The Crown Princess Is Jealous Again - Chapter 40

“Don’t think you can get away with this!” Sun Cheng spat venomously before storming off in a pathetic rage. “My mother will have Consort Jing flay you alive!”

…

“Ms. Song, how did it go? Is the dean still giving you trouble?” Xiao Beitang asked anxiously as she returned.

Song Qingqian smiled and said, “It’s all been settled. I do appreciate you all standing up for me, but seeing you get hurt on my behalf—it just wasn’t worth it.”

“Let’s not involve anyone else in this matter anymore, understood?” Song Qingqian looked directly at Xiao Beitang as she said this—clearly meant as a warning to her.

Since Consort Jing was her patron, if Xiao Beitang refused to let it go and escalated things further, it could easily spiral out of control from a small incident into something far worse.

On the way back, Song Qingqian, still uneasy, reminded her again to be cautious.

—

The Next Day

“Guess what I found out?” Lu Wuyou sauntered over, fanning herself smugly.

“Stop teasing us—spill it! What happened?”

She snapped her fan shut and leaned in dramatically. “Liu Qing—he’s been ruined!”

“What?! Who did it? How?”

Covering her mouth with her fan, she whispered, “I heard… they broke his family jewels. His family’s been scrambling to find doctors.”

“For real? Who did it?” Liu Qing scanned their faces suspiciously. “Don’t tell me… it was you lot?”

They looked uncomfortable. Xiao Wanqi quickly cut in, “That’s what happens—evil gets what it deserves.”

“I heard he was ambushed on the road, dragged to an abandoned temple on the outskirts, stuffed into a sack and beaten up. Then they ruined him down there—but didn’t kill him. Just dumped him back at the Sun residence like garbage.” Lu Wuyou told the story with vivid detail, as if she’d seen it herself.

Liu Qing clicked his tongue. “Tsk tsk, brutal…”

“His mother’s turned the city upside down looking for the culprit. She’s demanding someone pay for this.”

“But how could they possibly find out? His head was covered in the sack—he didn’t see a thing.”

Song Qingqian had heard of it, too. That day, Xiao Beitang had said she regretted not crippling him herself. Could it have been her? She did have those shadow guards around her—and the guts. Everyone at the

National Academy knew he was backed by Consort Jing. The only person who would dare ignore that was probably Xiao Beitang.

During class, while Song Qingqian was lecturing on Lian Po and Lin Xiangru, she glanced at Xiao Beitang and said, “A true gentleman must learn to tolerate others. One should not act rashly in the name of justice.”

Xiao Beitang didn’t catch the deeper meaning. Thinking it a random glance, she smiled and responded casually.

After that incident, Sun Cheng was never seen again. A few days later, word spread that his mother had gone mad. The entire Sun family quietly left the capital.

From then on, no one at the Academy dared to look down on Ms. Song again.

—

Two weeks later, Song Qingqian’s cycle approached. She feigned illness and asked the dean to take over her lectures for a few days.

Only Xiao Beitang knew the real reason. That day, as she returned to the estate, she saw Song Qingqian’s door tightly shut. She hesitated, wanting to check on her, though it probably wasn’t necessary.

Still, after a long pause, she mustered her courage and approached the door. Baixue was guarding it and gave her a polite nod.

Xiao Beitang raised her hand a few times, trying to peek inside. The door was sealed tight, palace-style—nothing could be seen.

“Is the Crown Princess Consort feeling any better?” she asked softly.

“Your Highness, the imperial physician has seen her. He said there’s nothing serious.”

“Has she taken her medicine?”

“Yes, Your Highness. She just fell asleep.”

“Oh…” Xiao Beitang replied faintly. “Please bring her these flowers from me. Tell her to rest well.”

Even though she knew her concern might be unnecessary.

—

A few days later, Song Qingqian returned to the Academy. Everyone understood her illness had been an excuse.

Zhao Ziming also returned, hobbling with a cane. Students swarmed him.

“Ziming, you look like you’ve put on some weight.”

“Yeah, staying home all day does that,” he replied sheepishly. During his recovery, classmates had sent money and supplements—his humble cottage could barely hold it all.

It had been over a month since anyone had seen them at the Hundred Flowers Pavilion.

That day, Xiao Beitang received a visitor—Xiao Ling, Linglong’s maid, who came to the Academy. The guards stopped her.

“Please, let me in! It’s a matter of life and death—I must see Miss Jiang today!” she sobbed desperately, eyes swollen with tears.

Though the guard pitied her, the Academy had strict rules. “This is the National Academy. Outsiders aren’t allowed. If you’re looking for someone, wait until school ends—I can’t let you in.”

“How long until class ends?” she asked hopefully.

“Half an hour.”

She managed a teary smile. “Thank you, big brother.”

She sat by the steps, hugging her knees, waiting anxiously.

As the Academy let out, students in uniform poured out, filled with youthful energy and laughter.

Xiao Ling immediately stood, scanning every face, terrified of missing her.

Then she saw her—Xiao Beitang, laughing with Xiao Lin.

“Miss Jiang! Thank heavens, I finally found you!” she cried, rushing over and blocking her path like someone grasping at salvation.

“Xiao Ling?” Xiao Beitang recognized her instantly. “You’re looking for me?”

Panicked, Xiao Ling grabbed her sleeve. “Yes—it’s me! Miss Jiang, please come with me right now!”

“Go? Where? Calm down. Tell me what’s going on first.”

Tears welled up again. “It’s Linglong—please, you have to save her!”

“Linglong? What happened?” Xiao Beitang frowned.

“Please, just come with me. I’ll explain on the way.”

“Tell Ms. Song when she comes out—I have something urgent to handle. She doesn’t need to wait for me,” Xiao Beitang told Liuzi, still looking skeptical, then left with Xiao Lin and the others toward the Hundred Flowers Pavilion.

As they hurried through the streets, she asked again, “Now tell me—what happened?”

Xiao Ling choked out her reply between gasps, “Miss Jiang hadn’t been to the pavilion in a long time. Linglong refused to serve any other guests—she waited only for you. She even handed over her savings to earn some leeway from Madam Hua. But over time, the money ran out. Madam Hua got impatient and put her back on the guest list.”

“Today was the first day she was listed again. Without you there, others jumped at the chance. Madam Hua welcomed the bidding war. In the end, Miss Fang Wang won out. Everyone fears her—the girls who serve her always come back battered and bruised,” Xiao Ling’s voice trembled as she rushed ahead.

Xiao Beitang followed, heart pounding. Soon, they reached the Hundred Flowers Pavilion.

“Miss Jiang, wh-what brings you here?” Madam Hua stammered, clearly startled, her eyes darting upstairs.

“Where’s Linglong?” Xiao Beitang cut straight to the point.

“She… she’s…” Madam Hua stammered again, sneaking a glance upstairs.

“You knew Linglong was mine, and you still dared let her serve someone else?” Xiao Lin snapped at her.

“Out of my way!” Xiao Beitang shoved her aside and stormed up the stairs.

Madam Hua chased after her.

She kicked open the first door. Inside, chaos erupted—shrieks and frantic scrambling for covers.

Not Linglong. She moved on to the next room.

“Oh no—Miss Zhang! Sorry!” Madam Hua cried, slamming the door shut and hurrying after Xiao Beitang.

“Please, Miss Jiang, calm down. You hadn’t visited in days—we have to make a living. Linglong volunteered herself to help!”

Xiao Beitang wasn’t fooled by her sweet words. Ignoring her, she kicked open another door—again, shrieks and bodies diving under blankets.

“Heavens, no!” Madam Hua wailed. “Please, I’ll take you to her—just stop, I beg you!”

Xiao Beitang’s expression was cold as ice. But she nodded.

She followed her without a word.