Empress, Can I? [Transmigration + GL] - Chapter 54

Xuan Jingchi managed to hold on during the court session.

But after the session ended and she had lunch, while reviewing memorials with Meng Wan, she finally couldn’t keep it up anymore. She sat there yawning repeatedly, rubbing her head now and then.

“Your Majesty, if you’re tired, perhaps you should return to the palace to rest,” Meng Wan suggested, setting down her brush.

Xuan Jingchi replied, “I’m not tired. Let’s continue.”

She had only been reading for a short while when the densely packed, unpunctuated characters became increasingly incomprehensible, like celestial script. Her vision spun, and the world seemed to tilt.

Finally, she managed to say, “Wake me in half an hour,” before collapsing onto the desk and falling asleep.

Meng Wan and Chenxiang, who was standing by in the hall, exchanged glances. Neither had any intention of disturbing the Emperor’s rest. Meng Wan silently buried herself in organizing the documents.

After a while, Chenxiang reminded her, “Minister Meng, half an hour has passed. Should we wake Her Majesty?”

Meng Wan glanced at the Emperor, still asleep on the desk, and shook her head. “No need. Let Her Majesty sleep.”

With that, she began sorting the memorials: those requiring simple approval were placed on one side, while those that appeared straightforward but involved complex implications needing deeper discussion were set aside separately.

By the time she finished, palace maids had come in to light the candles—night had fallen.

She looked up to see the Emperor still asleep and hesitated over whether to wake her.

Just then, the announcement came from the doorway: “Her Majesty the Empress has arrived.”

The Hall of Mental Cultivation was the administrative hall for handling state affairs, where the inner court was forbidden to interfere, let alone enter. But Xuan Jingchi, relying on her predecessor’s reputation as a tyrannical and indulgent ruler, flouted ancestral rules and specifically granted the Empress free access. For this, Cheng Xianzhi had recorded a note: “The Emperor dotes excessively on the Empress, often frolicking with her in the administrative hall.”

Xuan Jingchi had been so furious she summoned Cheng Xianzhi. “Isn’t the word ‘frolicking’ rather inappropriate and far from the truth?”

Cheng Xianzhi lifted his chin. “I passed by the Hall of Mental Cultivation and personally heard laughter inside. I speak no falsehood.”

Xuan Jingchi was livid. That time, she had merely taken a short break, exchanging a few lighthearted words with Meng Wan and Chenxiang, only for Cheng Xianzhi’s sharp ears to catch it—and pin it on the Empress.

From then on, Xuan Jingchi ordered guards stationed outside the hall. Whenever Cheng Xianzhi appeared, he was kept at a distance under the pretext that the Emperor must not be disturbed while reviewing memorials.

Now, Meng Wan rose to greet the Empress, but the latter signaled her to stay with a glance.

The Empress’s eyes immediately fell on Xuan Jingchi, dozing at the desk. She turned and softly asked Meng Wan, “Are there any urgent matters to attend to today?”

Meng Wan bowed. “Your Majesty, there are no pressing matters requiring the Emperor’s immediate decision today. I have sorted them: major affairs are in this pile, routine reports here, and those awaiting the Emperor’s approval and implementation are in this stack.”

Xiao Yueli gave an approving look and nodded, saying, “I’ve heard Her Majesty praise Wan’er for her intelligence and discretion. It seems the praise was well-deserved. It’s getting late, Minister Meng, please return home early.”

Meng Wan bowed and withdrew with a respectful gesture.

Xiao Yueli walked over and gently patted Xuan Jingchi’s shoulder. “Your Majesty, Your Majesty, wake up. It’s time to return to the palace to rest.”

Xuan Jingchi startled awake, slowly opening her eyes. Seeing Xiao Yueli, she froze for a moment before sitting up. For an instant, she thought she was in the side hall of Chenyuan Palace, but a quick glance around confirmed she was still in the Hall of Mental Cultivation—her office.

Noticing the lit candles in the hall, Xuan Jingchi suddenly realized something and exclaimed anxiously, “Oh no, oh no! How did I sleep until now?”

She turned to Chenxiang beside her and said, “Didn’t I tell you to wake me in half an hour?” She immediately began lamenting, “I haven’t even finished reviewing the memorials yet.”

Chenxiang lowered her head, not daring to respond.

Xiao Yueli advised gently, “Your Majesty’s health is paramount. Chenxiang was merely fulfilling her duty. It’s late now—please return to the palace and rest early.”

Xiao Yueli’s tone was tender. She herself had only risen at dawn today, recalling how both of them had stayed up late the previous night. Xuan Jingchi had left for the morning court session at daybreak, meaning she’d had almost no rest.

Thus, as soon as night fell, Xiao Yueli had come to the Hall of Mental Cultivation to urge Xuan Jingchi to return early.

“You can review the memorials tomorrow. Your Majesty can come earlier to handle them then.”

Xuan Jingchi stood up and instructed the palace attendants, “Bring the memorials to Chenyuan Palace. I’ll look at them after dinner.”

Xiao Yueli shook her head with a smile. “Your Majesty is truly diligent in governance.”

“Really?” Xuan Jingchi grinned at the praise, then suddenly remembered something and her expression changed. “Oh no, this is bad!”

“What’s wrong?” Xiao Yueli tensed as well.

“I dozed off while reviewing memorials—I don’t know if Cheng Xianzhi saw me! If he did, he’ll surely make another record of it. He might even accuse me of being negligent and indifferent to state affairs.”

“Did any of you see Cheng Xianzhi today?”

A palace attendant replied, “Your Majesty, Lord Cheng did not appear today.”

Xuan Jingchi relaxed.

Xiao Yueli chuckled softly. “Is Your Majesty somewhat wary of Lord Cheng?”

“It’s not that I fear him—I fear his reckless writings and fabrications. I don’t care for myself, but I worry the Empress might be upset.”

Xiao Yueli smiled. “If it’s baseless writing, why would I be upset? Your Majesty need not worry. The Hall of Mental Cultivation is a place of military and political importance. Lord Cheng cannot enter without summons.”

“Haha, I’d never summon him!” Xuan Jingchi was completely reassured. Taking Xiao Yueli’s hand, she said, “Let’s go back for dinner.”

The two walked down the long palace corridor.

“What’s for dinner tonight? Please don’t tell me there’s more Chinese toon shoots, meatballs, or bitter melon…”

“No. But if Your Majesty wishes to eat them, I can have the kitchen prepare some.”

“No, no, no! Once was enough. I’m terrified of them—they made my stomach cramp.”

Xiao Yueli’s unrestrained laughter echoed through the halls.

The cold, solemn palace atmosphere lightened with their soft murmurs and laughter.

Dinner was sumptuous, featuring chicken, duck, fish, and meat. Xuan Jingchi ate heartily and, once satisfied, retired to the side hall to review memorials.

By the hour of Hai (9–11 PM), Xiao Yueli went to check on her and found her still hunched over the desk, writing. “Your Majesty, it’s time to rest. There’s still the morning court tomorrow.”

Xuan Jingchi nodded, finished reading the memorial in her hand, closed it, and stood up.

She suddenly remembered something and said, “Empress, there’s something I need to tell you. Please don’t be angry.”

Xiao Yueli had been casually selecting books from the shelf when she paused at these words. “What is it?”

“It’s not really a big deal, but I’ve never encountered this before. I’d like your opinion—what should we do with those two beauties? There are currently two beauties in the palace. Their backgrounds are pitiable; one of them is similar to Meng Wan but even worse off, having been exiled.”

“I can’t just ignore them, but keeping them in the palace indefinitely isn’t a solution either.”

Only then did Xiao Yueli calmly pick out a book and smile. “Your Majesty, these are your beauties. Isn’t it inappropriate for you to ask your consort how to handle them?”

“Why would it be inappropriate?” She walked over and embraced Xiao Yueli from behind. “Stop being evasive. You always say you want to share my burdens—well, now’s your chance.”

With that, she blew gently on Xiao Yueli’s neck, tickling her and making her shiver, her body instinctively leaning away.

“Tell me, hurry up. If you don’t, I’ll bite.”

“Don’t, don’t! If Your Majesty is truly troubled, you could assign them to the Imperial Costume Bureau.”

“Better not keep them in the palace. What if I run into them one day and come back to find you’ve prepared a dish of toon shoots for me again?”

Xiao Yueli pressed her lips together in a smile. “Are you really that afraid?”

“What do you think? The only person who can bully me like this and get away with it is you.”

“Your consort wouldn’t dare,” Xiao Yueli replied, suppressing a laugh.

Xuan Jingchi braced her hands against the bookshelf, trapping Xiao Yueli in her embrace with no escape. Raising an eyebrow, she teased, “Is there anything in this world you wouldn’t dare to do?”

With that, she leaned in and captured Xiao Yueli’s delicate red lips in a kiss.

Their lips lingered in a tender embrace.

Growing restless, Xuan Jingchi murmured, “Let’s retire early for the night.”

Xiao Yueli smoothed her slightly disheveled hair. “What about your two beauties?”

“Forget them, forget them. I need to take care of myself first,” Xuan Jingchi said with a laugh before suddenly scooping Xiao Yueli up in her arms. “Let’s bathe together—it’ll save time.”

At the mention of bathing together, Xiao Yueli’s cheeks flushed crimson with embarrassment. “No, that’s improper! Put me down at once!”

“Why not? What’s improper about it? In public bathhouses, lots of people squeeze in together to wash.”

Xiao Yueli was left speechless by her retort and tried to break free, but the shameless Xuan Jingchi, ever since receiving divine spiritual power, had become impossibly strong.

No matter how much she struggled, Xuan Jingchi held her firmly and securely. In the end, she had no choice but to give in, her face flushed as she allowed Xuan Jingchi to carry her into the bathing pool.