Empress, Can I? [Transmigration + GL] - Chapter 27

That night, Xuan Jingchi slept restlessly.

She dreamed of many faces.

She dreamed of her parents, her teachers, and receiving an offer letter. She was overjoyed as she swiped her card to enter Z&L’s most advanced laboratory. But instead of the expected rows of computers and equipment, she saw Xuan Jingning staring at her darkly, demanding to know if she was really her sister.

In the next moment, her vision shifted, and she saw Empress Xiao Yueli. Delighted, she called out to the Empress, but Xiao Yueli seemed not to see or hear her. Instead, the Empress stood beneath a flowering tree, speaking softly to a man, looking up at him with a smile—even resting her head lightly against his shoulder.

Panic surged in Xuan Jingchi’s heart. Who was that man? Why were they so intimate?

Yuan Zhao! It was Yuan Zhao! He was Yuan Zhao!!

No! A terrifying fear of losing the Empress gripped Xuan Jingchi.

“Yueli, Yueli, Yueli…” She frantically rushed toward them.

But halfway there, she suddenly froze—someone had grabbed her sleeve.

Xuan Jingchi turned her head and was instantly horrified.

To her left stood Nuanxiang and Chenxiang; to her right, Xiao Fu and Xiao Rong.

All four were covered in blood, their hair disheveled, their robes torn, revealing bruises on their arms and chests. They clung to her desperately, crying out in terror, “Your Majesty! Save us! Save us! She Country has attacked!!!”

Xuan Jingchi was stunned. “Attacked? So soon?! Where?”

In the next instant, the four vanished.

She saw a figure on horseback charging toward her in the blink of an eye.

The rider held a great blade, looking down at her with a sneer. “Foolish ruler of a fallen kingdom, where will you run now?”

With that, he swung the blade through the air—a flash of cold steel came straight for her.

Instinctively, Xuan Jingchi reached for her sword, but it was as if the weapon was stuck. She pulled once, twice, again—but it wouldn’t budge…

Frantic, she shouted, “Quick! Quick! Hurry!!”

“Your Majesty, Your Majesty, Your Majesty…”

Someone seemed to be calling her—the voice growing closer, clearer.

Xuan Jingchi slowly opened her eyes to see Nuanxiang and Chenxiang leaning over her bedside, their faces filled with worry.

Relief washed over them as she awoke.

Nuanxiang asked softly, “Did Your Majesty have a nightmare?”

Xuan Jingchi nodded, only then realizing that Chenxiang had been tightly gripping one of her hands—no wonder she couldn’t draw her sword earlier.

Noticing the Emperor’s gaze, Chenxiang quickly released her and bowed. “Your Majesty was clutching at something in your sleep. This servant feared you might harm yourself. Please forgive my offense.”

“Pardon, pardon,” Xuan Jingchi said as she tried to sit up. Nuanxiang quickly noticed and placed a pillow behind her waist for support.

She let out a long sigh. Upon waking, she realized she had broken out in a cold sweat from the dream she just had.

Chenxiang handed her a cup of warm water. Everyone in Chenyuan Palace knew the Empress never drank tea in the morning or evening, preferring plain water instead.

After drinking the warm water, Xuan Jingchi felt much better, her strength returning to her body.

She glanced at the sky and said, “It’s dawn. I won’t sleep anymore. Help me get dressed.”

Today, Xuan Jingchi rose unusually early and went for a stroll in the Imperial Garden. The morning air carried a refreshing coolness that invigorated the senses.

She slowed her pace, walking leisurely along the riverbank.

Unexpectedly, she encountered a young girl by the lake.

The girl was dressed in white, standing at the shore and using a golden hairpin to catch fish.

Each time she raised her arm, the hairpin traced a golden arc through the air before swiftly plunging into the water. Then, with a gentle flick of her sleeve, a fish would leap from the water, sending up a spray of white foam. Under the sunlight, the fish’s belly gleamed with the unmistakable glint of the golden hairpin embedded in it.

The hairpin, still skewering the fish, flew back to the shore, landing at the girl’s feet.

On the grass beside her lay four or five fish, all presumably caught in the same manner.

Intrigued, Xuan Jingchi approached the girl.

Before she could get close, the girl spoke coldly without turning around, “Who’s there?”

Xuan Jingchi raised an eyebrow. Since transmigrating into this book and becoming the Empress, no one had ever spoken to her so rudely.

“I came to see how you catch fish,” she replied.

Hearing this, the girl immediately turned around. Upon seeing Xuan Jingchi, her expression changed. “This humble servant did not realize Your Majesty had arrived. Please forgive my offense.”

Her face was exquisitely beautiful, with an ethereal and aloof charm.

Xuan Jingchi found her features somewhat familiar. After studying the girl for a moment, she suddenly realized, “Miss Leng?”

The girl smiled faintly. “This servant is indeed Leng Qiuci. I was fortunate to receive Your Majesty’s rescue that day.”

Though her words were grateful, her tone lacked the sincerity others usually displayed. Xuan Jingchi observed her indifferent expression and noticed not a trace of gratitude in her eyes. If anything, her face carried a frosty demeanor.

Xuan Jingchi thought to herself, So this Leng Qiuci is an ice beauty. Fitting, given her surname means ‘cold.’

“May I see the hairpin you use to catch fish?”

Leng Qiuci hesitated slightly before handing the golden hairpin to Xuan Jingchi.

Xuan Jingchi took a closer look and indeed found a tiny hole at the top of the golden hairpin, with an extremely fine thread tied to it—so fine that it was even thinner than a strand of her own hair. Unless one examined it closely from a short distance, it would be impossible to notice.

She tugged at it gently and found it remarkably resilient.

Something so thin yet so strong—if moved swiftly enough, it could sever a head effortlessly.

At this thought, Xuan Jingchi suddenly felt a chill run down her neck. Suppressing the urge to touch her own neck, she handed the hairpin back and said, “Miss Leng, your skills are impressive. Your movements just now were as fluid as flowing water.”

Leng Qiuci replied casually, “I grew up fishing with my parents. With enough practice, it becomes second nature.”

Xuan Jingchi remarked, “So you come from a fishing family, living on boats, falling asleep to the sound of waves and waking to their gentle sway. That must be quite an experience.”

She wasn’t sure if it was her imagination, but Leng Qiuci’s gaze seemed to grow even colder.

“Your Majesty is right. Our family of four lived carefree lives—until one day, a demon laid eyes on my elder sister, and our family fell apart.”

“A demon?” Xuan Jingchi frowned. “What did this demon do? Did he take a liking to your sister and abduct her by force?”

“Tell me who it is. If he has committed atrocities and defied the law, I will have him apprehended and punished immediately.”

Leng Qiuci glanced at her and suddenly smiled. “Your Majesty, with your countless duties, such trivial matters must escape your memory. This servant’s enemy is not worth Your Majesty’s concern. I will take that demon’s life myself.”

Xuan Jingchi inwardly marveled. Were all cold beauties in ancient times like this?

Speaking of taking lives so casually, treating human life as worthless, exuding murderous intent with every gesture, completely disregarding the law.

Leng Qiuchi’s eyes swept around and caught sight of several guards watching from a distance. Her expression darkened as she turned back to Xuan Jingchi. “This servant has matters to attend to. I take my leave.”

Without even a proper bow, she turned and walked away.

Xuan Jingchi watched her retreating figure and called out, “Miss Leng, if you can’t avenge yourself, come to me! I’ll see justice done for you! But remember to be a law-abiding citizen!”

Leng Qiuci paused briefly, snorted, and strode off without looking back.

Xuan Jingchi shook her head, thinking, it seems she won’t listen.

Then it struck her—this seemingly delicate dancer was actually a fierce character with a strong personality. She wondered how someone as refined as Meng Wan had managed to calm her down.

At the thought of Meng Wan, Xuan Jingchi’s heart stirred. She had never once inquired about how her official was faring.

Immediately, she changed direction and headed toward Meng Wan’s residence in the palace.

The place where Meng Wan lived had once been the dwelling of one of Xuan Jingchi’s father’s concubines. Since Xuan Jingchi had only an Empress and no other consorts, she had ordered these spaces repurposed.

Before she even entered Meng Wan’s courtyard, she heard voices.

“Xiao Leng, you’ve brought fish again.”

The voice sounded like that of a middle-aged woman, warm and kind. Xuan Jingchi guessed it must be Meng Wan’s mother, Lady Zheng.

“Auntie, since I woke up early with nothing to do, I caught a few fish for Sister Wan to make fish soup.”

Xuan Jingchi froze—that was Leng Qiuci’s voice.

“Is Sister Wan awake yet?”

“Wake up. She was very happy when she came back yesterday, had some wine, read for a while, and slept a bit late.”

“Was it that emperor making her work again?”

The tone was clearly displeased.

Before the words even finished, the two eunuchs beside Xuan Jingchi looked at the emperor, their meaning clear: Your Majesty, just give us a signal, and we’ll immediately go in to arrest them!

Unexpectedly, Xuan Jingchi remained calm, not only unangered but listening with great interest.

“Xiao Leng!” Madam Zheng said. “The palace is full of ears. If such words were overheard, disaster would follow.”

Leng Qiuchi retorted, “I’m not afraid!”

“Xiao Leng, you’re still too young.” Madam Zheng sighed. “The emperor values Wan’er and treats her well. Wan’er studied hard for over a decade—it wasn’t in vain. Now she finally has a chance to put her knowledge to use. That child… I can see she truly enjoys assisting the emperor.”

“What’s so great about the emperor? Why does Sister Wan have to work herself to the bone for her?”

Madam Zheng sighed helplessly. “Xiao Leng, if you keep talking like this, your Sister Wan will be upset.”

Just then, two maidservants came out of the courtyard to dump water.

At the sight of the commotion outside the gate, they were so startled they froze. A eunuch nearby shouted sharply, “Hurry and announce Her Majesty’s arrival!”

Hearing the noise inside, Meng Wan’s mother was startled. But as a former imperial censor’s wife, she knew etiquette well. She immediately sent a young maid to wake Meng Wan while she hastily straightened her appearance and went to the door, kneeling to welcome the emperor.

Though Leng Qiuci looked unwilling, she still knelt beside Madam Zheng and bowed her head.

A row of guards entered first, lining up neatly on both sides.

Xuan Jingchi stepped into the courtyard, helped Madam Zheng up, and smiled. “Madam Meng, please rise.”

Then, glancing at Leng Qiuchi, she added, “Miss Leng, rise as well.”

Leng Qiuci stood up in a flash, as if unwilling to kneel a moment longer.

“Today, We came to see how you’re faring here. Madam Meng, if you need anything, just say the word.”

Madam Zheng replied, “Thank you for Your Majesty’s concern. Everything here is well. Miss Chenxiang has visited several times, inquiring after our needs and making thoughtful arrangements. We lack nothing.”

Xuan Jingchi nodded. “Later, when you leave the palace, We will grant you a grand residence.”

Madam Zheng curtsied. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

As they spoke, Meng Wan hurried out of her room. Seeing Xuan Jingchi, she immediately bowed. “Your servant was unaware of Your Majesty’s arrival and came late. I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness.”

Xuan Jingchi said, “I came too early. It’s rare for me to rise at dawn, just as it’s rare for Wan’er to sleep in. Seems I’ve come at an inopportune time.”

She smiled and continued, “Today, I’ll give you a day off. Stay home, enjoy some fish soup, and rest well.”

“Rest?” Meng Wan was taken aback but replied, “Thank you, Your Majesty. However, I must still go to the Wenyuan Pavilion to oversee the restoration of the Minghua Canon. I dare not neglect my duties. I… do not require leave.”

Turning down paid leave?

Such a workaholic!

Xuan Jingchi blinked at Meng Wan, mentally adding another title to her list after “refined scholar” and “Little Teacher.”

“Go ahead then,” Xuan Jingchi nodded. “But someone has brought you fresh fish—at least have the soup before you leave.”

—

Xuan Jingchi had progressed in horseback archery to the point of hitting targets, though not yet the bullseye.

Wang Zhan cheered, “Your Majesty improves remarkably! Soon you’ll hit every mark even from horseback.”

Xuan Jingchi laughed, “Flattery! I’m still far from that.”

Wang Zhan grinned with his dark face, “This general doesn’t flatter, Your Majesty. One day, you’ll match Jinmei as a great hero.”

Jinmei was Qing Country’s legendary founding War God—a peerless warrior and strategist, renowned for his archery and striking looks.

Xuan Jingchi shook her head, laughing, “Now that’s excessive flattery!”

Yet inwardly, she was pleased to be compared to the War God.

After all, who doesn’t enjoy praise?

Such is human weakness.