The Transmigrated Princess - Chapter 4

Lin Chenzhi moved swiftly, making one wonder if he intended to charge straight in. Fortunately, he remembered his status and where he was, stopping just outside the door at the last moment.

Seeing him halt, Sujuan finally let out a sigh of relief.

He knocked on the door, and Xie Zhizhen’s heart tightened. Instinctively, she grabbed Gu Qing’s arm with such force that even someone as tough-skinned as Gu Qing felt a twinge of pain. But she said nothing, instead placing a hand on Xie Zhizhen’s shoulder and whispering reassuringly, “It’s alright. Don’t be afraid.”

Comforted by her beloved’s words, Xie Zhizhen gradually loosened her grip on Gu Qing. Realizing that pretending not to be there would be pointless now, she took a deep breath, trying to keep her voice steady. “May I ask why Young Master Lin has come so late at night?”

Hearing Xie Zhizhen’s voice, the tension in Lin Chenzhi’s heart eased slightly.

After leaving the princess’s residence earlier, he had encountered some matters that kept him busy. Only after finishing did he learn that the deputy general he had teased that afternoon was indeed Gu Qing. Alarmed, he immediately sent someone to the palace to gather information, finally uncovering the events of the afternoon.

Upon receiving the news, he hadn’t even had time for dinner before rushing to the princess’s residence. Now, hearing Xie Zhizhen’s voice unchanged from usual and recalling the news he had just heard, he thought to himself: even though Gu Qing had requested the emperor’s permission to marry the princess, Xie Zhizhen had already refused. There was no need to bring up that person in front of her again.

So what if Xie Zhizhen and Gu Qing had once been in love? In three months, he and Xie Zhizhen would be wed, a settled matter. Besides, they hadn’t been in contact for nearly two years. No bond could withstand the test of time.

At this thought, the corners of Lin Chenzhi’s lips curled slightly, restoring his usual gentle and refined demeanor.

Hah. Even if Gu Qing had risen from the second daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo’s household to become General Gu, she was still a woman. She could never be with Xie Zhizhen. Moreover, he and Xie Zhizhen were bound by a marriage contract. No matter how formidable Gu Qing was, she couldn’t defy an imperial decree.

“Nothing urgent. Tomorrow, my mother will host a flower-viewing banquet at the State Preceptor’s residence. Daidai would like to invite Your Highness to join us.”

Lin Daidai was Lin Chenzhi’s younger sister, now fifteen years old. The so-called flower-viewing banquet was more accurately a matchmaking event.

Madam Lin had invited her before, but Xie Zhizhen, weary of dealing with her, had declined. Now, eager to get Lin Chenzhi to leave quickly and fearing he might discover Gu Qing’s presence, Xie Zhizhen casually agreed.

“This princess understands. I will be there on time tomorrow.”

Listening to the sound of Lin Chenzhi’s retreating footsteps, Xie Zhizhen finally relaxed a little. Turning back, she met Gu Qing’s amused gaze and realized how stiff and distant her exchange with Lin Chenzhi had sounded. Her heart sank.

“Young Master Lin? Your Highness?” Gu Qing stepped back and leisurely took a seat on a nearby chair, teasing, “Just now, Your Highness claimed that ‘Chenzhi treats me very well.’ Yet from what I saw, your interaction today seemed rather distant.”

Xie Zhizhen’s smile froze. Her index finger unconsciously traced her thumb as she replied stiffly, “Perhaps… perhaps it’s because there was an outsider present. Chenzhi and I are both reserved by nature. We’re not accustomed to being overly affectionate in front of others.”

A clumsy lie and awkward acting could hardly deceive even a passerby, let alone Gu Qing, who knew Xie Zhizhen so well.

Gu Qing reached out and took Xie Zhizhen’s hand. By the time she freed her thumb, the fair skin of her fingertip was already marked with several red lines, looking rather alarming.

“You’re still like this when you’re nervous, you always scratch your thumb.”

“Zhenzhen, I know what you’re worried about.” Gu Qing stroked Xie Zhizhen’s fingertip as she spoke. “Don’t worry. I’m no longer the second young lady of the Duke of Zhenguo’s household from two years ago. Now, I’m General Gu of the Geng Dynasty. If the emperor really wants to deal with me, it won’t be so easy. The military merits I’ve earned these past two years in the barracks aren’t for nothing.”

Because Gu Qing had lowered her head, Xie Zhizhen could only see the top of her head when she looked down, her eyes filled with unconcealable worry. “But…” Since ancient times, the people do not contend with officials, nor do ministers challenge their sovereign.

Before she could finish, Gu Qing’s fingertip pressed against her lips, the softness of her lips transmitting a faint warmth against the pad of her finger fleeting.

Gu Qing’s lips straightened as she withdrew her hand, twirling a strand of Xie Zhizhen’s hair around her finger. Her voice carried a hint of temptation as she murmured, “No ‘buts,’ Zhenzhen. If these military merits and honors can win you back, then they’re worth it.”

Recalling Xie Zhizhen’s earlier words and the unfamiliarity she had just witnessed, Gu Qing pulled back slightly. “I can wait for you to figure out what you truly feel for me. I’ll wait until you can give me an answer. But right now, I just need to ask you one thing, is your relationship with Lin Chenzhi real?”

Even though she already knew the answer, she needed to hear it confirmed from Xie Zhizhen’s lips.

Xie Zhizhen fell silent for a moment before lifting her gaze to meet Gu Qing’s. After a brief struggle, memories of their past laughter and the pain of the past two years surfaced in her mind. The hesitation in her eyes slowly dissipated, replaced by a firm resolve. “No.”

For once, she would be selfish. She didn’t want to spend the rest of her life with someone she didn’t love.

Hearing the answer, Gu Qing finally smiled radiant and dazzling, just like two years ago. Her rosy lips curled slightly. “Don’t worry. Your engagement with Lin Chenzhi will be annulled soon.”

Just as Xie Zhizhen was about to ask what she had done, Gu Qing had already opened the window, ready to leave.

The evening breeze brushed against the woman’s smooth, flowing hair, her bright eyes filled with sincerity.

“Zhenzhen, wait for me.”

Just like two years ago, she left after leaving behind those words.

But Xie Zhizhen knew that this time, she wouldn’t leave again. Whatever trials lay ahead, they would face them together.

Sujuan had been keeping an ear out for the commotion inside the room. Only after confirming that Gu Qing had left did she knock and enter. Seeing the faint smile on her princess’s lips, she smiled knowingly. “It’s rare to see Your Highness so happy.”

Xie Zhizhen watched Gu Qing’s retreating figure, her lips curved, but her eyes remained clouded with worry. “Don’t talk nonsense.”

“How is this nonsense?” Sujuan picked up a mirror from the nearby table and held it up to Xie Zhizhen. “Your Highness only needs to look at yourself to know whether I’m speaking nonsense or not.”

Xie Zhizhen stared at her reflection, momentarily lost in thought. Her fair fingertips touched the mirror, tracing the image of a woman who no longer looked as lifeless as before instead, she exuded a faint vitality and energy.

It had been nearly two years since she last laughed so genuinely and wholeheartedly. She had almost forgotten what her own smile looked like.

The next day.

Although agreeing to Lin Chenzhi’s invitation last night had been a spur-of-the-moment decision, Xie Zhizhen wasn’t one to go back on her word. At worst, she could make an appearance and then excuse herself early, claiming to feel unwell.

At the flower-viewing banquet, the gathered ladies were all startled to see Xie Zhizhen. While it was true that Princess Roujia was betrothed to the Lin family’s young master, making her attendance at the Lin family’s event unremarkable, the princess had become famously reclusive over the past two years, rejecting nearly every invitation sent her way.

Lin Daidai had already learned from her elder brother that Xie Zhizhen would be coming today. Spotting her from afar, she approached with an air of intimacy, attempting to take the princess’s hand, only for Xie Zhizhen to subtly withdraw, leaving her grasping at air.

Lin Daidai merely narrowed her eyes, unfazed both siblings possessed an uncanny ability to remain unembarrassed no matter the situation. She smoothly retracted her hand and said, “This humble servant had heard of Your Highness’s arrival and has prepared a seat of honor for you.”

Before leaving, she cast a glance toward Lin Chenzhi, who was hiding in a corner, secretly observing the scene.

Xie Zhizhen hadn’t expected to see Gu Qing here as well. Shedding her armor and night attire, Gu Qing now wore a fiery red dress, though the style seemed slightly outdated, as if it were from two or three years ago. Her hair was elegantly tied up, softening her sharp edges with a touch of feminine grace. At a glance, no one would guess this was the formidable General Gu.

The moment Xie Zhizhen saw Gu Qing, her heart flew straight to her. She quickened her pace toward her. Though Gu Qing had suggested yesterday that they pretend not to know each other undoubtedly to shield Xie Zhizhen from further gossip none of that mattered now.

“Gu Qing! What brings you here?”

She had considered, for a moment, whether to feign unfamiliarity to avoid drawing curious glances from outsiders. But the instant she laid eyes on Gu Qing, Xie Zhizhen no longer wanted to pretend. For two years, she had worn a mask to ease her father and aunt’s worries, to preserve the dignity of the royal family.

A faint smile tugged at Gu Qing’s lips, and Xie Zhizhen knew she was pleased.

Gu Qing stepped forward, offering a graceful curtsy as she addressed her with a respectful “Your Highness”, at least her etiquette was impeccable. Her eyes, however, never left Xie Zhizhen as she replied, “I came with a friend.”

Her silky hair cascaded down her slender neck, resting against the soft curves of her chest. Her delicate collarbones were exposed, and though the simple dress concealed her shapely figure, Gu Qing having visited her chambers the night before knew all too well the slender waist hidden beneath, so delicate it could be encircled with a single hand.

Gu Qing’s fingers itched with the memory.

“Miss Lin must have other matters to attend to. There’s no need to trouble yourself over this princess.”

Lin Daidai glanced between the two, her expression tinged with something peculiar. Few knew the details of what had happened years ago, but she happened to be one of them. Still, she was tactful enough to say nothing and withdrew.

With so many eyes around, this wasn’t the place for a private conversation. Xie Zhizhen dismissed Su Juan and the other attendants, leading Gu Qing to a secluded pavilion. “Come with me.”

Last night, in the dim candlelight, Xie Zhizhen hadn’t been able to see Gu Qing clearly. Now, upon closer inspection, she realized Gu Qing had grown even taller than she had been two years ago.

Xie Zhizhen strained to tiptoe, trying not to appear so petite in front of Gu Qing, but under the absolute dominance of height, it was utterly futile.

Just as she was feeling a bit disheartened, she noticed Gu Qing beside her suddenly shrink a little. Looking down, she realized Gu Qing had slightly bent her knees.

Xie Zhizhen couldn’t help but laugh, her eyes curving with the delicate charm of a young maiden. She patted Gu Qing’s raven-black hair and said, “General Gu’s gesture is most pleasing to this princess.”

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