The Crown Princess Is Jealous Again - Chapter 46
Xiao Beitang woke up early.
She had barely slept the night before, thinking about how jealous Song Qingqian had gotten over Liu Li, which made her burst into silly laughter more than once.
They wordlessly took the same carriage to the Imperial Academy.
Xiao Beitang said, “You’re not allowed to smile at Lu Wuyou today.”
Song Qingqian sighed helplessly. “She’s my student.”
Xiao Beitang, unreasonable as ever, replied, “I don’t care. She’s made me miserable these past few days—I want her to suffer too. You smile at me, and you give her a cold face.”
“Pfft—” Song Qingqian couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
Xiao Beitang glared. “What are you laughing at? I’m serious.”
“Alright, alright. I understand.” Song Qingqian soothed her.
Just like that, Xiao Beitang was pleased again—truly easy to appease.
After school, they went together to visit Sun Yun and got to the bottom of the matter. Song Qingqian sent someone to inform the Chancellor, who then personally dispatched officials to investigate, ensuring no one could cover anything up again.
A few days later, the Imperial Academy organized an autumn outing to Lingshan Spring. There was only one inn nearby, and the rooms were assigned two people per room. Xiao Beitang and Lu Wuyou each had their own thoughts.
Only two rooms remained, and three people hadn’t yet been assigned—Song Qingqian, Xiao Beitang, and Lu Wuyou.
Since Song Qingqian was a kunzhe, she naturally couldn’t room with a qianyuan. But could Xiao Beitang and Lu Wuyou, who constantly exchanged sharp words, really share a room?
Xiao Beitang had never shared a room with anyone, let alone a bed—and certainly not with someone like Lu Wuyou.
Afraid Xiao Beitang wouldn’t be comfortable, Song Qingqian decided on a solution: the nearby Lingshan Temple was a royal monastery—spending one night there should be acceptable. She gave up her room, allowing the other two to each have a private room.
Xiao Beitang didn’t want her to go alone and made up an excuse to follow. Lu Wuyou also wanted to come, but Song Qingqian fibbed, saying she had already asked and the temple only had two rooms. Lu Wuyou had no choice but to give up.
Xiao Beitang was visibly pleased, flashing her a triumphant grin.
The temple wasn’t far from Lingshan Spring; monks came daily to fetch spring water.
The temple was large—the Emperor visited annually to pray. Upon hearing that the Crown Princess and her consort were coming, the abbot ordered a room to be prepared. When the messenger arrived, he mentioned that only one room had been made ready for “Her Highness and Her Highness’ Consort.”
It wasn’t until they arrived that Song Qingqian realized there was only one room. She considered asking for another, but then thought—how would it look if a married couple were sleeping in separate rooms? If word got to the Emperor…
Xiao Beitang noticed her concern, tugged at her sleeve, and whispered, “I’ll sleep on the floor.”
After a moment of thought, Song Qingqian nodded. That seemed the only solution. But she couldn’t let Xiao Beitang sleep on the floor—it was damp and cold on the mountain. If she caught a chill, it’d be trouble.
Better that she sleep on the ground herself.
The temple room was simple, filled with the faint scent of incense. They had brought no attendants; due to space constraints, it had been agreed in advance that no one would bring servants.
Despite its modest size, Xiao Beitang seemed to like the room. However, the temple staff were flustered by their unexpected arrival without attendants. Song Qingqian explained that they were traveling incognito and would handle everything themselves. The abbot was relieved but still sent hot water and extra blankets.
Song Qingqian busied herself—she wasn’t used to serving others. Even for her parents, her duties had been no more than offering tea; everything else had been handled by maids. Xiao Beitang, of course, was even more accustomed to being served like royalty. She sat serenely at the bedside, clearly expecting to be waited on.
Song Qingqian brought over the hot water and placed it to the side. Glancing at Xiao Beitang, she saw her sitting obediently, her eyes quietly following her every movement.
“Your Highness, come here. Let’s get you undressed,” she said gently.
Xiao Beitang stood and extended her arms obediently. After helping her undress, Song Qingqian brought the water over so she could wash her face and hands.
Finally, after even washing her feet, Song Qingqian could tend to herself. Clearly, she thought, she was not suited for a life of “managing house and raising children.”
Xiao Beitang sat silently with a small smile, watching her every move.
“Why are you still sitting there?” Song Qingqian asked as she returned. Her clothes were already off, but she hadn’t gotten under the blanket. Was she trying to catch a cold?
“I’m sleeping on the floor,” Xiao Beitang declared.
“No, Your Highness should take the bed. I’ll sleep on the floor,” Song Qingqian replied, still rearranging the furniture and preparing bedding.
Xiao Beitang stepped down from the bed and stood there motionless.
“Be good. Get into bed before you catch a chill,” Song Qingqian chided gently.
“I’ll sleep on the floor,” Xiao Beitang insisted, her tone a little firmer.
“No. Be obedient.”
“You have a cold constitution. I run warm. Feel my hands—I can sleep on the floor,” she said seriously, offering her hand.
Song Qingqian chuckled. “Still not happening.”
“If you don’t let me sleep on the floor, I’ll just stand here all night and not sleep at all,” Xiao Beitang threatened.
“Your Highness, didn’t you promise me you’d be obedient?”
“…Just this one thing. I can’t agree to this one thing.”
Song Qingqian sighed. At this rate, with her being so stubborn, they’d never get to sleep—and they had important matters tomorrow.
After a moment, she asked, “Then how about we share the bed?”
Xiao Beitang thought she’d misheard.
“I’ll sleep on the floor!” she repeated.
“Alright, alright. The bed’s not that small. We’ll share. You take one blanket, I’ll take the other.” Song Qingqian was already gathering the bedding and preparing the bed.
Xiao Beitang stood there watching her, slowly realizing what was happening—her heart bubbling with joy.
She awkwardly returned to the bed, limbs out of sync, watching as Song Qingqian bustled around making it up.
“Your Highness, do you want the inside or outside?” Song Qingqian asked.
“Either is fine.”
Song Qingqian smiled. “Then inside it is. I’ve called you several times in the morning, and you always kick off the blanket. Sleeping inside will keep you warmer.”
Her mind short-circuited. “I’m not cold. I’m warm.”
“Alright, alright. So which side is it going to be?”
“…Inside.”
She climbed in, burrowed under the covers, gripping the edge with both hands, peeking out with only her eyes, staring at Song Qingqian.
Song Qingqian got into the other side of the bed. Just as she settled in, she realized she hadn’t blown out the lamp. She got up to extinguish it, but before she could put out the last one, Xiao Beitang quickly asked,
“Can you leave one on?”
“Hm?” Song Qingqian turned to look at her. “Are you afraid of the dark?”
Xiao Beitang nodded.
Song Qingqian stopped. “This one probably won’t last until morning.”
“It’s alright,” Xiao Beitang whispered. “Once I’m asleep, it won’t matter.”
Then she ducked her head back under the covers, leaving only her eyes visible.
Song Qingqian chuckled and returned to bed. The two lay back-to-back—one against the wall, one clinging to the edge.
Separate as water in a well… or so she thought.
Song Qingqian regretted it!
She should never have let her sleep on the inside. Not only did she end up covering her with the blanket all night, Xiao Beitang was incredibly clingy. It was supposed to be “separate as water in a well,” but in the middle of the night, she kicked off the blanket and snuggled over, her warm breath brushing right against Song Qingqian’s ear.
Song Qingqian woke up, eyes wide open. By the dim glow of the still-burning lamp, she gently pushed Xiao Beitang back and tucked her in again. But as soon as she did, Xiao Beitang kicked off the blanket again and cuddled closer.
Song Qingqian had to keep yielding—nearly falling off the bed!
She barely slept a wink the whole night, while Xiao Beitang slept soundly, completely unaware of how much trouble she had been.
She should never have shared a bed with her.