Empress, Can I? [Transmigration + GL] - Chapter 40

After seeing off Xuan Jingning and Shangguan Wei, Xuan Jingchi said, “Empress, thank goodness for your quick thinking earlier. Otherwise, I would have been exposed.”

Xiao Yueli spoke earnestly, “Your Majesty, you mustn’t come up with such bizarre questions again. The palace is full of gossipers. If someone with ill intentions overhears, they might use it against you.”

Xuan Jingchi readily agreed, “Understood. I’ll study poetry and literature properly with you.”

Xiao Yueli recalled how Xuan Jingchi had once impulsively decided to learn poetry but dozed off after memorizing just a few lines, her head nodding like a chick pecking at rice before she slumped onto the table.

She shook her head. “If Your Majesty doesn’t enjoy poetry, why force yourself?”

Xuan Jingchi flushed slightly in embarrassment. “I just don’t have a talent for these things. I dislike memorization—thinking about all that makes my head ache.”

“Then why insist on learning to compose poetry?” Xiao Yueli shot her a sidelong glance.

“I… I was afraid you’d look down on me,” Xuan Jingchi admitted, turning her face away with reddened cheeks. “The Empress is a literary genius, while I can’t even recite a single poem. I worried you might disdain me.”

At first, she was just a bit uneasy, but as she spoke, she began to feel deeply inadequate.

She could never be like Meng Wan, composing poetry with the Empress under the moonlit night breeze.

A talented woman like the Empress would surely admire someone equally gifted.

Not someone like her, who knew nothing.

If she weren’t the Emperor, the Empress probably wouldn’t even spare her a second glance.

She simply wasn’t worthy of the Empress.

Thinking of this, Xuan Jingchi’s heart ached, her eyes reddening as an unprecedented sense of frustration overwhelmed her.

She hated her own stupidity, her inability to grasp things.

But no matter how hard she tried, she could never be as brilliant as the Empress.

“Your Majesty,” Xiao Yueli gently patted her shoulder, her voice tender, “Poetry and verses are merely past times, not grand pursuits. Governing the nation and ensuring its stability—that is true greatness. Your Majesty need not dwell on such trivial matters.”

Tears welled in Xuan Jingchi’s eyes as she choked out, “Really? Empress, don’t comfort me. I know I’m a fool—I can’t write poetry, I can’t compose essays, and I’m not even good at ruling the country.”

“This consort believes Your Majesty has done well—kind-hearted, wise beyond measure, courageous and resourceful.”

“Really? Don’t lie to me just to make me feel better.”

A top student in the sciences, utterly defeated in the face of the humanities—Xuan Jingchi had never felt so inadequate in her life. Finally, tears spilled down her cheeks.

Suddenly, someone took a handkerchief and gently wiped her tears away, stroke by stroke, with the utmost tenderness. Xuan Jingchi watched as the Empress dried her tears, seeing in her eyes a look of deep affection and compassion.

It was an expression she had never seen before—clear and moving, like the sky after rain.

Xuan Jingchi stared wide-eyed, her tearful peach-blossom gaze frozen in shock.

What stunned her even more was when the Empress cupped her face, kissing her eyelids, her cheeks, and finally the corner of her lips. Closing her eyes, the Empress whispered, “Your Majesty, this consort admires you.”

In that instant, the dark clouds in Xuan Jingchi’s heart scattered, replaced by golden rays of sunlight.

She couldn’t help but smile. “R-really?”

The Empress, always dignified, reserved, and shy, had actually spoken the word “admire.” Xuan Jingchi could hardly believe it—she was overjoyed.

“It’s true,” the Empress kissed her again, her soft, sweet lips sending tremors through Xuan Jingchi’s heart. “Jingchi, I adore you.”

Unable to contain her emotions any longer, Xuan Jingchi wrapped her arms around Xiao Yueli’s neck and kissed her fiercely.

Their lips and tongues entwined, their breaths mingling—in the quiet, secluded chamber, an intoxicating intimacy bloomed, leaving them both flushed with shy delight.

Nuanxiang and Chenxiang approached one after the other, carrying tea and peeled pomegranates. The palace doors were slightly ajar, and just as Nuanxiang was about to push them open, she caught sight of the two locked in an intimate embrace, sharing a passionate kiss.

Startled, her face flushed crimson as she hastily retreated, nearly bumping into Chenxiang behind her.

Chenxiang asked in confusion, “What’s wrong?”

Nuanxiang, realizing she had witnessed something she shouldn’t have, felt her heart pounding uncontrollably. Her voice trembled as she stammered, “H-her Majesty… she’s asleep. We shouldn’t disturb her.”

Chenxiang nodded. “Then we’ll bring these later.”

Hearing their voices outside the hall, Xiao Yueli snapped out of her daze, her face turning scarlet as she hurriedly pulled away from Xuan Jingchi.

She knew all too well—Nuanxiang must have seen everything.

Yet Xuan Jingchi merely chuckled. “Why is the Empress so flustered? It’s Nuanxiang who should be embarrassed.”

She took Xiao Yueli’s hand, holding it reassuringly. “You are my lawfully wedded Empress. We are rightful partners—what is there to be nervous about?”

Then, raising her voice, she called out, “Nuanxiang, Chenxiang, come in.”

Hearing this, Chenxiang, holding the bowl of pomegranates, turned back and said, “Her Majesty is awake. Let’s go in.” Noticing Nuanxiang frozen in place with a strange expression, she urged, “Nuanxiang, what are you dawdling for? Her Majesty is calling us.”

Steeling herself, Nuanxiang entered the hall with the tea, serving with even greater caution, hardly daring to breathe.

Seeing her as if fearing execution, Xuan Jingchi suppressed a laugh, maintaining her composure as she sipped her tea. Noticing the pomegranate seeds—each vibrant and translucent like rubies—she pushed the bowl toward the Empress. “My Empress, these pomegranates are lovely. Have more—they’re good for beauty and health.”

Chenxiang smiled. “Your Majesty treats Her Highness so well, always thinking of her. I’ll peel another bowl for you later.”

More straightforward than Nuanxiang, and having served the Emperor long enough to understand her temperament, Chenxiang knew that lighthearted remarks like these wouldn’t offend but instead amuse her.

Seeing Xuan Jingchi always prioritize the Empress, she couldn’t help but comment.

Though the words were perfectly ordinary, Xiao Yueli’s cheeks tinged pink. Xuan Jingchi grinned. “Of course. The Empress is my wife, the closest person to me in this world. Who else should I treat well if not her?”

Chenxiang giggled. “Your Majesty speaks truly.”

Nuanxiang had remained silent, head bowed, but upon hearing the Emperor’s words, she understood—they were meant for her, openly acknowledging her relationship with the Empress without any intention of reprimand.

Stealing a glance at the Empress, she saw Xiao Yueli simply looking at her, saying nothing.

Realizing she had been spared, Nuanxiang felt as if she had narrowly escaped disaster. Bowing deeply, she said, “The harmony and love between Your Majesties are a blessing to the empire. This servant rejoices for you both and will serve with utmost devotion from now on.”