Empress, Can I? [Transmigration + GL] - Chapter 70

Xuan Jingchi and Mr. Meng traveled at a decent pace, arriving in Taizhou after two days. Along the way, they encountered many refugees fleeing disasters. They had expected Taizhou City to be just like Yunzhou, with streets and alleys packed with displaced people.

To their surprise, the city was orderly, with people coming and going on the streets, and no clusters of beggars in sight.

Mr. Meng led the horse while Xuan Jingchi walked beside him. Occasionally, they spotted three beggars hurrying along as if rushing to some destination.

Xuan Jingchi stopped them to ask and learned that the prefecture was recruiting temporary workers again to build new shelters for incoming refugees like them.

By working, they could earn a little money to buy rice and clothes. Additionally, the prefecture also distributed rations to each person.

Xuan Jingchi’s eyes lit up, and she smiled. “Could I go with you to take a look?”

The three looked at her—well-dressed, with only the lower half of her face visible, yet her lips were red, teeth white, and skin delicate. It was clear she was someone who had never lacked money or suffered hardship.

Then they glanced at the scruffy-bearded man beside her, whose ruddy complexion didn’t suggest he had ever gone hungry either.

Clearly, these were just wealthy folks with nothing better to do.

They said, “There’s nothing much to see—just building shelters. If you want to come, follow us.”

Mr. Meng laughed heartily. “Much obliged. Please lead the way, gentlemen.”

The two followed the trio halfway across the city to an open space near the city walls. The area was vast, with forty or fifty large shelters already built—simple in structure but sturdy, durable, and easy to assemble or dismantle.

Not far away, a group was constructing new shelters. The three said, “This is the place. Look around if you want. We need to get to work.”

As the three walked away, Xuan Jingchi felt a surge of excitement seeing the large shelters she had designed in her sketches finally come to life.

Just then, someone shouted, “Handing out buns! Handing out buns!” The clang of a gong rang out.

A crowd instantly poured out of the shelters, carrying bowls as they rushed toward a spot behind the buildings.

Seeing Xuan Jingchi craning her neck to look, Mr. Meng took a swig from his flask and said, “Seventh Miss, since we’re here, let’s go take a look.”

Xuan Jingchi nodded and strode toward the distribution area.

Though there were many refugees, soldiers maintained order to prevent chaos—each person received two large buns and a bowl of porridge.

As Xuan Jingchi approached, a young soldier stopped her. “This food is for refugees. You’re not refugees—you can’t have any! Go back and eat your own food!”

Realizing he thought she was there to beg for food, Xuan Jingchi couldn’t help but laugh. “Why can’t I have any? If refugees can eat it, why can’t I?”

“The disaster victims have lost their homes and are relying on the government’s relief grain. You’re perfectly fine and unaffected—go back and eat your own food!” The soldier glared at her rudely. “Our general said we must guard against lazy freeloaders like you who cheat for food and drink!”

He pointed toward a group of people beneath the distant city wall. “Get out of here now! If you don’t leave, we’ll arrest you and parade you through the streets like them!”

Xuan Jingchi had a trace of immortal spiritual power bestowed by the Immortal Venerable, granting her exceptional vision. Focusing her gaze, she saw about a dozen people under the city wall, all dejected and disheveled, each wearing a sign around their neck that read: “Shamelessly gorged on relief grain, disgraced the entire city.”

Xuan Jingchi burst into laughter. “That’s enough to scare anyone off! Whose idea was this? Surely not the prefect’s?”

“The prefect? Hah!” The soldier puffed up proudly. “This was thought up by our Commandant Chi, General Chi!”

Xuan Jingchi turned back. “Mr. Meng, we won’t be eating here. Let’s find another place.”

Mr. Meng chuckled. “Though I’m not a refined man, I still have some dignity. Parading through the streets isn’t my style. Best not to covet such petty gains.”

The soldier nodded. “Exactly! You’re not disaster victims—go eat elsewhere.”

As the three spoke, a man on a tall, imposing horse passed by the city wall, looking majestic and stern.

“Look, that’s our General Chi!”

The general seemed to notice them and rode over, asking the soldier, “What are these two doing here?”

The soldier replied, “They came to freeload, trying to eat the disaster relief grain!”

The general looked down from his horse, scrutinizing Xuan Jingchi and then Mr. Meng. “You two clearly lack for nothing. Why come here to amuse yourselves? Please leave.”

Xuan Jingchi smiled faintly and turned to leave with Mr. Meng.

Walking through the city, Xuan Jingchi sighed. “If everyone were as dutiful and public-spirited as General Chi, the world would surely be at peace.”

Mr. Meng laughed. “Seems the Seventh Young Miss has taken a liking to this General Chi.”

He stretched out his hand toward Xuan Jingchi with a grin.

Xuan Jingchi looked at him. “What?”

“This humble one would like to change into more presentable clothes.” He extended his hand further, palm up.

The meaning was clear—give me money.

Xuan Jingchi chuckled inwardly. This man was quite bold in asking for money, without the slightest hesitation. She retrieved a bundle from her horse, took out a silver note, and handed it to Mr. Meng.

Mr. Meng took the note, shook it, and laughed heartily. “Being a subject of Daqing is truly wonderful! The Seventh Young Miss provides food, shelter, and now clothes. Please wait for me at the tavern ahead—this humble one will return shortly.”

With that, she turned and ducked into a tailor’s shop by the street. Xuan Jingchi shook her head and walked on. Sure enough, not far ahead stood an imposing restaurant. She went in and ordered several dishes, including Taizhou’s famous specialties—stewed chicken with flatbread and crystal pork terrine—and even specially requested a pot of fine wine for Mr. Meng.

Mr. Meng returned quickly, now dressed in fresh clothes. His previously messy hair was neatly tied up under a headscarf, and his unkempt beard had been shaved clean, giving him an air of refined elegance. He carried himself with the composed demeanor of one who could strategize and command with ease.

This was Xuan Jingchi’s first time trying the pork terrine. The meat was delicately flavored without any gaminess, its rich aroma filling her mouth. It was indeed delicious, and she couldn’t help but take a few extra bites.

After their meal, night had fallen. As they stepped out of the restaurant and walked down the street, Mr. Meng suddenly asked, “When does the Seventh Princess plan to go to Yanzhou?”

Xuan Jingchi was puzzled. Earlier, when she had intended to go to Yanzhou, Mr. Meng had indirectly led her to Taizhou instead. Now that they had just arrived in Taizhou, he was asking when she would go to Yanzhou.

Xuan Jingchi replied, “Aren’t we going to enjoy Taizhou’s scenery, Mr. Meng?”

Mr. Meng said, “Haven’t we already seen the most important scenery just now? Since we’ve seen it, it’s time to return. If we’re too late, I fear that imperial envoy’s life may be in danger.”

What?!

Xuan Jingchi was shocked. Noticing the bustling crowd around them, she lowered her voice. “Who would dare to harm an imperial envoy?!”

Mr. Meng said, “I arrived in Yanzhou a few days before the Seventh Princess and have witnessed more of the situation there. Even a cornered rabbit will bite—how much more so a desperate man?”

Xuan Jingchi thought of Meng Wan and Yao Xianhui, both delicate women. Though they had sixteen Guards, if Yanzhou turned hostile, it would be all too easy to make them disappear on their own turf.

Her urgency flared. She tugged at her horse’s reins and turned to leave immediately.

Mr. Meng swiftly stepped in front of her. “We must save them, but the two of us alone won’t be enough. We need reinforcements.”

Xuan Jingchi quickly said, “Who can we turn to? Ah—I could write a letter to the Empress, ordering the Ministry of War to dispatch troops. She’s in the palace—she would see the letter.”

Mr. Meng replied, “Your Majesty’s letter is a good idea, but who will deliver it? Even if the Empress sees it and the Ministry of War sends troops, protocol dictates they would mobilize the nearest forces—either from Yanzhou or Yunzhou.”

“Moreover, imperial decrees take time. By the time the order arrives, the troops dispatched would surely drag their feet, arriving neither early nor late—just in time to find the imperial envoy already dead.”

Xuan Jingchi was startled again, knowing Mr. Meng spoke the truth. If the Yanzhou governor intended to eliminate Meng Wan and the others, the army’s journey would be plagued by ‘coincidental’ delays.

“What should we do, then?” Suddenly recalling that they weren’t too far from the south, she said, “I could go to Chizhou myself and ask my sister, Xuan Jingning, to send troops to Yanzhou! Her soldiers would arrive the fastest!”

Mr. Meng glanced at her and smiled. “The Seventh Princess’s idea is sound, but why use a sledgehammer to crack a nut? There’s someone right before us who can help. Why seek far when the solution is near?”

“Who?”

“Isn’t this someone the Seventh Princess has just met?”

Xuan Jingchi blinked. “Mr. Meng, are you referring to General Chi?”

Mr. Meng shook his head and said, “Chi Xiao is a man of great righteousness, who cares for the world and loves the people as his own children. Although he serves under Governor Yan Youting, he doesn’t flatter like other officials, nor does he ignore the suffering of the people for petty personal gains.”

Xuan Jingchi still hesitated, “But after all, he must obey the orders of Governor Yan Youting of Taizhou. If we ask him to send troops, wouldn’t that be asking him to betray his superior?”

“Not at all, not at all, Seventh Miss. If it were anyone else, this accusation might hold water. But what is your status? Shouldn’t all the subjects of the realm be loyal to you? Since both are loyal to Seventh Miss, how can there be any talk of betrayal?”

Xuan Jingchi understood—he was telling her to reveal her identity as the Emperor.

“Will he really obey my orders?”

“Seventh Miss, Chi Xiao is a man of loyalty and righteousness. He will surely discern whether to pledge allegiance to Your Majesty or to the Governor.” He turned to look at Xuan Jingchi, “Moreover, Seventh Miss genuinely seeks to save the people, eradicate evil spirits, and cleanse the world. Such a righteous and heroic cause is likely something General Chi has long awaited.”

“Good!” Xuan Jingchi’s doubts vanished. She trusted Mr. Meng’s judgment of Chi Xiao and believed Chi Xiao would not disappoint her.

“Let’s go, Mr. Meng. We’ll visit the Commandant’s residence and meet General Chi.”

Mr. Meng smiled faintly, his eyes filled with approval. “Seventh Miss, your courage and insight are extraordinary, and your decisiveness makes you truly a heroine among women!”

Xuan Jingchi felt somewhat embarrassed by his praise. She thought to herself, “As Emperor, I’ve been trembling with fear—how can I claim to have extraordinary courage and insight?”

The court was rife with undercurrents, and it was the Empress who shielded her from dangers and handled memorials. Meng Wan helped her with reading and writing, while her elder sister Xuan Jingning risked life and limb in leading troops.

In comparison, she was utterly ordinary, merely blessed with a fair appearance.

“I’m not good at anything and often fail at many tasks. I can hardly be called a heroine. I still need Mr. Meng to teach me more.”

Mr. Meng laughed heartily. “Seventh Miss, you are too modest. In my humble opinion, the late Emperor’s choice to pass the throne to you was the most correct decision he ever made.”

As they spoke, they arrived at the gates of the Commandant’s residence.

Mr. Meng addressed the soldiers at the entrance, “Quickly inform General Chi that a noble guest has arrived and request him to come out personally to receive us.”

The soldiers at the gate eyed the two visitors—a composed man and a woman of striking presence—along with their single horse. The bold demand for the General to come out personally left them uncertain of the visitors’ identities.

One of them said, “Wait here. I’ll go and report.”

Chi Xiao was practicing swordplay in the residence. Having led troops for years, his swordplay was bold and unrestrained, exuding the steady demeanor of a soldier.

His thoughts turned to today’s summons by the Governor, who had mocked him, “How do other counties handle this? Don’t you know?! Here you are, building houses and distributing grain—who are you trying to impress? The Emperor? If you love showing off so much, why not just shout outside the palace gates? Maybe the Emperor will hear you if he passes by.”

“Look at what you’ve done! You’ve taken everything for disaster relief, and when the time comes, all the other prefectures will have their tributes, except for me! Are you deliberately opposing me?”

“Let me tell you, don’t give me that nonsense about homeless victims! Do what the other prefectures are doing, and quickly! I’m still waiting to go to the capital next year!”

Chi Xiao was seething with anger, his face dark as his sword techniques whistled sharply.

These corrupt officials! Occupying key positions, they neither serve the emperor nor care for the people. With these scoundrels running rampant in the court, the Great Qing Dynasty is bound to fall sooner or later!

“General, there’s a man and a woman at the gate requesting to see you, saying you must personally welcome them.”

“Me, personally welcome them? What do they look like?”

“The man is around thirty-six or thirty-seven, dressed finely. The woman wears a mask, so her face isn’t clear, but she seems quite young.”

Chi Xiao sneered, thinking to himself, could it be that the Governor, unsatisfied with just berating me, has now brought his concubine to demand an explanation?

“Hmph! I’ll go meet them right away!”

At the gate, Chi Xiao saw the two people he had encountered at the refugee camp.

Mr. Meng said, “We’ve come from afar, and guests should be welcomed. Won’t the General invite us inside for a seat?”

Unsure of their intentions, Chi Xiao received them neither humbly nor arrogantly.

When tea was served, Mr. Meng drank calmly, glancing at Chi Xiao with a smile. “The General seems troubled, as if weighed down by worries. Perhaps you could share what’s troubling you. Maybe our Seventh Young Lady can help.”

Hearing this, Chi Xiao couldn’t help but look at Xuan Jingchi again. She appeared young, around twenty, tall and slender, with an air of nobility in her every move—likely a noblewoman.

He waved his hand, dismissing the servants, and said, “You two have come all this way—surely not just to hear me complain.”

Mr. Meng replied, “The General distributed grain and built shelters to aid the victims, acting on orders with loyalty to the country. Yet some judge the noble by their own petty standards. The General must despise officials who neither serve the people nor the nation, who neglect their duty to the court and the emperor, instead engaging in corruption and factionalism. Am I right?”

Chi Xiao was astonished. Every word struck a chord within him.

He stood abruptly, his voice grave. “Who exactly are you? Why are you telling me this?”

Mr. Meng’s eyes gleamed as he met Chi Xiao’s gaze. “Today, we only wish to ask the General one thing: Will you be loyal to the Governor, or to the Emperor?”

Chi Xiao was taken aback, sensing deeper meaning in his words. He declared firmly, “I am a general of the Great Qing, not Yan Youting’s lackey! My loyalty is to the Emperor alone!”

His words were impassioned and fearless, drawing an approving look from Xuan Jingchi.

“Good, good,” Mr. Meng clapped. “General Chi is indeed loyal and righteous, devoted to the nation and its people. In that case, please come and pay your respects to Her Majesty!”

Chi Xiao was stunned, turning to the young woman in green, his eyes wide with disbelief.

Xuan Jingchi stood, removing the mask from her face to reveal a beauty that could topple cities and kingdoms.

She spoke clearly, “I am Xuan Jingchi, sovereign of the Great Qing Dynasty.”

With that, she produced a jade token from her waist, its white surface inlaid with golden threads depicting a coiled dragon.

This was the highest-level token within the imperial palace, granting direct access to the Emperor.

Xiao Yueli had repeatedly urged Xuan Jingchi to carry it on her person, just in case she encountered danger and needed someone to send a message. The bearer of this token could then pass unimpeded into the palace.

The token was unmistakably an imperial object. Chi Xiao was startled once more and immediately knelt in obeisance. “Your humble servant, Chi Xiao, Commandant of Yunzhou, pays homage to Your Majesty.”

Though he had never seen the Empress of the Great Qing Dynasty before, he had heard tales of her extraordinary beauty—especially her eyes, which were said to be as enchanting and radiant as peach blossoms in spring.

The woman before him, with her noble bearing and striking appearance, coupled with the Forbidden Palace token in her hand, left Chi Xiao with no further doubts.

“Rise,” Xuan Jingchi gestured for him to stand. “General Chi, the time has come for you to prove your loyalty to Us.”

“Are there any memorials from Yanzhou?”

“Your Majesty, there are none.”

*

Xiao Yueli frowned, her eyes clouded with deep concern as she unrolled another length of white brocade.

Chenxiang realized she was drafting an edict. With Empress Xuan Jingchi absent, wasn’t this tantamount to forging an Imperial Edict?

“Your Majesty?!” she exclaimed in shock.

Without looking up, Xiao Yueli replied, “I am doing this to save the Emperor.”

Her heart was in turmoil. Meng Wan had been gone for over a month, yet not a single memorial had arrived—like a stone sinking into the sea. It was clear the situation in Yanzhou had grown perilous and unpredictable, spiraling beyond control.

The Emperor was alone, without authority or troops. If she hadn’t reunited with Meng Wan, it might still be manageable. But if she had, then she too might be…

Her thoughts flowed swiftly, and soon an edict was drafted. Under the pretext of constructing waterworks, it ordered the Ministry of War to dispatch three thousand soldiers, led by Imperial Guard Commander Wang Zhan, to reinforce Yanzhou.

She then summoned Wang Zhan and instructed him in person, “The Empress and Meng Wan are in Yanzhou. Your foremost duty is to ensure their safety.”

Wang Zhan accepted the order and turned to leave.

Suddenly, Xiao Yueli called out to him, “When the Ministry of War assigns troops, request soldiers from Yunzhou. Under no circumstances should you take any from Yanzhou.”

Wang Zhan paused, then bowed deeply. “This general understands!”