The Transmigrated Princess - Chapter 6

At such a close distance, Xie Zhizhen could clearly see Gu Qing’s long eyelashes and feel her increasingly warm breath.

The overly intimate proximity made Xie Zhizhen slightly uncomfortable. She instinctively turned her head away, a blush creeping onto her cheeks, and asked in a low voice, “Do you know the person outside?”

Gu Qing wasn’t sure how to explain. The moment she heard Yin Lang’s voice, she had instinctively wanted to prevent him from meeting Xie Zhizhen after all, he was the male lead in the original story, and Xie Zhizhen was the female lead.

Though the current plot had already diverged from the original, who could guarantee that the male and female leads wouldn’t share some special attraction?

But she certainly couldn’t say any of this to Xie Zhizhen. Gu Qing steadied her gaze and only offered an inconsequential answer, “Yes, he’s a comrade of mine.”

Xie Zhizhen looked up at her, puzzled. If he was a comrade, why were they hiding?

The movement brought them face-to-face again, their breaths mingling. Gu Qing’s hand still rested on Xie Zhizhen’s slender waist, and through the thin fabric of summer clothing, she could feel the heat of Gu Qing’s touch.

The overly close distance made Xie Zhizhen instinctively lower her head and try to retreat, but the wooden door behind her left no room to move. Her soft voice carried a note of refusal, “You, you should let go of me first.”

Only after confirming that Yin Lang wouldn’t return did Gu Qing reluctantly release her, her fingertips still lingering with the memory of soft curves.

“He wanted to invite me out, but I made an excuse to refuse.”

So that was it.

Xie Zhizhen was no stranger to making excuses to avoid unwanted invitations, especially when the relationship made outright refusal difficult. Naturally, she didn’t question it further.

Perhaps because Gu Qing’s breath no longer surrounded her, Xie Zhizhen’s mind cleared. She recalled the way the man had addressed Gu Qing and frowned slightly.

“Why did he call you Zhiqing?”

She and Gu Qing had grown up together, how had she never heard of this nickname?

“It’s an alias I used in the military.”

Something about the alias seemed to stir Xie Zhizhen’s thoughts. She lowered her eyes slightly, lost in contemplation.

Seizing the moment, Gu Qing spoke up, “He’s already gone and probably won’t come back. Let’s go.”

Just as Gu Qing took Xie Zhizhen’s hand to lead her away, she felt the delicate fingers tighten slightly, as if holding her back. Gu Qing glanced at her questioningly.

Xie Zhizhen bit her lip, releasing Gu Qing’s hand to instead touch the hem of her skirt.

Only then did Gu Qing notice the small hole in the fabric. She scratched her head awkwardly and instinctively explained, “It must have been nibbled by mice, I haven’t worn this in a long time.”

The dress was from two years ago. A sizing mistake had left it too big for her back then, so it had been tucked away and forgotten.

Now that she had returned, most of her old clothes no longer fit, leaving only this one barely wearable, she hadn’t even noticed the flaw.

Watching Gu Qing’s flustered expression, Xie Zhizhen couldn’t help but laugh softly. “A dignified general like you, how improper to dress like this,” she teased.

The woman’s glare held no force at all soft and tender instead, her eyes brimming with affection and shimmering like rippling water, sending a shiver down Gu Qing’s spine.

Unfazed by her teasing, Gu Qing simply took her hand, gently resting her cheek against Xie Zhizhen’s shoulder and nuzzling it with an ingratiating look. “My mistake. Would Her Highness deign to accompany this humble official to buy a new set of clothes?”

Xie Zhizhen averted her gaze, fully aware of Gu Qing’s intentions but deliberately making her spell it out. “General Gu could have any clothes she desires. Why seek this princess’s company?”

Seeing Xie Zhizhen acting coy so unlike the lifeless demeanor of yesterday, Gu Qing was more than happy to play along. Her brows drooped pitifully as she sighed.

“Your Highness may not know, but this humble official has only just returned to the capital. I’m still unfamiliar with the city and hardly know anyone here.”

Xie Zhizhen watched the usually awe-inspiring General Gu now looking like a wronged little wife, and the lingering sadness from those earlier words dissipated without a trace.

She lifted her chin slightly, feigning arrogance. “Since General Gu has put it that way, this princess shall reluctantly agree to your request.”

Gu Qing promptly bowed. “As you command.”

With the act over, it was time to return to the matter at hand. As they prepared to leave, Xie Zhizhen hesitated. “Gu Qing, isn’t this a bit improper?”

She truly didn’t want to leave through the main gate, where she’d encounter too many people, but slipping away from the flower-viewing banquet without a word was rather rude.

Gu Qing pondered for a moment. While she didn’t mind, she didn’t want Xie Zhizhen to become the subject of gossip. She pulled out a black jade whistle and blew into it. Soon, a white pigeon flew over.

Xie Zhizhen couldn’t understand the exchange between Gu Qing and the pigeon, only watching as Gu Qing murmured something unintelligible.

She had heard of messenger pigeons before, but this was her first time seeing one deliver a message without any visible note. Curious, her round eyes scrutinized the bird from head to toe and back again, finding nothing unusual.

It looked just like any ordinary pigeon.

Had the pigeon known her thoughts and could speak, it might have retorted, “In our line of work, the more ordinary, the better. Did you expect me to wear a sign saying, ‘I carry messages, I’m specially trained, come catch me’?”

Once the pigeon flew off with its message, Gu Qing crouched in front of Xie Zhizhen.

Facing the high wall, Xie Zhizhen knew she couldn’t scale it herself. She looked down at Gu Qing, tugged her sleeves to cover her hands, and through two layers of fabric placed them stiffly on Gu Qing’s shoulders.

Feeling the weight, Gu Qing effortlessly hooked her arms under Xie Zhizhen’s legs and lifted her with a light leap.

It had been a long time since Xie Zhizhen had experienced this sensation of “flying.” The breeze brushed her cheeks comfortable, liberating.

Alas, the wall was no challenge for Gu Qing, and they cleared it swiftly, leaving the Grand Preceptor’s estate behind.

Naturally, Xie Zhizhen had no reason to remain on Gu Qing’s back any longer.

The two of them went to the Treasure Pavilion, which not only housed the finest jewelry and accessories in the entire capital but also sold ready-made garments.

Two years ago, before Gu Qing left the capital, she had been a frequent visitor to the Treasure Pavilion. However, two years had passed, and even the shop assistants had been replaced, so naturally, no one recognized Gu Qing now. But Xie Zhizhen was still known.

Seeing her, a shop assistant quickly approached, “Miss Xie, you’ve brought a friend! We’ve just received a batch of exquisite jewelry and accessories. Would you like to take a look?”

Xie Zhizhen preferred not to flaunt her identity as a princess when outside. Though the surname Xie was the imperial family name, in the capital, right under the emperor’s feet, there were plenty of people with the surname Xie, so she saw no need to change it.

“I’d like to look at the clothing,” she said.

The shop assistant was slightly disappointed but quickly regained his enthusiasm.

Though jewelry and accessories were expensive, some of the high-quality garments were also quite pricey.

He led Gu Qing and Xie Zhizhen to the inner room where the clothing was displayed. Just as he was about to introduce the styles of the dresses, Xie Zhizhen spoke up, “You may leave for now.”

Without another word, the shop assistant departed, leaving only Gu Qing and Xie Zhizhen in the room.

Xie Zhizhen gazed at the dazzling array of garments before her, unsure if Gu Qing’s tastes had changed over the years. “Which one do you like?” she asked.

Gu Qing wasn’t particularly concerned about clothing. “Your Highness has always had impeccable taste. Why not let Your Highness choose for this humble official?”

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