The Crown Princess Is Jealous Again - Chapter 50
Song Lian led them toward the Madam’s bedchamber. Along the way, they passed through the front hall, then the front courtyard, and finally a small garden. Xiao Beitang glanced around curiously, eyes full of wonder.
The Prime Minister’s residence could be described as elegant, though it lacked anything truly extraordinary. Especially compared to the palace, it paled in grandeur. Yet Xiao Beitang behaved as though discovering a hidden wonderland.
At the bedchamber door, a servant opened it automatically. Song Lian led the two of them inside.
In a soft voice, he said, “Madam, Her Highness and the Crown Princess Consort have arrived.”
Hearing this, Madam Song struggled to rise and offer her respects. “This humble one—”
“There’s no need for formalities,” Xiao Beitang interrupted gently.
Suddenly, Song Qingqian regretted bringing Xiao Beitang home. If she had come alone, she could have maintained appearances in public and dropped all pretense in private. Her mother wouldn’t need to rise and perform formal courtesies before her own daughter.
Fortunately, Xiao Beitang was thoughtful enough not to make things more awkward, which helped ease her guilt.
Song Lian supported the Madam as she sat up. Madam Song looked at Song Qingqian, and her eyes immediately welled with tears. She tried hard to restrain herself and forced a smile.
Madam Song had grown noticeably thinner, her radiant spirit from the past no longer visible. Song Qingqian saw through her mother’s efforts at composure and met her gaze with silent comfort.
Xiao Beitang spoke warmly, “The Empress sent the imperial physician with me. Would you allow her to examine the Madam and assess her condition?”
Song Lian bowed deeply in gratitude. “Thank Your Majesty and Your Highness for your compassion.”
“No need for such courtesy,” Xiao Beitang said, then called, “Physician Li.”
The physician entered, saluted, and stepped forward to examine the Madam.
When he put away his diagnostic pillow, Xiao Beitang quickly asked, “What is your assessment?”
Physician Li replied, “The Madam’s illness stems from emotional distress that has built up over time. I will prescribe medicine, but unless the burden in her heart is lifted, full recovery will be difficult.”
Madam Song nodded. “Thank you, Physician Li.”
“No need for thanks. I’ll go now and prepare the prescription.” With that, Physician Li shouldered his medicine case and left with a bow.
Song Qingqian gently squeezed Xiao Beitang’s hand and said, “Your Highness, I would like a moment alone with my mother.”
“All right.” Xiao Beitang took her hand and guided her to sit at the bedside.
Then she stood quietly behind her, showing no intention of leaving.
The others in the room were momentarily stunned, then stifled their amusement.
Madam Song kindly reminded, “Qingqian, how can you let His Highness stand like that?”
Xiao Beitang responded with a silly smile, “I won’t sit. Please, talk as you wish.”
Song Qingqian let out a soft sigh and smiled, “Your Highness?”
“Hmm?”
Seeing her still dazed, Song Lian smiled and said, “Why doesn’t Your Highness come take a walk around the estate with this old minister?”
Xiao Beitang nodded, “Oh… sure.”
How could she refuse her father-in-law’s invitation?
Before leaving, she turned back and said to Song Qingqian, “Then I’ll come find you later.”
It sounded both like a promise and a sign of concern.
Song Qingqian nodded, a little helpless.
After Xiao Beitang left, the room quieted with only mother and daughter remaining. Madam Song looked meaningfully at her daughter.
“Mother, why are you looking at me like that?”
“You and Her Highness… seem to get along quite well.”
Song Qingqian felt a bit awkward. “It’s… acceptable.” There was hardly romantic affection between them—more like the bond of mentor and disciple.
Madam Song teased, “Still keeping secrets from your own mother?”
“Mother, I’m not hiding anything…” Song Qingqian was equally puzzled. These past few days, Xiao Beitang had clearly treated her with more closeness than usual.
Madam Song asked, “Are you adjusting well to life in the palace?”
Song Qingqian replied, “Everything is fine. Both the Emperor and Her Majesty are very kind to me.”
“I used to hear Her Highness was quite the spoiled rascal. But seeing her today, she’s nothing like the rumors.”
Song Qingqian affirmed, “Her Highness is young and a bit playful, but her character is good—better than most people I’ve met.”
“So long as she treats you well, that’s all I care about. Better than your brother…” Madam Song’s tone turned sorrowful.
Song Qingqian’s gaze dimmed. “And Sister Yuyan…”
Madam Song sighed, choking on her tears. “Qingqian, why couldn’t Heaven show mercy to those poor lovers? They were so devoted, and now they’re separated by life and death!”
“Why was the royal house so resolute in refusing her marriage to Gang’gang? Even in death, they wouldn’t let her go.” Song Qingqian’s voice was puzzled and pained.
“You know the truth, Qingqian. Though their families were evenly matched, Jiang Zihao was a Qianyuan, and he passed the imperial exams with your brother—only he was the third-rank scholar, while your brother barely made the list.”
“Even with our ancestral prestige, your brother’s prospects still pale in comparison.”
“That’s absurd! How can love be measured by such calculations?” Song Qingqian’s chest ached with frustration. “And how is my brother now?”
Madam Song replied sorrowfully, “How could he be well? He didn’t even get to see Yuyan one last time! At first, he couldn’t accept it and drank heavily, nearly dying outside. Though he no longer seeks death, he barely speaks now. Rarely smiles. Keeps himself locked in his study…”
She became increasingly distressed as she spoke, her coughing worsening, her chest heaving.
With tears in her eyes, she said, “Just a few days ago, your father suggested arranging another match for him to help him forget Yuyan. But he said he would never marry another—not in this life. He’d rather remain alone forever. That broke my heart… I fell ill from the grief.”
Song Qingqian leaned closer and held her mother’s hand, softly comforting her, “Mother, I’ll speak with Brother later. Please don’t let yourself worry too much.”
“Qingqian, your brother has suffered so much. He worked tirelessly for years to earn his title—sacrificed everything. And now that he finally succeeded, he’s lost the one he loved most…” The more she comforted her mother, the more bitter her heart became. Madam Song wept in her arms.
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Meanwhile, Song Lian and Xiao Beitang strolled through the garden. Seeing how fascinated she was by everything, Song Lian asked, “Would Your Highness like to visit the study, or shall I show you more of the estate?”
“I’d prefer to wander here in the garden,” Xiao Beitang replied.
“Very well. This way, Your Highness.”
As they walked, Xiao Beitang found the Prime Minister’s estate far duller than the palace and asked casually, “Grand Minister Song, may I ask about the Crown Princess Consort’s childhood?”
“Of course.” Stroking his beard, Song Lian’s eyes gleamed with affection. He pointed at a nearby rockery. “This very rock formation—Qingqian climbed it countless times as a child. Once, she even fell off, scaring the servants half to death.”
Xiao Beitang’s eyes lit up. “She was that mischievous even then?”
Song Lian chuckled. “Oh yes. And often punished for it.”
Xiao Beitang leaned in. “Tell me more!”
“When I was younger, I often hosted friends at home. So, the Crown Princess Consort grew up with many playmates. She used to scare younger children with bugs—made them cry, and then laughed proudly.”
“Though she wasn’t the oldest, the other kids always followed her around like ducklings. She was quite the little leader. I remember once, while I was chatting with guests under the veranda, the children played here in the courtyard…”
Xiao Beitang burst out laughing. “So, the Crown Princess Consort was quite the little troublemaker!”
Song Lian smiled fondly. “Indeed. There was always a troop of kids trailing behind her.”
Xiao Beitang gave him a sidelong glance, then hesitantly asked, “Grand Minister Song… may I ask you something rather personal?”
“Please, Your Highness.”
After a brief pause, Xiao Beitang asked, “Has she ever… had someone she loved?”
Song Lian examined her expression and hesitated.
Why ask this? Was it simple curiosity? Or perhaps jealousy? Xiao Beitang once seemed frivolous, but royalty is never without calculation. Song Lian couldn’t help but become cautious.
Xiao Beitang smiled gently. “If it’s difficult to answer, then don’t.”
Ah, sometimes she seemed naive, but sometimes very perceptive.
“At Your Highness’ request… There were many suitors over the years, but the Crown Princess Consort refused to even meet them. I believe she has never had someone in her heart.”
Xiao Beitang asked again, “Then why is she still unmarried at her age?”
Song Lian sighed. “If she had someone she loved, she would have married. But because she has none, she doesn’t want to marry just for the sake of it.”
He phrased it as a question, but his meaning was clear.
Xiao Beitang’s eyes brightened. “That makes sense.”