The Crown Princess Is Jealous Again - Chapter 22
Liuzi was utterly baffled. She was the one who claimed to be starving, yet now that the meal was laid out, she wouldn’t touch it. He timidly asked,
“Your Highness, weren’t you hungry? If you wait any longer, the food will go cold.”
“Shut up,” Xiao Beitang snapped.
Liuzi immediately fell silent, not daring to speak again.
From behind the west wing door, Song Qingqian slowly emerged. As she reached the entrance, she saw Xiao Beitang turn and head back into the room.
She walked in with measured steps, glanced at the untouched dishes on the table, then turned to study Xiao Beitang’s expression.
With a soft smile, Song Qingqian said,
“Your Highness, though His Majesty has withdrawn his spies from Zichen Palace, if we dine separately and he happens to ask, the truth would be evident. That would be a flaw in our act. So, from now on, why don’t we dine together?”
“Fine. Saves me from Mother nagging every time I go to pay my respects,” Xiao Beitang huffed, her face proud, yet faintly pleased.
“Thank you, Your Highness.” Song Qingqian stepped forward and sat across from her, arching a brow slightly in playful inquiry. “Was Your Highness just now… waiting for me?”
Caught off guard, Xiao Beitang flushed slightly and denied it, a little flustered.
“No. The food was too hot. I don’t like eating things that are too hot. Let it cool first—it tastes better that way.”
The more she explained, the more obvious her awkwardness became. Song Qingqian found her nervous evasion quietly amusing.
“I see. Then it seems I was being overly sentimental,” Song Qingqian replied with feigned calm.
“Let’s just eat…”
Before Liuzi could begin serving, Xiao Beitang had already picked up her chopsticks and helped herself to a large piece of rabbit meat. One bite turned into another, then another.
Song Qingqian coaxed gently,
“There are rules in the palace, Your Highness. Even if you like it, you mustn’t take more than three bites. The yam helps clear internal heat and replenishes qi. Please have some of that too.”
Her voice was soft, coaxing like one would a child.
Xiao Beitang frowned but obediently put a piece of yam into her mouth, then gestured toward the roast goose. Liuzi understood immediately and began to serve her.
By the time they finished, the meal had taken three times longer than usual.
With an irritated sound, Xiao Beitang picked up a piece of yam.
Song Qingqian lowered her voice slightly and advised,
“Your Highness, a ruler must guard against arrogance and impatience. Everything has its measure.”
Xiao Beitang didn’t argue, but turned her head away, avoiding her gaze.
“There’s still time before bed. Why not read for a while, Your Highness?” Song Qingqian’s tone wasn’t commanding, but coaxing, like gently guiding a child.
“I was planning to,” Xiao Beitang muttered stubbornly, but her feet obediently headed for the study.
Song Qingqian smiled.
“Then I’ll accompany you.”
Xiao Beitang walked ahead, feeling inexplicably pleased.
Liuzi and Xiaotao followed behind the pair, exchanging glances, barely holding back their laughter.
Inside the study, rows of ancient classics lined the shelves. Xiao Beitang picked one at random, frowned at the title, then put it back. Just from the name, she could tell it was boring.
She rummaged for a while, growing increasingly impatient.
“These books don’t even have pictures. It’s all crammed full of words. So dull,” she grumbled.
Song Qingqian explained gently,
“Your Highness, these are all renowned works—classics from the Hundred Schools of Thought, treatises from wise ministers of past dynasties. They are of great benefit, but one must settle the mind to appreciate their depth.”
She selected a book and handed it to her.
Xiao Beitang flipped through a few pages and scoffed,
“Words, words, words… It’d be great as a sleep aid.”
Song Qingqian couldn’t help but smile. After calming herself, she picked up another book and said,
“Patience, Your Highness. Come, I’ll read with you.”
Xiao Beitang sighed and followed her to the desk. Inside the study, Liuzi added oil to the lamp and adjusted the wick. The crackling flame quieted, making the room even more peaceful and bright.
Xiao Beitang lazily opened the book. At first, she was fidgety and impatient. But after a while, she began to focus—and kept reading, deeply absorbed.
She stretched her legs and gave them a slight swing. Liuzi, ever attentive, stepped forward and removed her boots. She tucked her legs up and shifted slightly, her eyes never leaving the page.
Song Qingqian glanced at her from time to time. Her gaze remained focused, her expression shifting occasionally between amusement and furrowed concentration.
Time passed. The lamp oil was replenished again. Seeing how late it had grown, Liuzi softly reminded,
“Your Highness, Crown Princess, it’s getting late. Perhaps it’s time to rest.”
Song Qingqian looked toward the inky darkness outside the window, then back at Xiao Beitang.
But Xiao Beitang was completely engrossed, seemingly unaware of Liuzi’s words.
“Your Highness, let’s stop here for today,” Song Qingqian said gently. “It’s late. You should rest.”
“Mm.” Xiao Beitang responded absently, still flipping pages.
“Come on now, Your Highness,” Song Qingqian called again.
Finally, Xiao Beitang put the book down, stretched, yawned, turned, and stuck out her legs.
Liuzi quickly helped her into her shoes.
Song Qingqian smiled and asked,
“Was it really that interesting, Your Highness? You seemed so absorbed.”
“Brilliant,” Xiao Beitang replied with a grin.
“Brilliant?”
“The author. Very clever,” she said matter-of-factly.
Song Qingqian curved her lips into a smile and walked out of the study with her.
“Rest well, Your Highness.” Song Qingqian offered a graceful bow.
“Mm.” Xiao Beitang nodded blankly, still yawning as she shuffled inside.
They each went to their own chambers. As Song Qingqian was halfway through washing up, she noticed through the window that several lamps in Xiao Beitang’s room had been extinguished, leaving just two softly glowing.
“She fell asleep that quickly?” Song Qingqian chuckled.
“Hm?” Xiaotao, tidying up, followed her gaze and smiled. “Her Highness is still growing. She needs her rest. But speaking of which, she seems a lot less hostile toward you lately.”
Song Qingqian stood silently at the window, lost in thought. In truth, Xiao Beitang’s hostility was never truly directed at her—it was aimed at His Majesty.
At dawn, with the eastern sky just beginning to lighten, Song Qingqian once again brazenly entered Xiao Beitang’s sleeping quarters with her attendants.
Xiao Beitang didn’t even open her eyes. She turned over, yanked up her quilt, and burrowed beneath it.
Liuzi stood quietly to the side, not daring to speak. Song Qingqian walked up and pulled the quilt away. Xiao Beitang’s head peeked out, squinting at the harsh light, then quickly ducked back under the covers.