The Transmigrated Princess - Chapter 74

Regardless of how many thoughts were racing through her mind, Gu Qing was not about to say them out loud. She wasn’t stupid; she had finally managed to coax Zhenzhen back into a good mood, and she wasn’t about to go and make her angry again.

However, after this whole ordeal, she finally understood why Xie Zhizhen had been acting so strangely today.

It turned out Zhenzhen had cast her in the role of the “delicate and soft” one in their relationship.

All that talk about her throat being uncomfortable and her body feeling weak… Thinking back to last night, they hadn’t even been at it for half an hour, and at least fifteen to twenty minutes of that had been foreplay.

Gu Qing hadn’t even felt much of anything yet before Xie Zhizhen was already exhausted.

A curve played at the corners of Gu Qing’s lips, and the heart that had been hanging in suspense finally settled.

If playing weak was the key, she knew exactly how to do it—the occasional act of acting spoiled and pretending to be tired.

Gu Qing comfortably enjoyed Xie Zhizhen’s pampering. After resting for a while, she knew the lessons had to continue.

While Gu Qing was teaching the children some basic moves, two unexpected visitors arrived at the academy.

Lin Daidai and Gu Yin.

“I heard you’re still short a few teachers. While I’m not anyone incredible, I have no problem teaching seven or eight-year-old children,” Lin Daidai said with a smile, but her gaze fell steadily on Meng Jing.

Meng Jing noticed, of course, and returned the smile. Regarding her divorce, besides Xie Zhizhen and Gu Qing, the person she had to thank most was Lin Daidai.

If Lin Daidai hadn’t helped her steal her daughter back from the scholar’s home, even with the help of Xie Zhizhen and Gu Qing, it would have taken much more effort and her little girl would have suffered more.

Therefore, Meng Jing naturally supported Lin Daidai’s arrival. She smiled and said to Xie Zhizhen, “Miss Lin’s talent was personally praised by the late Emperor. I think this is feasible.”

Xie Zhizhen nodded. Although she didn’t know Lin Daidai well, she knew that in the past, Lin Daidai had been known as the number one talented woman in the capital. Having such a person in their academy was a blessing for the children.

However…

Xie Zhizhen looked at Gu Yin. She could understand why Lin Daidai came, but Gu Yin’s presence was unexpected.

While Gu Qing had been away for three months, Gu Yin used to linger around her constantly, but that was to see Xie Zhibai. Being at the academy, though…

“The academy has quite a heavy workload. If you come here, I’m afraid you won’t have much time to go out and play.”

Xie Zhizhen’s words were tactful, but Gu Yin understood the underlying meaning: if she came here, she wouldn’t see Xie Zhibai, and it would be a waste of time.

After all, Gu Yin used to seek her out because of Xie Zhibai, but now, to see Xie Zhibai, one had to go to the palace. As the Emperor, he was busy with state affairs and had no chance to visit this small academy.

She expected her words would make Gu Yin leave, but Gu Yin merely gave a thin smile. Her face showed a hint of fatigue, and her eyes, which were thirty percent similar to Gu Qing’s, sparkled with a light that suggested this wasn’t a whim. “Don’t worry. I just want to find something to do.”

Xie Zhizhen raised an eyebrow, surprised by the statement, but accepted Gu Yin nonetheless.

She knew the Gu family’s traditions well. Both men and women attended private schools together, so many Gu family women were no less talented than the men. They were simply hindered by the fact that women could not take the imperial examinations, leaving their talents with nowhere to be used.

Later, when she asked Gu Qing about it, Gu Qing provided an answer regarding Gu Yin’s situation.

“Perhaps she has finally seen through things,” Gu Qing said as she sat in Xie Zhizhen’s study, casually flipping through a few books.

Xie Zhizhen still couldn’t quite wrap her head around it. She sat on the sandalwood table and pulled the book out of Gu Qing’s hands. “It’s been so many years. If she were going to see through it, she would have done so long ago. Why now? Something must have happened.”

Gu Qing looked up, took Xie Zhizhen’s hand to meet her gaze, and smiled. “How could nothing have happened? Xie Zhibai is the Emperor now. There are things she never had to consider before that she must start thinking about.”

Seeing Xie Zhizhen’s confusion, Gu Qing continued to explain, “Since ancient times, Emperors have had three palaces and six courtyards, with thousands of beauties in the harem. Before, when Xie Zhibai was just a Prince, it was fine if no one served him, but now he is the Emperor.”

For an Emperor, besides the state and the altars of grain, the most important thing is the succession of heirs. Even though Xie Zhibai is only seventeen, it doesn’t stop the ministers from getting anxious.

“In the past few days, ministers have already suggested that Xie Zhibai begin the imperial selection. I heard that yesterday, the Aunt specifically had Gu Yin enter the palace. It’s said the Aunt intends for Gu Yin to be the Empress, which likely reflects Xie Zhibai’s wishes as well.”

Marrying him was Gu Yin’s dream, but the subsequent taking of concubines was the reality she had to face.

“I heard the Aunt’s intention is to give Gu Yin full face by having her enter the palace first, and wait until she is pregnant before holding the imperial selection.” For other women, this might be a great honor, proving that Xie Zhibai truly kept Gu Yin in his heart.

But… is that truly for the best?

Xie Zhizhen understood the words left unsaid and remained silent for a moment. Indeed, if possible, what woman wouldn’t want a “one life, one pair” kind of love?

Gu Qing patted the back of Xie Zhizhen’s hand and sighed. “This is likely why Gu Yin came here.”

Escape.

One could only wonder if Gu Yin would eventually give up the person she had loved for years, or if she could make Xie Zhibai marry only her. But according to her understanding of her younger sister, Gu Yin certainly could not accept sharing a husband with other women.

With the addition of two more teachers, the small academy suddenly became much more relaxed.

Xie Zhizhen immediately arranged for Gu Qing to have fewer classes over the next two days so she could rest properly. At lunch, Xie Zhizhen constantly picked up food for Gu Qing, maintaining a very caring demeanor throughout.

Gu Yin and Lin Daidai watched, dumbfounded. They couldn’t fathom how the pampered Eldest Princess had suddenly become so gentle and considerate.

In a corner where no one was looking, Gu Yin gave Gu Qing a thumbs-up. Impressive, Second Sister.

Thanks to Gu Yin and Lin Daidai’s help, today’s classes finished exceptionally early. With about half an hour left before dismissal, everyone started telling stories to the children to pass the time.

Gu Qing didn’t want to speak, and of course, Xie Zhizhen wouldn’t let her. After all, she had to “protect her throat.”

Feeling bored, they let Lin Daidai tell stories to the children, ghost stories.

Xie Zhizhen was a bit scared and didn’t want to listen, but since everyone was there, she didn’t want to lose face in front of the children. She could only persevere, trying to find something to occupy herself.

Gu Yin smiled and quietly sat next to Xie Zhizhen, whispering, “Your Highness, I recently learned how to apply balsam nail polish. Would you like to try?”

Xie Zhizhen, who was clutching Gu Qing’s arm and flinching with every word of Lin Daidai’s story, nodded immediately. Anything would be fine, as long as it distracted her from the terrifying ghost story.

The materials for the nail polish weren’t hard to find. Gu Yin’s maid soon brought out everything they needed.

Gu Yin mashed the balsam flowers into a paste, added a bit of alum, and stirred it. Seeing that the color was quite nice, she began to apply it to Xie Zhizhen’s nails.

She was surprised. “Your Highness, why are your nails so short?”

The noble ladies of the capital usually never lifted a finger for chores. Although long nails were inconvenient, they looked extremely beautiful when dyed with balsam, so the ladies had a habit of growing them out.

But all of Xie Zhizhen’s nails were very short, looking as if they had just been trimmed and filed recently. They were smooth and round, and her pink, tender fingertips looked quite cute.

Xie Zhizhen’s face turned bright red. She remembered how, for certain reasons last night, her nails had been trimmed overnight by Gu Qing, who had even specially filed the edges to ensure they wouldn’t scratch anything.

She weakly pulled her hand back. Recalling the scene of her fingertips getting wet yesterday, she was too embarrassed to let Gu Yin touch her fingers anymore. “Gu… Gu Qing, you… you help me apply it.”

So embarrassing!!!

Gu Yin and Meng Jing looked at Xie Zhizhen in confusion, not quite understanding what was happening. Gu Qing, however, quickly understood the reason. She smiled, finding Xie Zhizhen exceptionally adorable.

Unable to resist, she leaned in and dropped a kiss on her lips.

Fortunately, they were sitting behind the children, so except for Gu Yin, Meng Jing, and Lin Daidai, no one could see her actions.

Being kissed in front of so many people for the first time, Xie Zhizhen’s face exploded in red, and even her neck was stained with a crimson hue. She snuggled into Gu Qing’s embrace, unwilling to face the gazes of Gu Yin and Meng Jing.

When her cheek touched that soft spot, she felt a bit shy again, but she felt it might be too obvious if she pulled away now.

Gu Yin and Meng Jing watched Gu Qing’s series of public displays of affection, momentarily speechless. Should they feel envious, jealous, or resentful?

Gu Yin looked at Gu Qing, who shared some of her features, then at Xie Zhizhen, who shared some with Xie Zhibai, and sighed again—looking alike didn’t mean the outcomes would be the same.

Gu Qing stroked Xie Zhizhen’s hair and coaxed her softly in her ear, “Do you still want your nails dyed? I’ll help you, hmm?”

Xie Zhizhen took the out she was given and let her cheek leave Gu Qing’s chest. Throughout the process of dyeing her nails, she didn’t dare look Gu Qing in the eye, keeping her head low.

It’s not big, but it’s… quite comfortable.

Thinking this, Xie Zhizhen lowered her head even further, focusing intently on her slender, white fingers resting in Gu Qing’s large hand, letting her apply the polish.

Since they had prepared a lot, Gu Yin asked Meng Jing and Gu Qing if they wanted some.

Meng Jing shook her head and replied, “I’m afraid my little one might accidentally suck on them; it’s not good.”

Gu Yin nodded in understanding. Though she hadn’t had children, she knew babies loved to suck their fingers. As the mother of a few-month-old child, it indeed wasn’t suitable for Meng Jing to dye her nails.

Her gaze landed on Gu Qing. Gu Qing smiled. “I don’t care for these things.”

Gu Yin nodded again. It made sense; her second sister had always preferred weapons. It was normal not to care about nails, so she didn’t ask further. In the end, she let Meng Jing help her apply it, as it was hard to do it alone.

Gu Qing lowered her head to help Xie Zhizhen wrap the dyed nails with cloth strips, her lips curving slightly.

It wasn’t that she didn’t like nail polish. Although ancient materials were natural without modern additives, for safety’s sake, Gu Qing felt it was better not to wear it. She didn’t know if the color would bleed or if any residue would be left in the water after soaking for a long time.

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