The Entire Harem has Transmigrated - Chapter 4

Li Qianxuan had imagined countless times what she would say to Ruan Qingqing if they ever met again, what tone she would use.

But when Ruan Qingqing finally stood before her, she realized all those scenarios were useless.

Her mind had gone completely blank.

She could only hurriedly reach out from the past, cup the girl’s face, and trace her features with her fingers, as if painting them in bold strokes, to confirm she wasn’t dreaming.

She wanted to call her “Your Majesty,” but found herself speechless, unable to utter a single word.

Is this really not a dream?

For years, she had thought of her day and night, longed for her day and night, waiting for Ruan Qingqing to appear, to come to her side, to meet her. But time and again, her hopes had been dashed.

She had long since given up expecting anything.

“Your Majesty…”

After what felt like an eternity, Li Qianxuan finally whispered those two words. Then, she pulled Ruan Qingqing tightly into her embrace, refusing to let go.

“Ugh, cough…” Ruan Qingqing gasped for breath, her face flushed crimson from the suffocating hug. She pounded on her Noble Consort’s shoulder, pleading, “Ease up a little, Your Majesty… I can’t breathe!”

Li Qianxuan finally released her.

Ruan Qingqing took a moment to catch her breath before looking up at the Noble Consort’s familiar face, a smile in her eyes.

She tilted her head back and said, “Qianxuan, it’s so good to see you. You have no idea how much I’ve missed you.”

Li Qianxuan continued to stare at her for a long moment. Just as Ruan Qingqing was expecting a warm response, the tall, beautiful woman curled her lips into a cold smile and said, “Why are you being so familiar? Do we even know each other?”

Ruan Qingqing: “???”

Ruan Qingqing choked on her words.

She couldn’t understand what was happening. Consort Shu had acted the same way, and now the Noble Consort was doing it too. They both called her “Your Majesty” one moment, then acted like they didn’t recognize her the next.

Li Qianxuan continued to stare, her eyes filled with complex emotions.

Ruan Qingqing’s heart skipped a beat. Suppressing her overwhelming frustration for the moment, she tried to question her: “Are you pretending? I can tell you remember me from your eyes.”

Li Qianxuan’s gaze remained fixed, unyielding. She smiled faintly, a hint of mockery in her tone. “Miss, who are you?”

Ruan Qingqing was about to cry from anger, her voice trembling with emotion. “You clearly remember me! Why won’t you admit it?”

Li Qianxuan raised an eyebrow. “Did I ever say I knew you?”

Ruan Qingqing’s cheeks puffed up in anger. “If you don’t know me, why did you pinch my face like that just now?”

Li Qianxuan smirked. “Just because you’re pretty and I wanted to tease you. What’s the problem?”

Ruan Qingqing’s finger trembled as she pointed at Li Qianxuan. “You…”

Li Qianxuan leaned closer, her gaze lingering on Ruan Qingqing’s delicate features. “Someone as beautiful as you? Who wouldn’t want to tease you?”

Ruan Qingqing finally broke down in tears. Two streams of clear tears trickled down her cheeks, wetting her thick, curled eyelashes. She sobbed, “Li Qianxuan, I used to be so good to you. Why are you doing this?”

Li Qianxuan continued to stare at her, answering with a question of her own. “When you came in, you said you wanted to ask me out, right?”

She grabbed a tissue from a nearby table and gently wiped away Ruan Qingqing’s tears. Without waiting for an answer, she continued, “The presidential suite on the top floor of the Golden Bay Hotel. A round king-size bed, ocean views through floor-to-ceiling windows. Want to come?”

Ruan Qingqing blinked in confusion.

Though Ruan Qingqing had vaguely learned about this world’s customs, her understanding remained incomplete. Combined with Li Qianxuan’s disjointed, illogical train of thought, she was completely bewildered and stood frozen in place.

Ruan Qingqing stood there, dazed, completely unaware of the simmering excitement among the onlookers.

Who was Li Qianxuan?

She was a prodigy who had won the world boxing championship at just 17. Born into privilege and blessed with stunning looks, she had taken the world by storm upon her debut, her achievements endlessly praised in the media.

But how many who bask in such glory fail to live up to their reputation? How many lose themselves amidst the endless applause and adulation? One would expect a young prodigy so heavily praised to face a rocky and uneven path ahead. Yet Li Qianxuan was different.

Neither fame nor pursuit could blind her, nor could they halt her relentless progress. Unaffected by external influences, she grew stronger with each battle. Over eight years of competition, she claimed the championship title every single year, amassing countless gold medals and championship belts.

A legendary woman adorned with such glory would naturally attract countless admirers. Since her retirement announcement last year, countless men had reportedly pursued her relentlessly, yet she had ignored them all, never showing favor to anyone.

And now, this very Li Qianxuan was openly inviting a young girl to a hotel.

What on earth was going on?

The martial arts hall staff nearly dropped their jaws in shock. They exchanged glances, too stunned to speak openly, and secretly formed a group chat to share their thoughts:

No wonder no one could ever catch Teacher Li before. Turns out she prefers sisters over brothers!

I never would have guessed, but when you think about it, it makes sense.

Waaah, I’m a younger sister too! Sister Li, notice me! I’m available!

Get out of here.

Li Qianxuan didn’t spare a glance for anyone else. Her entire focus was on Ruan Qingqing. Seeing the girl still standing in a daze, she leaned even closer, whispering into her ear, “Your Majesty, will you come tonight?”

Ruan Qingqing immediately seized on the key information: The Noble Consort called me Your Majesty again! This proves she knows who I am! She hasn’t forgotten at all! All that earlier behavior was just to tease me!

How could the Noble Consort do this?

Furious, Ruan Qingqing shoved Li Qianxuan away and turned to leave. But the radiant woman behind her darkened her gaze, gripped Ruan Qingqing’s slender waist, and lifted her into the air.

“Ah!”

Ruan Qingqing was placed on a piece of equipment, unable to climb down or escape. She kicked her legs frantically, finally bursting into tears.

She flailed her tiny fists, pummeling Li Qianxuan’s body in a flurry of blows, sobbing with indignation. “You’re so bold! So presumptuous! Can’t you just… stop bullying me?”

The small hands didn’t hurt, but seeing her distress softened Li Qianxuan’s heart.

Fine, Li Qianxuan thought. I’ll settle the score with her later.

The surrounding onlookers were still silently watching, their eyes wide with curiosity. Li Qianxuan glanced at them one by one, a faint smile curving her lips. “Everyone,” she said, “I’d like to have a private word with my little friend here. Would you mind giving us some space?”

Given her status and influence, though the crowd was eager for gossip, no one dared offend her. They readily agreed, filing out of the training room in an orderly line.

Once everyone had left, the vast training room was empty except for Ruan Qingqing and Li Qianxuan.

Ruan Qingqing continued to kick her legs, glaring at Li Qianxuan with fury. “Release me at once, Empress!” she threatened. “Or you’ll face my wrath!”

Li Qianxuan remained unmoved, even pinching Ruan Qingqing’s cheek with a mocking laugh. “When Your Majesty abandoned me and left, you probably never imagined this day would come, did you?”

Ruan Qingqing was utterly bewildered. “When did I ever abandon you and leave?”

Seeing the girl’s genuine confusion, Li Qianxuan paused, then frowned. “Then where did you go?”

Ruan Qingqing wanted to tell her directly, but remembering Li Qianxuan’s earlier hostility, she couldn’t help but feel angry. When angered, she retorted, “Why should I tell you? Your treasonous behavior would have earned you the death penalty in the Qian Dynasty!”

Li Qianxuan burst into laughter. “Wake up, darling. Great Qian has long since fallen.”

Hearing this, Ruan Qingqing dissolved into tears again.

The crying finally softened Li Qianxuan’s resolve. She pulled the somewhat frail girl into her arms and whispered, “Do you know how much I’ve missed you these past years?”

Li Qianxuan had a house in the southern district. After exchanging a few more words, she took Ruan Qingqing there.

Though still somewhat angry, Ruan Qingqing had no choice. She was alone and without identity in this place, with Li Qianxuan as her only temporary support.

By noon, Ruan Qingqing’s stomach began to rumble with hunger. Noticing this, Li Qianxuan asked what she wanted to eat.

Ruan Qingqing responded with a dismissive “Hmph.”

“Then how about we order your old favorites?” Li Qianxuan suggested.

“Hmph,” Ruan Qingqing repeated.

Li Qianxuan found this amusing but said nothing, turning to order lunch.

Soon, a lavish midday feast arrived, filling the table with colorful, fragrant dishes. However, having grown accustomed to delicacies from the mountains and seas, Ruan Qingqing sampled each dish without expressing either approval or disapproval.

“Try this Squirrel Mandarin Fish,” Li Qianxuan said, placing a piece on Ruan Qingqing’s plate. “The fish is crispy on the outside and tender inside, coated in a tangy-sweet, rich sauce. Each bite is bursting with flavor, as good as anything from the Qian Dynasty’s imperial kitchens.”

Ruan Qingqing ignored her.

Li Qianxuan persisted, “Then how about this Eight Treasure Duck? It’s tender, savory, and exceptionally fragrant—you used to love it.”

Ruan Qingqing remained unmoved, still refusing to give her a pleasant look. “One shouldn’t speak while eating or sleeping,” she snapped. “Can you please stop bothering me? I don’t want to talk to you right now.”

Li Qianxuan chuckled. “Still angry?”

Ruan Qingqing: “Yes.”

Li Qianxuan: “How long are you planning to stay mad?”

Ruan Qingqing: “At least a whole day.”

Li Qianxuan raised an eyebrow. “Alright.”

She stopped bothering Ruan Qingqing while she ate, instead pondering for a moment before ordering some modern beverages.

When the delivery arrived, Li Qianxuan opened the containers, inserted straws, and offered them to Ruan Qingqing to try. Ruan Qingqing cautiously took a sip, and her eyes lit up.

“This is delicious!”

She finally smiled, asking Li Qianxuan what it was. Li Qianxuan secretly breathed a sigh of relief and replied, “It’s taro milk tea with boba.”

“We understand. We like it,” Ruan Qingqing declared before quickly finishing the entire cup.

“Slow down, there’s plenty more. You can try them all,” Li Qianxuan said with a smile.

Just as she finished speaking, her assistant called. Li Qianxuan moved to the other side of the room to answer, hearing the assistant ask what time she needed a flight for tomorrow.

“I’m not leaving,” Li Qianxuan said without hesitation, her gaze fixed on Ruan Qingqing, her expression softening. “Cancel all my subsequent arrangements.”

Now she had more important things to do.

After Ruan Qingqing had eaten and drunk her fill, she asked Li Qianxuan for books, saying she wanted to understand this world better.

Li Qianxuan acted swiftly. Before long, she had a cartload of books brought to Ruan Qingqing. The two bookshelves in the room couldn’t hold them all, so the rest were stacked on the floor.

Ruan Qingqing picked up a book and began reading from the beginning. She read straight through until evening.

Watching her earnest focus, Li Qianxuan couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy. She considered suggesting Ruan Qingqing take a break from reading, pointing out that there were many other ways to learn about this world, such as using electronic devices.

Just as Li Qianxuan was about to hand Ruan Qingqing her phone and teach her how to use it, she noticed a browser notification: “Actress Yu Yunfei posts three consecutive Weibo messages searching for someone, her words sincere and heartfelt…”

She clicked through and saw the three Weibo posts:

Yu Yunfei V: “Qingqing, it’s all my fault. Please come back. I won’t go anywhere; I’ll just wait for you at home.”

Yu Yunfei V: “Qingqing, I shouldn’t have doubted you. It’s all my fault. Will you give A-Yun another chance?”

Yu Yunfei V: “Qingqing, please come back. I miss you so much.”

Li Qianxuan gripped her phone tightly, her eyes narrowing, her expression suddenly turning icy.