Five Big Bosses are Too Clingy After Transmigrating into a Book - Chapter 4

Chapter 4: They Can’t Possibly Want Them to Attend Her Tonight, Can They?

Letting the three men leave the palace now would mean losing three crucial power bases, which would make things very difficult for her later. She absolutely could not let them go.

Chu Xingchen was marriage-phobic, but she was more afraid of dying, so for now, she had to keep them.

Chu Xingchen, coming from the modern world, could only accept monogamy, and even that terrified her. However, these men were all incredibly handsome, cool, and easy on the eyes. Just looking at their faces could reduce some of her fear.

When Chu Xingchen apologized, her attitude was sincere. Shen Cangzhu and Xiao Wang exchanged glances, a hint of surprise in their eyes. They scrutinized Chu Xingchen, finding her subtly different.

Ling Zhou’s reaction was much more direct. He looked at Chu Xingchen as if he had seen a ghost. “You actually apologized? What is going on?”

As he spoke, he looked around and suddenly noticed Xie Ziqing was missing. Guessing that Xie Ziqing had rejected her again, he pouted. His eyes then landed on the Imperial Physicians standing in the corner like invisible people.

“Why are the Imperial Physicians here?” Ling Zhou hadn’t realized they were present. He simply had sharp ears, heard the commotion at the Golden Splendor Hall, and assumed she was making trouble to drive them out again.

The Imperial Physicians once again became the center of attention. They glanced at the suffering Chu Xingchen, bowed, and briefly explained the situation.

Upon hearing this, the three men’s expressions became strange. None of them expected the marriage consummation attempt to result in so much drama. Looking closely, they noticed the unnatural flush on Chu Xingchen’s face and their expressions changed slightly. Could she possibly want one of them to attend to her tonight?

This was technically their duty. Before entering the palace, both their families and they themselves felt it would be best to be the one to take Chu Xingchen’s virginity. If they could conceive a son in one fell swoop, all the better.

However, after seeing how obsessed Chu Xingchen was with Xie Ziqing and hearing her past insulting remarks, and considering the trouble she might cause afterward, those thoughts had faded.

They simultaneously began to search for excuses. While women had the excuse of their menstrual cycle, men did not. Just as they hesitated, they heard Chu Xingchen say, “The Imperial Physicians exaggerate; I am fine.”

Chu Xingchen was indeed suffering. Transmigrating meant a flood of memories and problems, a splitting headache, and a persistent fever. Worse, she had to constantly gather her wits to deal with the continuous stream of visitors. She had been secretly pinching her palm to stay calm.

It was frustrating that there was an immediate solution to her discomfort, and the individuals who could solve it were right in front of her. Frankly, hooking up with any of these three men would be a “win,” and they were her rightful husbands.

But she couldn’t. According to the plot, she would get pregnant after having intercourse today, indicating she was in her fertile period.

She did not want and could not afford to get pregnant. Furthermore, they were unwilling; forcing them would be wrong, and the situation would become incredibly awkward afterward.

When she refused, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. However, Ling Zhou still felt slightly irritated, believing she was still rejecting them, still only caring about Xie Ziqing, and insisting on only having him, even in this situation.

The air was quiet and awkward for a moment. The three men were preparing to take their leave when a commotion erupted outside the hall. It was Xie Ziqing’s people who had arrived.

“Your Highness the Crown Princess, please, go and see Consort Yu. Consort Yu is unwell!”

Chu Xingchen raised an eyebrow. “Is he dead?”

These three words froze Zhu Mo, the attendant who had finally entered. For a moment, he thought he had misheard. The three men who were about to leave immediately stopped. A flicker of interest crossed Shen Cangzhu’s eyes.

Xie Ziqing had two young attendants: Miaobi, who was just beaten, and Zhu Mo. Both were trusted by him and clever. Zhu Mo immediately knelt and pleaded, implying Xie Ziqing was close to death and was currently submerged in ice water, begging her to go see him.

Xie Ziqing had been waiting in the Jade Splendor Hall for Chu Xingchen to yield and apologize. Unexpectedly, she never came, and he heard that Ling Zhou and the other two had gone over.

Xie Ziqing naturally panicked. If Chu Xingchen actually slept with them, his plan would fail. With his plan disrupted and his physical discomfort overwhelming, he finally grit his teeth and sent his attendant over, humbling himself to Chu Xingchen for the first time.

Zhu Mo wasn’t lying. Xie Ziqing was indeed soaking in ice water because the drug was too intense. He was waiting for Chu Xingchen to pity him and suffer for him.

Because the three men—Ling Zhou, Xiao Wang, and Shen Cangzhu—were present, Zhu Mo couldn’t be too explicit. He spoke vaguely, his eyes constantly darting toward the three men, hoping Chu Xingchen would tell them to get lost immediately.

Chu Xingchen acted as if she hadn’t noticed. She simply raised an eyebrow when she heard the news. “He’s soaking in ice water, is he?”

If the incense makes me feel this uncomfortable, Xie Ziqing, who inhaled more, must be suffering from a much stronger effect. No wonder he was soaking in ice water.

Zhu Mo kowtowed. “Please, Your Highness, quickly go and persuade Consort Yu. Consort Yu’s body cannot withstand being immersed in ice water.”

He was asking Chu Xingchen to go and persuade him, but in reality, he was asking her to go and serve as the antidote. Everyone present understood this. A trace of mockery flashed in Ling Zhou’s eyes. He knew she must be itching to rush over, but then he heard Chu Xingchen say:

“If he likes soaking in ice water, let him soak a little longer.”

Chu Xingchen’s tone was indifferent and casual, as if discussing something inconsequential. Her words utterly shocked Zhu Mo. He raised his head in disbelief and cried out, “Your Highness, how… how could you say something like that?!”

Zhu Mo not only accused Chu Xingchen but also glared at her, completely abandoning all propriety.

Chu Xingchen’s face turned cold. “Presumptuous! How dare a mere attendant speak to me like that? Who gave you the audacity?”

She then looked sharply at Xiao Wang. “Lord Xiao, you manage the affairs of the Eastern Palace. I ask you to deal with this person according to palace rules.”

A flicker of surprise crossed Xiao Wang’s eyes. He looked at her deeply, then quickly stated, “Those who offend the master, according to palace rules, shall receive thirty strokes of the cane.” His delivery was clean and decisive.

Chu Xingchen understood. Drag him out and beat him with thirty planks, much like the ‘Thirty Red Strokes’ punishment.

Zhu Mo snapped back to reality and was about to jump up, but Xiao Wang’s men immediately clamped a hand over his throat. In his panic, he looked to Chu Xingchen for help, but she didn’t even look at him, much less intervene or plead for him.

She beat Miaobi, and now Zhu Mo. Did they think I had no temper? Ridiculous.

These two attendants deserved the beating. In the future, they would both be accomplices in the tragic deaths of the Crown Princess and her daughter.

Because there were only two official ‘Side Consort’ slots, Ling Zhou and Xiao Wang were sealed as Shaoging. To show her regard, the Empress ordered Ling Zhou and Xiao Wang to handle the palace affairs of the Eastern Palace. However, Ling Zhou was better at fighting, not managing palace affairs, so only Xiao Wang handled the responsibilities in the end.

Xiao Wang’s men were incredibly efficient. Soon, the sound of smacks echoed from outside, along with Zhu Mo’s weak struggles.

Inside the Golden Splendor Hall, Xiao Wang, Shen Cangzhu, and Ling Zhou looked at Chu Xingchen, their expressions varied, and the silence was profound.

“Stop it!” Soon, the owner of the two attendants, Xie Ziqing, arrived uninvited.

Xie Ziqing was still in white. He had come in a hurry, his clothes a little disheveled. His long white cloak trailed on the floor, and his hair was half-wet, showing he had just climbed out of the ice water. He trembled, looking somewhat wretched, yet his spine was held straight, making him appear even more aloof and isolated.

Xie Ziqing shouted to stop them, but no one listened. He knew he had truly angered Chu Xingchen, and she was deliberately punishing his people to spite him. He hadn’t expected Chu Xingchen to change her attitude so drastically, but he was certain he had to handle the current situation.

“Your Highness the Crown Princess, could you allow me a word with you alone?”

His eyes flashed with stubbornness and grievance. In the past, the Crown Princess would have felt distressed. But Chu Xingchen’s heart was completely unmoved. “No.”

Xie Ziqing’s hands instantly clenched into fists, and anger flashed in his eyes.

Chu Xingchen’s temper instantly flared up too. “I forgot to deal with you just now. Your presence is a reminder.”