Empress, Can I? [Transmigration + GL] - Chapter 62

In the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Xuan Jingchi received a report from Xuan Jingning: the Great Qing army was advancing triumphantly, having recaptured three cities previously seized by the Zhao Kingdom, much to the delight of the people.

After eliminating the remaining rebels and driving out the bandits, the troops would return to the capital within three months at most.

Overjoyed, Xuan Jingchi pointed at the memorial and exclaimed, “Empress, look! We’ve won! My sister is truly remarkable! Absolutely incredible! Hahaha!”

Xiao Yueli smiled gently. “The Grand Princess was once the Grand Marshal of the World’s Armed Forces, well-versed in military strategy and valiant in battle. Your Majesty should carefully consider how to reward her.”

“Ah, you’re right! I was so caught up in the excitement that I forgot. What would be a suitable reward?” Xuan Jingchi tapped her head, then suddenly had an idea. “I shall arrange a marriage for her! Let my sister and Shangguan Wei be together openly and honorably. This is what I promised her, after all.”

Xiao Yueli looked slightly surprised. “If Your Majesty truly issues such an edict, the common people might think you’re harming your elder sister. Some might even say you’re repaying kindness with enmity.”

Xuan Jingchi pondered for a moment before suddenly grinning widely, chuckling to herself, “Hehe, hehe…”

Having lived closely with her and shared deep affection, Xiao Yueli recognized this expression—it meant she had come up with an idea. When asked, however, Xuan Jingchi refused to reveal it, saying only, “You’ll find out when the time comes.”

Half a month later, Xuan Jingchi received another report from Meng Wan. She had resolved the conflict between grazing lands and farmland in Muzhou, eliminating public grievances while ensuring sufficient pasture for the horses. She would soon return to the capital.

Before Xuan Jingchi could feel relieved, news arrived that the disaster in Yanzhou had worsened.

Xuan Jingchi frowned. “How can this be? I’ve already allocated supplies, ordered the Ministry of Revenue to fund urgent repairs of river embankments and waterways through the Ministry of Works, distributed food, and built shelters. How could this happen? How could this happen?”

She repeated the question twice, her tone growing increasingly puzzled and dismayed—like an outstanding student who confidently submitted an exam paper expecting top marks, only to discover she hadn’t even passed.

Seeing her troubled expression, Xiao Yueli set down her brush, rose, and approached her gently. “Jingchi, take a rest for now.”

Xuan Jingchi continued murmuring, “Where did I go wrong? Did I overlook something? Or was my initial approach fundamentally flawed?”

“Jingchi,” Xiao Yueli took her hand and spoke softly, “Don’t be too hard on yourself. Didn’t you tell me that failure is the mother of success? For the Yanzhou relief efforts, you can simply appoint an imperial envoy to investigate further.”

Xuan Jingchi couldn’t help but laugh at Xiao Yueli’s earnest delivery of the phrase “failure is the mother of success.”

Gazing at Xiao Yueli, her eyes softened with gratitude. “Yueli, I truly don’t know what I’d do if I hadn’t met you.”

Though the words didn’t sound particularly confident, they felt like the most touching confession. A faint blush colored Xiao Yueli’s cheeks.

She lowered her head and whispered, “Neither do I.”

If she hadn’t met this Xuan Jingchi, how would she have endured the sorrowful darkness?

“Teacher, you’re back!”

Yao Xianhui exclaimed in delighted surprise when she saw Meng Wan at the door. “Teacher, was everything all right in Muzhou?”

Meng Wan nodded. “It went smoothly enough. How have your studies been? Have you been reading the books I assigned before I left?”

“I’ve read them all—some I’ve even memorized. There are just some parts I don’t understand,” Yao Xianhui admitted with an embarrassed yet charming smile. “Actually… quite a few parts. But now that you’re back, I can ask you and won’t have to worry anymore.”

Her tone carried a playful, endearing lilt, and the way she tilted her head as she spoke reminded Meng Wan vividly of someone.

“Wan-jie, don’t you get tired reading so many books every day?”

“Not at all. The content is actually quite fascinating—full of thought-provoking stories that teach valuable lessons. You should try reading more when you have time.”

“Reading? Oh, I couldn’t. Books give me headaches.” She tilted her head and grinned. “They say ‘within books, there are beauties like jade.’ Wan-jie, have you seen such a beauty? What does she look like?”

What does she look like?

Meng Wan looked at her, dressed in white as pure as snow, her skin fairer than snow, her face cool and elegant, beautiful like the snow of the Tianshan Mountains. When she smiled, the ice and snow melted, like flowers blooming, her beauty captivating the soul.

If there truly were a beauty as flawless as jade, it would surely be like her.

Meng Wan suddenly averted her gaze, stammering, “No, there’s no such beauty as flawless as jade. It’s all nonsense spouted by frivolous men.”

Taking a deep breath, Meng Wan smiled at Yao Xianhui before her and said, “I might disappoint you, Xianhui. I’ll soon be setting off again.”

Yao Xianhui was surprised. “Teacher, you’re leaving? Where are you going?”

“Yanzhou,” Meng Wan replied. “Her Majesty has appointed me as an imperial envoy to oversee disaster relief in Yanzhou.”

“Ah! But Teacher, didn’t you just return?” Yao Xianhui exclaimed in shock.

Meng Wan smiled faintly. She understood this was Xuan Jingchi’s trust in her, as well as an opportunity to temper and refine her skills. Compared to the inner court, affairs outside were far more complex and treacherous.

“To serve the ruler is to share their burdens,” Meng Wan said with a smile. “When you become an official one day, you too must devote yourself wholeheartedly to serving the Emperor.”

“Really?” Yao Xianhui was overjoyed. “Can I really become an official one day? Like you, Teacher?”

Meng Wan replied, “As long as you work hard and hold fast to your aspirations, you will surely achieve it.”

Yao Xianhui seemed greatly encouraged. “Thank you, Teacher!”

After a pause, she added eagerly, “Teacher, can you take me to Yanzhou with you? I’ve never left the imperial city my whole life.”

“This…”

“Teacher, please take me. On the journey, I can also seek your guidance on my studies.”

Meng Wan hesitated. “In that case, let me first inform Her Majesty.”

Yao Xianhui cheered, “Wonderful! Thank you, Teacher. Her Majesty won’t refuse, surely.”

Having been in the palace for some time and interacted with the Empress on multiple occasions, she had found that the Empress was not at all the arrogant and domineering figure of rumors. On the contrary, she was quite easy to get along with and remarkably sharp-witted.

Watching Yao Xianhui happily pack her books and prepare for the journey, Meng Wan sighed inwardly. Such a childlike nature, utterly unaware of the dangers this trip might entail.

“Jingchi, are you really going?”

At this moment, Xuan Jingchi was dressed in a green gauze robe, a precious sword hanging at her waist. Her long hair was simply tied high with a golden ring and secured with a hairpin, the strands cascading over her shoulders, making her fair skin appear even more radiant and her beauty fresh and refined.

The ensemble gave her a dashing and heroic air, both elegant and refreshing. Paired with the sword at her waist and her piercingly bright eyes, she looked every bit like a young heroine newly emerged into the martial world.

Xuan Jingchi nodded, “Don’t worry. The court knows I sent Meng Wan, but no one would expect me to go personally.”

Xiao Yueli shook her head, “Yanzhou might be even more dangerous than Bingzhou where Jian Ci went.”

“I know, which is exactly why I must go myself,” Xuan Jingchi said. “I always say Wan’er needs experience and tempering, but don’t I need the same? Going to Yanzhou is a perfect opportunity. Besides, I’ve never seen the lands beyond the imperial city.”

“Your Majesty’s safety is paramount. For you to take such risks… this subject cannot rest easy,” Xiao Yueli said with evident concern.

Xuan Jingchi took her hand reassuringly, “No need to worry. No one will know I’m going, so I’ll be safe. This time, I won’t bring guards, wear brocade, or ride northern steeds. Let’s see who could possibly guess my identity then.”

She embraced Xiao Yueli, kissing her lightly on the cheek. “I’ll leave the memorials for you to review—you have full authority. If the ministers notice my absence from court, tell them I’m recuperating from illness.”

“Jingchi, you must be careful out there alone,” Xiao Yueli held her tightly. “Don’t be reckless—remember I’ll be waiting for you.”

“I’ll remember,” Xuan Jingchi laughed. “If I can’t win a fight, I’ll run. At worst, I’ll be a fleeing rabbit.”

Xiao Yueli smiled faintly before slowly releasing her. “Don’t worry about court affairs or me.”

Xuan Jingchi nodded, turning to pick up the mask on the table and putting it on. The captivating face that could topple cities was now mostly concealed, leaving only a pair of expressive eyes and a fair, delicate chin visible.

“Yueli, I’m off.” Xuan Jingchi grasped Xiao Yueli’s hand firmly one last time before striding out.