The Transmigrated Princess - Chapter 30

Gu Qing immediately panicked and quickly blew on her forehead to soothe her, “It’s all my fault. Don’t cry, don’t cry.”

She had never been good at comforting others. In the past, Xie Zhizhen’s whimpers were mostly feigned grievances, and as long as Gu Qing coaxed her gently and made her happy, she would quickly recover.

But the drunken Xie Zhizhen was even more delicate and prone to tantrums than before.

Gu Qing could only mimic how adults comforted children when she was little, “Blow, blow, no more pain, no more pain.”

Her warm breath brushed against Xie Zhizhen’s forehead, but Xie Zhizhen showed no restraint. She slapped Gu Qing across the face. Fortunately, Gu Qing had spent years toughened by the sun and wind in the military camp, and Xie Zhizhen, having been raised in luxury, had only so much strength.

So, all that was left was a faint red mark on Gu Qing’s face not too deep, likely gone by morning.

But the loud “smack” was startling enough that the maids in the room instinctively shrank back, wishing they could turn invisible and disappear.

Gu Qing, however, didn’t mind at all. If anyone else had hit her like that, she would’ve struck back without hesitation. But when it was Xie Zhizhen hitting her, it wasn’t a slap, it was a loving caress.

Heh.

Strangely, that slap seemed to sober Xie Zhizhen up a little. She cupped Gu Qing’s face, staring at the faint palm print on her fair right cheek. Even though she was the one who had hit her, she now looked pitifully guilty. “Gu Qing, are you okay? Does it hurt?”

Gu Qing wasn’t in pain, but she couldn’t let Xie Zhizhen keep acting up like this. She tried to squeeze out a few tears though she failed, her eyes did redden slightly. “It hurts a little.”

The moment she said it hurt, Xie Zhizhen panicked. “Then… then what should we do? Should I blow on it for you?”

Without waiting for a response, she leaned in close to Gu Qing’s face and gently blew, chanting, “Pain, pain, go away!”

Gu Qing couldn’t help but laugh at how childish Xie Zhizhen was being. The corners of her lips curled up, and her voice softened instinctively. “Mm, pain, pain, go away. Does your forehead still hurt now?”

Xie Zhizhen blinked, touching her forehead as if realizing it actually didn’t hurt as much anymore. She finally stopped crying. “It doesn’t hurt.”

But no sooner had she said that than she started making demands again. “I… I want to bathe. I stink.”

Gu Qing leaned in and sniffed, catching the faint scent of peach blossom wine. It wasn’t unpleasant at all mixed with Xie Zhizhen’s natural fragrance, it was intoxicating.

Before she could say anything, Xie Zhizhen pushed her away again. “You stink! Don’t touch me!”

Gu Qing glanced down at herself, she had just bathed. Faced with Xie Zhizhen’s drunken tantrums, what else could she do?

Keep coaxing her, of course.

Gu Qing had never dealt with a drunk before, but she instinctively softened her voice, speaking gently. “Alright, I won’t touch you. But can you bathe by yourself?”

She noticed the maids had already prepared hot water in the tub and waved them away.

Xie Zhizhen tilted her head, her sparkling eyes clear and bright, looking so well-behaved that Gu Qing wanted to ruffle her. But having just been rejected, she didn’t dare touch her, afraid she might make her cry again.

Xie Zhizhen declared, “I can bathe alone. I don’t need any of you!”

Then, she walked behind the screen herself. Gu Qing watched her unsteady steps, her heart tightening with worry that she might fall. But the moment she got close to Xie Zhizhen, the latter glared at her. Though the glare was soft and lacked any real force, Gu Qing was afraid she might cry.

She could only follow silently from behind, ready to catch her at any moment.

Fortunately, though Xie Zhizhen was drunk, she could still steady herself at critical moments.

Gu Qing followed her behind the screen, where Xie Zhizhen had already begun undressing. Gu Qing quickly covered her eyes.

Though a part of her secretly wanted to steal a glance, reason told her no peeking at a woman bathing was something only a scoundrel would do.

Besides, she and Xie Zhizhen were already married. There would be plenty of opportunities in the future; there was no need to stoop to such dishonorable behavior.

Just as Gu Qing was mentally coaching herself, the hand covering her eyes was gently moved aside by a soft, small hand.

[A series of adjectives describing Xie Zhizhen in Gu Qing’s eyes.]

Prosperous, democratic, civilized, harmonious, patriotic, dedicated, sincere, friendly, free, equal, just, and governed by the rule of law

“This dress is so annoying, I can’t take it off.”

The childish words, like those of a little girl, made Gu Qing chuckle. Seeing Xie Zhizhen still struggling with the dress, she quickly grabbed her hand. “Let me do it. Don’t move around.”

When it came to such complicated dresses, Gu Qing couldn’t wear them properly mainly because of the layers upon layers, making it hard to tell which piece went on first or how some of the ties were fastened. But taking them off? That was no problem. (Just removing the outer robe only the outer robe.)

After all, undressing was simpler: just untie the ribbons and remove the layers from the outside in.

Xie Zhizhen looked down at Gu Qing wrestling with the dress and suddenly giggled foolishly. Just as Gu Qing was about to ask what she found so funny, she heard her call out, “Consort.”

Gu Qing’s fingers froze. Seeing this, Xie Zhizhen grew even more mischievous. She leaned closer to Gu Qing, her smile completely devoid of the pitiful look from earlier. “Consort? Consort!”

“Do you know what ‘consort’ means?” Gu Qing looked up at Xie Zhizhen, their faces now very close.

Xie Zhizhen felt a little angry, thinking Gu Qing was questioning her intelligence. Why else would she ask such a simple question? But to prove she wasn’t a fool, Xie Zhizhen reluctantly answered, “Of course I know!”

“‘Consort’ means my husband.” Xie Zhizhen answered seriously, then shook her head, hesitating. “Or maybe ‘wife’? Or ‘spouse’? Or ‘madam’?”

She agonized over the term for a while but soon gave up. “Anyway, it’s the person I married, the one who’s going to be with me for the rest of my life.”

Hearing Xie Zhizhen say something so close to a confession for the first time, Gu Qing’s breathing grew uneven.

“We’ll take care of each other too. If you’re sick, I’ll look after you. If I’m sick, you’ll look after me. But if we’re both sick.” Xie Zhizhen frowned, seriously pondering what to do if they both fell ill.

Gu Qing chimed in, “I’ll take care of you.”

Xie Zhizhen immediately protested, “That won’t do! How can you take care of me if you’re sick too?”

Xie Zhizhen thought Gu Qing was being a bit silly. If someone was sick, they should just focus on getting better. But, what if they both got sick at the same time?

Her head felt dizzy, but then she had a sudden flash of inspiration. “We can have Sujuan take care of us!”

She lifted her chin with an expression that practically begged for praise, as if to say, “Aren’t I so clever?”

“Alright, let Sujuan take care of us.” Gu Qing’s gaze towards Xie Zhizhen was so tender it seemed to overflow with affection. “What else?”

“What else?” Xie Zhizhen’s mind had already forgotten the question Gu Qing had just asked, nor did she remember what she had answered. Seeing Gu Qing’s widened eyes, she exclaimed, “Gu Qing! What are you doing here?!”

Gu Qing, who had been waiting to hear Xie Zhizhen’s response, was suddenly met with this counter-question. She raised an eyebrow and asked, “Why do you think I’m here?”

Xie Zhizhen actually gave it serious thought and, to her own surprise, came up with an answer. “I know! Because we got married! You’re my consort!” She suddenly hugged Gu Qing, her disheveled undergarment barely covering her body, leaving her soft, delicate skin within easy reach of Gu Qing’s touch.

Xie Zhizhen clung to Gu Qing and began giggling foolishly. “We finally got married. You have no idea how long I’ve waited for this day.”

“I know.” Gu Qing had left two years ago, promising to return and marry Xie Zhizhen. Thinking of this, her gaze grew even more tender. “Right?”

Unexpectedly, Xie Zhizhen shook her head. “Not at all! I’ve been waiting since I came of age.”

Gu Qing was stunned, this was an answer she hadn’t anticipated.

Xie Zhizhen, unknowingly playing with Gu Qing’s heartstrings, continued, “I really, really, really like you! Like, super-duper much!” Whether two years ago or now, Xie Zhizhen had always been the type to blush easily even a simple kiss could turn her cheeks scarlet. Though the two had long since confessed their feelings, Gu Qing had never heard such a straightforward declaration from Xie Zhizhen before.

But today, under the influence of alcohol, Gu Qing heard her beloved’s confession for the first time.

Gu Qing’s heart raced as she stared at the drunken Xie Zhizhen her flushed cheeks carrying a hint of silliness, her slightly dazed eyes brimming with happiness.

Xie Zhizhen suddenly giggled and took another step closer to Gu Qing until their noses almost touched. “Tell me! Do you want to kiss me?”

“Yes.” The moment the word left her lips, Gu Qing realized her voice had grown hoarse. She swallowed hard.

“See! Isn’t your princess amazing? I guessed it right!” Xie Zhizhen took a step back, steadied herself, and lifted her chin with a haughty tone. “Since tonight is my wedding night, I’ll generously allow you one kiss!” She held up a finger, emphasizing, “Just one.”

With permission granted, Gu Qing couldn’t care less about Xie Zhizhen’s drunken state. She wrapped an arm around her slender waist, placed a hand behind her head, and kissed her without hesitation.

This kiss wasn’t like their previous fleeting ones, it carried a hint of fierceness, as if making up for the two years they had spent apart.

Their lips pressed tightly together, teeth grazing lips, leaving a small cut on Xie Zhizhen’s mouth. The faint taste of blood spread between them.

The intensity of the kiss left Xie Zhizhen breathless, and the sting at the corner of her lips made her frown. Raised in luxury, even the slightest pain could irritate her. With a push, she shoved Gu Qing away.

Gu Qing, caught off guard, was pushed backward by her force and collided with the screen behind her.

The loud “thud” made Sujuan, who had been waiting outside, instinctively reach to open the door. But then she remembered her princess’s earlier instruction that she wished to bathe.

Though Sujuan was the princess’s personal maid, the princess had never required her assistance during baths since childhood. She halted her steps and called from outside, “Consort, is everything alright?”

Gu Qing, lying on the floor, looked up at Xie Zhizhen her clothes disheveled, lips flushed and quickly replied, “It’s nothing.”

After all, the consort was a general. If she said it was nothing, then it likely was. Sujuan dismissed her urge to enter.

Standing above her, Xie Zhizhen showed no remorse for pushing someone over. Glancing at Gu Qing on the floor and then at her own disrobed state, she spread her arms expectantly, as if demanding service. “I want to bathe,” she declared.

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