The Transmigrated Princess - Chapter 18

Gu Qing grinned and took the initiative to hold Xie Zhizhen’s hand. “I’ll have to call her that sooner or later anyway.”

She could feel Xie Zhizhen’s hand stiffen slightly before quickly relaxing again. It was clear to Gu Qing that Xie Zhizhen wasn’t as resistant to the term “mother-in-law” today as she had been before. It seemed the method of letting her gradually adjust was working.

Xie Zhizhen lightly smacked Gu Qing’s hand and shot her a glare, signaling her not to be so bold after all, they were in the palace. Still, she couldn’t help but worry. “Aren’t you afraid Auntie won’t agree?”

From childhood until now, her aunt had supported nearly everything she wanted to do. Only when it came to her relationship with Gu Qing had her aunt shown such a helpless look for the first time. If her aunt hadn’t denied Gu Qing’s affectionate address today, Xie Zhizhen might still be uncertain about her stance.

Gu Qing pinched Xie Zhizhen’s thumb soft, just like the girl herself before replying, “Don’t worry. I can’t guarantee how others will react, but Auntie definitely won’t oppose us.”

Xie Zhizhen looked up at her in confusion, clearly curious about how Gu Qing could be so confident.

Just then, they arrived at the spot where the sedan chair was waiting, with Su Juan standing by. Gu Qing helped Xie Zhizhen into it and took the opportunity to hitch a ride herself.

In the Geng Dynasty, riding in such a covered sedan chair within the palace was generally forbidden only high-ranking consorts were permitted open palanquins. But Xie Zhizhen was an exception.

The emperor, concerned about her frail health, had specially allowed her the privilege of the sedan chair. This, of course, benefited Gu Qing, saving her a bit of walking.

“The military camp isn’t an easy place to get into, let alone for a woman disguising herself as a man. I couldn’t have done it without help,” Gu Qing said with a chuckle. “So back then, I went straight to Xie Zhibai and had him send me there.”

Xie Zhizhen was stunned. “Zhibai never mentioned this to me.”

Back then, when Gu Qing had suddenly disappeared, she had even asked Xie Zhibai for information, but he had only said Gu Qing left a letter and vanished, he claimed not to know where she had gone.

Gu Qing explained gently, “How old was Xie Zhibai back then? He didn’t have the means to quietly send me to the military camp.”

Two years ago, Xie Zhibai had only been fifteen. Though he was the future emperor, he was still young in the original novel, he didn’t ascend the throne until he was nineteen.

Xie Zhizhen suddenly understood. “It was Auntie!”

Gu Qing nodded.

“But how could you be sure she would help you?”

Gu Qing lifted Xie Zhizhen’s hand to eye level, a sly smile playing on her lips. “She would because you were on my side.”

Yet Xie Zhizhen recalled the helpless look her aunt had given her two years ago. “I always thought Auntie didn’t support us.”

Gu Qing said, “No matter what you do, your aunt supports you. What you took as disapproval might just have been her struggling to figure out how to help you.”

When Xie Zhizhen gave her a puzzled look, Gu Qing only smiled and didn’t elaborate. Instead, she pointed upward. Xie Zhizhen immediately understood.

Two years ago, Gu Qing had wanted to tell Xie Zhizhen that she was actually a transmigrator from another world. But for some reason, every time she tried to discuss the original novel’s plot, her voice would be automatically muted. In the end, she had no choice but to mysteriously tell Xie Zhizhen that “heaven’s secrets cannot be revealed” some things simply couldn’t be spoken aloud.

Seeing that Xie Zhizhen didn’t press further, Gu Qing knew she understood.

In truth, Gu Qing had never doubted Noble Consort Shu’s attitude toward Xie Zhizhen. After all, in the original novel, Noble Consort Shu had always been in love with her twin sister Noble Consort Xian.

But Noble Consort Xian had entered the palace, becoming the emperor’s woman. No matter how much Noble Consort Shu longed for her, it was futile. That was, until Noble Consort Xian died in childbirth while delivering Xie Zhizhen.

Afterward, Noble Consort Shu used her identical face to her sister’s to successfully enter the palace and win the emperor’s favor. Within a month, she was pregnant, and after ten months of pregnancy, she finally gave birth to Xie Zhibai.

At the time, everyone believed Noble Consort Shu had climbed to wealth and status by stepping over her sister’s corpse. They thought her kindness toward Xie Zhizhen was just for show after all, Xie Zhizhen was merely a princess, while Noble Consort Shu had risked her life to bear Xie Zhibai, a prince.

But Gu Qing, having read the original novel, knew the truth. Noble Consort Shu hadn’t entered the palace for wealth or status she had done it to protect Xie Zhizhen. And though she had indeed fought to bear Xie Zhibai for the sake of the throne, it wasn’t for her own glory, but for Xie Zhizhen’s sake.

To protect the child her sister had left behind, Noble Consort Shu had sacrificed her entire life, even raising her own son to take over her duty of safeguarding Xie Zhizhen.

Someone like that Gu Qing believed would always prioritize Xie Zhizhen’s happiness. As long as Xie Zhizhen held a place in her heart, Noble Consort Shu would surely help her.

Sure enough, when Gu Qing sought Xie Zhibai’s assistance, Noble Consort Shu had aided her.

Once they left the palace, Gu Qing naturally brought Xie Zhizhen to the General’s Manor. “Mother said she didn’t know what you liked to eat yesterday, so she didn’t host you properly. Today, she wants to make it up to you.”

Gu Qing blinked, smiling as she added, “Early this morning, she specially came to ask me about your favorite dishes, saying she wanted to cook them herself. Before I left, she even reminded me to bring you home for lunch.”

Xie Zhizhen was stunned. It had been too long since she’d received such a warm invitation. She murmured, “There’s really no need. It’s too much trouble for Auntie.”

Seeing her dazed expression, Gu Qing couldn’t resist pinching her soft cheeks. “It’s no trouble at all. Actually, Mother really likes you.”

The General’s Manor wasn’t far, and they arrived quickly. Gu Qing stepped out of the carriage first, then helped Xie Zhizhen down.

But as soon as they entered the manor, Peony hurried over and curtsied. “Second Young Miss, the Old Master requests your presence.”

Gu Qing frowned, knowing this meant someone was looking for her. She had originally planned to spend some time with Xie Zhizhen first.

At this, Xie Zhizhen quickly interjected, “If Old Master Gu is looking for you, he must have something important. I can wait for you in your room.”

Gu Qing nodded, instructing Sujuan to take good care of Xie Zhizhen, then headed toward the main hall.

“Who’s here?” Gu Qing asked.

Though she had just returned to the capital and held the rank of general, most civil officials still looked down on her due to her gender and wouldn’t bother visiting her.

Peony lowered her head and replied, “It’s the Sixth Prince.”

So it was Xie Zhili, the empress’s son. But what was he doing here? Surely he wasn’t trying to win her over?

As a child, knowing that Xie Zhizhen was the female lead and Xie Zhibai the future emperor, Gu Qing had long since mentally aligned herself with Xie Zhibai’s faction.

Moreover, given her current relationship with Xie Zhizhen, her stance in Xie Zhibai’s camp was even more solidified. Xie Zhili should have at least some sense of this.

Unable to figure out his intentions, she had no choice but to go to the main hall and meet him.

Upon entering the grand hall, Xie Zhili almost immediately approached Gu Qing upon spotting her. “General Gu, you’ve changed quite a bit from two years ago more radiant than ever.”

Gu Qing offered a perfunctory bow, replying with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes, “And the Sixth Prince has grown even more dashing.”

Old Master Gu stroked his snow-white beard, beaming. “Ah Qing, the Sixth Prince came specifically to see you. I’m getting on in years and don’t have the energy I used to. You two carry on.” With that, he promptly left, leaving the vast hall to Gu Qing, Xie Zhili, a few maids from the general’s residence, and Xie Zhili’s attendants.

Xie Zhiting was still waiting for her, and Gu Qing had no desire to engage in idle chatter with Xie Zhili. She cut straight to the point, “What urgent matter brings Your Highness to seek me out?”

A flicker of displeasure crossed Xie Zhili’s eyes. As the legitimate prince, he found Gu Qing’s increasingly casual attitude toward him unacceptable no doubt emboldened by her alliance with Xie Zhibai.

But recalling his mother’s advice that Yin Lang had already pledged loyalty to Xie Zhibai and was beyond reach he knew he must at least secure Gu Qing’s allegiance. After all, not only was she a general with command over military forces, but her backing from the Zhenguo General’s Manor also made her a valuable ally.

Suppressing his irritation, he maintained a friendly facade. “Now that you’ve returned to the capital, and it’s been years since we last met, I thought it would be nice to gather at my residence sometime.”

Had Gu Qing not been a transmigrator, she might have almost believed him.

Since when did she and Xie Zhili have anything worth discussing? But given his status as a prince, she could only offer a perfunctory reply, “Certainly, certainly.” Next time, maybe.

Xie Zhili then clapped his hands, and several slender women in plain white dresses stepped forward. Gu Qing narrowed her eyes, struck by a vague sense of familiarity. After a moment, it dawned on her each bore some resemblance to Xie Zhiting.

Instantly understanding Xie Zhili’s implication, she felt a wave of disgust. Yet bound by propriety, she couldn’t simply storm off. Feigning ignorance, she asked, “Your Highness, what is the meaning of this?”

Xie Zhili signaled his guards to present the women’s deeds of sale, handing them to Gu Qing. “I thought that since the Second Young Lady has just returned to the capital, you might lack suitable maids at hand. So I’ve selected some capable ones from my household to send your way.”

As he spoke, he used his folding fan to tilt the women’s chins up, giving Gu Qing a clearer view of their features.

To be fair, they were indeed quite beautiful.

“I’m accustomed to being alone and truly cannot accept such generosity,” Gu Qing replied.

Xie Zhili snapped his fan shut. “The capital is nothing like the military camp, there are far more formalities here. You may not realize it now, but in time, you’ll see the need for more maids to attend to you.”

Seeing that refusal would only prolong the conversation, Gu Qing reluctantly accepted the deeds, forcing a polite smile. “Then I graciously accept Your Highness’s kindness.”

With his mission accomplished, Xie Zhili flicked his fan open again, giving her a knowing look. “Hahaha, these maids have their unique qualities. You’ll understand in due time.”

As Xie Zhili departed, leaving behind the group of maids, Gu Qing felt a headache coming on. She couldn’t very well leave them standing there, so she instructed them to wait in her courtyard.

Meanwhile, Xie Zhiting was chatting with Madam Gu about the latest fashionable patterns in the capital when, before long, she saw Gu Qing approaching with a retinue of beautiful maids in tow.

Gu Qing left the maids in the courtyard and entered the house alone.

Lady Gu, sharp-eyed as ever, took one look at those maids and immediately understood their origins. She was so furious she nearly jumped up to grab Gu Qing by the ear. “What’s the meaning of this? You went to meet someone and came back with a whole entourage of maids?!”

Under Xie Zhizhen’s disbelieving gaze and his own mother’s fierce glare, Gu Qing quickly raised his hands in surrender. “The Sixth Prince sent them, I couldn’t refuse!”

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