The Transmigrated Princess - Chapter 28.1

After Gu Qing left, Consort Shu did not immediately speak up for her but waited quietly in silence.

Finally, after a moment of contemplation, the emperor remembered that Consort Shu was still by his side. “Consort Shu, what do you think?”

Consort Shu smiled faintly. “This world is often harsh toward women. Speaking as an aunt, I only wish for my sister’s child to be safe, happy, and grow old with the one she loves.”

At the mention of Noble Consort Xian, Consort Shu’s eyes dimmed, and the emperor’s mood similarly darkened. Every time Noble Consort Xian was brought up, his heart grew heavier with guilt. To make up for it, he strived to give Xie Zhizhen the best of everything and showered Consort Shu with unparalleled honors.

“My sister passed away due to complications during childbirth when Zhizhen was born,” Consort Shu said. “I truly do not wish for Zhizhen to follow in her mother’s footsteps. Moreover, I’ve watched Gu Qing grow up, and I trust her character.”

Deep down, the emperor knew Consort Shu’s words were reasonable. In this world, there truly was no one more suitable for Xie Zhizhen than Gu Qing.

A faint smile curled on Consort Shu’s lips. She knew the emperor too well now, all she had to do was let him come to his own realization.

After leaving the Palace of Heavenly Purity, Gu Qing made her way to a side hall in the Palace of Earthly Tranquility.

This side hall had once been Xie Zhizhen’s residence. Though she had since left the palace and moved into her own princess estate, Consort Shu had kept the place intact, instructing palace maids to clean it daily. Of course, Consort Shu knew Xie Zhizhen despised others touching her belongings, so everything remained exactly as it had been when she left.

Gu Qing was very familiar with this place. After all, she had once been the princess’s study companion and knew everything about her perhaps even more than Consort Shu did.

The small couch in the bedchamber was covered with soft cushions, and atop it lay an adorable, plush yellow Pikachu, which Gu Qing had sketched from memory.

Originally, she had wanted to make it herself, but she lacked the talent for such crafts. Unable to perfectly recreate Pikachu’s likeness, she had handed the drawing to skilled embroiderers and let them work their magic.

As it turned out, professionals were indeed professionals. Even without ever having seen a Pikachu before, the embroiderers managed to bring it to life with their exquisite imagination and masterful techniques.

Now, however, this cute Pikachu was being squished flattened beneath the weight of a beauty with skin like jade and cheeks like peach blossoms. Though asleep, a faint trace of worry lingered between her brows, as if she were still troubled by something.

Gu Qing stepped forward quietly, her figure casting a shadow that blocked some of the sunlight from Xie Zhizhen. With warm fingertips, she gently smoothed the furrow between Xie Zhizhen’s brows. “Don’t think so much in your sleep. Overthinking won’t help.”

She understood Xie Zhizhen’s worries, but her little princess should remain carefree, just as she had been in childhood. Everything else Gu Qing would handle it.

As if sensing Gu Qing’s reassurance, Xie Zhizhen instinctively wrapped her arms around Gu Qing’s in her sleep, her knitted brows gradually relaxing.

At first, Gu Qing didn’t pay much attention to the embrace, she knew Xie Zhizhen liked holding onto something while sleeping. But the next moment, Xie Zhizhen clung tightly to her arm, pressing softness against it.

Plush, warm, and incredibly comfortable.

In an instant, Gu Qing’s ears burned crimson.

Wh-wh-what?! Was this something she was allowed to feel?!

Her heart was pounding so fast even on the battlefield, Gu Qing had never felt it race like this.

Though the touch on her arm felt pleasant and comforting, they weren’t married yet. Such contact was a little improper.

Reason told Gu Qing she should pull her hand away immediately, but a selfish part of her argued that Xie Zhizhen had initiated it, and besides, she was asleep. What if withdrawing her hand woke her up?

Just as she was caught in this dilemma, Xie Zhizhen let out a soft whimper. Gu Qing stiffened in alarm, terrified that she might wake.

Fortunately, Xie Zhizhen had been utterly exhausted the night before. After that faint sound, she drifted back to sleep.

Afraid she might suddenly stir, Gu Qing tried to gently free her hand, but Xie Zhizhen held on tightly. Left with no choice, she crouched down and whispered softly by Xie Zhizhen’s ear, “Zhizhen, it’s me.”

When Xie Zhizhen showed no reaction, Gu Qing didn’t raise her voice, continuing in the same hushed tone, “Could you loosen your grip a little?”

Receiving no response, Gu Qing wasn’t impatient. She tested a bit of force, managing to pull her hand back slightly.

She wasn’t a particularly patient person, but when it came to Xie Zhizhen, she had an endless supply of it.

The afternoon sunlight spilled through the window, casting a warm glow over them. When Xie Zhizhen opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was Gu Qing crouched beside her, the light framing her like a war goddess descended to earth radiating a sense of security. Except her posture looked a little odd.

The moment Gu Qing freed her hand, Xie Zhizhen woke up. Before she could adjust her stance, her legs already numb from crouching, she was about to stand and stretch when she heard Xie Zhizhen’s soft, sleepy voice, “Gu Qing, why are you here?”

“His Majesty summoned me to the palace to discuss some matters.” Gu Qing reached out and stroked Xie Zhizhen’s hair. It was as soft as the girl herself.

Still groggy from sleep, Xie Zhizhen rubbed her eyes and nodded absently. “Oh.”

Then, realization struck. Her eyes widened as she hurriedly asked, “What did Father ask you about?”

Gu Qing recounted her conversation with the emperor in Chenggong Palace. Xie Zhizhen pouted, displeased. “How could Father be like this? You saved him.”

“Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing.” Gu Qing rarely saw this childish side of her and couldn’t resist pinching the pad of her finger.

Also soft.

Despite her slender appearance, Xie Zhizhen seemed to be made entirely of softness so very tempting to touch.

Just as they were about to speak further, Su Ye entered. “Second Miss, Your Highness, His Majesty summons you.”

Xie Zhizhen scrambled off the daybed. If her father was calling for them both now, it was likely about their marriage.

Gu Qing quickly steadied her, afraid she might stumble. She curled a finger and lightly tapped Xie Zhizhen’s forehead. “Easy. No need to rush.”

But how could she not?

The two entered Chenggong Palace and bowed. Consort Shu sat beside the emperor and gave a subtle nod Gu Qing understood immediately.

The emperor looked even paler than before, as if he might depart this world at any moment. His voice was hoarse, grating like nails on glass. “Zhizhen, do you truly love Gu Qing?”

Xie Zhizhen’s eyes lit up, sensing a glimmer of hope. Yet, the fear of history repeating itself from two years ago lingered until a warm hand covered hers, giving her the courage to speak boldly, “In this lifetime, I will marry none but Gu Qing!”

The Gu Qing of today was no longer the powerless girl from two years ago. She no longer had to worry about the emperor harming Gu Qing.

“Gu Qing, can you swear that you will never love another woman and will protect my Roujia Princess for the rest of your life?”

Gu Qing straightened her back. As a subject, she shouldn’t look directly at the emperor, but today she raised her eyes and fixed them firmly on him. The determination in her gaze mirrored someone familiar. “I swear that in this life, I will have only Zhizhen. I will love her, respect her, protect her, and ensure her happiness.”

The emperor, too weak to rise on his own, was swiftly assisted by Consort Shu. “Your marriage has my approval!” he declared.

The imperial edict arrived swiftly, but what surprised everyone most was not just the permission for Gu Qing to marry the princess, but that the wedding was set for the fifth day of the fourth month, just three days later.

Gu Qing was genuinely taken aback. She had assumed that given the emperor’s displeasure with her, even if he reluctantly agreed to the marriage, he would delay it as long as possible.

When Madam Gu received the edict, though overjoyed that the lovers could finally be together, she couldn’t help but fret.

In these times, who could prepare a wedding in just a few days? And for a royal wedding, no less such ceremonies demanded grandeur and meticulous planning. Three days was hardly enough time.

Before she could discuss preparations with Gu Qing, Consort Shu arrived quietly.

“Greetings, Consort Shu.” Though Gu Qing, as the princess’s former study companion, had often met with the consort and was quite familiar with her, Madam Gu had no such opportunity. Her impression of Consort Shu was limited to formal court appearances during festivals.

Consort Shu smiled warmly and helped her up. “We’ll soon be family. Outside the palace, there’s no need for such formalities.”

Though she said so, Consort Shu was still Xie Zhizhen’s aunt, the emperor’s favored consort, and the birth mother of the Ninth Prince. She could not be treated lightly.

Gu Qing, sensing her mother’s nervousness, stepped forward and linked arms with Consort Shu. “Auntie, you’ve come to offer guidance, haven’t you?”

Consort Shu patted her hand affectionately, easing Madam Gu’s tension. “You clever girl. Leave the wedding arrangements to your mother and me. You just rest well and remember, don’t see Zhizhen these next few days.”

According to Geng Dynasty customs, the bride and groom were forbidden from meeting three days before the wedding, lest it bring bad luck.

Though Gu Qing found the tradition somewhat superstitious, she reasoned that after waiting two years, a few more days wouldn’t matter. For such an important occasion, it was best to err on the side of caution.

Three days, she could endure that!

Clenching her fist, Gu Qing left the room to Consort Shu and her mother. Though she couldn’t see Xie Zhizhen, she could still send messages by carrier pigeon.

Once Gu Qing was gone, Consort Shu took Madam Gu’s hand and patted it warmly. “I know three days is rushed, but His Majesty’s health has been declining lately. I…” She trailed off, leaving the rest unsaid.

Although the Geng Dynasty only required three months of mourning for national bereavement, the emperor was not just the emperor, he was also Xie Zhizhen’s father. By custom, if the emperor were to pass away suddenly, Xie Zhizhen would have to observe a three-year mourning period for him.

Xie Zhizhen was already eighteen this year, and making her mourn for another three years would indeed be rather unfortunate.

Though it was somewhat surprising that the emperor had suddenly fallen critically ill when he had been perfectly fine, Lady Gu understood that it was better to be safe than sorry.

“But.” Understanding was one thing, but implementation was another. Lady Gu voiced her concerns, “Our Gu family hasn’t made much preparation in advance. Three days is far too rushed.”

Consort Shu smiled, knowing Lady Gu was worried about shortchanging Xie Zhizhen. “Don’t worry. By convention, Princess Gu Qing was always meant to reside in the princess’s estate. Because of Zhizhen’s previous engagement to Lin Chenzhi, the princess’s estate has long been prepared. You just need to prepare a normal dowry for Gu Qing. If there are any difficulties, you can always send someone to the palace to consult me.”

Though it was Gu Qing who would be moving into the princess’s estate, Lady Gu was also Xie Zhizhen’s mother-in-law, and Consort Shu treated her with great respect, never using formal titles like “this consort” to pressure her.

Reassured by Consort Shu’s words, Lady Gu’s anxious heart finally settled a little, and the two began discussing the wedding arrangements.

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