Empress, Can I? [Transmigration + GL] - Chapter 17

It was now midsummer, unbearably hot. The palace had already prepared ice for the Emperor’s relief from the heat.

A large block of ice in the side palace brought some coolness to the sweltering summer.

Meng Wan was giving Xuan Jingchi her lesson, but the usually good student kept glancing at the door today, somewhat distracted.

After a while, Nuanxiang returned, followed by Xiao Rong. Seeing them, Xuan Jingchi immediately asked, “Well? What did the Empress say? Did she like it?”

Earlier that day, on a whim, she had ground tea leaves into powder, crushed ice into shavings, peeled and deseeded some grapes, added sugar, and made herself a grape slush drink.

After tasting it herself and finding it quite good, she made cups for Nuanxiang, Ningxiang, and Meng Wan. When they all approved, she had Nuanxiang deliver three cups to Phoenix Palace as gifts for the Empress and her maids Xiao Fu and Xiao Rong.

Xiao Rong, who accompanied Nuanxiang back, said with a smile, “The Empress said Your Majesty’s fruit drink was delicious, but cautioned that icy foods shouldn’t be consumed excessively. She asked that Your Majesty not indulge too much.”

Xuan Jingchi’s eyes curved into happy crescents, “I understand.”

The Empress still cares about me, doesn’t she?

Propping her chin on one hand, visions of Xiao Yueli’s beautiful, clear eyes surfaced in her mind, making her lips curl upward.

What is the Empress doing now?

Is she thinking of me like I’m thinking of her?

Or is she reading?

And what book might she be reading?

“Your Majesty, Your Majesty…” Meng Wan approached and tapped the desk. Though she knew the reason, she still reminded, “Your Majesty should focus on studying.”

Xuan Jingchi flushed instantly but stubbornly refused to admit her distraction, insisting, “I am focusing.”

After spending much time with her, Meng Wan became familiar with her temperament and teased, “Your Majesty, this subject knows you are devoted to the Empress. I just wonder if such devotion can be applied to your studies?”

Xuan Jingchi laughed heartily, “Wan’er, I thought you were a rigid Little Teacher. Turns out you can joke too.”

She smiled, “Devotion is certainly necessary, but priorities must be set. For me, the Empress naturally comes first, studies second.”

Meng Wan disagreed, saying, “This subject believes studies are equally important as the Empress.”

“Wan’er, wait until you have someone special in your heart before making such rankings, understand?”

Meng Wan’s face flushed red, “Your Majesty, please don’t tease me. I… I will never have someone special.”

Xuan Jingchi laughed loudly, “Wan’er, don’t set flags too early.”

Meng Wan frowned, “What is Fulai Pavilion?”

Xuan Jingchi: “…”

—

“Your Highness, the fruit tea made by Her Majesty is truly delicious,” Xiao Fu said cheerfully. “How did Her Majesty come up with it? What exactly is in her mind?”

“Before, I always heard people say Her Majesty was unlearned and nonsensical, only knowing how to curse and hit others. Never expected Her Majesty to know so much.”

Xiao Yueli said coldly, “You dare speak of Her Majesty like this behind her back? Aren’t you afraid she’ll execute your entire clan?”

Xiao Fu stuck out her tongue in fright, “This servant wouldn’t dare speak carelessly. I only say a few words in front of Your Highness.”

Xiao Yueli said sternly, “Not even in front of me can such words be spoken again. Understood?”

“This servant understands.” Xiao Fu paled in fear.

She had a strange feeling—previously, she thought Her Highness had a gentle temperament, but now compared to Her Majesty, Her Highness’s temper seemed less agreeable.

As Xiao Fu attended to Xiao Yueli’s bedtime preparations, Xiao Rong returned.

Xiao Yueli asked, “What is Her Majesty doing? What did she say?”

Xiao Rong replied, “Her Majesty is studying with Minister Meng in the side hall. She said, ‘Got it.’ When this servant left, I heard Her Majesty and Minister Meng chatting and laughing inside.”

Xiao Yueli waved her hand, “You may leave.”

“Yes!” Xiao Fu and Xiao Rong responded in unison before exiting and closing the palace doors securely.

Lying in bed, Xiao Yueli tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep for a long time.

The words about Her Majesty and Minister Meng chatting and laughing lingered like an inescapable echo, replaying incessantly in her ears.

Gazing at the golden silk canopy above, Xiao Yueli thought to herself, Xuan Jingchi, I actually believed you were diligently studying, but instead, you were laughing and joking with someone.

After tossing and turning, she thought to herself, as the emperor, Xuan Jingchi could talk and laugh with whomever she pleased.

Besides, Meng Wan was originally her study companion. There was nothing unusual about them chatting and laughing together.

Thinking this way, Xiao Yueli closed her eyes again, forcing herself not to dwell on it and to get some proper sleep.

The room was silent.

She had no idea how much time had passed when she opened her eyes again and glanced at the night outside the window—it was already the beginning of Hai hour (9 PM).

At this late hour, Meng Wan should have gone back, right?

Or were they still together?

Xiao Yueli suddenly felt restless and irritable. She called out, “Xiao Rong, bring me some tea—cold tea.”

—

Meng Wan said, “Your Majesty, this subject has a strategy that may help ease Your Majesty’s worries.”

Xuan Jingchi asked, “What is it?”

Meng Wan replied, “Your Majesty could use the pretext of revising the Minghua Canon to recruit learned scholars, from whom you may select talented, virtuous, and loyal individuals to serve Your Majesty.”

Revising a literary collection? Xuan Jingchi’s eyes lit up as an idea struck her. Yes, she could use this as a cover to gather talents from across the land.

“How did I not think of this? Wan’er, you’re truly brilliant!”

She clapped her hands excitedly. “Those ministers won’t have any reason to oppose me when they hear I want to revise a literary work. I’ll announce it in court tomorrow.”

“Wan’er, I’ll leave this matter to you. Drafting the edict for revising the Minghua Canon will be entirely up to you. Tomorrow, you’ll accompany me to court.”

Meng Wan, upon hearing this, grew slightly nervous. “This subject is to accompany Your Majesty to court as well?”

Xuan Jingchi said, “Of course. You are my right-hand woman, destined for high office in the future, assisting me in governing the realm. Tomorrow, we’ll attend court together—let the ministers see the future female chancellor in the making.”

Meng Wan knelt on both knees and bowed deeply. “This subject obeys Your Majesty’s decree!”