After Rebirth, My Wife Turned Out to Be Myself - Chapter 66

Early the next morning, before dawn had even broken, Anyu got up.

She carefully climbed out of the dragon bed.

She moved lightly, but still startled the lightly sleeping Xie Wan.

“What’s wrong? Getting up in the night?” Xie Wan looked at her, her eyes still heavy with sleep.

“Your Majesty, I need to return to the General’s Manor,” Anyu said softly. “I’ll come back after Father’s birthday.”

Xie Wan nodded. “I’ll go tomorrow too. It’s cold now; go outside and have Zhaoxia get you a fur cloak.”

Anyu replied, “Okay.”

Wrapped in a fox fur cloak, Anyu mounted the horse that had been prepared long ago and left the palace.

At this time, the sky was just beginning to lighten.

Anyu held the reins, and the horse carried her towards the General’s Manor, the cool morning wind whistling past her ears.

In truth, after talking with Her Majesty by candlelight for half the night, Anyu wasn’t without emotion.

She just hadn’t quite digested the past, or rather, the ‘future,’ that Her Majesty had spoken of.

The Xie family was left with only her eldest cousin, her youngest cousin, and herself.

Not a single elder remained.

Thinking about it now, if she had experienced the ruin of her country and the destruction of her family, she probably wouldn’t have such a lively personality. Perhaps even a smile would become a luxury.

How did Her Majesty endure it?

Becoming calm and mature was because hardship was pressing in.

Becoming shrewd and profound was because if you didn’t scheme, you would die.

Whether it was fighting battles or consolidating the court.

Anyu sniffled.

She admired that person’s strength, but also felt heartache upon hearing about her past.

Because that person was once herself, thinking about how happy she was now made her feel even sadder.

Anyu returned to the General’s Manor against the cold wind, her small face already icy. The guards at the gate had already tidied up early and were standing guard. Seeing her return, they were startled. “Miss?”

When did Miss go out?

Anyu didn’t explain, simply dismounted and handed the reins to a guard.

“Take the horse to the stable for me.”

“Yes!”

Anyu strode into the General’s Manor.

Just two days ago, she had been chatting and laughing with her Younger Aunt and Eldest Uncle’s wife while entertaining guests in the pavilion…

Thinking about it now made her even sadder.

“My identity cannot be revealed to the Xie family.” This was something Her Majesty had repeatedly emphasized.

Anyu understood. She was now the Emperor, the sovereign to whom the Xie family pledged loyalty. The matter of borrowing a corpse to return the soul was even more bizarre and unbelievable; no one would believe it if she told them. Her father would also never admit that the body of Emperor Ruiming contained his daughter, because she herself was right before everyone’s eyes now, so how could another one appear?

Anyu understood it all.

But because she understood it all, her heart felt even heavier.

“It’s okay, Her Majesty still has me,” Anyu said to herself inwardly.

At the same time, she made up her mind.

Her Majesty had her. Although she was just one person, she would represent the Xie family and herself in loving Her Majesty with all her might!

Her Majesty had her, and only her.

Xie Anyu, pull yourself together!

After Anyu left, Xie Wan lost her sleepiness. Since the sky was gradually brightening anyway, she simply put on an outer robe and sat up.

Tomorrow was Great General Xie’s birthday.

She now valued the Xie family highly, so she naturally had to attend this birthday banquet. She had already sent someone to reveal this news long ago.

Emperor Ruiming had always been in poor health and rarely left the palace. Xu Ping was now having a very difficult time in court, having to see his enemy every day during morning court. He probably ground his teeth in secret countless times.

Since they could no longer hold back, this birthday banquet for Great General Xie was the best opportunity for them to make a move.

In her previous life, the Xu family and Grand Consort Qin and her son were at odds with each other, both wanting the throne. Now, however, they were united against a common enemy, both plotting against her. Thinking about it was truly sigh-inducing.

But how they planned to deal with her, Xie Wan was genuinely curious.

One must know that it was still two years earlier than when Emperor Ruiming fell seriously ill in the previous life, and Grand Consort Qin had no significant background or power behind her. Chu Tang was also only thirteen and had only recently begun participating in politics.

Indeed, the fact that her health was getting better and better had pushed these two to desperation.

Minister Xu… Minister Xu was also losing his mind because of the deaths of his two sons. If he could just calm down and think carefully, weigh the pros and cons, he would absolutely not dare to plot against her again.

However, with his two sons dead, the Xu family’s bloodline was effectively ended by her hand, so it wasn’t strange that Xu Ping hated her.

So be it.

It was a good opportunity to clean things up once and for all.

Soon, it was Great General Xie’s birthday.

Xie Chengdong was now a first-rank general in the Da Yue Empire, his military achievements self-evident. But counting the days to his birthday, one would realize that this great general was actually only in his thirties, in the prime of his life, with only one daughter and not even a single concubine by his side.

Those who didn’t know would naturally try to subtly inquire about Great General Xie’s preferences, hoping that if they could arrange a marriage, it would bring immense power and wealth.

However, Great General Xie had no such intention, preferring to remain a widower for decades.

Few people knew that Anyu’s father and mother had met when they were young. They weren’t from matching families, but when her father wanted to don armor and go to battle, her mother diligently studied medicine. Later, she joined the military and became a doctor for the Xie family army.

They fought alongside the army, spending day and night together.

At that time, countless people envied them.

But life is unpredictable, and Anyu’s mother passed away early.

After her mother’s death, many medical books were left in the General’s Manor. The delicate and neat notes written in them were extremely clear, as if deliberately left for a beginner to read.

Later, when Anyu grew older, she learned that her mother had specifically written those notes for her.

Because before she was born, the Xie couple had discussed that if the child liked martial arts, they would let her study martial arts, and if she liked medicine, they would also let her follow her preference.

Anyu still followed her father and learned martial arts.

But if her mother were still alive, perhaps her childhood dream wouldn’t have been to be a little general, but a little doctor.

These were all side notes.

In short, today’s birthday brought many guests. Most were court officials and their families, and naturally, there were also those eager to propose marriages.

However, no one overstepped, as everyone knew one piece of news: Consort Wan from the palace had returned for today’s birthday banquet.

And… Her Majesty would also be coming.

The Xie family naturally knew Her Majesty was coming, which was why the entrance was draped with red silk, and many tables were set up for the banquet in the General’s Manor.

It was a lively scene.

“This humble official greets Lady Consort Wan. Happy birthday, Great General Xie.”

“Greetings, Lady Consort Wan. Brother Xie, happy birthday! This is a small token of my regard!”

The officials who arrived first offered their congratulations, then exchanged greetings with each other. The wives and family members naturally gravitated towards the Xie family’s Younger Aunt and Eldest Uncle’s wife.

Whether Great General Xie remarried was one thing, but the young Minister in the Xie family’s main branch was also a sought-after catch!

“You are all too kind. Please come in, please come in,” said Xie Chengdong, dressed in embroidered robes, smiling as he instructed his servants to lead the guests inside.

After the guests entered, Xie Chengdong rubbed his nose and muttered, “It’s not even a milestone birthday, yet they’ve made such a fuss. What a waste!”

Anyu, also dressed formally, said with a smile, “Because Her Majesty is coming! Don’t worry, Father, I’ll pack up all the leftovers later!”

Xie Chengdong glanced at his daughter, feeling exasperated.

Ever since his daughter entered the palace, her heart and eyes were filled with nothing but Her Majesty!