Empress, Can I? [Transmigration + GL] - Chapter 33

“Empress, it’s terrible! The Emperor has been beaten!”

A eunuch hurried in to report.

Xiao Yueli, who had been calculating the copper coin wine problem the Emperor had posed the night before with Xiao Fu, was startled.

“The Emperor was beaten?”

Xiao Fu widened her eyes, “Who in the world would dare to strike the Emperor?”

The eunuch said, “It’s said she was sparring in martial arts. General Wang Zhan personally escorted Her Majesty back to the palace. The Emperor couldn’t even walk.”

What?!

Xiao Yueli’s expression changed, and she immediately rushed to Chenyuan Palace.

When Xiao Yueli arrived at Chenyuan Palace, she happened to catch sight of Chenxiang pouring out a large basin of bloody water. Seeing the Empress, Chenxiang quickly curtsied.

Xiao Yueli glanced at the golden basin in Chenxiang’s hands and hurried inside, asking as she walked, “How is Her Majesty?”

Chenxiang replied, “This servant has already cleaned Her Majesty and changed her clothes. We’ve sent for the imperial physician.”

Xuan Jingchi lay on the bed, grimacing in pain—even turning over hurt. Seeing the Empress’s robes appear at the palace entrance, she hastily said, “Nuanxiang, quick! Cover me with the blanket!”

She was too embarrassed for the Empress to see her beaten into such a pitiful state.

Nuanxiang had just finished covering the Emperor when she turned and saw the Empress. She quickly bowed and stepped aside from the bedside.

“Empress, why have you come?” Xuan Jingchi forced a smile. “Did you hear some nonsense from them?”

Xiao Yueli sat by the bed, observing her evasive demeanor, and asked gently, “Your Majesty, where are you injured?”

Xuan Jingchi endured the pain, tugging the blanket tighter around herself, and smiled. “I’m fine, perfectly fine. Not injured at all.”

Seeing Xuan Jingchi’s awkward expression, Xiao Yueli assumed the injuries were in a place she was too embarrassed to mention. She turned to Nuanxiang and asked, “Where is Her Majesty hurt? How severe are the injuries?”

“Your Majesty, she…”

Nuanxiang, questioned by the Empress, first glanced at Her Majesty, then at the Emperor. Seeing the Emperor signaling her with a look, even though she was usually meticulous and composed, she suddenly found herself at a loss for words.

Xiao Yueli, noticing her hesitation, abruptly turned and pulled the blanket off Xuan Jingchi.

Xuan Jingchi let out a startled cry, but before it fully escaped her lips, the Empress had already rolled up her sleeve, revealing bruises and red marks all over her arm.

“Empress, I’m fine…”

Xuan Jingchi’s voice was as guilty as could be. She hurriedly pulled her sleeve back down.

But then, Xiao Yueli suddenly yanked open the collar of her robe. This time, it was even worse—large patches of bruises on her chest were now fully exposed to the Empress.

Xuan Jingchi’s face flushed crimson in an instant.

Her snow-white skin, smooth as mutton-fat jade, was marred with bruises and injuries. One particularly severe mark on her chest had already turned a deep purple.

Xiao Yueli froze for a moment before her expression darkened. She turned and said, “Nuanxiang, Chenxiang, kneel.”

Her tone wasn’t particularly harsh, but it carried an undeniable authority.

Nuanxiang and Chenxiang immediately dropped to their knees in panic. “Empress, please calm your anger!”

The palace maids and eunuchs in the hall, seeing the Empress’s fury, had already knelt in a sea of bowed heads.

Xiao Yueli’s eyes were stormy. “The Emperor’s body is priceless. How could you two allow Her Majesty to be injured like this?”

Nuanxiang and Chenxiang kowtowed deeply. “We deserve punishment.”

Xuan Jingchi hastily fastened her collar, afraid that Xiao Yueli would truly punish them. She quickly interjected, “It’s not their fault. I was the one who insisted on sparring with someone and lost.”

Xiao Yueli didn’t even glance at Xuan Jingchi, her voice icy. “Summon the Imperial Guard Commander, Wang Zhan, at once.”

With that, she stood and turned to Xuan Jingchi. “Your Majesty, rest well. I will return to see you later.”

Her tone was calm, not sharp or angry, yet it sent a chill down Xuan Jingchi’s spine.

Xuan Jingchi knew that if Xiao Yueli pursued this matter, Leng Qiuci’s life would be in danger. She quickly called out, “Empress!”

She didn’t say more in front of the palace attendants, but she was certain Xiao Yueli understood her meaning.

Xiao Yueli looked at her and said, “Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven. The dignity of the imperial family cannot be insulted.”

She turned her head. “You two, I will not punish you for now. Get up and attend to the Emperor properly.”

With that, she flicked her sleeve and strode out of the bedchamber.

Seeing the Empress’s resolve, Xuan Jingchi sighed inwardly. “Chenxiang, hurry after her. Report back to me as soon as you hear anything.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Wang Zhan, knowing he was at fault, had already been waiting outside Chenyuan Palace. Upon hearing the Empress’s summons, he immediately entered to see her.

The matter wasn’t complicated, and he explained it in just a few words.

Xiao Yueli’s face darkened. “By my decree, arrest the Imperial Music Academy dancer Leng Qiuci for questioning! If she resists, execute her on the spot!”

Meanwhile, in the Imperial Music Academy, Leng Qiuci was rehearsing a dance with the other dancers. Amidst the graceful movements and melodious music, Meng Wan suddenly rushed in.

The academy staff recognized her as a favorite of the Emperor and dared not slight her. Hearing she was looking for Leng Qiuci, they quickly led her inside.

Leng Qiuci, her white sleeves fluttering elegantly as she danced, was startled to see Meng Wan. She smiled brightly. “Sister Wan, are you here to see me?”

“Yes, I came just for you.”

Leng Qiuci happily skipped over, immediately looping her arm through Meng Wan’s and pressing close to her shoulder, her eyes crinkling with joy. “Sister Wan, you’re not at the Wenyuan Pavilion today? What brings you here to see me?”

Meng Wan did not respond. The two entered the room and waited until the maid serving tea had left.

Sitting up straight, the smile faded from Meng Wan’s face. “Xiao Leng, tell me—did you strike Her Majesty today?!”

Leng Qiuci slowly released her grip and walked over to sit opposite Meng Wan. “I was wondering why Sister Wan had time to visit me today. So it was about this. Yes, I sparred with the emperor. For someone who rules a nation, her martial skills were mediocre. Since she couldn’t defeat me, she had no choice but to endure my strikes.”

Meng Wan was stunned. “It really was you!”

“It was me!” Leng Qiuci admitted boldly, her eyes burning with intense hatred. “I only hit her—she got off lightly!”

Meng Wan frowned deeply. “Xiao Leng, I don’t know why you harbor such hatred for the emperor. But she is the Son of Heaven. By striking her today, you’ve wounded the dignity of the throne. I fear you’ve brought great calamity upon yourself.”

“Calamity?” Leng Qiuci let out a cold laugh. “At worst, it’s death. I’m not afraid! Let them come! Let’s see who has the skill to kill me.”

Meng Wan paused, scrutinizing her from head to toe. “Just who are you?”

“Me? A mere dancer, a drifting weed in turbulent times, my life worthless. I can’t compare to Sister Wan, born into an official’s noble family, your status so exalted.”

Meng Wan was taken aback and sighed. “Xiao Leng, why must you say such things? Don’t you know I was also born a Sin Slave? Where is this exalted status you speak of? Her Majesty is right—you and I are both subjects of Daqing. You and I are the same.”

“Don’t mention that dog emperor! No one knows her true nature better than I!” Leng Qiucheng suddenly stood up, trembling with rage. “Sister Wan, that emperor is nothing but a hypocrite! She may deceive you, deceive everyone—but she can’t deceive me!”

“No! That’s not true. Her Majesty cares for the realm and its people, generous and benevolent—a good ruler.” Meng Wan said. “Xiao Leng, I don’t know what prejudice you hold against Her Majesty, but you mustn’t be willful. Don’t be so stubborn.”

“Willful? Stubborn?” Leng Qiuci laughed bitterly in her fury. “Sister Wan, just because the emperor granted you high rank and riches, have you forgotten even the blood debt of your family?!”

“You pledge loyalty to your sworn enemy—how can you face your deceased grandfather and father? Are you still worthy of the Meng name?”

Her series of sharp questions struck like a dagger, plunging deep into the most vulnerable parts of Meng Wan’s heart.

Meng Wan shuddered, the color draining from her face in an instant.

She slowly rose to her feet, her complexion deathly pale. “I knew that one day, someone would point these things out and condemn me. I just never imagined that person would be you.”

With that, she opened the door and walked out slowly.

Leng Qiuci watched her frail silhouette, as thin and fragile as a leaf drifting in the wind.

At this moment, the moment she stepped through that door, it seemed she might be swept away by the wind at any second, vanishing forever from her life.

She knew her words had deeply wounded this person.

Regret and heartache twisted inside Leng Qiucig.

Just as Meng Wan took that step outside, Leng Qiuci ran forward in tears, embracing her from behind, choking out, “Sister Wan, I’m sorry! I shouldn’t have said those things! Please forgive me!”

At that very moment, a troop of imperial guards stormed into the Imperial Music Academy.

The young women inside screamed in terror, scrambling to retreat to the sides.

A dark-faced general at the head shouted, “Where is Leng Qiuci? Surrender immediately! Resistance will be met with execution on the spot!”

Leng Qiucheng froze, her expression instantly turning cold with fury. “How despicable! They admitted it was her lack of skill and let me go, and now they send men to capture me!”

She rushed forward, about to pull a longsword from beneath a table, when someone grabbed her arm.

“Sister Wan?!”

“Xiao Leng, don’t hurt the innocent anymore. You harmed the Emperor first. Go with them. I will plead for mercy on your behalf.”