The Crown Princess Is Jealous Again - Chapter 14
As the final note of the pipa faded, Xiao Lin clapped her hands in admiration. Only then did Xiao Beitang slowly open her eyes.
Xiao Lin gave a thumbs-up. “Linglong’s pipa skills are truly peerless in the world.”
“You flatter me, Miss Xiao.” Linglong stood and gave a respectful bow.
Xiao Beitang glanced at Xiao Lin, then sat up and asked, “Why are you only arriving now? I’ve been waiting quite a while.”
“I came right after dinner—I didn’t waste a moment.”
Xiao Wanqi arrived late, pushing the door open and stepping inside. She saw the two of them staring straight at her.
She chuckled. “I’m late—I’ll punish myself with a drink.”
She took a seat at the table, poured herself a cup of wine, and downed it in one gulp.
Xiao Lin teased her, “If you wanted a drink, just say so. We never said you were being punished.”
Xiao Beitang enjoyed being with them. It felt easy, comfortable. They were among the few true friends she had. Watching the two of them bicker playfully, the corners of her lips lifted into a smile.
She hadn’t really been listening to the pipa earlier. Her mind had been occupied with what the Emperor had said that morning about enrolling in the Imperial Academy.
“A-Tang,” Xiao Wanqi arched a brow and asked teasingly, “I heard your household was thrown into chaos last night because of you? Where did you disappear to?”
“A-Tang, it’s just like you—causing such a stir on your wedding night!” Xiao Lin laughed until tears formed at the corners of her eyes, which she wiped away delicately with her pinky.
Linglong quietly observed from the side. Did she truly dislike her bride that much? To actually leave on her wedding night? Linglong felt a secret surge of joy.
“Does Miss Jiang really dislike her wife that much?” Ke’er asked with a smile. She was Xiao Lin’s favorite girl at the pleasure house and quite close with Linglong.
“Exactly! Leaving the bride all alone in the bridal chamber—could it be the bride is too ugly?” Qian’er, seated beside Xiao Wanqi, added with a laugh.
“Hey now, Qian’er, that’s not fair,” Xiao Wanqi pinched her cheek with a grin. “Far from being ugly, that bride is a true beauty—could topple kingdoms.”
Ke’er intentionally teased Xiao Beitang. “Could it be that Miss Xiao still can’t forget our Linglong? Leaving the bride on her wedding night, and showing up here the next morning—seems rather suspicious.”
Linglong blushed and scolded softly, “Ke’er~”
“I don’t know whether Miss Xiao misses Linglong,” Qian’er chimed in again, “but Linglong here has been longing for her day and night.”
“Qian’er~” Linglong blushed deeper and playfully scolded her again.
Xiao Beitang watched their banter, smiling silently. She didn’t join in—her mind was elsewhere.
“There’s something I want to tell you both.”
The two turned to her.
“Go ahead.”
“You two should step outside first,” she waved her hand.
Ke’er and Qian’er pouted playfully but rose and left the room, closing the door behind them.
Linglong remained inside.
“Linglong, you too,” Xiao Beitang said coolly, glancing at her.
Linglong paused for a moment, then left.
Only after the door was tightly shut did Xiao Beitang speak. “This morning, the Empress told me that the Imperial Academy is about to open. All three of us are to enroll.”
“I already heard,” Xiao Lin sighed.
“You don’t want to go?” Xiao Wanqi asked.
“And you do?” Xiao Lin shot back.
Xiao Wanqi thought for a moment. “It’s not completely unacceptable, I suppose.”
“This is all my fault,” Xiao Beitang said, lowering her gaze.
Xiao Lin patted her shoulder. “What nonsense. Even if it weren’t for you, my father had already planned to send me. He says I waste my days doing nothing. My older brother is the heir and can inherit the title without civil exams. I have nothing—if I don’t earn merit through examination, who knows what future awaits me.”
Xiao Wanqi laughed. “I’m set to inherit a noble title too, but my father said, ‘If you want to support the Prince of Duan’s household, you must study diligently. Do you want our house to decline?’ Honestly, I think they’ve all conspired together.”
Xiao Lin sighed. “Most likely the Empress’s idea.”
“That’s why I said I dragged you into this,” Xiao Beitang murmured.
“Enrolling in the Imperial Academy might not be so bad,” Xiao Lin said optimistically. “We’ll still have time to come back here to Baihua Pavilion during breaks—it’s not total captivity.”
Xiao Beitang added blandly, “Song Qingqian will also be teaching there.”
Xiao Lin looked surprised. “You mean you’ll have to answer to her too?”
“Well… my father told me afterward that the Empress specifically appointed her to keep you in line,” Xiao Wanqi said hesitantly.
The Prince of Duan had warned her that the Empress was determined to discipline Xiao Beitang this time, and that Wanqi should avoid joining in her antics.
Xiao Beitang smirked, unconcerned. “Interesting. Let’s see if she’s up to the task.”
Xiao Wanqi grew nervous. “You’re not plotting something, are you? She’s a Kunque—you can’t use the same tricks you used on the Grand Tutor. It might backfire.”
Xiao Beitang curved her lips into a sly smile. “No plan. I just suddenly think—it might be fun.”
Xiao Lin and Xiao Wanqi exchanged a look.
Xiao Lin said, “A-Tang, I really think you should stop provoking the Empress. If she wants us to enroll, we just do it.”
“I never said I wouldn’t,” Xiao Beitang replied lazily. “I just won’t go without making it a little difficult for her.”
Xiao Wanqi sighed, “What’s the point of defying her every time?”
She smiled. “It feels satisfying.”
Xiao Wanqi shrugged. “Fine. I don’t get it, and I won’t ask.”
…
At dusk, the sky was stained red with the glow of sunset, as if ablaze.
Xiao Lin asked, “Strange… A-Tang, by now you’d usually be heading home. Why are you still here today?”
“Home is no longer my home. Even if I went back, there’s nowhere for me to go.” Xiao Beitang drawled lazily.
“So, you’re planning to stay at Baihua Pavilion? What about tomorrow? And the day after?” Xiao Wanqi asked with a laugh.
“I don’t know. Haven’t thought that far.”
Linglong was overjoyed—Xiao Beitang had never stayed overnight before.
As the last trace of sunlight vanished behind the distant hills and the sky darkened, a sliver of new moon rose.
Xiao Beitang lay with her head on Linglong’s lap, her gaze distant and unfocused.
Meanwhile, in Zichen Palace, Song Qingqian had thought she’d return by now. As time passed and there was still no sign of her, she closed her book, changed her clothes, and prepared to go out.
“Your Highness, are you leaving the palace?” Baixue asked, seeing her dressed casually.
The carriage arrived outside Baihua Pavilion. Wu Sanqi helped Song Qingqian down. She glanced up at the signboard above the entrance. A servant noticed her distinguished attire and the imposing guards behind her and rushed inside to report.
Madam Hua assumed it was another jealous wife looking for her husband. But when she saw Song Qingqian from afar, she was stunned—such beauty, such grace. She nearly couldn’t look away. What kind of wife like this would come to a brothel? Clearly, no decent man existed in Dryuan.
With a polite smile, she asked, “And who might this young lady be looking for?”
Song Qingqian smiled. “And how do you know I’m looking for someone?”
“Well… you don’t exactly look like someone here for pleasure.” Madam Hua’s eyes flicked to the guards behind her.
Song Qingqian’s smile deepened. “I’m here for Miss Jiang Tang. Kindly lead the way.”
Zi Yi, standing nearby, gave an awkward smile. “To be honest, all our guests are esteemed patrons. If we disturb them without cause, they might take offense. May I ask how you’re related to Miss Jiang so I can inform her properly?”
Song Qingqian stepped forward with a soft smile. “Jiang Tang is my wife. Just take me to her. If she’s angry, I’ll take responsibility.”
“This…” Madam Hua hesitated. Jiang Tang and her friends were VIP patrons—bringing in heaps of silver every month. She couldn’t afford to offend them.
Wu Sanqi stepped forward, face cold. He drew his sheathed blade and held it across her path, expression dark. “Didn’t you hear her? Lead the way—now.”