The Transmigrated Princess - Chapter 34

Because of what happened in the carriage, only the two of them were in the study now. Since Gu Qing hadn’t gone too far this time, Xie Zhizhen actually felt it was fine and didn’t say anything.

She crossed her arms behind Gu Qing’s neck and said in a coquettish tone, “I can’t be bothered to keep an eye on you. But if you dare do anything to betray me, I’ll have my father strip you of your titles as general and imperial consort, and make you stay in the mansion as my nameless kept lover, bullying you all day long.”

Gu Qing’s eye twitched. Since when did Xie Zhizhen have the potential for confinement play?

But…

Confinement play occasionally indulging in it didn’t sound too bad, did it?

The thought of a dimly lit room, ropes, and the ensuing intimacy made Gu Qing inexplicably excited.

Seeing that Gu Qing remained silent, Xie Zhizhen pinched the back of her neck, her expression fierce. “What? Are you really planning to betray me?”

“Of course not.” Gu Qing didn’t dare tell the truth. After all, they were still at the stage of just kissing. If Xie Zhizhen found out about the indecent thoughts in her head, she’d probably get angry again. “I was just thinking about how to find Xiaolan’s sister.”

“If she’s alive, no matter where she’s hiding, there’ll be traces. But if she’s dead and buried somewhere, there’d be no clues at all.” This was true.

A living person, no matter how careful they were, would still need basic necessities to survive, which would leave traces.

But if she were dead especially if she had died a year ago not only would the clues likely be lost, but even if they were found, the body would have decomposed by now, making it impossible to identify her.

Xie Zhizhen pushed at Gu Qing, signaling her to let her down. “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. There’s always a way.”

Once she was off the table, Xie Zhizhen picked up the soup Sujuan had left nearby and handed it to Gu Qing. “Try it. See if it tastes the same as before.”

Gu Qing took the spoon and gently stirred the soup. The familiar aroma alone was enough to recognize it, it was the signature flavor of Chef Fang, who had always served by Consort Shu’s side.

She blew on it before taking a sip, her eyes lighting up.

It was unmistakably Chef Fang’s work!

“How did you manage to lure Chef Fang out of the palace?”

Chef Fang was Consort Shu’s personal chef in the palace, renowned for his culinary skills. It was said that even when Consort Shu was young, he had been the head chef for her maternal grandfather, the Grand Tutor of the current emperor.

Back when Noble Consort Xian was pregnant and couldn’t keep anything down, the emperor had specially summoned Chef Fang into the palace. He only returned to the Grand Tutor’s household after Noble Consort Xian’s morning sickness subsided.

Later, when Consort Shu entered the palace and became pregnant, suffering from the same nausea, the emperor had no choice but to summon Chef Fang a second time.

After Consort Shu gave birth to Xie Zhibai, Chef Fang was supposed to leave, but in the end, Consort Shu secured an imperial favor for him to stay in the palace, where he remained for over a decade.

As the princess’s study companion, Gu Qing had naturally grown up eating Chef Fang’s dishes alongside Xie Zhizhen.

Not wanting Gu Qing to worry, Xie Zhizhen didn’t mention how, a year ago after leaving the State Preceptor’s residence, she had suffered from severe loss of appetite. It was only because her aunt pitied her that Chef Fang was transferred out of the palace. Instead, she downplayed it. “You know how indulgent my aunt is. She never refuses me anything.”

That much was true.

Gu Qing didn’t suspect anything, as it was common knowledge how well Consort Shu treated Xie Zhizhen. Even Xie Zhibai, Consort Shu’s own son, couldn’t compare to Xie Zhizhen when he was around.

After finishing the soup, Gu Qing had some pastries brought to the study. Holding Xie Zhizhen’s hand, she took out the storybooks Xie often read from the shelf. “Wait for me to sort these out, and then we’ll have lunch. Have a little something to tide you over for now.”

Thinking of the past, Xie Zhizhen wasn’t in the best mood either. But watching Gu Qing diligently organizing things, she felt her heart swell. The hardships of the past were over, and now even the Grand Astrologer was…

Speaking of the Grand Astrologer, ever since Xie Zhili usurped the throne and her father fell seriously ill, she had first been busy caring for him, then preoccupied with wedding preparations, so she hadn’t paid much attention to the affairs of the Grand Astrologer’s residence.

“How did Father ultimately handle the matter with the Grand Astrologer?”

Even without Gu Qing’s answer, Xie Zhizhen could guess a little. After all, usurpation was a crime punishable by the extermination of one’s entire clan.

But she still wanted to ask not out of concern for the Grand Astrologer, but for Lin Dailai. During those three months in the Grand Astrologer’s residence, Lin Dailai had been the only one to show her kindness.

Yet she also knew that with the weight of such a crime as usurpation, no one could save the Grand Astrologer’s household. Even if there had been a chance, Lin Dailai couldn’t be spared. Gu Qing had participated in the mission to protect the emperor. If Lin Dailai were left alive, who could guarantee she wouldn’t seek revenge against Gu Qing, the one who had caused her family’s ruin?

Though Lin Dailai had once shown her kindness, compared to the danger Gu Qing might face, Gu Qing was naturally more important. Having grown up in the palace, Xie Zhizhen wasn’t entirely naive she understood these things well enough.

At the mention of the Grand Astrologer’s fate, the smile faded from Gu Qing’s face. “Naturally, the entire clan was to be executed. But because of Xiaolan’s involvement, I requested the emperor to grant me some time to interrogate the members of the Grand Astrologer’s household.”

“As for Xie Zhili, he was stripped of his title and exiled to the borderlands. The empress was also confined to the cold palace.”

These outcomes were expected, but Gu Qing’s expression clearly indicated something was amiss. Xie Zhizhen grew concerned. “Did something else happen?”

Gu Qing forced a smile, set down what she was holding, and walked over to Xie Zhizhen. She pulled her into an embrace, sighing as she breathed in her scent. “Lin Chenzhi has disappeared.”

Xie Zhizhen: “!!!”

Knowing she must be full of questions, Gu Qing didn’t keep her in suspense. “The Grand Astrologer had a backup plan. While preparing for the usurpation, he also had Lin Dailai lead a group of hidden guards to break someone out of prison.”

If the coup failed, at least Lin Chenzhi could be saved that was the Grand Astrologer’s contingency.

Gu Qing and the others hadn’t anticipated that for such a critical event as usurpation, the Grand Astrologer wouldn’t commit all his forces, instead reserving a group for Lin Dailai.

Now, while the extermination of the clan was decreed, the Grand Astrologer’s immediate family his wife, Lin Dailai, and Lin Chenzhi had all escaped.

Xie Zhizhen’s grip on Gu Qing’s arm tightened. The joy of their marriage was suddenly dampened by this news. Anxiously, she asked, “Will they seek revenge against you?”

Gu Qing patted her head reassuringly. “Don’t worry. The Grand Astrologer’s claws have mostly been clipped. What remains are just insignificant ants.”

Speaking up, Gu Qing lifted her head with an expression full of pride. “Even if they come, I’m not afraid. I’m a general, how could those petty villains compare to my martial prowess?”

Every time she saw Gu Qing like this, Xie Zhizhen would inexplicably feel a sense of reassurance, as if with her around, everything could be resolved.

Gu Qing knew Xie Zhizhen was worried about her and pinched her cheeks, which had finally gained a bit of flesh. “Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing. You just need to be happy.”

Though she had put on a little weight, she was still too thin.

Gu Qing glanced at the sun outside, estimating it was about time for lunch.

The study could be tidied up anytime, but meals had to be served on schedule after all, she bore the great responsibility of fattening Xie Zhizhen up.

“Let’s go, it’s time for lunch. I want to taste Chef Fang’s skills again.”

Ever since confirming that Xie Zhizhen didn’t mind her touch, Gu Qing had become very clingy holding hands while walking, stealing kisses in private.

But they rarely appeared in crowded places. This was the first time they were so intimate in front of so many maids coming and going.

Their stroll on the streets didn’t count after all, the people there didn’t know them, and no one paid them special attention.

But this was the princess’s residence, with only Xie Zhizhen and Gu Qing as the masters. As they walked, all the maids naturally focused on them, even bowing only after seeing them.

Xie Zhizhen wasn’t used to being so close to Gu Qing in front of others. She tried to pull her hand back, but Gu Qing only held on tighter.

Leaning down, Gu Qing smiled and said, “Zhizhen, we’re married now.”

They were together openly now, with no need to care about others’ gazes.

Xie Zhizhen froze for a moment, looking around at the vastly changed princess’s residence. Among the bowing maids were several unfamiliar faces those brought over by Gu Qing from the Gu residence.

Suddenly, she laughed, no longer resisting Gu Qing’s affection. Instead, she tightly grasped Gu Qing’s strong hand and nodded.

Chef Fang’s culinary skills were, of course, impeccable. Having spent so long in the military camp eating coarse food, even after returning to the capital, the meals at home were prepared by Gu’s mother out of pity, none carried the flavors of her childhood.

Only Chef Fang and the small kitchen of the Zhenguo General’s residence served the tastes she had grown up with.

Since developing anorexia a year ago, Xie Zhizhen’s appetite had drastically reduced. Usually, half a bowl of rice per meal was enough.

Today, because it was the first day of their marriage, she was in high spirits and managed a few extra bites.

Gu Qing frowned at the small portion left in Xie Zhizhen’s bowl, then at her delicate, willowy figure, feeling a pang of heartache. “You’re too thin. You should eat more.”

Xie Zhizhen looked troubled at the food before her. She took Gu Qing’s hand and placed it on her belly, cooing sweetly, “I really can’t eat anymore. I’m so full, so full. Feel my belly, isn’t it round?”

The soft, slightly protruding belly under her hand proved Xie Zhizhen’s words true. Gu Qing also knew that fattening her up would take time it couldn’t happen overnight so she nodded in agreement.

After finishing her own bowl of rice, Gu Qing picked up Xie Zhizhen’s leftovers.

Xie Zhizhen was stunned for a second before quickly reaching out to stop her. “Th-this is what I’ve eaten from!”

This reason successfully made Gu Qing laugh. “What more is there? We’ve done things even more intimate. Or are you saying…”

She leaned closer to Xie Zhizhen, her warm breath wrapping around Xie Zhizhen. “Does the princess find me distasteful?”

More intimate…

This remark reminded Xie Zhizhen of the closeness they shared in the carriage that morning, the heavy breaths, her body unable to control its weakness, and her cheeks instantly flushed red.

Fortunately, she and Gu Qing had always preferred to dine without others serving them, especially since Xie Zhizhen started being with Gu Qing, who was always touchy-feely. So, before their meal, Xie Zhizhen had sent all the maids away.

At this moment, it was just the two of them.

“The princess’s residence doesn’t lack for your one meal.”

Suddenly, Gu Qing kissed Xie Zhizhen and then took a big bite of her food, revealing a satisfied smile. “We shouldn’t waste food. Besides, the princess’s meals are much tastier than mine.”

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