After Rebirth, My Wife Turned Out to Be Myself - Chapter 72

And so, before the year was out, the court officials did not receive the imperial decree appointing an Empress.

However, just as they were preparing to submit memorials about selecting consorts in the spring, a piece of bad news secretly spread from the palace.

After being diagnosed by the Imperial Physicians, Her Majesty, after being poisoned… would be unable to bear children.

This should have been a palace secret, but Xie Wan was the Emperor. If she couldn’t give birth, it meant the Chu imperial line would be cut off.

“So this is what Chu Tang and Grand Consort Qin were planning!”

“How vicious!”

“Is it possible the Imperial Physicians misdiagnosed? That poison… if ingested, it would also affect fertility?”

“But Her Majesty’s health was already poor.”

“Pregnancy and childbirth are like passing through the gates of hell.” The court officials shook their heads.

Now it was over. Forget appointing an Empress, even appointing a male consort wouldn’t leave behind any heirs.

“Don’t you find it strange? How long has it been since we brought up the matter of appointing an Empress, and Her Majesty suddenly… can’t give birth?” Someone quietly voiced their suspicion.

Hearing this, someone else rebuked, “If the Imperial Physicians hadn’t confirmed it, who would dare to speak nonsense about this? Is being unable to give birth a good thing for Her Majesty?”

That person fell silent.

This news did not spread widely; rather, it leaked out from the loose-lipped palace staff, spreading from one person to ten, and from ten to a hundred.

Moreover, the person who spoke was right. Inability to bear children was too cruel for a woman. Even if Her Majesty was the Emperor, she was probably heartbroken.

Later, it was said that Her Majesty learned the news had leaked and ordered the talkative palace staff to be dealt with.

Less than two days later, Her Majesty issued a decree—

“Disband the imperial harem.”

This imperial decree came completely unexpectedly.

Disband the imperial harem.

There was no such precedent in the history of the Da Yue Empire!

“Your Majesty, please reconsider!”

“Your Majesty, please withdraw your command!”

“Your Majesty, you cannot! The Da Yue currently has no Crown Prince or Crown Princess. How can Your Majesty easily disband the imperial harem?!”

Xie Wan stood before her palace, looking at the row of kneeling court officials. She remembered what Anyu had said to her that day. But she hadn’t appointed Anyu as Empress; she had merely disbanded the imperial harem, and these people were kneeling before her palace.

Indeed, this Da Yue court, even after removing the corrupt and treacherous officials, still had many who couldn’t be considered virtuous ministers. They ate the Da Yue’s salary, like rotten branches, using all their vitality to cling tightly to the trunk, absorbing nutrients while opening their mouths to denounce ‘justice’.

A hint of annoyance appeared in Xie Wan’s eyes. “Reconsider? Haven’t you all heard? My body cannot bear children. What use is the imperial harem? What? Keeping them will allow them to bear a son or daughter for me?!”

Her shout caused the kneeling officials to lower their heads.

“But Your Majesty, this… this… there is no precedent.”

“Then I shall set this precedent!”

Everyone exchanged glances.

“Your Majesty, the Imperial Academy of Medicine can surely find a way. If not… Your Majesty can widely recruit famous physicians from all over the country to the capital. In time, Your Majesty’s health can surely be cured. This imperial harem cannot be disbanded…”

“I have already sent people to search,” Xie Wan stared at him. “The imperial harem is to be disbanded. My mind is made up. No one needs to say more.”

“Zhou Ning.”

“Your subject is here.”

“Arrange for people to escort these ministers home.”

“Yes.”

Saying ‘escort home’ was effectively kicking them out of the palace.

The few ministers shrank their necks, hearing the coldness in her words.

Although Her Majesty was physically weak, this past year was enough for everyone to understand her methods. So many offending officials had been executed in court. She had even bestowed poisoned wine upon her only younger brother. If they truly angered Her Majesty, their old bones… might not be safe either.

“Esteemed sirs, please—” Zhou Ning looked up at them.

After much thought, life was still more important.

The few people carefully got up from the ground, not daring to look at Her Majesty, only daring to say softly, “We trouble Commander Zhou.”

Zhou Ning escorted them out of the palace. Along the way, these court officials were not quiet, asking about Her Majesty’s situation and then about hers.

“Little Official Zhou, you still haven’t married, have you?” Someone couldn’t help but ask. “Why doesn’t Minister Zhou find a match for Little Official Zhou?”

Zhou Ning: “That doesn’t require your concern.”

The official could only awkwardly give up.

The matter of Zhou Ning’s proposed marriage to the second son of the Marquis of Pingyang being broken off had been widely discussed in the capital for a long time. At that time, the Xu family was still powerful, and these people weren’t saying good things about her behind her back.

But now it was different.

Although the Zhou family was not as prominent as the Xie family currently, Zhou Ning’s father was still a Minister, and her maternal grandfather was an old general of the Da Yue.

Now Zhou Ning was also highly valued by Her Majesty, and at a young age, she was already the Commander of the Imperial Guards. In the future… her prospects were limitless.

Now that Her Majesty was disbanding the imperial harem, their nephews and nieces couldn’t be sent in. But if they could form a connection with the Zhou family and marry into it, wouldn’t their future careers also be smooth sailing?

Hence, they couldn’t help but ask a few more questions.

Unfortunately, Zhou Ning was impervious to their attempts.

During their day off, Zhou Ning and Li Mingxin were drinking tea at a teahouse and brought up the matter.

Regarding Her Majesty disbanding the imperial harem, Li Mingxin also sighed, “Actually, what those people said isn’t wrong. Her Majesty is still young. If she waits a few more years… after her health is recuperated, it wouldn’t be too late to discuss the matter of heirs. Disbanding the imperial harem so rashly… would the court officials whose sons or daughters are in the palace be willing?”

Those who knelt that day were merely pedantic officials urging Her Majesty to withdraw her command. The ‘maternal families’ of the young masters in the palace had not yet reacted.

There were a few in the palace whose families had been high-ranking officials for generations. If they caused trouble, Her Majesty might have a headache.

Li Mingxin grew more and more puzzled as she thought about it. “I somehow feel this doesn’t seem like something Her Majesty would do.”

Li Mingxin looked up, asking if she knew something.

Zhou Ning calmly picked up the teacup beside her and took a sip. What she could tell her, Zhou Ning wouldn’t deliberately hide. “For Lady Consort Wan, there’s nothing that can’t be done. The entire imperial harem is disbanded, leaving only Lady Consort Wan. What do you think, Official Li?”

Li Mingxin paused.

Those court officials wouldn’t let Her Majesty appoint an Empress, so she would disband the imperial harem, leaving only Lady Consort Wan.

“Her Majesty has a resolute nature and will not tolerate being threatened.”

“Firstly, it’s for Lady Consort Wan. Secondly… the corrupt officials have already been removed from the court. Isn’t the next step this group of people? Eating the benefits of inherited positions, doing the work that only censors should do, with one mouth full of ancestral rules. If it were you, would you remove them or not?”

Official Zhou’s words were still so sharp and to the point.

Li Mingxin said helplessly, “Her Majesty truly dotes on Lady Consort Wan.”

In Li Mingxin’s impression, Her Majesty was accustomed to using the imperial harem to balance the court and acted somewhat timidly. However, after Lady Consort Wan entered the palace, she changed a lot. Or perhaps, Her Majesty had always hidden her abilities, but after having Lady Consort Wan, she no longer concealed her sharpness and keenness.

Li Mingxin took a sip of tea and smiled, “I heard Little Official Xie say that the Xie family, as a whole, doesn’t favor having multiple wives and concubines. I suppose Lady Consort Wan must be happy that Her Majesty has disbanded the imperial harem. To be in a high position, yet desire one lifetime, one partner, is truly something to be envied.”

Something to be envied.

These four words lingered on Zhou Ning’s lips. She knew the Li family was different.

Li Mingxin’s father was also a scholar. Since ancient times, scholars have prided themselves on being romantic, so although the Li family was a scholarly family, and Li Mingxin was a legitimate daughter, her father had several concubines.

“You haven’t married anyone. How do you know what your future will be like? Official Li is now serving in court. If you don’t want to marry, no one can force you.”

As soon as this sentence was spoken, the private room in the teahouse fell silent.

Li Mingxin’s heart tightened. She dared not loosen her grip on the teacup. At this moment, she should have given a perfunctory reply and glossed over the topic.

But for some reason, she couldn’t speak.

“The Zhou family also doesn’t favor having multiple wives and concubines… at least my father doesn’t,” Zhou Ning paused before adding, “Perhaps it’s because he can’t beat my mother.”

Li Mingxin couldn’t help but chuckle. “That’s great then. Official Zhou will also be able to have one lifetime, one partner with someone in the future.”

After all, no one could beat her, right?

Zhou Ning stared at her and suddenly said, “I don’t hit people.”

Li Mingxin’s heart suddenly skipped a beat.

These words, spoken like this…

Zhou Ning suddenly remembered something and casually asked, “The painting I asked you to help me with last time…”

Li Mingxin’s heart, which had just fluttered, suddenly stopped.

The painting.

Snow Plum Blossom.

Official Zhou had someone she wanted to give flowers to. When the flowers withered, she would paint them and give the painting to that person.

That romantic notion instantly dissipated.

Li Mingxin lowered her eyes and softly apologized, “I’ve been too busy lately. I haven’t been able to paint much each day…”

“It’s alright. The flowers must have withered long ago.”

“Yes, but I’ve remembered their appearance…” Before she could finish speaking, Zhou Ning suddenly placed a box on the table and pushed it towards her.

The box was open, and inside lay a jade hairpin in the shape of a Snow Plum Blossom.

It was not the inferior jewelry sold on the streets. The jade hairpin in the box was exquisite and unique. A blooming Snow Plum Blossom, pure white and translucent.

The Snow Plum Blossom design, was it also meant for that person?

Li Mingxin felt a hint of bitterness in her heart, just like the last time she agreed to help her paint.

“It’s beautiful,” Li Mingxin smiled, praising with difficulty.

“As long as it’s beautiful. This is a thank you gift,” Zhou Ning said.

Li Mingxin didn’t react immediately.

“It’s a thank you gift for helping me with the painting.”

Li Mingxin instinctively refused, “…This is too valuable.”

Moreover, the Snow Plum Blossom design, the exquisite hairpin…

How could this be easily given as a thank you gift? Even a token of affection wouldn’t be of this standard.

“This hairpin is much more valuable than the painting I would make. Official Zhou should give this to… the person you admire,” Li Mingxin said with difficulty.

Zhou Ning: “Mm.”

Li Mingxin looked up. She seemed to have misheard something.

Zhou Ning looked at her intently and repeated, “Take it if I give it to you. It’s not a master craftsman’s work; I carved it myself.”

Carved by hand, it was a token of affection. Li Mingxin no longer refused, but pursed her lips tightly, quietly thinking to herself, perhaps… when Official Zhou carved it, she casually chose a flower design. Snow Plum Blossoms are very popular in the capital now, maybe it’s because of that…

But…

How could that be?

This person personally brought the flowers over and asked her to paint them.

How could she not know that Snow Plum Blossoms shouldn’t be easily given away?

The beautiful jade hairpin was still placed before her. Li Mingxin couldn’t help but look at the person sitting opposite her.

The other person was also looking at her, the meaning in her eyes very clear.

It was for her.

It was for her that she carved the Snow Plum Blossom.

Li Mingxin stared at her blankly, not understanding why the romantic notion, which had only been in her own heart, had suddenly become reality.

After a long while, she only managed to say, “Then… the painting…”

Who was it for?

Zhou Ning: “For myself.”

The Snow Plum Blossom painted by her own hand, for herself, to keep at home. It also fulfilled the meaning of the Winter Flower Fest. The Flower God would probably not be stingy with bestowing blessings upon her.

She wanted to give her flowers, but flowers wither, so she asked her to paint.

But she didn’t understand, only accepted her flowers and agreed to help with the painting.

Zhou Ning thought to herself, indeed, the jade hairpin was more effective.

As expected, within her line of sight, the scholarly girl opposite her, having understood her words, was already blushing.

Zhou Ning inexplicably thought again.

Following the example from above, she would also go back and tell her father a huge lie, saying that she was unwell and couldn’t have children, and was afraid she couldn’t give him a granddaughter. Since the lineage was going to end anyway, she wanted to marry the beautiful and well-read Official Li.

If her father refused.

Then she would marry into the Li family.

But the Li family… might also dislike her inability to bear children.

Thinking about it, the image of the usually quiet Official Li standing before her family elders, fiercely protecting her, would surely be a beautiful sight.