Her Majesty The Empress Has Made Her Debut In The Center Position [Ancient to Modern] - Chapter 37

The appetizers had been served.

The dishes were few but exquisitely prepared. Ji Zhao took a bite and shook her head. “Meh.”

Yu Cheng instructed the waiter to bring the next course. They continued sampling dish after dish, while the violinist standing nearby played one elegant piece after another, until Ji Zhao set down her fork. “Don’t think this will make me back down.”

The violin’s melody flowed gracefully through the air, the candlelight flickered across the table, and the cityscape beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows painted a picture-perfect scene. A few tables away, a man proposed. The woman gasped as she found a ring hidden in her cake, covering her mouth in surprise, her hushed voice overflowing with joy. Ji Zhao watched with interest for a moment, then slowly turned back to Yu Cheng, who hadn’t answered. “Hm?”

Yu Cheng was slicing the steak. General Yu’s knife skills were legendary; the steak was cut into uniformly sized pieces, neatly arranged on the plate.

She silently pushed the plate over. “Your Majesty, how will you hold others accountable for their mistakes?”

Ji Zhao speared a piece of steak. “Explain further.”

“Yu Cheng likes women and is quite fickle,” Yu Cheng said. “She often brings girls here to eat, but nothing inappropriate ever happens. We just eat. Even if she had done something, it wouldn’t involve me.”

“How can Your Majesty punish me for past crimes committed by others?”

Ji Zhao snorted softly. “You’ve become quite the smooth talker.”

Yu Cheng continued, “I don’t want Your Majesty to misunderstand me.” She absentmindedly sliced her steak, a hint of grievance in her voice. “I only ever brought you here.”

Ji Zhao chuckled. “You’ll bring others here in the future too.”

Yu Cheng paused. “What?”

Ji Zhao hummed in acknowledgment. “Though I doubt you’ll get the chance. Once the Seven Stars Alignment occurs, we’re going back. If you miss us, you could open a branch in the capital. No need for fancy decor—just let the common people taste our food too.”

“You’ll be able to take someone you like on a date someday,” Ji Zhao teased. “General Yu says he can’t settle down until the borders are pacified. Once we return, we’ll settle those borders, and you can start pursuing someone. What do they say? Oh, life!”

Yu Cheng put down her knife and fork. “Your Majesty no longer needs me?”

Ji Zhao didn’t understand. “Hm?”

Yu Cheng said seriously, “My life is to protect the country and protect Your Majesty. I don’t want to settle down!”

“Roar, roar what are you roaring for?” Ji Zhao glared at her, exasperated. “I know, I won’t bring it up again. Wasn’t I just trying to make your life a little easier?”

Yu Cheng pursed her lips. “Your Majesty’s intentions are truly kind.”

Ji Zhao said, “You actually recognize my kind intentions? From this moment on, you’re not allowed to call me ‘Your Majesty’ anymore.”

Yu Cheng said, “Your Majesty said it was okay to call you that in private.”

Ji Zhao said, “I take it back.”

Yu Cheng: “……”

She said in a small voice, “But you said your word was as good as gold.”

Ji Zhao said, acting petulant, “I overturned it.”

Yu Cheng muttered, “Your Majesty has always been the best at acting spoiled.”

Ji Zhao hummed. “What were you muttering about?”

Yu Cheng placed the sliced lobster on Ji Zhao’s plate. “It’s delicious. I heard it was flown in from Boston.”

Ji Zhao thought to herself that Yu Cheng was really getting spoiled. Before, she would always answer questions directly, but now she even knew how to change the subject. As the Emperor, should she punish Yu Cheng or let her be herself?

 

This was a problem. She needed to think carefully… Hmm? Ji Zhao’s eyes lit up. “It is delicious.”

Yu Cheng smiled.

Though the entire court spoke of the Emperor’s willfulness tempered by imperial dignity, Yu Cheng always felt that Ji Zhao was like a child. The little expression she made after tasting something delicious made her seem lively and endearingly cute.

Yu Cheng said, “Then you should eat more.”

Ji Zhao took a sip of juice and pulled her phone out of her bag. “I wonder if Jiangjiang and Qiao Yue have eaten yet. I’ll ask where they are and invite them to join us.”

Yu Cheng instinctively protested, “Hey—”

Ji Zhao looked up. “What is it?”

Yu Cheng shook her head. “Nothing.”

But she felt a little disappointed inside. It was supposed to be just her and Her Majesty… Fans had called it a date, but now with two more people, it couldn’t be called a date anymore, could it? More like a group meal.

Song Jiangjiang and Qiao Yue were nearby. They’d planned to grab a quick bite at a casual restaurant, but they ran into trolls who started harassing Song Jiangjiang. Even after they fought back, they couldn’t eat and were now wandering the streets, starving.

Though it might seem romantic, the two of them could easily eat a whole cow. Naturally, they eagerly accepted Ji Zhao’s invitation.

 

Less than ten minutes later, the manager brought Song Jiangjiang and Qiao Yue over.

A server added two chairs to the table, asked what they’d like to drink, and handed them menus while they looked over the drink options. After watching the server, who was dressed even better than she was, walk away, Song Jiangjiang clicked her tongue. “You actually have money to eat here?!”

Ji Zhao smiled. “Order whatever you want.”

“Thank goodness this restaurant doesn’t have a menu entirely in English,” Song Jiangjiang grumbled, scanning the menu. “Last year, I went to a French restaurant with a senior colleague from my company. The menu was all in English, and I could only understand the prices. Since it all seemed so expensive, I randomly picked the two cheapest items. But after waiting forever, our food still hadn’t arrived. Can you guess what happened?”

Qiao Yue asked curiously, “What happened?”

Song Jiangjiang sighed. “The server said the two songs I’d ordered had already been performed for me.”

Ji Zhao: “……”

Yu Cheng: “……”

Qiao Yue: “How familiar…”

Song Jiangjiang burst out laughing. “It’s an internet meme. I was just trying to trick these two old fogeys who don’t use the web.”

Even if they didn’t understand the joke, they certainly understood being called “old fogeys.” Ji Zhao snatched the menu away and snapped her fingers to summon the server. “This lady isn’t hungry. Bring her two songs instead.”

Song Jiangjiang: “!!!”

She pleaded, “I was wrong, I was wrong! Sugar Mom, don’t be angry.”

Ji Zhao tapped her hand with the menu. “Don’t call me that. Yu Cheng’s paying.”

Song Jiangjiang readily agreed. “You two are both Sugar Moms, and the three of us are a happy family. I’ll even start an online account dedicated to shipping this family of three.”

Qiao Yue sighed. “You’re willing to do all this just for a meal?”

Song Jiangjiang slid the menu toward her. “Look at the menu and pick something. Once we eat, we’ll be a family of four.”

Qiao Yue quickly got into the spirit. “Okay, Mommies, give me a moment.”

Ji Zhao and Yu Cheng exchanged a look.

The innocent and adorable Qiao Yue had been corrupted in an instant. Indeed, those who stay close to ink will inevitably get stained.

 

The restaurant was quiet and sparsely populated. The dining etiquette here was simple: mind your manners and keep conversation to a minimum. Song Jiangjiang couldn’t resist the urge to speak, and finally, unable to contain herself, she created a small group chat: “Are we just going to sit here like this?”

[ Ji Zhaozhao: ] What do you want to do?

[ Song Jiangjiang: ] Play a game?

[ Qiao Yue: ] This isn’t a karaoke bar…

[ Yu Cheng: ] What kind of game?

[ Song Jiangjiang: ] Dice game? Whoever rolls the lowest drinks!

[ Ji Zhaozhao ]: Yu Cheng can’t hold her liquor.

[ Qiao Yue ]: I can’t drink either.

[ Song Jiangjiang ]: How about this? Let’s make it exciting. Jiangjiang and Yueyue will be one team, Zhaozhao and Yu Cheng the other. Yueyue and Yu Cheng will roll the dice, and whoever gets the higher number wins. The loser has to answer a question, and their teammate has to drink.

[ Song Jiangjiang ]: Wanna play?

Yu Cheng asked, “Where do we roll the dice?”

After figuring it out, she turned to Ji Zhao and said, “Don’t worry.”

Ji Zhao: “……”

She had a nagging sense of dread.

Sure enough, in the first three rounds, Yu Cheng rolled a one every time. When she rolled a one for the third time, Song Jiangjiang flooded the chat with “hahaha” until it hurt the eyes: “Yu Cheng! You’re really unlucky!”

Ji Zhao glanced at Yu Cheng.

Yu Cheng’s eyes darted around wildly, but after a moment, she realized her luck was truly terrible and submitted to Ji Zhao’s silent judgment. “…Maybe I should just drink.”

“Don’t,” Yu Cheng said, picking up her glass. “I’ll do it.”

Although the drink was a low-alcohol mix specially prepared by the server at Song Jiangjiang’s request, Ji Zhao had long lost faith in Yu Cheng’s ability to hold her liquor. If she got drunk in a public place, it would be all over the evening trending topics.

Ji Zhao downed the drink in one gulp and savored the taste. “Does this have a peach flavor?”

“Right! It’s peach-flavored sparkling water.” Song Jiangjiang turned to Yu Cheng. “Your turn, Yu Cheng. My question is… when did you lose your virgin kiss?”

Ji Zhao and Yu Cheng both froze. “Virgin kiss?”

Song Jiangjiang glanced between them. “You haven’t…?”

Qiao Yue whispered, “Me neither.”

Song Jiangjiang took her hand. “Who hasn’t?”

Qiao Yue wiped away tears. “I never imagined all four of us at this table would be such perfect idols—none of us have even—”

“Eighteen,” Yu Cheng interrupted. “I lost it when I was eighteen.”

Ji Zhao stared at her in disbelief, thinking she must have misheard. Yu Cheng remained calm. “As long as it was a kiss on the lips, that counts, right?”

Song Jiangjiang swallowed hard. “Yeah.”

“Then that’s it,” Yu Cheng said. She lowered her head. “Next round.”

Ji Zhao’s mind buzzed. The voices around her seemed distant, as if she were trapped inside a giant bubble, the words “eighteen, when I was eighteen” echoing endlessly in her head.

Yu Cheng was older than her, having volunteered to guard the border at eighteen. Did she meet the person she liked there? Why didn’t she tell us? Was it just a fleeting romance? But how could a single kiss still be etched in her memory after all these years?

“Zhaozhao,” Song Jiangjiang called out. “It’s your turn to drink.”

 

Lost in thought, Yu Cheng lost again. Ji Zhao drained her shot without hesitation. Before Song Jiangjiang could ask, she turned to Yu Cheng first. “Who was it? Who did you share your first kiss with?”

Song Jiangjiang’s eyes widened. “That should be my—”

A glare from Ji Zhao silenced her. She gestured for Ji Zhao to continue. “Go ahead, ask her.”

Yu Cheng’s gaze flickered. “I don’t remember either.”

Ji Zhao hummed in acknowledgment.

It must not have been anyone important. Suppressing a twinge of irritation, she turned her frustration on Yu Cheng. “Can you at least win once?”

Yu Cheng shrugged. “I’m trying my best.”

She was trying her best, but luck wasn’t on her side. After twenty rounds, Yu Cheng had won only once. Even Song Jiangjiang was running out of questions. “Zhaozhao,” she suggested, “why don’t I ask you instead?”

Ji Zhao hummed absentmindedly. “Ask away.”

Song Jiangjiang perked up, exchanging a glance with Qiao Yue. Her mischievous thoughts churned as she cleared her throat. “Have you ever been moved? When was that?”

Ji Zhao poured herself a glass of wine. “That’s two questions, isn’t it?”

Song Jiangjiang chuckled. “Two for the price of one!”

“Alright,” Ji Zhao said, having downed over a dozen glasses of wine. Even with her low alcohol tolerance, she was starting to feel tipsy. Resting her chin in her hand, she reminisced, her gaze soft and dreamy, as if filled with mist. Anyone who met her eyes felt their heart flutter. “The first time I ever felt… something…”

She took a small sip of the wine in her glass, savoring the refreshing peach flavor, reminiscent of the branch Yu Cheng had sent her from the northern frontier that year.

Its delicate beauty carried the bracing scent of snowy winds.

Her throat bobbed as she tilted her head back to drain the glass. Under the expectant gazes of her three companions, she smiled. “Never. I’ve never met anyone who’s ever made my heart skip a beat.”

A flicker of disappointment crossed Yu Cheng’s eyes.

 

As time passed, the night’s beauty only deepened.

Guests trickled out, paying their bills and leaving. Before long, their table was the only one left in the hall. The manager brought over dessert and fruit, noticing Ji Zhao’s tipsy state, and offered her a hangover remedy before retreating.

“It’s understandable, though,” Song Jiangjiang said, pouring Ji Zhao a glass of milk. “Men these days are just no good. The last time I felt anything was over a fictional character. But after seeing how actors can fall from grace these days, I lost interest. Haven’t felt anything since.”

She clinked her wineglass against Ji Zhao’s. “I understand.”

She turned to Qiao Yue. “What about you?”

Qiao Yue took a sip of juice. “Before, I focused solely on my studies because I enjoyed learning. Later, when I developed a passion for dancing, I became a trainee. On my very first day as a trainee, my teacher told me I couldn’t have a boyfriend.”

That’s like nipping it in the bud.

Song Jiangjiang then turned to Yu Cheng. “Yu Cheng, you—”

The words caught in her throat as she noticed Yu Cheng gazing at Ji Zhao, her expression complex enough to fuel thousands of words of analysis among shipping fans, making them believe there was something between them. Jiangjiang’s heart skipped a beat.

Stupid, stupid! I should have asked Ji Zhao if she had any girls she was interested in!

But regretting it now was too late. Zheng Dongqing had just sent them a message asking where they were—the car to pick them up was almost there. Song Jiangjiang quickly pulled out the GoPro camera provided by the production team and filmed a short video, capturing footage from each of the four girls’ perspectives. They would later hand it over to the production team, who would edit it and let them post it on Weibo.

“Alright, thanks for the great meal today!” Song Jiangjiang turned off her GoPro and put it away. “When I make big money someday, I’ll treat you guys too!”

“Zhaozhao!” Yu Cheng cried out just as Song Jiangjiang finished speaking. It was like she’d vanished and reappeared in an instant. When Qiao Yue and Song Jiangjiang focused their eyes, they saw Yu Cheng already wrapped around Ji Zhao’s waist, asking anxiously, “Zhaozhao, are you alright?”

Ji Zhao pushed her away. “I’m fine! I’m not drunk! I can walk!”

Yu Cheng: “……”

Song Jiangjiang & Qiao Yue: “……”

You might as well have written “I’m drunk” on my forehead!

 

Ji Zhao insisted she wasn’t drunk and refused to let Yu Cheng help her. She stumbled toward the door, pushing Yu Cheng aside, but staggered with every step. She even complained about the restaurant, saying it was poorly designed—how could they have a step in the middle of a flat floor? Who would be responsible if a customer fell?

“Demolish and rebuild!” she shouted, slamming her palm against the wall so hard it stung. “This wall is too hard! Trying to kill me…”

Yu Cheng followed her closely. “Alright, we’ll demolish and rebuild.”

Ji Zhao touched something, and Yu Cheng commented on it. When there was nothing left to criticize, Ji Zhao stood by the window near the elevator, looking down at the bustling traffic below. Her forehead rested against the railing. “It’s so high.”

Yu Cheng leaned her forehead against the railing too. “Just close your eyes if you’re scared.”

Ji Zhao shook her head. “It’s beautiful.”

Yu Cheng’s voice was very soft. “What if I have a nightmare?”

Ji Zhao shot her a sideways glance. “Are you cursing me? What are you trying to do? You’re even smiling! Aren’t you afraid I’ll have your entire family executed?”

Yu Cheng knew Ji Zhao was just trying to scare her. “The Emperor is merciful and wouldn’t kill innocent people. Besides, Your Majesty knows this subject is just concerned about you.”

Ji Zhao snorted softly. “You seem to know a lot.”

Yu Cheng lowered her eyes. “It’s natural.”

 

The high-rise window was half-open, and a gentle evening breeze blew in, scattering Ji Zhao’s long hair. Her hair hadn’t been dyed yet, and against her pale, wine-stained face, she looked even more lively and charming. Yu Cheng’s fingertips twitched, and she couldn’t resist brushing them against the ends of Ji Zhao’s hair before pulling back. “Shall we go back?”

Yu Cheng told Song Jiangjiang and Qiao Yue to go down first, since four of them together would draw too much attention. Song Jiangjiang had just texted to say Zheng Dongqing’s car was waiting downstairs.

“They’re waiting for us,” Yu Cheng said.

Ji Zhao tilted her head.

Yu Cheng paused. “Her Majesty, being playful, secretly slipped out to wander the lantern festival. If the Grand Tutor checks on him in the middle of the night and finds him missing, there will be chaos in the palace.”

Ji Zhao stared intently at her. “What kind of chaos?”

Yu Cheng pondered. “I’m on duty tonight. If Her Majesty isn’t in the palace, it’s my failure. If anyone makes an issue of it, I’ll get at least a hundred lashes.”

Ji Zhao said, “Lashes hurt.”

“Yes,” Yu Cheng replied.

“And they’re on the butt, right?”

Yu Cheng: “…Yes.”

Ji Zhao: “And you need someone else to apply your medicine.”

Yu Cheng: “That… This subject will apply it himself.”

Ji Zhao: “How will you do it?”

Yu Cheng: “…Have you already decided not to punish me, Your Majesty?”

Ji Zhao: “Uh…” She turned around, straightened her back, and clasped her hands behind her. “Of course I don’t mean that. After all, Esteemed Minister Yu is my most valued subject. Any pain inflicted upon you would cause me great distress.”

She lifted her chin. “Return to the palace!”

Though her words were imperious, the moment she stepped into the elevator, the height of the forty-seventh floor frightened her so much that she threw herself into Yu Cheng’s arms, muttering that someone must be plotting against her. Yu Cheng held her and patted her back. “No, no, I’ll protect you.”

 

When they reached the first floor, they startled an elderly woman waiting for the elevator. “Young couples these days have no manners! PDA in public—absolutely scandalous!”

Ji Zhao lifted her head from Yu Cheng’s arms, realizing they had reached ground level, and her courage returned. “Audacious! Who’s spouting such nonsense?!”

“Hey, you little girl!” The elderly woman, staying at the hotel on the top floor, was a fashionable senior who couldn’t help but remark upon seeing two young women together. “Two young ladies out alone? Aren’t you afraid your families will see you? Things have certainly changed—gays are so bold these days!”

“So what if we’re gay?” Ji Zhao raised her voice, grabbing Yu Cheng’s hand and intertwining their fingers. Her tone was defiant. “If I love someone, I’ll declare it to the world! Anyone who doesn’t bless us will face my wrath!”

Yu Cheng was startled. “Zhaozhao—”

Ji Zhao raised a finger, silencing her. Then she turned to the elderly woman. “Your mockery will only fuel my determination. What doesn’t kill me will make me stronger!”

The elderly woman shook her head, muttering, “Mad, completely mad,” and fled into the elevator as if escaping.

Ji Zhao, triumphant, gave Yu Cheng a victory sign. “She lost, I won!”

Yu Cheng chuckled helplessly. “You won.”

Ji Zhao lowered her hand and leaned against Yu Cheng, following her out of the room. As they walked, she whispered, “I was just teasing her earlier. I’m not that cruel. If someone doesn’t wish me well, I’ll just think they have bad taste—I wouldn’t actually threaten them with death.”

Yu Cheng smiled and nodded. “I know.”

The car Zheng Dongqing had arranged was waiting by the roadside. The interior was comfortably warm, and after sitting for a while, Ji Zhao grew drowsy and drifted off, her head resting against Yu Cheng’s shoulder.

Song Jiangjiang looked guilty. “If I’d known this would happen, I wouldn’t have played games all day.”

Yu Cheng turned to look down at Ji Zhao, then reassured Song Jiangjiang, “It’s alright. She’s been under a lot of stress lately. Drinking can help her relax. If she’s worried about getting drunk, she wouldn’t have touched it.”

Song Jiangjiang sighed. “You really understand Zhaozhao.”

“Of course,” Yu Cheng replied.

The rest of the ride passed uneventfully.

 

When they arrived at the estate dormitory, Shen Yican and Chen Xingzi still hadn’t returned. The production team staff collected their GoPro cameras, aiming to edit the footage as quickly as possible—ideally to release it that very evening so fans could see their idols’ activities in real-time.

Yu Cheng helped Ji Zhao sit up on the bed and asked, “Feeling better now?”

Ji Zhao stared at her for a moment before nodding.

Yu Cheng asked, “Can you bathe yourself?”

Ji Zhao’s eyes darkened. “What bath? Am I supposed to wash myself personally?”

Yu Cheng paused. “Then I’ll help Your Majesty bathe.”

Ji Zhao snorted. “Hmph, at least you know your place.”

She tilted her head back. “Just help me change first!”

Yu Cheng hesitated, her fingers on the bed twitching nervously. She closed her eyes and reached out to unbutton Ji Zhao’s shirt, one by one. When she reached her chest, her hand flinched back as if burned.

“What’s wrong?” Ji Zhao asked.

Yu Cheng lowered her gaze. “Nothing.”

“Too hot,” Ji Zhao said.

Impatient with Yu Cheng’s slowness, she ripped all the buttons off herself. “I’ll do it myself.”

The buttons clattered to the floor.

Ji Zhao pulled off her shirt.

“This is suffocating too,” Ji Zhao said, reaching behind her to find the bra’s clasp. After failing to locate it, she clicked her tongue and glared at Yu Cheng. “Just watching? Help me take it off!”

Yu Cheng’s eyes widened slightly. Her gaze shifted as her slender fingers pressed against Ji Zhao’s back. The thin fabric parted obediently, revealing pale, soft skin. Yu Cheng’s face flushed crimson. “Your Majesty—”

“What’s wrong?” Ji Zhao leaned closer. “Why are you blushing?”

“I…” Yu Cheng stammered.

Ji Zhao chuckled, the dimples in her cheeks deepening with a hint of intoxication, making her even more alluring. “It’s not like you don’t have one. Why be so shy?” Seeing Yu Cheng still refusing to meet her eyes, she issued a command: “Look at me.”

Yu Cheng finally met her gaze.

“Do you really feel anything for women?” Ji Zhao asked.

Yu Cheng’s pupils trembled.

“I’m genuinely curious,” Ji Zhao said, clearly still drunk. She scooted closer to Yu Cheng, her long, purple hair cascading down, drawing attention to the luminous whiteness of her skin. She gripped Yu Cheng’s hand. “Even if you don’t like women, would your body still react?”

Her eyes brimmed with innocent curiosity. “What reaction?”

She asked, “Do you want to touch it?”