The Transmigrated Princess - Chapter 10

Actually, Gu Qing didn’t immediately understand the nickname when she first heard it, but she quickly caught on and glared at Wang Yong.

Wang Yong, scolded, instinctively hunched his shoulders, a grown man in his twenties shrinking like a child.

Yin Lang stepped in to explain for him, “It’s probably because Zhiqing kept bragging in the military camp about how pretty her childhood sweetheart is, how gentle her temper is, and how she has two faint dimples when she smiles…”

Gu Qing, whose secrets were being spilled, rushed over to try and cover his mouth. Yin Lang dodged backward, and since their skills were evenly matched and the boat was cramped, neither could gain the upper hand.

Xie Zhizhen spoke up, “Did you bring me here to watch a fight?”

With her beloved right beside her, Gu Qing had to mind her image a little. She smoothed her long hair, ensuring the carefully styled updo her maid had arranged wasn’t ruined, then sat back down next to Xie Zhizhen.

Having grown accustomed to Gu Qing’s usual boisterous antics, it was rare to see her so concerned about appearances.

This outing was mainly for Gu Qing to introduce Xie Zhizhen to her friends.

Wang Yong seemed to realize he might have misspoken and quickly apologized to Xie Zhizhen, “Your Highness, we didn’t mean to give you a nickname. We just… just…”

Xie Zhizhen pressed her lips together, suppressing a smile as she pretended to be upset. “This isn’t your fault. Rather, General Gu should explain herself to me properly.”

Having spent years in the palace, even her acting was convincing enough to intimidate. But Gu Qing had known her for so long that she could easily tell it was just an act.

Holding back a laugh, Gu Qing played along, placing her hand in Xie Zhizhen’s palm. “This humble subject is at Your Highness’s mercy.”

A small joke easily lightened the mood, and Wang Yong and Li Zhongyi finally accepted Gu Qing’s identity. Their conversation soon reverted to the same as in the military camp, teasing Gu Qing about how she always bragged about her childhood sweetheart.

“Your Highness, you have no idea! This guy Gu Zhiqing kept flaunting her love in front of us!” Wang Yong, a simple-minded fellow, started spilling Gu Qing’s secrets as the atmosphere warmed up. “Whenever we compared height, strength, or muscles, she’d always just lounge around smugly.”

Perhaps feeling words weren’t vivid enough, Wang Yong stood up, clasped his hands behind his back, and adopted an annoyingly smug tone eerily similar to Gu Qing’s. “I have a wife. Do you? Do you?”

“Height can grow with time, strength can be trained, and your muscles are too exaggerated not appealing to girls at all.”

“But I already have a wife. While you’re hugging iron weights, I get to hug my wife to sleep. When you’re hungry and have to cook for yourselves badly, I can cook for my wife and even feed her.”

There was no denying that Wang Yong had perfectly captured Gu Qing’s essence. Xie Zhizhen could easily picture Gu Qing strutting around the military camp, showing off. While she found it amusing, she also felt relieved at least Gu Qing had gotten along well with others there and hadn’t been ostracized.

Xie Zhibai, watching the rare smile on his sister’s face, felt reassured. It seemed choosing Gu Qing had been the right decision, only she could bring his sister happiness.

Just as everyone was chatting happily, their boat suddenly jolted from a collision. Gu Qing quickly wrapped her arms around Xie Zhizhen, shielding her. Gu’s body stiffened momentarily but soon relaxed, making it seem like the brief tension had been an illusion.

Pressed against Gu Qing, Xie Zhizhen felt the initial fear from the accident melt away instantly. The soft yet strong body enveloping her carried the faint, pleasant scent of fresh grass, a fragrance unique to women.

Strangely, this time, she didn’t feel the slightest nausea. Instead, she found it comforting, even wishing she could fall asleep in those arms, certain it would be the most restful slumber.

The boat didn’t rock for long before stabilizing. Gu Qing examined Xie Zhizhen carefully and asked, “You weren’t hurt anywhere, were you?”

Xie Zhizhen shook her head. Gu Qing had reacted swiftly, shielding her almost the moment the boat was struck.

Yin Lang, who had been silent until now, finally spoke up. “Li Zhongyi, go outside and check.”

Xie Zhizhen glanced at him, finding his voice oddly familiar, though she couldn’t recall where she’d heard it before.

“Gu Qing, are you alright?” Xie Zhibai had noticed that when Gu Qing shielded Xie Zhizhen, she seemed to have been hit by the corner of the table, though it was unclear how hard.

Recalling the momentary stiffness in Gu Qing’s embrace, Xie Zhizhen understood what Xie Zhibai meant. “Did you get hurt somewhere?”

If not for the crowd around them, she would have stripped Gu Qing’s clothes off right then to inspect her injuries.

Not wanting Xie Zhizhen to worry, Gu Qing shot Xie Zhibai a glare and reassured her, “I’m fine, don’t worry.”

Wang Yong, standing nearby, chimed in, “No need to fret, Princess. Though Gu Zhiqing here looks delicate enough to be toppled by a breeze, her reflexes are sharp.”

“Besides, even if she did get hit, it’s just a table corner at worst, a bruise that’ll fade in a couple of days. In the barracks, that barely counts as an injury.”

Gu Qing couldn’t help but snap, “Shut up! If you don’t know how to talk, then don’t!”

Looking down, she saw Xie Zhizhen’s eyes reddening and bit her lip, unsure how to comfort her.

Wang Yong, having grown up in the military camp, had never seen a young lady on the verge of tears before and was instantly at a loss.

Xie Zhibai noticed a damp stain on Gu Qing’s waist, likely from the spilled peach blossom wine when the boat was jolted.

“Looks like Gu Qing’s clothes are soiled. Why don’t you take her to change, A-Jie, and apply some ointment while you’re at it?”

Xie Zhizhen nodded and led Gu Qing away, following a maid to change clothes.

Left behind, Wang Yong stood dumbfounded, stammering, “D-did I say something wrong?”

Yin Lang flicked him on the forehead. “I told you to talk less, but you never listen.”

Once the maids were dismissed, Gu Qing held the fresh clothes prepared on the boat and hesitated, looking at Xie Zhizhen. “This outfit doesn’t seem complicated. I can change by myself.”

But Xie Zhizhen hadn’t come just to watch her change. “Let me see if you’re hurt.”

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