Empress, Can I? [Transmigration + GL] - Chapter 15

The next day, the first thing Xuan Jingchi said upon waking was, “Xiao Fu, there are mosquitoes here. What’s the best way to fumigate the place so the Empress can sleep peacefully in the future?”

Mosquitoes?

Xiao Fu found it strange—she had never heard the Empress mention anything about mosquitoes before.

But since the Emperor had ordered it, she would comply immediately. “Understood.”

After Xuan Jingchi left the room, Xiao Yueli remained seated in the courtyard, reading.

Her graceful figure stood out amidst the sunlight, flower shadows, and gentle breeze, captivating all who saw her.

The Empress’s profile was truly exquisite, embodying the perfect blend of beauty, wisdom, and grace that Xuan Jingchi admired most.

Xuan Jingchi found herself momentarily entranced, thinking that this scene must be the most serene and beautiful sight in the world.

“Your Majesty, how did you sleep last night?”

The Empress’s initiative in asking after her sent a gentle spring breeze sweeping through Xuan Jingchi’s heart, filling her with joy. “I slept very well! And you, Empress? I—did I disturb you?”

Little did she know that while she hadn’t disturbed the Empress, she had certainly crowded her.

Xiao Yueli replied, “This concubine also slept adequately.”

Xuan Jingchi said, “I’ve already instructed Xiao Fu to burn some incense tonight, so there won’t be any mosquitoes. The Empress can sleep peacefully until dawn.”

Mosquitoes?

Xiao Yueli understood instantly, her expression unchanged as she calmly responded, “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

With that, the two fell back into an awkward silence.

Xuan Jingchi wasn’t the type to force conversation. Seeing the Empress absorbed in her book with no intention of speaking further, she turned away without looking back. “I shall take my leave now. I will visit the Empress when I have time. If the Empress finds a spare moment, she is also welcome to visit me.”

This was already the limit of what Xuan Jingchi could say.

She wasn’t the sort to shamelessly beg for attention.

If the Empress wished to see her, she would find a way even without an invitation.

If the Empress did not, no amount of invitations would matter.

Why exhaust herself in vain, making herself appear desperate?

Knowing that today marked the end of the ancestral-mandated two-day stay, the palace maids and eunuchs knelt in rows outside the door, awaiting the Emperor’s return to her palace or her departure for archery practice at the Arrow Pavilion.

With a stern expression, Xuan Jingchi stepped out of Phoenix Palace.

Suddenly, the Empress’s voice called out from behind, “Your Majesty, the weather is mild and pleasant today. Would this concubine accompany Your Majesty for a stroll in the Imperial Garden?”

The words left not only Xuan Jingchi astonished but also Xiao Fu and Xiao Rong in shock.

Xiao Fu, who had been dusting, froze mid-motion, clutching the feather duster as she stared at the Empress’s back in delighted surprise.

Had the Empress finally come to her senses?!

She and Xiao Rong had served the Empress since her days as the youngest daughter of Grand Academician Xiao of the Hanlin Academy.

Rumors had long circulated that the Emperor was willful, licentious, cruel, and quick to punish palace servants.

Upon receiving the Imperial Edict, the young lady had wept, the master and mistress had wailed, and she herself had sobbed uncontrollably.

Coming across such a master, one never knew when their life might be cut short by that tyrant.

Yet, after entering the palace, they discovered it was nothing like the rumors!

The Emperor was wonderful!

Aside from being idle, gluttonous, and fond of sleep, the Emperor was perfect!

Beautiful, even-tempered, extremely polite to servants like them, a great storyteller, and most importantly, she had saved Xiao Fu from nearly choking to death.

She was nothing like the rumored foolish and tyrannical ruler!

Except for that one night when the Emperor almost strangled her. Xiao Fu pondered for a moment but quickly found an excuse for the Emperor—she must have been temporarily out of her mind at the time.

The Emperor and the Empress strolled through the Imperial Garden, followed at a distance by a large group of palace attendants. They dared not get too close, fearing the Emperor’s scolding, nor stay too far, lest they fail to intervene in time like last time.

When they reached a small pavilion by the lake, Xuan Jingchi glanced around and ordered the attendants to stand even farther away.

Noticing their hesitation, she brandished her riding whip in frustration and lashed out. The whip struck the grass, sending broken blades flying. “Get back! All of you, get back!”

In that moment, the Emperor reverted to her capricious, domineering self.

The terrified attendants retreated, only daring to peek from afar.

Xiao Yueli watched calmly, saying nothing and making no attempt to intervene.

Xuan Jingchi returned to the pavilion and sat across from the Empress.

“Good, now there’s no one around, and no one dares eavesdrop. Empress, you may speak freely.”

Xiao Yueli smiled faintly. “How does Your Majesty know this subject has something to say?”

Xuan Jingchi replied, “I’m not naive enough to think the Empress would truly accompany me in idle romantic musings.”

For some reason, she felt a pang of displeasure and sighed softly.

“Earlier, I spoke harshly and drove the attendants away. The Empress neither stopped me nor showed any disapproval—meaning you don’t oppose my actions.” Xuan Jingchi looked up at Xiao Yueli. “Now, Empress, you may speak without concern.”

Xiao Yueli was slightly taken aback. This person was astute and intelligent—far more so than Xuan Jingchi.

She stood and gazed at the surrounding lake scenery. “Does Your Majesty intend to emulate King Zhuang of Chu, who remained silent for three years only to astonish all with a single cry?”

Xuan Jingchi, seeing her point laid bare, did not deny it.

For some reason, she trusted this person—trusted her Empress.

Even if the book’s ending foretold the Empress would kill her with a sword.

“The fragrant drink the Empress prepared for me—I drank it all. It soothed my lungs and cleared heat. It was excellent.”

“I am unlearned and ignorant of court affairs. Though willing, I lack the ability. I must first discern which officials are trustworthy, which are not, and what motives they harbor.”

“However, there’s one point the Empress mentioned earlier that was incorrect.”

Xiao Yueli asked, “Which point?”

“I cannot wait three years. At most, within a year, I must take full control of the court. I will recruit the wise and capable, enrich the nation and strengthen its armies to resist foreign threats.”

If her memory served, in seven years, the She Kingdom’s cavalry would sweep across the land and annihilate the Qing Kingdom.

Time was not on her side.

Xiao Yueli was surprised. She hadn’t expected such ambition and strategic patience from this person.

If she could consolidate power, she might indeed become a good emperor.

“Your Majesty’s words, this subject will remember.” Xiao Yueli paused, then added, “Does Your Majesty understand the saying, ‘A single tree cannot make a forest’?”

The Empress was advising her to seek allies.

It seems the Empress wasn’t completely indifferent toward her after all.

Xuan Jingchi said, “Unite all forces that can be united—I understand that. But right now, I don’t know who I can trust.”

“Grand Princess is Your Majesty’s elder sister. She cares deeply for you and was once the Grand Marshal of the Armies,” Xiao Yueli turned to look at her. “If Your Majesty shares your thoughts with the Grand Princess, she will surely help you.”

Xiao Yueli remembered in her past life, when Xuan Jingchi was tyrannical and debauched, everyone abandoned her. Only her elder sister, Grand Princess Xuan Jingning, never gave up on her, assisting her through countless battles, risking life and limb until she finally fell on the battlefield.

“Thank you for telling me this, Empress,” Xuan Jingchi said. “Now I know that besides the Grand Princess, there’s one more person I can trust completely.”

“Who?”

“The Empress.”

Xiao Yueli was slightly taken aback. She turned to look at Xuan Jingchi, who was smiling sincerely and radiantly.

For the first time, Xiao Yueli noticed that her smile was actually quite beautiful.