The Entire Harem has Transmigrated - Chapter 7

Ruan Qingqing fell asleep quickly.

She lay on her side, half her small face buried in the soft pillow. Her sleeping expression was serene and peaceful, as if she were dreaming.

In her dream, she was back in the Qian Dynasty.

The moon shone brightly through the window, while the palace hall was illuminated by flickering candlelight. She was hunched over her desk, reviewing official documents, when a cold, clear voice beside her called out, “Your Majesty.”

“Mmm.”

The Little Emperor’s forehead bumped against the folded memorial. It didn’t hurt much, but it jolted her awake.

“Are you tired?” The woman speaking was meditating on a prayer cushion, dressed in robes as white as snow. Her eyes were covered by a silken band, yet she seemed to see all things in the world.

“I was only dozing off,” the Little Emperor grumbled, propping her chin on one hand as she absentmindedly dipped her brush in ink. Curiosity finally got the better of her. “Imperial Preceptor, can you truly not see?”

“Yes and no.”

“What does that mean?” The Little Emperor’s confusion deepened. “And why must you always wear that white silk band? Is it because you’ve calculated too many destinies for Great Qian, revealing heavenly secrets and fearing divine retribution? Is this a necessary precaution?”

The woman’s voice remained indifferent. “Those who cultivate the Great Dao are not harmed by such things. Your Majesty need not worry.”

What kind of answer is that?

Ruan Qingqing pouted in dissatisfaction, losing all interest in the memorials. She tapped her fingers with the brush handle, her glassy eyes darting around before an idea struck her.

First, she adopted a serious demeanor, clearing her throat to announce to the Imperial Preceptor, “This Emperor will now diligently review these memorials.”

She deliberately emphasized, “Very diligently.”

But as soon as she finished speaking, she set down her brush and ink, tiptoed behind the Imperial Preceptor, and knelt down, intending to seize the opportunity to snatch the silk ribbon covering his eyes.

However, the Little Emperor’s mischief ultimately failed. With unerring accuracy, the Imperial Preceptor reached back and grasped her slender, soft wrist.

His tone remained as detached as ever. “Your Majesty, cease this foolishness.”

Ruan Qingqing grew sulky. The Imperial Preceptor’s grip had caused her to stumble forward, and now, hearing his words, she stubbornly clung to his straight back, whining, “This Emperor doesn’t care! This Emperor wants to see! Even with your eyes covered, Imperial Preceptor, you look like a goddess descended from the heavens. If we remove the ribbon, what peerless beauty would be revealed?”

The woman paused, her expression unreadable. “It’s not beautiful.”

“What?” Ruan Qingqing asked.

“My eyes,” the woman said calmly. “They might frighten Your Majesty.”

“I wouldn’t be frightened! Imperial Preceptor, dear sister,” Ruan Qingqing insisted, shaking her arm relentlessly, even changing her royal address. “Just let me see, please? I beg you, I beg you…”

Perhaps the Little Emperor’s persistence wore her down. The aloof, ethereal woman finally sighed softly and relented. She pulled Ruan Qingqing close and, right before her eyes, untied the white silk blindfold with a single hand.

Ruan Qingqing’s breath caught in her throat.

She had only been half right. The Imperial Preceptor’s full appearance was indeed breathtakingly beautiful, but her eyes were nothing like the radiant, luminous orbs she had imagined. Unlike ordinary eyes, the Imperial Preceptor’s were a dull, opaque gray, as if shrouded in a thick, impenetrable fog. At first glance, they were undeniably unsettling.

Yet Ruan Qingqing felt no fear, only pity.

“Imperial Preceptor, you… you really can’t see?” Ruan Qingqing asked, wringing her fingers, her voice tinged with confusion. “But you taught me to write, read to me, and move about so effortlessly…”

Nothing about her demeanor suggested blindness.

The Imperial Preceptor replied, “Not everything in this world needs to be seen with the eyes.”

Ruan Qingqing didn’t understand and couldn’t figure it out, but the Imperial Preceptor’s mastery of metaphysics was extraordinary. Perhaps it wasn’t surprising that he possessed abilities beyond the ordinary.

The Imperial Preceptor retied the silk sash, while the Little Emperor yawned and collapsed into his arms, whining about not wanting to review any more memorials.

In her drowsy state, she clutched the woman’s robes and mumbled, “I don’t want to be Emperor anymore… Pretending to be a man is so tiring… If only… if only I could go somewhere free and easy…”

She murmured, “Imperial Preceptor, I want to be a girl… I want to be one openly and honestly…”

Ruan Qingqing drifted back to sleep.

When she awoke again, she was no longer in the opulent palace. She opened her eyes in a room with strikingly modern design, her face still carrying a hint of confusion.

Li Qianxuan knocked and entered at that moment.

“Have you come to your senses?” The radiant woman sat beside her, wiping her face with a warm towel before playfully flicking her nose. She continued with a veiled threat, “Your Majesty, you can only rely on me here.”

Ruan Qingqing completely ignored the threat and instead asked, “I remember you saying your arrival here was different from mine, right?”

“Yes,” Li Qianxuan said. “I’ve been in this era since birth. The past of Great Qian feels like a past life to me. I only gradually remembered those things as I grew older.”

Ruan Qingqing asked again, “Is Consort Shu the same? I can tell it’s her, but she doesn’t recognize me. Does that mean she hasn’t remembered her past yet?”

Li Qianxuan’s voice turned slightly bitter. “How would I know about other people’s affairs? I’m the one sitting in front of you now. Can’t you just focus on me?”

Ruan Qingqing couldn’t help but laugh at her jealous display. “Noble Consort, what’s gotten into you? You weren’t like this before.”

“Before, you were the Emperor. What could I do?” Li Qianxuan cracked her knuckles, deliberately trying to intimidate her. “But things are different now, Your Majesty. You have no power, no influence, not even an identity. Now I can mold you however I please.”

The cracking sound of her knuckles made Ruan Qingqing tremble, even though she knew Li Qianxuan wouldn’t actually harm her.

Ruan Qingqing excused herself to wash her face and fled to the bathroom to strategize.

Since the Noble Consort harbored such feelings for her, she couldn’t stay here long. What should she do next?

On the other side of the city, Ye Shiyu finally arrived in South City after traveling all night.

She wore a goose-yellow knitted cardigan over a pure white dress with simple stripes. Her slightly curled long hair cascaded down her back, and gold-rimmed glasses perched on her nose. Even as she hurried, an air of intellectual refinement clung to her. When she stopped, her serene and gentle aura flowed out naturally.

“Hello,” the beautiful woman extended her hand to another equally stunning woman with delicate features. “I’m Ye Shiyu.”

Even though Yu Yunfei had met Ye Shiyu before, she couldn’t help but marvel at the woman’s extraordinary presence. Though her attire was modern, she possessed an indescribable classical aura, like an ancient, richly layered book slowly unfolding its pages before her in the breeze.

“Sister, your timeless elegance remains as captivating as ever,” Yu Yunfei said with a playful smile.

“Now isn’t the time for reminiscing,” Ye Shiyu replied with a graceful smile. “Our immediate priority is finding Your Majesty.”

“Professor Ye is right,” Yu Yunfei agreed, opening the car door for her. “Let’s work together.”

Work together?

Ye Shiyu pushed up her glasses, concealing the glint of calculation in her eyes.

Before arriving, she had thoroughly researched the situation. Consort Shu, having lost her memories, had unknowingly offended the Little Emperor. Li Qianxuan, with her straightforward nature, had longed for Ruan Qingqing for years. Now that they had finally reunited, she would undoubtedly pour out her pent-up longing and heartfelt emotions, likely overwhelming the Little Emperor. By intervening at this moment, Ye Shiyu was certain she would emerge as the ultimate victor.

Your Majesty will only follow me, she thought.

Her relationship with Yu Yunfei was no genuine partnership, merely a one-sided manipulation.

“Are you sure this is the right location?” Yu Yunfei asked, checking the GPS coordinates.

“Absolutely,” Ye Shiyu replied with a polite smile, revealing none of her true intentions.

In this lifetime, her family and Li Qianxuan’s had been close for generations. Obtaining Li Qianxuan’s South City address from their elders had been effortless, and no one would suspect a thing.

When they arrived, Yu Yunfei reached to knock, but Ye Shiyu stopped her.

The composed and gentle Professor Ye pushed her slipping glasses back up and addressed her former Imperial Harem sister with a soft voice: “Let’s wait a little longer.”

If they heard her voice, the door might not open.

“Wait?” Yu Yunfei asked, puzzled. “Can we really wait?”

“Of course,” Ye Shiyu replied.

Li Qianxuan never cooked. She either ate out or ordered takeout. When the time came, she would inevitably open the door herself.

With just a little more patience, they could avoid a lot of trouble.

Ye Shiyu’s prediction proved accurate. Before long, the delivery driver arrived with breakfast and rang the doorbell.

“Hello! Delivery!”

Li Qianxuan, wearing slippers, came to open the door. By the time she realized something was wrong, it was too late. Ye Shiyu and Yu Yunfei had already grabbed the doorframe together.

“Qingqing,” Ye Shiyu called out first, “are you in there?”

Yu Yunfei shouted even louder, “Qingqing, A-Yun’s here to apologize! Are you inside?”

Li Qianxuan seethed with rage, itching to knock both women flat with a single punch. But just then, Ruan Qingqing, alerted by the commotion, darted out like a gust of wind.

It was too late.

“Xiao Yu, you’re really here!” Ruan Qingqing threw herself at Ye Shiyu, embracing her tightly.

Li Qianxuan was about to explode with anger.

The delivery boy, rarely seeing so many beautiful women at once, froze in place. It was Ye Shiyu who gently reminded him to move on to his next delivery. Flustered, he blushed crimson and fled, stammering apologies.

Now alone with the four women, Li Qianxuan, seeing that Ye Shiyu showed no sign of releasing Ruan Qingqing, yanked Ruan Qingqing back into her arms and demanded harshly, “What exactly are you here for?”

Yu Yunfei, her eyes rimmed with red, apologized to Ruan Qingqing. “Your Majesty, I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have doubted you. Now I remember everything. It’s all my fault. Please forgive me.”

Ye Shiyu, meanwhile, performed a deep bow, her voice trembling slightly. “This humble consort pays her respects to Your Majesty.”

Ruan Qingqing couldn’t bear to see this. She immediately broke free from Li Qianxuan’s embrace and rushed over to help Ye Shiyu up.

“I’m no longer the Emperor,” Ruan Qingqing said. “And you’re no longer the Virtuous Consort. There’s no need for such formalities between us.”

Ye Shiyu’s eyes glistened with tears, but she smiled. “Your Majesty, I’m truly overjoyed to see you again.”