Empress, Can I? [Transmigration + GL] - Chapter 85

On the day of the autumn hunt, Xuan Jingchi, just like last year, changed into a red martial attire, tied her hair high in a bun, wore a pair of deer-skin cloud-stepping boots, and still carried the green embroidered pouch with the butterfly-and-flower pattern that the Empress had given her, hanging at her waist.

Xiao Yueli looked at her dashing and spirited appearance and smiled gently. This time, she didn’t offer any instructions, only saying, “Come back early for the meal.”

“Got it, Empress,” Xuan Jingchi replied with a radiant smile, leaning down to peck her on the corner of the lips. “Wait for me to come back for dinner.”

Xiao Yueli watched her leave the bedchamber, her red robes fluttering lightly as she disappeared beyond the courtyard. Once her figure vanished from sight, Xiao Yueli sighed softly. She didn’t know if it was because of what happened during last year’s autumn hunt, but she always felt a faint unease in her heart.

When Xuan Jingchi arrived at the hunting grounds, Xuan Jingning, Leng Qiuci, her eldest brother Xuan Jingming, and her fourth brother Xuan Jingmou were already there. As in previous years, many young nobles, both men and women, were on horseback, eagerly waiting for the Emperor to appear and announce the start of the hunt.

Unexpectedly, the Emperor announced a change in the rules. She felt that hunting rabbits, pheasants, and small deer every year was too dull. She clapped her hands, and Liu Jili gave a meaningful glance to the side. Immediately, a Little Eunuch hurried away and soon returned leading several other Little Eunuchs carrying wooden swords and arrows.

The crowd was puzzled, unsure of what the Emperor intended to do.

Xuan Jingchi said, “This year’s autumn hunt, let’s try something new. Everyone will be divided into two teams, determined by drawing lots. Those who draw red lots will be the hunters, and those who draw blue lots will be the prey. The hunters will ride horses, while the prey will have to rely on their own feet.”

“The rules of the game are simple: do as you please! The team that eliminates the other team first wins. I will reward the winners handsomely.”

“Don’t worry, these wooden swords and arrows are specially made. They won’t kill anyone, but if you are struck by a wooden sword or hit by an arrow, a red mark will appear on your body, indicating that you are ‘dead.’ You must raise a white flag and immediately leave the field, no longer eligible to continue.”

“During the game, the prey team can seize the horses and weapons of the hunter team.”

“Remember, the only goal of the game is to win!”

Upon hearing this, everyone found the game thrilling and fun, far more exciting than simply hunting rabbits.

As spirited young people, they immediately became enthusiastic, their blood boiling as they eagerly prepared.

“Begin drawing lots,” Xuan Jingchi commanded.

Today, over a hundred members of the royal family and noble youths participated in the hunt.

Forty people drew red lots and became hunters, including Xuan Jingchi’s two dear brothers and Leng Qiuci. The remaining sixty people all drew blue lots and became prey, including the Emperor herself.

Xuan Jingchi laughed and said, “Sister, I’ll rely on your command later.”

Xuan Jingning smiled and replied, “Little sister, you did this on purpose, didn’t you? Deliberately making them the cavalry to fight against us.”

Xuan Jingchi, realizing her little scheme had been seen through by her sister at a glance, chuckled awkwardly. “As expected of the Grand Marshal of the Military, nothing escapes you. The Empress won’t let me take risks, so I can only use this opportunity to have some fun.”

She leaned close to Xuan Jingning’s ear and whispered, “Those three across from us won’t show us any mercy, so we shouldn’t hold back against them either.”

Xuan Jingning replied, “Naturally.”

This time, Xuan Jingmou drew the red lot, symbolizing the hunter.

Upon seeing the figure in fluttering red robes among the group of prey waiting like lambs for slaughter, he breathed a sigh of utmost satisfaction, feeling as though heaven itself was aiding him.

Even the heavens were hinting that he was the true hunter.

As the prey, Xuan Jingchi deserved to be chased into panicked flight and brutally slaughtered by him.

Mounted on his horse, he raised his wooden sword and shouted loudly, “Charge! Leave no one standing!”

With that cry, all forty members of the red team spurred their horses forward. Even the usually expressionless Xuan Jingming now wore a faint look of excitement on his face.

Though Leng Qiuci also wanted to hunt down the prey, she disdained joining forces with Xuan Jingmou, who had once disrespected her. Compared to Xuan Jingchi, she loathed this ugly and shameless man even more.

As the red team drew closer, the blue team grew tense, gripping their wooden swords tightly. Even the usually carefree noble youths now felt the pressure of an impending battle.

Some picked up their bows, eager to act, and some even prepared to draw their swords and charge out.

Xuan Jingchi shouted, “Everyone, hold your positions! Follow the Grand Princess’s orders!”

Because the emperor was on their team, the members instinctively obeyed her command. They also knew that the Grand Princess was the supreme military commander, so her leadership would surely be effective.

When the red team came within range, Xuan Jingning suddenly commanded, “Fire arrows!”

Xuan Jingchi had been waiting for this moment. She immediately nocked an arrow and let it fly.

Her aim was extraordinarily precise. The first arrow struck the chest of the person leading the charge, leaving a conspicuous red mark on their clothing. That person dropped their wooden sword and bow, pulled out a white flag from their sleeve, and was considered eliminated.

Xuan Jingchi’s second arrow hit another person, who also had to raise the white flag. Her third arrow targeted Xuan Jingmou, who was struck and let out a cry of frustration, nearly driven mad with rage. But with the red mark on his clothing, he had no choice but to grit his teeth and reluctantly raise the white flag.

Seeing Xuan Jingchi’s flawless accuracy, the blue team’s morale soared, and they too began firing arrows.

As Xuan Jingchi prepared to shoot her fourth arrow, a dark streak flashed—a single arrow shot toward her forehead with astonishing force!

Xuan Jingchi hastily raised her bow to block it. Though she deflected the arrow, her arm trembled with numbness.

Only one person could deliver such a powerful shot.

Xuan Jingchi couldn’t help but glance up and, sure enough, saw Leng Qiuci in her flowing white robes, riding at the forefront. Seeing her deflect the arrow, Leng Qiuci immediately shot another.

In the moment it took Xuan Jingchi to block the second arrow, the red team had already closed in.

The blue team scattered in panic as the horses charged. Xuan Jingning shouted, “Split into left and right columns! Maintain formation!”

These young nobles, mostly boys and girls, were terrified by the onslaught. Many fled in disarray. One young lord, his handsome face pale with fear, shrieked and dodged frantically. Unfortunately, someone from the red team recognized him. “Hahaha! Yang Yuzhi! Where do you think you’re running?”

The rider swung his wooden sword down toward Yang Yuzhi’s back.

“Help! Save me, Your Majesty!” Yang Yuzhi abandoned all dignity, dropping his sword and bow as he covered his head and scrambled away.

Just as the sword was about to strike him, a swift gust of wind accompanied a red figure who fired an arrow at the rider. In the same motion, she leaped forward, grabbed the rider’s shoulder, and gently tossed him off the horse.

She could have kicked him off, but that would have likely caused serious injury.

Xuan Jingchi mounted the horse and smiled at the disheveled young man. “Yang Yuzhi, I’ve come to your rescue. Since you’re not skilled in riding or archery, why did you join this game?”

Yang Yuzhi spat out a mouthful of grass and stammered, “Thank you for saving me, Your Majesty. I didn’t want to come, but my family’s old master insisted.”

Xuan Jingchi chuckled, knowing he referred to his grandfather, the former General of Swift Cavalry.

“Be careful,” she advised. “If you can’t fight, run. If you can’t run, raise the white flag.”

With that, she turned her horse and shouted, “The rest, follow me!” Leading a contingent, she charged at the red team from the flank.

Though outnumbered, the red team relied on their mounts to crash through the blue team’s lines unimpeded, as if facing no resistance.

Leng Qiuci surged ahead, her wooden sword slashing and striking, swiftly taking down over a dozen blue team nobles.

Watching this, Xuan Jingning inwardly praised, this Leng Qiuci is truly fearless and formidable! She promptly seized a horse from a red team youth and charged toward Leng Qiuci.

On the flank, Xuan Jingchi drew her bow, targeting the red team’s center. Chaos erupted as their formation broke.

She then spurred her horse into the fray, her sword whirling with fierce momentum. Almost no one could withstand her strikes, and within moments, she had unhorsed several youths.

Inspired by the emperor’s bravery, the blue team’s morale soared. Their fear vanished, and they surged forward enthusiastically.

*

“Your Majesty, someone from the Grand Princess Manor has arrived,” Chenxiang reported.

Xuan Yueli was puzzled. “The Grand Princess Manor? What is it about?”

“Your Majesty, the messenger said Consort Shangguan has acquired a calligraphy and painting piece and specially invites you to appraise it.”

Shangguan Wei had visited the palace several times with Xuan Jingning. Over their meetings, Shangguan Wei and Xiao Yueli had grown acquainted, discovering their shared passion for calligraphy and painting during casual conversations.

Xiao Yueli nodded. “Take him to the main hall.”

“As you command.” Chenxiang bowed and left.

Xiao Yueli rose and, accompanied by Xiao Rong and Xiao Fu, proceeded to the main hall.

Shortly, Chenxiang escorted the visitor in.

Xiao Yueli recognized him—from the Grand Princess’s wedding banquet, she and Xuan Jingchi had passed through the courtyard as a line of servants walked by, and this man had stumbled and fallen.

The steward had immediately scowled, ready to reprimand him angrily, but Xuan Jingchi intervened, saying, “Let it be. He didn’t mean to.”

She still remembered the mischievous Xuan Jingchi whispering in her ear, “Empress, look how beautiful you are. Anyone who sees you would be captivated by you.”

Captivated—how did she come up with such a phrase?

The man held a scroll high with both hands, bowing his head and saying, “Your Majesty, the Imperial Consort has sent this painting for your appreciation.”

Xiao Yueli glanced at Xiao Rong, who stepped forward to take the scroll from the tray in the man’s hands.

Unexpectedly, the man withdrew the tray and said, “The Imperial Consort specifically instructed me that this painting is rare and precious, and I must present it to Your Majesty in person.”

Xiao Rong frowned, displeased. “Her Majesty’s dignity is not something you can demand to see at will!”

Xiao Yueli said calmly, “Let him come forward. The Imperial Consort treasures paintings dearly, so it’s only natural for him to be cautious.”

“Yes,” Xiao Rong had no choice but to step aside.

The servant advanced a few more steps, holding the scroll with both hands and slowly unrolling it before the Empress.

Xiao Yueli saw that the painting was executed with vigorous and ancient brushwork, its artistic conception was elegant, and her eyes lit up. She rose from her seat and approached the painting, studying it carefully.

Seeing the Empress draw near, the man dared not be disrespectful, bowing even lower and keeping his head down as he slowly unrolled the scroll.

Xiao Rong and Xiao Fu stayed close to the Empress’s side. They knew nothing about painting, but seeing the smile on Her Majesty’s face, they assumed it must be a masterpiece.

Just as the scroll was about to be fully unfurled, a cold glint suddenly flashed before their eyes. Xiao Yueli’s face instantly changed, and Xiao Fu let out a startled cry before being shoved forcefully to the ground.

By the time everyone reacted, a gleaming dagger was already pressed against Xiao Yueli’s neck.

Xiao Rong, Chenxiang, and Nuanxiang were startled by the sudden turn of events. Xiao Rong was about to rush forward, even at the risk of being stabbed, to save the Empress.

“Don’t move! If any of you take another step, I’ll kill the Empress!” The man shifted the dagger slightly against Xiao Yueli’s neck.

Xiao Rong froze in fear, not daring to move.

Seeing the Empress held hostage, Chenxiang shouted loudly, “Assassin! Protect Her Majesty! Protect Her Majesty!”

Instantly, seven or eight Guards rushed in from outside the hall, shouting in unison, “Audacious villain, release Her Majesty at once!”

The man showed no fear. Instead, he laughed loudly, keeping the tip of the blade firmly against Xiao Yueli’s neck.

“If you don’t want the Empress to die, get out of my way!”

Soon, the Imperial Guards commander Wang Zhan arrived at Chenyuan Palace. “Who are you? How dare you take the Empress hostage?! Surrender now, unless you want your entire clan executed!”

Chenxiang, her face pale, stared intently at the man. “What do you want? Let’s talk this through.”

“Hmph! What am I afraid of? I’ve already died once!” The man’s expression turned cold as he spoke fiercely, “All of you, step back! I need to speak with the Empress alone.”

Xiao Yueli’s heart stirred, “Just who are you?”

“Who am I?” The man suddenly burst into wild laughter, like a wounded beast, his laughter filled with anger and bitterness. “You’ll know soon enough.”

“Step back! Or I’ll really take action!” With that, he pressed the dagger slightly forward, and a thin line of blood immediately appeared on Xiao Yueli’s jade-white neck.

Upon seeing this, Xiao Fu, Xiao Rong, Chenxiang, and Nuanxiang couldn’t help but cry out in alarm, cold sweat breaking out on their backs. “No! No! Don’t harm Her Majesty!”

Unable to move, Xiao Yueli had no choice but to say, “All of you, step back.”

“Quickly retreat! Everyone, step back! Close the palace doors!”

With no other option, Wang Zhan had to give the order for the guards to withdraw. He, along with Chenxiang, Xiao Rong, and the others, retreated outside the hall and closed the doors.

Chenxiang and Nuanxiang were frantic with worry, while Xiao Fu and Xiao Rong were so anxious they began to cry.

Wang Zhan called for Yan Xing and whispered, “Go quickly to the hunting grounds and inform Her Majesty that the Empress has been taken hostage by an assassin.”

Once everyone had withdrawn, the man suddenly removed the dagger from Xiao Yueli’s neck and roughly wiped his face with his hand. His ordinary appearance instantly transformed into a different face.

“Miss Xiao, do you still remember me?”

When Xiao Yueli saw his true face, she was startled and her expression changed instantly. “It’s you!”

“Yes! It’s me!” Seeing that she recognized him, a joyful smile spread across his face. “Quite unexpected, isn’t it?”

His gaze softened as he looked at the wound on Xiao Yueli’s neck, and he said gently, “I didn’t want to hurt you.”

Xiao Yueli avoided his gaze and said calmly, “Why have you come here?”

Her cold tone carried an unfamiliar distance.

The man trembled all over, as if taken by surprise. He stared blankly for a moment before his expression suddenly turned agitated. Gnashing his teeth, he said, “Why have I come here? Don’t you know? Don’t you know who is responsible for me ending up like this?! Do you have any idea how I’ve lived this past year?”

At this point, he stared intently at Xiao Yueli for a long time before lowering his voice again.

“But it doesn’t matter. No matter how much I’ve suffered, I’m willing to endure it, as long as I can see you again!”

“Miss Xiao, do you know how much I’ve missed you this past year? I couldn’t stop thinking about you for a single moment! Every day, I had to rely on thoughts of you just to keep living!” He moved closer to Xiao Yueli, almost obsessively. “I missed your hair, your face, your lips…”

“Enough!” Xiao Yueli’s face turned cold as she took a step back, meeting his intense gaze. She said coldly, “I am now the Empress of Daqing, the Emperor’s wife. Your words are highly inappropriate!”

The man was abruptly startled and looked Xiao Yueli up and down.

“What’s wrong with you? How can you be so cold to me? You weren’t like this before! I’ll always remember that spring when I visited your home. Under the cherry blossom tree, our group recited poetry and sang loudly, drinking to our hearts’ content. You came out to continue the poem for your brother, and you smiled at me—so beautifully! Deep down, you actually liked me, didn’t you?”

Xiao Yueli’s heart skipped a beat.

It was true that my brother called me to help him, and I continued the poem for my brother. It was also true that I smiled. But at that time, I was merely smiling politely at all the guests.

In her previous life, she never understood why she had become the Emperor’s love rival, or why rumors spread claiming they were mutually enamored.

She once thought the Emperor couldn’t bear seeing the title of Qing Country’s most beautiful woman bestowed upon another, thus fabricating an excuse to ruin her.

Only now did she realize all the suffering in her past life stemmed from an unintentional smile.

It had provoked improper thoughts in the wrong person, leading to everything that followed.

Xiao Yueli frowned and said, “If I ever gave you the wrong impression in the past, I apologize, but I have never liked you.”

Her words were calm and unruffled, yet like the coldest winter wind, they instantly extinguished the passion and fire in his heart.

“Impossible! I don’t believe it! You like me! You clearly like me! Why won’t you admit it?!!”

Xiao Yueli shook her head. “There’s nothing to admit or not admit. I appreciate your deep affection, but I’m sorry—I have never liked you, not in the past, not now, and not in the future.”

The man became frantic, his face contorted. He grabbed a dagger and slashed wildly through the air, sweeping everything off the table in a fury.

As if that weren’t enough, he snatched the scroll from the floor, tore it to shreds, then rushed up to Xiao Yueli.

“You’re lying to me, aren’t you? Did that licentious woman force you?”

Licentious woman?

Xiao Yueli frowned, then realized he was referring to Xuan Jingchi.

She looked up at him, at this man driven nearly mad by unrequited love, and for a moment, he seemed to resemble Xuan Jingchi from her past life.

Just as lovelorn, just as hysterical, just as frenzied and sorrowful!

“No, Her Majesty is not a licentious woman, and she did not force me.”

The man shuddered violently, suddenly seizing Xiao Yueli’s arms, gripping her like iron clamps.

“Why? Why are you doing this to me? I would give up everything for you! I’ve become neither human nor ghost for you! You can’t not love me!”

On the hunting grounds, while Leng Qiuci was engaged in combat with her sister Xuan Jingning, Xuan Jingchi took advantage of the moment to fire a cold arrow, striking Leng Qiuci squarely in the back.

“Hahaha, Miss Leng, you’ve been eliminated.”

Leng Qiuci turned pale with rage, glaring back at Xuan Jingchi. “Shameless! Shooting a cold arrow from behind—what kind of hero are you?”

“Miss Leng, why so angry? I told you—there are no rules, only victory!” Xuan Jingchi laughed. “Next time, next time you can beat us.”

Although Leng Qiuci was very angry, a loss was a loss. She had no choice but to reluctantly pull out a small white flag from her sleeve.

In this red versus blue team battle, thanks to the two experts Xuan Jingchi and Xuan Jingning on the blue team, the blue team narrowly won, but suffered heavy casualties.

A chorus of “Aiyo, aiyo” moans rose from the ground as this group of noble youths lay on the floor crying out in pain.

Only Yang Yuzhi stood perfectly fine in the distance, holding a white flag high, looking completely detached from the situation.

Xuan Jingchi laughed, “Young heroes of Daqing, will you come again next year?”

“Yes! We’ll come again!”

“It’s fun! Exciting! Of course we’ll come!”

“Hmph! Next year I’ll pay back every hit I took today!”

Just as Xuan Jingchi was marveling at the power of cavalry with Xuan Jingning, Yan Xing suddenly rushed over in a hurry and knelt before Xuan Jingchi.

“Your Majesty, Her Majesty the Empress has been kidnapped!”