Empress, Can I? [Transmigration + GL] - Chapter 14

Xuan Jingchi had somehow moved closer, pressing tightly against her.

Xiao Yueli felt the warmth and softness of the body pressed against her, instantly feeling both shy and flustered.

Opening her eyes, she saw Xuan Jingchi sleeping soundly, motionless.

It seemed she had unconsciously shifted over in her sleep.

Xiao Yueli subtly moved aside, putting some distance between herself and Xuan Jingchi.

However, before long, Xuan Jingchi had shifted closer again.

Xiao Yueli had no choice but to move further away.

This time, before she could even fall asleep, Xuan Jingchi had already pressed against her again.

Xiao Yueli was now at the very edge of the bed, with nowhere left to retreat. Looking at the culprit sleeping like a log, she felt an inexplicable surge of irritation and silently cursed,

Xuan Jingchi, are you a dog’s tail? Why must you always chase after me?

There’s so much space behind you—why must you insist on crowding me?

She reached out to push Xuan Jingchi, only to find that despite her seemingly slight frame, she was surprisingly heavy when asleep.

After two failed attempts to push her away, Xiao Yueli didn’t dare to use too much force for fear of waking her.

Helpless, she had no choice but to give up.

Just as she was debating whether to get up and fetch another blanket, she suddenly felt a weight on her shoulder—something had pressed against her.

Xuan Jingchi, seeking warmth, had burrowed into the Empress’s embrace, even nuzzling her head against Xiao Yueli’s shoulder.

Xiao Yueli’s mind buzzed, stunned into complete wakefulness.

“Your Majesty, Your Majesty…” Xiao Yueli’s one arm was pinned, so she could only use her other hand to nudge Xuan Jingchi.

Xuan Jingchi showed no reaction, as if disturbed in her sweet dreams, only snuggling deeper into Xiao Yueli’s arms.

Xiao Yueli’s face flushed instantly. Afraid she might nuzzle somewhere inappropriate, she stopped moving and lay completely still.

Now wide awake, Xiao Yueli lay stiffly for a long while before slowly sitting up and placing a pillow under Xuan Jingchi’s head.

Still asleep, Xuan Jingchi hugged the pillow tightly the moment she touched it, sinking even deeper into slumber.

By the dim candlelight in the chamber, Xiao Yueli began examining Xuan Jingchi up close.

In her past life, this face had never shown her anything but loathing, mockery, anger, or hatred. She had never seen such serene and beautiful expressions on it before.

Like a child in deep sleep, all defenses and wariness had been let go, soft as a kitten just weaned.

Long eyelashes trembled slightly with each even breath, her nose was tall and delicate, her facial features exquisitely perfect.

She had to admit, Xuan Jingchi was truly beautiful—a peerless beauty.

Xiao Yueli hesitated for a moment before slowly reaching out. Her fingertips traced Xuan Jingchi’s face, jaw, and ears, searching for the slightest hint of possibility.

Her skin was smooth and flawless, with no trace of any mask or disguise.

It felt pleasant to the touch, Xiao Yueli thought, her fingers moving to the other’s features—eyebrows, eyes, nose.

As if sensing something in her sleep, Xuan Jingchi frowned and swatted impatiently, as if shooing away a mosquito.

Startled, Xiao Yueli quickly withdrew her hand, her heart nearly leaping out of her throat.

But Xuan Jingchi merely turned over and continued sleeping.

Still, Xiao Yueli wasn’t ready to give up.

When Xuan Jingchi had once again fallen into deep slumber, she reached out and pinched her nose.

If this were a disguise, the nose would surely deform under pressure.

This time, Xiao Yueli used considerable force. The moment she let go, she immediately lay down beside Xuan Jingchi, pretending to be asleep.

Disturbed, Xuan Jingchi let out a soft hiss, rubbed her nose, frowned, and went back to sleep.

Once she had settled again, Xiao Yueli sat up immediately and leaned over to examine the woman beside her.

The nose hadn’t deformed—it remained tall and straight.

A flicker of realization crossed Xiao Yueli’s eyes: this Xuan Jingchi wasn’t an imposter.

She was Xuan Jingchi herself.

No, that couldn’t be!

She was polite to servants, could eat spicy food, cared about the suffering of commoners, knew how to tell stories, and used strange methods to save lives.

Most unbelievable of all—

She had completely changed her attitude toward Xiao Yueli, becoming gentle and courteous.

Even… somewhat ingratiating.

This person was absolutely not Xuan Jingchi.

Or rather, she was not the same soul as Xuan Jingchi.

Considering that she herself had been reborn into this life, Xiao Yueli suddenly realized that many things were not entirely impossible.

Gazing at the peaceful face of the sleeping Xuan Jingchi,

a bizarre and shocking thought emerged in her mind—

Inside Xuan Jingchi’s body dwelled another Xuan Jingchi.