The Transmigrated Princess - Chapter 21

Although she hadn’t gone anywhere today and her clothes were still clean, not changing after a bath just didn’t feel like a proper bath at all.

Gu Qing quickly responded, “Yes, just wait a moment.”

She picked out a few newly purchased outfits from the wardrobe. As she looked at the neatly folded undergarments and drawers inside the cabinet, Gu Qing fell into deep thought. After a long while, she decided it would be best to ask Xie Zhizhen for her opinion.

“Zhizhen, do you need undergarments inside?”

Xie Zhizhen had initially only intended to take a simple bath and hadn’t thought about clothes at all. Suddenly hearing Gu Qing mention undergarments, she blushed furiously behind the screen, covering her cheeks with her hands and replying in a voice as faint as a mosquito’s hum, “Yes are there new ones?”

“There are.”

Because she had just returned, Gu Qing had bought many new clothes over the past couple of days everything from outerwear to undergarments so there were some that had been washed but not yet worn.

Xie Zhizhen nodded to indicate her approval, then realized Gu Qing might not see her gesture through the screen and softly answered, “Okay.”

Not daring to say another word.

Gu Qing took out the clean clothes and reached out to hand them over. She could see the woman’s slender, fair, and smooth arm, along with the faintly visible blue-green veins, which stirred endless imaginings.

She cleared her throat and went to the table, pouring herself several cups of tea in succession, her mouth feeling somewhat dry.

When Xie Zhizhen took the clothes from behind the screen, she seemed to sense the warmth of Gu Qing’s fingers through them. She steadied her emotions, but when she saw the embroidery.

By the time Xie Zhizhen emerged, the cherry-red dress paired with her excessively pale skin made her appear even more exquisite. Perhaps the cherry hue balanced out the pallor of her face, giving her a healthier glow.

Lately, she had often been seen wearing more subdued and elegant clothing, so seeing her in such a vibrant color now, Gu Qing couldn’t help but feel a flash of admiration. She heard her own heart pounding wildly, as if she were seeing the willful and unrestrained little princess from two years ago.

Xie Zhizhen hadn’t worn such clothes in a long time and felt a bit unaccustomed to them at first. As soon as she stepped out, she saw Gu Qing standing there dumbfounded and grew slightly nervous, unconsciously clutching at her skirt. “What’s wrong? Does it not look good?”

“It looks beautiful,” Gu Qing replied. “Actually, red suits you very well.”

Xie Zhizhen pouted shyly. “Smooth talker.”

Still, being complimented by the one she loved made her feel a little sweet inside, and the corners of her lips curled up slightly.

Gu Qing attempted to style Xie Zhizhen’s hair into a simple updo, a quick process that didn’t take long. She reinserted the hairpins Xie Zhizhen had removed earlier.

Xie Zhizhen examined her reflection in the mirror and, satisfied that everything was in place, smiled contentedly.

Gu Qing took Xie Zhizhen’s hand and led her out of the room.

“Why are you so clingy, always holding hands?” Xie Zhizhen swung their joined hands back and forth, her lips curling up involuntarily.

Gu Qing gave her fair, delicate hand a gentle squeeze, her eyes crinkling at the corners. “It’s only because all I can do right now is hold hands. It’s up to Your Highness to decide when this humble subject may proceed to the next step.”

Her tone reminded Xie Zhizhen of her own initiative in offering a kiss a few days prior, and she withdrew her hand in annoyance. “Haven’t I already let you hug me?”

Gu Qing wanted to reach out and wrap her arm around Xie Zhizhen’s waist, but she had already tested the waters today. Getting Xie Zhizhen to fully accept it would still be a bit difficult. After careful consideration, she decided to wait for another opportunity.

The intended embrace around the waist shifted into holding Xie Zhizhen’s hand instead. Gu Qing pressed the slightly cool back of Xie’s hand against her own cheek, nuzzling it like a kitten, with a hint of coaxing in the gesture.

Outside, Xie Zhizhen wasn’t entirely comfortable with such intimate actions and quickly lowered her hand, shooting Gu Qing a glare. “Stop moving! We’re in public!” she scolded fiercely.

Even someone usually soft and gentle could be formidable when angered. Gu Qing obediently lowered her hand, though their fingers remained intertwined at least it was less conspicuous now.

Dressed in matching outfits, the two made a striking pair as they walked together. Though Lady Gu wasn’t particularly observant, even she noticed Xie Zhizhen’s change of clothes. Still, knowing her daughter’s character, she was sure nothing untoward had happened after all, there hadn’t been enough time between leaving Elder Gu’s study and now for any mischief.

Assuming it might have been something like spilled tea, she didn’t press further.

At the dining table, Xie Zhizhen quickly noticed that all the dishes were her favorites. Lady Gu placed a piece of Dongpo pork on her plate. “A-Qing mentioned you like this dish. It happens to be my specialty give it a try.”

Xie Zhizhen smiled and took a bite. The meat was tender, rich but not greasy, leaving her craving more. “It’s delicious!”

Though neither the presentation nor the flavor matched the refinement of palace cuisine, there was something perfect in its rustic simplicity.

Seeing her genuine enjoyment, Lady Gu beamed. “Better than any restaurant’s, right? Back in the day, this very dish had your uncle visiting daily until he finally proposed.”

“Must you bring that up in front of the children?” Lord Gu shot her a look, embarrassed by the youthful reminiscence.

The meal passed pleasantly. Normally, Lady Gu might have insisted Xie Zhizhen stay longer, but with the impending move requiring preparations, she didn’t press today.

Gu Qing, understanding the unspoken reason, prepared to escort Xie Zhizhen back to the princess’s residence afterward. Worried Xie might misinterpret, she explained, “Mother truly likes you, it’s just household matters keeping her busy today.”

Xie Zhizhen laughed softly, tapping Gu Qing’s forehead with a finger. “Do I seem like someone who can’t tell when I’m liked?”

Then she embraced Gu Qing, resting her chin lightly on the taller woman’s shoulder, arms wrapped around her firm waist. Breathing in Gu Qing’s unique, grassy scent unlike anyone else’s she felt a wave of ease. “Don’t worry. I know how your mother feels about me.”

Gu Qing returned the embrace, savoring the softness of Xie’s slender waist, pliant as if boneless.

Lady Gu gazed at the home she’d lived in for over a decade, nostalgia weighing heavily. Leaving so abruptly felt unnatural, yet circumstances left no choice.

As Gu Qing had said, they weren’t leaving the capital, they could always visit the Zhenguo General’s Manor whenever they wished.

By evening, Elder Gu had gathered the family for a small meeting. Everyone now knew of Gu Qing’s impending departure.

The elder uncle of the Gu family specifically sent his own son to persuade Gu Qing. Gu Zhengyue, who also served in the court, wasn’t particularly eloquent. Standing before Gu Qing, he could only stiffly ask, “Are you really leaving?”

Gu Qing nodded. If she wanted to marry Xie Zhizhen without dragging her family into trouble, it seemed inevitable that things would come to this.

Gu Zhengyue fell silent for a moment, watching as Gu Qing directed the servants to pack her belongings. After a long pause, he finally managed to say, “If you both truly care for each other, there’s no harm in delaying the marriage.”

Since there were still servants in the room, some things couldn’t be said too explicitly. Gu Qing replied, “It’s been too long. She’s willing to wait for me, but her father won’t.”

Everyone knew exactly which “father” she was referring to.

“Are you so confident that you can bring her home before her father intervenes?”

This was the point Gu Zhengyue couldn’t understand. The emperor had made it clear he didn’t approve of Gu Qing, how could she possibly make him relent?

Gu Qing curled her lips into a faint smile. “Of course. There’s an opportunity in half a month. As for the specifics, forgive me for not elaborating.”

According to the original story’s plot, an opportunity would arise in half a month to make the emperor relent. All she needed to do now was prepare in advance and wait for that day to come.

Seeing Gu Qing’s confident demeanor, Gu Zhengyue knew his sister was stubborn to the point where ten oxen couldn’t pull her back. He wanted to say something warm and comforting, but it wasn’t in his nature. In the end, he could only gruffly say, “If anything happens, remember you can always come home.”

A warmth spread through Gu Qing’s heart, and she nodded with a smile.

By the time everything was finally packed, it was already midnight. Gu Qing dealt with the maids Xie Zhili had sent over, arranging for them to be sent away in batches.

Under the sparse stars and bright moon, Gu Qing, exhausted from the day’s work, was about to get some rest when Peony entered with a maid in tow.

Gu Qing noticed the maid bore some resemblance to Xie Zhizhen and couldn’t fathom why Peony had brought her here in the middle of the night.

“Miss, this maid refuses to leave no matter what and insists on seeing you. I couldn’t dissuade her.”

Gu Qing had no desire to get involved with them, but the maid’s resemblance to Xie Zhizhen softened her heart. She nodded and motioned for Peony to step aside.

“Speak. What do you want to see me for?”

“This servant has stumbled upon a secret and wishes to use it to seek the general’s help.”

Gu Qing raised an eyebrow this was a reason she hadn’t anticipated. “Tell me first what you want.”

“This servant is named Xiaolan. My elder sister, Xiaomei, and I entered the prince’s residence together. But a year ago, my sister was suddenly summoned away. When she returned, she was always covered in bruises, and her whole body had grown thin.” Xiaolan’s eyes dimmed with sorrow as she recalled her sister. “A few days later, my sister suddenly pulled me aside, gave me all the savings she’d scraped together over the years, and told me to find a way to leave the prince’s residence and live somewhere no one knew me. The next day, she was gone.”

“So, this servant begs the general to help me find my sister.”

With that, Xiaolan knelt and kowtowed repeatedly, the loud, resounding thuds proving just how hard she was pressing her forehead to the ground.

“You’ve already guessed, haven’t you?”

Based on her description, her sister was almost certainly dead.

Though Xiaolan refused to accept it, she couldn’t deny the overwhelming likelihood that her sister was no longer alive. The thought brought tears to her eyes. “But I must see her, alive or dead.”

After speaking, she began kowtowing again. “Please, General, help this servant.”

Gu Qing remained unmoved. Having witnessed countless bloody scenes in the military camp, such a simple act of self-sacrifice couldn’t sway her. “Your sister is pitiable, but investigating matters related to the Sixth Prince’s estate is no simple task. It depends on whether the secret you hold is worth the price.”

“The Sixth Prince plans to conspire with the Imperial Preceptor to usurp the throne.”

Support The Transmigrated Princess