Empress, Can I? [Transmigration + GL] - Chapter 58

The two beauties were suddenly summoned by the emperor, their hearts filled with unease. They knelt and kowtowed, keeping their heads lowered.

“Raise your heads. You’ve been in the palace for almost three months now. I called you here today to ask about your plans.”

The two straightened up, lifting their heads but keeping their eyes downcast, not daring to look directly at the emperor.

They didn’t understand the emperor’s meaning, and neither of them spoke.

“There’s no need to be afraid. I’m asking what you wish to do. If you want to marry, I will arrange a match for you.”

“Your servant dares not!” The two turned pale with fright.

They knew they had been sent by Lord Li to serve the emperor. Now, the emperor was saying he would arrange marriages for them?

“Since you’ve entered the palace, from now on, it is I who decides your fate. Speak up—do you wish to marry? Leave the palace? Or have other plans? I can fulfill any of them.” Xuan Jingchi paused. “But one thing is certain—my harem will not gain a single additional member.”

This last statement effectively dashed any hopes they might have had of entering the emperor’s harem.

Seeing the two still hesitant and uncertain, Xuan Jingchi softened her expression and smiled. “I’m giving you the chance to choose. The decision is yours.”

“Let me say it again—if you have someone you love, I will grant your wish and provide a dowry.”

Finally, the two answered in unison, “Your Majesty, your servants have no one in mind.”

Xuan Jingchi sighed inwardly. Leaving the palace would mean freedom—why weren’t they choosing that? If I give them money, they could marry someone suitable later, and everything would be fine, wouldn’t it?

Then it occurred to her—they were women, and in this era where women relied on men, living alone outside would indeed bring unimaginable hardships.

No wonder they didn’t want to leave the palace.

Most likely, they still hoped to find someone to depend on.

Thinking this, Xuan Jingchi cleared her throat and said, “This opportunity comes only once. If you wish to marry, I will find you a reliable man to entrust your lives to. With my decree, you won’t be mistreated in your marital homes.”

At this, one of them kowtowed and said, “Your servant leaves it to Your Majesty’s discretion.”

Xuan Jingchi smiled slightly, thinking, So she’s willing. She turned to the other and asked, “What about you?”

The girl glanced at Meng Wan and kowtowed. “Your servant wishes to become a disciple of the Edict Secretary and study under her.”

This answer took Xuan Jingchi by surprise.

She smiled and asked Meng Wan, “Wan’er, someone wants to be your disciple. Will you accept her?”

Meng Wan hurriedly rose and bowed. “This humble official is of shallow learning and oversteps her bounds today, but she is willing to share Your Majesty’s burden.”

“Good, I’m glad you’re willing to take a disciple.” Xuan Jingchi turned to the young woman. “What is your name?”

“Your servant is Yao Xianhui.”

“Yao Xianhui, Meng Wan is erudite and exceptionally talented. Study well under her—I, too, am half her student.”

Meng Wan hastily said, “This official is ashamed and dares not claim to be the teacher of the Son of Heaven.”

Xuan Jingchi laughed. “Xianhui, your teacher is excellent in every way, except she’s a bit pedantic. Don’t learn that from her.”

Yao Xianhui couldn’t help but laugh. “Understood!”

“Very well, you may leave now.”

The two rose and withdrew, both wearing expressions of joy.

After finishing the memorials that day, Xuan Jingchi pondered for a while before summoning Wang Zhan.

“General Wang, if I recall correctly, you’re still unmarried, aren’t you?”

Wang Zhan, usually bold and straightforward, fearless and imposing, surprisingly became uncharacteristically bashful when the emperor asked this question. “This humble general grew up in poverty and never dared to dream of marriage.”

Xuan Jingchi smiled. “Now you’re the commander of the Imperial Guards. It’s time to consider taking a wife.”

“This…” Wang Zhan looked troubled, his dark face flushing red. “This general is a rough man who doesn’t know how to please women. I’ve never… thought about it.”

“If you haven’t thought about it, I’ll think for you.” Xuan Jingchi observed him—tall and handsome, though a bit dark-skinned and loud-voiced, but honest in character and upright in conduct. Marrying such a dependable man wouldn’t be too bad for any woman.

“How old are you this year?”

“Ah,” Wang Zhan hadn’t expected the emperor to ask this suddenly and replied somewhat awkwardly, “Your Majesty, this general is twenty-seven…”

“What? You’re only twenty-seven? You look thirty-seven!”

As soon as Xuan Jingchi said this, Chenxiang and the other palace maids standing nearby stifled their laughter.

“Alright, tomorrow, dress neatly and tidy yourself up properly. You’re going to meet someone.”

“I’m giving you a day off. Accompany them for meals, tea, storytelling, or opera—whatever you like. Remember to buy them gifts. If they don’t take a liking to you when you return, don’t bother continuing as commander of the Imperial Guards. Go reflect on your failures.”

Wang Zhan was startled: “Yes! This general obeys!” He turned to leave the hall but suddenly asked, “Your Majesty, who am I meeting tomorrow? Gifts? What should I buy? Please enlighten me.”

The palace maids giggled again.

Xuan Jingchi shot him an exasperated look.

Wang Zhan, now I understand why you’re still single.

“You’ll find out who it is when you go tomorrow.”

“As for gifts—hairpins, bracelets, rouge, scholar’s treasures, sweets, or trinkets—use your judgment. Pay attention to what they keep looking at, and buy that as a gift. Understood?”

Wang Zhan, relieved, replied cheerfully, “This general understands.”

That evening, Xuan Jingchi returned to the palace. After dinner and a bath, she sat on the bed in her nightgown reading—a military treatise.

The renowned Art of War by Sun Tzu.

After reading a section, Xuan Jingchi couldn’t help but marvel—though the text wasn’t lengthy, its content was profound and comprehensive, serving as a foundational textbook of its kind.

It covered how to assess weather conditions, the shifts between cold and heat, the four seasons; how to seize the initiative in battle; how to adopt strategies and tactics based on actual circumstances; how to observe terrain…

As for practical application, it would likely require repeated practice to truly grasp and wield with ease.

When Xiao Yueli emerged from her bath, she dismissed the palace attendants and, seeing Xuan Jingchi reading this book, couldn’t help but laugh. “Does Your Majesty wish to command troops in battle?”

Xuan Jingchi replied, “I’d like to, but I lack the skill for now. I can only study and observe first.”

Xiao Yueli said, “Your Majesty may not have that skill at present, but you certainly have a talent for matchmaking.”

Hearing this, Xuan Jingchi looked up, a smile playing at her lips. “You already know? It must be that Chenxiang—she tells you everything.”

Xiao Yueli sat before the mirror, slowly combing her hair. “This humble consort had no idea Your Majesty was so adept at pleasing women and even knew how to pick gifts.”

Detecting the implication in her words, Xuan Jingchi set the book aside and approached her. “What are you trying to say?”

With that, she took the comb from Xiao Yueli’s hand and gently began to comb her hair.

“What am I trying to say? I have nothing to say.”

For some reason, Xiao Yueli grew irritated and pushed her away, then climbed into bed alone, turning her back to face the wall.

“Yueli, why are you angry?”

Seeing her like this, Xuan Jingchi immediately set the comb down and sat beside the bed.

She nudged Xiao Yueli, coaxing her, “Don’t be angry, don’t ignore me.”

Xiao Yueli remained unmoved, closing her eyes and continuing to ignore her.

Xuan Jingchi wasn’t foolish—the Empress’s earlier remarks clearly implied she was skilled at pleasing women and selecting gifts.

If that was the case, the Empress must have let her imagination run wild again, succumbing to jealousy.

She couldn’t help but chuckle.

Hearing her laughter, Xiao Yueli immediately opened her eyes and scowled. “What are you laughing at?”

Seeing that she was finally willing to speak, Xuan Jingchi pounced on her, embracing her and trying to kiss her cheek.

But Xiao Yueli coldly pushed her away.

Xiao Yueli sat up abruptly, her expression stormy. “Tell me! In the place where you grew up, were there other women? How many?”

“No, no, don’t say such things! There weren’t any—I never even dated anyone.”

“Really?” Xiao Yueli looked skeptical.

“Really,” Xuan Jingchi insisted. “There were people who pursued me, but I never agreed to any of them.”

“Truly?” Xiao Yueli was still doubtful.

“It’s true. I didn’t like them, so why would I agree?” Xuan Jingchi grinned. “I only like Yueli.”

With that, she tried to embrace her again.

But Xiao Yueli shoved her away once more. Xuan Jingchi blinked at her with wide, innocent eyes. “Why won’t you let me hug you?”

Xiao Yueli gritted her teeth, glaring. “Xuan Jingchi, you’re lying to me!”

Xuan Jingchi was baffled. “How am I lying?”

“Your marriage—could you really refuse just like that? Would your parents have allowed you such freedom?”

Xuan Jingchi suddenly understood—in ancient times, marriages were arranged by parents and matchmakers. There was no such thing as romantic freedom.

She laughed and said, “Yueli, where I come from, there’s no such thing as parental arrangements. Who you’re with, who you marry—it’s all about freedom in love. Marriage is a personal decision. If I don’t agree, no matter how much my parents push, it won’t work. Even if they took it to court, they’d be the ones breaking the law.”

“What?!” Xiao Yueli was stunned. For a moment, she found it hard to imagine that one could decide their own marriage. It was simply unbelievable.

Yet, amid her shock, she also thought it sounded wonderful—so wonderful it was almost unimaginable.

How many people would long for such a day to come?

Xuan Jingchi said with a smile, “Let’s get some sleep. We have to wake up early tomorrow.”

With that, she leaned in for another hug and kiss.

Wait—Xiao Yueli once again mercilessly pushed her away.

“If you’ve never been with anyone before, how are you so good at making people happy? Taking them out to eat, drink tea, listen to stories, watch plays? Even picking out gifts for them?”

Xuan Jingchi continued to explain, “I really haven’t been with anyone before. Where I’m from, when a man and woman are dating or interested in each other, it’s completely normal for them to eat together, watch plays, listen to stories, and exchange gifts. It’s just how things are.”

“Just how things are?”

Xiao Yueli raised an eyebrow. “Is that really true?”

Xuan Jingchi nodded. “Absolutely, one hundred percent true. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be called dating. Think about it—if two people truly care for each other, naturally they’d want to spend more time together.”

Xiao Yueli quietly agreed. That made sense.

The part of the day she looked forward to most was when Jingchi returned, and they could share dinner together.

Late at night, in the quiet, she loved seeing her smile, listening to her soft whispers, and feeling her warm embrace.

They were partners, lovers, friends, and comrades—living together in intimacy and shared life.

“Dating is all about eating, drinking, having fun…” Xuan Jingchi trailed off, then suddenly grinned mischievously. “Ah, but we’re missing the most important part.”

Xiao Yueli instinctively asked, “What else is there?”

Instead of answering, Xuan Jingchi suddenly leaned in and kissed her.

Her kiss was tender yet passionate, their lips and tongues entwined with an inexhaustible fire.

Dizzy from the kiss, Xiao Yueli wrapped her arms around Jingchi’s neck. She no longer needed an answer—she already knew what that “most important part” was.

“Didn’t we just… do that last night?” Xiao Yueli blushed, her voice shy and adorably soft.

“But I still want you today…” Xuan Jingchi’s breath grew heated as she leaned in and pressed down.