The Crown Princess Is Jealous Again - Chapter 21

Song Qingqian nodded, feeling an inexplicable pang of sympathy for Xiao Beitang. Everyone said she was heaven’s favored child, showered with endless affection. But who could truly know what she had gone through? If not for what she heard today, she too would have thought Xiao Beitang was just another privileged noble, pampered and arrogant.

In truth, she was pitiable in her own way.

“Does Her Highness not know all of this? Otherwise, why would she resent His Majesty so deeply?” Song Qingqian asked.

“She knows,” the Empress replied. “She’s a member of the royal family—how could she not know about the Rebellion of the Eight Princes? But she was so young then, forced to endure immense suffering. Tang’er grew up all alone. It wasn’t until she met Xiao Lin and Xiao Wanqi that she had someone to play with. Even though the three of them got into all sorts of mischief, His Majesty and I turned a blind eye.”

The Empress lifted her gaze into the distance, her face filled with melancholy.

“Moreover, because of the medication, Tang’er suffered greatly during her differentiation. She was unconscious for three days, and it left her with lasting ailments… It took her two full years to adapt to the pain that came after. Forced intervention always comes at a cost.”

“Ailments?” Song Qingqian asked, surprised.

The Empress quickly explained, “Qingqian, don’t misunderstand—it’s nothing like that… You’ll understand in time.”

She took Song Qingqian’s hand and, with a hint of pleading in her tone, said, “Qingqian, I liked you the moment I saw you. You’ll treat Tang’er well, won’t you?”

Song Qingqian froze for a moment.

The Empress, realizing she may have said too much, chuckled softly and amended her words. “Tang’er has a pure heart. She’ll treat you well. She’s really a good girl—kind-hearted, soft, and very filial…”

She went on and on, praising Xiao Beitang, and Song Qingqian listened with a gentle smile. She no longer felt the Empress was simply blinded by maternal love—she could truly sense her sincere concern as a mother.

Soon, the Empress began reminiscing about amusing stories from Xiao Beitang’s childhood, and Song Qingqian listened intently.

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Back at Zichen Palace, Xiao Beitang had already returned.

It was strange—she had always felt most at ease outside the palace, but today, at Baihua Pavilion, neither the music nor the wine brought her any pleasure.

Though she went in plain clothes, everyone still treated her like a deity, reverent and distant. The once familiar atmosphere was gone. Even Linglong greeted her with solemn respect. The young courtesans were all terrified, walking on eggshells around her.

Their excessive politeness made her uncomfortable. She had barely listened to half a song before standing up and leaving. She doubted she would return again.

She was annoyed, though not exactly angry. It was still early—she could have visited a teahouse or gambled a little, but none of it appealed to her. Strangely, she wanted to return to the palace.

So, without pause, she rode back.

Upon entering Zichen Palace, she looked around aimlessly, as if searching for something.

Xing’er rarely saw her mistress return during daylight. Surprised and delighted, she hurried to greet her. “Your Highness, are you looking for something?”

Xiao Beitang coughed guiltily. “Nothing…”

Suddenly, she raised her voice. “Bring a lounge chair. I feel like sunbathing.”

Xing’er was baffled. I’m standing right here—why shout?

Xiao Beitang glanced toward the western wing. Seeing no movement, she felt a little disappointed. Xing’er cheerfully brought out a chair. Xiao Beitang lounged on it lazily, eyes closed, basking in the sun.

After leaving Kunning Palace, Song Qingqian returned to Zichen Palace. As she entered the gate, she saw Xiao Beitang lying idly in the courtyard, basking in the sunlight—a surprising sight for this hour.

Xing’er knelt beside her, massaging her legs, while Liuzi stood behind her, kneading her shoulders. Xiao Beitang sat with her eyes closed, utterly relaxed.

Song Qingqian walked in with a smile and asked, “Your Highness, why are you back so early today?”

Her voice was like a breeze under the warm sun—soothing and clear. Xiao Beitang, imperceptibly, felt a spark of happiness. She slowly opened one eye, glanced at her, then closed it again with a smirk. “Thanks to you. The people at Baihua Pavilion now treat me like a plague, too afraid to come near. Utterly boring.”

Song Qingqian chuckled and signaled to Xiaotao to bring a chair. She sat not far from her and said calmly, “Surely Your Highness jests. Who would dare be disrespectful to you?”

Xiao Beitang replied sarcastically, “Disrespect would’ve been better. Instead, they treated me like palace maids do—so respectfully, it’s no fun at all…”

Song Qingqian asked deliberately, “Is that the only place you go when you leave the palace?”

Xiao Beitang opened her eyes, sat up, and took a slow sip of tea. “I fear your jealousy might flare again and pull another stunt like last time. You’ll end up razing all my hideouts to the ground.”

Song Qingqian smiled faintly. “You’re exaggerating, Your Highness.”

The two fell into a companionable silence, sitting peacefully in the courtyard.

Wild geese flew southward in the sky, the setting sun cast a lonely glow—there was a sense of autumn’s melancholy grandeur in the air.

“The weather is quite nice today,” Song Qingqian said softly.

“Mhm,” Xiao Beitang replied, equally quiet.

Song Qingqian turned her head to look at her. Xiao Beitang had sharp, defined features, long dark lashes, a prominent nose bridge, and eyes like stars beneath her sword-like brows. Her figure was lean, not fragile, more like a cold mountain peak than a delicate flower.

Xiao Beitang, sensing her gaze, turned to face her. Their eyes met. Song Qingqian smiled gently.

Xiao Beitang suddenly felt slightly tipsy, her heart stirred inexplicably. Her gaze… it’s different than before. Softer?

Caught in a daze, Xiao Beitang stared. Song Qingqian chuckled, unable to hold back. “Your Highness, are you… captivated by my beauty?”

Xiao Beitang turned away, face flushed. “N-No! Don’t flatter yourself…”

There was a boyish awkwardness in her expression that made Song Qingqian all the more curious. How could someone who frequented pleasure quarters still have such a childish air?

They sat together until dusk. The moon peeked through the clouds, and an unnamed star shimmered nearby.

The evening breeze had grown chilly. Liuzi gently reminded them, “Your Highness, Crown Princess, it’s getting late. Best not to catch cold. Let’s go inside.”

Xiao Beitang didn’t reply, only glanced at Song Qingqian.

“Yes, it’s time,” Song Qingqian said, pushing herself up by the knees.

Xiao Beitang stood even faster, turning toward the residence.

She raised her voice, “Liuzi, serve the meal. I’m hungry.”

Her voice was unusually loud—Song Qingqian found it puzzling but said nothing, instead turning and entering her own room.

Xiao Beitang sat down, casting a glance outside as if by accident. She had thought Song Qingqian would join her for dinner, maybe bring up the three-year promise again.

But she miscalculated. Song Qingqian didn’t follow.

After the servants laid out the dishes, Liuzi moved to help her dine, but Xiao Beitang waved him away irritably.

Why didn’t she come? Has she really given up? Xiao Beitang couldn’t understand. It’s not like I’ve made things hard for her…

She propped her head on her hands, sulking. Before long, she grew restless. She stood by the door, pretending to loiter while secretly peeking toward the western wing.

The candles there burned brightly, and the shadows within flickered across the windowpanes.