Empress, Can I? [Transmigration + GL] - Chapter 28

Days later, nearing Mid-Autumn Festival, Xuan Jingchi had just finished dinner when Chenxiang reported, “Your Majesty, the Imperial Household Department inquires—will this year’s moonlit lake tour follow the Dongyang Gate to Xizhi Gate route as before?”

“Moonlit lake tour? You mean boating on the lake?”

Chenxiang knew Her Majesty’s memory had been unreliable since the drowning incident—so many past events forgotten.

Yet while her mind had suffered, her temper had improved remarkably.

Could this be the silver lining?

“Reporting to Your Majesty: Every Mid-Autumn, the Household Department prepares a grand barge for Your Majesty and the imperial consorts to admire the moon while drifting across the lake. Only the route varies by Your Majesty’s decree.”

At the mention of boating, Xuan Jingchi immediately recalled paid boating activities in parks—expensive speedboats where the engine’s roar cut short any chance to savor the leisurely experience before reaching shore.

She clapped excitedly, “Splendid! East to west and back—no, return via the southern route from the west!”

Chenxiang responded, “As you command.”

Xuan Jingchi continued, “With only the Empress in my harem, it seems a bit lacking. You and Nuanxiang should go together. Call Xiao Fu and Xiao Rong as well—oh, and invite Meng Wan too. Let her come out and enjoy herself.”

Chenxiang smiled inwardly. The emperor sometimes acted like a child, wanting to gather everyone during lively occasions.

This version of Her Majesty seemed more like a warm-hearted young woman.

She replied, “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

—

The next day, Xiao Fu said excitedly, “Sister Xiao Rong, this year we can go boating and admire the moon together! Both of us will accompany Her Highness.”

“Really?”

“Of course! Sister Chenxiang just came by with the emperor’s orders. The emperor is so kind! I’ve never been on a big boat before.”

Xiao Rong tapped her nose playfully and laughed. “You’re overjoyed, aren’t you?”

Xiao Fu giggled. “Aren’t you happy too, Sister Xiao Rong?”

Xiao Rong nodded with a smile. “Of course I am. But you—don’t run around on the boat, or you might fall in.”

Xiao Fu said, “I won’t run around. I’ll just sit and eat! Sister Chenxiang said there’s so much food during the moon-viewing feast—all kinds of pastries, fruits, and even foreign-tribute wine!”

“Pig!”

While Xiao Fu and Xiao Rong eagerly anticipated the Mid-Autumn boat excursion, in the Left Chancellor’s residence, Lin Zaifu glanced at the letter in his hand and snorted coldly.

After a moment of contemplation, he spoke to the man kneeling before him. “Go back and tell His Highness to act quickly. There are already voices in court speaking in Xuan Jingchi’s favor.”

“If this continues, it won’t be long before she takes full control of the court.”

“Once she rules directly, with Dugu Jinyu and his faction behind her, she’ll be even harder to deal with.”

“This trouble must be resolved as soon as possible.”

“Yes, this subordinate will relay the Chancellor’s words to Prince Yin.”

With that, the man left. His figure flickered, making no sound as he vanished into the night.

Lin Zaifu turned his head and lifted his teacup. The candlelight flickered across his face, alternating between light and shadow.

His deep-set eyes gleamed coldly in the darkness.

Xuan Jingchi, wouldn’t it be better for you to remain a useless emperor?

You’ve forced my hand!

—

In Qinghui Courtyard, Meng Wan was teaching Leng Qiuci how to write.

“Xiao Leng, when writing, keep your head straight, shoulders straight, and posture upright. Only then will your strokes carry strength and stability.”

Leng Qiuci wrote a character and looked up with a smile. “Sister Wan, how does my writing look?” Meng Wan glanced at it—it was the character “Wan”. The strokes were bold and powerful, showing considerable skill, but the last stroke was deliberately skewed.

She was slightly taken aback inwardly, but her expression remained unchanged as she smiled and said, “Well written. Xiao Leng is quite clever.”

Leng Qiuci looked up with a laugh, “Is the Emperor cleverer, or am I?”

Naturally stunning in appearance, her smile truly resembled the spring rain carried by the March breeze—sweet and delicate, making one’s heart melt.

“Wan Sister, tell me, who’s cleverer—me or the Emperor?”

Leng Qiuci gazed at her, propping her chin with one hand, her beautiful eyes shimmering as she asked again.

Meng Wan shook her head slightly, thinking to herself: in terms of calligraphy, yours is far superior to the Emperor’s, but when it comes to exceptional intelligence, naturally it’s the Emperor.

Seeing Leng Qiuci’s expectant expression before her, Meng Wan couldn’t bear to disappoint her and smiled, “Equally clever.”

Just then, a matron outside announced, “Miss Chenxiang is here.”

As the words were spoken, Chenxiang entered. Being a close confidante of the Emperor, her status was naturally different.

Meng Wan went out to greet her, smiling, “What a rare guest! What brings Miss Chenxiang to Qinghui Courtyard today?”

Chenxiang laughed, “Minister Meng’s Qinghui Courtyard isn’t unfamiliar to me; I wouldn’t call myself a rare guest.”

At this moment, Leng Qiuci lifted the curtain and stepped out as well. Seeing her, Chenxiang showed no surprise and smiled, “Miss Leng is here too.”

Leng Qiuci asked, “Does Miss Chenxiang have business with Wan Sister?”

Chenxiang replied, “Actually, I do have something today.” She turned to Meng Wan, “The Mid-Autumn Festival is in a few days, and the Emperor has specially invited Minister Meng to join in boating and moon-viewing.”

Meng Wan hesitated, “Mid-Autumn boating has always been an occasion for the Emperor and the imperial consorts. For the Emperor to summon me would be improper.”

Chenxiang smiled, “Minister Meng don’t overthink this. This time, the Emperor has even invited me, Nuanxiang, Xiao Fu, and Xiao Rong.”

Hearing this, Meng Wan relaxed and smiled, “Understood. Please convey my gratitude to Her Majesty upon your return.”

—

On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, Xuan Jingchi changed into a bright yellow gauze robe, with the scent pouch gifted by the Empress hanging at her waist, and first went to Phoenix Palace to fetch the Empress.

The Empress wore a silver-white gauze robe that day. Already peerlessly beautiful with an ethereal grace, the white robe made her appear even more elegant like water, refined and transcendent.

While Xiao Fu and Xiao Rong stepped out, Xuan Jingchi passed by the Empress and whispered in her ear, “Yueli is so beautiful today!”

Xiao Yueli’s face flushed slightly, the redness reaching the tips of her ears as she lowered her gaze slightly. “Your Majesty looks splendid in this attire today.”

Xuan Jingchi couldn’t help but chuckle.

The Empress clearly wanted to say I looked good, but she had to compliment the clothes instead.

“Why does Your Majesty laugh?”

“I’m happy in my heart, and happiness makes me laugh.”

Hearing this, Xiao Yueli couldn’t help but smile as well, realizing that indeed, happiness made one laugh.

Upon reaching the dock, Xuan Jingchi leaped onto the deck first and extended her hand to Xiao Yueli behind her, offering to help her aboard.

Xiao Fu, standing nearby, also reached out to assist but was abruptly swatted away by Xiao Rong beside her.

Xiao Fu pouted and shot Xiao Rong a glare.

Xiao Rong glared back and leaned in to whisper in her ear, “Fool!”

Xiao Fu froze momentarily before understanding dawned on her. She nodded in realization, biting her lip as she grinned foolishly.

Xiao Yueli looked at the hand extended toward her—under the moonlight, it was as pale as snow, smooth as jade, with slender fingers like scallion roots.

After a brief hesitation, she placed her hand into that outstretched one.

And in that instant, the other hand tightened its grip around hers.

A gentle, delicate sensation transmitted from her fingertips—warm, soft, unfamiliar, yet inexplicably making her heart race uncontrollably.

Xiao Yueli couldn’t help but blush, lowering her head even further. Fortunately, under the moonlight, no one could see the flush on her cheeks.

Stepping onto the deck, Xiao Yueli steadied herself and attempted to withdraw her hand. Unexpectedly, the person beside her tightened their grip slightly, showing no intention of letting go.

Xiao Yueli raised her head to look at Xuan Jingchi beside her. Yet Xuan Jingchi seemed utterly oblivious, not only refusing to release her hand but instead continuing to hold it as she led her toward the cabin.

As they walked, Xuan Jingchi gazed up at the sky and said, “Empress, the moonlight tonight is truly beautiful, don’t you think?”

Xiao Yueli sighed inwardly—this person could be so shameless sometimes. With a soft laugh, she stopped resisting and allowed that hand to guide her.

A silver disk hung high in the night sky, the evening clear as water, its tenderness seeping into the bones.

Perhaps, “holding your hand to grow old together” was just like this.