Five Big Bosses are Too Clingy After Transmigrating into a Book - Chapter 2

Chapter 2: The Best Antidote is a Man

Chu Xingchen was stunned, struggling to process the fact that she now had five husbands. Unprepared for Xie Ziqing’s sudden move to embrace her, her body reacted faster than her thoughts: she executed an over-the-shoulder throw without hesitation.

With a loud “Bang,” Xie Ziqing’s body crashed into a table and chairs, creating a deafening sound.

“Your Highness!”

“Third Young Master!” The tightly shut room door burst open. Seeing Xie Ziqing sprawled on the floor, everyone was in disbelief. They had heard unusual commotion inside earlier, but they never expected it would be Xie Ziqing who was knocked down.

“Third Young Master, what happened to you?” Miaobi, Xie Ziqing’s attendant, rushed to help him, his face filled with anxiety.

Xie Ziqing was in too much pain to speak and hadn’t yet recovered from the dizzying throw. He didn’t know why he was suddenly on the floor, nor could he fathom how Chu Xingchen possessed such skill.

Who in the State of Chu didn’t know that their new Crown Princess was a fool, who, fearing hardship, was lacking in both literary and martial skills? More importantly, she was utterly obsessed with him and normally wouldn’t even bear to lift a finger against him.

Because Xie Ziqing was too shocked to speak, Miaobi became even more frantic. Interestingly, Chu Xingchen’s personal maid, Zaoxia, also looked worried. Judging by her performance, one might mistake her for Xie Ziqing’s maid. “Consort Yu, are you alright?”

After entering the Eastern Palace, Xie Ziqing was granted the title of Side Consort, second only to the Main Husband. Although only one of the side consorts, he was uniquely granted the title ‘Yu’ (Jade), hence Consort Yu, derived from the phrase “gentleman humble and gentle as jade.”

Unfortunately, Xie Ziqing disliked being called Consort Yu, so Miaobi still referred to him by his home address, “Third Young Master,” as if he had never entered the palace.

Xie Ziqing was helped up, bruised and in pain, but a certain part of his body was still reacting, making him awkwardly try to hide it.

Miaobi, supporting Xie Ziqing, directed his fury at Chu Xingchen. “Your Highness the Crown Princess, what exactly did you do to our Third Young Master?!”

Chu Xingchen’s cold eyes narrowed. “Are you tired of living, daring to shout at me like that? Come, slap his mouth!”

In the past, to please Xie Ziqing, the Crown Princess—though noble—had placed herself in a very low position. Not only did Xie Ziqing act high and mighty, but because the Crown Princess indulged him, his attendants also grew arrogant and lost their manners.

But she was not the original owner. She wouldn’t let just any cat or dog climb over her head.

Silence fell after Chu Xingchen’s command. Everyone stared at her, faces filled with disbelief.

“How dare you!” Miaobi, having finally reacted, nearly jumped up.

Chu Xingchen’s face suddenly darkened. She looked at the attending palace servants. “Do I need to do this myself?”

Miaobi’s face drastically changed. Before he could speak, a stinging slap landed across his face the next second.

The loud smack of the palm echoed. Everyone’s expressions shifted dramatically. They lowered their heads, daring not to look at Chu Xingchen. This was the first time the Crown Princess had publicly embarrassed Consort Yu and the first time she had struck his attendant.

Chu Xingchen’s expression finally eased a bit; even her headache felt much better. When she read the novel, everyone was screaming “It’s so sweet!,” yet she was immensely annoyed by this love-struck Crown Princess who shared her name.

You’re the Crown Princess, you have so many men—why insist on hanging yourself on one crooked tree, making yourself so humble? Didn’t you know humility won’t get you anywhere?

Xie Ziqing’s face changed dramatically. This slap, though aimed at Miaobi, felt like it was aimed at his face.

He shouted for them to stop, but no one listened. He didn’t know how things had devolved this way. His face flushed, and his body felt like it was about to explode. His reason instantly vanished. “Chu Xingchen, are you crazy?!”

“You are the one who’s crazy,” Chu Xingchen sneered. Don’t you know that when I love you, you are my world, but when I don’t, you are nothing?

Listening to Miaobi beg for mercy, Xie Ziqing’s nails dug deep into his palm. He drew closer to Chu Xingchen, whispering, “Chu Xingchen, do you know what you’re doing? Have you forgotten what day today is? If you don’t want to regret this for the rest of your life, make them stop!”

Xie Ziqing was practically saying, If you keep this up, you won’t get me.

Chu Xingchen scoffed. “Isn’t today just your attending night? Well, I don’t want to see you now. Get out!”

If he wants to keep his body pure for his true love, then he should guard his chastity properly! If he didn’t want to touch her, she also found him repulsive.

Xie Ziqing’s face was ashen, but he didn’t move. Chu Xingchen became impatient. “Someone, throw them out!”

The servants hesitated for a moment. They were afraid the Crown Princess would regret it later—after all, whenever the couple fought and reconciled, they were the ones who suffered the most. But since Miaobi had already been slapped, they only paused for an instant before stepping forward.

Xie Ziqing had never suffered such humiliation. Before the servants could touch him, he gave Chu Xingchen a cold look, flicked his sleeve, and stormed off. “I’ll leave myself! Chu Xingchen, don’t you dare regret this!”

Miaobi, with his face full of slap marks, stumbled after him. Walking out of the Eastern Palace, Xie Ziqing felt a suffocating heat in his body, making his movements increasingly awkward.

Because of the discomfort, Xie Ziqing quickly calmed down. He waited for Chu Xingchen to regret her actions and come begging for forgiveness. It had always been this way; she was always the one to initiate reconciliation and soften her stance. With tonight’s situation, he wouldn’t even have to wait until he returned to the Jade Splendor Palace.

Xie Ziqing waited all the way for Chu Xingchen to chase after him. But he waited and waited, until he returned to the Jade Splendor Palace, until his whole body was overwhelmed with discomfort, but Chu Xingchen never showed up.

…

After driving Xie Ziqing away, Chu Xingchen felt the air was much fresher. But soon, she started to feel hot—abnormally hot.

Her gaze swept over the now burnt-out incense. Chu Xingchen’s face darkened. She had almost forgotten this detail.

The classic trope of the transmigrated female lead being drugged had happened to her.

Outside, fine snow was beginning to fall, but her whole body was heating up. Chu Xingchen impatiently tugged at her clothes and coldly ordered, “Summon the Imperial Physicians!”

Zaoxia, the maid who was worried about Xie Ziqing, quickly seized the opportunity to accept the order. She commanded servants to quickly fetch the Imperial Physicians and also sent someone to inquire about Consort Yu’s condition.

Uncertain of the Crown Princess’s situation, the Imperial Physicians on duty quickly rushed over. After checking her pulse, they couldn’t help but inwardly pause. The Crown Princess wanted to enhance her mood, so why call us?

The physicians remained silent. Chu Xingchen, feeling the heat intensify, commanded directly, “Give me the medicine quickly!”

Although her situation was still manageable—not as severe as the novels and dramas where reason completely vanishes and she would pounce on any man—she was genuinely uncomfortable.

And who knows if her rationality would vanish if she dragged it out? That would be disastrous.

She needed an antidote.

“Your Highness, there… there is no particularly effective antidote.”

The physician replied hesitantly, delicately emphasizing that the best solution was the balance of yin and yang, subtly hinting that the best antidote for Chu Xingchen was a man. She shouldn’t be asking them for medicine; she should be asking someone to attend to her. After all, the Eastern Palace had five men—she could choose anyone.

Chu Xingchen: “……” If I wanted a man, I wouldn’t have called the Imperial Physicians.

Seeing Chu Xingchen remain silent, and recalling the rumors that the Crown Princess was obsessed with Consort Yu, who remained uninterested, the physician tactfully advised her not to torture herself. The servants, who had been listening nearby, quickly offered up a small box.

Chu Xingchen glanced over and saw several wooden plaques inside. From left to right were the names: ‘Consort Yu,’ ‘Consort Shen,’ ‘Lord Ling,’ ‘Lord Xiao,’ and ‘Young Master Zhou.’ The tops of the plaques were red, their meaning obvious: Your Highness the Crown Princess, please flip a red plaque.

This was the exact same treatment as the Emperor flipping the green plaques [for concubines] in TV dramas.