After Rebirth, My Wife Turned Out to Be Myself - Chapter 31

Soon, the martial arts competition began.

People went up to the stage one after another, but most of them were just for show, not particularly impressive.

It wasn’t until Commander Zhang, who was presiding over the competition, shouted, “The winner enters the next round! Next match, Xu Shengming versus Zhou Ning!”

Who didn’t know that Zhou Ning was last year’s Martial Arts Champion!

But everyone knew even better that Xu Shengming was Prime Minister Xu’s eldest son.

“Prime Minister, this is not good,” the Minister of Rites couldn’t help but whisper, “This Zhou Ning won’t give the Eldest Young Master any face.”

Xu Ping’s face turned as black as charcoal.

He didn’t have high hopes for his eldest son, especially after knowing that Her Majesty… he already regretted letting his eldest son participate in this damn competition.

Her Majesty knew everything, so his idea of arranging his eldest son into the military official ranks was simply a pipe dream.

Now… he only hoped he wouldn’t lose face.

“It had to be Zhou Ning…” Xu Shengwen glanced at Emperor Ruiming seated on the high platform, then lowered his gaze.

Among the hundred officials, even the military generals were afraid of offending his father, so no matter who faced Xu Shengming, they wouldn’t beat him too badly… except for two families.

The Xie family and the Zhou family.

Minister Zhou was still sensible, but his daughter…

Xu Shengwen watched quietly. Anyway, his elder brother was bound to make a fool of himself. He couldn’t save him and was too lazy to try.

On the stage, Xu Shengming also hadn’t expected to meet Zhou Ning, the strongest competitor in this competition, in the first round.

Watching Zhou Ning stretch her body, twisting her arms, without even sparing him a glance, a surge of anger suddenly rose in Xu Shengming’s heart.

As soon as Commander Zhang shouted “Begin!”, he immediately charged towards Zhou Ning, attempting to knock her down with a single punch.

He had underestimated Zhou Ning after all.

Zhou Ning stepped aside, dodging his incoming fist, and with one hand, she grabbed Xu Shengming’s wrist and twisted it with a crack.

“Ah!” Xu Shengming cried out in pain.

He hastily struck a palm towards Zhou Ning.

Zhou Ning had to evade, her body lightly dodging away.

Seeing this, Xu Shengming became even more furious. He twisted his dislocated wrist back and charged at Zhou Ning again.

He attacked, and Zhou Ning dodged. Not only did she dodge, but she also managed to make him feel pain.

After several exchanges like this, Xu Shengming was covered in cold sweat and aching all over.

It was less of a competition and more of a mockery.

The officials couldn’t bear to watch, let alone Prime Minister Xu.

His face was extremely grim.

At this moment, Xie Wan spoke slowly, “Zhou Ning, toying with others is not the mark of a general.”

Zhou Ning paused, “Your Majesty, bullying the weak is even less the mark of a general.”

Everyone was shocked. Did this Zhou Ning dare to talk back to Her Majesty?

But Xie Wan wasn’t angry. Instead, she said, “This is a competition.”

“This subject understands.” With that, Zhou Ning lifted a leg and fiercely kicked Xu Shengming, who had just gotten up from the ground, in the chest—

Xu Shengming hadn’t even seen what happened before he felt his body lose balance—

He was sent flying directly out of the arena.

He crashed onto the ground with a thud, curling up in pain.

The surroundings fell silent.

He was actually… knocked out with one kick…

Someone quietly looked at Prime Minister Xu, and seeing his grim face, they sheepishly withdrew their gaze.

“Zhou Ning wins! Enters the next round! Next match prepare…” Commander Zhang broke the silence.

As soon as Commander Zhang’s voice fell, the Xu family’s attendants immediately swarmed forward, surrounding Xu Shengming outside the arena. “Eldest Young Master, Eldest Young Master, are you alright!”

“…I’m fine.” Xu Shengming lay on the ground, gritting his teeth. His injuries weren’t severe, but he had completely lost face.

Anyu watched from outside the arena, also puzzled. Seeing Zhou Ning return, she asked, “Sister Zhou Ning, do you have a grudge against Xu Shengming?”

Seeing it was her, Zhou Ning nodded. “Now the entire capital knows that Marquis Pingyang broke off my engagement. The instigator is the Xu family.”

The Xu family not only focused on winning over civil officials, but they also took pleasure in spreading the dirty secrets that military generals’ families tried to hide, far and wide.

Anyu was stunned for a moment, then suddenly remembered that at Lady Consort Song’s poetry banquet that day, that Young Master Yu had mentioned something about Marquis Pingyang breaking off an engagement to indirectly criticize her. She had been so flustered by those useless people that she ran off to question Her Majesty. Now that she thought about it, the high-ranking military family whose engagement was broken off, as mentioned by Young Master Yu…

It was Sister Zhou Ning!

“Then he truly deserved it!”

Zhou Ning nodded.

“Then, Sister Zhou Ning, what do you think about that son of Marquis Pingyang?” Anyu couldn’t help but ask.

Zhou Ning: “I didn’t think much of it… It was a marriage arranged by my parents, and I didn’t really want to agree to it anyway.”

Because Anyu was her good friend Xie Yunliang’s younger cousin, and the Zhou and Xie families had always had a good relationship, Zhou Ning treated Anyu like a younger sister.

“Regarding your marriage into the palace, I submitted a memorial… but Her Majesty…” Zhou Ning suddenly brought up the topic of her.

She and Anyu were very similar, so frankly speaking, for girls like them, entering the palace was like being imprisoned. They lost their freedom and their future.

She understood, but she was powerless.

“Thank you, Sister Zhou Ning, for submitting a memorial for me, but I’m… doing alright now,” Anyu smiled.

Zhou Ning nodded. “That’s good.”

Zhou Ning wasn’t a talkative person by nature. She hesitated for a moment and didn’t ask further. Although she was very curious how a young girl like Anyu became Her Majesty’s favored consort.

Curious, but it wasn’t appropriate to ask.

Anyu also stayed obediently in place, occasionally looking at the arena, and occasionally looking at the person sitting on the high platform.

Although she knew she might not be able to beat Sister Zhou Ning, it didn’t matter. She didn’t intend to give up.

“Sister Zhou Ning, if we meet later, let’s have a good fight,” Anyu said.

“?” Zhou Ning looked at Anyu. “Okay.”

From Anyu’s eyes, she could tell she was serious.

But…

Zhou Ning couldn’t help but look again at the young and adorable Anyu in front of her and said, “You can’t cry if you lose.”

Xie Anyu: ?

“Sister Zhou Ning, I’m sixteen!” Anyu said seriously and solemnly.

“It’s not about age,” Zhou Ning said without looking away, “Anyu, you are now a favored consort.”

Although, she was still very curious how this little girl, Anyu, became a favored consort.

Anyu’s face flushed slightly at this. “…Sister Zhou Ning, this is a competition.”

Zhou Ning remained silent.

It was a competition now, but if she made Anyu cry, Her Majesty could easily find an excuse to punish her.

As the two chatted and laughed, little Anyu’s face turned red. Xie Wan, noticing this scene, her eyes darkened slightly.

Zhou Ning, you better not have any improper thoughts about my little Anyu.

“Zhaoxia, send a message to Zhou Ning for me.”

Zhaoxia lowered her head and listened carefully.

Afterward, Zhaoxia quietly withdrew from the high platform and went towards the area outside the arena.

When Zhaoxia went down, it was just as Anyu was going up to the stage, so Zhou Ning was alone.

“Little Official Zhou, Her Majesty has a command.”

“Please speak.” Seeing Zhaoxia approach, Zhou Ning cupped her hands. She didn’t know how to address Zhaoxia, but she knew she was someone close to Her Majesty.

“Her Majesty wants Little Official Zhou to win this martial arts competition,” Zhaoxia leaned closer to Zhou Ning and whispered in her ear.

Zhou Ning frowned. “…This subject and Lady Consort Wan are bound to fight.”

“Yes.”

Even so, she had to win? Did Her Majesty mean for her not to hold back against Anyu?

“Her Majesty’s instruction is for Little Official Zhou to win, and naturally, you cannot injure Lady Consort Wan… uh, injure her too severely…” Zhaoxia said, feeling that Her Majesty was being a bit demanding.

Zhou Ning looked towards the arena. Although Anyu was young, her martial arts talent was very high. In a few more years, perhaps she wouldn’t be a match for her. She could win now, but winning easily wouldn’t be simple.

Especially since Anyu seemed to be looking forward to fighting her.

“This subject will try her best,” Zhou Ning could only say.

Zhaoxia also sighed. “That’s what Her Majesty means as well.”

Zhou Ning nodded.

She suddenly felt that Anyu becoming a favored consort might not just be her own issue. Her Majesty was also unpredictable.

Fortunately, the martial arts competition quickly entered the next round.

Those who could enter the next round had some level of martial arts skill.

Thus, starting from the second round, the competition became much more interesting.

Every time Zhou Ning went up to the stage, Xu Shengming’s eyes below were almost piercing through her.

He was actually eliminated in the first round!

And in such a humiliating manner, kicked off the stage!

Zhou Ning!

Xu Shengming gritted his teeth. He would remember this debt!

And there was another person from the Xu family also staring at the arena, but he wasn’t watching Zhou Ning, but Xie Anyu.

This person was, of course, Xu Shengwen.

Every time Anyu went up to the stage, Xie Wan would watch the arena intently. If she won, the smile on her lips would deepen, and the doting in her peach blossom eyes would almost overflow.

That kind of gaze almost drove Xu Shengwen mad.

But no matter how hard he thought, he couldn’t understand what Xie Anyu had that made her so special!

Meanwhile, the competition entered the final round.

Xie Anyu versus Zhou Ning.

Who would ultimately claim the top spot in this martial arts competition? The officials silently placed their bets on Zhou Ning in their hearts.

After all, she was the Martial Arts Champion.

However, some people scoffed. Even if Zhou Ning was stronger, would she dare to go all out against Xie Anyu?

Xie Anyu was more than just Xie Anyu; she was Her Majesty’s favored consort!

If she were to be injured, how much trouble would Zhou Ning be in?

The more he listened, the more Minister Zhou trembled.

General Xie, next to him, snorted, “A competition is a competition. Who wins and who loses depends on skill. My daughter, even if she loses, won’t go complaining to Her Majesty. Old Zhou, you can rest assured.”

This finally calmed Minister Zhou down.

But the next scene stunned everyone.

Because as soon as the competition began, it was Anyu who charged forward first.

This scene was somewhat similar to the first round when Xu Shengming faced Zhou Ning, but unlike that, Xie Anyu was not Xu Shengming.

Every move and stance she made carried the sound of rushing wind, fiercely attacking Zhou Ning. She could only be described as ferocious as a tiger!

Anyu was full of momentum, every move aimed directly at Zhou Ning’s vital points.

Zhou Ning’s fighting style was relatively calm, but also soft yet firm. As soon as the two clashed, the surrounding air seemed to tremble!

Their match could be described as magnificent.

Such a martial arts spectacle opened everyone’s eyes.

After watching for a while, they were surprised to find that the one gaining the upper hand was actually the younger Lady Consort Wan!

Xie Wan on the high platform, seeing this, instead breathed a sigh of relief.

“Your Majesty, if this continues, will the Lady Consort win?”

Xie Wan shook her head. “She won’t win. Once, twice, thrice, then exhaustion. Consort Wan is still too young.”

Indeed, not long after, the situation on the stage changed. As if sensing Anyu’s attack was somewhat slackening, Zhou Ning, who had been at a disadvantage just moments ago, changed her style and became aggressive as well.

The two fought fiercely, exchanging punches and palms, back and forth.

Seeing this, Xie Wan whispered, “This is bad.”

If Zhou Ning hadn’t changed her style, waiting for Anyu to exhaust herself and then taking her down would have been the best approach.

She understood her younger self too well. She was too competitive; the stronger the opponent, the stronger she became.

Sure enough, the more they fought, the more Zhou Ning felt the strain.

Fortunately, against Anyu, she had the advantage of experience.

Before long, she realized that fighting Anyu should not be ‘meeting violence with violence’.

Thus, the two seemed to return to their original state.

Anyu held the upper hand, while Zhou Ning remained composed.

They fought on the stage, neither giving way. Zhou Ning couldn’t match her head-on, but even using softer tactics, she couldn’t find Anyu’s weakness.

Leaving aside Anyu, Zhou Ning was somewhat shocked in her heart.

Why was this girl so fierce today?

If this continued, she might not be able to complete the command given by Her Majesty.

But it wasn’t impossible to win… it’s just that she might injure Anyu…

Just as Zhou Ning was in a dilemma.

“Alright, stop,” Xie Wan’s voice carried to the front of the arena.

Zhou Ning promptly withdrew her palm and retreated.

Anyu also quickly stabilized herself.

Both of them and the officials looked up at Xie Wan on the platform.

Xie Wan coughed. “The top spot in this competition will be shared by the two of you. I found it very exciting, and there’s no need to continue fighting.”

Zhou Ning breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.

The officials were somewhat regretful, but since Her Majesty had spoken, they didn’t mind.

“Why is there no need to continue fighting?” Anyu, standing on the arena, suddenly spoke.

Xie Wan narrowed her eyes and said in a deep voice, “Because it doesn’t matter who wins, but if either of you is injured because of this competition, it would be a loss for me and for Da Yue.”

Anyu pursed her lips and said no more.

She was unwilling to end in a draw, but she also knew that if they continued fighting, she would be the one to lose.

But… she had to admit that Her Majesty was right.

Getting injured would be a loss.

She still had to go suppress bandits.

“Do any of you ministers have any objections to the top spot in this competition?”

“This subject has no objection,” the officials replied in unison.

Xie Wan nodded. “I said that whoever takes the top spot in the martial arts competition will be heavily rewarded.”

Hearing this, the officials were secretly startled.

Zhou Ning could be rewarded, but how else could Lady Consort Wan be rewarded? If she were rewarded again… Lady Consort Wan’s rank couldn’t be raised any further. Could Her Majesty be thinking of making Consort Wan the Empress?

“But the reward is not urgent. Winning the competition is pleasing to me, but it doesn’t warrant a great reward. The heavy reward I spoke of naturally requires you to achieve great merit before you can receive it.”

“The bandit problem in Lingbei is rampant. I intend to eliminate it and order the two of you to lead troops to Lingbei to suppress the bandits. If you clear out that group of bandits, the day you return to court will be the time for your heavy reward!”

Only now did Zhou Ning understand why Her Majesty wanted her to win. It turned out to be for suppressing bandits…

Following that fellow Xie Yunliang, she also got a chance to achieve merit.

Achieving merit and establishing a career was not just the ambition of men.

Zhou Ning composed herself and knelt on one knee. “This subject accepts the decree!”

Anyu followed suit. “This subject accepts the decree!”

At this moment, the Minister of Rites beside Prime Minister Xu stepped forward. “But Your Majesty, this matter is against protocol. It is not wrong for Little Official Zhou to go suppress bandits, but Lady Consort Wan is a member of the inner palace…”

Xie Wan looked up and said in a deep voice, “I am sending her because she is capable. Let the civil and military officials of this court first defeat Consort Wan before coming to me to talk about rules. Or perhaps, the Minister of Rites is volunteering to go suppress the bandits?”

And the look in her eyes as she gazed at the Minister of Rites was sharp and filled with killing intent.

This instantly caused the Minister of Rites to break out in a cold sweat and fall to his knees with a thud. “This subject… this subject dares not. Your Majesty is wise.”

The officials dared not speak. But they also understood that the ultimate purpose of this martial arts competition was not for Her Majesty to watch some martial arts performance. What Her Majesty wanted were ‘experts’ who could go to Lingbei to suppress bandits.

And the experts favored by Her Majesty were, firstly, Zhou Ning, and secondly, Xie Anyu.

Meanwhile, the three members of the Xu family, seeing this scene, unanimously came to the same conclusion in their hearts—

Neither Zhou Ning nor Xie Anyu could be allowed to live.