Empress, Can I? [Transmigration + GL] - Chapter 10

Meng Wan discovered that the emperor was actually quite intelligent and eager to learn.

At night in the palace, she would call for Meng Wan to read to her, and her listening speed improved rapidly—from half a book per night initially to now finishing entire books in one sitting. When encountering unclear passages, a brief explanation from Meng Wan would make her understand immediately.

The emperor only had one area needing more effort—her handwriting.

Her calligraphy was decently neat, not exactly ugly, but lacked proper form. For a sovereign, such writing was naturally unfit for official purposes.

Meng Wan couldn’t help admonishing the emperor to practice her penmanship.

Unexpectedly, the emperor showed little concern, saying she didn’t want to waste time on it since imperial decrees didn’t require her drafting anyway. She also had no interest in composing poetry or writing plaques, so no one would know her writing was poor.

Strangest of all, the emperor claimed that in future eras people might not write characters at all, but “type” them instead.

Type characters? How could one “type” characters?

Nuanxiang and Chenxiang noticed the emperor’s temper had genuinely improved since her fall into the water—she never lost her temper with them anymore.

She often told them strange and fantastical stories too. The palace maids had all grown quite fond of this female emperor, no longer fearing her as before.

There was just one thing—Her Majesty loved sleeping even more than before!

Every day, the emperor wouldn’t rise until the sun was high in the sky.

“Your Majesty, Your Majesty, it’s time to wake up.”

Xuan Jingchi clung tightly to the pillow in her arms. No matter how much the two maids called or tugged at her, she refused to let go, refused to open her eyes, refused to get up, and refused to leave the bed.

She didn’t even attend the morning court session.

The ministers had already grown accustomed to the Emperor’s absence.

When the Emperor had first begun presiding over court, it was likely out of curiosity and novelty. She attended a few times, but once the novelty wore off and she found it tedious, she stopped going altogether. She returned to her old ways—being a useless, idle ruler, content with eating, drinking, and indulging in leisure.

That day, the Emperor rose as usual, close to noon.

After getting up, she stretched her waist and arms as usual, performed a few strange movements, and then called for her meal.

The imperial kitchen was well aware of this lazy Emperor who loved to sleep in.

They prepared a meal that was neither breakfast nor lunch—what the Emperor herself called “brunch.”

Upon hearing the summons, the servants swiftly carried over the food boxes in a neat line.

After finishing her brunch, Xuan Jingchi didn’t head to the Imperial Garden as she usually did—to tend to the flowers and plants, pick blossoms, go fishing, or let the rabbits out to chase them around.

Nuanxiang still remembered the day a rabbit had escaped. The Emperor had been furious, ordering everyone to dig three feet underground if necessary to find it.

The entire palace—maids, eunuchs, and guards alike—had been mobilized to search for the rabbit.

Soon, everyone inside and outside the palace knew that the lazy, gluttonous Emperor who loved sleeping in had turned the palace upside down over a rabbit.

“Chenxiang.”

Hearing the Emperor’s call, Chenxiang immediately approached. “Your Majesty?”

“I want to learn horseback riding and archery.”

What?!

Chenxiang had no idea why the Emperor suddenly wanted to learn these things. Was this another whim?

“Go and prepare a set of casual clothes for me. Also, who in the palace is the best archer?”

“Your Majesty, that would be the Imperial Guard Commander, Wang Zhan.”

“Summon him. I wish to meet him and learn from him.”

“As you command.” Chenxiang bowed and left, thinking to herself, The Emperor wants to learn archery? She really does whatever comes to mind.

……

In Phoenix Palace, Xiao Rong followed closely behind the Empress, carrying a tray.

Xiao Yueli was trimming a crabapple tree, listening absentmindedly as Xiao Fu spoke.

“Your Majesty, the Emperor is making a fuss about learning horseback riding and archery. Nuanxiang told me that after the first day, the Emperor’s arms were so sore she couldn’t even lift them. She had Nuanxiang massage them, but the very next day, she went back to training.”

“Your Highness, why would the emperor, a delicate and noble woman, choose to play with such things instead of anything else?”

“Your Highness, Sister Nuanxiang also mentioned that the emperor said she would go hunting in the autumn,” Xiao Rong pouted. “The emperor is really something—why doesn’t she come to our palace for a visit?”

Xiao Yueli had remained silent, quietly trimming the branches. Hearing Xiao Rong sigh, she smiled and said, “Do you miss the emperor?”

Xuan Jingchi was a woman. If she were a man, such words would imply an intention to take Xiao Fu into the harem.

Xiao Fu stomped her foot in frustration. “Your Highness, you’re teasing me again.”

Xiao Yueli said, “The emperor is a woman, not some handsome young lord. Why do you miss her so much?”

“Your Highness, you don’t understand. Our emperor is an amazing storyteller. She has so many fascinating tales, even better than the professional storytellers.”

“Is that so?” Xiao Yueli smiled faintly. “What stories has she told?”

“Cinderella.” Xiao Fu cleared her throat. “Once upon a time, in a kingdom, there was a girl named Cinderella…”

—

Whoosh!

An arrow flew from the bowstring. Its tip glinted coldly in the sunlight before embedding itself in the target.

Xuan Jingchi glanced at it. With this level of skill, it was probably just a five or six out of ten.

“Your Majesty, you’ve been practicing for quite some time today. Perhaps it’s best to stop here.”

Imperial Guard Commander Wang Zhan was a tall, dark-skinned military officer. Standing next to the slender Xuan Jingchi, he resembled a black iron tower.

“General Wang, at this rate, how long until I can shoot as well as you—hitting the bullseye every time?”

Wang Zhan replied, “Your Majesty is naturally gifted. With diligent practice, you will surely surpass all others in archery within half a year.”

“And what if I were to shoot from horseback?”

Horseback archery?

Wang Zhan was startled. “Your Majesty?”

Seeing his reaction, Xuan Jingchi smiled slightly. “When hunting, the prey isn’t just standing still, waiting to be shot.”

Wang Zhan relaxed. So Her Majesty was still thinking about the autumn hunt. For a moment, judging by her expression, he had thought she wanted to lead troops into battle.

Just as he let out a relieved breath, Xuan Jingchi added, “Shooting alone is boring. Commander Wang, starting tomorrow, teach me swordsmanship. Sparring with someone will make it more interesting.”

Wang Zhan: “…”

Now Her Majesty wants to learn swordsmanship?!

After spending most of the day outside under the sun, Xuan Jingchi returned to the palace drenched in sweat.

She immediately demanded a bath.

It had to be said—the original owner of this body truly knew how to indulge. Behind Chenyuan Palace, a large bathing pool had been dug, with hot water constantly heated nearby, ready for her use at any time.

Xuan Jingchi disliked having anyone nearby while bathing. Even Nuanxiang and Chenxiang waited behind a screen.

“Your Majesty.” Once everyone had left, Chenxiang handed Xuan Jingchi a rolled-up piece of paper.

Xuan Jingchi unfolded it, skimmed the contents, and gave a faint, enigmatic smile before folding it again and returning it to Chenxiang. “Tell Liu Jili he’s done well. I’ll remember his efforts.”

“As you command.” Chenxiang walked over, held the paper to a candle flame until it burned away, then deftly collected the ashes, leaving no trace behind.

“Call Nuanxiang in. I want to wash my hair today.”

Soft fingers massaged her scalp with just the right pressure—utterly soothing.

Xuan Jingchi closed her eyes, relaxing completely. A thought crossed her mind: This is it! It’s easy to grow accustomed to luxury, but hard to go back to simplicity!

She had grown accustomed to being waited on hand and foot. If one day Nuanxiang and Chenxiang weren’t there to wash her waist-length hair for her, how would she manage it herself?

The thought was unbearable!

She absolutely had to be a good emperor.

She must preserve this life of luxury where meals came to her mouth, clothes were put on her, and someone even washed her hair.

After her bath, Xuan Jingchi emerged like a lotus from the water, radiant and charming, even more delicate and alluring.

Smelling the pleasant fragrance of soap on her skin, she couldn’t wait to lie down on her comfortable bed before Nuanxiang could dress her in outer garments.

“Why bother with these? I’d just have to take them off again when I go to sleep soon.”

“Your Majesty, you mustn’t,” Nuanxiang urgently stopped her.

“Why not?” Xuan Jingchi paused, then realized, “Oh right, I haven’t had my lesson yet. I can’t sleep.”

She looked around but didn’t see Meng Wan anywhere. Smiling, she asked, “Where’s my little tutor? Could it be she’s late for once?”

“Little tutor” was the nickname she’d given Meng Wan, thinking her always so proper and rule-abiding, just like an old scholar from feudal society.

But since Meng Wan was actually a pretty young girl, calling her “old” didn’t suit at all, so she settled on “little tutor.”

Nuanxiang replied, “Minister Meng came earlier, but this servant asked her to leave.”

Xuan Jingchi was surprised. “You dismissed my teacher? Why?”

“Your Majesty, ancestral rules dictate that on the 15th and 16th of each month, you must stay overnight at the Empress’s Phoenix Palace.”

Hearing this, Xuan Jingchi instantly blushed.

She wasn’t a man – she didn’t need to go “make an heir” with the Empress.

“I’m not going.”

“Your Majesty, these are ancestral rules. Besides, you’re both women – there’s nothing to worry about.”

Seeing Xuan Jingchi hesitate and refuse to go, she added, “Your Majesty, if you don’t go, you’ll embarrass the Empress. Nominally she is your empress. If you don’t even visit these two days, the historians will record that you neglected your empress, that the imperial couple was disharmonious.”

The historian Cheng Minzhi – just thinking of him gave Xuan Jingchi a headache.

“Fine, I’ll go, I’ll go then.”

She comforted herself that it would just be sleeping in a different place, no different really. Suddenly remembering something, she asked, “Do I snore? Or grind my teeth?”

She had neither of those habits, but she wasn’t sure whether the original owner of this body snored or ground her teeth.

Nuanxiang pursed her lips in a smile. “No, she doesn’t. Your Majesty sleeps very quietly.”