The Crown Princess Is Jealous Again - Chapter 13
She neither acted haughtily nor petulantly, nor did she weep or throw a tantrum over Xiao Beitang’s cold indifference. Instead, her composed demeanor left Xiao Beitang with a surprisingly favorable impression.
Emperor Jing, seeing her so sensible, grew even more disappointed in Xiao Beitang. She shot her a sideways glance and said, “There’s another matter. It’s midsummer now and the Guozijian (Imperial Academy) is on break. Classes will resume in a few days. You, Lin’er, and the others will be enrolling. Qianqian will also be taking a position as a tutor at the academy.”
“?”
Xiao Beitang frowned and looked at Emperor Jing.
The Emperor frowned back at the way she was being stared at. No one had ever dared look at her with such eyes—blunt, irreverent, even offensive. But Xiao Beitang often did. Emperor Jing said coolly, “You don’t need to look at Us that way.
If you dare refuse, We will confine you to the palace. You won’t be permitted to step outside again. And if you don’t want Lin’er and the others to be punished along with you, you’d best behave and attend Guozijian.”
Xiao Beitang’s gaze grew sharper as she stared at the Emperor. Song Qingqian faintly caught the scent of oolong tea lingering in the air—was that Xiao Beitang’s pheromone?
The Emperor felt a wave of pressure. She was angry, subconsciously releasing pheromones to suppress others. Most alphas did this naturally.
The Emperor narrowed her eyes. Her voice deepened. “If you don’t believe me, feel free to test Me.”
The Empress, sensing the growing tension, stepped forward to defuse it. She moved into the center of the hall and gently said, “Tang’er, listen to your Imperial Mother. Go to Guozijian. With Lin’er and the others by your side, it’ll be better than being tutored by some old scholar all day.”
Song Qingqian spoke in a soft, steady tone. “Your Majesty, Your Grace, perhaps it would be best to give Her Highness a little time.”
The Emperor sighed. “Very well. There’s still some time before the academy term begins. Consider it carefully.”
Once the Emperor left, the Empress asked the two to remain for a private conversation in the side hall. She beckoned to them. “Tang’er, Qianqian, you two must support one another from now on. You’re husband and wife now.”
“Tang’er, Qianqian is now your wife. You must cherish and respect her. Don’t mistreat her—do you understand?” The Empress still worried Xiao Beitang would act recklessly.
“I understand,” Xiao Beitang answered perfunctorily.
Truly two-faced. In front of the Emperor, she was like a scheming wolfhound, always trying to provoke and finding amusement in it. But before the Empress, she was far more obedient, almost like a soft, docile puppy. Even if her answers were mostly dismissive, the difference in attitude was stark.
After a few more words of advice, the Empress let them go.
“Your Highness still knows how to run away, as always.”
“?”
Xiao Beitang stopped in her tracks and turned around to eye Song Qingqian suspiciously. What did she mean? Was she angry now? Dropping the act? Or was this sarcasm?
Song Qingqian gave her a meaningful smile. “Is Your Highness not returning to Zichen Palace?”
“You go back on your own,” Xiao Beitang replied coolly and turned to leave.
“Your Highness,” she called again.
Xiao Beitang turned back impatiently. “What now?”
Song Qingqian took a step forward and asked, “It’s nearly noon. Does Your Highness still intend to leave the palace at this hour?”
Her expression soured. “What, are you going to start meddling in my affairs too?”
Song Qingqian gave a slight smile. “I wouldn’t dare. I’m simply showing concern for my husband—as any proper wife should.”
“Song Qingqian, I don’t interfere in your business. Don’t interfere in mine. As long as we stay out of each other’s way, that’s enough.” With that, she turned and walked off.
Song Qingqian watched her leave, the faintest smile on her lips. She really wasn’t easy to get along with—just a paper tiger, perhaps.
“Xiaotao, let’s go back.”
“Her Highness is so cold toward you,” Xiaotao muttered in protest, still unaccustomed to palace etiquette. “She ignored you yesterday and now speaks to you so harshly…”
“Xiaotao, I’ve told you before—it’s best not to say things like that,” Song Qingqian reminded her calmly.
Xiao Beitang left the palace alone and wandered aimlessly through the streets. It was still only midday. The Hundred Flowers Pavilion hadn’t opened yet, and the gambling houses weren’t ideal at this hour. She
hadn’t made prior plans with Xiao Lin and the others either. Bored and restless, she decided to grab a meal at Drunken Immortal Pavillion first.
It wasn’t that she had to leave the palace—only that with Song Qingqian now residing in Zichen Palace, it no longer felt like her own space. She felt uncomfortable, unsure how to be around her.
She sent word ahead to Xiao Lin and the others, arranging to meet them at the Hundred Flowers Pavilion later that afternoon.
She arrived early, just as the pavilion opened its doors. She became the first patron of the day.
“Miss Jiang, it’s been a few days since your last visit. You’ve come so early today. Just now, Linglong was talking about how much she missed you,” said Madam Hua, beaming as she welcomed her with the usual flattery.
Xiao Beitang nodded slightly. “Where’s Linglong?”
“Linglong! Miss Jiang is here!” Madam Hua called out in her sharp voice.
Linglong hurried out from the back courtyard, surprised and delighted. She greeted her with a smile. “Miss Jiang, you’re here so early today. Why don’t we sit in Tingyu Pavilion for a bit? I’ll bring some tea.”
She hadn’t expected Xiao Beitang to return. It had been several days since her last visit. She’d asked Xiao Lin about her and learned she was busy with her wedding. Judging by the date, the wedding had just taken place yesterday—and she was already here today.
Linglong was thrilled. At the very least, it meant that woman at home hadn’t completely claimed her heart, or else she wouldn’t have shown up at the pavilion so soon after the wedding.
“Alright,” Xiao Beitang said, fanning herself languidly as she led the way upstairs.
Xiao Beitang was bowed over, examining two blooming orchids on the rosewood stand.
Before long, Linglong entered with a tea tray. She set it down and asked, “Shall I take your outer robe, Miss?”
“Only a few days gone, and the orchids have bloomed,” Xiao Beitang said as she folded her fan, stepped forward, and spread her arms so Linglong could remove her robe.
Linglong couldn’t hide her delight. She smiled as she replied, “Yes, and they’ve bloomed beautifully. I was thinking—it would be such a pity if you didn’t come to see them.”
Xiao Beitang smiled faintly and took a seat.
Linglong poured her tea, and shortly after, a servant brought in fruits and pastries.
Xiao Beitang rarely spent time with Linglong alone. Usually, Xiao Lin and the others were present. Without them, she started to feel a little bored.
Sensing her lack of enthusiasm, Linglong cautiously asked, “I heard your wedding was just yesterday. How did you find time to come today?”
Xiao Beitang curved her lips in a teasing smile. “Oh? Now that I’m married, you don’t welcome me anymore?”
“No, not at all! I’m thrilled you came…” Linglong stammered, face flushing red.
Xiao Beitang glanced at her. That bashfulness didn’t seem like an act.
“I knew you missed me, so I came,” she said with a teasing grin.
“You’re teasing me again. But… didn’t your lady have anything to say about you coming here today?” Linglong was still fishing—hoping for even a hint of disdain toward Xiao Beitang’s new spouse.
“I don’t know,” she replied, sipping her tea.
She didn’t want to talk about it. She rarely mentioned anything about home to Linglong, and though Linglong was aware of that, she still kept bringing it up today—more than once. Xiao Beitang was starting to feel irritated.
“Enough about her. Last time, you said you had a new song?”
Linglong’s smile brightened—this was the answer she’d been hoping for.
“I’ll play it for you right away.” She sat down, cradled her pipa, and began to play, her eyes lowered in concentration.
Xiao Beitang reclined lazily, closed her eyes, and listened quietly.
As the lyrics said: The thick strings clatter like sudden rain, the fine strings whisper like private talk.
Linglong’s pipa playing was the best Xiao Beitang had ever heard—better even than those from the palace’s official music bureau. That was what first drew her to Linglong, not her beauty or fame as a courtesan.
Just then, Xiao Lin and the others entered quietly, seeing her lost in the music. They sat down without disturbing the moment.