her Majesty is indeed treating you well, and I am also proud of Anyu.”

Being able to make Her Majesty order a military reform, Anyu had truly rendered a great service.

Anyu was naturally happy to hear the praise, but also a little shy. She pouted and softly snorted, “Those civil officials will definitely call me a vixen consort!”

Xie Yunyu’s eyes darkened, “Let’s see who dares.”

Anyu giggled, “Oh right, rare books, rare books! I’ve copied them for you!”

She got up to get the books.

Xie Yunyu looked at his sister’s figure, the corners of his mouth curving up slightly.

He only believed half of what was said about favored consorts.

Anyu might have mentioned it to Her Majesty. But Her Majesty must have had her own considerations to order the military reform.

However, seeing that his sister was not constrained in the palace, his worries were greatly reduced.

“I don’t know why the rare books Her Majesty has sent recently are all records of bandit suppression campaigns. Eldest Brother, do you want to read these?” Anyu walked back holding her small box and said.

Xie Yunyu’s expression became serious, “Bandit suppression?”

“Yes. But they are all very interesting, I think some of the tactics inside are very good.”

Xie Yunyu suddenly remembered what Her Majesty had said.

After the disaster relief, she would start promoting commerce, and the first step to promoting trade between the north and south was to suppress the bandits in the mountains of Lingbei.

Xie Yunyu looked at his sister in front of him, and an idea suddenly popped into his mind.

He was a little worried, but also a little happy for his sister.

If it was really what he thought, perhaps… Her Majesty was truly planning to send Anyu out of the palace in the future.

“Anyu, Eldest Brother thinks you should still go to this martial arts competition.”

Anyu tilted her head: “Why?”

“I heard that the first place winner of the martial arts competition will receive a reward from Her Majesty,” Xie Yunyu said with certainty, “A generous reward.”

Anyu narrowed her eyes, leaned her little head towards her eldest brother, and whispered, “Does Eldest Brother have some inside information?”

Xie Yunyu casually ruffled his sister’s head and whispered something.

Anyu’s eyes suddenly widened.

Maybe she would be allowed to go with them to suppress bandits, really?!

Leaving the palace, suppressing bandits!

Anyu: This wasn’t just a ‘generous reward’, this was, for her, a reward of immense magnitude!