After Rebirth, My Wife Turned Out to Be Myself - Chapter 84

September twelfth. Chu Long, who had appeared in her dream once on the day Emperor Ruiming died in her previous life, never entered her dreams again.

Chu Long’s appearance in her dream seemed like a mere coincidence, yet it left Xie Wan with many doubts.

The Chu Long in the dream clearly knew the future, or rather, the past life. Xie Wan boldly speculated that she, like herself, had come from the ‘past life’. Or perhaps she, like Chu Tang in this life, had accidentally learned of the ‘past life’.

Compared to the former, Xie Wan was more inclined to believe the latter.

Because there was clearly only one soul of Emperor Ruiming. If Emperor Ruiming was a soul returned from a past life like her, then there would also be two Chu Longs in this world, just like her and Anyu.

Regardless, what was certain was that her arrival was not an accident, but Chu Long’s deliberate act.

It wasn’t strange that the Emperor, who had been weak for half her life and saw her absurd life in a dream, would seek her out.

But what method did the Emperor use to guide her to the ‘past’?

Xie Wan did not know.

Xie Wan wasn’t interested in what the truth was; it wasn’t important to her. What was important was that she was now certain that Chu Long would not suddenly appear one day and try to reclaim this body.

Life continued like this.

Autumn turned into winter. News about the neighboring countries would occasionally reach the capital. The situation in the three countries was proceeding as Xie Wan had expected.

The conflict between the West Jin Emperor and General Hachinu’s forces grew increasingly tense, even reaching a point of major confrontation.

The East Ming Emperor was still hesitant about whether to send troops to the border, while also closely monitoring the situation in West Jin.

Winter arrived, and the capital grew cold. Dry leaves fell from the branches. Pedestrians bundled up in thick clothes, hurrying along.

Even Zhaoxia sighed softly, “This winter is even colder than last year.”

It was indeed a bit colder than last year.

But Xie Wan wasn’t worried. The court had already sent winter clothes and provisions for the northern soldiers to Jinghe a month ago.

Anyu’s letters, however, said that the soldiers were doing well. Instead, many of her court officials had caught colds due to the sudden cold weather and had to take sick leave.

Xie Yunyu was one of them.

In Xie Wan’s impression, her eldest cousin was not merely a civil official. Even if the children of the Xie family weren’t skilled in martial arts, their physiques were definitely among the best of ordinary children.

But as soon as the weather turned cold, Xie Yunyu couldn’t withstand it and fell ill.

With the Prime Minister ill, many matters fell upon Xie Wan.

One or two days were fine, but four or five days had passed, and Xie Yunyu was still on leave.

Xie Wan sent an imperial physician. But the physician who returned was vague, saying that the Prime Minister had caught a cold, and because of the cold weather, it was difficult to recover completely. He had a fever all day and couldn’t sleep well at night, so they could only prescribe medicine for slow recuperation.

Xie Wan listened and had no choice but to let it go.

By the time Xie Yunyu recovered and returned to court, it was seven days later.

Xie Wan sat on the dragon throne, looking at the officials in the hall. Her recovered eldest cousin was much thinner, and the spirited look in his brows was gone. He stood submissively at the front of the officials, the light in his eyes flickering, unclear.

But it was clear he was distracted.

What happened?

Xie Wan was surprised.

When the court session ended, Xie Wan said, “Minister Xie, come to the Imperial Study.”

The person called paused, bowed, and assented.

“Sit.”

Xie Yunyu, who had been called over, seemed surprised by the environment. There was a tea table, which didn’t look like it was set up for discussing affairs.

He sat down as instructed and heard her ask, “Is Minister Xie’s health recovered?”

“Replying to Your Majesty, I have recovered.”

“How is your wife?”

Xie Yunyu paused, nodded, and said, “Shu’er is very well.”

“What about the elders of the Xie family?”

Xie Yunyu lowered his gaze, “The elders are also very well.”

“Then I don’t understand.” Xie Wan glanced at him and asked, “Minister Xie, did you look in the mirror before court today? You don’t look like you’re recovering from a serious illness; you look like you’ve caught a daze, absent-minded.”

Xie Yunyu: “This official…”

Xie Wan: ?

Xie Yunyu hesitated, seeing Her Majesty’s puzzled expression, and changed his words, saying, “Although this cold is minor, it affects one’s spirit. I couldn’t sleep well at night and had nightmares for several days. That’s why I was absent-minded when I returned to court today. I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness.”

Xie Wan frowned upon hearing this, “Nightmares? I’ll have the imperial physician prescribe some calming medicine for you.”

Xie Yunyu shook his head, “Thank you, Your Majesty, but this official is already fine.”

“Your wife will be giving birth soon. Don’t let anything happen to you.”

“This official understands.”

After chatting with Her Majesty for a few moments, Xie Yunyu planned to leave the palace. Seeing he was fine, Xie Wan naturally didn’t keep him.

Before he left, Xie Wan called out to him again and asked a question.

“Minister Xie, what kind of nightmares did you have?”

Xie Yunyu paused, turned back, and said, “This official can’t remember clearly.”

At the palace gate, the carriage was already waiting.

The advisor saw him arriving late, well past the end of the court session, and couldn’t help but ask, “Sir, did Her Majesty summon you?”

Xie Yunyu nodded slightly, “It wasn’t official business.”

Xie Yunyu looked up at the sky.

The sky was hazy, cold and dry. It was unlikely to snow.

His fever came suddenly, but it wasn’t because he caught a cold.

He had nightmares for several days, which was why he seemed absent-minded even in court.

He dreamed that the world was at peace.

Da Yue also ushered in a prosperous age.

Was that a nightmare? He thought, yes, it was. After all, in the dream, such a prosperous age was bought with the lives of almost the entire Xie family.

Anyu even became the Regent King, second only to one person.

But later, even Anyu died.

Xie Yunyu didn’t understand why he had such a dream, nor did he know if the dream was true or false. He didn’t dare to think about it too much, afraid it would align with some suspicions.

Everything before his eyes was different from the dream.

This was good.

This time, the prosperous age of Da Yue would not be built upon the bones of the Xie family.

Xie Yunyu looked towards the north, thinking this.

Although Xie Yunyu insisted he couldn’t remember clearly, Xie Wan understood her eldest cousin well.

An ordinary dream would definitely not have kept Xie Yunyu resting at home for seven days. A dream that could affect her eldest cousin’s spirit must be about his wife and child, or about the Xie family.

Xie Wan felt she might have guessed a few things, but just as she didn’t stop her eldest cousin to question him that day, the matter had passed, and she wouldn’t pursue it further.

Some things are tacitly understood.

Perhaps everyone has a chance to see the ‘future’.

For example, Chu Long, or Chu Tang, or her eldest cousin.

Chu Long was for the countless common people whose families were ruined because of her weakness and incompetence. Chu Tang was for the throne, or perhaps for the person he couldn’t obtain. Her eldest cousin was for his family.

People with obsessions might have a chance to ‘start over’.

It just depends on what choices those who know the ‘future’ will make.

She didn’t dwell on it anymore, but picked up her brush and wrote a letter to Anyu, who was far away in the north.

She wrote about her thoughts and feelings, aside from the busy court affairs, in the letter.

Naturally, there was more longing.

“Your little nephew is about to be born. The longevity lock is already made. Eldest Brother wanted to pass the child on to you, but I refused. I think my secret probably hasn’t been hidden from Eldest Brother. He’s already considering our predicament of having no children when we are old and gray.”

“But I feel that my later years probably won’t be lonely.”

“Winter has arrived, wear more clothes.”

“I wonder if the Snow Plum Blossoms in the north will bloom more vibrantly this year…”

While writing, she looked out the window. Xie Wan thought, this winter is indeed a bit colder than last year, but spring will come soon.