Her Majesty The Empress Has Made Her Debut In The Center Position [Ancient to Modern] - Chapter 46

In the near-deathly silence, faint gasps emerged.

The sound of water splashed.

Yu Cheng pressed her palm against the back of Ji Zhao’s head, forcing her to tilt her face upward and endure this sudden, fierce kiss. Though clumsy, the kiss burned with a desire so intense it felt like she wanted to devour Ji Zhao whole.

Her palm pressed downward, fingertips igniting Ji Zhao’s skin with fiery heat. Ji Zhao couldn’t help but moan softly, “Mmm~”, her breaths coming in ragged gasps that filled the air.

She placed her hands on Yu Cheng’s waist, cautiously exploring. Just as things were heating up, Yu Cheng abruptly froze.

The next moment, Yu Cheng released her.

As soon as they parted, both women seemed dazed. Ji Zhao remained frozen in the kissing position, her eyes unfocused, as if a mist had fallen over them. Her lips, kissed crimson, trembled as she whispered, “…What’s wrong?”

What’s wrong?

Yu Cheng snapped out of her trance, recoiling two steps back, her pupils widening. “I’m sorry!”

Ji Zhao: “……?”

Yu Cheng continued to back away, her usually expressionless face now filled with a complex mix of emotions. After what seemed like an internal struggle, she turned and ran out, seemingly flustered, but not before closing the door behind her.

Ji Zhao: “…………”

She closed her eyes, falling back onto the bed, and stared at the chandelier above. It seemed to sway back and forth, the motion making her eyes ache, before she realized it was her heart pounding wildly.

Yu Cheng had kissed her.

And while she was fully awake.

So Yu Cheng really did like her! Ji Zhao knew it all along. Even if you gave Yu Cheng a hundred times more courage, she’d never dare not like her!

 

Hesitantly, Ji Zhao raised a hand to her lips, savoring the lingering taste of the kiss.

The only thing Yu Cheng did wrong was how sudden the kiss had been. She hadn’t been prepared at all, her mind going blank, all her carefully rehearsed lines forgotten. She could only let Yu Cheng kiss her however she pleased.

The kiss had left her heart in disarray.

But it had felt wonderful. Ji Zhao licked her lips, still tasting the lingering warmth of Yu Cheng’s touch. She mentally screamed “Aaaaaah!” and rolled over on the bed, burying her face in the soft pillows, feeling unsatisfied.

Perhaps hope could continue in a dream. That was Ji Zhao’s last thought before falling asleep.

She did indeed dream, but contrary to her wishes, it held no trace of beauty.

The atmosphere in the dream was tense. She sat alone in the Golden Luan Hall, watching the hurried and panicked footsteps of palace attendants outside. A man dressed in non-Great Qi court robes stood beyond the hall, cupping his hands and calling out loudly, “Time is running out! Your Majesty, please make a decision swiftly!”

What decision?

Her eyes widened as she tried to get a better look at the man at the door. Who would be so bold as to bring an uncastrated man into her formal court? Just as she strained to see his face clearly, the man raised his head—and she saw that he had no face at all!

“Get out!” she shouted.

She called back the head palace maid and demanded, “Where’s Yu Cheng? Why hasn’t she arrived yet?”

The head palace maid stammered, “G-General Yu… she…”

Ji Zhao stood up and pressed, “What’s happened to Grand General Yu?”

The maid fell to her knees with a thud. “Grand General Yu has been framed and trapped in a dangerous situation! Her life is in peril!”

Overwhelmed with grief, Ji Zhao collapsed back onto the Dragon Throne.

She suddenly felt herself falling, plummeting downward. Screaming, drenched in cold sweat, she sat bolt upright, gasping for breath and staring blankly for a long moment. When she glanced out the window, she saw that it was already bright outside.

A knock came from the door. “Zhaozhao? Are you awake?”

Ji Zhao opened her mouth to speak, but her throat was parched and sore—she must have caught a cold from sleeping without a blanket. She cleared her throat and climbed out of bed.

“I’m here,” she said, opening the door to let Song Jiangjiang in. But Jiangjiang stopped her, asking her to leave the door slightly ajar. Ji Zhao blinked in confusion. “What’s this about?”

Song Jiangjiang lowered her voice conspiratorially. “I brought a camera to film a wake-up scene. Is anyone else in your room?”

Ji Zhao frowned. “What do you mean, ‘anyone else’?”

Song Jiangjiang clarified. “Like, you know, Yu Cheng. Is she in your bed?”

Ji Zhao: “……”

She did wish…

She shook her head. “No.”

Song Jiangjiang sighed in relief. “Good. Close the door and get back in bed. I’ll use my key card to open the door later, and you can pretend I woke you. Then we’ll—”

Ji Zhao opened the door, her face impassive. “This isn’t ‘Actor’s Reunion.’ Get in here.”

Song Jiangjiang: “……”

Later, this scene aired. Song Jiangjiang’s line, “Like Yu Cheng, for example, she’s not in your bed, is she?” drove Yuzhao CP fans wild with shipping. Song Jiangjiang was hailed as a living saint, receiving surplus votes from Yuzhao CP fans and once again ranking in the top three.

Of course, that’s all in hindsight.

Ji Zhao turned back into the room, fastened her sleep robe’s belt, and sat on the bed, still looking half-asleep as Song Jiangjiang brought the camera crew inside. “A wake-up call?” she asked.

“Actually, the production team wanted to scare you. But as the VJ in charge of this wake-up call, I insisted on confirming Yu Cheng wasn’t here before we opened the door. We wanted to prevent any interview mishaps.”

Song Jiangjiang pulled up a chair from the table and sat across from Ji Zhao, wearing a pleading expression.

Ji Zhao asked, “How did Yu Cheng end up here?”

“Uh… your relationship…” Song Jiangjiang’s face lit up with an “you know what I mean” look. “It’s not exactly broadcast-friendly!”

Ji Zhao: “……”

Not broadcast-friendly? We kissed last night!

Song Jiangjiang said, “Now you have to come with me and wake someone up.”

It was still early, and Ji Zhao had no intention of moving. She turned and flopped back onto the bed, waving her hand dismissively. “I’m feeling under the weather. A fortune-teller told me I can’t leave this room before 10 a.m.”

Song Jiangjiang: “……”

Come up with a better excuse! Superstition is uncalled for!

Song Jiangjiang: “Stop acting. This isn’t ‘Actor’s Reunion’!”

Ji Zhao turned and glared at her. Since everyone’s asleep anyway and not having any good dreams, I might as well go out and wander. “Who are we waking up?”

Song Jiangjiang pulled out six room keys. “Pick one.”

Ji Zhao casually grabbed one, handed it back without looking, and Song Jiangjiang let out a meaningful, “Oh.” “Must be fate bringing you together across a thousand miles. Zhaozhao actually picked Yu Cheng!”

Follow PD whispered, “Don’t steer the shipping, don’t ship it on camera, redo this scene!”

Song Jiangjiang chuckled.

The scene quickly reset. Ji Zhao stood up, tucked her hair cord to secure her curls, and walked ahead with Yu Cheng’s room keycard, her outward calm masking her seething resentment: Yu Cheng, you kissed me and ran. Let’s see how you sleep tonight.

Without warning Yu Cheng or even knocking, she inserted the keycard, and the door swung open.

Ji Zhao looked up.

Yu Cheng was seated at the vanity facing the door, examining a skincare product. Hearing the sound, she turned sharply, her expression wary. Recognizing Ji Zhao, she quickly stood. “Your Maje—”

Before she could finish, Song Jiangjiang pushed her way forward, dramatically exclaiming, “Heavens, Yu Cheng! It’s barely morning, and you’re already awake? And not just playing with your phone, but actually doing skincare? Who are you trying to outdo? Follow PD, get this on camera!”

Ji Zhao followed her in. “Up already?”

“Mm,” Yu Cheng replied, her gaze darting away, too afraid to meet Ji Zhao’s.

Ji Zhao let out a soft scoff.

The dark circles under Yu Cheng’s eyes clearly showed she hadn’t slept. How could she possibly have woken up?

 

Unaware of the undercurrents between the two, Song Jiangjiang asked Yu Cheng, “Why did you even make your bed? What time did you wake up? You didn’t stay up all night, did you?”

Yu Cheng evaded the question. “Are you leaving?”

Song Jiangjiang sat down in a chair and sighed. “This wake-up call was a total failure. I didn’t even scare anyone. I’ve decided to go wake Shen Yican!”

She called to Ji Zhao and Yu Cheng, then stormed toward Shen Yican’s room with a fierce energy.

Ji Zhao and Yu Cheng remained motionless.

The door stood open, and Song Jiangjiang’s voice could be heard outside, instantly swallowed by Shen Yican’s piercing scream. Moments later, as Shen Yican woke up and began her retaliation, the sounds of their playful bickering echoed, making Yu Cheng’s room seem even quieter by comparison.

Ji Zhao walked to the vanity and picked up the skincare product Yu Cheng had been examining. “What’s this?”

“Toner,” Yu Cheng replied.

“Why were you looking at it?”

“Your Majesty has been using it recently. I was checking the ingredients.”

“…”

“Anything else?”

“… What else?”

Ji Zhao took a half-step forward. “Why don’t you examine yourself? Esteemed Minister Yu, I believe I’ve kissed your lips before, haven’t I?”

Yu Cheng clenched her fists.

Ji Zhao regarded her calmly. “Do you acknowledge your guilt?”

“I do.”

“What is your crime?”

“Defying authority. I deserve death ten thousand times.”

“Is that all?” Ji Zhao pressed. “You harbored feelings for your sovereign and committed acts of presumption. Is this the conduct expected of a subject? Isn’t this a capital offense?”

Yu Cheng pursed her lips. “I…”

“Help! Help!” Song Jiangjiang screamed, bursting out of Shen Yican’s room. “Zhaozhao! Yu Cheng! Help me! Without Chen Xingzi, Shen Yican is completely out of control—ahh!”

Shen Yican roared from behind. “You’re making such a racket in my ear! You deserve every bit of this!”

The commotion interrupted their conversation and woke other sleeping trainees. Qiao Yue stood in the doorway, yawning, the bear on her cartoon pajamas also appearing sound asleep. Her voice was languid. “What’s all this racket so early in the morning?”

Pei Jia looked like she wanted to cry, but no tears came. “I can’t even get a good night’s sleep! Withdrawal! I’m withdrawing from the competition!”

Shen Xin looked utterly disgruntled. “Morning, you little brat!”

Zhou Yuting, usually a light sleeper who woke at the slightest noise, was strangely immune to the commotion. She pulled the quilt over her head and continued sleeping sullenly, not waking until everyone else had returned from breakfast.

Qiao Yue came to wake her. “Yuting, hurry up and finish breakfast! We need to get to the set for makeup.”

This magazine shoot was an outdoor shoot in Hong Kong, naturally taking on a Hong Kong vibe. The designer clothes borrowed for the shoot were all mature styles, and the makeup artist had gone for a bold, dramatic look that could be sweet or seductive, alluringly beautiful.

Since they were filming outdoors, it was inevitable that they’d be spotted. The large crew immediately drew attention, and photos of the shoot quickly flooded the internet.

******

[Ran into eight different types of beauties! Love them! Are they here for street photography?]

[Ugh, these beauties look so familiar! Could they be trainees from our community? That curly-haired girl with the red lips—does she look like a younger Qing X? Could that be Zhou Yuting?]

[Zhou Yuting’s fans, stop jumping the gun!]

[No way! Yesterday’s gossip said our community got fashion magazine gigs, even with the big five! I didn’t believe it, but is it actually true?! Has our community finally made it big?]

[Hey, community manager, are you serious? Ji Zhao and Yu Cheng together? I’m dying! Does anyone else notice how Ji Zhao’s outfit looks like she’s trying to outdo the stepmom? And Yu Cheng inherited the family business—and the stepmom? Does anyone else see what’s going on here?]

[We’ll see it on the feed soon, fam!]

[Latest update! Fans have already arrived, but thankfully everyone’s being orderly and not disrupting the shoot. The trainees even treated the fans to bubble tea!]

[Good news: the bubble tea’s sweet. Bad news: Yuzhao’s not.]

[How dare you! Sister Cheng would be the first to roast anyone who says Yuzhao’s not sweet! West Eight, you’ve got connections—send the screenshot to Yu Cheng. Just wait for Sister Cheng to roast them to death!]

[Wait, Yuzhao doesn’t seem to be on good terms with them.]

[This trope is so familiar… Has our Yuzhao’s path to ultimate ship status already reached the “not on good terms” plot point?]

[Rebirth of Yuzhao’s Remarriage continues…]

*******

As the onlookers observed, Ji Zhao and Yu Cheng seemed unusually distant today.

Ji Zhao’s behavior was deliberate.

She understood Yu Cheng’s anxiety about kissing the Emperor out of loyalty, but she couldn’t help feeling upset. She was annoyed that Yu Cheng seemed willing to die rather than admit her feelings. So, she simply ignored her.

Yu Cheng, however, played along with Ji Zhao’s attitude.

She knew their morning conversation had only been postponed, not ended. They would have to finish the discussion tonight at the latest. Still, she didn’t regret what happened, and she had told Her Majesty as much.

Both women had made up their minds, and to outsiders, it looked like—

Shen Yican whispered, “Did Yu Cheng and Zhaozhao get into a fight?”

Song Jiangjiang glanced around. “No way. What’s there to argue about?”

Zhou Yuting agreed with Shen Yican. “They just seem… off.”

Qiao Yue, always a step behind, asked, “I don’t see anything wrong…?”

Pei Jia, knowing half the truth, stared at the sky. “……”

Her urge to flee reached its peak.

*******

Last night—just last night—after explaining what “getting in bed” meant to Boss Ji, the CEO had simply sent her an “OK” emoji and disappeared. She’d waited and waited, even after falling asleep, but there was no further word.

And now, Ji Zhao and Yu Cheng were acting like this.

Pei Jia’s heart raced, her thoughts swirling with anxiety. A ridiculous yet plausible idea kept circling in her mind, finally surfacing as Ji Zhao and Yu Cheng began taking their duo photos:

Could Boss Ji really have slept with Yu Cheng?!

How else could she explain the strange tension between them? Their evasive gazes, bodies drawn to each other yet resisting, the sparks that flew when their eyes met—all under the guise of a wedding photo shoot… Ugh! Why am I even speculating about this?

“Yu Cheng, tilt Zhaozhao’s chin,” the photographer instructed. “Yes, yes, yes! Focus your gaze on Zhaozhao’s lips—perfect! Absolutely stunning!”

Yu Cheng stared at Ji Zhao’s lips.

*******

Unlike last night, when her bare, pale lips had been kissed into a natural, innocent red, now, coated in a plum-colored lipstick, her lips appeared fuller and more alluring. Slightly parted, they framed a radiant smile that, paired with her flawless makeup, exuded a commanding, arrogant beauty.

Ji Zhao’s lips moved. “We’re done.”

“Mm,” Yu Cheng replied.

“Let go of me.”

Yu Cheng snapped out of her daze.

*******

The magazine shoot was a last-minute decision, the plan thrown together overnight by the editorial team. They’d considered everything except for the fact that an outdoor shoot would attract fans—no matter how orderly the crowd, a large gathering inevitably leads to disruptions.

When they moved the shoot to Repulse Bay, the magazine hastily hired security to cordon off the area, ensuring the shoot could proceed smoothly.

The day was perfect: azure seas sparkled under the sunlight, every snap a potential magazine cover. The salty sea breeze lifted long hair, and a stunning backward glance froze in the camera, becoming an eternal memory.

Ji Zhao rarely saw the sea. She’d glimpsed it from afar during tours and seen it from the plane window when flying to Hong Kong, but this—feeling the water lap against her ankles, truly experiencing it—was a first.

She gazed into the distance. “It’s beautiful.”

Yu Cheng stood beside her, holding an umbrella. “The UV is high. You’ll get sunburned.”

Ji Zhao wore sunglasses, seeing Yu Cheng through a hazy, grayish mist. She disliked it, pushing the sunglasses up onto her head. Now, looking into the distance, she saw blue skies, white clouds, and rolling seas—a breathtaking scene.

The outfit chosen for this shoot was very trendy.

The yellow floral blouse, tied casually at the waist, accentuated her fair, slender figure, reminiscent of a 90s fashion icon paired with matching shorts.

She glanced over with a playful smile in her eyes. “I have a meeting tonight. Want to come along?”

Yu Cheng’s eyes flickered. “I’ll go if you take me.”

Ji Zhao asked nonchalantly, “What if I don’t?”

Yu Cheng paused. “Then I’ll sneak in.”

Ji Zhao retorted, “You’d stalk me?”

Yu Cheng replied earnestly, “I’d protect you.”

Ji Zhao repositioned her sunglasses. “Protect me all the way to bed?”

“Your Majesty…”

In high spirits after teasing her, Ji Zhao strolled away, her lips curving into a smile.

The magazine shoot required four photo sets—three outdoor and one indoor. The indoor shoot was scheduled for the next day, but even the three outdoor sets left everyone exhausted. No one even mentioned a group dinner; they scattered to their hotels as soon as they could.

Ji Zhao returned to the hotel to freshen up and change into business attire sent over by Ji Lin before heading out again.

Ji Lin sent a message: “They’ve arrived. Room 2808. Don’t go to the wrong room.”

Ji Zhao glanced at the message but didn’t reply.

Now considered a public figure, Ji Zhao was easily recognized in public. If Ji Jing found out about her movements, it could jeopardize the bigger picture. That’s why the meeting was arranged on the 28th floor of the same hotel.

 

The 28th floor housed the business wing, with over a dozen meeting rooms of various sizes. Room 2808 was a mid-sized room.

Ji Zhao grabbed her bag and opened the door, unsurprisingly finding Yu Cheng waiting outside.

Without a word, she walked toward the elevator.

Yu Cheng hurried after her.

As the elevator slowly came to a stop, Ji Zhao swiped her card and pressed the button for the 28th floor. Watching the numbers rise, she asked, “What’s your official capacity for this meeting?”

After a pause, Yu Cheng replied, “Your secretary.”

Ji Zhao countered, “You’re not going in.”

Yu Cheng protested urgently, “But if you go alone…”

Ji Zhao cut her off, “I’m going to discuss business, not pick a fight. There’s no danger.”

Yu Cheng pressed her lips into a thin line, her eyes burning with defiance. But since Ji Zhao had already made her decision, arguing further would be pointless. After a long pause, she finally said, “Fine.”

The elevator arrived.

Ji Zhao stepped out without looking back. “Take some time to think about how you’re going to answer me later.”

“Yes,” Yu Cheng replied softly.

Despite having crammed a lot of business negotiation knowledge, Ji Zhao still had many gaps in her understanding. But guided by the principle of “maintaining a commanding presence even if you don’t fully understand,” she faced the situation without hesitation. Her assistant, sent by Zhong Qingxiu to act as her aide while secretly assessing her, began to look at her with newfound respect.

This project was small for the Ji Family—Ji Jing didn’t even bother with it. But for Ji Zhao, it represented a crucial path to extending her influence within the family.

Though the contract was signed within half an hour, the entire meeting lasted two hours.

For the remaining hour and a half, Ji Zhao engaged the partners in animated discussions about their future commercial vision. This time-honored method of painting grandiose visions while chatting amiably—essentially selling empty promises—had remained unchanged throughout history.

The assistant listened intently, nodding repeatedly. After the meeting, she reported to Zhong Qingxiu, “That presentation was so convincing I almost wanted to buy some stocks!”

Zhong Qingxiu: “……”

Ji Lin had warned that Ji Zhaozhao could be persuasive, and it seemed she was right.

After seeing off the business partner at the elevator, Ji Zhao waited until the elevator doors closed. She then turned to her assistant and told her to take it easy, not to rush back to the office, and that it was fine to stay in Hong Kong for a couple of days before leaving.

Although the assistant, having worked with Zhong Qingxiu and seen the world, was used to running around, she still cheered at the unexpected break. She exclaimed, “Boss Ji is so nice!” and happily stepped into the elevator. Noticing Ji Zhao hadn’t followed, she called out in confusion, “Boss Ji, aren’t you coming down?”

“I have some matters to attend to,” Ji Zhao replied. “Go ahead without me.”

The assistant glanced at Yu Cheng, who stood behind Ji Zhao, and nodded thoughtfully. The internet says Boss Ji is playing up a relationship with the Yu Wangmeng family’s heiress. Business is business, but why do they seem so… off?

Regretting she couldn’t stay to gossip further, the assistant descended the elevator with a hint of disappointment.

******

After seeing everyone off, Ji Zhao turned around. “Have you decided how to respond to me?”

“I have,” Yu Cheng replied.

“Then speak,” Ji Zhao said.

Yu Cheng walked down the corridor, the window at the end open, revealing a beautiful night view. She heard Yu Cheng’s soft footsteps following behind her. After what felt like an eternity of hesitation, Yu Cheng finally spoke: “For a subordinate to defy her superior… I deserve death ten thousand times.”

“But loving Your Majesty… I have done nothing wrong. I refuse to admit guilt.”

Ji Zhao stopped walking and turned to face her. “Look at me and say that again.”

Having come this far, Yu Cheng threw caution to the wind. She clenched her fists and raised her voice. “I will admit to any other crime! If Your Majesty believes I’m unworthy of loving you, if my affection insults you, I will accept punishment. But I refuse to believe I’m in the wrong! To feel love for Your Majesty… I have done nothing wrong!”

Ji Zhao nodded, clasping her hands behind her back as she gazed at the night scenery. “In that case, I’ll give you a chance to pursue me.”

Yu Cheng froze. “What?”

Ji Zhao suppressed the smile tugging at her lips and affected an air of haughty indifference. “Has your hearing failed since you came here? I said, I’ll give you a chance to pursue me.”

She shot Yu Cheng a sidelong glance. “Don’t you want it?”

“Yes!” Yu Cheng blurted out.

Ji Zhao gave a cool hum of acknowledgment.

But when Yu Cheng wasn’t looking, she couldn’t resist a little hop of joy.