Five Big Bosses are Too Clingy After Transmigrating into a Book - Chapter 15

Chapter 15: Chu Xingchen with a Man on Each Side, Utterly Blissful

Although Chu Xingchen tried her best to lighten the mood and find topics, she was unsuccessful. After sitting awkwardly for a while, she suggested, “Why don’t we go see the warm kang? I told you yesterday I would let you know when it was finished.”

Xiao Wang readily agreed, and the two set off together, attracting many onlookers. Chu Xingchen wanted to chat on the way, but Xiao Wang always lagged half a step behind her, strictly maintaining proper distance.

When he felt the warmth of the kang, Xiao Wang’s expression finally shifted. A flash of sadness and regret passed through his eyes. If this invention had existed years ago, his mother wouldn’t have succumbed to a fever caused by the cold, leading to brain damage.

Chu Xingchen noticed his change in demeanor and asked caringly, “Are you tired from managing the palace affairs?”

Xiao Wang regained his composure. “I am not tired.”

“If you are tired, rest more and find people to help you. You have worked hard during this time. I would be in trouble without someone as capable as you.”

Since managing palace affairs was traditionally a woman’s job, Chu Xingchen used to mock him for doing ‘women’s work’ and often ridiculed him. Xiao Wang expected her to mock him again, but he saw no ridicule in her eyes; instead, there was a hint of admiration.

Absurd. This was the first thought that came to Xiao Wang’s mind. What was there to admire about Chu Xingchen? What new trick was she playing now?

Because he was thinking of his mother, he felt a surge of emotion, and the words slipped out, “Do you truly think I am capable?”

As soon as he said it, Xiao Wang regretted it. He was just inviting humiliation.

He was about to lower his head when he heard Chu Xingchen’s firm reply, “Of course! You are very capable. You manage everything, and you’re multi-talented.”

Managing palace affairs was not simple. Beyond the myriad of small tasks, it involved the management of estates and other resources. In the modern world, he would be a corporate CEO. Strictly speaking, Xiao Wang was a Royal CEO. His competence combined with his looks would earn him countless fangirls.

Sensing that Chu Xingchen’s praise was genuine, Xiao Wang showed a strange expression. As he was wondering what to say, he saw Ling Zhou secretly observing from the doorway.

Ling Zhou had forgotten about the kang but had heard the news and couldn’t resist coming to look. When discovered, he was a little awkward, but once he felt the warmth of the kang, his expression changed.

“It’s really warm! Your Highness, can this kang also be used in the Northern Frontier?” The North was freezing, with strong winds that chilled people to the bone. The soldiers endured difficult winters, and the common people suffered. If they had the kang, things would be different.

“Of course. This will be widely promoted.”

“I thank you on their behalf.” Ling Zhou, who thought Chu Xingchen would refuse, was touched by her ready agreement and awkwardly expressed his gratitude.

Chu Xingchen looked embarrassed. “No need to thank me. This is what I should be doing.”

As they spoke, a figure pretended to pass by the doorway, then walked to the Jade Splendor Hall and passed a message.

…

After sending his letter, Xie Ziqing washed up and tidied himself, waiting for Chu Xingchen to arrive regretfully. But she didn’t come. Not only did Chu Xingchen fail to show up, but she turned around and visited Ling Zhou and Xiao Wang with gifts.

Upon hearing this, Xie Ziqing lost control for the first time. He could have imagined that visiting Shen Cangzhu was an intentional provocation, finding a substitute to spite him. But Ling Zhou and Xiao Wang were completely different from him, and the implications were entirely different.

“Did you deliver the letter to her hand?”

Miaobi was anxious. “Third Young Master, it was delivered. I guarantee it was delivered to the Crown Princess’s hand.”

“Then why would she…” Why would she still act this way?

After what Chu Xingchen had promised him, how dare she treat him like this? Xie Ziqing could no longer sit still. “I will go see her myself! I need to ask her what she means!”

Unfortunately, Xie Ziqing was stopped at the door. He was still under house arrest.

As Chu Xingchen walked past the Jade Splendor Hall with Ling Zhou and Xiao Wang, talking and laughing, she heard a commotion inside. “What’s going on?” Even the excited Ling Zhou stopped talking.

Ling Zhou, spurred by the topic of the kang, had inadvertently begun sharing his experiences in the Northern Frontier. Chu Xingchen listened intently and asked a few follow-up questions, further exciting Ling Zhou. He chattered the entire way. Having left the North three months ago and entered the palace over a month ago, Ling Zhou’s voice was full of nostalgia.

Ling Zhou was talking excitedly, while Xiao Wang was relatively silent. Seeing the disturbance at the Jade Splendor Hall, Xiao Wang was about to ask what was happening when the hall door burst open, and Xie Ziqing appeared before everyone.

It turned out that the palace servant guarding the door, hearing the greetings, assumed the Crown Princess had come to see Xie Ziqing. In his moment of distraction and guilt, Miaobi pushed him aside.

Xie Ziqing stood at the doorway, slightly disheveled. The first thing he saw was Chu Xingchen approaching, a man on each side, talking and laughing, utterly blissful. He nearly spat out a mouthful of old bl00d.

“Your Highness is certainly in high spirits.”

Xie Ziqing rigidly bowed to Chu Xingchen, speaking slowly, his voice laced with sarcasm.

“I was in high spirits, but now they’ve been ruined.”

Chu Xingchen’s voice was cold, but her gaze was even colder. Previously, her eyes were filled with infatuation for him, which he found tiresome. But today, her eyes looked at him like a stranger, completely devoid of that infatuation.

How is this possible? Xie Ziqing looked at Chu Xingchen’s eyes, finding it unbelievable. When Xiao Wang spoke to him, he ignored him, looking somewhat impatient.

“Xie Ziqing, didn’t you hear Lord Xiao?” Chu Xingchen frowned.

Xie Ziqing controlled his temper and looked at Xiao Wang. “Lord Xiao, please wait. I have a few words to discuss with Her Highness.” His words sounded polite but were filled with arrogance. Without waiting for Xiao Wang to reply, he looked at Chu Xingchen.

“Your Highness, I need to speak with you alone.”

Then he turned and started walking back, expecting Chu Xingchen to follow him into the Jade Splendor Hall. He took two steps before realizing something was wrong. He looked back and saw Chu Xingchen standing still, having not moved at all.

“I have nothing to say to you. Also, Xie Ziqing, don’t you know you need to bow when you see the two of them? Have you forgotten your status?”

A Consort (Shi Jun), the lowest rank in the Eastern Palace, was required to bow to everyone of higher rank.

Xie Ziqing’s face instantly turned green. His eyes flashed with humiliation and shock. How could Chu Xingchen demand he bow to these men?

He was so enraged, and with his severe illness not yet fully recovered, his vision swam. He swayed a few times and then simply fainted.

Seeing the unconscious Xie Ziqing, Miaobi panicked and rushed forward. “Third Young Master!”

Before completely losing consciousness, Xie Ziqing seemed to hear Chu Xingchen’s dismissive voice: “A grown man fainting just like that.”

Xie Ziqing thought it was absurd. He was sure Chu Xingchen would only panic upon seeing him faint and thought he was hallucinating the insult. But he wasn’t.

Chu Xingchen was genuinely speechless and contemptuous. Xie Ziqing, a grown man, resorting to this trick to avoid bowing!

Chu Xingchen clicked her tongue. “A descendant of a renowned literary family, yet his manners are like this…” She looked genuinely disappointed and said to Xiao Wang, “Lord Xiao, please find someone who is proficient in etiquette to send to the Jade Splendor Hall to properly instruct Attendant Xie on proper manners, lest he make a fool of himself again.”