The Transmigrated Princess - Chapter 17

Gu Qing woke up early in the morning to train, determined to toughen her hands with calluses within half a month, thinking about the conclusion she had reached the day before.

The Gu family had produced many military generals. The title of “Guardian of the Nation” was earned by the old master Gu when he followed the previous emperor in battle. Thus, the Gu family’s training grounds were stocked with all kinds of weapons, so Gu Qing didn’t need to bring her own.

Early in the morning, though the old master Gu was too old to wield weapons effectively, he still maintained his habit of rising early to take walks. Seeing Gu Qing, he felt deeply gratified. “Look at this girl, Gu Qing, she truly has my spirit from back in the day. Look at how she handles that spear.”

Beside him, the old madam Gu nodded in agreement, not forgetting to criticize the other younger members of the family. “Our Gu family has many younger generations, but in the end, it’s Gu Qing who is the most promising and determined.”

“Exactly,” the old master Gu said, though he wasn’t sure whether to feel proud or annoyed. “Two years ago, she ran off to the military camp without even saying a word. Who knows who helped her pull that off?”

Disguising herself as a man to join the army was no simple feat. Though her third uncle and his wife had known beforehand, they were the type to stay out of such matters hardly capable of arranging Gu Qing’s entry into the camp.

The old master Gu grew irritated just thinking about it. “Who knows who that girl found to help her?”

“Do you think I don’t know you, old man?” The old madam Gu rolled her eyes. “You pretend to complain, but deep down, you’re just worried about A-Qing having to beg for favors.”

“Hmph.”

Unaware of the conversation in the corner, Gu Qing finished her training and prepared to leave for court.

Speaking of which, because the emperor had been unwell the past two days and canceled morning court, this was actually her first time attending.

In the Golden Hall, most of the discussions were routine matters. However, the emperor finally delivered his final verdict on Lin Chenzhi’s case.

Lin Chenzhi was to be executed in five days. As for the State Preceptor, his father, he was found guilty of lax supervision, stripped of his official position, and placed under house arrest for three months.

Gu Qing was quite satisfied with this outcome. As the emperor grew older, his demand for dubious elixirs had increased. Though the State Preceptor held an official title, his primary duty was to concoct medicines for the emperor.

Otherwise, given Lin Chenzhi’s crimes, his entire clan should have been executed.

Someone then raised objections about Gu Qing’s official position.

“Your Majesty, I have a petition!” The Minister of Rites stepped forward. “Though the Second Miss Gu has military merits, her disguise as a man to enter the camp should cancel out her achievements at best. How can a woman be allowed to stand in court?”

Gu Qing stepped forward. “Regarding the matter of disguising myself as a man, His Majesty has already pardoned this offense due to my role in exposing Lin Chenzhi’s crimes. My rank as a general was earned through real battles on the battlefield, I deserve it without shame!”

Yin Lang also stepped forward at the right moment. “I fought alongside General Gu. Her contributions in multiple battles were witnessed by the entire army. If General Gu were not a woman, I would argue she deserves the rank of Grand General.”

“Moreover, General Gu had no choice but to disguise herself as a man to join the army.”

The Minister of Rites hadn’t expected that Gu Qing’s disguise had already been settled with the emperor. Not daring to challenge the emperor’s decision, he shifted his attack elsewhere. “But since ancient times, a woman’s role has been to manage the household and raise children. How can a woman be allowed to participate in court and political affairs?”

Gu Qing’s lips curled slightly. “The Minister of Rites says that since ancient times, women should focus on serving their husbands and raising children. Then I ask, what exactly ‘should’ and ‘should not’ be? Should we also learn from the dregs of previous dynasties? Should we continue the extravagant and decadent practices of past regimes that pursued nothing but pleasure?”

Gu Qing clasped her hands and said, “Since His Majesty ascended the throne, under the suggestion of Noble Consort Xian, a few women have been appointed as county magistrates. According to my investigations, those counties have received unanimous praise from the people since these women took office.”

“Though I am a woman, every military merit I’ve earned was won through my own blood and sweat. So why can’t I stand in this court as an equal among all the ministers?”

Gu Zhengyue stepped forward. “I believe General Gu’s words are reasonable. Without General Gu defending our homeland, how could we enjoy peace in the capital? What does gender matter? In this prosperous age, what we need are capable individuals talented and skilled people not just talented and skilled men.”

Gu Qing’s eyelid twitched in surprise. She hadn’t expected him to speak up for her. After all, her uncle’s family was famously strict and impartial. Countless people had sought their favor only to be turned away, and even family pleas often came to nothing.

The Minister of Rites was displeased. “Gu Zhengyue, everyone knows you’re Gu Qing’s cousin! Of course you’d stand on her side!”

The emperor listened to the debate, feeling a headache coming on. He rubbed his temples and made a decisive ruling. “I’ve already made my decision regarding Gu Qing’s matter. There’s no need for further discussion.”

After the court session ended, Gu Qing felt she should thank Gu Zhengyue. But he remained his usual stoic self, his face expressionless. “I wasn’t helping you. I was only supporting what’s right.”

Gu Qing was left speechless. Just then, Yin Lang approached. “Your cousin is quite amusing, haha.”

Gu Qing ignored him and was about to leave the palace when a palace maid stopped her. Gu Qing recognized her Su Ye, the chief maid serving Consort Shu.

“General Gu, Consort Shu requests your presence.”

Consort Shu, Xie Zhizhen’s aunt.

Though Gu Qing had originally planned to visit the princess’s residence after court to accompany Xie Zhizhen, she couldn’t refuse Consort Shu’s invitation. She nodded, bid farewell to Yin Lang, and followed Su Ye.

As they walked, Gu Qing tried to gather information. “Sister Su Ye, why does Consort Shu wish to see me?”

Having entered the palace as Xie Zhizhen’s childhood companion, Gu Qing had often visited Consort Shu’s Chenggong Palace and was quite familiar with Su Ye.

“Her Ladyship has missed you dearly these past two years,” Su Ye smiled. “And since the princess is also at Chenggong Palace today, she thought to invite you as well.”

Zhizhen was actually in the palace.

Hearing this, Gu Qing’s steps lightened considerably.

Chenggong Palace wasn’t far, and they arrived quickly.

Standing at the palace gates, Gu Qing recalled the incident two years ago when the emperor discovered her relationship with Xie Zhizhen. She had knelt here, begging for his approval, while Xie Zhizhen putting on a show for the emperor emerged with the sword Gu Qing had gifted her and severed Gu Qing’s long hair in one stroke.

Though it was said that one’s body, hair, and skin were gifts from one’s parents, Gu Qing, having transmigrated into this world, viewed her hair like fingernails with little sentimental attachment. But in this ancient era, cutting one’s hair symbolized a final farewell.

Xie Zhizhen was putting on a show for the emperor. After all, it was a major scandal for a princess of the dynasty to be involved with another woman. As the daughter of the emperor and the Noble Consort Xian, Xie Zhizhen couldn’t be directly punished, but Gu Qing was a different story.

At that time, Gu Qing was merely the second daughter of the Zhenguo General’s household nothing more. For an emperor, dealing with a young lady from an inner chamber was hardly a challenge.

If handled gently, a marriage decree could be issued, binding her to a stranger blind marriages were commonplace.

If handled cruelly, arranging for her to quietly succumb to illness was no difficult feat either.

So when her long hair was severed, she chose to leave. It wasn’t out of despair, but because she knew she wasn’t yet in a position to defy the emperor she couldn’t even protect herself.

To gain the power of self-preservation not necessarily to reunite with Xie Zhizhen immediately, but at least to ensure that when they were together, Xie Zhizhen wouldn’t have to worry about her safety, she sought help from Xie Zhibai, left a letter for her parents, and departed with her sword and a protective talisman.

Standing at the palace gates now, Gu Qing allowed a faint smile to grace her lips.

At the very least, she was no longer the powerless young lady the emperor could dispose of at will.

Entering the Chengqian Palace, she saw Xie Zhizhen seated to the side, clad in a lake-blue dress. A delicate sash accentuated her graceful curves, and her pristine face, untouched by worldly stains, radiated innocence. Her crescent-shaped eyes hinted at her good mood, and her rosy lips reminded Gu Qing of the taste when she had kissed her cheek two days prior.

Soft.

A pity she hadn’t savored the flavor.

But she imagined it was sweet perhaps even sweeter than two years ago.

When Noble Consort Shu noticed Gu Qing, she beckoned her over, and Suye discreetly withdrew.

Taking Gu Qing’s hand, the consort examined her closely. “A bit darker, a bit taller, and much more beautiful.”

This was their first meeting since the revelation of her relationship with Xie Zhizhen. Gu Qing made an effort to appear well-behaved. “Auntie~”

Noble Consort Shu: “!!!”

Xie Zhizhen: “!!!”

Gu Qing herself was quite satisfied. The tone was perfect, the address was perfect though it was a shame she had to wear the formal court attire for the morning audience, which wasn’t particularly flattering.

Noble Consort Shu chuckled. “You child, calling me that so soon, I haven’t even approved of you two yet.” But she didn’t ask Gu Qing to change the address.

Gu Qing and Noble Consort Shu were quite familiar, though two years apart had left much to catch up on.

Just as the three of them were engrossed in conversation, the sound of “Your Majesty’s blessings” echoed from the entrance. Simultaneously, they each suppressed their smiles slightly, their expressions now tinged with polite artifice.

“Your Majesty’s blessings.”

“Your daughter greets Father Emperor.”

“This humble official greets Your Majesty.”

The emperor seemed surprised to see Gu Qing. “General Gu is here as well?”

Noble Consort Shu smoothly stepped forward, signaling Suye to bring tea. “It has been a long time since I last saw General Gu, so I took the opportunity to summon her after the court session.”

The emperor took his seat. “What were you all discussing?”

After sipping his tea, he nodded approvingly. “The tea brewed in your palace is still the best.”

Noble Consort Shu smiled gently. “Just some amusing anecdotes from the military camps.”

Then, feigning weariness, she added, “But I’m getting older even such a short conversation has left me rather tired.”

The emperor had originally intended to lecture Gu Qing a bit more, but upon seeing the evident weariness on Consort Shu’s face, his heart ached with concern. With a wave of his hand, he dismissed Gu Qing, only leaving Xie Zhizhen with a final instruction: “Since you left the palace, your aunt has been quite lonely here. You should come back more often to keep her company.”

Xie Zhizhen nodded, but Consort Shu, displeased, chided gently, “How could the palace compare to the outside world in terms of fun? Zhizhen has already spent enough time here, what’s wrong with letting her go out and enjoy herself more?”

“I have you and all the other sisters in the palace to keep me company,” Consort Shu continued, taking Xie Zhizhen’s hand. “Don’t listen to your father. Go out and have fun just focus on being happy. Your aunt is doing just fine here in the palace.”

With that, she waved off Gu Qing and Xie Zhizhen before the emperor could say another word.

As Gu Qing stepped out the door, she faintly overheard Consort Shu’s slightly reproachful words to the emperor, though the tone was skillfully measured never crossing into discomfort.

Once outside Chenggong Palace, Xie Zhizhen finally spoke up, “We hadn’t even confirmed Auntie’s stance yet, why did you start calling her ‘Auntie’ so soon?”

Support The Transmigrated Princess