Empress, Can I? [Transmigration + GL] - Chapter 84

That day, after court was dismissed, Xuan Jingchi kept Shangguan Meng, Meng Wan, and Xuan Jingning behind. The four of them went together to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Xuan Jingchi shared her thoughts with them this time. She believed that allowing the governors of each province to command military forces could easily lead to them amassing personal power and even rebelling. The recent flood in Yan Province was a clear lesson right before their eyes.

“So, Your Majesty means to separate military and administrative powers, so that local officials no longer hold military power?” Shangguan Meng said with a smile.

Xuan Jingchi nodded and pointed at the Daqing map. “I plan to establish five military bases across the country: the Southeast Base, governing Yun Province, Yan Province, Yue Province, and Ning Province; the Southwest Base, governing Chi Province, Qiong Province, and Qing Province; the Northeast Base, governing Bing Province, Yun Province, and Tai Province; the Northwest Base, governing Hui Province, Shuo Province, and Mu Province; and the Northern Border Base. The generals of these military bases will be appointed by the court, and the armies will be directly under central command.”

Shangguan Meng smiled and said, “Your Majesty’s plan is excellent. However, these five individuals will each command a region, so we must appoint suitable and loyal generals to prevent the formation of separatist forces.”

Xuan Jingchi said, “I’ve thought about that too. I plan to appoint one general for each military base, with two deputy generals under them.”

Meng Wan and Xuan Jingning exchanged a glance before smiling in unison. “Your Majesty has considered everything thoroughly. The selection of generals and deputy generals must be done with extreme caution.”

Xuan Jingchi sighed. “This method is better than the current system where each province controls its own army. No system is perfect; we can only improve it as we develop.”

The four of them began discussing candidates for these general positions. Xuan Jingchi only nominated one person: Chi Xiao, to serve as the general of the Southeast Military Base. Firstly, Chi Xiao was loyal to the country and cared for the people. Secondly, she was grateful to Chi Xiao for promptly deploying troops during the Yan Province flood.

After discussing for a long time, most candidates were decided, leaving only three crucial general positions vacant. Just as Xuan Jingchi was about to ask further, Shangguan Meng smiled and said, “Your Majesty, this matter is not urgent. The role of general is of great importance and carries significant weight. Why not allow us to return and deliberate carefully?”

Only then did Xuan Jingchi look up at the sky. Unknowingly, dusk had fallen. She smiled and said, “My apologies, it’s already late. Why don’t the three of you stay for a simple meal?”

Shangguan Meng joked, “This old man won’t join you ladies for dinner. I’ll go home and have a drink by myself.”

Thus, Xuan Jingchi kept Xuan Jingning and Meng Wan for dinner. “Chenxiang, go tell the Empress that we have guests tonight. Sister and Wan’er will be joining us for dinner.”

Her tone was natural, as if she and the Empress were the most ordinary couple in the world—she was hosting guests and welcoming relatives and friends, while Yue Li was at home arranging the food, tea, and drinks.

During the evening meal, Xuan Jingchi asked her elder sister about the war with the Shao Kingdom, listening intently and posing question after question.

Xiao Yueli smiled and said, “Your Majesty, don’t just focus on talking. The Grand Princess has barely eaten anything. It wouldn’t be good to let Her Highness return on an empty stomach.”

Xuan Jingchi laughed, “Right, right. Let’s eat, let’s eat.”

It was autumn, the season when crabs were plump and rich with roe, and the ones served in the palace were especially large. Xuan Jingchi personally peeled one for her sister, then another for Meng Wan, and finally, one for the Empress as well.

During the meal, the conversation turned to the annual autumn hunt. Xuan Jingchi said, “Wan’er, Miss Leng is exceptionally skilled. For this year’s autumn hunt, I’d like to invite her to participate. When you return, could you ask her if she’d be willing to come?” After a moment’s thought, she added, “Though Miss Leng’s swordsmanship is impressive, when it comes to archery, she might not surpass me.”

Meng Wan smiled gently and replied, “Thank you, Your Majesty. I will certainly convey your message.”

Hearing Xuan Jingchi speak so highly of Miss Leng, Xuan Jingning suddenly recalled something and frowned, asking, “Who is this Miss Leng? Is she that assassin?”

At these words, Meng Wan’s expression turned slightly awkward. Xuan Jingchi chuckled, “She isn’t exactly an assassin. The grudges and grievances between us are complicated. There’s no need for you to worry, Sister. When we were in Yanzhou, Miss Leng actually helped me. She won’t try to harm me again, right, Wan’er?”

Meng Wan, caught off guard by the emperor’s sudden question while she was speaking with the Grand Princess, replied respectfully, “I swear on my life that Xiao Leng will not pose any threat to Your Majesty again.”

Xuan Jingning said, “If that’s the case, and Miss Leng is so skilled, I would like to properly meet her during the autumn hunt.”

Xuan Jingning had also heard about the events in Yanzhou. It was obvious that her precious younger sister must have sneaked out of the palace—otherwise, how would she have suddenly appeared in Yanzhou and even led troops there?

After learning of the news, Xuan Jingning felt a mix of emotions. Though she was worried and fearful for her sister, who had put herself in danger, she also recognized that her younger sister had truly matured. She now understood the stakes and showed compassion for the people, no longer the willful, reckless princess who disregarded others’ lives.

Noticing her sister lost in thought, Xuan Jingchi smiled and asked, “Sister, what are you thinking about? Are the crabs delicious? I’ll have a basket prepared for each of you later. You can take one back for Sister-in-Law to enjoy.”

Xuan Jingning shook her head and smiled affectionately. “It’s nothing. I was just thinking how much more you resemble an emperor now. Sometimes it feels as though you’ve become a completely different person—almost unlike my little sister.”

At these words, both Xuan Jingchi and Xiao Yueli subtly changed expressions. Xuan Jingchi awkwardly avoided the topic, forcing a dry laugh as she served her sister more food.

Xiao Yueli said, “Your Majesty was doted on by the Grand Princess since childhood, so it was natural to be a bit willful and spoiled. Now that you’ve grown up and become the ruler, you’ve naturally learned to restrain yourself and emulate a sovereign who cares for the world. It’s only normal to be different from before. If it seems like you’ve become a new person, that’s actually a good thing.”

Meng Wan also laughed, “Is Your Highness the Grand Princess feeling a bit lost now that she sees Her Majesty taking charge?”

Xuan Jingning chuckled heartily, “Minister Meng speaks the truth. I’m just like those parents who can’t bear to let go when they see their children grown up. But I am genuinely happy for my sister and comforted on behalf of our late mother.”

Xuan Jingchi guiltily touched her forehead, thinking to herself, If Mother were alive and found out her daughter had been replaced from the inside, she would probably be scared to death or die of anger on the spot.

She forced herself to smile naturally and said, “It’s good to be different. People have to grow up eventually. I can’t always rely on my sister to protect me.”

Xuan Jingning nodded, raised a cup of wine to toast Xiao Yueli, and said sincerely, “Empress, my sister has a mischievous nature. The fact that she has come this far is thanks to your constant guidance and advice. This cup, I offer on behalf of our mother to thank you.”

Xiao Yueli raised her wine cup and smiled, “Your Highness flatters me.”

“Right, right! I must also toast the Empress to thank her for her constant supervision,” said Xuan Jingchi, who normally didn’t drink, as she also raised a cup to propose a toast.

“The Empress is Exemplary of the World, virtuous and dignified, a true model for all. I, your subject, also toast the Empress,” Meng Wan raised her cup as well.

Xiao Yueli remained composed, maintaining an elegant and dignified smile as she looked at the three of them, raised her cup, and drank it all in one go.

This meal, though somewhat nerve-wracking, ultimately ended harmoniously and joyfully.

After the evening meal, Xuan Jingning and Meng Wan took their leave together. Xuan Jingchi instructed Chenxiang to send each of them a basket of large crabs. Chenxiang smiled and agreed before leaving.

Meng Wan had since become the Prime Minister, and the Emperor had directly bestowed upon her a large mansion in the capital, complete with carved beams, painted rafters, artificial mountains, and flowing water—everything one could desire.

Meng Wan declined, not daring to accept, but Xuan Jingchi said, “You’ve only just become an official. With your salary, even if you didn’t eat or drink, it would take you ten years to afford such a place. By the time you could afford it, the price would have gone up. Listen to me, I’m bestowing it upon you. After all, you are the first female Prime Minister of the Great Qing Dynasty. In the future, you’ll surely have followers all over the world, so your residence cannot be too shabby.”

Not only did Xuan Jingchi grant her the mansion, but thinking that these well-read and cultured people always appreciate elegance, she also gifted her famous calligraphy and paintings, fragrant potted plants, and all necessary furnishings.

Today was the second day after she moved into her new mansion. Just as she stepped out of the carriage and entered the gate, Leng Qiuci came over and asked, “Have you eaten?”

Meng Wan nodded, “Yes, Her Majesty invited me to dine at the palace.” Then, she turned and instructed a young maid to bring in the crabs from the carriage.

After the two entered the house, Meng Wan asked, “Where is Mother?”

“Foster Mother has already gone to bed.”

Meng Wan nodded and added, “In two days, it’s the Royal Autumn Hunt. Her Majesty has invited you to join. Will you go?”

Leng Qiuci snorted at the mention of Xuan Jingchi, “No!”

“Her Majesty said that in terms of archery, you might not be better than her.”

Leng Qiuci immediately glared, “I’m not as good as her? What a joke! I think she’s just a frog at the bottom of a well, as you say!”

Meng Wan suppressed a laugh, thinking to herself, Her Majesty’s tactic of provocation really works every time.

“So, you’re going?”

“Of course! I want to see just how skilled she is with a bow!”

Meng Wan took her hand, “Alright, alright, don’t be angry. I know you’re amazing. Have you eaten? How about having the kitchen steam a couple of crabs for you? These were gifted by Her Majesty, and everything from Her Majesty is of the finest quality.”

Leng Qiuci said, “Fine, I’ll listen to you and reluctantly eat a couple.”

Meng Wan smiled and was about to step out to call for the young maid when, just as she leaned forward, someone embraced her from behind.

Leng Qiuci held her, breathing softly into her ear like an orchid, “Wan’er, I want to taste you first.”

Meng Wan blushed, grabbing Leng Qiuci’s unruly hands and lowering her voice, “Mother is here.”

But Leng Qiuci paid no heed, scooping her up in her arms and lowering her head to kiss Meng Wan’s lips.

Aroused, her voice grew husky, “Foster Mother is asleep. If we keep our voices down, no one will hear.”

*

A cloud drifted across the sky, obscuring the clear, brilliant moonlight.

It could no longer illuminate the tender lovers and their intimate entanglement.

Under the osmanthus tree in the courtyard, Xuan Jingmou, draped in an ornate black robe, stood motionless in the shadows beneath the tree, his eyes gloomy and his lips pressed into a thin line.

The flooding in Yanzhou and the matter concerning the Governor of Bing Province had severely weakened the influence of his father-in-law Lin Zaifu’s faction.

His father-in-law urged him to wait, to bide his time patiently until the enemy made a mistake.

But he couldn’t wait—not for a single moment!

He was the son of the late Empress, while Xuan Jingchi was merely the daughter of a former Noble Consort.

In terms of status and nobility, he was far superior to her!

He had studied the classics diligently since childhood, while Xuan Jingchi was uneducated and ignorant, utterly clueless about the classics, histories, philosophies, and literature.

In terms of talent and learning, he was undoubtedly far more accomplished than she!

He was the one most qualified to sit on the dragon throne.

If not for the late Emperor’s doting favor and absurd lack of principles, the throne should have been his long ago!

Watching Xuan Jingchi, who was inferior to him in every way, sit high above on the imperial throne, issuing commands as a mere woman, Xuan Jingmou had repeatedly felt the urge during court sessions to rush forward and drag that damned woman down from her seat!

Xuan Jingmou gritted his teeth until they creaked, his sinister eyes gleaming with a cold light.

He swore that whoever caused him displeasure would suffer even greater anguish in return!

The moonlight emerged from behind the clouds, illuminating his ugly, contorted face as a venomous smile spread across it.

Xuan Jingchi, you will soon meet someone.

I look forward to watching you go mad!