The Transmigrated Princess - Chapter 7

Xie Zhizhen had already prepared in advance, but she simply wanted to confirm whether Gu Qing’s preferences had changed. She picked out a fiery red dress, layered with sheer fabric that looked light and elegant. The dark red patterns along the hem outlined intricate designs, subtle yet striking.

“Try this one on.”

Gu Qing took the dress and went into the inner room to change. Seizing the moment, Xie Zhizhen picked out several more pieces.

It had to be said, though Zhenbao Pavilion primarily dealt in jewelry and accessories, their ready-made clothing was also exceptionally well-crafted.

Just as Xie Zhizhen was still browsing through the garments, Gu Qing suddenly called out to her.

Xie Zhizhen hurried to the door. “What’s wrong?”

Then came a slightly flustered voice from inside. “Come in for a moment.”

Thinking something had happened to Gu Qing, Xie Zhizhen rushed in, only to see the woman’s dark hair cascading over her back, obscuring everything from view except for the two fair, bare arms fully exposed.

She immediately covered her eyes.

Hearing her reaction, Gu Qing turned around. Noticing the faint blush on Xie Zhizhen’s earlobes, a hint of a smile tugged at her lips, though she quickly suppressed it, adopting a pitiful tone instead.

“It’s been so long since I last wore women’s clothing that I’ve forgotten how to put it on.”

Though the attire of the Geng Dynasty appeared simple, it was actually quite intricate to wear. Combined with Gu Qing’s past record, Xie Zhizhen didn’t question it. But facing those bare arms and the expanse of collarbone still made her shy. “Y-you, put your clothes on first!”

Once the rustling sounds of fabric finally ceased, Xie Zhizhen cautiously asked, “Are you dressed now?”

“Yes.”

Peeking through slightly parted fingers and confirming no more fair skin was in sight, Xie Zhizhen sighed in relief though with an almost imperceptible trace of regret.

Then she began helping Gu Qing tie the ribbons.

The task brought them close, Xie Zhizhen’s fingertips occasionally brushing against the softness beneath Gu Qing’s clothes. Even through the fabric, the contact made her cheeks flush.

Xie Zhizhen studied Gu Qing tall and striking in the fiery dress, her heroic bearing no different from two years ago.

Indeed, this woman had never changed. She remained as radiant as ever, impossible to look away from.

Gu Qing nodded at her reflection. The dress did look good, though admittedly difficult to wear at least for her.

Next, Xie Zhizhen selected a few more outfits for Gu Qing and arranged for them to be delivered to the Zhenguo General’s residence. As they stepped outside, they were met with the sound of an argument.

Two women appeared to be quarreling over a hairpin. One was from the Prime Minister’s household unchanged from two years ago while the other was younger, vaguely familiar, though Gu Qing couldn’t quite place her.

She had no intention of interfering. In the capital, the most important rule was to mind one’s own business.

But Xie Zhizhen walked over, and Gu Qing quickly followed.

“What’s going on?”

The two were locked in a heated dispute, and given their status, no one dared to intervene. At Xie Zhizhen’s voice, all eyes turned to her.

“Miss Xie.”

Knowing that Xie Zhizhen didn’t want to reveal her identity outside, but since the other party was still a princess, Li Qingyue gave a slight curtsy as a form of greeting.

Gu Yin, upon seeing Xie Zhizhen, seemed to spot a lifeline. She instinctively wanted to walk over and complain, but upon seeing Li Qingyue’s courtesy, as if afraid of being outdone, she also curtsied. As soon as she straightened up, she noticed Gu Qing standing beside Xie Zhizhen and awkwardly called out, “Second Sister.”

Gu Qing raised an eyebrow slightly, finally realizing why she had felt a sense of familiarity earlier, it was Gu Yin.

It wasn’t surprising that Gu Qing didn’t recognize her. Two years ago, when she left the capital, Gu Yin was only thirteen. Teenagers change a lot, so it was no wonder she hadn’t recognized her at first.

Moreover, when Gu Yin was little, she used to cling to Gu Qing all the time. But as she grew older, for some reason, she became increasingly at odds with her. It had been a long time since Gu Qing last heard her call her “Second Sister.”

Since it was a family matter, it was necessary to intervene.

“What happened?”

Li Qingyue, standing nearby, saw that the two newcomers were Rongjia Princess, who was close to Gu Yin, and the other was likely Gu Qing, who had recently been granted the title of general. Realizing she wouldn’t gain any advantage today, she simply pretended to be magnanimous. “Since Yinmei likes this hairpin, consider it my gift to you.”

Gu Yin, who had initially been ready to step back out of awkwardness upon seeing Gu Qing, instantly flared up at Li Qingyue’s words.

“I was the one who reserved it with the shopkeeper first! How does that make it you giving it to me?”

Though Gu Yin usually enjoyed picking fights with her, Gu Qing knew her well enough, she wasn’t the type to stir up trouble for no reason. “After two years away from the capital, I didn’t realize the Prime Minister’s family had fallen so low that they’d snatch a hairpin from someone else?”

Li Qingyue frowned, but then, as if remembering something, her expression smoothed over, and she gave Xie Zhizhen a meaningful look.

Just as Gu Qing expected her to say something, Li Qingyue turned and left as if nothing had happened.

Gu Yin quickly grabbed the banknote in front of the shopkeeper and threw it after her. “The Gu family isn’t so poor that we need your money for a hairpin!”

Once Li Qingyue was gone, Gu Yin lost all her earlier bravado, standing meekly beside Gu Qing like a wronged little wife, not daring to speak.

Gu Qing gave her a puzzled look, unsure why the Gu Yin who used to snap at her two years ago had suddenly gone mute.

But Gu Qing didn’t dwell on it. Instead, Xie Zhizhen complimented, “This hairpin suits you very well.”

Gu Yin blushed shyly at the praise.

The two left the treasure pavilion and returned to the princess’s residence. Learning that Sujuan had already returned, Xie Zhizhen felt somewhat relieved.

Only then did Gu Qing have the chance to ask, “Don’t you think Gu Yin was acting strangely today?”

Xie Zhizhen paused for a moment before bursting into laughter.

A gentle breeze swept by, rustling the peach tree beside them. The delicate peach blossoms couldn’t withstand even the lightest wind, scattering from the branches and landing in her dark hair. When she laughed, her beautiful eyes curved upward, enchanting like a charming little fox.

For a moment, Gu Qing was mesmerized by the sight before her.

Once Xie Zhizhen had laughed enough, she explained, “For someone who’s her sister, you really don’t know, do you? She has a crush on Zhi Bai.”

Xie Zhizhen’s words visibly stunned Gu Qing. In the original story, Gu Yin had actually married a scholar from a humble background. Though not particularly wealthy, the couple had lived quite a sweet life together.

Moreover, how old was Gu Yin two years ago? Just a twelve or thirteen-year-old girl barely more than an elementary school graduate in Gu Qing’s eyes.

But then again, Gu Qing reconsidered, this was ancient times where people could marry and have children by fifteen. Suddenly, it all made sense.

“Still,” Gu Qing couldn’t quite grasp it, “what does her liking Xie Zhibai have to do with me?”

She understood that Gu Yin’s affection for Xie Zhibai might explain why she had always been so attentive to Xie Zhizhen, but how did that concern her?

Xie Zhizhen shot her a glance. Gu Qing rubbed her nose, recalling how she used to enjoy teasing Xie Zhibai as a child. Gu Yin must have mistaken their playful interactions for something more.

No wonder Gu Yin’s attitude toward her had done a complete one-eighty after her return. She must have learned about Gu Qing’s feelings for Xie Zhizhen two years ago.

At this thought, Gu Qing quietly took Xie Zhizhen’s hand, her gaze drifting to the peach tree beside them. The rough bark contrasted sharply with the warm, delicate hand in hers.

“Even Gu Yin knows I like you,” she murmured, “so why don’t you believe it?”

Xie Zhizhen subtly withdrew her hand, smoothing her long hair with practiced ease. “You know very well that was just a lie to make you give up.”

Gu Qing couldn’t suppress a smile as she leaned in, their breaths mingling in the narrow space between them.

“I want to hear you say it, that you like me.”

A cool spring breeze brushed past as Gu Qing waited patiently for her beloved’s response. But Xie Zhizhen, cheeks faintly flushed, remained silent, offering no reply.

Gu Qing understood. Xie Zhizhen had always been shy back during their first kiss two years ago, she had turned scarlet all the way down to her neck and avoided her for days.

Still, a pang of disappointment tugged at Gu Qing’s heart. She took a step back, realizing she might have pushed too hard.

Xie Zhizhen had already admitted that yesterday’s words were meant to provoke her. There was no need to force anything further.

Yet just as she retreated, Xie Zhizhen suddenly stepped forward. The soft press of her lips, carrying the faint scent of peach blossoms, landed on Gu Qing’s cheek warm, tender, and slightly damp.

Gu Qing’s eyes widened in shock. Never had she expected the usually bashful Xie Zhizhen to take such initiative, catching her completely off guard.

Before she could savor the moment, Xie Zhizhen had already fled, leaving Gu Qing standing there with a dazed grin.

All the way home, her mind echoed with just one thought:

“My wife kissed me. Hehe.”

Gu Qing’s mother watched her daughter’s foolish grin with mild disdain, tugging at her husband’s sleeve. “What’s wrong with Qingqing? Why is she smiling like an idiot?”

Her husband stroked his nonexistent beard, recalling where Gu Qing had been today, and wrapped an arm around his wife with a knowing look. “Who else could turn our daughter into such a fool?”

Realization dawned on Gu Qing’s mother, and she nodded.

“But the road ahead won’t be easy for those two…”

“Children have their own fortunes to seek,” her husband replied. “We’ll help when they need us. The rest is for them to walk on their own.”

As soon as she returned to her own courtyard, Gu Qing caught sight of Yin Lang. Before she could wipe the smile off her face, she saw him walking toward her.

Yin Lang had known Gu Qing for two years, but this was the first time he’d seen her looking so silly and dazed. Surprised, he circled around her, studying her carefully.

Gu Qing felt a bit awkward and quickly composed herself, returning to her usual demeanor. “What are you doing?” she asked.

“Nothing much, just checking if you’ve been possessed.”

Gu Qing rolled her eyes at him. “What would a single dog like you know?” After all, he didn’t have a wife but she did!

At that thought, she couldn’t help but curl her lips into a smile again.

Having spent so much time with Gu Qing, Yin Lang had grown accustomed to the strange phrases she sometimes used. He didn’t dwell on it and simply asked, “I just don’t understand why you and your childhood sweetheart princess were avoiding me?”

There was no way he hadn’t recognized Gu Qing at the State Preceptor’s residence. But since she seemed to be dodging him, he had pretended not to find her and left.

Gu Qing couldn’t very well say, Because you’re the male lead, Xie Zhizhen is the female lead, and I’m afraid you’ll steal my wife! So she brushed it off with a casual excuse. “You wouldn’t get it, you don’t have a wife.”

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