The Crown Princess Is Jealous Again - Chapter 4

A few days later, in the Imperial Garden.

The flowers were in full bloom, a riot of colors and shapes. Amid this vibrant scene were also a gathering of beauties.

They were dressed even more brilliantly than the blossoms, carefully adorning their hair with elaborate hairpins and bejeweled ornaments. Their makeup was impeccable—bright rouge, delicate strokes—and every gesture, every smile, carried the elegance and poise expected of noble ladies.

“The Empress has invited quite a crowd today,” remarked the Princess Consort of Prince Duan, smiling as she surveyed the scene of colorfully dressed women.

Princess Dunsu cast a sidelong glance at the crowd, lifted a delicately poised hand to touch the gold hairpin on her head, and scoffed, “Indeed. I thought it would be a more exclusive affair.”

The Princess Consorts of Prince Chu and Prince Duan exchanged glances and chuckled dryly.

“It’s rare for Her Majesty to summon us to the palace,” said the Princess Consort of Prince Chu in a hushed voice. “For her to gather us here under the pretense of flower viewing—I fear it’s not that simple.”

“Oh? What do you mean by that?” asked the Princess Consort of Prince Duan.

“I heard… it has to do with finding a match for Her Highness,” she whispered behind her hand.

The Princess Consort of Prince Duan’s eyes widened slightly. “But isn’t Her Highness only sixteen?”

“They say it was Her Majesty’s idea.”

Princess Dunsu caught wind of the conversation and shot her daughter a look before quietly pulling her aside to whisper something into her ear.

At that moment, Song Qingqian arrived with her mother, Lady Song, fashionably late. Lady Song had never liked such occasions—much like her husband, Song Lian, she disdained the affectations of courtly women and always arrived last.

Song Qingqian wore a robe of light blue gauze, elegant and refined, with not a trace of extravagance. Her makeup was minimal, enhancing rather than overpowering her features. Her eyes were bright, her lips delicate like a dab of cinnabar, and her complexion radiant.

A single, simple hair ornament adorned her head. Compared to the noble daughters around her, she lacked their haughty airs but carried the dignified grace of a scholar’s daughter.

As she followed behind Lady Song, many heads turned. Everyone in the capital had heard of Song Lian’s daughter, said to be as beautiful as a celestial being. Many had seen her, yet somehow, few truly had.

A few noble daughters rolled their eyes and sneakily gave her a once-over.

Others stared more openly, without even trying to hide it.

“That’s the Prime Minister’s beloved daughter?”

“First time seeing her in person.”

“She really is as stunning as the rumors say.”

“I heard she’s twenty-two and still hasn’t been engaged.”

“The Prime Minister doesn’t seem concerned at all.”

“Why would he be? She’s a rare beauty. I’ve heard the threshold of their home is worn down from suitors.”

And it wasn’t false. Since the age of seventeen, matchmakers had come one after another, bringing proposals from nobility and royalty alike. Song Lian had turned them all away with polite excuses. Song

Qingqian’s name was well-known throughout the capital.

Her posture was impeccable—her back straight and graceful, eyes focused forward, never wandering. She followed Lady Song with measured steps, nodding politely as her mother greeted acquaintances.

“Her Majesty the Empress arrives!” announced Li Fu’an in a loud voice.

Everyone turned their attention to the side, lifted their skirts, and knelt in greeting. “Greetings to Your Majesty the Empress.”

“Please rise,” the Empress said with a gentle smile. “Recently, while strolling through the Imperial Garden, I was delighted to see how vibrant the flowers were this summer. I thought it a fine excuse to invite you all to enjoy them with me.”

“We thank Your Majesty.”

The Empress’s gaze subconsciously searched the crowd—and among the vividly dressed ladies, she immediately spotted Song Qingqian.

Song Qingqian bowed her head slightly, her lashes fluttering gently as she gazed intently at an orchid in front of her. She seemed genuinely fond of it.

“Your Majesty,” said Princess Dunsu, interrupting her reverie as she led a girl of about fifteen or sixteen forward, “It has been a long time since Yu’er has entered the palace. Just now, she told me she misses your osmanthus cakes.”

“Oh? It’s been some time indeed since I last saw her. She’s grown so much. I heard Yu’er has differentiated as a kunzhe?” the Empress asked with a polite smile. Though Princess Dunsu was domineering by nature, she was the Emperor’s half-sister, and therefore still treated with respect.

“Yes, and due to her unstable pheromones these past few months, we’ve kept her from leaving the residence. Since returning to the capital, she’s been too ashamed to formally greet Your Majesty and His Majesty,” said Princess Dunsu with a proud look at Li Ningyu.

Li Ningyu smiled softly, clutching her handkerchief. Since childhood, she had followed behind Xiao Beitang. While most dreamed of differentiating as qianyuan, she had always wished to become a kunzhe, often declaring that she would marry Xiao Beitang when she grew up.

Xiao Beitang, mischievous and playful, would always tease, “If you really become a kunzhe, there will always be a place for you in Zichen Palace.”

In recent years, Princess Dunsu’s husband’s family—the Lis—had been reassigned to Huizhou. She and her daughter had only returned to the capital this year.

The Empress knew exactly what was happening. Princess Dunsu had been working hard these past months to arrange their return. The Li family was in decline; without Dunsu’s title, they’d already have lost influence. They were now placing all their hopes on Li Ningyu marrying Xiao Beitang.

After a few more pleasantries, the Empress, unwilling to continue the conversation, exchanged a glance with the Princess Consort of Prince Chu.

Understanding the cue, the consort said, “Her Majesty has such refined taste to invite us here today. Seeing all these lovely young ladies makes me feel positively ancient.”

The Princess Consort of Prince Duan teased, “Well, you are already a grandmother. How can you compare with these blooming young girls?”

Another woman, clad in a dark green gown, smiled slyly and said, “Lady Song, your eldest son is twenty-six this year, is he not? Still unmarried?”

Song Qingqian’s eyelids lifted slightly. When someone couldn’t win in other areas, they loved to score points through gossip. She recognized the woman—Madam Wu, wife of Censor Wu Zhiyong, and stepmother of

Wu Hao.

Lady Song immediately saw through the woman’s motive. She wanted to shame her. But Lady Song remained calm and smiled gracefully. “My son and daughter—neither brings me peace of mind. I suppose we are not as fortunate as Madam Wu.”

“Who is this young lady behind you, Lady Song?” asked the Princess Consort of Prince Duan, though she already knew.

Without waiting for her mother’s signal, Song Qingqian stepped forward and gave a graceful bow. “This humble subject, Song Qingqian, pays her respects to Your Majesty the Empress.”

“Rise,” said the Empress, inspecting her closely. Her poise was perfect—composed, modest, and steady. Excellent.

“So, this is Ms. Song,” said Madam Wu with a strange tone. “Your Majesty may not know—Ms. Song is a tutor at Boyan Academy. It’s rare for a kunzhe to hold such a post. My son Hao’er is one of her students.”

Her words sounded less like praise and more like disdain.

“And may I ask who Madam is referring to as ‘Hao’er’?” Song Qingqian asked coolly.

“Wu Hao.”

Song Qingqian smiled slightly. “I’ve had the honor of meeting Wu Hao’s birth mother once. But I heard she has passed. May I ask which mother Madam is?”

A ripple of laughter spread through the crowd.

“I—I’m his stepmother, of course,” Madam Wu stammered, her expression sour.

“I see,” Song Qingqian replied with a faint smile.

She hadn’t said much, yet all eyes turned toward Madam Wu with contempt.