The Crown Princess Is Jealous Again - Chapter 17

The next day, as the eastern sky began to brighten, Liuzi came to wake Xiao Beitang.

At first, Xiao Beitang remained buried under the covers, refusing to respond. But Liuzi kept calling out incessantly, like he was summoning a spirit. Irritated, Xiao Beitang threw off the covers and sat up with a scowl.

“Liuzi, did you take the wrong medicine?” she snapped.

Liuzi lowered his head, his eyes dodging her gaze as he respectfully retreated to the side.

Standing openly inside the sleeping quarters with palace attendants behind her was Song Qingqian. She gave a slight curtsey and smiled gently.

“Your Highness, it’s time to rise.”

“Song Qingqian, are you out of your mind?” Xiao Beitang glared at her, brows furrowed.

Xiaotao brought over a stool, and Song Qingqian slowly sat down, her tone calm.

“What makes Your Highness say that?”

Xiao Beitang jumped out of bed and stormed over, flustered and furious.

“Didn’t we agree not to interfere in each other’s affairs?”

“I never said that,” Song Qingqian replied, unafraid, meeting her eyes directly.

“You—!” Xiao Beitang pointed at her, trembling with anger.

The scent of ambergris on her was overwhelming. Song Qingqian frowned and muttered, “Xiaotao, open the window.”

“This is my palace! Get out!” Xiao Beitang shouted.

Song Qingqian ignored her. “Why are you all standing there? Help the princess dress,” she ordered the maids calmly.

The attendants, holding the garments, exchanged hesitant glances—wanting to step forward but not daring to.

Song Qingqian shot them a glance and lifted her chin slightly. Emboldened, a maid knelt before Xiao Beitang with a warm towel in hand.

Seeing that Xiao Beitang wasn’t moving, the maid turned back to seek instructions. Song Qingqian simply raised her chin again, and two more attendants stepped forward to help undress her.

“How dare you!” Xiao Beitang recoiled, enraged and humiliated.

The maids froze under her roar and looked to Song Qingqian for guidance. Xiao Beitang stared at her, eyes wide with fury.

Without emotion, Song Qingqian met her gaze. “Does Your Highness wish for me to serve you personally?”

Xiao Beitang stood frozen, her frown deepening.

Song Qingqian slowly stood and walked up to her, reaching out to remove her robe.

Xiao Beitang took another step back, ears flushing red, heart pounding like a drum. She looked at Song Qingqian in shock and mortification.

Song Qingqian chuckled.

“Your Highness frequents brothels and pleasure houses, and yet you’re this shy?”

“You—!” Xiao Beitang clenched her fists, but could only force out one word between gritted teeth.

Song Qingqian gave her a subtle once-over. Her ears were still red—was this really the same notorious Xiao Beitang, the unruly rake whispered about in the capital?

Though the window was open, the scent of ambergris still hung thick in the air. Could it be…?

Song Qingqian’s eyes unconsciously drifted lower, landing just below Xiao Beitang’s abdomen. She sharply inhaled.

A morning reaction—perfectly normal for someone with yang essence. Still, it wasn’t as if she had woken up in the midst of debauchery.

Xiao Beitang noticed where her eyes were lingering. The blush on her ears surged across her entire face. She turned away angrily.

“Get out!” she barked.

“Assist Her Highness with dressing,” Song Qingqian instructed as she turned and left the room.

She sat with ease in the main hall, sipping tea as she waited. A long while later, Xiao Beitang finally emerged, storming past her as if she didn’t exist.

“Where is Your Highness heading?” Song Qingqian asked coolly, setting down her cup.

Xiao Beitang didn’t look back, pretending not to hear.

Liuzi trailed after her awkwardly, casting a nervous glance at Song Qingqian—Xiao Beitang usually disliked servants following her outside.

Song Qingqian rose and followed at a measured distance. It was still early; she couldn’t be leaving the palace. Despite her unruly reputation, Xiao Beitang never failed to pay her respects to the Empress every morning, rain or shine—something Song Qingqian was well aware of.

Knowing she was being followed, Xiao Beitang alternated between speeding up and slowing down. Still, Song Qingqian stayed with her.

“Why are you following me?” Xiao Beitang stopped abruptly, irritated.

“I’m Your Highness’s consort,” Song Qingqian said earnestly. “Shouldn’t I accompany you, as a dutiful wife would?”

“You—!” Xiao Beitang pointed at her again, but no other words came out.

With a huff, she turned on her heel and continued walking. Song Qingqian followed closely.

They arrived at Kunning Palace. Just as they reached the entrance, the Emperor happened to emerge—presumably on his way to court.

There was no avoiding it. Xiao Beitang stepped forward and bowed.

“Father.”

The Emperor, already in a good mood after hearing of last night’s events, looked at her calmly, his tone gentler than usual.

“Here to greet your mother?”

Ordinarily, he would scold her. But seeing Xiao Beitang up early to pay respects pleased him greatly—he hadn’t expected it.

“Mm,” Xiao Beitang responded coolly.

“Go on then. I’m off to court.”

Xiao Beitang gave a silent bow and continued toward the Empress’s quarters.

Song Qingqian followed and just as she bent her knees to curtsy, the Emperor raised his hand.

“No need for formalities.”

Song Qingqian switched to a modest bow. The Emperor gave her a meaningful smile before leaving.

Inside Kunning Palace, the Empress lit up when she saw Xiao Beitang. But when she spotted Song Qingqian trailing behind, her surprise gave way to delight.

Before Song Qingqian could even bow, the Empress called out:

“Qingqian, come here.”

She straightened and nodded. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

The Empress removed a flawless jade bracelet from her wrist and slipped it onto Song Qingqian’s.

“I meant to give this to you yesterday.”

“Your Majesty…” Song Qingqian was momentarily stunned.

Judging by its luster and texture, the bracelet was no ordinary trinket. And it had been worn by the Empress herself—surely a priceless heirloom.

“What should you call me now?” the Empress said, smiling as she held her hand.

Song Qingqian froze briefly before stiffly replying,

“Mother.”

“Much better.” The Empress beamed, her entire face glowing. Then her brows drew together slightly.

“Why are your hands so cold?”

“Qingqian has a cold constitution,” she replied softly. “They’re always like this.”

The Empress nodded and said gently,

“Have the imperial physician take a look. Take some warming tonics, take care of your health. I’m still waiting to hold a granddaughter, you know.”

A granddaughter? Xiao Beitang looked from the Empress to Song Qingqian. Did anyone ask for her opinion?

Song Qingqian simply nodded. “Yes.”

Yes? Ha! In your dreams. Xiao Beitang sneered silently.

Why was everyone treating her so kindly? Even the family heirloom bracelet had been given to her? That was passed down from her grandmother!

“Tang’er, come here,” the Empress called, full of affection.

Xiao Beitang didn’t move. She shot a glare at Song Qingqian.

“Oh, come now.” The Empress walked over, grabbed her hand, then pulled Song Qingqian’s hand to meet it and clasped them together with satisfaction.

“You’re married now. You must support and cherish one another.”

Song Qingqian’s icy, fair hand brushed against Xiao Beitang’s hot palm. Both froze in place.

The moment the Empress let go, they each pulled back instinctively, looking elsewhere, visibly uncomfortable.

A beat later, Xiao Beitang muttered,

“Mother, I’ve paid my respects. I’ll take my leave now.”

“Go ahead,” the Empress replied with a gentle smile.

Xiao Beitang bowed and left.

“I’ll take my leave as well,” Song Qingqian said with a curtsey.

The Empress nodded, and Song Qingqian followed Xiao Beitang out of Kunning Palace.

She trailed silently behind her.

“Song Qingqian, how long are you going to keep following me?” Xiao Beitang finally snapped.

She smiled.

“Your Highness knows the answer, doesn’t she?”

“Unbelievable!” Xiao Beitang huffed and quickened her pace.