The Crown Princess Is Jealous Again - Chapter 24

When Song Qingqian stepped out of the Kunning Palace, Xiao Beitang was already waiting outside. Upon seeing her, she said coolly, “Why did it take you so long to come out?”

Song Qingqian smiled and asked, “Were you waiting for me, Your Highness?”

Xiao Beitang was briefly at a loss for words. She quickly covered up, saying, “I was just afraid my aunt would come back and give you a hard time again.”

“In that case, many thanks to Your Highness,” Song Qingqian replied, a soft smile playing at the corners of her eyes. What a peculiar one—treats people well but insists on hiding it.

Xiao Beitang, still trying to sound aloof, added, “I was planning to play polo. If you don’t enjoy it, I can escort you back to Zichen Palace first.”

Song Qingqian teased, “Isn’t Your Highness worried I’ll be a bother if I come along?”

“Then go back to Zichen Palace,” Xiao Beitang replied sulkily, turning and marching off with large strides.

Sure enough, the child’s temper flared up again. Just like stroking a donkey’s back, you have to go with the grain. Song Qingqian coaxed, “Alright, don’t be angry, Your Highness. Take me with you—I’d love to witness Your Highness’s majestic polo skills.”

A flicker of pride lit up Xiao Beitang’s heart, and her anger began to fade.

The morning mist had lifted, and the sun was already high. By the time Xiao Beitang brought Song Qingqian to the polo field, a match was already underway. The fierce competition had drawn in an enthusiastic crowd.

Liuzi was about to announce their arrival, but Xiao Beitang stopped him. She excitedly ran to a vacant spot by the field and casually asked, “Which team is ahead?”

A neutral-looking man standing nearby answered offhandedly, “The Black team is in the lead.”

Xiao Beitang scrutinized the Red team and muttered, “No wonder—the Black team has a few who used to be in the cavalry.”

“Not quite. It’s Young Master Zhang—he’s incredibly skilled. He nearly turned the game around single-handedly.”

“Curse me for arriving late.” Xiao Beitang punched the railing in frustration.

Hearing that, the man turned to look at her and exclaimed, “Your Highness!”

Heads turned at the sidelines, and the players dismounted to bow upon noticing her.

“No need for formalities,” Xiao Beitang waved them off, eyes scanning the field.

Once the crowd had straightened, Xiao Lin hurried over. “Your Highness, you’re finally here. Any later and we would’ve lost for sure.”

“I got held up with some matters. Take a rest, everyone. I’m going to change.” She was eager to join in, full of a sudden burst of energy.

While Song Qingqian waited by the field, Zhang Dingyuan walked over and greeted her with a respectful bow. “Qingqian-jie, it really is you. It’s been so long.”

“And you are…?” Song Qingqian looked him up and down, but no memory surfaced.

“I’m A-Yuan! My older sister is Zhang Dingqing—we’ve met before.”

She studied him again and then recalled, surprised, “You’ve grown so tall. Last time I saw you, you were still a little kid.”

Zhang Dingyuan scratched his head sheepishly. “Yeah, it’s been years. My sister left home seven years ago.”

“Seven years, indeed…” Song Qingqian looked up at the now-tall Zhang Dingyuan with a trace of melancholy.

“Not long ago, my sister mentioned you in a letter,” Zhang said with a bright smile.

Song Qingqian paused and asked, “Is Dingqing doing well?”

“The border’s a bitter and cold place. I imagine she’s suffered quite a bit,” he replied, a hint of sorrow in his tone.

“Please send her my regards.”

Zhang Dingyuan beamed. “I will. I’ll write her back today and make sure to tell her.”

Song Qingqian nodded with a gentle smile.

When Xiao Beitang returned from changing and saw the two chatting and laughing, she felt a wave of irritation. Why was there always some boy talking to her? Did Song Qingqian even realize her own status?

Their smiles were dazzling—far too dazzling.

Xiao Lin nudged her and said with exaggerated enthusiasm, “Hey, A-Tang, I’ve been watching them the whole time. Those two seem quite chummy.”

Xiao Wanqi interrupted her with a light scold. “Don’t talk nonsense.”

Xiao Lin lifted her chin, unbothered. “What nonsense? Just look at them—smiling like a pair of blooming flowers. Especially Zhang Dingyuan—his eyes are practically gone from smiling.”

Xiao Beitang flicked her sleeve and said coldly, “What does it have to do with me?”

She strode toward the field. Xiao Lin followed behind with a grin. “Exactly—Your Highness doesn’t even like her.”

Liuzi brought over a fine steed, Xiao Beitang’s favorite horse—named Gale.

Xiao Beitang gently stroked its mane and patted its back, her face expressionless. From the sidelines, Song Qingqian watched her intently, barely hearing what Zhang Dingyuan was saying anymore.

The players reentered the field. Zhang Dingyuan cupped his hands in farewell and joined them.

Mounting her horse, Xiao Beitang held the reins in one hand and a polo mallet in the other, her expression sharp and focused.

Song Qingqian could sense she was upset, though the reason eluded her. Teenagers—such strange creatures.

Before she could dwell on it, the drum sounded, and the match resumed.

Polo required both equestrian skill and ball control. The field burst into chaos—galloping hooves, flying dust, and intense clashes.

Xiao Beitang clearly belonged in such an arena—she had genuine skill. Soon after she joined, the Red team began closing the gap in points.

The atmosphere grew heated, the match intense, and spectators cheered enthusiastically.

“Her Highness is on fire today.”

“Yeah, she just got on and already almost tied the score.”

“Truly a spectacular match.”

Sitting on the sidelines, Song Qingqian watched the charging horses in silence. Polo had once been wildly popular during Dayu’s prime. Whether male or female, nobles had loved the sport.

She, too, had galloped across fields in her youth—but that was before her differentiation. Back then, she played alongside boys. After her differentiation, she had rarely touched polo again.

Watching Xiao Beitang’s youthful, unrestrained energy, she thought back to her own days at sixteen—spirited and fearless. A wave of wistfulness crept in.

The boy who used to follow her around, nose running, clinging to his sister—Zhang Dingyuan—was now all grown up. And she herself, just twenty-two, once the pride of their group, now had nothing but a place in a scholarly academy.

The wind stirred the clouds as the sunlight spread evenly across the field. Everyone was bathed in golden warmth—everyone but her. Her rightful place now seemed to be in the shaded pavilion by the stands. Even the sun seemed to think her too frail to shine upon.

The match roared on with hoofbeats and shouts. The score was tied. The crowd erupted in joy, but a match must have a victor.

Xiao Beitang guided her horse toward the sideline, looking casual and relaxed. In a slow drawl, she called out, “Song Qingqian.”

Song Qingqian looked up, puzzled. “Yes?”

“Come here.”

She walked to the edge of the field and asked calmly, “Does Your Highness need something?”

Xiao Beitang leaned forward, draping herself over her horse’s neck in a carefree manner and asked, “Do you know how to play polo?”

“A little.”

Apparently satisfied, Xiao Beitang smiled and straightened up. “Go change.”

“Change?”

“Why? You don’t want to play?”

“Give me a reason to.”

“She’s injured. You’ll take her place.” Xiao Beitang waved in a random direction without even glancing properly.

The girl she pointed at looked just as confused and pointed to herself, “Me?”

Xiao Lin, irritated by the girl’s lack of awareness, shouted, “Yeah, you! What are you standing there for? Go rest!”

The girl dismounted and walked off in bewilderment, unsure if she should pretend to limp.

Bold-faced lies—that’s something only Xiao Beitang could pull off.

“She doesn’t look injured to me,” Song Qingqian said with a chuckle.

“If you don’t want to play, I’ll find someone else.” Xiao Beitang shot her a sidelong glance and turned to lead her horse away.