Empress, Can I? [Transmigration + GL] - Chapter 48

In the blink of an eye, the annual autumn hunt arrived.

The founding emperor of Daqing had come from humble origins. After ascending the throne, he admonished his descendants never to neglect martial training—both civil governance and military prowess were essential.

Thus, many in the Daqing royal family excelled in mounted archery. This was also why no one found it strange when they heard the “useless emperor” was learning mounted archery and practicing martial arts.

In their eyes, the notoriously flirtatious emperor must find martial arts more interesting than studying. After all, she had at least a few handsome guards around to look at and tease.

On the day of the royal hunt, aside from the imperial family, many young nobles were also invited to participate.

It was considered an extremely grand occasion.

Xuan Jingchi changed into a sleek and dashing red hunting outfit, completely transforming her usual image of a bewitching femme fatale. With her hair tied high, her skin fairer than snow, and a resolute, upturned nose, she appeared tall, poised, and full of heroic vigor.

However, Xuan Jingchi was naturally endowed with a pair of alluring peach-blossom eyes, shimmering like a pool of spring water—delicate, captivating, and seemingly intoxicated. With just a casual glance, she could unknowingly ensnare hearts and stir imaginations.

Xiao Yueli recalled how, in her past life, Xuan Jingchi had been particularly fond of handsome young men. Even though she knew the current Xuan Jingchi was not that same person, seeing her now—both gallant and delicate—she feared she would inevitably captivate the hearts of the young men and women at the hunt.

While fastening the jade clasp at her waist, Xiao Yueli naturally remarked, “The mountains and forests are treacherous, Your Majesty. Be careful and watch your step.”

Xuan Jingchi replied, “Mm, I’ll be careful.” Then, without warning, she leaned down and planted a light kiss on Xiao Yueli’s cheek.

Since moving into Chenyuan Palace, Xiao Yueli had grown accustomed to this shameless woman stealing kisses from time to time—so much so that even Nuanxiang and Xiao Rong were no longer fazed by it. At first, the two maids would blush and avert their eyes, but after seeing it so often, they no longer batted an eyelid.

Only Xiao Yueli remained tender-faced and shy. Each time she was sneakily kissed, she couldn’t help but glare at Xuan Jingchi and coldly snap, “Don’t look at men!”

Xuan Jingchi laughed heartily. “I won’t, I won’t. What’s so interesting about men anyway?” With that, she dashed out like a gust of wind.

As she watched her stride out of the hall, Xiao Yueli suddenly realized something and added, “And don’t look at women either!”

Xuan Jingchi’s laughter echoed from behind her. “I won’t, I won’t. In this emperor’s eyes, there’s only the Empress.”

Xiao Rong and Nuanxiang stifled giggles. The Empress truly had it tough—not only did she have to guard against men approaching the emperor, but she also had to fend off women trying to seduce her.

Under the crisp autumn sky, in the royal hunting grounds, Xuan Jingchi, clad in red with her long hair fluttering in the wind, rode atop a white horse in pursuit of prey—a deer.

The white steed galloped like lightning as she drew her bow and loosed an arrow. The deer fell instantly, and a guard promptly ran over to retrieve it, shouting, “The Emperor has taken down a deer!”

Every time someone hit their mark, the guards would loudly announce their spoils.

Xuan Jingchi’s performance was quite impressive—three rabbits, one deer, and two pheasants.

Not far from her was Xuan Jingning.

Meanwhile, Xuan Jingming and Xuan Jingmou were in a distant part of the field, circling a groundhog as they took aim.

After several chaotic rounds, the two still managed to let the groundhog escape.

Many young noblemen were also galloping across the hunting grounds. For most of them, this was their first time seeing Emperor Xuan Jingchi in person.

Long ago, they had heard of Xuan Jingchi’s reputation—willful, domineering, reckless, an uneducated yet stunningly beautiful fool.

Recently, however, they had learned of how Xuan Jingchi solved the riddle posed by the envoy from Mo Country at Yulong Pavilion, followed by tales of divine favor and her being the “Chosen One.” Their curiosity about this clever yet foolish emperor had grown immensely.

At that moment, the sight of the Empress on the white horse, her figure unrestrained and gallant, her demeanor elegant and graceful, truly radiant and peerless in beauty, couldn’t help but stir admiration in their hearts.

Seeing her exceptional archery skills, with every arrow hitting its mark, their admiration only grew deeper.

The young men and women secretly hoped to catch the attention of this young and beautiful Empress, to be regarded with her special favor.

However, they soon realized that though the Empress shone as brightly as the sun, she was also exceedingly proud, hardly sparing a glance at anyone.

Xuan Jingchi loosed another arrow, and a plump rabbit fell to the ground with a thud.

Behind her, Xuan Jingning laughed, “Your Majesty’s archery is extraordinary. Today has been an eye-opener.”

Xuan Jingchi turned her head and said, “Sister, you’ve shot just as many as I have. Why the flattery today?”

Clad in red, her robes fluttering like flames, she was the most striking sight amidst the slightly desolate green hues of the autumn mountains.

Suddenly, a whistle sounded from the dense forest in the distance, and the figure who made it vanished from sight. A deer, its entire body fiery red, darted out from the trees.

Someone exclaimed, “Look! It’s Huofeng!”

“Huofeng! Huofeng is still alive?!”

“It’s been ten years already.”

Legend had it that it was the most agile deer in the world, and no one could ever catch it!

From afar, Xuan Jingchi caught a glimpse of the deer, its body shimmering like flames, breathtakingly beautiful. The sight stirred her hunting instincts.

She had no intention of killing the deer—only to wound it slightly, so she could present it to Xiao Yueli like a valiant knight.

Without hesitation, she spurred her horse forward in pursuit.

Xuan Jingning followed closely behind, urging her chestnut steed into a gallop with a firm kick. Both their horses were exceptional steeds, and now, as they raced across the land—one white, one red—they streaked like lightning, quickly leaving the guards far behind.

Xuan Jingchi loosed an arrow, aiming only to wound the rare red deer’s leg, not to kill it.

But the deer seemed almost preternaturally aware. Before the arrow could reach it, it darted away, and the arrow struck the ground instead.

Unwilling to give up, Xuan Jingchi nocked another arrow and continued the chase.

Xuan Jingning, however, noticed that the path was flanked by dense woods, the silence carrying an ominous undercurrent—perfect for an ambush.

With just the two of them here, caution was paramount. She called out, “Your Majesty, let’s turn back. If we can’t catch the deer, so be it. We can return with more people—”

Before she could finish, the air was suddenly filled with the whistling of projectiles.

Xuan Jingning immediately tensed. “Your Majesty, be careful!”

Xuan Jingchi turned and saw arrows raining down from all directions. Realization struck—someone had lured her here today with the intent to kill!

She drew the long sword hanging from her saddle, its blade dancing like the wind, swiftly knocking down the arrows flying toward her.

At that moment, a black-clad figure burst from the dense forest, thrusting his sword with deadly precision—each strike aimed straight for Xuan Jingchi’s vital points!

In the past, Xuan Jingchi would have fallen in a single move, becoming a victim of the blade. But now, with spiritual power coursing through her, even the simplest techniques carried astonishing force, swift as a ghost.

The attacker had expected an instant kill, but never imagined Xuan Jingchi would possess such skill. Shock flashed across his face!

The two exchanged over a dozen blows in an instant when Xuan Jingning galloped over, her sword lunging straight for the man’s back.

Now caught between two foes, the man was quickly overpowered. Just then, the sound of approaching hoofbeats grew louder.

Xuan Jingning shouted, “Guards! Protect Her Majesty at once!”

The black-clad figure, his face concealed except for his eyes, hesitated briefly at the cry. With a flick of his sleeve, a short arrow shot toward Xuan Jingchi’s face.

Xuan Jingning paled in horror. “Little sister!” But it was too late to intervene.

Seeing the arrow coming, Xuan Jingchi jerked her head aside just in time. The arrow grazed her cheek, leaving a streak of blood on her fair skin.

The assassin, realizing his attack had failed, barely had time to react before Xuan Jingning’s sword thrust toward his throat. Cold sweat broke out on his brow as he hastily parried. At the same time, his sleeves flicked again, releasing a volley of arrows at both women.

Recognizing Xuan Jingning as the more seasoned fighter, he knew escape required dealing with her first.

Most of the arrows flew straight at her.

Seizing the moment, the assassin pushed off the ground and swiftly retreated.

Xuan Jingning swung her sword to deflect the arrows, but they were too fast and too close. One still slipped through.

Just as it was about to pierce her heart, she heard a cry—“Sister!”—before a flash of red knocked her off her horse.

By then, the guards had arrived, their faces ashen at the sight before them. “Your Majesty! Your Majesty!!” they gasped in horror.

Xuan Jingning scrambled to her feet and froze, her entire body turning ice-cold at the sight on the horse.

Xuan Jingchi lay slumped over the saddle, a gleaming arrow embedded deep in her slender back, its shaft buried in her fragile frame!

Xiao Yueli was reading in her chamber as Xiao Fu served her a cup of steaming tea. Amid the curling white mist, she tilted her head slightly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, revealing her exquisitely beautiful features.

Beneath her serene brows, her eyes shimmered with quiet grace.

“Chenxiang, have the kitchen prepare a bowl of emerald meatball soup for dinner. Her Majesty has been hunting all day—something light and nourishing would be best.”

Chenxiang smiled and replied, “As you wish,” before stepping out.

But before she could leave the courtyard, she ran into Xuan Jingning charging in, her shoulders drenched in blood, carrying a figure clad in red—none other than Her Majesty.

Chenxiang’s face drained of color. “Your Majesty! Your Majesty!!” she shrieked in terror.

Hearing Chenxiang’s panicked cries, Xiao Yueli shot to her feet. Xuan Jingning stormed into the hall like a whirlwind. “Empress, Her Majesty—she…”

Xiao Yueli’s gaze fell upon the crimson figure slumped over Xuan Jingning’s back, and her expression abruptly changed. The book in her hand dropped to the ground with a sharp clatter.