The Crown Princess Is Jealous Again - Chapter 32

After writing down their names, Xiao Beitang and the others left the room. Xiao Lin and Xiao Wanqi returned to the residence, while Xiao Beitang headed toward the study where the teacher was staying.

“Big Sister Tang!” Li Ningyu called out as she ran up to her.

“Yu’er, why haven’t you gone home yet?” Xiao Beitang gave her only a glance, her mind preoccupied with thoughts of Song Qingqian. Her steps did not slow.

“I’m just about to,” Li Ningyu muttered with a pout. “It’s really Ms. Song’s fault that we didn’t have class today.”

Xiao Beitang stopped in her tracks, frowning. “That was Liu Qing and the others’ fault. What does it have to do with her?”

“But what Liu Qing said wasn’t entirely wrong. A kunzhe really isn’t suited to be a teacher,” Li Ningyu said naturally.

“Yu’er, you’re a kunzhe too. Do you even hear yourself?” Xiao Beitang shot back, the words clearly grating on her. She didn’t want to argue further and resumed her brisk pace. She had never been one with a

particularly mild temperament.

Seeing she had upset her, Li Ningyu followed behind uneasily. “I didn’t mean it like that. I just worry she’ll affect Her Highness’s studies.”

Without even turning her head, Xiao Beitang replied coolly, “Go home. I have things to do—you don’t need to follow me.”

Li Ningyu dared not follow any further, afraid of truly angering her.

Xiao Beitang craned her neck, peering through the window into the study. Strange—Song Qingqian wasn’t there? She looked again. Where had she gone?

“You looking for me?”

Xiao Beitang jumped in surprise and spun around.

“?” Song Qingqian looked at her curiously. “Why so sneaky?”

Xiao Beitang cleared her throat, trying to act natural. “I came to find you. It’s time to head home.”

“Ah, did you come to see if I was crying my eyes out in some pitiful corner?” Song Qingqian teased with a smile.

A-Tang! She called me A-Tang! Xiao Beitang’s heart leapt with joy.

“N-No,” she stammered, eyes darting around evasively.

Obviously you did. So awkward. Song Qingqian thought to herself, amused.

She said gently, “Don’t worry. I’ve long grown used to such doubts and criticism. Making them concede through skill—that’s where my strength lies.”

Xiao Beitang nodded. “Let’s go.”

________________________________________

That afternoon, everyone returned to the classroom. Song Qingqian walked in slowly, scanning the group.

“Good afternoon, Teacher Song!” Lu Wuyou was the first to rise and offer a respectful bow.

Xiao Beitang stood belatedly, followed by Xiao Lin and the others. “Good afternoon, Teacher Song.”

The rest exchanged glances and stood as well to offer their greetings. Song Qingqian returned a silent nod. “Be seated.”

Liu Qing pointed to the stack of name cards on her desk. “Teacher Song, we’ve written our names and listed the events we’d like to challenge you in.”

Song Qingqian lifted her sleeve, opened the cards—she knew the first four names well.

Chess, couplet composing—those were normal. But dice? A Kongming lock? What were they thinking? She stifled a laugh and read on.

There were dozens of names. Clearly, she’d been right—more than half the class had no real respect for her.

Poetry, music, calligraphy, painting—true mastery of all was rare. Today, she would face them one by one.

The first match was chess with Lu Wuyou. But after a few moves, Song Qingqian noticed she was playing erratically. She could tell Lu Wuyou could play—she was deliberately losing to help her.

“Wuyou, play seriously,” she said. Then turning to the others, “All of you.”

Xiao Beitang suddenly felt a bit guilty.

But Lu Wuyou, ever thick-skinned, grinned. “Teacher, I am playing seriously.”

Song Qingqian didn’t entertain the charade. “If you won’t take this seriously, I forfeit.”

Lu Wuyou immediately straightened up. “No, no, I’m ready. Let’s go.”

The game quickly grew intense. Lu Wuyou’s skill was indeed exceptional—he soon forgot all about holding back. His brows furrowed in concentration as every move became deliberate.

The room was silent. Those who understood chess could see how brilliant the game was.

But in the end, Lu Wuyou was still one move short. Song Qingqian won.

Lu Wuyou stood and bowed. “I was overconfident to think I could beat you. Your skill is remarkable—I admit defeat.”

“You still want to try your luck with her?” she said, casting a scornful glance at Wu Shaoqiun, who had also chosen chess.

But Wu Shaoqiun had seen enough—if it were him, he’d have lost much sooner. He bowed. “No need. I concede. You are truly talented.”

With that, Song Qingqian had won two rounds. Xiao Beitang couldn’t hide her pride—but only she knew why.

Next was Xiao Lin’s turn. She had written “dice.” The room erupted in laughter.

Xiao Lin scratched her head, blushing. “Forgive me, I’m not very talented. This is all I know.”

“No matter.” Song Qingqian smiled.

Xiao Lin pulled out two dice cups, each with three dice.

With practiced hands, she swept the dice into the cups. Her technique was clearly polished. She cast a glance at Xiao Beitang.

Song Qingqian read her mind and said calmly, “Chulin, just play your best.”

Xiao Lin hesitated. “What are the rules?”

“I actually prefer Pai Gow,” Song said. “Just comparing high rolls is boring. But since you chose dice, we’ll go with that—highest wins.” As she spoke, she swept up her own dice.

“?” The others blinked. She really knew how to play?

“Then we’ll follow your lead,” Xiao Lin said, wrist flicking expertly.

The two began to shake their dice. The clattering sound filled the room. Everyone held their breath.

They slammed their cups down simultaneously.

“You first?” Song Qingqian offered.

“Alright.” Xiao Lin flipped her cup.

Three sixes!

Xiao Beitang shot her a look—You’re going all out?

Xiao Lin’s flustered expression tried to explain.

Song Qingqian glanced at the result, then revealed hers.

Three sixes as well.

What?

The crowd was stunned. Did this teacher moonlight at a gambling den?

Xiao Beitang stared at her in disbelief. Xiao Lin let out a sigh of relief. She’d completely forgotten to throw the match.

“Again,” Song said, scooping up the dice. Xiao Lin followed.

The crowd was thoroughly entertained.

Second round—again, three sixes. Still a tie.

Song Qingqian chuckled. “At this rate, we’ll never get a result. Shall we try lowest wins?”

“Sure. As you say, Teacher.”

They both shook their dice and slammed them down.

“I’ll go first,” Xiao Lin said confidently, her competitive streak now fully lit.

Three ones!

Xiao Beitang’s heart leapt to her throat.

Song Qingqian followed.

A murmur spread across the room.

Three dice were stacked on top of one another, the top one balancing on a corner.

Xiao Lin removed it—beneath were two ones.

“Teacher has two points. I lose,” Xiao Lin conceded with a bow.

Seeing that they were about to lose three in a row, Liu Qing grew anxious. “How does that count as a loss? Were you holding back?”

“As if I could throw a stack like that,” Xiao Lin shot back. “Sounds like you’re the one who’s panicking.”

“You—!” Liu Qing fumed, but he had no leg to stand on.

“So far, Teacher Song has won three rounds,” Lu Wuyou said, lazily waving her folding fan. “There are thirteen challengers. And you haven’t won a single one.”