The Transmigrated Princess - Chapter 32

“Good, you still remember the two slaps.”

Gu Qing set down the basin filled with water and walked over to the bed, leaning close to Xie Zhizhen as she teased, “That’s something you should ask yourself, Your Highness, why was one slap heavier than the other?”

The lighter slap mark had already faded overnight, but the other one even though Gu Qing considered herself thick-skinned, she estimated it would take at least two or three days to disappear.

Xie Zhizhen let out a delicate huff. While she might not have the upper hand in other matters, this was one where she was absolutely justified and she was well-practiced in pressing her advantage when she had it.

“Wasn’t it you who offended me first?”

She remembered it clearly Gu Qing had pinched her bottom first!

Outrageous, absolutely outrageous!

Gu Qing arched an eyebrow and countered, “Wasn’t it you who fell? I was blindfolded when I helped you up, isn’t it normal to accidentally touch something I shouldn’t have?”

Xie Zhizhen was momentarily speechless. Though she had mostly pieced together the events of last night, many details still eluded her.

For instance, Gu Qing mentioning that she had tripped, if not for the reminder, she wouldn’t have recalled it at all.

Now that Gu Qing had brought it up, the memory rushed back, and her confidence instantly deflated. ” I didn’t mean to.”

A smirk tugged at Gu Qing’s lips. She had guessed right Xie Zhizhen didn’t remember the details. While it was true that she had accidentally touched something she shouldn’t have when helping Xie Zhizhen up, the subsequent two deliberate squeezes were certainly no accident.

“It’s fine. I’ll just cover it with some powder.”

She walked over to Xie Zhizhen, took her hand, and guided her to sit in front of the dressing table. “Wash your face and get ready for breakfast. Later, we’ll be moving back to the princess’s residence.”

Only then did Xie Zhizhen realize she was currently in the Gu residence. Taking in the red decorations filling the room, it finally sank in she and Gu Qing were married now.

They had even had a grand wedding witnessed by the entire capital. They were together openly now.

But…

“Shouldn’t we serve tea to your mother?” Her sleep-addled mind was still a little foggy, but she suddenly remembered that newlyweds were traditionally expected to serve tea to their parents-in-law on the first morning. “What time is it now?”

Xie Zhizhen hastily stood up and looked toward the door. To wake up this late on the very first day, what would Gu Qing’s mother think of her?

Gu Qing placed both hands on her shoulders and gently pressed her back down onto the stool. Picking up a damp cloth, she smiled. “What should you call my mother now?”

Xie Zhizhen flushed slightly but knew that since she and Gu Qing were married, she ought to adjust her address. Pressing her lips together, she murmured softly, “Mother.”

The corners of Gu Qing’s eyes lifted in satisfaction before she reassured her, “Don’t worry, I’ve already spoken to Mother. Besides, given how she feels about you, you know she won’t mind.”

Recalling the few interactions she’d had with Gu Qing’s mother and the kindness she’d always shown her, Xie Zhizhen couldn’t help but smile.

That was true Madam Gu had always treated her well.

Gu Qing rested her chin on Xie Zhizhen’s shoulder, gazing at the beautiful woman in the mirror whose lips were curved in a smile. “You look even lovelier when you smile. You shouldn’t keep such a stern face all the time.”

Xie Zhizhen lifted her chin haughtily. “As if I needed you to tell me that, of course I’m beautiful!”

After a quick wash, Sujuan and Shaoyao finally entered to tidy up the room.

Though Madam Gu was happy that her daughter and Xie Zhizhen were deeply in love and now together, the reality of her daughter, who had only just returned to her side moving out again was bittersweet. Watching the maids bustling about, carrying things away, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of sorrow and reluctance.

No one knows a mother better than her daughter. With just one glance at her mother, Gu Qing could tell exactly what she was thinking.

Gu Qing stepped forward, wrapping her arms around her mother with a playful grin. “Mother, if you miss me, you can always come visit me and Zhenzhen at the princess’s residence. The doors are always open for you.”

Xie Zhizhen also stepped forward at the right moment, a shy smile on her face. “Mother, don’t worry. We’ll visit you often too.”

Hearing Xie Zhizhen’s affectionate address, Gu Qing’s mother’s sorrow melted away. “Good child, I trust you. But…”

She glanced at Gu Qing, her eyes full of mock disdain. “This girl here probably won’t miss home at all. It’s better if I come to see you both at the princess’s residence.”

A mother knows her daughter best Gu Qing had never been one to cling to home. Now that she was married and moving out, she was probably happier than anyone.

Gu Qing scratched her head, too lazy to put on a show for her own family, and simply grinned foolishly.

Only then did Gu Qing’s mother notice that her daughter had actually dressed up properly today, even applying powder and lip rouge. She was surprised, but seeing the ethereally beautiful Xie Zhizhen beside her, it all made sense.

Waving her hand, she bid them farewell. “Alright, alright, you should get going now, or you’ll miss lunch.”

Gu Qing hopped onto the carriage first, bending down to offer her hand. Xie Zhizhen placed her palm in hers.

Under the spring sunlight, the woman dressed in red stood on the carriage, her smile radiant and unrestrained, her beautiful eyes fixed solely on the other woman in red below, whose face was also alight with joy.

A pair of peerless beauties, both in talent and appearance, it was a breathtaking sight.

Xie Zhizhen climbed into the carriage with Gu Qing’s help. After bidding farewell to Gu Qing’s mother, the two entered the carriage.

Inside, Xie Zhizhen’s favorite pastries had already been prepared. Gu Qing picked one up and held it to Xie Zhizhen’s lips. Just as Xie Zhizhen opened her mouth to take a bite, Gu Qing withdrew her hand and replaced it with her own lips.

What Xie Zhizhen expected to be a pastry turned out to be soft lips instead. Her eyes widened in shock. Outside, the sounds of the bustling street reminded her that it was still broad daylight.

Gu Qing’s eyes curved into crescents as she murmured against Xie Zhizhen’s lips, “You bit me.”

Startled, Xie Zhizhen immediately parted her teeth, a move that gave Gu Qing the perfect opportunity.

A nimble tongue slipped in, exploring every inch like a sovereign surveying their territory. Their breaths grew increasingly ragged.

This was the first time Xie Zhizhen had been kissed so passionately by Gu Qing while fully conscious. Her mind went blank, unable to process anything.

Seeing no resistance, a glint flashed in Gu Qing’s eyes. She leaned forward slightly, one hand bracing against the small table, the other resting beside Xie Zhizhen’s left hand, her body nearly covering Xie Zhizhen entirely.

Lips locked, breaths mingled, their scents filling each other’s senses as a gentle breeze brushed past the carriage’s gauzy curtains.

Xie Zhizhen’s body gradually softened. At this moment, she was convinced that Gu Qing was the real enchantress, why else would she feel so weak, like the scholars in folktales drained of their vitality, completely at Gu Qing’s mercy?

Afraid Xie Zhizhen might collapse, Gu Qing quickly wrapped an arm around her slender waist and pulled her lips away.

Gasping for air like a drowning woman, Xie Zhizhen’s cheeks flushed peach-blossom pink, her eyes glazed with emotion, her lips red and glossy, the rouge at the corners smudged by Gu Qing’s ministrations.

In contrast, Gu Qing’s lipstick was also smudged, but her condition was much better than Xie Zhizhen’s. She looked radiant and full of energy, like a seductive spirit that had just drained someone’s vitality.

She rested her chin on Xie Zhizhen’s shoulder and chuckled softly, “It seems the princess still needs to practice breathing techniques. Stopping midway all the time isn’t good.”

Xie Zhizhen, flustered and annoyed, punched her shoulder, a weak, ineffective blow that came off more like a coquettish protest. “We’re both beginners, so how come you’re so good at this?”

She refused to accept it!

Gu Qing raised an eyebrow, looking smug. “Of course, it’s because I’m smart and studious. I prepared plenty of theoretical knowledge in advance, ready to put it into practice anytime.”

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