After Rebirth, My Wife Turned Out to Be Myself - Chapter 59

Zhou Ning suddenly left halfway back to the capital, disappearing without a trace. Anyu knew it was at Her Majesty’s instruction, so she didn’t ask for details.

Although the journey back to the capital was long, Anyu had a very happy time.

The road back was much easier than the road there.

The Ministry of Works’ great road-building project was already more than half complete. Even in places like Lingbei, with its towering mountains and steep ridges, mountain roads had been carved out. The main roads were made of compacted earth, and a layer of crushed stone was laid for stability and to prevent slipping. The roads winding up the mountains coiled and ascended, and a thousand-mile mountain path was like a dragon with silver scales, coiled among these mountains.

What would have originally taken at least half a month now took much less time on these repaired roads.

The marching troops took a short rest. Anyu handed her the water skin. “The road is flat now. We should reach the capital in four or five more days at most.”

“Once the road is completely finished, it will only take you half a month to travel from south to north,” Xie Wan said, taking the water and tilting her head back to drink without any reservations.

Seeing that she didn’t even wipe the mouth of the skin, Anyu felt a hidden joy. She sat down beside Her Majesty and said, “With the roads repaired, there will definitely be more merchant caravans traveling north and south.”

“Yes, next year’s farming will also be different. I’ve had people research many farming tools and irrigation facilities, and we will pilot them in various places in the north this year. While the three states are at peace, I will also send people to West Jin and East Ming to learn from them and introduce some cold-resistant crops for cultivation. If all goes well, the government will distribute them to the common people within the next two years.”

In fact, on their return journey from Jinghe, they also found that many people in the north had begun to resume agricultural production.

The drought had passed smoothly.

But Her Majesty had already begun to prepare for the next natural disaster, and the one after that. It should be said that she wanted to solve the problem once and for all, fundamentally reducing the harm caused by natural disasters to the people’s production and lives.

Anyu took back the water skin she was handed, gulped down a large mouthful, and then said, “Your Majesty is amazing.”

“These weren’t all my ideas alone,” Xie Wan chuckled. “I just have a good memory and am good at summarizing.”

In her previous life, after repelling foreign enemies and clearing internal threats, Da Yue was in ruins waiting to be rebuilt. To change the dilapidated situation, Xie Wan also gathered talents from all fields to offer advice and strategies.

When she passed away, Da Yue was stable, and development in all aspects was good. A prosperous era seemed within reach, but she did not live to see that day.

“No matter what, you’re still amazing,” Anyu pouted. She wouldn’t allow Her Majesty to belittle herself.

“Will I also become as shrewd and reliable as Your Majesty one day?” Anyu murmured softly. If she and Her Majesty were placed side by side, even if someone was told they were the same person, probably no one would believe it.

Xie Wan: “No.”

Anyu: ?

“Your Majesty is so certain?”

“I won’t let you become like this,” she looked at her. “I still like the lively and cheerful Anyu.”

Anyu’s cheeks flushed slightly. “But people grow up. I… can’t stay like this forever…”

“Then just be like this in front of me,” Xie Wan gently wiped away a trace of water from the corner of her mouth, her eyes darkening slightly. “Outside, be my general. Back in the palace, be my little Empress.”

The two were already sitting very close, her hand was still on the corner of her mouth, and their heads were only two fists apart.

Xie Wan’s words seemed to carry a hidden meaning, making Anyu unable to help but recall that kiss from the other day.

Soft, yet with a hint of coolness.

Anyu’s heart pounded. Afraid she wouldn’t be able to resist leaning into her hand, she raised the water skin to block her face and couldn’t help but raise her voice, “Wh-what little Empress…”

Xie Wan slowly withdrew her hand and teased, “Didn’t you vow to be my Empress?”

“That… too…” Anyu looked left and right, avoiding her gaze.

“Lady Consort Wan is so shy. What will you do when it’s time to attend to the bedchamber?”

Anyu: !

Anyu almost bit her tongue. Attend to the bedchamber!

Suddenly, Anyu looked at her and asked seriously, “Has Your Majesty ever attended to the bedchamber?”

Xie Wan: ?

“Never.” Remembering Emperor Ruiming, whom she had once knocked out, Xie Wan’s smile faded slightly. “How could she possibly get into my bed?”

The unspoken possessiveness in Anyu’s heart was satisfied. If Her Majesty had ever attended to the bedchamber, she would be jealous to death of that Emperor Ruiming!

Thinking this, Anyu smiled playfully and said, “Then we’re finished. Your Majesty doesn’t know how, and neither do I. When it’s time to attend to the bedchamber, will we just sit on the bed and stare at each other in silence?”

Xie Wan raised an eyebrow. “Anyu worries too much.”

“Hmm?”

“Not to mention how many books there are in the palace, I… haven’t eaten pork, but I’ve seen pigs run. I certainly won’t let Consort Wan be uncomfortable in bed.”

Anyu: “…”

Anyu stepped back two paces and clapped her hands over her face.

Xie Wan: ?

Xie Wan leaned down closer to her. “What naughty thoughts is Lady Consort Wan having?”

Anyu’s face was red, and she wanted to cry without tears. This isn’t fair. It’s bad to like herself; whatever she does, Her Majesty knows just by looking!

Xie Wan could smell the faint fragrance of herbal shampoo in Anyu’s hair.

This made her mind clear up slightly.

Looking at Anyu, who was still bowing her head, she thought, Anyu is only seventeen, and I’m actually teasing a young girl like this… Xie Wan, Xie Wan, you really are…

But glancing at that flushed face and tightly pursed lips, she felt relieved again—

Anyway, she was her little Empress.

Teasing her a bit when she couldn’t have her wasn’t a loss.

Xie Wan tilted her head and lightly kissed her near her eye and temple. Her voice was clear and cool. “Anyu, don’t you dare blush for anyone else.”

Anyu looked up and glared at her, her eyes filled with the watery sheen of shyness. “Only Your Majesty bullies me like this!”

Xie Wan stroked her head.

So cute.

In the distance, Second Brother Xie, who was resting on a rock but had seen the entire scene, “…”

These two, in broad daylight, how could they get so close!

His sister was practically about to burrow into Her Majesty’s arms!

Second Brother Xie squeezed his water skin, crumpled it up, and finally, helplessly, raised the water skin and took a resentful gulp.

Anyu tilted her head. “Speaking of which, Your Majesty has been out of the palace pretending to be an imperial envoy for so long. What about the palace? What about the court?”

Xie Wan smiled. “I claimed to be ill and suspended court sessions. As for court affairs, I have my own arrangements; nothing will go wrong.”

“Then what exactly was Your Majesty’s purpose in coming to the north?”

Anyu suddenly became curious.

“I planned a scheme to ‘invite the gentleman into the jar.’ I just don’t know if Prime Minister Xu will give me this face.”

Anyu frowned. “Xu Ping? He’s out of the Censorate Office?”

“Not yet,” Xie Wan chuckled. “However, once the Northern Army reaches the capital, he’ll probably be out.”

“I’ve kept him locked up for two months using various methods, and now I have no choice but to release him. Not long after you left, I executed two of his sons, and his real power has been distributed to others. When Prime Minister Xu comes out this time, he should be ready to fight me to the death.”

“Does he dare to rebel?” Anyu was uncertain. She frowned and said, “Xu Ping has nothing now. If he rebels… even if Your Majesty kills him, his entire clan won’t escape death. Xu Ping is shrewd; would he do something so reckless?”

Xie Wan chuckled. “Who knows.”

Whether or not she could trap the old fox was one thing. This time, her jar wasn’t just prepared for Xu Ping, this one turtle.

In her previous life, Ruiming fell seriously ill and passed away. Whether it was fate or human malice, the timing was perfect now. Let her see who didn’t want Emperor Ruiming to live.

“But even for that, Your Majesty didn’t need to specifically come to the north,” Anyu tilted her head.

“Didn’t I say? I came to the north to inspect the results of the Ministry of Works,” Xie Wan chuckled.

After saying that, Anyu heard her add—

“And, to bring my little Empress home.”

At the same time, Zhou Ning had already rushed back to the capital on horseback.

Upon returning to the capital, the first thing Zhou Ning did was go to the palace.

Arriving at Her Majesty’s sleeping quarters, Zhaoxia was guarding the entrance, arguing with someone.

“Grand Consort, please forgive this servant for not being able to step aside.”

Standing in front of Zhaoxia was Grand Consort Qin, but even facing Grand Consort Qin, Zhaoxia still blocked the way.

“You dare to block me? I merely wish to see Her Majesty,” Grand Consort Qin said with furrowed brows and angry eyes. “Her Majesty is seriously ill. Can I not even come to visit?”

Just how serious was the illness? Her Majesty hadn’t held court for forty consecutive days.

Could it be true, as the rumors said, that Her Majesty didn’t have much time left?

If she could get up, she wouldn’t have suspended court for forty days.

“This servant wouldn’t dare, but the Imperial Physician is currently treating Her Majesty and cannot see anyone.”

“You…”

Just as she was speaking, the Imperial Physician walked out of the sleeping quarters.

The Imperial Physician, who had backed out with a bow, glanced up and saw the two people at the palace gate.

Grand Consort Qin immediately called out to the Imperial Physician, “Is Her Majesty’s illness that serious?”

The Imperial Physician knelt in fear. “Reporting to Your Ladyship, Her Majesty is indeed unwell, confined to bed. It is truly not suitable to receive visitors.”

The Grand Consort said in a deep voice, “How is the Imperial Academy of Medicine handling things! Seeing Her Majesty gravely ill and suffering, is there no good remedy to treat it?”

“This… Your Ladyship, please forgive me.”

Grand Consort Qin looked at the Imperial Physician bowing before her, filled with anger. “A bunch of useless people!”

Grand Consort Qin didn’t suspect anything, after all, Her Majesty getting sick was common, and there had been times before when she couldn’t see visitors.

But this time… the court had been suspended for forty days.

From childhood to now, this was the first time she had been so seriously ill.

Seeing this, Zhou Ning didn’t go forward but turned and went to the Imperial Study. There were quite a few people like Grand Consort Qin who came to visit or probe.

However, they were probably all persuaded to leave by the combined efforts of Zhaoxia and the Imperial Physician.

She arrived at the Imperial Study, familiar with the way.

The Imperial Study was guarded by hidden guards. With Her Majesty seriously ill and the Prime Minister still confined, Xie Yunyu was temporarily handling the memorials presented from below, acting on behalf of both.

But Xie Yunyu wasn’t the only one in the Imperial Study. In fact, several of Her Majesty’s trusted ministers were there.

Seeing Zhou Ning return, Xie Yunyu looked up. “You’re back?”

Zhou Ning nodded. “I’m back.”

This question was, of course, not directed at Zhou Ning, but at Her Majesty who had gone north.

“The imperial decree can be issued,” Xie Yunyu said calmly. “Prime Minister Xu has been in the Censorate Office long enough.”

Zhou Ning actually didn’t have any specific mission upon returning to the capital.

Her Majesty told her to come back, so she came back.

But clearly, Her Majesty must have said something to Eldest Brother Xie. The two of them had plans unknown to others.

Zhou Ning didn’t pay much attention to this. Her gaze shifted to another person present.

Li Mingxin smiled when she saw her looking over.

Zhou Ning nodded silently.

The Snow Plum Blossoms brought back from the north had already lost their vibrant color.

Then… should she still give them?