The Transmigrated Princess - Chapter 3

Night slowly fell, the bright moon hung high in the sky, with only scattered stars hiding in the corners. After a simple wash, Gu Qing reported briefly to the elders of the Gu family about her time in the military camp. Her mother scrutinized her from head to toe, ensuring she had no injuries before finally letting her go.

Finally finding some free time, Gu Qing recalled Xie Zhizhen’s quiet demeanor during the day and ordered someone to investigate what had happened to her over the past two years. Then, she changed into night clothes and sneaked into the princess’s residence.

The guards at the princess’s residence were indeed skilled. Two years ago, she might not have been able to avoid detection, but now, after two years in the military camp having been on the battlefield and taken lives, these guards were no match for her.

Though the princess’s residence was large, its layout was relatively simple. Gu Qing headed straight for Xie Zhizhen’s room but spotted Su Juan waiting outside one of the rooms along the way.

Su Juan had served Xie Zhizhen since childhood, and the only person who could make her wait outside like this was Xie Zhizhen herself.

Thinking this, Gu Qing slipped in through a nearby window and caught sight of a woman’s graceful figure through layers of red gauze, her curves alluring.

It had to be said, after two years, Xie Zhizhen’s figure had only grown more captivating.

As this thought crossed her mind, Gu Qing felt an inexplicable warmth in her nose. Just as Xie Zhizhen brushed aside her long hair and reached for clothes from a nearby shelf, seemingly preparing to step out, Gu Qing was about to leave through the window when Xie Zhizhen suddenly pushed aside the gauze. Gu Qing quickly hid in a corner behind a nearby cabinet.

Xie Zhizhen emerged from the gauze, her ink-black hair still damp. Perhaps thinking she was alone, she had dressed somewhat carelessly, revealing her delicate collarbones.

The candlelight in the room was dim, but Gu Qing’s vision was sharp, whether by day or night. She could clearly see droplets of water trailing down Xie Zhizhen’s hair, lingering on her collarbones before slowly disappearing into the snowy-white fabric of her robe.

Then, in the next moment, she saw Xie Zhizhen walking toward her. Gu Qing hastily shrank back, but unfortunately, she accidentally stepped on something, producing a loud “creak” in the silent night.

Xie Zhizhen clearly heard it too. Seemingly startled that someone might be there, she appeared momentarily flustered.

Not wanting to frighten her, Gu Qing quickly stood up from behind the cabinet. “Zhizhen, it’s me.”

“Gu Qing? What are you doing here?” Xie Zhizhen’s eyes flickered with surprise and unmistakable joy at the sight of her.

Glancing at Xie Zhizhen’s loosely draped robe, which faintly revealed the soft curves beneath her plain white undergarment, Gu Qing quickly averted her gaze. “You should put your clothes on properly first.”

Compared to two years ago, she had filled out a bit more.

Xie Zhizhen looked down at her attire. Though they were both women, the person before her was the one she loved. Her face flushed crimson as she hurriedly adjusted her clothes and even threw on an outer robe.

Outside, Su Juan, though standing guard, was always attentive to the situation inside. Hearing faint voices, she quickly called out, “Princess, it’s getting cold. Shall I fetch you another robe?”

“No need,” Xie Zhizhen hastily replied, then noticed Gu Qing’s amused smirk.

Come to think of it, this trick was something Gu Qing had taught Su Juan in the first place.

She had said that if she were accidentally taken hostage by an assassin, Sujuan should leave under the pretense of fetching clothes to call for help perhaps it could save her life at a critical moment.

Now, Gu Qing had become the “assassin” in her words.

Seeing that Xie Zhizhen had already dressed, Gu Qing walked over to her side, picked up a cotton cloth, and began gently drying her hair.

Xie Zhizhen felt the softness of her movements. The two of them remained silent, wordlessly savoring this rare moment of tranquility.

Two years had passed, and her hair had grown a little longer, but it was just as smooth and lustrous as before, like fine silk, impossible to resist touching.

Gu Qing looked down at Xie Zhizhen, noticing her pale complexion, which even a fresh bath couldn’t conceal. She recalled the emperor’s remark in the hall earlier, “poor health” and felt a pang of worry. Instinctively, she wanted to ask after her, but given that they hadn’t seen or spoken to each other in two years, especially after their earlier encounter, she found herself at a loss for words.

“You, how have you been lately?”

Though she knew Gu Qing might not see her expression from this angle, Xie Zhizhen couldn’t help but smile faintly at her beloved’s concern. “I’m fine. And you? These two years in the military camp must have been hard.”

Though phrased as a question, her tone made it sound like a statement.

Not wanting to worry her, Gu Qing simply replied, “It was alright. Everyone took good care of me.”

This was true. Most of the men in the camp were strong, robust men in their twenties. When Gu Qing first arrived, she was mocked for her youth and slender frame. But despite the teasing, they instinctively looked out for this “little brother.” It wasn’t until later, when Gu Qing proved her worth, that they began to treat her with genuine respect.

The topic ended there.

When Xie Zhizhen dried her own hair, it always took a long time. But somehow, in Gu Qing’s hands, it seemed to dry in no time at all.

Once finished, Gu Qing knew it was time to reveal the reason for her late-night visit.

“Zhizhen, why did you reject me?”

At this, Xie Zhizhen fell silent for a moment before forcing a smile. “I already have a fiancé.”

Having grown up together, Gu Qing could easily see through Xie Zhizhen’s pretense.

She stepped in front of Xie Zhizhen and knelt down, meeting her clear eyes at the same level. With hands roughened by calluses, she gently held Xie Zhizhen’s delicate fingers, hoping for an honest answer. “Zhizhen, tell me the truth, please?”

Xie Zhizhen gazed at the woman before her. She could feel the rough texture of Gu Qing’s palms against the back of her hand, calluses that hadn’t been there two years ago. To earn merit in the military camp, she must have endured many hardships. How could Xie Zhizhen drag her back into the struggles of two years ago?

She raised her eyes to meet Gu Qing’s, seeing the same determination as before. But, she was no longer the Xie Zhizhen of two years ago.

Two years had passed. It was time she learned to grow up.

Suppressing the ache in her heart, Xie Zhizhen placed her hand over Gu Qing’s and spoke slowly, “Two years ago, we were both still young. It was easy to confuse love and friendship.”

Gu Qing looked at Xie Zhizhen with disbelief. The tender pink lips and calm expression belied words more cutting than a blade. “We’ve grown up now. Let the past stay in the past.”

As she spoke, she smiled, though tears had unknowingly welled up in her eyes. “I’m engaged now. Chenzhi treats me very well. And you’ve become a general, fulfilling your childhood dream. Everything is fine, isn’t it?”

Let it end here. Let everything conclude two years ago, without continuing down this mistaken path.

Gu Qing stared coldly at her, lips parting slightly. “You’re lying. If what you say is true, why are you crying?”

Xie Zhizhen stiffened, raising a hand to touch her cheek. Unbeknownst to her, tears had already streaked down her face. Her heart pounded wildly as she clenched her teeth and replied, “I’m just too happy. It’s rare for us sisters to reunite, and we both have bright futures ahead.”

Gu Qing released her hand, expression darkening. “Who’s your sister?”

“Zhenzhen, I know these aren’t your true feelings. I don’t understand why you’d say such things, but I just want to say one thing.” Gu Qing paused, her voice deepening. “What I felt for you two years ago remains unchanged today. It never wavered.”

With a cold snort, the proud lift of her eyes accentuated her arrogance. “Besides, I’m not a child anymore. I can distinguish between romantic love, familial affection, and friendship.”

“I have younger sisters at home too. I don’t feel jealous seeing them close with other men. I don’t look at their lips and want to kiss them. And I certainly don’t dream of doing those things with them.”

“Only with you do I want such intimacy. Only you do I want to see crying beneath me. Only you do I want to restrain, to explore every inch of your body with my hands, to trace every curve with my lips. These are not thoughts I’d ever have about a sister.”

Their voices in the room weren’t deliberately lowered. Outside the door, Sujuan couldn’t make out the specifics but could faintly discern another voice inside. Recognizing it as Second Miss Gu’s having grown up with the princess and witnessed their shared history, she tactfully moved further away, dispersing nearby guards to prevent gossip that might tarnish the princess’s reputation.

These actions outside naturally didn’t escape Gu Qing, trained in martial arts since childhood, but she paid them no mind. The person who truly concerned her now stood before her.

The atmosphere in the room grew heavy. Xie Zhizhen, having spent her sheltered life in the inner chambers, had never heard such brazen words. A flush crept across her cheeks as she pointed indignantly at Gu Qing. “You, you, you!”

Never in two years had she imagined Gu Qing would speak so…!

Gu Qing had spoken in the heat of anger. Now, coming to her senses, she regretted it. Such unrestrained talk might be commonplace among the rough men in the barracks, but she shouldn’t have let it slip before Xie Zhizhen. Frightening her was the last thing she wanted.

Acknowledging her mistake, Gu Qing bowed her head in apology. “I spoke without thinking. I’m sorry.”

Pressing her lips together, she couldn’t resist adding, “But everything I said was true.”

That addition might have been better left unsaid.

“Master Lin! The princess is currently bathing. If you have any matters to discuss, please wait a moment while this servant informs her!”

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