The Whole Family is Reborn, But I Transmigrated into a Book - Chapter 60

As if the heavens themselves were unwilling to see Liu Qingyue’s hopes dashed, the following morning arrived with beautiful weather.

Joyfully, Liu Qingyue set out with Gu Qingjia to spend a few days at a rural estate. They couldn’t stay for long, as Gu Qingjia still had duties to attend to in the capital, but even a short reprieve was enough to make her happy. She was a woman of simple pleasures, never one to be overly greedy.

Their departure was understated. They left through a side gate of the Prince’s Manor in a single carriage, accompanied by only a few handpicked guards. Although Liu Qingyue had lived in this world for some time now and had seen her share of grand spectacles, she still found the outside world fresh and exciting.

She lifted the carriage curtain slightly, peering out at the streets. “The people are living in peace and contentment. It’s truly wonderful.”

One had to admit that the reigning Emperor’s political acumen was commendable. Since his ascension, he had been diligent in state affairs and had avoided major blunders. A ruler’s capability often determined a nation’s fate; as long as his sons didn’t cause chaos, this dynasty clearly had many years of prosperity ahead.

Thinking of the princes, Liu Qingyue noted that each seemed capable in their own right. Surely, they wouldn’t ruin their own family’s empire.

“What are you thinking about? You’re so lost in thought,” Gu Qingjia remarked. He never quite knew what was going on inside her small head, only that she seemed to drift off into her own world daily.

Liu Qingyue shook her head. She certainly couldn’t tell him she was pondering the long-term geopolitical stability of the dynasty. “Nothing. Just that it’s lively out there. We should come out for a walk again sometime.”

She loved window-shopping. Even if she didn’t buy anything, simply feeling the vitality of the crowd made her spirits rise. Gu Qingjia, as always, was happy to oblige her every whim.

As they chatted, the carriage soon passed the city gates. Out in the open country, the crowds thinned, making any unusual noise far more apparent. Yue Qing immediately sensed they were being followed. Clearly, the mastermind behind the previous attacks was not yet satisfied and had sent another wave of assassins.

“Master, assassins! Stay inside with the Madam,” Yue Qing called out, his voice sharp with focus. He and the guards braced themselves. With the New Year approaching, Gu Qingjia had much to do; an injury now would be a severe disadvantage.

“Leave survivors,” Gu Qingjia ordered. They hadn’t managed to squeeze any useful information out of the last batch of captives. This time, they needed a larger haul.

The number of assassins this time had doubled. Apparently, the enemy now knew that Gu Qingjia’s guards were elite and had adjusted their numbers accordingly. While the battle raged outside, several shadows broke off and lunged toward the carriage. Their primary mission was to kill Gu Qingjia, but if they couldn’t reach him, taking the life of the Princess Consort Jing would be a worthy consolation prize.

Sensing their intent, Gu Qingjia drew his sword and stepped out to meet the enemy. Inside, Liu Qingyue grew anxious. She couldn’t see the battle and worried for him. Over the past months, she had been practicing martial arts under his guidance; while she wasn’t a master, she was capable enough to handle a few low-level thugs.

“Husband!” she called out, her voice soft but clear. Her fair, slender arm reached out from the carriage.

Gu Qingjia understood her instantly. His eyes darkened with focus as he grasped her delicate hand and pulled her out. Just as she emerged halfway, he swept his long arm around her slender waist, pulling her flush against his chest before leaping from the carriage.

They locked eyes for a brief second—a moment of silent understanding amidst the chaos, as if this were not a desperate assassination but a romantic game. However, Gu Qingjia did not lose himself in her beauty. With a fluid motion, he drew his flexible waist-sword.

Liu Qingyue clung tightly to his strong waist, spinning and striking in sync with his movements. Her layered, pale-yellow skirts didn’t hinder them; instead, they flared out like a blooming flower, making their movements look more like a graceful dance than a fight to the death.

Her flexibility is truly incredible, Gu Qingjia thought, though his primary focus remained on shielding her.

Liu Qingyue had always known he was strong and skilled, but fighting like this—holding a person with one arm while wielding a sword with the other—required a level of strength and balance that few could master. She felt her heart thundering in her chest. She had once held a stereotypical view of Gu Qingjia based on the “book,” but he proved time and again that he was no “useless” secondary character.

She focused, coordinating her movements with his. She spun in his arms and delivered a series of swift, accurate kicks to knock away oncoming blades, always returning to the safety of his embrace. In that moment, the world shrank until only the two of them remained.

The fight ended quickly. Most of the assassins lay dead; those captured tried to commit suicide by biting their tongues, but Yue Qing was faster, expertly dislocating their jaws.

“Yue Qing, take them back and interrogate them thoroughly. Do not let them die easily. We must find out who is behind this,” Gu Qingjia said. He was no soft target to be bullied. To have his trip with Liu Qingyue ruined by these persistent attacks was an unpardonable offense.

Despite the rocky start, Liu Qingyue was delighted once they reached the estate. The property featured a natural hot spring, and she spent the evening soaking in its warmth. In the heart of winter, even thick furs couldn’t keep out the chill, but the spring was different—it was warm, soothing, and melted away her fatigue.

Gu Qingjia watched her, his lips curving into a smile at her flushed, rosy face. He knew the trip had been worth it.

“Do you like it here?” he whispered, pulling her into his arms.

Liu Qingyue, now accustomed to his proximity, nodded earnestly. “I love it. There aren’t so many people, and the spring is wonderful. Even though the manor in the city has everything, I’m always worried about people with hidden motives lurking about.”

Her worry was not unfounded. Now that Gu Qingjia had begun to show his brilliance, the number of eyes watching him had multiplied.

“No matter where we are, you don’t need to worry. Just be yourself; I’ll handle the rest,” he assured her. He knew she had become much quieter since returning to the capital to avoid causing him trouble. “I left Shuang Hua with you so you could do as you please. Even if there is danger, she can handle it. Her skills are second to none.”

“I know she’s talented,” Liu Qingyue said, looking up at him. “But isn’t it a waste of her skills to have her follow me? I don’t really do anything or go anywhere dangerous. Meanwhile, you’re the one being targeted by assassins constantly.”

“Today’s group tried to strike at you,” Gu Qingjia said, his eyes narrowing. “Others now know how much you mean to me. In the future, they may target you to get to me. Furthermore, you are my Princess Consort. If one day you carry our child, some will see that life as a thorn in their side.”

He made no effort to hide his affection for her. He knew that pretending to be indifferent would only lead others to look down on her and mistreat her. “Then there is the Liu family. They’ve been quiet lately, but no one knows what they’re plotting.”

“I understand,” Liu Qingyue conceded. This wasn’t the modern world; she couldn’t apply 21st-century logic to a game of imperial thrones. “I’ll follow your arrangements. I won’t cause you trouble.”

“Thank you for understanding, my lady,” Gu Qingjia murmured, leaning down to press a kiss to her red lips.

She pushed him lightly, though with no real force. “We were talking about serious business! Why are you being a rogue again?”

Her cheeks flushed. She still wasn’t quite used to such intimacy in the daylight. Usually, they were close only after the lamps were extinguished, where her shyness was hidden by the dark.

“The ‘serious business’ is finished,” he smiled. “Now, it is time for us.”

They spent two carefree days at the estate before returning to the city. As they left, Liu Qingyue looked back with a hint of reluctance, but Gu Qingjia promised to bring her back when the peach blossoms bloomed in the spring.