Empress, Can I? [Transmigration + GL] - Chapter 34

In Chenyuan Palace, Chenxiang briefly explained the situation.

Xuan Jingchi was currently wrapped in bandages from head to toe, with only her face completely unharmed.

After hearing Chenxiang’s words, she turned her head and asked, “The Empress really arrested Leng Qiuci?”

“Yes, Miss Leng is now imprisoned in the dungeon.”

That meant they were waiting to report to her, the Emperor, before executing her.

Xuan Jingchi sighed. Although she was the victim and had the most say in the matter, the Empress seemed even angrier than she was.

Truth be told, the Empress’s cold, angry expression was terrifying—so much so that even she didn’t dare say a word in protest.

Her injuries covered her entire body. They were indeed serious, but probably not to the point of internal bleeding. Xuan Jingchi thought for a moment. Maybe there were some bone fractures—who could tell without an X-ray?

Xuan Jingchi asked, “What is the Empress doing now?”

“The Empress is in the side hall, listening to the results of the imperial physicians’ consultation regarding Your Majesty’s condition.”

Xuan Jingchi whispered, “Chenxiang, go to the prison and relay my words. Tell them not to mistreat Miss Leng. Just because she offended me doesn’t mean they can bully her freely. Go quickly, while the Empress isn’t here. If she finds out later, she’ll surely lecture me again.”

Xuan Jingchi sighed inwardly, fearing she might leave the impression of being weak and overly kind in the Empress’s heart.

Chenxiang suppressed a smile, acknowledged the order, and quietly left the hall.

No sooner had Chenxiang left than Xiao Yueli emerged from the side chamber, with the imperial physicians bowing as they took their leave.

Xiao Yueli approached the bedside and bent down, “Your Majesty, are you feeling better now?”

Her tone was gentle, her expression graceful and elegant.

No one would have guessed that this very composed and dignified person had just unblinkingly decided someone else’s fate.

Xuan Jingchi tried her best to smile brightly, appearing as if nothing was seriously wrong. “I’m much better. Just some flesh wounds, yet they’ve wrapped me up like a mummy.”

“A mummy? What’s that?” Xiao Yueli said, “You may leave now. Bring the medicine when it’s ready.”

“Yes,” Nuanxiang led the palace maids out.

Xiao Yueli smiled slightly, “Now, you can tell me. What is a mummy?”

Xuan Jingchi laughed, “Empress, you’re so curious, wanting to know everything. But I warn you, don’t be scared when I tell you.”

Xiao Yueli smiled, “I won’t be afraid. To be honest, I consider myself quite brave.”

“Alright then,” Xuan Jingchi said, “A mummy is a type of dried corpse. There’s a country called Egypt, where their pharaohs—their kings—after death, have their bodies hollowed out, treated with preservative spices, and wrapped in layers of cloth. Just like how I am now.”

Xiao Yueli interrupted her, frowning, “Your Majesty’s body is invaluable. Please don’t make such comparisons with yourself.”

Xuan Jingchi stuck out her tongue, “Understood, I won’t say it again. I must take good care of my life.”

She looked at Xiao Yueli, wondering how to persuade the Empress to spare Leng Qiuci.

“Your Majesty, what are you thinking about?”

“I… am a bit thirsty,” Xuan Jingchi made up an excuse.

Hearing this, Xiao Yueli turned to pick up the teacup from the table and slowly handed it over. Xuan Jingchi had a sudden thought. Though she could have propped herself up, she deliberately lay still, grimacing, “It hurts too much. I can’t sit up.”

Xiao Yueli looked concerned and was about to call Nuanxiang in to help the Emperor up.

But Xuan Jingchi said, “Empress, feed me.”

Xiao Yueli glanced around but didn’t see a spoon and was about to call for one when Xuan Jingchi gently touched her.

Xiao Yueli turned her head to see Xuan Jingchi pointing at her own lips, her voice soft and enticing, “Yueli, why don’t you use this to feed me water?”

Xiao Yueli froze for a moment before realizing—this shameless woman actually wanted her to feed her mouth-to-mouth!!!

Her face instantly burned as if on fire. Furious, she stood up to place the teacup on the table, but her gaze swept over Xuan Jingchi’s lips.

That one glance made it impossible to look away.

Those crimson lips, lush and tempting, were utterly alluring.

And this brazen woman even closed her eyes, tilting her chin up slightly, as if inviting someone to take her.

Paired with her naturally bewitching, nation-toppling beauty—

Xiao Yueli actually hesitated, unable to rise.

“Yueli, you’re so clever—you must have learned how to kiss someone,” Xuan Jingchi coaxed in a persuasive tone. “Would you like to try?”

After transmigrating into this world, Xuan Jingchi was surprised to discover she had such a hidden talent—she was remarkably skilled at seduction, mastering it effortlessly.

As soon as she finished speaking, she felt soft lips press against hers, followed by a warm trickle of water flowing into her mouth. Xuan Jingchi swallowed it all with a smile, wrapping her arms around the other’s neck and pulling her closer.

In the tangle of lips and teeth, Xuan Jingchi feigned resistance yet welcomed her in, as if issuing an invitation.

Sure enough, the other couldn’t resist such teasing—deepening the kiss, conquering and exploring, eagerly seeking the sweetness within her mouth.

Xuan Jingchi embraced her, kissing back passionately.

Clink!

The teacup fell to the ground, shattering with a crisp sound.

Xiao Yueli shuddered, as if suddenly snapping back to reality, her lips pausing briefly.

“Don’t mind it,” Xuan Jingchi tightened her hold around her neck, murmuring tenderly, “Yueli, kiss me…”

Xiao Yueli hesitated no longer, lowering her head once more to entwine with Xuan Jingchi’s lips. Xuan Jingchi’s mouth was so soft, so delicious—she couldn’t seem to get enough.

“Yue…li…”

“Mmm…”

“Don’t kill… Leng…”

Before she could finish saying “Qiuci,” the person on top of her suddenly stiffened, then fiercely bit her lip. “You care about her that much?”

Xuan Jingchi was both hurt, angry, and amused. “I only care about you, you jealous little thing!”

Not to be outdone, she bit Xiao Yueli back. Xiao Yueli hissed, sucking in a sharp breath as she sat up straight.

Xuan Jingchi grabbed her hand, grumbling, “How many times do I have to tell you? You’re the only one I like. Stop overthinking it.”

Seeing Xiao Yueli’s swollen lips, she softened, asking worriedly, “Does it hurt?” Then, propping herself up, she leaned in to kiss Xiao Yueli’s lips again—gently, apologetically.

Xiao Yueli closed her eyes, surrendering to the tender kisses.

After a long moment, she suddenly realized something and pushed Xuan Jingchi away. “Weren’t you in too much pain to move?”

Xuan Jingchi: “…”

She quickly found an excuse. “That’s because the Empress kissed me. The Empress’s kiss is the best remedy—it cured me instantly!”

Xiao Yueli was torn between anger, embarrassment, and helplessness. “How can you be so shameless?!”

Xuan Jingchi pretended to feel her own cheek, feigning confusion. “Not thick at all. Delicate and smooth, actually quite thin.”

Xiao Yueli: “Xuan Jingchi, in the Great Qing Dynasty, if you claimed second place for shamelessness, no one would dare claim first.”

“Hahaha, you flatter me too much. After all, I did come in first…” Xuan Jingchi laughed, but the movement caused her whole body to ache, making her hiss repeatedly in pain.

Xiao Yueli glared at her. “Serves you right!”

Xiao Yueli stood up, smoothed her slightly disheveled hair, and sat at the table. “Why did you ask me not to kill Leng Qiuci? Jingchi, you must understand that regardless of whether you promised to spare her at the Archery Pavilion, the fact remains that she harmed the imperial body. If I don’t execute her, where would the majesty of the royal family stand?”

Xuan Jingchi sighed. “Yueli, don’t be alarmed when I tell you this.”

Xiao Yueli glanced at her. “Go on.”

“I feel like Leng Qiuci wants to kill me.”

Xiao Yueli was slightly startled.

“Perhaps…” Xuan Jingchi recalled what Leng Qiucheng had said by the lake that day about the great villain.

“The ‘me’ from before, when I was still a princess, harmed her family. That’s why she… seeks revenge.”

Xiao Yueli naturally understood she was referring to the Xuan Jingchi from her previous life who had tormented her. She picked up her teacup and took a sip. “Given how tyrannical, cruel, and inhumane you were back then, it’s not impossible.”

Being insulted to her face yet unable to refute it—having to accept it all—felt incredibly strange, strangely satisfying even.

“If that’s the case, her wanting to kill me is understandable. Moreover, on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, it was also her who tried to kill me.”

Xiao Yueli set down her teacup. “It was her?”

“It’s just a guess. She’s highly skilled in martial arts and had the murder weapon. She’s definitely the most suspicious.”

“Murder weapon? What murder weapon?”

“A thin yet incredibly strong thread. With her skills, as long as she moved fast enough, decapitating someone wouldn’t be a problem.”

Xiao Yueli paused, then asked, “Do you want to use her to uncover the mastermind behind this?”

“Half for that reason, and half…” Xuan Jingchi sighed. “I want to apologize to her. Though the dead cannot be brought back, since I’m now bearing Xuan Jingchi’s identity, I owe her that apology.”

Xiao Yueli was slightly taken aback. This person’s kindness and compassion far surpassed her own.

Amidst the whirlpool of power struggles, it was rare to maintain such a pure and benevolent heart.

She felt ashamed of her own inadequacy in comparison.