The Crown Princess Is Jealous Again - Chapter 15

He was born with a stern, dark face—square and unsmiling, exuding an aura so oppressive it made people shrink away at a glance.

Madam Hua was so intimidated by his presence that she took a step back, not daring to say another word, and hurriedly led her inside.

As soon as she stepped through the door, Song Qingqian frowned. The entire building reeked of Xinsu pheromones—it was thick with smoke and haze, suffocating.

Nervously, Madam Hua led Song Qingqian to the outside of the Tingyu Pavilion and timidly pointed inside. “Miss Jiang and the others are in there.”

“Much obliged,” Song Qingqian nodded.

“You may leave now,” Wu Sanqi said in a commanding tone, once again drawing his sword across her path.

Moments later, a squad of soldiers entered through the main doors, sealing off the entire building.

“O-officer, what… what is the meaning of this?” Madam Hua glanced at the sign above the Tingyu Pavilion and hurriedly rushed downstairs.

Everyone inside the building was ordered to remain silent, the entire establishment placed under strict control.

Song Qingqian exchanged a subtle glance with one of her guards. Understanding the signal, the guard stepped forward and knocked on the door.

“Come in,” Xiao Lin called out, assuming it was a servant bringing more wine.

The guards opened the doors, bowed respectfully, and stood at either side.

Inside, three people had been reclining casually, listening to music. Their gazes shifted toward the doorway at the sound. Song Qingqian lifted the hem of her gown and stepped in.

All three looked toward her in astonishment. Liu Li, sensing something was wrong, stopped plucking her zither and turned her head.

Though she had never seen the woman before, Liu Li instinctively knew she had something to do with Jiang Tang. In this pleasure house, she’d seen countless beauties, but never one like this—an ethereal figure, like an immortal descending into the mortal world. She was completely unlike the rest of them.

Song Qingqian said nothing. Her gaze swiftly swept around the room. She frowned ever so slightly. Even here, the scent of Xinsu lingered, making her stomach churn with nausea, which she forced herself to suppress.

The three men were still reclining lazily, attended by flirtatious women. The courtesan next to Xiao Lin had paused mid-motion, a grape still in her fingers, the scene bordering on absurd.

Song Qingqian’s gaze landed on Xiao Beitang. She looked slightly startled, then quickly turned angry.

Xiao Lin and Xiao Wanqi were stunned for a moment before scrambling to their feet and hurriedly throwing on their robes.

“Madam… Song…” the two greeted her respectfully with a bow.

Song Qingqian spoke coolly, “Forgive me for disturbing your leisure. I hope you will understand.”

The two bowed even lower.

With a soft smile in her eyes, Song Qingqian continued, “May I trouble everyone to step outside for a moment? I have a few words to say to my wife in private.”

Her tone was calm as still water, but it carried an unmistakable chill. Though the others did not recognize her identity, Xiao Lin and the rest certainly did. In a flustered manner, Xiao Lin, Xiao Wanqi, and the others quickly left the room.

Linglong bit her lip and also withdrew.

Once they were gone, Song Qingqian ordered the windows and doors to be opened for ventilation—the smell inside was unbearable.

Only she and Xiao Beitang remained in the room. She sat in silence, brow tightly furrowed. Soon, only the faint scent of oolong tea remained, and Song Qingqian recognized the unique pheromone that belonged to her alone.

She, too, was releasing her own scent—an open display of displeasure.

“Your Highness,” Song Qingqian greeted her with a respectful bow.

“What are you doing here?” Xiao Beitang asked coldly, her brows knitted.

“Your Highness had not returned despite the hour, so I came to look for you,” Song Qingqian answered unhurriedly, her tone composed.

“Did the Empress send you?” she asked, voice icy.

“This was not Her Majesty’s idea. It is late, and as your wife, I felt it was my duty to find you,” she replied, her face bearing a gentle smile as she took a step closer.

“If I have displeased Your Highness, I beg your forgiveness.”

Xiao Beitang’s brow eased slightly, and she sat upright. The heat had loosened her inner robe, which now hung messily on her shoulders. Though she appeared disheveled, the regal air of imperial nobility still set her apart from ordinary men.

“I will not hold you accountable for tonight. You may go. In the future, there’s no need to come looking for me again.”

Song Qingqian smiled faintly. “Your Highness, I came here tonight with such a grand display that, with a single word from me, all of Baihua House and even this entire street would know your identity. Are you still determined to stay?”

Her calm brow creased ever so slightly. Xiao Beitang lazily reclined again, scoffing dismissively, “So what? My reputation has never been good. If it gets out, I won’t be the one shamed.”

Her meaning was obvious.

Song Qingqian, growing tired of standing, leisurely found a seat and sat down with a quiet laugh. “Then does Your Highness no longer wish to use this face, or the name ‘Jiang Tang,’ to walk the capital streets?”

Xiao Beitang shot her a sideways glance. “Song Qingqian, you live your life as the Crown Princess Consort, and I’ll live mine in peace. Isn’t that good enough?”

“Your Highness, we are already married. We share honor and disgrace, life and death—how can we live without interfering in each other’s lives?” she chuckled. A crown princess who still wished to live a carefree life without restraint?

“And why not? You and I never had any affection. Why meddle in my private affairs? Don’t tell me… you’ve fallen for me?” Xiao Beitang laughed heartlessly.

“What if I said yes?” Song Qingqian replied, half-serious, half-playful.

Xiao Beitang’s smile froze. She swallowed hard.

Song Qingqian chuckled lightly. “Don’t take it seriously, Your Highness.”

Xiao Beitang let out a breath, but a blush of pink crept over her ears. She glared at Song Qingqian, clearly embarrassed and annoyed.

This woman dared to tease her!

In that instant, the scent of Xiao Beitang’s pheromones thickened again. Song Qingqian didn’t even need to look at her to know whether she was pleased or angry—she was just like a child, always using her pheromones to exert pressure when upset.

“Your Highness, shall we make a deal?”

“A deal?” Xiao Beitang narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

“I cannot possibly give you total freedom, but we can set some rules. If Your Highness follows them, I will too,” Song Qingqian smiled, her tone light but with an edge.

“Let’s hear it,” Xiao Beitang said warily.

“I know Your Highness doesn’t like me. Marrying you wasn’t my choice either. But I promise I won’t cling to this title forever—so long as, over the next three years, you study earnestly and become a worthy crown princess.”

Xiao Beitang sneered, “Song Qingqian, what makes you think I’ll agree to your conditions?”

“To gain something, one must always give something in return. Isn’t that so, Your Highness?”

Xiao Beitang’s voice turned frigid. “Song Qingqian, you don’t understand me yet. I hate being threatened or bargained with.”

“Why did Her Majesty arrange your marriage? To bind you. And the restraints will only grow tighter. As the crown princess, if you wish to live freely, it will be nearly impossible. Besides, since we are already married, I must supervise Your Highness. But how I do so is up to me. Just like today—I could come looking for you… or let you be.”

Xiao Beitang’s expression darkened. “Song Qingqian, do you not understand? If I wanted, I could have you deposed right now!”

Song Qingqian calmly smoothed her skirt and smiled. “I’m afraid it won’t be that easy. I forgot to mention—before the wedding, I secured an imperial decree. Only I have the authority to propose the removal of the

Crown Princess title, or that of the future Empress. In other words, only I can decide when I step down.”

“I said—I hate being threatened!” Xiao Beitang sat upright, fists clenched tightly.

“I wouldn’t dare,” Song Qingqian replied firmly, enunciating each word.

“Fine. If you want to be Crown Princess, then be it. It’s just an empty title anyway,” Xiao Beitang grumbled, standing to dress herself.

She tidied her clothing, passed by Song Qingqian, and said coldly, “I won’t keep you company any longer.”

She strode toward the door and flung it open, only to find the entire building tightly surrounded by soldiers, with guards posted at every door and window. Not a single sound could be heard—the usual clamor of the brothel had vanished.

“Your Highness,” the guard at the door saluted and stepped forward to block her path.

“Step aside!” Xiao Beitang barked.

The guard bowed respectfully but made no move to let her pass.

“Who gave you the nerve to block me?!” she demanded, eyes wide in disbelief.

“There’s no need to waste your breath, Your Highness,” Song Qingqian said calmly behind her. “His Majesty has placed this shadow guard under my command. They follow only my orders. Without my say, they won’t move.”

Xiao Beitang turned, face dark. “You don’t actually think they’d dare lay a hand on me?!”

“Of course not. You may let her pass,” Song Qingqian said with a serene smile.

Xiao Beitang gave a cold snort and stormed out. When she reached the top of the stairs, she looked down and saw Xiao Lin and Xiao Wanqi seated obediently in the hall, while Madam Hua and the rest of the brothel’s staff knelt in the center.