Empress, Can I? [Transmigration + GL] - Chapter 77

With the matters in Yanzhou now concluded, Xuan Jingchi prepared to return to the capital.

During her stay in Yanzhou, a luxurious villa within the governor’s residence had temporarily served as accommodations for her, Meng Wan, and the others.

In the evening, Yao Xianhui came to pack Xuan Jingchi’s belongings. Xuan Jingchi said, “I’ll take care of it myself. Go help Wan’er pack instead. Your teacher has many things, especially books.”

Yao Xianhui smiled gently. “Your Majesty is right. Teacher does carry quite a few books with her. She’s currently bidding farewell to Miss Leng, so I’ll go help her pack a bit later.”

“Bidding farewell?” Xuan Jingchi asked, surprised. “Is Miss Leng leaving?”

Yao Xianhui nodded. “Yes, that’s what I heard her say to Teacher when I left.”

Doesn’t she like Meng Wan? What’s the meaning of leaving now?

Xuan Jingchi found it strange. Remembering her promise to Leng Qiuci in the cave, she decided to probe the matter immediately.

She hurried out but suddenly turned back after a few steps, looking at Yao Xianhui. She gave her a once-over—the peach-pink gauze dress accentuated her snow-white skin and delicate beauty, making her truly a stunning beauty. Xuan Jingchi asked, “Xianhui, how does your teacher treat you?”

Yao Xianhui, puzzled by the sudden question, answered truthfully, “Teacher is very kind to me, caring and attentive. I am deeply grateful.”

Xuan Jingchi’s eyes gleamed mischievously. “That’s good. Your teacher has been working hard lately. As her student, you should show her some care. Here’s what you’ll do: I noticed the red bean sweet soup in Yanzhou is quite good. Go buy a bowl now and bring it to your teacher’s room. Say it’s your own idea. Remember, don’t leave until I tell you to.”

Yao Xianhui blinked in confusion. “Is Your Majesty also going to Teacher’s place?”

“Of course, I’ll go later. Hurry up and deliver the sweet soup first. Don’t be late.” With that, Xuan Jingchi’s sleeves fluttered as she dashed away like the wind, disappearing in an instant.

Yao Xianhui was utterly baffled. “What’s gotten into Her Majesty?”

Shaking her head, she recalled the emperor’s instructions and immediately left the residence to buy the red bean sweet soup.

When Xuan Jingchi arrived at the courtyard where Meng Wan was staying, Leng Qiuci was saying her goodbyes. She hid behind a tree in the backyard, observing secretly.

The two were standing under the eaves, talking.

Leng Qiuci was still dressed in white. She held out the plain-colored clothes in her hand to Meng Wan, saying, “Sister Wan, these are your clothes. I’ve washed them. Thank you for that day.”

Xuan Jingchi watched silently, mentally giving Leng Qiuci’s performance a failing grade. She thought to herself, Leng Qiuci, you’re being too polite. If you like her, why act so distant by returning the clothes? You should just keep wearing them and not give them back.

Meng Wan took the clothes and asked, “Are you really leaving? Where will you go… alone?”

Xuan Jingchi perked up at this—Meng Wan was trying to get her to stay. It seemed Meng Wan had feelings for Leng Qiuci too. Heh…

Leng Qiuci said, “About what I said that day… I’m sorry. That wasn’t what I meant. Please don’t take offense, Sister Wan.”

Xuan Jingchi was taken aback. What had she said? What words had passed between them? Whatever it was, it couldn’t have been pleasant.

“How could I blame you? Her Majesty said you saved her life in the cave. I couldn’t be happier.”

“Xiao Leng, I don’t expect you to let go of your hatred. I just want you to know that my loyalty to Her Majesty isn’t for wealth or status. She is a kind and benevolent ruler who cares for her people, dedicated to restoring order in the realm. To me, she has also shown great trust and favor.”

“I’m willing to repay her life with mine. If one day you seek vengeance, kill me instead. Let my life atone for your family’s.”

Xuan Jingchi felt her nose sting, moved to the brink of tears. She nearly rushed over to hug Meng Wan and blurt out her heartfelt admiration: “You truly are my loyal subject!”

Leng Qiuci gazed deeply at Meng Wan, silent for a long while.

After a pause, she suddenly said, “I won’t kill her. If I wanted to, I could have done it in the cave.”

She raised her head and looked at Meng Wan. “I’m leaving. Take care of yourself.”

Seeing her resolve, Meng Wan knew she couldn’t persuade her to stay. Slowly, she turned her head away. “You take care too.”

Leng Qiuci turned and left, her white robes fluttering as she walked away under the moonlight.

Meng Wan watched her retreating figure, tears glistening in her eyes.

Xuan Jingchi observed Meng Wan raising a hand slightly, as if wanting to call out and stop her, but ultimately saying nothing. She sighed inwardly, then glanced at Leng Qiuci—walking away so decisively, not even looking back once, as if she had no attachment at all.

Heartless! Absolutely heartless! Xuan Jingchi grumbled internally. If Leng Qiuci hadn’t admitted to liking Meng Wan, she would never have believed there were any feelings there.

Just then, Yao Xianhui emerged from the corridor behind Xuan Jingchi, carrying a bowl of soup. Startled by the lurking figure, Yao Xianhui nearly cried out—until she realized it was the emperor, Xuan Jingchi.

“Your Majesty?”

“Shh…” Xuan Jingchi quickly signaled for her to stay quiet, then pointed toward Meng Wan under the eaves, gesturing for her to go over.

Yao Xianhui nodded and carried the sweet soup toward Meng Wan.

Seizing the moment when Meng Wan and Yao Xianhui turned to go inside, Xuan Jingchi immediately dashed after Leng Qiuci, deliberately pretending it was a chance encounter.

“Miss Leng, where are you headed?”

Leng Qiuci stopped abruptly and glared at Xuan Jingchi. “That’s none of your concern.”

“I’m just curious. You like her so much—how can you bear to leave her?”

A cold glint flashed under the moonlight as a sword pressed against Xuan Jingchi’s neck. Leng Qiuci’s expression darkened. “You damned emperor! Didn’t you promise not to say anything?”

Xuan Jingchi smiled. “I didn’t say anything. I just said ‘her.’ Who knows who that ‘her’ refers to?”

Leng Qiuci was taken aback. After a moment’s thought, she slowly sheathed her sword, snorted coldly, and continued walking forward.

Xuan Jingchi followed her and said, “Are you really leaving?”

Leng Qiuci ignored her and kept walking.

Xuan Jingchi stayed close behind her step by step. “If it’s because of that so-called organization, you don’t need to worry.”

Leng Qiuci paused slightly, slowing her pace.

Xuan Jingchi continued, “Doesn’t your organization have a rule? After failing an assassination attempt once, they can’t target the same person again. They’ve already tried to kill you once and failed, so according to the rules, they can’t come after you anymore.”

Leng Qiuci suddenly stopped, thought for a moment, then nodded. “You’re right. That’s how it is. They won’t come again.”

Her tense body abruptly relaxed. She turned around and looked at Xuan Jingchi. “Dog Emperor, sometimes your brain actually works.”

Xuan Jingchi smiled. “Thank you, thank you for the compliment. You’re leaving because you’re afraid of dragging Meng Wan into trouble, right? Now that the danger is gone, why do you still need to go?”

Hearing this, Leng Qiuci hesitated, her fair face flushing slightly with agitation and uncertainty.

“I… I should still go.”

Xuan Jingchi chuckled at her insincere words.

This time, she watched as Leng Qiuci took steps forward but made no move to follow.

“Miss Leng, we’ve been through hardships together as comrades, so I have to remind you—if you really leave this time, your beloved Wan-jiejie might be snatched away by someone else.”

Seeing Leng Qiuci remain unmoved and continue walking, she sneered, “You keep saying you like Meng Wan, but it seems that’s all it is—you don’t even have the courage to stay for her. Go ahead and leave.”

Leng Qiuci whirled around, her icy eyes flashing with anger. “Who are you saying lacks courage?”

“Fine. If you have the courage, come back with me and see just how popular your Wan-jiejie is.”

“Popular?”

“It means she has many suitors,” Xuan Jingchi blinked, deciding to strike while the iron was hot. “As your good comrade, I’ll tell you—I just saw that pretty student of Meng Wan’s bringing her sweet soup.”

Leng Qiuci said, “I know. Wan-jiejie told me Miss Yao is her student. It’s just a teacher-student relationship.”

“Is that so? Then why hasn’t she ever brought me sweet soup, even though I’m the Emperor? Wouldn’t it be better for her to curry favor with me instead of her teacher?”

Leng Qiuci’s face froze in shock, then suddenly slumped in defeat. “No, no, Wan’er wouldn’t lie to me.”

“Shall we go back and see for ourselves?” Noticing Leng Qiuci’s hesitation, she deliberately added, “Or do you actually trust your Wan’er so much that you’re afraid to go back and check?”

At these words, Leng Qiuci glared at her fiercely. “Wan’er wouldn’t lie to me!”

With that, she turned and strode back first. Xuan Jingchi suppressed a laugh and quickly followed.

Their steps were light and swift, and in no time they returned to Meng Wan’s small courtyard.

Standing in the yard, they could see the lamp lit inside, casting two slender silhouettes clearly on the window.

Yao Xianhui’s sweet, delicate voice could be heard: “Teacher, is the sweet soup good?”

Meng Wan’s voice was slightly hoarse but still polite and gentle: “Very good, thank you.”

“Teacher, you’ve been so busy lately, but no matter how busy, you must take care of your health…”

Following the emperor’s instructions, Yao Xianhui had come to express a student’s concern for her teacher. After delivering the soup, she didn’t leave immediately, chatting with her teacher while secretly wondering why the emperor hadn’t arrived yet.

Unbeknownst to them, their conversation was heard clearly by the two people in the courtyard.

Xuan Jingchi glanced sideways at Leng Qiuci beside her, noticing her face had turned deathly pale, her hands clenched tightly beneath her sleeves, her gaze fixed unblinkingly on the two figures on the window.

Xuan Jingchi’s eyes darted mischievously as she whispered: “Of course your Wan’er wouldn’t lie to you. But even if she has no feelings for someone, she can’t stop others from pursuing her.”

“You know how talented and beautiful your Wan’er is, with such a gentle personality. Who wouldn’t like her after meeting her?”

“You’ve seen that Yao Xianhui before—isn’t she a great beauty?”

“Even if she rejects her once, what about the second or third time… You know how kind-hearted and soft your Wan’er is. What if she agrees out of momentary weakness?”

“Besides, you’re the one who left her without saying anything. If someone else gets there first, you can’t blame them.”

Leng Qiuci’s chest heaved violently, her mind clearly in turmoil and distress. Xuan Jingchi watched with secret amusement.

“But, but,” Leng Qiuci struggled to say, “she… she only sees me as a younger sister.”

“Here’s what we’ll do—I’ll find a way to ask her. Maybe she has feelings for you too?”

“R-really?” Leng Qiuci’s voice trembled with nervousness.

“Wait outside the courtyard,” Xuan Jingchi said, worried she might leave without a word. She looked at her seriously, emphasizing each word: “If you leave now, you’ll lose your Wan’er forever.”

Leng Qiuci froze, then declared solemnly: “I won’t leave.”

With that, she walked outside the courtyard gate, standing perfectly still with her back ramrod straight.

Xuan Jingchi turned and headed for Meng Wan’s room, pushing the door open.

Meng Wan looked up in surprise. “Your Majesty?” She moved to kneel and kowtow, but Xuan Jingchi stopped her. “No need for formalities.”

Seeing the emperor finally appear, Yao Xianhui secretly sighed in relief, quietly awaiting further instructions.

Xuan Jingchi glanced at the bowl of red bean sweet soup and asked knowingly: “Wan’er has such delicious treats but didn’t invite me?”

Yao Xianhui: “…”

Your Majesty never told me to buy any for you!!!

Meng Wan smiled slightly and said, “This was bought by Xianhui. If Your Majesty likes it, I can have Xianhui buy another bowl for you.”

Yao Xianhui nodded vigorously with wide eyes. She didn’t want the Emperor to suddenly punish her just because he missed out on a bowl of sweet soup.

Xuan Jingchi looked at Yao Xianhui’s pale, frightened face and smiled, “You’ve done well! You may leave now. I have something to discuss with your teacher.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!” Yao Xianhui felt as though she had narrowly escaped death and left trembling.

Meng Wan stood up to pour Xuan Jingchi a cup of tea and asked, “What matter does Your Majesty wish to discuss with me?”

Xuan Jingchi held the teacup and took a polite sip, sighing inwardly. The Empress truly understands me—knowing I don’t drink tea at night, she always instructs the palace attendants to prepare plain water for me in the evenings.

“It’s nothing urgent,” Xuan Jingchi said, watching Yao Xianhui’s retreating figure before suddenly brightening. “Wan’er, what do you think of Xianhui?”

“She’s clever and diligent, a promising talent.”

“That’s not what I meant,” Xuan Jingchi looked up at Meng Wan. “I see she cares deeply for you, and you’re very protective of her. Since you both seem fond of each other, should I arrange a match for you?”

Meng Wan was horrified, her face turning pale. “No, no! My relationship with Xianhui is purely that of teacher and student—nothing improper. I appreciate Your Majesty’s kindness, but I must respectfully decline.”

“Is it because you find Xianhui unattractive? Or that her learning doesn’t match yours?”

“No, no, Xianhui is wonderful.”

“Then why? Ah, I see—you prefer men. Is it one of the scholars from the Wenyuan Pavilion? Huang Tingzhi or Yang Yuzhi?”

“No, no!” Meng Wan’s face flushed and paled alternately. “I have no interest in them.”

Xuan Jingchi suppressed a laugh. “Then what’s the reason?”

Seeing Meng Wan lower her gaze, her cheeks reddening in embarrassment, Xuan Jingchi understood most of the truth.

“Could it be that Wan’er already has someone in her heart?” she suddenly exclaimed dramatically. “Don’t tell me you’ve taken a liking to a married man and want to become his concubine? Absolutely not! You’re someone I rely on—how could you stoop to being a concubine? Tell me which family it is, and I’ll have him divorce his wife first before marrying you properly.”

Meng Wan, seeing her wild guesses grow increasingly outrageous, feared what she might say next and blurted out, “No! No! I have no one in my heart and will never develop feelings for anyone!”

“Are you truly certain?” Xuan Jingchi smiled faintly. “Wan’er, are you deceiving me, your emperor, or are you deceiving yourself?”

Xuan Jingchi ran her fingers over the clothes Leng Qiuci had returned to her, placed on the desk before her, when suddenly her expression darkened. “Leng Qiuci and I share a blood feud. Sooner or later, she will come to kill me. Back in the cave, she called out your name even in her sleep—proof enough that your bond is no ordinary one. I had considered sparing her for your sake, but since you claim no affection for her, it seems her feelings are one-sided. In that case, I need not feel any guilt.”

Meng Wan froze as if struck by lightning, her eyes wide with shock as she stared blankly at Xuan Jingchi. “Your Majesty, what do you mean? What do you mean by ‘no guilt’?”

“You say you have no beloved—that you do not care for her. Since you do not, I naturally have no reason to hold back.”

Xuan Jingchi spoke calmly. “A dangerous figure like her, alive, is a constant threat to my safety.”

Meng Wan’s face instantly paled, drained of all color.

“Wan’er, I won’t hide it from you. The moment she steps out of this villa, she will vanish from this world forever.”

Xuan Jingchi lifted her teacup, her tone light. “I was a little worried about you before. But now, hearing your words, I have nothing left to fear.”

Meng Wan suddenly trembled violently, her expression filled with sorrow and anguish. “Your Majesty, you mustn’t! Xiao Leng has already sworn to me she would never seek revenge against you. Why must you kill her?!”

“Wan’er, she is an assassin. Last time, she nearly succeeded in killing me. What I’m doing is not excessive—it is self-preservation. Why must you grieve so for someone who means nothing to you?”

“Means nothing?” Tears streamed down Meng Wan’s face. “She does! Your Majesty, she does! Why must you kill her? She has already given up on harming you!”

Her final words carried boundless desolation and despair, nearly choking out from her throat in a sob.

Xuan Jingchi, who had never seen Meng Wan lose control like this, was startled. Hesitantly, she murmured, “Wan’er… could it be that you… love her?”

“Yes! I do love her! I lied earlier! I do have someone in my heart—it’s her! Please forgive me, Your Majesty, but I must take my leave now! I must go to her,” Meng Wan said, her face streaked with tears, “to collect her body.”

She nearly spat out those last four words through gritted teeth before rushing out the door in a frenzy.

Xuan Jingchi followed her outside, watching as she stumbled toward the courtyard gate, her steps unsteady, her voice choked with uncontrollable grief. “Xiao Leng, Xiao Leng…”

Seeing her heartbroken expression and hearing her mournful cries, Xuan Jingchi’s vision gradually blurred—and then she smiled in relief.

This Meng Wan… it wasn’t just love. It was love to the extreme!

“Xiao Leng, Xiao Leng…”

Meng Wan staggered out of the courtyard when suddenly, someone pulled her aside. She lurched off-balance, falling—but instead of hitting the hard ground, she landed in a soft embrace.

“Wan-jie, what’s wrong?”

Just as Meng Wan was about to struggle free, she heard that voice and jerked her head up, nearly knocking into Leng Qiuci’s chin.

“Xiao Leng?! You’re alive?! But you were already—”

“Wan-jie, what’s the matter? Why are you crying?”

Meng Wan froze for a moment before suddenly throwing herself into her arms, clutching tightly at her clothes. “I… I…”

Leng Qiuci suddenly gritted her teeth. “Did that damned emperor bully you?”

“Miss Leng, you really shouldn’t call me ‘damned emperor’ anymore,” Xuan Jingchi said with a laugh as she walked into the courtyard. “Your Wan-jie likes you very much, and her feelings for you are the same as yours.”

After saying this, Xuan Jingchi left the courtyard, leaving the two of them to embrace and weep, pouring out their hearts to each other.

As she passed through the corridor, she saw Yao Xianhui packing her things. She knocked on the door, her eyes crinkling with a smile. “Come, accompany me to the streets for some late-night snacks. My treat.”