The Transmigrated Princess - Chapter 43

Gu Qing brought Xie Zhizhen to Yin Lang’s residence.

Since Gu Qing’s parents resided at the Gu manor and the Princess’s manor was filled with prying eyes not to mention the restricted nature of the imperial palace Yin Lang’s home served as their preferred venue for private meetings. To avoid detection, Gu Qing entered through the back gate. A servant, who had been waiting, hurried forward to take the horses. Gu Qing helped Zhizhen dismount, and the two headed inside.

This was Zhizhen’s first time at General Yin’s estate. Entering through the back way, she wasn’t entirely sure of her location, but she followed closely, fueled by her absolute trust in Gu Qing. As they walked, she noticed the disciplined, synchronized movements of the passing servants and deduced that this must be the Yin manor. Though its master had been away for years, the estate was kept meticulously clean. With only one master, there were few servants, giving the entire place an air of military austerity.

In the study, the guards allowed Gu Qing through without hesitation. The room was stark and functional—lacking any superfluous decor, it reflected Yin Lang’s somber and stoic personality. To Zhizhen, the room perfectly matched the few impressions she had of the man.

A woman whose silhouette seemed vaguely familiar stood with her back to them, facing Yin Lang. The General’s cold face remained unreadable. When he saw Gu Qing with Zhizhen, a flicker of brief confusion crossed his eyes before he quickly realized why she was there. They were newly wedded; it was natural they’d be inseparable. Moreover, Zhizhen was Zhibai’s sister—she was one of them.

Hearing movement behind her, the woman turned around. Gu Qing finally realized why she looked familiar. This was Lin Daidai, the woman who had previously led the raid to break her brother out of prison.

Daidai appeared composed, her makeup intact despite some dust on her robes. Seeing the couple, she offered a friendly, radiant smile. “Second Young Miss Gu or rather, I should call you the Princess’s Consort now. It has been a long time.”

Gu Qing nodded coolly. To her, Daidai had always been a low-profile figure, both in the original story and in reality. Daidai didn’t seem to mind the cold reception and turned to curtsy to Zhizhen. “Princess, long time no see.”

Zhizhen looked at her, sensing the reason for her presence, and felt a sense of relief. If possible, she hoped Daidai could survive the coming storm.

Once everyone was gathered, Yin Lang signaled for Daidai to speak. “I can give you the clues to my brother’s whereabouts,” Daidai began, looking directly at Gu Qing. “But I have one condition. I want to join the Court of Judicial Review (Dali Temple).”

The three others stared at her in collective bewilderment.

Daidai sighed and explained, “I’ve always been interested in investigating cases. But as a woman, my parents only expected me to marry into a family that could help my brother, and then spend my life serving a husband and raising children.”

It was the most common expectation for women of this era.

“But I don’t want that,” Daidai’s voice filled with resentment. “My brother doesn’t have to do anything, and my father paves the way for his career. No matter how hard I work, my father never sees me. I am not inferior to my brother! He says ‘a woman’s place is in the home,’ but General Gu, you understand me, don’t you?”

Daidai had once thought she should simply obey her father. But then she saw Gu Qing. Two years ago, Gu Qing had knelt before the Emperor to ask for the Princess’s hand, braving the world’s judgment. Two years later, she had earned a generalship, saved the throne, and married the woman she loved. Gu Qing had achieved things most men couldn’t. It was then Daidai realized that she, too, could strive for what she wanted, however unconventional it might seem.

Gu Qing had expected many demands, but not this one. Yet, it was one she was happy to support. She stepped closer to the shorter woman. “If you are telling the truth, I can arrange it. But be warned: if you hinder the progress of any case, I will personally kick you out.”

Daidai’s eyes lit up, and she quickly agreed. She hesitated for a moment before adding, “And… please spare my mother. I have no deep affection for Lin Chenzhi, but I cannot watch the woman who raised me die alongside him. She only handled domestic affairs; she knew nothing of the outside plots. I will find a way to explain things to her.”

Gu Qing glanced at Zhizhen. She wasn’t worried about the mother and daughter causing trouble—they could be monitored at the Court of Judicial Review. However, Zhizhen was the true victim of the past, and her feelings mattered more than finding Lin Chenzhi quickly.

Zhizhen thought it over and eventually nodded. “Fine, as long as you don’t cause trouble.” With Zhibai on the throne, she felt safe enough keeping them under surveillance. More importantly, she couldn’t rest while Lin Chenzhi was still at large.

Relieved, Daidai finally smiled. “You likely already know that neighboring countries have conspired to attack the Geng Dynasty during this unstable transition of power. My brother is among them.”

Gu Qing wasn’t surprised by the invasion, but she hadn’t expected Lin Chenzhi to be involved. Daidai continued, “He is currently a ‘guest’ in the small state of Feng. They want to use his knowledge of Geng to increase their chances of victory.”

Daidai shared the details of their plans. Since she and her brother were still considered outsiders in Feng, her information was limited, but it was enough. Gu Qing nodded, satisfied that Daidai was truly defecting. “Tomorrow, find a way to bring your mother back to Geng.”

Daidai froze. She realized Gu Qing was leaving her no way out. Her original plan was to stay in Feng as an informant; if Gu Qing lost, she could remain there safely. By bringing her back to Geng now, Gu Qing was forcing her to tie her fate entirely to the Geng Dynasty. If Gu Qing failed, they would be branded traitors.

Daidai bit her lip, but ultimately chose to trust her judgment. She believed Gu Qing would not lose. To catch the tiger’s cub, one must enter the tiger’s den.

Gu Qing had Yin Lang arrange for their reception and then left with Zhizhen. On the way back, Zhizhen was unusually quiet. Gu Qing wrapped an arm around her waist, her tone far warmer than it had been with Daidai. “What’s wrong? Aren’t you happy we found him?”

Zhizhen shook her head. She was happy, but… she looked up into Gu Qing’s bright eyes, her own filled with worry. “We are married now. That war in three days can you not go?”

Their original plan had been to use the war to force the late Emperor’s hand. But after Zhibai’s ascension, Zhizhen had pushed it to the back of her mind. Now, Lin Daidai’s arrival had brought the reality back to the forefront.

Gu Qing opened her mouth to speak, but seeing the hope and tears in Zhizhen’s eyes, she hesitated. “I’m sorry, Zhenzhen. I have to go.”

Tears began to spill from Zhizhen’s eyes. “Is there no other general in Geng? What about that General Yin? Why can’t he do it? Why must a ‘common’ general like you go instead of the Great General?”

Gu Qing looked at the commoners hawking their goods on the street and tried to explain. “Zhenzhen, look at these people. Why do you think they can sell their goods so freely?” Without waiting for an answer, she added, “Do you think any of those elderly people have sons in my camp?”

“I might not be the only choice for this war, but because I’ve prepared for so long, I am the best choice, the one who can bring about the fewest casualties. Every life saved is a family kept whole.” She gently rubbed the soft skin of Zhizhen’s waist. “I have to protect them.”

Support