The Transmigrated Princess - Chapter 9

Gu Qing rolled her eyes. If possible, she wouldn’t want Xie Zhizhen’s affairs to be entangled with the male lead of the original story either. “There’s something I’d like to discuss with you.”

Although Yin Lang didn’t know what it was, the serious look on her face told him it wasn’t something to be discussed on the sports field. Wiping the sweat from his face, he said, “Let’s talk in the study.”

There were too many prying eyes here; it wasn’t convenient.

Gu Qing understood his meaning and nodded.

Once the two arrived in Yin Lang’s study, Gu Qing finally spoke up. “To get the emperor to agree to my relationship with Zhizhen, I’ll need your help.”

No one knew what Gu Qing and Yin Lang discussed in the study, but when they emerged, Gu Qing seemed quite pleased.

However, most speculated it had something to do with Princess Roujia. After all, back then, the second young lady of the Gu family had knelt outside Chengqian Palace for an entire day and night for the princess.

And now, just after Gu Qing’s return to the capital, Lin Chenzhi had gotten into trouble the very next day, and his engagement with Princess Roujia was canceled. It was hard not to draw connections.

Coupled with what Gu Qing had said to the emperor upon her return though not widely known, many were aware of it.

As everyone eagerly speculated about the future of this second young lady of the Gu family and Princess Roujia, Gu Qing herself paid no heed to outsiders’ opinions. She invited Xie Zhizhen for a boat ride on the lake, along with Yin Lang and some of her close comrades from the military camp.

Worried that Xie Zhizhen might feel awkward around strangers, she also invited Xie Zhibai.

Gu Qing arrived early at the princess’s residence to pick up Xie Zhizhen, and along the way, they ran into an old acquaintance.

“Princess, it’s the State Preceptor,” Sujuan recognized the State Preceptor’s carriage at a glance. Given recent events, she couldn’t help but feel a bit awkward.

Though no one knew exactly how the second young lady of the Gu family had managed it, everyone suspected she had something to do with Lin Chenzhi’s imprisonment.

Clearly, the State Preceptor’s party also recognized the princess’s carriage. Though he didn’t know Gu Qing was inside, that didn’t stop him from glaring at Xie Zhizhen. “The princess seems quite carefree. This old minister has urgent business might the princess yield the way?”

Xie Zhizhen didn’t mind. Avoiding trouble was better than inviting it, and she was about to instruct her attendants to make way. But her indifference didn’t mean Gu Qing shared the sentiment.

Thinking of all the things Lin Chenzhi had done, Gu Qing lifted the carriage curtain, revealing a cocky smile that suited her crabapple-red dress perfectly. “State Preceptor, what’s the rush? Why not share it with this general for a laugh?”

If there was any major news in the capital these past two days, aside from Yin Lang and Xie Zhizhen’s engagement, it was the affairs of the State Preceptor’s household. After all, the State Preceptor’s only son had been imprisoned for allegedly trading official positions, leaving the State Preceptor scrambling for help.

He had already visited the palace no fewer than five times in the past two days, but aside from the first visit, the emperor had ignored him each time.

“You!” Seeing the culprit responsible for his son’s imprisonment, the State Preceptor’s eyes blazed with fury. If not for the public setting and his own dignity, he might have lunged forward. “Gu Qing, do you think framing my son and canceling the engagement will work? No matter how carefully you scheme, as long as you remain a woman, His Majesty will never allow you to marry the princess!”

Gu Qing’s previously playful expression faded, replaced by a calm demeanor that showed no signs of being provoked. She lifted her eyelids slightly and gave the Imperial Preceptor a cool glance. “My affairs need not trouble the Imperial Preceptor. As for whether it’s a false accusation, His Majesty will decide. Rather than wasting time bickering with this general, perhaps the Imperial Preceptor should focus on how to rescue your son.”

“Oh, and please step aside, Imperial Preceptor. This general and the princess have urgent matters to attend to.” Seeing that the Imperial Preceptor showed no intention of yielding, Gu Qing decisively invoked the hierarchy of ruler and subject to pressure him. “Or is the Imperial Preceptor’s authority so great that even the princess must make way for you?”

The Imperial Preceptor seethed with anger, but given the current delicate situation, it was best to avoid unnecessary conflict. Gu Qing had already invoked Princess Xie Zhizhen’s status, leaving him no room to refuse. Reluctantly, he signaled for his entourage to clear the path.

As the princess’s carriage passed by, the Imperial Preceptor glared fiercely at the curtains, as if trying to pierce through the layers of fabric to see the person inside. Suddenly, he spoke up, “Though this marriage was not what the princess desired, ever since the engagement, my son has known of the princess’s affections for another. Yet, his conduct toward you has been beyond reproach.”

“Heh. When the wall collapses, everyone pushes. Now that my son faces trouble because of his engagement to the princess, Her Highness shows no mercy, standing completely aloof.”

The onlookers nodded in silent agreement, though none dared to voice their thoughts aloud, given the princess’s status.

Hearing this, Gu Qing’s anger flared, and she was about to confront the Imperial Preceptor head-on. Fortunately, Xie Zhizhen stopped her with a gentle whisper.

“Matters of the court are not for this princess to interfere with. If Young Master Lin is truly wronged, I trust His Majesty will clear his name. But if the accusations are true.” Xie Zhizhen paused, as if recalling an unpleasant memory. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and when she opened them again, her gaze was resolute. “Then Young Master Lin will have gotten what he deserved.”

The Imperial Preceptor thought of how his son, Lin Chenzhi, had spent the past two years enduring Xie Zhizhen’s cold indifference, only to see her now so detached. It made him all the more resentful on his son’s behalf.

He snorted coldly. “My son would never commit such acts. No doubt someone has framed him for their own selfish ends!”

Xie Zhizhen was not so easily swayed by his attempts to sow discord. She trusted Gu Qing implicitly even if the engagement were to be dissolved, Gu Qing would never stoop to framing an innocent man. “The truth will be determined by His Majesty.”

Seeing Xie Zhizhen’s unyielding stance, the Imperial Preceptor choked on his fury, unable to vent it. Swallowing his pride, he stepped aside.

By the time the two arrived at the lakeside gathering, the others were already there.

Wang Yong spotted Gu Qing from afar, but her appearance was strikingly different from her usual self. She wore a crimson dress, her long hair styled in an intricate updo adorned with shimmering hairpins that glinted dazzlingly under the sunlight.

Beside her stood a woman of ethereal beauty. Wang Yong had seen her once before in the palace, but back then, Xie Zhizhen had left the impression of an aloof, unapproachable princess. Now, standing next to Gu Qing, she wore a radiant smile, like a melting iceberg, breathtaking yet still untouchable.

The outfits the two wore were also quite fitting, one in begonia red and the other in xiangfei pink. Apart from the colors, the styles and patterns were identical, making them look perfectly matched when standing together, a sight so harmonious it felt almost intrusive to disturb.

Gu Qing had just finished sharing some amusing anecdotes from the military camp with Xie Zhizhen when her gaze landed on a towering figure standing awkwardly on the boat, completely out of place among the refined scholars around him. She couldn’t help but chuckle and nudged Xie Zhizhen beside her. “That’s our deputy general from the camp, Wang Yong. He looks a bit slow-witted and easy to tease, but he’s got brute strength with nowhere to put it, that’s why he ended up in the military.”

As the two ethereal figures approached, Wang Yong grew flustered, unsure whether to offer them a hand. The boat wasn’t very steady, he’d nearly stumbled himself when boarding.

But then again, men and women shouldn’t mingle too freely. Would it be improper to help them like this?

Though military camps weren’t big on formalities, he still understood the basic boundaries between men and women.

While he hesitated, Gu Qing had already steadied Xie Zhizhen as they carefully boarded the boat.

After they’d taken a few steps, Gu Qing realized Wang Yong wasn’t following and turned back to call out, “What are you standing there for? Hurry up.”

Inside the painted boat, the lively chatter among the group suddenly quieted. Xie Zhibai glanced at Xie Zhizhen and Gu Qing, relieved to see they were just as they’d always been, no sign of tension from that imperial decree.

“Sister, come here. I’ve prepared some peach blossom wine for you.”

Xie Zhizhen gave a slight nod and tugged at Gu Qing’s sleeve, guiding her to sit beside Xie Zhibai. The atmosphere grew chilly again.

Wang Yong plopped down dumbly, glancing between Gu Qing and Xie Zhizhen before elbowing Li Zhongyi beside him. The two rough men exchanged exaggerated looks, their expressions almost painful to watch.

Gu Qing couldn’t take it anymore. “Would you two mind keeping up appearances?”

“Oh.”

“Oh.”

“Alright, stop teasing them,” Yin Lang interjected, amused by their discomfort. He cleared his throat. “What, two years as brothers and now you don’t recognize each other? Just act like you always have.”

Wang Yong scratched his head. The whole “brother turning into a woman” thing had indeed been a shock, but Yin Lang was right they should just carry on as before.

Gu Qing nodded and began introductions. “This is Princess Roujia. I’ve mentioned her to you before.”

“Deputy General Wang Yong greets Princess Qingmei, ah, no, no, Princess Roujia!”

“Princess Qingmei?” Xie Zhizhen shot Gu Qing a puzzled look, clearly wondering why he’d called her that.

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