Empress, Can I? [Transmigration + GL] - Chapter 11

Phoenix Palace was brightly lit.

Xiao Yueli sat before her dressing table, gazing at her reflection in the bronze mirror – adorned in full regalia, her face like a hibiscus flower, radiant and stunning.

She scoffed inwardly. Was she really going to imitate those lonely brides waiting in their chambers, hoping for their husbands to glance their way?

Moreover, her “husband” was a woman.

“Xiao Fu, remove my makeup.”

Xiao Fu hesitated. “Your Majesty, the Emperor hasn’t arrived yet. Isn’t it too early to…”

“Have you forgotten? The Emperor is also a woman. Why would she come here? What difference does it make whether she comes or not?”

“But according to ancestral customs, the Emperor should visit Phoenix Palace tonight.” Xiao Fu’s voice grew quieter as she stole a glance toward the bedchamber doors.

It was already quite late, and the Emperor still hadn’t arrived.

Perhaps she truly wasn’t coming.

“Remove my makeup!”

Xiao Yueli’s tone carried displeasure, with an undercurrent of restraint.

She would be laughed at again!

From the day she married the female Emperor, she had felt like a joke – an absurd farce.

She tried not to dwell on it.

But the Emperor hadn’t come for the customary two days, reminding everyone in and out of the palace that she was a laughingstock, an insignificant presence in the Emperor’s eyes.

“Your Majesty…” Xiao Fu wanted to say more but noticed her mistress’s ashen expression and didn’t dare continue. She began carefully removing the phoenix hairpins and dangling ornaments.

Suddenly, an announcement came from outside: “The Emperor approaches!”

Xiao Fu immediately brightened. “The Emperor is here!”

Xiao Yueli froze. She actually came?!

This Xuan Jingchi was truly observing the ancestral customs after all.

“Your Majesty, quickly receive her.” Xiao Fu reminded her, then hurried out to kneel on the floor with Xiao Rong.

When Xuan Jingchi entered, she found the Empress kneeling to welcome her.

Startled, she rushed forward to help Xiao Yueli up. “No need for formalities! Don’t kneel! Empress, rise quickly.”

Her flurry of words revealed genuine urgency.

As Xiao Yueli was helped up, they stood close enough for her to catch a faint whiff of soapberry fragrance from the Emperor.

Through their sleeves, she could feel the warmth of Xuan Jingchi’s palm supporting her arm.

Looking up, she saw Xuan Jingchi’s breathtakingly beautiful face that somehow blended enchanting charm with fresh innocence.

The combination of allure and purity in her nation-toppling beauty created no sense of discord.

While Xiao Yueli studied Xuan Jingchi, the Emperor was also observing her.

The Empress wore light makeup tonight. Bathed in the glow of countless candles, her usually cool, moonlit features appeared warmer.

No longer so aloof and distant, she seemed almost within reach.

Gazing at that face, Xuan Jingchi instantly understood the meaning of “a beauty like jade” – with bones of jade and skin of ice.

She knew herself well—compared to handsome young men, she much preferred looking at beautiful young women, believing they were the most exquisite and cherished creations of the divine maker.

Xiao Yueli noticed her staring blankly and pulled her hand free, turning her head away with slight discomfort. “Your Majesty,” she said softly.

Xuan Jingchi suddenly snapped out of her daze, realizing she had been lost in admiration. Her face flushed, and she awkwardly withdrew her hand.

Xiao Rong approached with tea, but Xuan Jingchi said, “I don’t drink tea at night. Just a cup of water will do.”

Xiao Rong turned to fetch water, while Xiao Fu stepped beside Xiao Yueli. “Your Highness, allow this servant to assist you in changing your attire.”

Xiao Yueli gave a quiet “Mm” and walked toward the phoenix bed.

The room was so silent that Xuan Jingchi could hear the rustling of fabric as clothes were removed. The sound made her face grow hot involuntarily.

When Xiao Rong returned with a cup of water, Xuan Jingchi took it without looking and drank immediately—only to spit it out with a gasp, scalded by the heat.

Xiao Rong dropped to her knees in terror. “This servant deserves death! A thousand deaths!”

Hearing the commotion, Xiao Yueli hurried over and, grasping the situation, knelt as well. “This consort has failed in discipline, offending Your Majesty. This consort deserves death.”

Having spent some time in this world, Xuan Jingchi couldn’t stand hearing people beg for death or kneel so readily.

She helped the Empress up. “What fault is yours?” Then, turning to Xiao Rong, she said, “Rise. You are pardoned. It was my own carelessness.”

Xiao Rong, drenched in cold sweat, shakily stood up upon hearing the Emperor’s mercy.

Seeing her still uneasy, Xuan Jingchi smiled. “The Empress and I are retiring for the night. You may leave—I’ll change my own clothes.”

Xiao Fu and Xiao Rong bowed and withdrew.

By now, Xiao Yueli had changed into a loose sleeping robe that draped elegantly over her figure, accentuating her grace and stirring the imagination.

Xuan Jingchi glanced once, then quickly averted her gaze, feeling as though she had profaned her moonlit goddess. Her face burning, she said, “Empress, rest first. I’ll join you shortly.”

Xiao Yueli gave her a brief look but said nothing further. She walked to the bed, lifted the covers, and lay down.

Xuan Jingchi sat silently at the table, seemingly waiting for the water to cool.

Slowly, as the water’s warmth faded, the flush on her face finally receded as well.

She picked up the cup and drank a full glass before her wildly pounding heart gradually calmed.

After sitting for a while longer, she finally walked to the bed.

The Empress had closed her eyes, appearing already asleep.

Xuan Jingchi watched her—lying peacefully on the bed, hands neatly folded over her abdomen.

Even in sleep, this serene and composed woman remained graceful and elegant.

Xuan Jingchi carefully removed her clothes, gently lowered the bed curtains, and quietly lay down, deliberately keeping her distance to avoid disturbing the Empress with any sudden movements.