After the Affectionate Second Male Lead Reincarnated

6

In the end, Pei Du didn't care who I was. Upon learning that I wasn't Jiang Luo Yu and posed no threat to Song Yan Yu, he only needed a competent empress, nothing more.

Pei Du's mask was peeled away by my revelation, and he remained silent.

"I understand Your Majesty's words. Does this mean that as long as I fulfill my duties as empress, I will continue to have control over the harem?"

I broke the silence, and a flash of surprise crossed Pei Du's eyes.

He probably hadn't expected me to adapt so quickly.

"Naturally." Pei Du responded swiftly.

"It's getting late, and I'm tired. I won't see you off."

I had effectively dismissed him before I finished speaking, which seemed to catch Pei Du even more off guard than my previous statement.

"Alright." Pei Du nodded somewhat awkwardly and placed the medicine bottle in my hand before leaving.

"Remember to apply the ointment."

As the door closed, I finally breathed a sigh of relief.

I had imagined many scenarios of revealing my true identity to Pei Du, but never like this.

Or perhaps, I had never imagined that he wouldn't love me.

From Pei Du's attitude, it was clear that divorce was impossible.

As long as I remained in Jiang Luo Yu's body, I would be the empress.

But there were many ways to not be the empress; leaving the palace and living incognito was easy for me.

After all, I hadn't lived through all these years for nothing.

The difficult part was ensuring that the people around me wouldn't be implicated.

"Your Majesty, I heard that this was specially brought from Yipin Lou by order of the emperor. You know, once the palace gates are locked, they won't open until sunrise." Xi Yun approached, implying that Pei Du had broken the rules for me.

"But I really have no appetite." I shook my head. "Throw it all away. The scent of osmanthus gives me a headache."

"Understood." Xi Yun replied reluctantly.

"Xi Yun." I called her back. "How old are you this year?"

"Your Majesty, I am twenty-four." Xi Yun answered, somewhat surprised.

I then remembered that Xi Yun had been a childhood companion of the original Jiang Luo Yu. Madam Jiang had bought her because she was older and could take care of Jiang Luo Yu.

Xi Yun was steady and careful, following me from the Jiang family to the prince's residence, and then to the palace.

In the blink of an eye, she was nearing the age to leave the palace.

"You'll be twenty-five next year. Have you thought about leaving the palace early?" I asked her.

Xi Yun's expression changed drastically, and she immediately knelt before me. "Your Majesty, are you dismissing me?"

"I just think that it's only a year left. Leaving the palace early might be better." I helped her up with a smile. "You've been stuck with me for so long; it's time for you to see the world outside."

"But I want to stay by Your Majesty's side forever." Xi Yun said, her eyes welling up with tears.

"How can I be so selfish as to keep you by my side forever?" I shook my head and smiled gently.