Empress, Can I? [Transmigration + GL] - Chapter 30

Xuan Jingchi hurried back to the palace, bathed quickly, changed clothes, and immediately issued an edict ordering the Chief of the Imperial Household Department to thoroughly investigate the capsizing of the boat before rushing to Phoenix Palace.

Nuanxiang advised, “Your Majesty, your health is most important. Take your medicine before going.”

Xuan Jingchi replied, “I’m fine. Have the Imperial Hospital send the medicine directly to Phoenix Palace.”

When she went to hang up the scent pouch, she realized it was swollen with water and misshapen. Even if dried, it would likely discolor. Holding it in her hand, she felt a deep sense of loss and regret.

At Phoenix Palace, Xiao Fu had just finished helping the Empress bathe in hot water and was assisting her into bed when the announcement came that the Emperor had arrived.

The palace had been bustling with activity since news of the Empress’s fall into the water spread, and the halls were brightly lit. Upon hearing the announcement, the crowd knelt in reverence.

Xuan Jingchi said, “Rise,” without pausing as she strode quickly into the bedchamber.

“Your Majesty,” Xiao Yueli, lying in bed, propped herself up on her elbows upon seeing Xuan Jingchi arrive. The chill had given her voice a noticeable nasal tone.

Xuan Jingchi hurried over and sat by the bed, disregarding protocol as she took the Empress’s hand in hers. “Empress, how are you feeling?”

In ancient times, even a common cold could be fatal, and Xuan Jingchi was deeply worried.

Xiao Yueli said, “The imperial physician has already examined me. It’s nothing serious. I just need to take a couple of doses of medicine to dispel the chill.”

Hearing this, Xuan Jingchi felt considerably relieved. Just then, Xiao Rong entered with the medicine, preparing to assist the Empress in taking it.

Xuan Jingchi said, “Let me do it.”

Xiao Rong was stunned. “Your Majesty, how could we allow this? Let this servant do it.”

Before she could finish speaking, Xuan Jingchi had already snatched the medicine away.

“Xiao Rong, you saved me first, and now you’ve saved the Empress. I must reward you generously again! You should take your medicine too. Xiao Fu, make sure to look after her. All of you may leave now. I’ll take care of things here.”

“Your Majesty?” Xiao Fu and Xiao Rong hesitated in unison. “For Your Majesty to attend to Her Majesty, this… this…”

Xuan Jingchi raised an eyebrow. “What? Do I need to issue an imperial decree?”

The two maids panicked. “This servant wouldn’t dare!”

They turned to look at the Empress, and only after receiving a slight nod from her did they curtsy and withdraw from the bedchamber.

Xuan Jingchi chuckled. “Empress, your people still listen to you. They wouldn’t even heed my words.”

The Empress smiled faintly. “That’s because they fear you.”

Xuan Jingchi laughed. “Am I really that frightening? I consider myself quite reasonable and not particularly ill-tempered.”

She leaned forward, scooping a spoonful of medicine and bringing it to the Empress’s lips. “Yueli, take your medicine. For this kind of cold-dispelling remedy, it’s best taken while still quite warm.”

Her gaze was tender as water, and even her voice had softened remarkably—a stark contrast to the stern, commanding demeanor she had displayed moments earlier.

Xiao Yueli watched her silently before opening her mouth to drink. The medicinal broth didn’t seem as bitter as expected.

The person before her was truly a good match.

She had never imagined that in this reincarnated life, she would encounter a different Xuan Jingchi.

This person had given her an entirely new life and aspirations.

She treated her so well—so well that Xiao Yueli could hardly believe it.

For her sake, she would even give up the throne.

And even risk her life.

During the drowning incident, Xiao Yueli had heard clearly—at that critical moment between life and death—“Save the Empress first.”

“Why did you choose to save me first?”

Xuan Jingchi was caught off guard by Xiao Yueli’s sudden question. Her hand holding the spoon froze mid-air.

She averted her gaze slightly, pushing the spoon forward somewhat awkwardly. “…No particular reason. Take your medicine.”

Xiao Yueli shook her head, indicating she didn’t want any more.

Seeing that most of the bowl had been consumed, Xuan Jingchi didn’t insist. She walked over to fetch a cup of warm water for the Empress to rinse her mouth.

In her actions and demeanor, there wasn’t the slightest trace of imperial arrogance—only meticulous care and attention.

It was as if they were just an ordinary loving couple.

This thought flashing through her mind made Xiao Yueli’s cheeks flush slightly.

“Yueli, rest well.” Xuan Jingchi bent down to help Xiao Yueli lie back, tucking in the blankets before giving her a gentle smile.

Seeing the tenderness in her eyes that seemed about to overflow, Xiao Yueli grabbed her hand just as she straightened up and was about to turn away.

“Do you like me?”

Her voice was so soft it was almost inaudible.

Xuan Jingchi trembled all over, her mind buzzing as she stood frozen in place.

The Empress knew!

How did the Empress find out?

“I… I…”

Xiao Yueli watched as she stammered for a long time without managing to say anything coherent, her ears turning so red they seemed about to bleed.

In this situation, someone as intelligent as Xiao Yueli understood everything perfectly.

“Rest well. I’ll take my leave now and visit you again tomorrow.” Xuan Jingchi didn’t dare to look back, nearly fleeing in panic as she gently tried to free her hand from the Empress’s grasp.

“It’s so late already. Don’t go back—stay and rest here.”

Xiao Yueli kept her head lowered, her voice muffled and indistinct from nasal congestion, becoming almost inaudible by the end.

Her hand remained firmly clasped around Xuan Jingchi’s, refusing to let go.

“Yueli!” Xuan Jingchi froze for a moment before sudden joy blossomed in her heart, as though countless dazzling fireworks had exploded within her!

She tightened her grip on that hand and turned around, gazing intently at Xiao Yueli.

But Xiao Yueli, overcome with shyness, ducked her head under the blankets, her voice emerging muffled from beneath the covers: “Your Majesty should also rest early.”

Just then, there came a knock at the door—dong, dong, dong—followed by Xiao Fu’s voice: “Your Majesty, the Imperial Hospital has sent the medicine.”

Xuan Jingchi frowned. “I won’t drink it. Take it away.”

“Your Majesty should take the medicine,” came the muffled voice from beneath the blankets again.

“Alright, I’ll listen to you.” Xuan Jingchi straightened up. “Bring it in.”

“As you command.” Xiao Fu pushed the door open and entered, only to see her mistress hiding her head under the blankets while His Majesty smiled fondly at the sliver of forehead peeking out.

“Your Majesty.” Xiao Fu respectfully presented the medicine bowl, but to her surprise, His Majesty took it without even glancing at the contents and downed it in one gulp.

After finishing, His Majesty even smiled cheerfully.

Xiao Fu: “…”

Xiao Rong had tasted this medicine before—it was unbearably bitter. Yet His Majesty drank it without so much as a change in expression, downing it all at once and still smiling afterward.

Truly remarkable! A master of medicine-taking!

As Xiao Fu carried the empty bowl out, she couldn’t help but grumble inwardly—Her Majesty must have damaged his brain when she fell into the water.

Oh no… If the Emperor’s mind was broken, who would tell her those fresh and fantastical stories from now on?

Xiao Fu sighed inwardly.

Xiao Yueli heard the rustling of clothes as the other person changed, then felt the blankets lift at the other end as someone seemed to lie down.

She waited for a long while, ensuring all movement had ceased, before slowly emerging from beneath the covers and taking a deep breath.

Who would have thought that upon opening her eyes, a mesmerizing and breathtaking face would instantly fill her vision.

With a teasing smile.

Clearly, Xuan Jingchi had been waiting right in front of her, quietly anticipating her emergence.

“Your Majesty!”

Xuan Jingchi’s lips curled into a wide grin as she said, “The Empress has finally decided to come out. I was prepared to keep watching like this until dawn.”

Xiao Yueli: “…”

The moonlight generously spilled its silvery glow, casting a frost-like radiance on the ground that reflected in Xuan Jingchi’s enchanting, amorous peach-blossom eyes.

Her eyes shimmered, the light flowing like water—tender and lingering, growing ever more captivating.

Xiao Yueli found herself lost in them.

It wasn’t until a pair of soft lips pressed against hers that she suddenly snapped back to reality.

Xuan Jingchi was kissing her!

Xuan Jingchi’s lips were slightly cool and soft, starting with a gentle, butterfly-like brush before gradually turning into a tender exploration of her lips.

The sudden kiss left Xiao Yueli flustered. Her eyes widened as she stared at the magnified face before her—the flawless, jade-like cheeks, the devastatingly beautiful brows and eyes, the faintly trembling lashes as the woman closed her eyes.

Xiao Yueli’s heart pounded wildly.

The unfamiliar yet tender sensation on her lips slowly awakened something instinctual within her.

She didn’t dislike the kiss. On the contrary, she even found herself enjoying it—enjoying this intimacy.

As Xuan Jingchi deepened the kiss, seeking the sweetness within her mouth, Xiao Yueli’s heart fluttered. Yielding to her heart and instincts, her tightly clenched fists gradually relaxed. She closed her eyes and responded to Xuan Jingchi’s advances with a shy, somewhat clumsy reciprocation.

Feeling Xiao Yueli’s cooperation, Xuan Jingchi’s heart trembled, followed by an overwhelming surge of joy. She lowered her head, intensifying the kiss.

Both were novices in this, lacking experience, but their enthusiasm for learning and practicing was unprecedented.

This kiss was like a runaway wild horse—reckless and uninhibited.

Their breaths mingled, lips and tongues entwined, quickly becoming inseparable, clinging to each other as if glued together.

By the time Xiao Yueli was kissed until her body grew warm and her mind blank, she heard Xuan Jingchi’s trembling, fervent, yet reverent voice: “Yueli, I love you!”