The Transmigrated Princess - Chapter 15

Gu Qing originally wanted to reach out and free Xie Zhizhen’s lips from her teeth as she had done before, but recalling Lin Chenzhi’s words in the prison, she withdrew her hand. “If you’re going to pretend to sleep, at least do it convincingly. Don’t bite yourself.”

Realizing her little ruse had been seen through, Xie Zhizhen stopped pretending and opened her eyes. Thinking of what Lin Chenzhi had said, she silently steeled herself.

She propped herself up slightly, her fair arm emerging from the quilt as she wrapped it around Gu Qing.

The soft, warm arm of the woman clung tightly to her neck, and the faint scent of peach blossoms unique to Xie Zhizhen drifted into her senses. Lowering her gaze, Gu Qing could see the expanse of snow-white back, unmarred by scars like her own, adorned only by a red strap and a bow tied at the nape.

A small mole graced Xie Zhizhen’s shoulder blade, standing out alluringly against her fair skin, tempting one to press a kiss there.

In the Geng Dynasty, women’s undergarments typically came in two styles.

The most common was the kind Gu Qing wore, two shoulder straps with a piece of fabric covering the chest and back, allowing women to choose dresses that revealed their collarbones, both stylish and cool.

The other was the kind Xie Zhizhen wore, a red silk ribbon tied around the neck, a piece of fabric shielding the front, while the back was left bare save for the single red ribbon.

Though this style exposed much of the back, it was only visible once the outer garments were removed. Since it covered the collarbone, it required more conservative dresses, making it an uncommon choice for women going out in the Geng Dynasty.

Of course, exceptions were made in the privacy of the marital chamber.

The dress Xie Zhizhen wore today revealed a hint of her collarbone, so naturally, this undergarment shouldn’t have been her choice. Yet here she was, lying almost bare in Gu Qing’s bed, her intentions hardly a mystery.

Gu Qing admitted her beloved, clad only in such an undergarment, lying in her bed beneath her quilt, actively embracing her, the small bedroom filled with a faintly ambiguous atmosphere, it was undeniably stirring, tempting her to throw caution to the wind and press her down.

But beyond the peach blossom scent, she caught a faint trace of blood. It was subtle, yet enough to rouse her reason.

Had Gu Qing known nothing, she might have pulled Xie Zhizhen close, fingertips gliding over her delicate skin, feeling the tremors of excitement rather than fear, their lips meeting as she savored the taste of her mouth wondering if it carried the same peach blossom fragrance. She would have studied her subtle expressions, learning which touches and positions pleased her most.

But Gu Qing knew what Xie Zhizhen had endured, knew her aversion to a woman’s touch, knew why she had left the prison cell after Lin Chenzhi’s words.

So she couldn’t.

Her fingers brushed Xie Zhizhen’s hand, pushing her away only to see the bloodied lips and the surprise flickering in those restrained eyes.

Tucking her back under the quilt spring nights weren’t cold, but leaving the covers loose risked a chill, especially for Xie Zhizhen’s frail health Gu Qing retrieved the familiar first-aid kit from under the bed, cleaning the blood and applying ointment.

Throughout, she restrained herself, careful not to touch Xie Zhizhen.

“Why?” Xie Zhizhen didn’t understand why Gu Qing was rejecting her.

Gu Qing paused her fingers, set down the ointment, and said earnestly, “Zhenzhen, I know everything now. You don’t have to force yourself to do things that make you uncomfortable.”

Xie Zhizhen froze for a moment before tears began to stream down her face.

She had been suppressing it for far too long.

Over the past two years, she had endured too much criticism. Everyone said she was wrong but was she really? She had simply loved Gu Qing.

Was it wrong to love someone?

Since childhood, whatever she wanted, her father and aunt would give it to her. Only when it came to her marriage did she see the disappointment in her father’s eyes and the helplessness often reflected in her aunt’s expression, making her question whether she truly was at fault.

Those three months trapped in the Grand Diviner’s residence were the darkest of her life. She had been like a blank sheet of paper even with Gu Qing, the most intimate they had ever been was a kiss. She had never witnessed such depraved scenes before.

Day after day of watching those obscenities, she went from shock and disgust to numbness, and finally to psychological revulsion.

Gu Qing picked up a handkerchief and gently wiped her tears. “It’s alright. I’m here now. Nothing like that will ever happen again.”

She had wanted to ask for more details about what had happened back then, but seeing Xie Zhizhen cry like this, she didn’t dare press further, afraid of reopening old wounds.

Xie Zhizhen sniffled, her sobs coming in ragged gasps. The unease that had plagued her heart for so long finally found true solace in this moment. She snatched the handkerchief from Gu Qing’s hand and wiped her own tears, then pouted and commanded, “Go get my clothes for me.”

Watching her finally release her pent-up emotions, Gu Qing sighed in relief. Only then did she notice Xie Zhizhen’s clothes hanging on a nearby rack.

She retrieved the garments and placed them by the pillow before turning away to let Xie Zhizhen dress.

A hoarse, tear-strained voice murmured, “Done.”

Gu Qing turned back to see Xie Zhizhen fully dressed and sitting on the edge of the bed, her hand outstretched, beckoning her over.

But now that she knew her touch could hurt Xie Zhizhen, Gu Qing only dared to sit beside her, not daring to make contact.

Xie Zhizhen frowned in dissatisfaction, firmly grasping Gu Qing’s hand and meeting her gaze. “Gu Qing, I admit I still can’t fully accept you right now. But you’ll help me, won’t you?”

Help me escape that shadow.

The old Xie Zhizhen had been trapped in the darkness of those three months, but the Xie Zhizhen now wanted to step out of it.

You’ll help me, won’t you?

Gu Qing read all these unspoken words in Xie Zhizhen’s eyes. She squeezed the delicate hand in hers and finally broke into a bright smile just like the vibrant, sunny expression she had worn when they first met over a decade ago, full of life and hope.

“I will,” Gu Qing said. “But if you ever feel uncomfortable, you have to tell me. Don’t force yourself to endure it alone.”

Though the contact still made Xie Zhizhen somewhat uneasy, she would strive to adapt, to step out of the shadows.

In this quiet, peaceful moment, the two smiled at each other, believing that the future would only get better. But still…

“Zhenzhen, do you really not blame me?” As someone who had transmigrated into this world, Gu Qing knew better than anyone what Xie Zhizhen’s fate would have been without her.

She was supposed to be the heroine of the novel, the chosen one of this world. Though her path with Yin Lang might have a few bumps, they would be minor issues easily overcome, leading to a blissful life together in the end.

At the very least… she shouldn’t have had to endure these hardships.

Yet Xie Zhizhen merely curved her brows into a smile. “Didn’t you say, ‘The effort and sweat poured into loving someone is meaningful in itself’?”

“The suffering I endured was just my effort to be with you.” She had always held Gu Qing’s words close to her heart. “Now it’s fine, you bear wounds on your body, and I carry scars in my heart. You don’t have to worry about me looking down on you anymore.”

With that, Xie Zhizhen pinched Gu Qing’s nose playfully and teased, “Alright, no more blaming yourself, or I’ll really get angry.”

Though two years had passed, each carrying their own burdens, at this moment, their hearts were finally reunited.

“Miss, Madam has invited you and Her Highness to the main hall for dinner,” a maid announced softly from outside the door, having been sent by Gu’s mother.

Gu Qing glanced outside and realized night had already fallen. Seeing the maid’s shadow cast sideways against the door, she replied, “We’ll be there shortly.”

As she spoke, she recalled the sound of Xie Zhizhen washing her hands on the painted boat earlier that day. Releasing Xie Zhizhen’s hand, she smiled faintly. “Let me fetch a basin of water.”

Xie Zhizhen initially wanted to stop her, to say it wasn’t necessary, but the sticky sensation on her hands lingered stubbornly. Remembering her promise to Gu Qing not to tough it out, she withdrew her outstretched hand.

Her gaze then drifted to the dressing mirror beside her. Her face was bare, her lips pale and bloodless, giving her a frail, delicate appearance, as if she might collapse at any moment. Her long hair cascaded loosely down her back hardly a proper look for meeting her future mother-in-law.

With that thought, Xie Zhizhen took advantage of Gu Qing’s absence to sit at the vanity. She dabbed on some rouge to brighten her pallid lips, studying her reflection with satisfaction,the color did wonders for her complexion.

Next, she picked up the peachwood comb on the table. Carved into the handle in clumsy, childish strokes was the name “Zhizhen.”

The sight stirred memories of her childhood.

Back then, Gu Qing had just arrived at the palace as the princess’s study companion. Though young, she was already remarkably mature. While other children played with flowers and grass, Gu Qing had brought the prettiest hairpin from her jewelry box and presented it to Xie Zhizhen, declaring, “Such a beautiful hairpin deserves the most beautiful princess.”

Though praised since infancy, what young girl would ever tire of compliments especially when they came from someone as lovely as Gu Qing? The pampered little princess lifted her chin with a haughty sniff. “Such smooth talk.”

Yet the upturned corners of her lips betrayed her true feelings.

Gu Qing’s knowledge of Xie Zhizhen came solely from the book. Only when faced with the real person did she realize the heroine was indeed the heroine even as a child, she had been a porcelain-doll-like darling, her spoiled temperament identical to the original story.

Though Xie Zhizhen had feigned disdain, adhering to the principle of reciprocity, she had secretly left the peachwood comb by Gu Qing’s pillow while she napped.

After delivering the gifts, a palace maid who had followed Xie Zhizhen back hesitated for a moment before asking, “Princess, although you are of noble status and anything you give would be considered a blessing for the Second Miss Gu, but according to the rules of reciprocity, since Miss Gu presented you with such an expensive hairpin, wouldn’t it be a bit… to only give her an ordinary peachwood comb in return?”

The maid didn’t finish her sentence, careful not to offend the young princess by being too blunt.

But Xie Zhizhen was already upset. “Who! Who said I was giving her a gift?! I, this princess was bestowing a reward upon her! How dare she disdain what this princess bestows?!”

Besides, it wasn’t just any ordinary peachwood comb.

That comb was carved from the first peach tree she had ever planted, and the inscription on it was carved by her own hand. It was her most treasured comb.

Moreover, that peach tree had since died, making the remaining comb all the more unique.

If it weren’t for Gu Qing’s striking beauty and the extravagant hairpin she had gifted, Xie Zhizhen would never have parted with the comb.

If Gu Qing truly dared to disdain it, she would never speak to her again!

Logically, she knew no one else would value the peachwood comb as she did, and Gu Qing’s dissatisfaction would be understandable. But emotionally, Xie Zhizhen couldn’t bear the thought of her beloved comb being rejected.

Fortunately, when Xie Zhizhen arrived at the study hall that afternoon, Gu Qing greeted her with a bright smile. Before the tutor arrived, Gu Qing whispered her thanks, “Thank you for the peachwood comb, Your Highness. I adore it.”

After all, this was the future token of love between the female lead and the male protagonist, how could she possibly disdain it?

Of course not!

For the female lead to present such a significant gift upon their first meeting clearly indicated her high regard for Gu Qing.

Having grown up in the palace, Xie Zhizhen, though sheltered from darker intrigues, could still discern genuine emotions.

Thus, she could feel Gu Qing’s overflowing joy.

Yet Xie Zhizhen feigned indifference. “Look at you, so easily impressed. It’s just a peachwood comb.”

As she ran the decade-old comb through her hair, Xie Zhizhen smiled faintly. Though she only knew simple hairstyles, with no one else around, it would have to suffice.

Most of the jewelry in Gu Qing’s box was outdated by two years, but there were still some classic, elegant hairpins that looked lovely when worn.

While Xie Zhizhen was still deliberating, Gu Qing appeared in the bronze mirror, her slender fingers reaching past her to pick out a floral hairpin. “This one suits you.”

The floral hairpin nestled into her raven-black hair, adding a touch of elegance that complemented her other ornaments.

Gu Qing then took Xie Zhizhen’s hand and guided it into the basin.

It was warm!

Xie Zhizhen had assumed Gu Qing had merely fetched cold well water, so she was pleasantly surprised by the thoughtful preparation of warm water and glanced at Gu Qing appreciatively.

Gu Qing smiled. “I know you dislike the cold, so I made sure to prepare warm water. How is it?”

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