After Rebirth, My Wife Turned Out to Be Myself - Chapter 30

Finally, the Emperor’s birthday banquet arrived.

Officials and their families entered the palace for the feast.

Guards at the palace gates conducted routine checks, their expressions solemn and serious.

Minister Zhou noticed that the demeanor of these guards was quite different from before; they seemed… much more spirited. He couldn’t help but sigh with emotion, the Imperial Guards truly were different now.

“Sir, please,” a guard prompted.

“Ah, yes,” the minister snapped back to attention and led his family inside.

“Isn’t that Minister Zhou!” Suddenly, someone called out from behind him.

Minister Zhou turned his head. “Ah, Minister Chen, what a coincidence, let’s walk together.”

Minister Zhou greeted him with a smile, while thinking to himself that as the Minister of War, he was the most ‘military-aligned’ among the ministers. In the past, these colleagues would keep their distance from him, the Minister of War. Had the tables turned now?

They walked side-by-side, exchanging pleasantries along the way.

Following behind them were their families. Minister Zhou noticed that Minister Chen seemed to have brought an unusually large number of young female relatives this time.

In previous birthday banquets, everyone avoided bringing their daughters or nieces from home, simply because the Emperor’s harem was entirely male. But now that Consort Wan was favored, everyone couldn’t help but speculate: had the Emperor changed her preference and started liking women?

Therefore, it wasn’t just Minister Chen; almost all the officials had brought their daughters and nieces of marriageable age.

Just inside the palace gate, the two happened to run into General Xie.

Minister Zhou smiled and went forward to greet him, while Minister Chen hesitated, wondering whether to approach.

If people previously merely ‘ignored’ Minister Zhou, they would certainly exchange barbs with Xie Chengdong.

Originally, Xie Chengdong only held military power, with the Emperor above him. Now it was different; he was a true ‘powerful minister’. His own daughter was now the highly favored Consort Wan, and his two nephews were also very promising. The second young master had escorted the grain convoy north for disaster relief and was due for rewards upon his return, while the eldest young master was now a favorite in the Emperor’s presence, clearly showing signs of becoming the Emperor’s confidant.

The Xie family, as a whole, had simply soared.

“General Xie, how are you?” Minister Chen finally swallowed his pride and greeted him.

General Xie glanced at him. “Quite well.”

Minister Zhou turned his head, suppressing a smile.

After Minister Chen left with an awkward expression, Minister Zhou clapped General Xie on the shoulder and laughed heartily. “Old Xie, this scene is truly satisfying!”

Xie Chengdong rubbed the tip of his nose, not denying it; it was indeed satisfying.

There was nothing he could do; his daughter and nephews were all successful.

“Speaking of me, Niece Ning is also promising. Why haven’t I seen your wife and Niece Ning?” Xie Chengdong glanced at the families behind them and asked.

“My wife returned to her hometown in Jiangnan and is not in the manor.” Just as he was about to mention his daughter, suddenly, a voice emerged from behind Minister Zhou: “Father, Uncle Xie.”

Xie Chengdong looked over and saw it was Minister Zhou’s eldest daughter, Zhou Ning, standing not far away in official attire.

Minister Zhou felt a headache coming on just looking at his daughter, who was alone.

This daughter was good in every way, except…

Sigh.

The Zhou family’s situation was relatively complex.

When Minister Zhou was young, he was from a humble background. Before achieving fame and success, he fell in love with his current wife. His wife’s family was military, with ancestors who had held high positions in court.

Similar to the Xie family, Minister and Madam Zhou had only one daughter, Zhou Ning.

Zhou Ning now served in the capital as a minor general.

If there was anything Minister Zhou was dissatisfied with regarding this daughter, it was that she was three years older than Anyu but still unmarried.

He had arranged marriage proposals for her before… but, she hadn’t met any suitable partners.

Zhou Ning had a good relationship with Anyu’s second cousin, Xie Yunliang, but unfortunately, neither of them had any romantic interest, making marriage even less likely.

As they were talking, someone walked towards them, speaking as they came.

“Aren’t those Minister Zhou and General Xie? Pardon my intrusion.”

Both Zhou and Xie frowned simultaneously. The speaker was none other than their adversary, the Minister of Rites.

Looking closer, Xu Ping was standing beside him.

“Greetings, Prime Minister,” Minister Zhou said, though unwillingly, bowing and pulling his daughter along to bow as well.

Xu Ping smiled. “Minister Zhou is too polite.”

The Minister of Rites then said cheerfully, “Where is the Marquis of Pingyang? Come out quickly. I heard it’s true that your son had a marriage proposal with Minister Zhou’s daughter?”

Minister Zhou’s face darkened.

Putting Zhou Ning and the Marquis of Pingyang’s son together for a marriage proposal was the stupidest thing he had ever done. He had thought the Marquis of Pingyang was neutral in court, but who knew that during the proposal process, he suddenly sided with Prime Minister Xu, belittling his daughter to worthlessness, making him so angry he almost stormed their manor.

The Marquis of Pingyang, who was called out, timidly stepped forward and said with a fawning smile, “Sir, that proposal didn’t work out.”

“What happened? Could it be that Minister Zhou looks down on your Marquis of Pingyang manor?” The Minister of Rites asked, enjoying the spectacle.

“How could that be, how could that be? It was my son who was not worthy; he couldn’t match Miss Zhou,” the Marquis of Pingyang quickly said.

The Xie and Zhou families were not ones he could afford to offend. Breaking off the engagement had already angered Minister Zhou greatly, and now seeing the military officials about to rise to prominence, the Marquis of Pingyang, an official without real power, was also afraid.

If he had known this, he would have agreed to that marriage.

“It seems Miss Zhou has high standards,” the Minister of Rites said mockingly. Although he said this, everyone in the capital knew that Miss Zhou of the Zhou family had her engagement broken off halfway through.

Zhou Ning looked up and asked seriously, “Minister, do you also manage the marriage affairs of court officials?”

The Minister of Rites was startled.

“This subordinate is nineteen this year and holds a sixth-rank position. If there is a suitable match, I would trouble the Minister to act as a matchmaker,” Zhou Ning said sincerely.

“You…” The Minister of Rites’ face turned red. Was this little girl mocking him for being nosy?

“Yes, yes, please trouble Minister Jiang,” Minister Zhou chuckled lightly. “My little girl doesn’t have many requirements, just someone with slightly better eyesight than the Marquis of Pingyang’s son will do.”

“If you’re not acting as a matchmaker, then speak less nonsense,” Xie Chengdong also looked unhappily at the Minister of Rites. Prime Minister Xu’s lackey, always looking for trouble.

This undercurrent seemed to have moved to the surface, while Prime Minister Xu silently watched Xie Chengdong, who was also silent beside Minister Zhou.

Their eyes met for a moment, and the hostility in their gazes was only perceptible to each other.

Prime Minister Xu: “Enough talk, it’s time, let’s enter the palace.”

“Prime Minister, please,” General Xie said.

“General, please.”

The two led the way, followed by a group of officials and their families.

Xu Shengming and Xu Shengwen were also among them.

Xu Shengwen remained very quiet, while Xu Shengming looked at Zhou Ning several times. Undoubtedly, Zhou Ning, as a military official, would participate in today’s martial arts competition.

Oh, and there was Xie Chengdong’s daughter, the one named Xie Wan.

These two, one was last year’s top martial arts graduate, and the other was the champion of the royal hunt. Both came from military families and possessed considerable skill.

Xu Shengming didn’t underestimate his opponents.

He was just a little overconfident.

In his opinion, even if he couldn’t defeat these two women, fighting to a draw with back-and-forth exchanges would be easy.

This thought persisted until the martial arts competition began.

This martial arts competition was naturally held at the palace’s Martial Arts Ground.

The Martial Arts Ground was heavily guarded, with Imperial Guards stationed at the entrance and surrounding the entire area.

Those who knew would say it was the Emperor’s birthday, but those who didn’t might think it was some solemn occasion, holding a military review at the Martial Arts Ground.

Before the martial arts competition, there were, of course, performances.

A contingent of Imperial Guards entered in formation. After entering, they performed a set of martial arts moves, astonishing the crowd who cheered in unison.

“How was it?” Anyu, sitting beside Xie Wan, asked softly.

“Not bad,” Xie Wan nodded. It was indeed not bad. At least, it was much better than when she first came to inspect the Martial Arts Ground.

The original five thousand Imperial Guards were now reduced to four thousand, but they were truly the ‘essence’. The dross had long been removed, and their appearance was completely refreshed.

After the five hundred guards in the performance team finished their set, they shouted in unison: “Wishing Your Majesty a joyous birthday!”

Xie Wan raised her hand: “Reward them.”

“Long live Your Majesty, ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years!” The officials also cheered in unison.

Xie Wan narrowed her eyes. “My lords, you may not know, but I entrusted these guards to Commander Zhang and Consort Wan. To achieve such results now, I am deeply gratified.”

Commander Zhang stepped forward and knelt. “This minister dares not claim credit. It is all due to the efforts of Lady Consort Wan.”

Anyu, praised, immediately beamed. “Commander Zhang is too modest.”

Xie Wan lightly coughed. “General Xie, you have raised a good daughter.”

To be honest, Xie Wan had lived a lifetime. Praising herself like this still felt a bit awkward.

But no one seemed to notice.

Hearing the Emperor’s praise, the officials naturally echoed it—

“Great General Xie, you have a good daughter!”

“Yes, indeed, it’s all thanks to the General’s excellent teaching.”

“A tiger father has no weak daughter!”

General Xie remained composed, but subtly lifted his chin line. He even gave Anyu a look—

Anyu, well done, you’ve brought honor to your father!

“Civil and military officials are both essential for the prosperity of the nation; neither can be lacking. Previously, I was narrow-minded,” Xie Wan sighed.

As soon as Xie Wan said this, the entire Martial Arts Ground fell silent instantly.

The rumors were true.

When the ruler smiles, the world is pardoned. The Emperor had decided to heavily rely on military officials. Then, the court was about to change dramatically.

“I have decided that from today onwards, the Student Academy will establish a martial arts department. All children of officials, regardless of rank, must learn martial arts from a young age! Furthermore, the national treasury will allocate funds to first establish ‘Martial Arts Training Centers’ in the capital, specifically for teaching martial arts. The public will be encouraged to open martial arts schools and halls. A strong populace makes a strong nation; this is how it should be!”

The officials dared not refute, only shouting: “Your Majesty is wise!”

While saying this, their hearts were in turmoil. Establishing martial arts education in the Student Academy, setting up martial arts centers and schools in the city… These matters, the Emperor had not revealed before!

“I have already arranged for people to begin working on this. Minister Qian of the Ministry of Revenue has been executed, leaving many vacancies in the Ministry of Revenue. And Young Master Xie of the Xie family, Xie Yunyu, possesses great talent. I specially permit him to enter officialdom and take on the position of Vice Minister of Revenue, temporarily responsible for all matters in the Ministry of Revenue. The Censorate Office will assist Young Master Xie in thoroughly investigating the account books from the past ten years. This matter of corruption will absolutely not be tolerated!”

Xie Wan spoke without pause, issuing several ‘decrees’ in succession, catching the officials off guard.

Vice Minister of Revenue… that was a crucial position in the capital, especially without a Minister above him. Such an important position, given away just like that. How much did the Emperor trust the Xie family?!

The Xie family already had a first-rank Great General, their daughter was a favored consort who could sit beside the Emperor on such an occasion, and now General Xie’s nephew also held a third-rank official position…

Moreover, the Xie family had a second young master who hadn’t returned from disaster relief yet…

With the Xie family gaining power, Prime Minister Xu was in danger.

Therefore, at this moment, the one with the heaviest heart was naturally Prime Minister Xu.

What kind of department was the Ministry of Revenue? It was in charge of finances! A truly powerful department. He had planned to wait for the scandal of embezzling disaster relief funds to pass, then support a few new young officials, and re-establish a firm foothold in the Ministry of Revenue.

But the Emperor, in a turn, directly gave the position of Vice Minister of Revenue to a member of the Xie family.

For Prime Minister Xu, this was like having a large piece of flesh torn from his body!

First, she cut off one of his arms, then she dug up his foundation, and now she was even tearing away a bit of his flesh… Your Majesty, Your Majesty! Xu Ping couldn’t help but raise his head to look at the woman on the high platform.

But as he looked up, his eyes met Xie Wan’s.

It turned out she had been watching him all along.

Xu Ping didn’t have time to conceal the complexity and resentment in his eyes, only freezing in shock.

How could the Emperor have such a profound gaze?

Xu Ping lowered his head, the shock in his heart making it difficult for him to recover.

He had been wrong!

There was no wise advisor beside the Emperor offering strategies…

The one who led him into this trap and ruthlessly dismantled his foundation was the Emperor herself!

How could this be…

Had she been pretending all along?

Since when did she know about his factionalism in court?

A panic he had never experienced before arose in Xu Ping’s heart.

He thought it was the Xie family stirring up trouble, but it wasn’t. Things had reached a point he had never anticipated—

What if the Emperor was not an incompetent ruler?

“Today is my birthday, so I won’t talk about such serious matters anymore,” Xie Wan also nodded. “Many officials’ families have signed up for this year’s birthday banquet martial arts competition, which pleases me greatly. Zhaoxia, order the drums to be beaten, let it begin.”

“Yes,” Zhaoxia called out loudly, “Guards, beat the drums! The martial arts competition begins!”

Xu Shengming, seated at the banquet, rubbed his hands together, glanced at his distracted father, and said softly, “Father, don’t worry, your son will not disgrace you.”

Prime Minister Xu forced a smile. “Mm, go.”

His mind was too chaotic now; his original plans had to be completely abandoned. He didn’t have many expectations for his eldest son; it was enough as long as he didn’t lose too badly.

Meanwhile, Xu Shengwen had been watching his father. The eye contact between his father and the Emperor just now had not escaped his notice.

Even though the Xu family had lost, there was a hidden sense of satisfaction in his heart.

Father’s reaction must be the same as his was back then.

That woman, Chu Long, is not as incompetent as we thought.

She is very smart.

Especially those eyes, they can easily make people fall captive.

As he thought this, he looked towards the woman on the high platform, but what he saw was the scene of those two talking happily and smiling.

Xu Shengwen’s gaze darkened.

He would not lose to Xie Wan, never!!

“Sister Zhou Ning is also participating…” Xie Anyu hesitated slightly.

Anyu wasn’t very familiar with Zhou Ning.

They were three years apart. When she was still practicing martial arts at home, Zhou Ning was already training in the army. Furthermore, Zhou Ning relied on her maternal grandfather’s side, so she had little connection with the Xie family army.

It was her second cousin who was close to Sister Zhou Ning.

However, she had naturally heard her second cousin talk about Sister Zhou Ning; a woman who was no less capable than a man should be like this!

A fortune teller had even told her that aside from her difficult marriage path, her martial arts luck was very prosperous!

“She is,” Xie Wan looked down and searched for a moment, then nodded. As if thinking of something, she smiled. “Scared? Well, Zhou Ning was last year’s top martial arts graduate.”

Xie Anyu couldn’t stand her praising others; she liked this person to praise herself. She immediately pouted. “Scared of what? I’m not scared.”

Sister Zhou was formidable, but she wasn’t lying; she truly wasn’t scared.

“Your Majesty, why are you siding with outsiders? At a time like this, you should be saying encouraging words to me,” Anyu poked her arm.

Xie Wan thought for a moment and said, “You can’t beat her because you’re only sixteen. In a few years, you’ll be better than her.”

Zhou Ning had practiced martial arts for three more years than her.

“Besides, you’re better at archery than her,” Xie Wan said with a smile.

To be honest, thinking back, she and Zhou Ning hadn’t really competed much.

In her previous life, Emperor Ruiming didn’t value military officials, and the Zhou family later became less influential than they were now. The court was dominated by the Xu family, and Minister Zhou, to protect his family, also retired and left the court with Zhou Ning.

Later, when Da Yue faced trouble, the Xie family urgently contacted the Zhou family.

She and Zhou Ning were truly friends and had fought side-by-side many times.

The current Zhou Ning, looking young and inexperienced, was no different from a child in her eyes.

Anyu saw her looking at Zhou Ning below and pursed her lips.

Just as Xie Wan was about to withdraw her gaze, she suddenly felt Anyu poke her arm again.

Xie Wan: ?

“I will win,” Xie Anyu said with a serious and determined expression. “I will definitely win.”

Suddenly full of fighting spirit? Xie Wan found it surprising but didn’t understand where little Anyu’s fighting spirit came from.

“It’s okay if you lose. If you lose, you can go suppress bandits with Zhou Ning and be her deputy…”

“I won’t lose!” Anyu suddenly interrupted her.

Xie Wan: …

Anyu emphasized again, “I won’t lose!”

Anyu stood up and walked down with great momentum. She was going to change clothes and enter the arena soon!

Xie Wan: ?

Zhaoxia chuckled. “Your Majesty, it seems the consort’s fighting spirit has been ignited.”

Xie Wan was puzzled. “Why?”

“You were looking at little Official Zhou just now. The consort is probably jealous,” Zhaoxia explained.

Xie Wan understood upon hearing this, then smiled again, not denying anything.

She didn’t have any ‘raising’ hobbies; raising one Anyu was enough.

However…

“I , I shouldn’t have messed things up, right…” Xie Wan smiled wryly.

She hadn’t originally planned for Anyu to lead troops to suppress bandits; her preferred choice was Zhou Ning. If Zhou Ning won first place in the martial arts competition, she would announce on the spot that Zhou Ning would lead the troops to suppress bandits, and then have Anyu go along to gain experience.

It wasn’t that she lacked confidence in her younger self, but the bandit problem in Lingbei was indeed difficult to suppress, and Zhou Ning was a step ahead of Anyu in both experience and age.

Moreover… if she got hurt, it would break her heart.

So, it shouldn’t have messed things up, right?

For some reason, watching little Anyu walk down the platform with such determination, Xie Wan felt a little uneasy in her heart.

This person, she gets stronger when challenged.