The Transmigrated Princess - Chapter 23

After settling Xiaolan’s matter, Gu Qing finally breathed a sigh of relief. Her fingertips subtly inched toward Xie Zhizhen’s direction, entwining with her slender, pale fingers, their hands interlacing. “Let’s go. Mother must have something to discuss with you.”

The two bypassed the study and arrived at the courtyard where Gu Qing’s mother resided. The moment Madam Gu caught sight of Gu Qing, her eyelid twitched especially upon seeing the two holding hands and her expression immediately turned stern, appearing quite furious.

Gu Qing was just about to ask who had provoked her mother to such anger when Madam Gu suddenly barked, “Everyone, leave at once!”

The servants, who had just moments ago seen their usually amiable mistress, were startled by her sudden ferocity. But at her command, they instinctively hurried away, not wanting to be caught in the crossfire.

Gu Qing was dumbfounded. Though she didn’t understand what had upset her mother, she quickly shot Madam Gu a meaningful glance, mindful of Xie Zhizhen’s presence beside her.

Whatever anger you have, don’t unleash it in front of Zhizhen.

Madam Gu completely ignored Gu Qing’s silent plea and glared at her fiercely. “Gu Qing! Kneel down!”

Still utterly confused, Gu Qing numbly dropped to her knees, clueless as to what she had done to provoke such wrath.

Xie Zhizhen, standing nearby, was equally bewildered. Seeing Gu Qing kneel, she instinctively moved to speak up for her. “Auntie, whatever the matter is, perhaps Gu Qing could stand while discussing it. Though it’s spring, the weather is still a bit chilly.”

Madam Gu’s expression softened into one of tearful sorrow as she turned to Xie Zhizhen, taking her hand. “Look at Zhizhen such a wonderful girl. How could you deceive her?!”

Gu Qing: “…???”

Xie Zhizhen glanced at Gu Qing: “…???”

Gu Qing racked her brain but couldn’t think of anything she hadn’t already told Xie Zhizhen aside from the fact that she was a transmigrator. She quickly protested, “Mother! Don’t slander me like this!”

At this point, she might as well have told Xie Zhizhen the color of her undergarments that day.

Madam Gu shot her another glare before patting Xie Zhizhen’s hand apologetically, her expression so remorseful that even Gu Qing began to doubt whether she had truly done something to wrong Xie Zhizhen.

Then, Madam Gu spoke. “Yesterday, the Sixth Prince sent several maidservants. Aqing sent most of them away, but she kept one and placed her in my courtyard.”

Early that morning, Gu Qing had sent over a low-ranking maid. At first, Madam Gu hadn’t paid much attention until she overheard Shaoyao gossiping with other maids and learned that the maid had been sent by Xie Zhili.

The moment she found out, Madam Gu had intended to send the girl away immediately. But upon hearing that Xie Zhizhen had already seen the maid, she gasped in shock.

As a woman herself, she knew full well that some matters were best addressed proactively.

She knew her daughter well Gu Qing would never entertain such thoughts.

But regardless of intent, the right attitude was crucial. She had to stand firmly on Zhizhen’s side.

Finally understanding the reason for her mother’s anger, Gu Qing chuckled and stood up.

Seeing Gu Qing laugh instead of seizing the moment to explain herself, Madam Gu’s simmering anger flared hotter. But before she could escalate, Xie Zhizhen suddenly giggled beside her. “Gu Qing, why didn’t you tell Auntie about this?”

Now it was Madam Gu’s turn to be utterly baffled.

Gu Qing hurried to explain. “Mother, I’ve already discussed Xiaolan’s matter with Zhizhen. Later, when Zhizhen returns to the princess’s residence, she’ll take Xiaolan with her.”

“Why on earth would you let that woman go to the princess’s residence with Zhenzhen?” Lady Gu was puzzled by the reasoning behind this decision. “Wouldn’t it be simpler to dismiss her like the other maids?”

Xie Zhizhen was about to explain to Lady Gu when a glance from Gu Qing stopped her.

Gu Qing stepped forward, guiding Lady Gu back to her seat and pouring her a cup of tea. “Mother, that maid still has some use. There’s no need to worry.”

Lady Gu looked at Gu Qing, then at Xie Zhizhen, and suddenly smiled. “You two are keeping secrets from me, aren’t you?”

But she wasn’t angry. As long as Xie Zhizhen was aware of the matter, it was fine. She brushed off nonexistent dust from her clothes. “Alright, I won’t interfere in your affairs. As long as you know what you’re doing.”

If not for the fear of Xie Zhizhen misunderstanding and affecting their relationship, she wouldn’t have bothered in the first place. After all, she wasn’t one to meddle in others’ business.

With Lady Gu’s concerns settled, Gu Qing took Xie Zhizhen for a stroll around the place. “This is one of my grandfather’s residences outside the main estate. It’s been unused for a while, so it’s conveniently mine now.”

“How does it look to you?”

Though Xie Zhizhen had only seen a few areas so far, from what she could tell, the residence was quite nice. However…

“Would Lord Gu have any objections toward me?”

Because of her, his son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter were moving out of the family home.

Gu Qing chuckled and lightly tapped her head. “Sometimes you overthink things. There’s really no displeasure here. Staying here is no different from staying at the Zhenguo General’s residence. My father was just summoned by Grandfather for a scolding and hasn’t even returned yet.”

“As long as a family’s hearts are together, it doesn’t matter where they live. Besides, we’re still so close.”

Xie Zhizhen nodded, not denying the truth in those words.

Just like how, even though she lived outside the palace, her relationship with her aunt remained unchanged.

Gu Qing gave Xie Zhizhen a brief tour of the layout before leading her back to her own courtyard. “I want to show you something special.”

With a playful smile, she successfully piqued Xie Zhizhen’s curiosity.

Walking past the bedchamber, Xie Zhizhen spotted an exquisitely crafted swing. Sturdy vines were entwined with vibrant flowers, their petals fresh and eye-catching. As she approached, she caught a faint floral scent not overpowering, but soothing to the soul.

Xie Zhizhen was pleasantly surprised. “This is…”

Gu Qing, satisfied with her reaction, nodded. “Didn’t you say as a child that you wanted a swing in front of your bedchamber if you ever had the chance? Though this isn’t your bedchamber, what’s mine is yours.”

Xie Zhizhen then noticed that the swing faced the window of the bedchamber, allowing a clear view of the swing from inside and vice versa.

She sat on the swing, and before she could say anything, Gu Qing had already stepped behind her to give her a gentle push.

Xie Zhizhen felt herself rise and fall, rise and fall again, watching the window draw near and then recede.

At the peak of each rise, she felt as though she could almost touch the clouds. And as she descended, though the clouds drifted away, she felt closer to Gu Qing.

Closing her eyes, she savored the taste of freedom, a sensation she hadn’t experienced in the past two years.

It was wonderfully comforting.

Because she had been on the swing for far too long, the moment Xie Zhizhen stepped off, her feet touching the ground felt almost unreal, and she nearly stumbled. Fortunately, Gu Qing was quick to steady her.

Standing face-to-face with Gu Qing, who was now extremely close, Xie Zhizhen could see the tension reflected in those slightly brown eyes, eyes that held a tiny version of herself. The faint scent of fresh grass enveloped her, and Gu Qing’s soft pink lips were pressed tightly together. The surroundings were so quiet that Xie Zhizhen could even hear the rapid pounding of her own heart. She swallowed hard, and in that moment, an unexpected desire to lean in and kiss her surged within her.

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