The Crown Princess Is Jealous Again - Chapter 25

“Wait.” Song Qingqian called out to her.

Xiao Beitang lazily turned back, looking puzzled. “Hm?”

“Your Highness, if I win, will you agree to a three-year pact with me?”

Xiao Beitang leaned down again to look at her and scoffed, “Song Qingqian, aren’t you being a little overconfident?”

“Just answer yes or no, Your Highness.”

“And if you lose?”

“If I lose, I will obey your every command from now on.”

“You said it yourself.”

“Then you agree, Your Highness?”

Xiao Beitang replied arrogantly, “If I didn’t agree, wouldn’t it make me seem afraid of you?”

“Allow me to change clothes first.”

Xiao Beitang smirked and led her horse back into the arena.

After changing, Song Qingqian entered the field and walked directly toward Xiao Beitang, who was leaning against a pillar with arms crossed, appearing at ease.

Xiao Beitang pointed her chin at a pure white horse nearby. “This is my other prized steed, Treading Snow. You’ll use it. That way, if you lose, you won’t blame it on the horse.”

She spoke casually, not waiting for a reply, and mounted her own horse.

Song Qingqian stepped forward, a faint smile on her face, and gently stroked the horse’s mane. Treading Snow affectionately nudged her palm.

Xiao Beitang rode over, her movements loose and unhurried, with a hint of pride. “Looks like it likes you. Treading Snow is a rare and priceless steed. You’re getting quite the deal today.”

“Then I thank Your Highness,” Song Qingqian said, patting the horse and mounting in one swift, fluid motion that even made Xiao Beitang pause in surprise.

“Hyah!” Song Qingqian spurred her horse toward the field, and Xiao Beitang followed.

The Crown Princess and her consort competing on the same field—such a sight was rare. The spectators buzzed with excitement, and even the guards at the edge of the field unconsciously edged forward.

“Your Highness, should we go easy on the Princess Consort?” Xiao Lin asked cautiously.

“No need,” Xiao Beitang replied firmly, her gaze fixed like a blade on Song Qingqian.

Song Qingqian discussed strategy with her teammate Zhang Dingqing. The two spoke with laughter, clearly on familiar terms.

The gong sounded, and both teams charged forward. Song Qingqian didn’t immediately engage in the scuffle but moved along with the chaos, patiently waiting for an opening.

When Zhang Dingqing gained possession of the ball, he immediately passed it far ahead. With no one marking her, Song Qingqian received it and sent it straight into the goal with precise aim.

“Whoo-hoo!” Zhang Dingqing cheered in delight.

Xiao Beitang’s expression darkened. She turned away, her face stormy. Xiao Wanqi glanced at her but dared not speak, trailing silently behind.

“Block them with everything you’ve got. Don’t let them score again,” Xiao Beitang ordered, her tone commanding.

“Yes, Your Highness,” the team responded.

With the other team’s numbers, Zhang Dingqing could no longer hold the line alone. Xiao Beitang gained possession and scored a goal in return.

Zhang Dingqing shook his head in frustration.

Xiao Beitang cast a smug glance at Song Qingqian—only to see her leaning toward Zhang Dingqing, gently encouraging him, “Don’t be discouraged.”

Zhang Dingqing nodded, determination flaring in his eyes. “I’ll fight with everything I’ve got to protect the Princess Consort.”

“Yes!” the rest echoed in solidarity.

“Don’t give them a moment to breathe,” Xiao Beitang said coldly.

“Understood!”

The air crackled with tension as both sides grew more serious, eyes burning with intensity.

Thanks to the seamless coordination between Zhang Dingqing and Song Qingqian, she scored again.

Xiao Beitang quickly retaliated with another goal.

The score remained neck-and-neck, each team unwilling to yield.

As time neared its end, desperation grew. Song Qingqian, rarely seen in the scuffle, now jumped into the fray.

Zhang Ding’an passed her the ball once more, but Xiao Lin had already reached her side, raising her mallet to strike.

Song Qingqian, having anticipated this, sharply turned her horse and swung with all her strength, sending the ball flying.

But this maneuver left her exposed. Xiao Lin’s mallet was now heading directly for her.

A sharp clash rang in her ears. Song Qingqian turned her head and saw Xiao Lin’s mallet flung far away. Xiao Lin clutched her wrist, face twisted in pain.

Xiao Beitang stood beside Song Qingqian, visibly shaken. She had dashed in just in time to block Xiao Lin’s strike with her own mallet.

While the others were still frozen in shock, Zhang Dingqing charged ahead and scored the final goal.

The gong rang—Song Qingqian had won.

Zhang Dingqing and the others erupted in cheers, “Long live the Princess Consort!”

Relieved, Song Qingqian smiled brightly. But when she turned to look at Xiao Beitang, all she saw was her retreating back, her emotions unreadable.

Xiao Beitang didn’t wait. She changed clothes and vanished without a trace.

Song Qingqian didn’t rush after her. With Wu Sanqi shadowing her movements, she would eventually know where she’d gone.

By the time she returned, night was falling, and Xiao Beitang was already tipsy.

“Oh, Your Highness, you’re finally back.” Liuzi deliberately raised her voice and glanced toward the western wing, anxiously stepping forward to help her.

Song Qingqian, hearing the commotion, came to the door and saw Xiao Beitang staggering into the sleeping quarters.

Xiao Beitang leaned on a pillar, pushing Liuzi away impatiently. “Get off! I can walk on my own.”

Liuzi ignored her and moved to support her anyway. She couldn’t hold her alone, so she called out loudly for Xing’er.

Xing’er hurried over, and the two of them helped Xiao Beitang inside.

Song Qingqian’s voice was cold. “Return to your room.”

She turned and walked inside, instructing the servants to close the door behind her.

Xiao Beitang watched the door shut in her face and snapped, “Go back to the palace!”

She stumbled inside and likewise told the attendants to shut the door behind her.

The next morning, Song Qingqian arrived early at Xiao Beitang’s chambers. She ordered the windows opened, and the bright light made Xiao Beitang’s eyelids twitch.

Without a word, Song Qingqian simply looked at her.

This time, Xiao Beitang didn’t act petulant as usual. She sat up, shaking her aching head from the harsh wine.

She didn’t meet Song Qingqian’s gaze but slowly got up to wash and dress without complaint.

Song Qingqian was surprised by her behavior and sensed the coldness between them. Assuming it was due to losing the match, she chose not to press.

Calmly, she said, “I trust Your Highness to honor your word. Since you lost yesterday, the three-year agreement begins today.”

“Mm.” Xiao Beitang gave a flat response.

Song Qingqian felt both surprised and unsurprised at once.

“I’ve prepared your schedule. Once you’re enrolled, you’ll need to follow this strictly.” She handed her a sheet of paper.

Xiao Beitang glanced at it briefly, then returned it with a cold expression. “Since I’ve lost, I will uphold my end. Do whatever you want.”

Song Qingqian had expected a temper tantrum at the sight of the schedule. Instead, Xiao Beitang’s indifferent compliance truly caught her off guard.

“Then let’s begin by paying our morning respects together.”

Without a word, Xiao Beitang walked out. Song Qingqian followed behind.

Something felt off, and Song Qingqian could sense it, but she didn’t want to ask. Xiao Beitang had always been this way—temperamental and unpredictable.