Empress, Can I? [Transmigration + GL] - Chapter 60

“Teacher, please take a look.” Yao Xianhui respectfully presented a sheet filled with writing to the woman seated behind the desk.

Dressed in simple yet elegant green robes, her glossy black hair was tied up in a modest bun secured by a single jade hairpin as she bent over her writing. Hearing the voice, she set down her brush, straightened up, and accepted the examination paper.

As she lifted her head, it revealed her delicate and flawless fair complexion, along with a pair of bright eyes that sparkled like stars.

This gentle and beautiful woman was none other than the current emperor’s most favored official—the Edict Secretary Meng Wan.

After reviewing it, Meng Wan smiled at Yao Xianhui. “Well written. Xianhui has made significant progress.”

Upon hearing this, Yao Xianhui’s snow-white, delicate face blossomed into a smile, her lips curving upward as her beautiful eyes overflowed with light—like a pool of flowing stars.

Gazing into those eyes, Meng Wan suddenly recalled another pair of eyes—equally beautiful, lively, and shimmering with joy.

The difference was, the owner of those other eyes would, upon hearing her praise, softly approach, rest her head on Meng Wan’s lap, lift her lovely face, and gently ask with a smile, “Really?”

“Teacher, what are you thinking about?” Yao Xianhui waved a hand in front of Meng Wan’s eyes.

Snapping out of her reverie, Meng Wan’s face flushed faintly without her realizing. “Nothing, nothing.”

Yao Xianhui pressed her lips together in a knowing smile. “Teacher, who were you just thinking about? Do you have someone you fancy?”

Yao Xianhui was clever and vivacious, close in age to Meng Wan, and like her, came from a disgraced official’s family. Though nominally teacher and student, they were more like friends. Over time, as Meng Wan was gentle-natured, their conversations became increasingly casual.

“Nonsense! How could I have someone I fancy?” Meng Wan was both exasperated and amused, her blush deepening. “Stop imagining things. If you keep spouting nonsense, I’ll ask Her Majesty to arrange a marriage for you and have you married off.”

Yao Xianhui’s eyes crinkled into slits with laughter, but before she could respond, a clear voice rang out from outside: “Who is asking for my matchmaking services?”

Hearing this, Meng Wan hurriedly rose to greet the visitor at the door, while Yao Xianhui hastily knelt to welcome the imperial presence.

“No need to kneel. Rise, both of you.”

Xuan Jingchi helped Meng Wan up.

“I heard you were ill and came to check on you.” Xuan Jingchi walked over to the desk and glanced at the documents—all decrees and edicts, the ink still fresh on the paper. Turning back, she said, “If you’re sick, you should rest properly. These matters can wait until you’ve recovered.”

She looked at Yao Xianhui and asked, “So, how much have you learned from your teacher? Has she been strict with you?”

Yao Xianhui said, “No, the teacher has been very kind to me. I’ve only learned a bit of the basics and still have much to learn from her.”

Xuan Jingchi smiled and replied, “Hearing you say that puts my mind at ease.”

She couldn’t help but think of another beauty, recalling the gifts Wang Zhan had bought for her dear friend, and secretly chuckled to herself.

She truly admired Wang Zhan.

It turned out that on that day, Wang Zhan had been waiting outside the palace gates when he soon saw a young palace maid leading a maiden toward him. The maid bowed her head and said, “This is the person Her Majesty ordered Commander Wang to meet.”

At first glance, Wang Zhan was astonished by the maiden’s stunning beauty and overjoyed. Suddenly, the emperor’s words—”What if she doesn’t take a liking to you…”—flashed through his mind.

In a stroke of insight, he finally understood why the emperor had told him to clean up and take this maiden out for entertainment and opera.

His face flushed with delight, and he immediately became the picture of politeness and propriety, accompanying the maiden through the streets with a grin he couldn’t suppress.

Wang Zhan came from a family of brothers. In his youth, he had taken a liking to a girl from the neighboring village. But because his family was poor and his older brothers married first, there was no money left for his own wedding.

Later, when that girl married someone else, he enlisted in the army out of frustration. His bravery in battle earned him recognition from his superiors. When the Imperial Guards were recruiting, he was recommended and joined their ranks. Eventually, Xuan Jingning, impressed by his loyalty and leadership, recommended him to the late emperor, and he was promoted to deputy commander.

A few years ago, when the old commander passed away, he was promoted to commander.

Though fearless in battle, he was utterly flustered in front of young women, unsure of what to say.

In the end, it was the maiden who first asked for his name.

He strictly followed the emperor’s instructions—dining, tea, storytelling, and opera—without altering the order in the slightest.

The maiden, seeing his upright and honest character, his dignified appearance, and his attentive care toward her, secretly found him quite satisfactory.

At the time, the weather was scorching. Along the way, they passed a woman fanning herself as she walked, and the maiden couldn’t help but glance at the fan in her hand.

Noticing this, Wang Zhan immediately went to a roadside stall and bought her an identical fan.

The maiden didn’t react much at the time, but after returning to the palace, when Xuan Jingchi asked about the outing, she suddenly burst into tears, exclaiming in shame and indignation, “If Commander Wang had no interest in me, why did he toy with my feelings?”

Hearing this, Xuan Jingchi flew into a rage and stormed, “Summon that ungrateful fool Wang Zhan to me at once!”

She was furious. She had thought the maiden might not fancy Wang Zhan, but instead, it turned out Wang Zhan was the one who didn’t fancy her?

When Wang Zhan heard the emperor summoning him, he was overjoyed, happily making his way over, convinced that Her Majesty must have been thoroughly pleased with his performance that day—perhaps even intending to betroth Miss Qin to him!

Unbeknownst to him, Xuan Jingchi had transformed into a staunch advocate for feudal women’s rights. Glaring at Wang Zhan, she thundered, “Wang Zhan, do you think you’re some prince? Who gave you the audacity? Huh? If even Miss Qin doesn’t meet your standards, what kind of woman are you looking for? Have your eyes grown so high they’ve reached the heavens?”

For the first time, the palace maids witnessed Her Majesty the Emperor scolding someone. Truly, the Emperor was indeed the Emperor—she knew how to berate someone without using a single vulgar word.

In their hearts, they concluded that Her Majesty had scolded well, standing up for women across the land and giving them a voice.

However, Wang Zhan, both aggrieved and innocent, insisted that he had never looked down on Lady Qin. On the contrary, he actually admired her greatly—she was the most beautiful and gentle woman he had ever met.

This confession, forced out under questioning, made all the palace maids blush—except for Xuan Jingchi.

After questioning the two further, Xuan Jingchi realized the misunderstanding stemmed from the fan Wang Zhan had gifted.

In the Great Qing Dynasty, among young men and women, the word for “fan” sounded like “to part.” Thus, gifting a fan was a subtle way of expressing rejection.

One could only imagine how Lady Qin must have felt upon receiving such a gift.

Xuan Jingchi glared at Wang Zhan again. “Out of all the things you could have bought on the streets, why did you have to choose a fan?”

Having been scolded and realizing his mistake, Wang Zhan stammered nervously, “Your Majesty instructed this general to observe what Lady Qin was looking at and purchase it. This general noticed she kept staring at the fans, so… so…”

Xuan Jingchi rubbed her forehead and sighed, then turned to Lady Qin. “Lady Qin, you’ve seen for yourself. If you don’t mind Wang Zhan, keep the fan. If you’re unwilling, throw it away, and I’ll find you another suitable match.” At this moment, Meng Wan spoke softly, “A fan symbolizes dispersal. General Wang wishes to unite with you in matrimony, hoping for a flourishing family with many descendants.”

Xuan Jingchi glanced at Meng Wan and gave her a thumbs-up, thinking, Now that’s a cultured person—impressive!

Lady Qin, blushing, brought the fan back to her chest.

Seeing her reclaim the fan, Wang Zhan was overjoyed and bowed deeply. “Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you, Minister Meng!”

Xuan Jingchi chuckled. “You should thank your future wife first—she didn’t reject you.”

Wang Zhan obeyed and bowed again. “Thank you, Lady Qin.”

Xuan Jingchi teased, “Still calling her ‘Lady Qin’? How formal!”

Wang Zhan, his face red, gazed at the equally blushing Lady Qin and happily said, “Thank you, my wife.”

After returning to the palace that day, Xuan Jingchi recounted the incident to Empress Xiao Yueli, who burst into laughter. “General Wang truly owes thanks to you, the matchmaking Emperor. Otherwise, he might have remained unmarried for life.”

“Xianhui, step outside first. I have something to discuss with your teacher.”

“As you command.” Yao Xianhui bowed and withdrew.

“Your Majesty?” Meng Wan waited quietly for Xuan Jingchi to speak, but the Emperor merely flipped through the drafts on Yao Xianhui’s desk. Unable to hold back, she asked, “Did you need something?”

“Xianhui’s calligraphy is far better than mine—fluid and elegantly worded,” Xuan Jingchi remarked before turning to her. “You’ve taught her well. In the future, your student’s literary talent may even surpass yours.”

Meng Wan smiled faintly. “Xianhui is bright and studious, already well-versed in poetry and literature. This is not my doing.”

Hearing this, Xuan Jingchi gave a light smile, then suddenly changed the subject. “Wan’er, after staying in the palace for so long, do you ever wish to go out and see the world?”

Meng Wan froze, staring at her in surprise.

She knew the Emperor wouldn’t bring this up without reason.

“Wan’er, you handle matters with balance and insight. I value you greatly.”

“But even the most beautiful pearl should not remain hidden in a box. Moreover, this pearl is destined to shine brilliantly and astonish the world.”

Meng Wan’s expression suddenly turned solemn. She stepped forward and bowed deeply, saying, “Your servant is at Your Majesty’s command. For such great kindness, I have no way to repay.”

Xuan Jingchi said, “Wan’er, regarding the matter of the military horses in Muzhou encroaching on farmland, I wish to send you to investigate and grant you full authority to handle it. You’ve been drafting imperial edicts and decrees for some time now, so you should have a clear understanding of the court’s situation.”

“Military horses are crucial to the combat strength of Daqing’s army. Without horses, Daqing cannot form cavalry units to resist foreign threats. But without farmland, there will be no grain, and the people’s hearts will be unsettled. This throne of mine would not sit securely either. You should understand the stakes involved.”

Meng Wan kowtowed and said, “For Your Majesty and for the people of Daqing, your servant will spare no effort.”

Xuan Jingchi walked over and helped her up, smiling, “Don’t be nervous. Treat this matter of Muzhou’s military horses as an examination. Even if you fail, I won’t blame you. In two days, I will appoint you as Censor. Prepare well in the meantime.”

Meng Wan bowed in gratitude, saying, “Your servant obeys the decree.”

Suddenly remembering something, she hesitated, “Your Majesty, after I leave, who will take over the drafting of imperial edicts and decrees?”

Xuan Jingchi smiled slightly, “Isn’t your student quite capable?”

Meng Wan looked alarmed, “Xianhui has only been with me for a short time and has never drafted an edict before. Though her talent is considerable, imperial edicts and decrees concern the dignity of the state and cannot afford the slightest oversight. I fear Xianhui might…”

Xuan Jingchi interrupted her, “I understand your concern.” She smiled mysteriously, “Don’t worry, I have other assistants.”