Empress, Can I? [Transmigration + GL] - Chapter 80

The next day, when Xuan Jingchi appeared in court, the ministers who hadn’t seen their emperor for two months found her presence somewhat unfamiliar. However, her subsequent words and actions left them utterly dumbfounded.

First, Xuan Jingchi had Liu Jili present the blood-written indictment to each minister for careful examination.

The reactions varied—some looked astonished, others appeared awkward, a few showed shame, while several turned pale.

Many had already heard about the dramatic upheaval in Yanzhou’s official circles, about how the emperor had suddenly appeared thousands of miles from the capital in Yanzhou, and how she had swiftly and decisively arrested Yanzhou’s governor, Yan Youting.

This young female emperor was far from the incompetent figure of rumor.

Immediately after, Xuan Jingchi ordered Meng Wan to announce the exemption of Yanzhou’s taxes for two years. Following this decree, she promoted Edict Officer Meng Wan to Councilor of State Affairs, appointed Shangguan Meng as Chief Secretary, and elevated Chi Xiao, the merit-earning captain of Taizhou who had protected the imperial carriage, to Governor of Yanzhou.

The entire court was shocked. Even Dugu Jinyu appeared deeply surprised, gazing at Xuan Jingchi with profound, contemplative eyes.

Xuan Jingchi had expected Lin Zaifu to voice some opposition, but to her surprise, he remained silent, his expression calm and composed as if completely detached from the matter.

This composure actually unsettled Xuan Jingchi—she knew that the calmer an enemy appeared, the more formidable they truly were.

After court adjourned, Xuan Jingchi personally left the palace to seek out Mr. Meng, fearing he might decline the position of her chancellor.

Meng Wan remained in the palace to assist the Empress in reviewing memorials. Next month, she would officially assume the position of Chancellor and intended to use these days to familiarize Yao Xianhui with the duties.

Yao Xianhui, handling memorials for the first time, understood the gravity of the task. Matters involving imperial decrees and edicts left no room for error, and her nervousness made even her handwriting shaky.

Empress Xiao Yueli, noticing her distress, smiled gently. “Xianhui, there’s no need to worry. You’ll get used to it after drafting a few more.”

Meng Wan also chuckled. “I was just like you when I first started. Don’t be afraid—Her Majesty is here. If you don’t understand something, just ask her. The Empress is the most talented woman in our Great Qing Dynasty.”

Xiao Yueli shook her head with a smile. “Don’t listen to your teacher. Wan’er is well-read and eloquent—she’s the true top talent of Great Qing.”

Yao Xianhui had initially thought the Empress, with her dignified elegance, noble bearing, and cool, moonlit-snow-like demeanor, would be aloof and unapproachable. To her surprise, the Empress had comforted her with warmth, easing her tension and bringing her relief.

Today’s memorials were not particularly numerous, and with the Empress and Meng Wan both being highly skilled, Yao Xianhui listened, learned, and wrote alongside them. In less than two hours, everything was settled.

Chenxiang served tea and pastries as Xiao Yueli and Meng Wan discussed their journey to Yanzhou. Hearing Meng Wan recount it now, the tale took on a new level of thrill and danger.

Unexpectedly, the conversation turned to Xuan Jingchi’s fall off a cliff and subsequent entrapment in a cave.

Since only women were present, Meng Wan spoke freely, praising the Emperor’s quick wit—burning her own clothes to signal for help—though she admitted this detail had come from Leng Qiuci.

Xiao Yueli’s expression remained composed, but inwardly, her emotions surged like stormy waves. She felt shock, fear, and anger all at once.

Xuan Jingchi had never mentioned any of this to her—instead, she had lied, claiming she’d been bitten by a snake by accident!

Yao Xianhui, meanwhile, marveled at the Emperor’s martial prowess, fighting alongside Leng Qiuci against skilled warriors, an experience that had broadened her horizons.

The more Xiao Yueli listened, the angrier she grew. It seemed wherever danger lurked, Xuan Jingchi would rush headlong into it!

As evening approached, Xuan Jingchi finally returned to the palace.

After a long conversation with Mr. Meng, she learned he was Shangguan Wei’s uncle, born into a prestigious family but fond of disguising himself as a destitute wanderer to travel the world and befriend those who judged not by status or appearance.

Xuan Jingchi clicked her tongue inwardly. Eccentric geniuses—why pretend to be ugly? Wouldn’t it be better to flaunt talent and looks?

Back in the palace, she immediately presented the Empress with the pine nut candy she had bought, along with a new osmanthus-flavored variety from the same shop. “Empress, I brought you sweets. This osmanthus one isn’t as sweet—try it.”

Xiao Yueli didn’t take them herself but glanced at Xiao Rong, who stepped forward to accept the treats. Unable to help herself, Xiao Rong looked up at Xuan Jingchi with a complicated gaze but said nothing.

Xuan Jingchi immediately sensed something amiss, a foreboding feeling like the calm before a storm.

“Leave us. Since someone heartlessly bought sweets, you might as well heartlessly enjoy them.”

Xiao Rong dared not reply, bowing as she retreated and closed the palace doors behind her.

Watching Xiao Yueli’s stony expression and hearing her calm tone, Xuan Jingchi’s heart pounded as she wondered where she had gone wrong to upset the Empress today.

“Speak! How exactly did you get bitten by that snake? Do you think you’re invincible, daring to jump off cliffs? Do you consider yourself the world’s greatest, charging at assassins like that?”

Xuan Jingchi trembled, instinctively lifting her leg to flee.

“Halt! Don’t you dare run!”

Xuan Jingchi immediately froze in place like a coward.

Soon after, hysterical screams echoed from the chamber, each cry sounding excruciatingly painful.

“Yueli, Yueli! I know I was wrong! I’ll be more careful next time!”

“You think there’ll be a next time?”

“No! No! Aaaaaah!!!”

“Let me teach you to play hero!! Let me teach you to be reckless! Today I’ll cripple this arm of yours!”

“Aaaaaah! Empress, please pinch the other arm instead!”

“You’re still being insolent at this point?!”

“Aaaaaah!”

…

Nuanxiang, Chenxiang, Xiao Fu and Xiao Rong stood outside the closed palace doors, shaking their heads with sighs, making no move to intervene and plead for mercy. This time, Her Majesty had truly been too reckless with her own safety—no wonder the Empress was furious.

“These sweets are delicious!” Xiao Fu held a bag, popping lotus candies into her mouth one after another. “Would you like to try some?”

Hearing this, Nuanxiang, Chenxiang and Xiao Rong all turned to glare at her with exasperation. “Only you could be so heartless!”

During dinner, Xuan Jingchi’s right arm was still uncooperative, her chopstick-holding hand trembling slightly as food kept slipping off.

Nuanxiang couldn’t help stepping forward. “Your Majesty, let this servant serve your meal.” Before she finished, Xiao Yueli sneered, “Let her do it herself.” Only by serving herself will she remember her lesson.”

Xuan Jingchi inwardly wailed with bitterness, but didn’t dare voice any objection. “We’ll do it ourselves, ourselves…”

Nuanxiang sighed at the pitiful sight of the Emperor. Outside the bedchamber, the Emperor was sovereign, her word law. But once inside, she became a helpless little wife, completely at the Empress’s mercy.

At bedtime, Xuan Jingchi shamelessly tried to climb onto the bed.

Xiao Yueli: “What are you doing?”

Xuan Jingchi: “Being intimate with the Empress.”

Xiao Yueli was both annoyed and amused. “Have you forgotten about your arm? Are you even capable?”

Xuan Jingchi replied cheekily, “Though my arm lacks strength, my wrists are very flexible! They’ll work just fine!”

Xiao Yueli: “…”