Empress, Can I? [Transmigration + GL] - Chapter 16

“Nuanxiang, was my elder sister really the former Grand Marshal of the Armies?”

On their way to the Princess Manor, while Nuanxiang was helping Xuan Jingchi change clothes, the question came out of nowhere.

“Yes. During the late Emperor’s reign, Grand Princess held significant military power.”

Xuan Jingchi asked again, “How many troops did my elder sister command?”

Nuanxiang thought for a moment. “At its peak, around two hundred thousand soldiers.”

That many!

Xuan Jingchi couldn’t help but feel impressed. She smiled and said, “My elder sister is truly remarkable! Nuanxiang, do you know why she no longer holds military authority now?”

Nuanxiang froze, her gentle face showing an awkward expression, clearly troubled.

Nuanxiang had always answered her questions honestly without holding back. This reaction could only mean one thing.

The culprit behind this was undoubtedly the original Xuan Jingchi—the tyrannical and incompetent version of herself.

“Was it my doing?”

“Ah? Well…” Nuanxiang lowered her head and nodded. “Back then, the princess disliked how powerful the Grand Princess was, so… she frequently visited the palace to speak with the late Emperor. Eventually, the late Emperor revoked the Grand Princess’s military authority.”

Did my cheap old man take back the military power?

Then it should be in my hands now, but I don’t seem like someone who holds military authority at all.

No need to say—it must be because the original owner of this body, that good-for-nothing, foolishly handed over the military power again.

Xuan Jingchi sighed heavily, exasperated by the original owner’s lack of intelligence.

“Prepare the carriage. I’m going to the Grand Princess Manor.”

When Xuan Jingchi arrived at the Grand Princess Manor, everyone inside knelt in unison to welcome her.

Xuan Jingchi hurriedly helped Xuan Jingning up, saying, “Elder Sister, there’s no need for such formalities. This younger sister cannot accept them.”

In Xuan Jingchi’s heart, she genuinely regarded Xuan Jingning as an elder sister—not for any other reason but because when she had fallen into the water, her sister had rushed to the palace to see her without hesitation, despite the original owner’s usual coldness and harshness toward her.

This was probably what familial love was like.

In modern society, Xuan Jingchi had seen enough news and witnessed enough around her—human warmth was fickle, and cold-heartedness was all too common.

Not all close relatives would treat you with sincerity.

This was a truth she naturally understood, especially in the royal family, where familial bonds meant little in the face of imperial power.

Xuan Jingchi was the kind of person who repaid kindness tenfold. Since Xuan Jingning treated her well, she naturally wanted to reciprocate.

Besides, her elder sister was a stunning beauty with an air of heroic grace.

“Sister,” Xuan Jingchi clung to her sister’s arm, acting coquettishly, “It’s been so long since I’ve seen you. I’ve missed you terribly.”

Though her words were slightly exaggerated, they were absolutely sincere.

Xuan Jingning gently patted the back of her hand, doting on her, “Let’s go inside to talk.”

“Mm,” Xuan Jingchi nodded obediently, her gaze catching on an extraordinarily beautiful young woman standing beside her sister. With an elegant demeanor and especially lively eyes, she couldn’t help but brighten up. “Sister, who is this? She’s so pretty.”

Hearing this, the young woman’s face flushed as she bowed. “Your subject, Shangguan Wei, greets Your Majesty.” Then she lowered her head.

“This is the Chief Historian of my household.”

Xuan Jingchi nodded, noticing that Xuan Jingning seemed to subtly shield the young woman as she spoke.

Amused, Xuan Jingchi thought to herself—was she some kind of lecher? Or was the original owner such a jealous shrew that she couldn’t stand beautiful women appearing before her?

She teased with a smirk, “Sister, you’ve been hiding such a beauty in your household and never let your younger sister see her? How stingy.”

“This…” Xuan Jingning faltered. “Wei’er has never left the manor and has never seen Your Majesty’s imperial countenance. I was worried…”

The more she acted this way, the more Xuan Jingchi felt her sister’s attachment to this person was unusual.

Before she could finish, Xuan Jingchi laughed heartily. “Sister, if I were you and had such a beauty, I’d definitely store her in a golden house.”

“Storing a beauty in a golden house”—a reference to Emperor Wu of Han and Empress Chen Ajiao’s story.

Suddenly realizing their story didn’t end well, Xuan Jingchi quickly added, “Sister, since you’ve found such a beauty, why not cherish her? Not for repayment, but to remain close forever.”

Having learned a bit from Meng Wan, she blurted it out without caring if it was appropriate.

Xuan Jingning was both exasperated and amused, half-pulling Xuan Jingchi into the inner hall.

After some small talk, Xuan Jingchi said, “Younger Sister has a question she’s always wanted to ask Elder Sister. I wonder if Elder Sister can answer truthfully?”

Upon hearing this, Xuan Jingning noticed that despite the smile on her face, her expression was solemn and grave. She dismissed the attendants, saying, “You may all leave for now.”

Shangguan Wei bowed and was about to leave as well when Xuan Jingning stopped her, “You stay.”

The unspoken implication was clear—she was not an outsider.

Xuan Jingchi glanced at the two of them, noticing Shangguan Wei’s shy and bashful demeanor. Understanding dawned on her, though she pretended not to see it, a faint smile playing on her lips.

“What would you like to ask, sister? I will hold nothing back and answer everything truthfully.”

“What I want to ask is,” Xuan Jingchi said earnestly, “I know I’ve been domineering and willful, cruel and foolish, sharp-tongued toward you, unable to distinguish right from wrong—far from being a good sister or a good emperor. So why have you still treated me so kindly?”

Her brutally honest and piercing summary left the two across from her momentarily stunned.

Xuan Jingning’s pupils trembled: “Little sister, are—are you alright?”

“I’m fine. I just want you to be well, and for the entire Qing nation to prosper,” Xuan Jingchi smiled faintly. “Sister, you still haven’t answered my question.”

“Little sister, I never imagined you’d ask me this one day.” Xuan Jingning sighed. “Before Mother passed, she asked me to take care of you. I promised her I would, and I intend to keep that promise. No matter how willful you are, no matter how little you listen to me, I will always treat you well… because you are my only little sister.”

Tears welled up in Xuan Jingchi’s eyes, her nose tingling with emotion.

She even felt a pang of envy for the original owner of this body—to have such a loving sister.

“Sister, I have a request.”

Xuan Jingchi knelt and kowtowed deeply, startling Xuan Jingning, who hurriedly stood to help her up.

“What is it, sister?”

Xuan Jingchi looked at her and spoke deliberately, “I want to turn over a new leaf and become a good emperor. I want to reclaim the reins of government. Please help me.”

That day, Xuan Jingchi and her sister Xuan Jingning spoke for a long time.

When they parted, traces of tears glistened on both their faces.

Xuan Jingchi looked at Shangguan Wei standing beside Xuan Jingning and declared solemnly, “Once I regain power, I will personally bestow upon you two a royal marriage.”

Shangguan Wei’s cheeks flushed crimson.

But Xuan Jingning said, “Your Majesty, there has never been a precedent for women to marry in history. Such an act would defy all conventions.”

Xuan Jingchi said nonchalantly, “What’s there to fear? I’m a tyrant, and I don’t care! Besides, don’t I also have an Empress? Haven’t seen anyone brave enough to come kill me yet.”

Her tone was resolute as she declared, “From now on, I’ll make sure the world sees many unprecedented precedents.”

After Xuan Jingchi left the Princess Manor, Xuan Jingning reached out to pull Shangguan Wei into an embrace, curiously asking, “How did my sister figure it out?”

Shangguan Wei replied, “Her Majesty is extraordinarily intelligent and insightful. What surprised me was that she could speak so frankly with you about these matters.”

Xuan Jingning was silent for a moment before saying meaningfully, “My sister has truly changed so much after getting married.”

Shangguan Wei looked up at Xuan Jingning, “How do you plan to help her? Are you really coming out of seclusion?”

Xuan Jingning nodded, “Naturally. She needs me now.”

At this point, she leaned down to kiss Shangguan Wei’s lips, smiling as she said, “Wei’er, you must help me too. I can’t do without my strategist. Besides, Her Majesty still needs to bestow our marriage!”