The Crown Princess Is Jealous Again - Chapter 23
Song Qingqian: “Your Highness, it’s time to get up and accompany me to pay respects.”
She kicked her legs a couple of times in protest.
Her protest failed. Song Qingqian yanked the blanket off her anyway. Impatient, she stood beside the bed and looked down at her.
“Song Qingqian, I thought we reached an understanding yesterday,” she said, arms akimbo, glaring at her angrily.
A repeat of yesterday.
She was already slightly taller than Song Qingqian, and now, standing on the bed, she towered over her.
Clad in a white silk nightgown, the smooth fabric clung to her body, outlining her curves. The outline of her figure was faintly visible, and if Song Qingqian lowered her gaze even slightly, she would see a place that stood out a bit too clearly.
Song Qingqian deliberately averted her eyes and forced a calm tone. “I thought we had an understanding as well.”
Xiao Beitang sighed in exasperation but quickly softened her stance and tried to reason. “Can we make a pact? From now on, could you not wake me up so early?”
Song Qingqian turned her face away and said coolly, “This is already not early. If we delay any longer, we’ll miss the proper time to pay respects.”
Xiao Beitang stomped her foot in frustration, shaking her head helplessly. “Even if I go a little late, Mother won’t blame me. If you’re so worried about being scolded, then go ahead without me.”
Song Qingqian shook her head solemnly. “Your Highness, you must rise at this hour from now on. His Majesty is already in court by now. And after school starts, this will be a daily routine.”
“Get dressed!” Xiao Beitang growled through gritted teeth, her jaw clenched audibly.
She reluctantly got out of bed. Song Qingqian wisely took the attendants and left the room.
When she emerged after washing and dressing, she looked visibly unhappy. “Let’s go.”
In the Empress’s palace, several imperial consorts had just paid their respects and were leaving.
Watching them go, Song Qingqian asked, “Why didn’t we see the imperial concubines come pay respects the past few days?”
Xiao Beitang answered nonchalantly, “Mother doesn’t enjoy dealing with them. So, they only come on the first and fifteenth of each month.”
Song Qingqian smiled. “Then they must feel relieved—not having to come every day.”
“Not necessarily.”
“Oh?”
“At least when they come, they get to see Mother for a moment.”
Song Qingqian glanced at the departing figures of the concubines. They all seemed to be omegas. If they’d been marked by the Emperor, their pheromones would respond only to him.
The omega heat cycle was deeply troubling. If they were left without favor for years, it must be agonizing.
The two entered the Kunning Palace, where the Empress sat rubbing her temples in frustration. Princess Dunsu looked displeased, seated in the hall.
“Greetings, Mother.”
The Empress smiled gently. “Tang’er, Qingqian, you’re here.” She gave Xiao Beitang a look, signaling her to greet Dunsu.
“Aunt.” Xiao Beitang greeted flatly. Song Qingqian followed behind, nodding respectfully.
Dunsu sneered sarcastically. “This courtesy from the Crown Princess—I hardly deserve it.”
Song Qingqian glanced at the aggrieved-looking Li Ningyu, who was hiding behind Dunsu, and asked knowingly, “Forgive my ignorance, Aunt, but may I ask what offense I’ve caused?”
“No need to pretend,” Dunsu snapped coldly.
Song Qingqian smiled politely. “Then I humbly ask for your guidance.”
Without lifting her gaze, Dunsu smoothed her skirt and mocked, “I wouldn’t dare. If I upset the Crown Princess, she might scold me in public.”
The Empress sighed silently, casting a look at Song Qingqian and trying to mediate. “Dunsu, if the children have made mistakes, as their elder, you should be more forgiving.”
“Your Majesty, Yu’er is still young. Even if she said something inappropriate, the Crown Princess shouldn’t have scolded her in front of others. She cried all afternoon after returning home yesterday. She’s a thoughtful child. I had to press her to tell me what happened. As her mother, how can I not feel heartache?” Dunsu dabbed at imaginary tears with a handkerchief.
The Empress was inwardly irritated but couldn’t openly refute her.
Li Ningyu, seeing her mother weep, began sobbing again herself.
Song Qingqian said calmly, “Aunt, there’s no need to play the victim before the Empress. If I’m at fault, I will admit it. But if I’m not, I cannot accept blame unjustly.”
“You—how dare you speak to your elder like that? Has the Prime Minister taught you nothing about respecting your seniors?”
Song Qingqian was about to retort when Xiao Beitang frowned and interrupted, displeased. “Aunt, please don’t throw your weight around. Song Qingqian is my wife—our fortunes are tied. If you accuse her of disrespecting elders, are you not speaking against me as well?”
The Empress stared at her, stunned. Was this really her Tang’er?
Dunsu flushed with humiliation, her tears now real. “Tang’er, how can you side with an outsider like this? Don’t you know how much I care for you?”
Xiao Beitang scoffed. “Aunt, every time you gifted me something, Mother and Father repaid you tenfold. Do you take me for a fool?”
“You…!” Dunsu was so furious she almost fainted. Clutching her chest, she tried to catch her breath. Li Ningyu clung to her, crying like a weeping flower.
Shaking with anger, Dunsu turned to the Empress and snapped, “Your Majesty, are you really going to allow this?”
The Empress didn’t indulge her. “Dunsu, I’ve always spoiled Tang’er—you know this. And you know her temperament well. I cannot control her.”
Enraged, Dunsu stood and shouted, “You’re all bullying and humiliating me! I’ll take this to His Majesty!”
Li Ningyu tugged at her sleeve, crying, “Mother, just let it go…”
“Don’t be afraid, Yu’er. As long as I’m here, no one will wrong you. We’re going to see His Majesty and get justice.” Dunsu patted her hand, shot a vicious glare at Song Qingqian, and left with Li Ningyu.
Once they were gone, the Empress finally sighed in relief, rubbing her forehead. “She’s given me a headache again. Now she’s off to disturb His Majesty—there’ll be no peace for him.”
Xiao Beitang said nonchalantly, “It’s because Mother indulges her. If she’s restless, she brought it on herself.”
The Empress spoke earnestly, “Tang’er, your grandfather’s crimes left the royal family broken. Though your mother wasn’t involved in the killings, the world still sees her hands as bloodstained. From the moment she ascended the throne, the title of ‘fratricidal empress’ has clung to her.
Dunsu is one of the few relatives she has left. If she’s treated harshly, the court will gossip endlessly. That’s why she tolerates her. And truly, aside from being a bit domineering, she hasn’t done anything unforgivable.”
“I understand. But today she went too far.”
The Empress smiled meaningfully. “Oh? How exactly did she wrong you?”
“I have other matters to attend to. I’ll take my leave.” Xiao Beitang turned quickly to escape.
“You child…” the Empress muttered.
She reached out and took Song Qingqian’s hand gently, patting it. “Qingqian, I’m sorry you had to endure that. Don’t take it to heart.”
Song Qingqian obediently placed her hand in hers. “I understand, Your Majesty.”
The Empress smiled warmly. “Go on, then. You may return.”