After Rebirth, My Wife Turned Out to Be Myself - Chapter 73

Xie Wan almost single-handedly dismissed the entire imperial harem.

The young masters in the harem were all men. Even if they left the palace, they could still marry, have children, take the imperial examinations, and bring glory to their ancestors.

One could even say that their families initially sent them to the palace to attach themselves to the royal family, that big tree.

Some were even unwilling at first.

Once in the palace, they hadn’t received much favor, and their relationship with Her Majesty wasn’t particularly good.

Now that Xie Wan was sending them out of the palace, everyone could only follow the arrangements.

As for those with stronger backgrounds and influence… it wasn’t that no one had sought out Her Majesty, such as Song Nanfeng’s father, a Prince of a different surname whom even Emperor Ruiming had to address as uncle according to seniority.

However, Xie Wan easily resolved all of this.

Perhaps there were some beautiful young masters who had grown so accustomed to palace life that they were unwilling to return to an ordinary existence, but Anyu had no chance to meet these people.

With the young masters having left the palace, the vast imperial harem suddenly became much emptier.

The New Year was approaching, and the palace had already begun decorating with lanterns and streamers. Wanyi Palace was particularly lively.

There was no longer any custom of flipping name tags.

Aside from going to her sleeping quarters, Xie Wan would come to Wanyi Palace to rest.

New Year’s Eve was just one day away, and court affairs had also ceased. Except for certain essential positions, the other court officials had already gone home to celebrate the New Year.

When Xie Wan arrived, Anyu and Qingcui were busy in the courtyard. There were many red papers on the stone table, and several lanterns that hadn’t been pasted with paper yet.

Anyu wasn’t the type to be bossy. She was lively and adorable, and being young, the servants in Wanyi Palace were friendly with her.

Anyu also got along well with people without any distance.

Xie Wan paused and watched from afar, thinking that this was where they differed.

Perhaps she had also been this temperament when she was young, but sitting in a high position later had worn away that bit of innocence in her bones.

She had only taken two steps closer when a palace servant noticed her.

“Greetings, Your Majesty!”

The palace servants were about to kneel, but Xie Wan waved her hand and walked towards Anyu.

Anyu also happened to turn around. She didn’t move, but straightened up and smiled at her, “Your Majesty, I’m writing couplets.”

Xie Wan walked closer and indeed saw the first half of the couplet she had finished writing.

“Need help?”

Anyu chuckled, “Yes! Your Majesty’s handwriting is beautiful.”

The couplets at the Xie Manor had been the responsibility of the younger generation for a long time. Eldest Brother was in charge of choosing the couplets, and she was in charge of writing. Younger Brother and Second Brother were in charge of pasting them.

Thinking this, a hint of nostalgia appeared on Anyu’s face. She glanced at Xie Wan, who had already picked up a brush and rolled up her sleeves, and softly said, “Your Majesty, should we go back to the Xie Manor for New Year this year…”

Xie Wan’s hand, which was about to write, paused in the air.

“Anyu wants to go back?” Xie Wan asked her. “That’s right, you spend every New Year at home. The Xie family is much livelier than this palace.”

Anyu sighed, “Yes, the Xie family is the liveliest this year.”

Saying it was lively, it should really be said that everyone was there.

It was rare for everyone to be together.

Father wasn’t away on campaign this year, Eldest Uncle’s family was all there, and Younger Aunt’s family hadn’t gone to visit her husband’s family.

Everyone was there, only missing one Xie Wan.

Like a circle, missing the most important center.

And in Anyu’s heart, she occupied half of this center, and Her Majesty occupied the other half.

She had spent the first sixteen years of her life celebrating New Year at home. This year, she had married into the palace.

And Your Majesty, how many years had it been since she went back for New Year?

Anyu saw a smile appear on the face of the person before her, and only then realized that she had actually spoken her thoughts aloud.

Fortunately, the palace servants were all pasting lantern paper nearby, and no one noticed them.

“It’s been many years.” Xie Wan didn’t feel sad. In the blink of an eye, she had been here for almost a year. After meeting Anyu, she smiled more often than she dwelled on the past with sorrow.

The events of her previous life seemed to have become like fleeting clouds and smoke in an instant.

Perhaps in a few more years, as the memories gradually faded from her mind, it was hard to say if she might even think her previous life was just a big dream.

She didn’t show much emotion, but Anyu still showed a hint of heartache.

This made Xie Wan couldn’t help but smile, “I am an adult, not a child who needs her brother to buy candied hawthorns to coax her during New Year.”

Needs her brother to buy candy to coax her… Anyu’s face flushed, “How many years ago was that, Your Majesty!”

Xie Wan raised an eyebrow, “It’s been a long time for me, but for Anyu… it hasn’t been many years.”

“At least ten years!” Anyu said with certainty.

Xie Wan smiled without speaking, “So, you want to take me back for New Year this year?”

“Yes, I want to take Your Majesty back,” Anyu’s eyes were bright.

“Then let’s go back.” Xie Wan felt that it didn’t matter whether she returned to the Xie family or not, but since Anyu wanted to, then they would go back.

This palace… was indeed cold and heartless.

“Alright!” Anyu snapped her fingers, “Qingcui, pack a few sets of clothes for me. I’m taking Her Majesty back to the Xie Manor for New Year!”

Qingcui put down her work and quickly stood up, “Yes, Your Ladyship!”

Xie Wan thought for a moment, then continued to finish writing the couplet she had already started.

Half an hour later, the palace carriage stopped at the entrance of the Xie Manor.

Soon, before the person arrived, the voice did. Anyu’s shout passed through the main gate, “Father! Eldest Uncle, Younger Aunt! I’m home!”

In the main hall courtyard, the Xie family members who had just finished lunch and were chatting together were stunned for a moment.

Younger cousin Yuntao was the first to jump up, “I think I heard my sister’s voice!”

He quickly turned around and saw Anyu walking in, leading Xie Wan.

Xie Yuntao had only seen this Emperor once when the two of them returned home after marriage, and it was just a brief glance. At this time, Xie Wan wasn’t wearing that bright yellow robe, so Yuntao didn’t react immediately.

“Yuntao still has sharp ears!” Anyu said, holding Xie Wan’s hand and smiling.

The Xie family members all stood up and respectfully bowed, “Your subjects greet…”

“No need for formalities,” Xie Wan nodded lightly.

Anyu looked at that expressionless face and thought, if she didn’t know that Her Majesty was herself, just by looking at her attitude towards the Xie family, she wouldn’t see any closeness beyond the ruler-subject relationship.

But even so, she still wanted Her Majesty to stay at the Xie family.

“Father, I brought Her Majesty home for New Year,” The smile on Xie Anyu’s face never stopped.

Xie Chengdong was speechless for a moment. He wanted to glare at his daughter but decided against it.

When would this daughter of his grow up?

Going home for New Year? This wasn’t marrying into an ordinary family.

“We’re not in court, so just pretend Her Majesty isn’t Her Majesty. She’s just… Chu Long, yes, that’s it,” Anyu shook Xie Wan’s hand and asked, “Your Majesty, isn’t that right?”

Xie Wan looked at her and smiled faintly, “If you say so, then it is.”

Xie Wan could guess Anyu’s thoughts.

Her little Anyu…

Although that’s what was said, the Xie family members still showed a moment of awkwardness. Xie Chengdong, Xie Yunyu, and others who were involved in court affairs didn’t show much change, but the others naturally appeared more constrained.

Anyu didn’t care about this. She just wanted to bring Her Majesty back for New Year, nothing more.

It was Yuntao who looked at Xie Wan a few more times.

Xie Wan: ?

That look didn’t seem like he welcomed her arrival.

What, had she offended her younger cousin somewhere?

Before Xie Wan could think further, Anyu had already raised her voice and asked, “What are you all doing? New Year’s Eve is the day after tomorrow. Have you bought everything you need? I see the couplets aren’t pasted yet. Are you waiting for me to come back and write them?”

“Since you’re back, someone will naturally write the couplets,” Xie Yunyu smiled.

Younger Aunt also smiled, “We didn’t know you were coming back. I’ll have someone tidy up your courtyard.”

Anyu curved her lips into a smile, “Younger Aunt, I’ll go too.”

“Xie Anyu, come to the study,” Xie Chengdong suddenly said sternly, stopping Anyu from leaving.

Anyu: ?

“What is it, Father?”

Xie Chengdong glanced at Xie Wan behind her and calmly said, “Just come.”

“Go. I’ll wait for you in the courtyard,” Xie Wan said.

Anyu could only nod and followed her father step by step.

The courtyard returned to quietness.

No one knew how to interact with this Emperor of Da Yue. Younger Aunt took the others away, but Yuntao refused to leave and stubbornly kept looking at Xie Wan.

Younger Aunt then grabbed Yuntao’s wrist, “Xie Yuntao, go tidy up your sister’s courtyard!”

Under his mother’s authority, Yuntao had no choice but to leave.

“Your younger cousin…?” Xie Wan asked casually.

Xie Yunyu poured her tea, “Yuntao… is childish. Please don’t mind him, Your Majesty.”

“Is it because I haven’t let Anyu return to the manor?”

Seeing that she couldn’t be easily dismissed, Xie Yunyu could only nod.

Xie Wan understood.

Because her father was often away, she was raised by Younger Aunt when she was young and was very close to Yuntao, her younger brother.

Originally, when Anyu married into the palace, Yuntao was the most upset.

Now that the harem had been dismissed, he had waited and waited but hadn’t seen his sister return, so he must be angry.

“He thinks I’ve held Anyu back, that my body is so poor, and I’m still holding onto Anyu and not letting her return to the manor?”

Xie Yunyu sighed, “Your Majesty, Yuntao is young. Please… forgive him.”

“I don’t blame him,” Xie Wan shrugged. “I broke my promise. I originally promised the Xie family that I would send Anyu back to the manor within a few days.”

Xie Yunyu knew that the relationship between Her Majesty and his sister was not what outsiders thought.

He also knew that it wasn’t that Her Majesty refused to let her go. In this relationship, perhaps Anyu was the more stubborn one.

“So, Great General Xie called her to the study because of…?”

Xie Yunyu remained silent.

Xie Wan smiled without speaking.

That’s right, in the eyes of the Xie family, Emperor Ruiming wasn’t very trustworthy. Even though she was a wise ruler now, when it came to Anyu, it was still difficult to trust her.

Perhaps it was the same in the eyes of the officials. She dismissed everyone but kept Anyu alone. This was both favor and restraint.

After all, the power the Xie family held in their hands this year was indeed too great, so she had to keep Anyu firmly in her grasp.

Let’s steer clear of this topic. Xie Yunyu thought to himself and said, “May I be so bold as to ask why Your Majesty specifically came to the General’s Manor?”

Xie Wan picked up the teacup, “To celebrate New Year. What, Minister Xie thought I had something to say to you?”

Xie Yunyu: “…”

He did think so.

After all, Her Majesty’s actions were always very purposeful.

Except… towards Anyu.

“Your Majesty coming here couldn’t be because Consort Wan… wanted to come home for New Year…” Xie Yunyu said this with difficulty.

“Mm,” Xie Wan took a light sip of tea.

Xie Yunyu: “…”

My sister, what virtue or ability do you possess?

Her Majesty’s favor towards Anyu was so great that Xie Yunyu suddenly remembered something he had forgotten.

“Your subject dares to presume and ask Your Majesty about your health…”

Xie Wan knew what he was asking about. It was nothing more than the excuse she used to dismiss the harem. She replied indifferently, “My health is very good.”

So she had indeed lied to the officials.

For what?

Just for… Anyu?

“I didn’t expect even you to be fooled by me,” Xie Wan smiled.

Xie Yunyu met her gaze and felt that the smile was different from the one he usually saw in court. In this smile, there was a hint of slyness, which made Xie Yunyu feel somewhat familiar.

Ignoring that slight sense of incongruity in his heart, he gave a light cough, “Your Majesty didn’t hesitate to lie about your health to deceive your subjects, so it’s understandable that your subject was deceived.”

What emperor would dismiss the harem for a certain consort, and even lie to people that she couldn’t bear children?

In that instant, Xie Yunyu felt that in the relationship between Her Majesty and his sister, it seemed that Anyu wasn’t the only one who was stubborn.

“I came here just to celebrate New Year, nothing else. Minister Xie doesn’t need to worry. Just think of me as being tired after this year and coming to the Xie family to rest for a couple of days,” Xie Wan slowly drank her tea. “I’ll go wait for Anyu in her courtyard.”

Xie Yunyu bowed his head, “Respectfully seeing off Your Majesty.”