The Crown Princess Is Jealous Again - Chapter 10
Xiao Beitang looked at him coldly. But upon hearing the suggestion, her expression shifted — a slow smile curled on her lips as she clapped her hands and praised, “What a brilliant idea. Truly a clever plan. If Song
Qingqian is defiled and marked by another Qianyuan, she would naturally no longer be fit to become the Crown Princess.”
Xiao Lin and Xiao Wanqi, who had been standing nearby, were already stunned. Xiao Wanqi looked at Xiao Beitang in disbelief and called out, “A-Tang…”
“But the Qianyuan must be one of our own. If word gets out, this could spiral out of control,” Xiao Beitang said, rising and pacing a few steps.
“A-Tang, do you really intend to go through with this? This method is…” Xiao Wanqi was flustered and tried to stop her.
Although they were often reckless in their actions, they had never stooped to such cruelty.
Xiao Beitang raised her hand, cutting her off. With a smirk, she turned and asked, “I wonder if, sir, you’d be willing to lend me a hand — and offer your body for the task?”
“I am willing to lay down my life for Your Highness without hesitation,” Zhu Kai replied, his eyes revealing barely concealed greed as he knelt and bowed deeply in a show of loyalty.
“In that case, you’d become the young lady of the Prime Minister’s savior. You’d be doing me a favor, winning the Chancellor’s favor, and securing a beauty as your reward — a triple gain, isn’t that so?” Xiao
Beitang’s tone suddenly turned ice-cold as her face darkened.
Xiao Lin felt a chill down his spine and stared at Zhu Kai in alarm.
“I have no such intentions, not at all! I only wish to ease Your Highness’s burdens. Please see my sincerity!” Zhu Kai broke out in cold sweat, bowing repeatedly in fear.
Xiao Beitang stared at him coldly, as if she were ready to skin him alive.
“Scum like this shouldn’t be left to bring harm to others — let alone be allowed to remain at Uncle King Chu’s side,” she said icily, turning away.
Two shadow guards dropped soundlessly from the roof. One of them swiftly gagged Zhu Kai from behind and twisted his neck. A sharp crack echoed — his neck was broken.
The guards silently bowed, then efficiently dragged the corpse away.
“A-Tang, it was my negligence to bring this filth to you. My father… he would never—” Xiao Lin stammered in panic, full of remorse.
“Why are you panicking? I dealt with him precisely to prevent any word from getting out,” Xiao Beitang said calmly as she sat back down and poured herself a cup of tea.
“That vermin should’ve been minced into dog food. To think he dared suggest such a vile plan! A-Lin, what sort of people has your father gathered around him!” Xiao Wanqi snapped in irritation.
“I’ll have to remind Father when I return — how could someone like this worm his way into the Prince’s residence? Truly disgusting.” Xiao Lin’s face twisted with revulsion.
“Yesterday, when I asked Father about your marriage, Zhu Kai happened to come out of his study. He must’ve overheard our conversation, then stopped me in the courtyard claiming he had a plan. He insisted it must be presented to you directly. I heard he was somewhat talented and had ranked in the exams, so I…”
“Enough. You couldn’t have known he was this venomous,” Xiao Beitang sighed. “There’s no need for you two to come up with more plans for me.”
Even though it was only words, something Zhu Kai said stirred a faint sense of pity in her. Perhaps Song Qingqian — a noble lady from a prestigious family — being schemed against by her soon-to-be husband was indeed a sad and pitiful fate.
She had done nothing wrong. She didn’t deserve such injustice.
“A-Tang, I swear this Zhu Kai matter was an accident. Let’s keep thinking—” Xiao Lin thought she was still upset.
“What he said wasn’t entirely without merit. If we want the Empress to revoke her decree, it will be nearly impossible. The matter is set. There’s no use dwelling on it,” Xiao Beitang replied with her usual indifferent, relaxed tone.
Later, she had thought it through. If not Song Qingqian, there would be a Zhang Qingqian, or a Li Qingqian…
Since that was the case, she might as well accept someone favored by both the Empress and the Empress Dowager. She had asked around — Song Qingqian was known to be reserved, rarely socialized, and taught at an academy with a gentle temperament.
That meant she was likely not a jealous woman and wouldn’t be the type to cling to her husband — which suited Xiao Beitang perfectly.
“A-Tang, since you’ve come around, then stop brooding. Let’s go to Baihua Pavilion to enjoy some music and dancing,” Xiao Lin said cheerfully, throwing an arm over her shoulder as if the earlier incident had never occurred.
Three days later, the imperial astrologers selected an auspicious date and submitted it to Emperor Jing. Upon hearing Xiao Beitang was still indulging in nightly escapades, he chose the nearest date available. The wedding was set for one month later.
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Meanwhile, Song Qingqian had already sent Kun-class shadow guards to tail Xiao Beitang. Xiao Beitang had sensed their presence — but with so many eyes on her, she hadn’t made a move. Since the Kun-class guards hadn’t been intercepted by the Qian-class ones, they were clearly not hostile. She just hadn’t expected them to be sent by Song Qingqian.
The places she frequented weren’t particularly complex in background. Song Qingqian had already mapped out her movements clearly. Xiao Beitang operated under her maternal family’s name in the capital, using the alias “Jiang Tang.”
The month passed uneventfully. On the eve of the wedding, Song Qingqian was in her room, reading by candlelight.
Her parents arrived hand in hand. Unlike their usual smiling selves, their faces were tinged with worry and reluctance.
“Father, Mother.” Song Qingqian put down her book and rose to greet them.
“Qingqian, still reading?”
“Yes, please sit, Father, Mother.” She helped them into seats.
“You’ve stayed home all month, studying wedding etiquette. You’ve worked hard,” Song Father said, glancing at the room full of treasures bestowed by the Emperor, both pleased and anxious.
Emperor Jing had treated the Song family with great honor, conducting the wedding with double the splendor of a typical Crown Princess ceremony. Even Song Lian was astounded by the extravagance, and had gone to court personally to thank the Emperor and beg him to refrain from further rewards. Though the Emperor agreed, carts of gold, silk, and jade continued to flow into the Prime Minister’s estate.
“It’s no hardship for me. You and Mother are the ones who’ve worked hard arranging the wedding,” Song Qingqian said as she poured tea.
“Qingqian, after tomorrow, you’ll be married. Once you enter the palace, we may no longer be able to protect you. Be careful in all things,” Song Lian said gravely.
“Father, I understand.”
“Though you are favored by the Emperor, being close to the throne is like sleeping beside a tiger. You must be cautious with every word and deed,” he reiterated. These were words she’d heard so often her ears had grown callused.
“I shall obey your teachings, Father.” Song Qingqian bowed deeply.
After some final instructions, Song Lian left the mother and daughter to speak alone.
Tears welled in Madam Song’s eyes. She smiled while trying to hold them back, her voice trembling. “Qingqian, I used to look forward to your marriage every day, but now that the time has come… I can hardly bear it.”
Song Qingqian sat beside her and said softly, “Mother, don’t be sad.”
“Qingqian, I know your heart isn’t at ease, but I still must remind you. Once you marry, you are a wife. You must support your husband and raise a family. You can’t be too headstrong. I fear you’ll offend Her
Highness and incur her displeasure,” Madam Song said, frowning with concern.
Song Qingqian was silent for a moment, which only made her mother more anxious. “Qingqian, how capable do you think your mother is?”
“In my heart, Mother, you’re no less capable than any Qianyuan,” Song Qingqian replied.
Madam Song sighed. “I managed the shops and kept the household in perfect order. Your father, upright and devoted to court affairs, paid no mind to family matters. Without me handling everything, even as a
Prime Minister’s children, you would’ve lived in poverty.”
She paused. “Yet even I must remain humble before your father — gentle and compliant in all things. That is why he treats me with kindness today. A woman’s virtue lies in her support of her husband.”
“Mother, don’t worry. I understand,” Song Qingqian replied gently.
She understood her mother’s intentions. But she had no plans to be Xiao Beitang’s wife forever. Her heart was already made up.