Empress, Can I? [Transmigration + GL] - Chapter 5

In Fengyi Palace, Empress Xiao Yueli sat at her desk reading when she overheard the maids Xiaofu and Xiaorong whispering in the courtyard.

“Have you heard? The other day, Eunuch Liu was slapped. His lips swelled up like sausages—giggle.”

“Wasn’t Eunuch Liu the emperor’s favorite? Why would the emperor strike him? What did he do wrong?”

“Apparently, he eagerly presented a handsome young man to the emperor, hoping to win favor. Instead, he ended up angering her.”

Lowering her voice, Xiaofu added, “Do you know what the emperor said?”

Xiaorong asked, “What did she say?”

“The emperor said, ‘The only one who can win my favor is the Empress.'”

“Really?! Did the emperor truly say that? Has she really changed her ways? Does she actually like our mistress now?”

“Our mistress is so beautiful. Why wouldn’t the emperor like her?”

The two girls giggled softly, unaware that every word they spoke had reached Xiao Yueli’s ears.

“The Emperor has undergone a complete change in temperament!”

“Indeed! I heard that yesterday, the Emperor actually pardoned the crimes of those attendants! In the past, countless lives would have been lost before she’d be satisfied.”

Xiao Fu suddenly smiled mysteriously. “Sister, I heard from Sister Chenxiang that the Emperor wants to reward you for saving her life. What do you think she’ll give you?”

Hearing this, the confusion in Xiao Yueli’s eyes deepened.

She distinctly remembered running that woman through with her sword.

Watching the woman who had ruined her life and destroyed the Daqing dynasty take her last breath before her.

Why had she now returned to seven years ago, to the beginning of her nightmare?

—The day she married Xuan Jingchi.

On the third day after their grand wedding, this tyrant had stormed into her chambers again, just like in her previous life, trying to strangle her!

Memories of Xuan Jingchi flashed through her mind like lightning—the events of her past life.

An imperial decree had forced her to become Empress.

After marriage, she had never received a kind look from her.

Public humiliation was frequent, even tearing her clothes in front of others.

A single word in response would earn her either a slap or a vicious threat to be sent away as a courtesan.

This person had never treated her as a wife.

Xiao Yueli’s face turned deathly pale.

Would she have to endure this devil’s torment for another seven years?

“Her Majesty has arrived!”

The announcement came loudly from the eunuch guarding the door outside.

It was her! What was she doing here?

Xiao Yueli’s heart pounded with apprehension.

In her memory, Xuan Jingchi spent her days indulging with male favorites in the Chenyuan Palace, rarely visiting Fengyi Palace. Each visit had been either to berate her or mock her with cold words.

As Empress, protocol demanded she greet the Emperor.

Should she go?

Xiao Yueli considered, then remained still.

If what awaited her was another seven years of darkness, she might as well provoke the Emperor’s wrath now and have her killed immediately.

Xuan Jingchi spoke kindly to the maids kneeling in the courtyard, “All of you, rise.”

Her gaze fell on Xiao Rong, whom she vaguely recognized as the maid who had saved her. Smiling, she said, “It was you who saved me, wasn’t it? I must thank you. Your selfless, life-saving courage deserves commendation.”

As she spoke, a eunuch stepped forward with an ornate box and opened its lid.

It was a pair of exceptionally fine jade bracelets.

At a glance, their immense value was evident—such a precious treasure was beyond the means of even the wealthiest families.

Xiao Rong hastily knelt. “This servant dares not accept them.”

Xuan Jingchi smiled. “If I bestow them upon you, then you shall take them. If you refuse, are you saying my life is worth less than this pair of bracelets?”

“No! That’s not what I meant! Please forgive this servant, Your Majesty!” Xiao Rong paled in fright.

Seeing the young girl trembling in fear, Xuan Jingchi chuckled. “Accept my gratitude, and I shall not punish you.”

With that, she turned her gaze toward the room. A beaded curtain hung at the entrance, obstructing her view of the interior.

Xuan Jingchi asked, “Is the Empress inside?”

Xiao Fu replied, “Her Majesty is reading inside.”

Reading?

Xuan Jingchi smiled inwardly. This hobby is the same as mine—at least we have one thing in common.

She stepped forward toward the room.

Xiao Fu quickly lifted the curtain to invite the Emperor inside.

As the footsteps drew nearer, Xiao Yueli’s heart pounded harder, her grip on the book tightening.

She stared nervously at the doorway.

Finally, the dazzling, alluring, and imperious figure appeared before her.

She hated and feared this person.

She could not bring herself to greet her with calm composure.

Had she not endured the torment of her past life, perhaps she might have tried to meet her gaze.

Once, she had thought that since they were both women, they could not be husband and wife—but at least they could be friends.

Yet in this life, she could never befriend this demon.

Xiao Fu noticed that her mistress not only failed to go out to greet the Emperor but now, even with the Emperor standing before her, she refused to rise or acknowledge her presence.

Standing behind the Emperor, Xiao Fu frantically signaled to her mistress with her eyes, but the Empress would not lift her head—nor spare the Emperor a single glance.

Xiao Fu flushed with anxiety but could only sigh inwardly.

May the gods protect us. I pray the Emperor does not take offense.

Xuan Jingchi, however, found nothing amiss in the Empress’s behavior. It was only natural for her to be cold toward her—she was fortunate not to be cursed and driven out.

After all, just days ago, she had nearly killed her.

To dispel the awkwardness, she approached and asked, “What book is the Empress reading?”

Xiao Yueli remained silent, continuing to read without any intention of responding.

Xiao Fu hurriedly answered, “Her Majesty enjoys poetry. This is a collection by Bai Letian.”

Xiao Yueli frowned and shot Xiao Fu a glare. “You talk too much!”

Xiao Fu immediately fell silent.

Bai Letian? Xuan Jingchi thought for a moment—Ah, Bai Juyi.

She said, “Bai Juyi’s poetry is excellent. ‘The river flowers at sunrise outshine fire, in spring the river waters turn green as blue.’ And that line—‘Half the river shimmers emerald, half the river glows crimson.’”

Xiao Yueli replied coldly, “This humble consort believes ‘Pity the man in thin clothes, who fears cheap charcoal and prays for colder days’ is the verse most worthy of Your Majesty’s attention.”

Just then, Xiao Rong entered with tea. Hearing the Empress’s words, her heart lurched, and she nearly spilled the tea in her panic.

Yet, to her surprise, the Emperor showed no anger and responded calmly, “The suffering of the common people is indeed something I should care about more. I wish for all under heaven to never endure the pangs of hunger and cold again. Since the Empress urges me to read it, I have already committed it to memory.”

With that, she began reciting, “The old charcoal seller, cutting wood and burning charcoal in the southern mountains…”

Xiao Yueli never expected that Xuan Jingchi could recite it word for word without missing a single character. Moreover, judging by her expression, she seemed genuinely moved.

Xiao Yueli scoffed inwardly. Xuan Jingchi had been a pampered princess since childhood, living in luxury, having everything she desired at her fingertips.

How could she possibly understand the hardships and struggles of ordinary common folk?

Absolutely ridiculous!

Little did she know that Xuan Jingchi was recalling her own experience of working part-time during winter break—standing pitifully on the street in bone-chilling winds and drizzling rain on an empty stomach, handing out flyers to passersby to earn some pocket money.

After earning the money, she would then treat herself to a hearty meal.

“Your Majesty, please have some tea.”

Xiao Rong reminded softly. Xuan Jingchi nodded, took a sip, and asked, “What kind of tea is this?”

Xiao Rong replied, “This is Lu’an Melon Seed tea. Her Majesty enjoys drinking it.”

Xuan Jingchi smiled, “It’s quite delicious indeed.”

With that, she took out a golden hollowed-out sphere from her sleeve and presented it respectfully to the Empress with both hands, saying, “I find this sachet’s design novel and exquisitely crafted. I’d like to gift it to the Empress.”

Xiao Yueli made no move to accept it and said indifferently, “I dare not accept undeserved rewards.”

Xuan Jingchi countered, “Xiao Rong saved my life. As your maid, this reflects your excellent guidance.”

Seeing that Xiao Yueli showed no intention of reaching for it, she turned and said, “Xiao Fu, keep this for the Empress.”

Xiao Fu glanced at the Empress. Noticing that she remained silent and showed no sign of gratitude, she quickly bowed to accept it and prepared to kowtow in thanks.

Xuan Jingchi couldn’t bear this formality and stopped her from kneeling with a hand. She then glanced at the Empress, who still paid her no attention whatsoever. Finding her own way to gracefully exit the situation, she said, “I have matters to attend to and shall take my leave now.” After a moment’s thought, she added, “I’ll visit the Empress another day.”