Empress, Can I? [Transmigration + GL] - Chapter 79

There weren’t many memorials left. With both of them reviewing them together, it didn’t take long to finish.

Xuan Jingchi waited until Xiao Yueli put down her brush and said, “Let’s take a walk in the Imperial Garden. It’s been a long time since I strolled with the Empress.”

Xiao Yueli smiled slightly and stood up to leave the side hall with Xuan Jingchi.

It was late summer turning to early autumn, and the weather was gradually becoming cooler. The pomegranate trees were laden with tempting red fruits.

As they walked along the riverbank, Xuan Jingchi recalled that many things had happened here—like when she accidentally fell into the water, when she unexpectedly met Leng Qiuci fishing, and when Liu Jili presented her with a beauty. The corners of her mouth couldn’t help but curl up slightly.

“Jingchi, what are you smiling about?”

“Nothing, I was just thinking about some things,” Xuan Jingchi glanced sideways at Xiao Yueli. “I feel like the Imperial Garden is a place where things always seem to happen.”

No sooner had she spoken than two figures darted out from behind a rockery on the opposite bank of the river. A flash of white clothing disappeared into the shade beneath the trees.

Xuan Jingchi laughed, “Look, who’s that?”

Xiao Yueli followed her gaze and also saw the two people on the opposite bank. One of them, judging by the back, seemed to be Meng Wan, while the other, also a woman, was harder to identify. However, very few women in the palace wore white.

Seeing her puzzled expression, Xuan Jingchi smiled and said, “Empress, guess who the person next to Meng Wan is?”

Xiao Yueli thought for a moment and shook her head. “I can’t guess. Could it be one of Meng Wan’s students? I don’t recall seeing her in white before, and she seems a bit shorter. Speaking of white clothing, there is one person, but…”

Xuan Jingchi chuckled, “The Empress is right. It’s that person—Leng Qiuci, Miss Leng.”

Xiao Yueli, usually composed and dignified, seemed quite surprised by this. She quickly thought of something and frowned. “Did you encounter Miss Leng in Yanzhou during this trip?”

“The Empress is truly clever,” Xuan Jingchi said with a smile, but then noticed Xiao Yueli’s expression darken slightly, her eyes dimming. Having spent so much time with her, Xuan Jingchi knew that Xiao Yueli was usually inscrutable, and this reaction meant she was considering eliminating Leng Qiuci. Xuan Jingchi’s heart skipped a beat, and she hurriedly added, “Miss Leng won’t try to kill me again.”

Xiao Yueli raised an eyebrow and turned to look at Xuan Jingchi.

“She had several chances but didn’t take them, and she promised Meng Wan she wouldn’t kill me.”

Afraid Xiao Yueli wouldn’t believe her, Xuan Jingchi recounted how Leng Qiuci had rescued Meng Wan, Yan Xing, and the others in Yanzhou, how she had promised Meng Wan, and how she had not taken the opportunity to kill Xuan Jingchi when she was poisoned by a snake but instead helped treat her.

Xiao Yueli was shocked when she heard the last part. “Your Majesty, you were bitten by a venomous snake?!”

The marks from the snake bite on her hand had not yet fully faded. Xuan Jingchi knew Xiao Yueli would eventually notice, so she steeled herself and admitted her mistake, claiming she had carelessly walked into a snake in the grass and been bitten on the right hand.

As for falling off a cliff, being trapped in a cave, or stripping to seek help—she said nothing.

Xiao Yueli grabbed her right hand and examined it closely. Sure enough, there were two small puncture wounds near the base of her thumb.

She froze for a moment, gently tracing the marks before sighing in dismay. “Your Majesty is far too careless,” she chided. “What if something had happened? What would become of Daqing?”

Seeing Xiao Yueli’s somber, worried expression, Xuan Jingchi didn’t want her to fret too much. She pulled her hand back and grinned. “It’s fine, see? I’m perfectly alright. Don’t make it sound so dire. Besides, I have divine protection, remember?”

Her lighthearted tone and dismissive attitude instantly turned Xiao Yueli’s concern into anger. Frowning, her voice sharpened. “Will the gods protect you every time? Your Majesty, how can you be so reckless with your life?! You’re no longer a child. Don’t you understand the weight of your responsibilities?”

Xuan Jingchi: “…”

Shamed and flustered by Xiao Yueli’s words, her face flushed crimson, and she hung her head in embarrassment.

The palace attendants following at a distance exchanged shocked glances.

Heavens! Was the Empress actually scolding the Emperor?!

Good grief! And the Emperor was just standing there meekly, taking it!!

Chenxiang and Xiao Rong watched—one aching for the Emperor, the other worried for the Empress. After a brief hesitation, they stepped forward, one to console the Emperor, the other the Empress.

“Your Majesty, it’s getting dark. Do watch your step,” Chenxiang said gently, her kind tone making Xuan Jingchi’s nose sting. She quickly wiped away the tears at the corners of her eyes before lifting her head with a forced smile. “Mm, I’ll be careful.”

Her fair face was red around the eyes and nose, yet she stubbornly wore a reassuring grin.

Xiao Yueli’s heart twisted at the sight, instantly regretting her harsh words.

Xiao Rong sighed. “Even if Her Majesty wanted to quarrel with the Emperor, today wasn’t the day for it. She’s only just returned—look how sharp her jaw has become. She must have suffered greatly out there. And you know her nature by now. No matter what hardships she endures, she’ll never speak of them, only share the lighthearted bits to amuse us.”

Xiao Yueli’s guilt deepened. “I know that, of course. I didn’t truly mean to scold her. I was just… angry that she treats her own well-being so carelessly.”

She lowered her head with a long sigh.

Suddenly, a large red pomegranate appeared before her. Looking up, she saw Xuan Jingchi beaming, carefully holding out the fruit in appeasement.

“Empress, this pomegranate is for you. Don’t be angry anymore—I’ll be more careful next time.”

Chenxiang finally shook out her clothes and walked over, plucking a leaf from her hair as she smiled and said, “Her Majesty said she made the Empress angry, so she specifically asked this servant to pick a big pomegranate to offer as an apology.”

Xiao Rong glanced at her mistress, then turned to Chenxiang with a smile. “This pomegranate is so big and red. Let’s pick a few more to take back for Xiao Fu and the others.”

With that, she walked over and tugged at Chenxiang’s sleeve. Understanding the hint, Chenxiang pressed her lips together in a smile, and the two turned to leave, leaving only the Emperor and Empress behind.

“Yueli, don’t be angry. I know I was wrong,” Xuan Jingchi said nervously. “When picking the pomegranate, I had Chenxiang climb the tree while I stayed below. I thought, as the Emperor, I can’t afford to fall or get hurt. If Chenxiang got hurt, I could just call the Imperial Physician to treat her. It can’t be helped—my body is more precious than hers, after all.”

Xiao Yueli couldn’t help but laugh at her absurd reasoning. “What kind of Emperor are you? And here Chenxiang was just helping you. Couldn’t you have asked someone to fetch a ladder? Did you really have to climb the tree?”

Seeing her laugh and speak to her—even if it was to scold her—Xuan Jingchi felt an indescribable sense of warmth and sweetness settle in her heart.

Her lips curled upward, her eyes crinkling like crescent moons. “You know I’m not the brightest. Next time, I’ll ask for a ladder.”

She tossed the pomegranate playfully in her hand, humming a melody—soft, tender, and full of emotion.

Xiao Yueli asked, “What song is that?”

Xuan Jingchi replied, “It’s a song with lyrics. My eldest aunt loved it most. Would you like me to sing it for you?”

Xiao Yueli nodded with a smile.

Xuan Jingchi smiled gently and began to sing slowly,

“If I had never met you,
Where would I be now?
How would my days be passing?
Would life still hold meaning?”

The melodious tune drifted along the riverbank. The palace attendants, hearing such a song for the first time, paused to listen. Even Meng Wan on the opposite shore stopped in her tracks, captivated by the novel yet tenderly devoted melody.

“…So I beg you, don’t let me leave you.
Without you, I can feel no trace of love.”

Meng Wan couldn’t help but ask, “Who is singing?”

Leng Qiuci, standing beside her in white robes, tilted her chin toward the distant opposite shore. “Your beloved Emperor.”

“The Emperor?” Meng Wan was taken aback, then smiled. “I never imagined Her Majesty to be so talented.”

Leng Qiuci snorted, her expression cold and unimpressed. “It’s just singing. I can do that too.”

Meng Wan shook her head, both exasperated and amused, then took her hand, her gaze soft as water. “Really? Then sing it for me when we return.”

After dinner that evening, while Xiao Yueli was bathing, Xuan Jingchi sat under the lamplight peeling pomegranates for her, refusing to let Nuanxiang or Chenxiang help. She insisted this was a “love pomegranate” and only she could prepare it.

By the time Xiao Yueli emerged from her bath, Xuan Jingchi had already peeled a full bowl of pomegranate seeds. She pushed the bowl toward Xiao Yueli with a beaming smile. “Empress, enjoy.”

She then casually peeled an orange for herself. Suddenly remembering something, she said, “Empress, I met someone in Yanzhou. I mentioned him to you before—the drunkard I encountered at the tavern in the capital. He was the one who led me to Taizhou to gather reinforcements.”

Xiao Yueli was taken aback, utterly surprised, and exclaimed in astonishment, “Going to Taizhou for reinforcements? Didn’t Wang Zhan arrive?”

Xuan Jingchi finished eating the orange, wiped her hands, and smiled, “Well, that’s a long story. This trip to Yanzhou brought some trouble for both Meng Wan and me. My troubles were relatively minor since I was in the shadows and quick on my feet, but Meng Wan’s were much worse. With the title of Imperial Envoy, she couldn’t hide even if she wanted to.”

She then recounted everything—from Meng Wan encountering bandits in Hejia Village, to her accepting petitions at the inn, following Mr. Meng’s advice to seek Chi Xiao in Taizhou, and finally, Meng Wan’s group being chased by “villagers” until she arrived with troops at the critical moment…

Though Xuan Jingchi spoke calmly and methodically, Xiao Yueli listened with bated breath, her heart pounding with fear.

After Xuan Jingchi finished, Xiao Yueli remained silent for a long moment before saying, “I expected Yanzhou to be fraught with danger, but I never imagined Yunzhou would collude with them.”

She paused, then added, “Your Majesty, Meng Wan has risked life and limb this time. You must reward her generously.”

Xuan Jingchi smiled. “I’ve already thought of that. I plan to promote her to Canzheng Zhishi, equivalent to a chancellor. Serving as Edict Secretary only brings her closer to me, but it’s better to legitimize her position as chancellor so she can fully display her talents in court.”

Xiao Yueli smiled faintly. “Your Majesty’s idea is good, but women have never held official positions in this dynasty. I fear the ministers may object.”

Xuan Jingchi snorted. “I’m a woman too. There was no precedent for a woman to become emperor before, was there? If a woman can be emperor, why can’t women serve as officials? Tomorrow I’ll issue the decree. Anyone who dares to object will face the rod. If they really anger me, I’ll strip them of their titles.”

Xiao Yueli couldn’t help but laugh. “Your Majesty, doing this will earn you the reputation of a tyrant.”

“Tyrant or not, I don’t care,” Xuan Jingchi declared, her eyes shining brilliantly. “There will be many more things they never expected in the future. I’ll be waiting for their criticism.”

Xiao Yueli gazed at Xuan Jingchi. The candlelight cast a soft glow upon her, making her radiant like a star in the sky. Her gaze was resolute, as if no hardship could deter her, and she exuded vitality and vigor.

The corners of Xiao Yueli’s lips curled slightly.

An emperor like this would surely bring hope and light to Daqing.

“Yueli, Yueli,” Xuan Jingchi called, waving a hand in front of her when she noticed her distraction. “I’m thinking of appointing Mr. Meng as Zhongshu Ling. What do you think? That’s a high-ranking position, another chancellorship, isn’t it?”

Xiao Yueli smiled faintly. “Your Majesty’s eagerness to value talent is admirable. This matter shall be decided entirely by Your Majesty’s discretion.”

Hearing her words, Xuan Jingchi understood she had consented and immediately felt overjoyed. The thought of having such an extraordinarily capable person assisting her in governing the nation brought her immense relief and satisfaction.

She stood up and glanced around, realizing it was already quite late. Turning back, she said, “Yueli, let’s retire for the night.”

Though it was an utterly ordinary remark, Xiao Yueli’s cheeks flushed crimson with shyness.

Nodding slightly, Xiao Yueli summoned Nuanxiang and Xiao Rong, who were on night duty. After assisting Xuan Jingchi and Xiao Yueli with their bedtime preparations, the two maids bowed and withdrew from the bedchamber, carefully closing the doors behind them.

The chamber fell into profound silence. Having slept alone for the past two months, Xiao Yueli now felt her heart racing, her face burning with shyness. Lowering her gaze, she murmured softly, “Your Majesty, let us retire early tonight.”

No sooner had the words left her lips than the world seemed to spin around her—Xuan Jingchi had swept her up into a bridal carry. Before she could react, passionate lips descended upon hers in a fervent kiss.

Their prolonged separation transformed what began as tender caresses into fiery, desperate passion.

Breaths growing hot and ragged, Xuan Jingchi gasped impatiently, “Let’s move to the bed…”

“Mmm…”

Amidst their tangled lips, Xiao Yueli closed her eyes and tightened her arms around Xuan Jingchi’s neck, surrendering as she was carried toward the canopy bed…