Empress, Can I? [Transmigration + GL] - Chapter 59

After court adjourned that day, Xuan Jingchi didn’t review memorials but instead summoned Xuan Jingning for an audience.

The sisters reunited with great warmth. Xuan Jingchi was fond of this sister and affectionately asked, “Sister, how have you been lately? Has sister-in-law been bullying you?”

Though Xuan Jingning had once been a marshal leading troops into battle, commanding thousands of soldiers, she blushed easily. “Everything’s fine. Wei treats me very well.”

Xuan Jingchi smiled slightly before getting to the point. “The Zhao State repeatedly violates our borders, burning and looting, demanding 300,000 taels of silver and 100,000 bolts of silk from Great Qing to cease. What do you think, sister?”

Xuan Jingning, being upright and disliking roundabout talk, replied solemnly, “Great Qing’s national prestige cannot be violated. If we compromise this time, other border states will follow suit. Should we then keep paying tribute to appease them?”

She suddenly knelt and said, “This subject is willing to lead troops to expel these petty troublemakers and uphold Great Qing’s dignity.”

Xuan Jingchi quickly rose to help her sister up, smiling. “Sister, your dedication to Great Qing is unwavering. I wronged you before, and now I must trouble you again.”

The previous night, when discussing who to send to quell the border disturbances with Xiao Yueli, the Empress had said, “Why does Your Majesty worry? Isn’t there someone perfectly suited right beside you?”

Xuan Jingchi blinked. “Empress, do you mean my sister, Xuan Jingning?”

“The Grand Princess was once the Grand Marshal of the World’s Armed Forces, battle-hardened. Driving off these petty troublemakers would be effortless. This Zhao State border harassment also presents an opportunity for Your Majesty.”

Xuan Jingchi paused, then suddenly delighted, said, “The Empress means I can now restore the Grand Princess’s military power, letting her command the forces in Chi Zhou and Ning Zhou of the southern border. Once she controls these two regions’ troops—”

Xiao Yueli’s eyes showed admiration—the Emperor was truly brilliant.

Xuan Jingchi smiled, then remembered another matter. “But who should I send to aid Ji against Mo Duo?”

“This person should understand the She Country’s northern border military strategies—their strengths, weaknesses, each general’s style, and their people’s beliefs.”

Xiao Yueli glanced at her. “Your Majesty’s foresight surpasses mine.”

Blushing, Xuan Jingchi said, “Don’t praise me—I’m embarrassed. I’m just speaking randomly. Isn’t there a saying: ‘Know yourself and know your enemy, and you’ll never be defeated’? The more we understand our enemy, the greater our chances of victory.”

Xiao Yueli smiled and said, “Your Majesty, if you’re troubled by the lack of suitable candidates, why not consult the Grand Princess? As the former Grand Marshal of the Army, she has many former subordinates in the military and must be well-acquainted with her past generals.”

Xuan Jingchi clapped her hands in realization. “When it comes to flawless strategies, the Empress is far superior to me.”

Turning to her sister, Xuan Jingchi asked, “Sister, I plan to send troops to aid Jiye. Who do you think would be suitable for this task?”

After explaining her concerns and thoughts, Xuan Jingning pondered for a long while before replying, “In the northern border camp, there’s Song Yu—a loyal and adaptable man who can shoulder this responsibility.”

Xuan Jingchi nodded. “Good, it shall be Song Yu then.”

In the six months since Xuan Jingchi formally assumed the throne, she had been diligent in governance, handling all court affairs—big or small—with meticulous order.

Not only did Xuan Jingning view her with newfound respect, but even Shangguan Wei often remarked with a smile, “Your younger sister is truly the one who hides her talents well—adept in both civil and military arts. Far from the spoiled, unruly, and ignorant princess you once described to me.”

Xuan Jingning laughed, feeling deeply gratified. “Perhaps after marriage, with the Empress by her side, she’s naturally picked up some wisdom.”

Shangguan Wei shook her head, thinking to herself that Xuan Jingchi was likely far more profound than her sister imagined, with vision and strategy unmatched by any of their royal kin. But she swallowed these words before speaking them aloud.

Regardless, Xuan Jingning now smiled more often, and her imperial sister treated her well—even risking her life to protect her. As long as she was good to Xuan Jingning, nothing else mattered.

“Sister, there’s one more thing I’d like to ask you.”

Seeing her earnest and inquisitive expression, Xuan Jingning couldn’t help but smile. “Ask whatever you wish.”

“I’d like to hear about your past battles against the tribes of She Country in the northern border. Were they formidable? Why were they so strong?”

“Cavalry,” Xuan Jingning replied. “Their armies were entirely cavalry. A few charges could scatter our infantry formations. Moreover, She Country’s soldiers excel in mounted archery—swift and agile…”

As Xuan Jingchi listened, her expression grew increasingly grave. She suddenly recalled how Genghis Khan had swept across much of Eurasia, crushing European knights with their unstoppable iron cavalry. Faced with such a brutal and powerful enemy, what could she do?

In the summer of the 377th year of the Daqing Dynasty, Emperor Xuan Jingchi appointed Xuan Jingning as the General of the Expeditionary Force, mobilizing troops from Chizhou and Ningzhou—totaling thirty thousand soldiers—to expel the Zhao Kingdom’s army. She also appointed Song Yu as the Valiant Cavalry General, leading ten thousand troops to the northern border to reinforce Jiye.