The Crown Princess Is Jealous Again - Chapter 53
The next morning, Song Qingqian was the first to wake. Today’s morning court would begin early, and Song Lian had already risen to prepare. After attending to her parents, she returned to find Xiao Beitang already awake.
“Where did you go?” Xiao Beitang rubbed her eyes and sat up.
“Father left early for court. I went to pay my respects,” Song Qingqian replied.
Yawning, Xiao Beitang asked, “Do you do this every day?”
“Yes.” Song Qingqian walked over, picked up the robe from the stand, and said, “Your Highness, let me help you dress.”
“Mmm.” Xiao Beitang stood and spread her arms. “What are our plans for today?”
“I’ll speak with Mother for a bit longer. Once Father returns, I’ll bid him farewell in person, and then we’ll head back to the palace,” Song Qingqian said as she dressed her.
“So soon? Can’t we stay a few more days?” Xiao Beitang looked at her, puzzled.
Song Qingqian glanced at her. “Mother’s condition is stable. The imperial physician has said there’s no serious issue. I feel reassured. It’s best we return early.”
Tensions ran high in the Prime Minister’s residence with Xiao Beitang around—returning sooner was safer.
Xiao Beitang nodded. “Then once your mother recovers, invite her to visit the palace more often.”
“Thank you for your concern, Your Highness.” Song Qingqian helped her into her outer robe, tidied everything up, and led her to breakfast. Afterwards, they visited Madam Song’s bedchamber.
After what had happened the day before, Madam Song’s impression of Xiao Beitang had improved greatly. Though she was the Crown Princess, she didn’t put on airs. Most importantly, she treated Song Qingqian well. Madam Song now looked at her with a fondness akin to a mother-in-law eyeing a beloved daughter-in-law—the more she looked, the more she liked.
“Did Your Highness sleep well last night?” Madam Song asked warmly.
“Very well,” Xiao Beitang replied with a smile.
Song Qingqian glanced at her. She’d slept on the outer side and kept squeezing inward all night. Thank goodness there had been a wall between them—otherwise, Song Qingqian feared she wouldn’t have gotten a wink of sleep.
“I’m glad to hear that,” Madam Song nodded. Then she said, “Your Highness, the Crown Princess was raised here in the Prime Minister’s residence. If there’s ever any inadequacy in her conduct or manners, I beg your forgiveness.”
“You’re being too modest, Madam. The Crown Princess is excellent—truly flawless in every regard.” Xiao Beitang smiled.
Song Qingqian’s cheeks flushed instantly. How could she say something like that so bluntly in front of her elders?
“Mother, we’ll be returning to the palace today,” Song Qingqian quickly changed the subject.
Madam Song gave Xiao Beitang a glance and said, “If possible, do come back often.”
Xiao Beitang smiled. “Once you’ve recovered, Madam, you’re welcome to visit the palace and keep the Crown Princess company.”
Madam Song sighed. “It’s not that I’m unwilling, but the palace has too many rules. I always feel constrained there.”
Xiao Beitang nodded understandingly. “Then in the future, I’ll bring the Crown Princess back more often.”
Madam Song paused. Were they so inseparable? Did she really plan to accompany her every time? As the heir to the throne, did she even have that kind of leisure?
“In the future, I’ll come back alone. There’s no need for Your Highness to go to the trouble,” she said, her tone a bit cool—as if she’d already made the decision.
This first visit had been for the sake of easing her mother’s worries. There was no need to trouble the household with future visits.
“…Very well.” Xiao Beitang’s voice dropped with disappointment.
“Father should be returning from court soon. I’ll bid him farewell before we leave,” said Song Qingqian.
“Alright.” Madam Song nodded.
“Your Highness,” she continued, “I’d like to speak privately with the Crown Princess. Would you mind resting for a while in the main hall?”
Already feeling dejected, Xiao Beitang now found herself politely dismissed. She forced a smile and said, “Then I’ll head there now. Please take care, Madam.”
After she left, Madam Song furrowed her brows and turned to her daughter. “Qingqian, Her Highness clearly wanted to accompany you back. Why did you treat her so coldly? If you hurt her feelings…”
“Mother, she’s still young and speaks without much forethought. If I bring her back frequently, people will inevitably criticize our family for harboring ulterior motives.”
Xiao Beitang may have been sincere, but Song Qingqian didn’t want her becoming too entangled with the Song household. Even if the Emperor wasn’t suspicious, gossip was always dangerous.
“You have a point,” Madam Song nodded in agreement.
“But you should speak to her more gently. You’re always lacking a bit of tenderness.”
Song Qingqian remained silent.
Seeing her daughter unmoved, Madam Song sighed. “You’re not young anymore. I had hoped to hold a grandchild soon.”
“I understand, Mother.”
“Have His Majesty or the Empress mentioned this to you?”
“They have. But such things are governed by fate—there’s no rushing it.”
Song Qingqian had thought about it. Perhaps choosing a few concubines for Xiao Beitang might ease future concerns. Yet whenever the idea arose, she felt inexplicably agitated. After all, she was only sixteen—no one would seriously urge this matter yet.
“Her Highness is still young, and there’s no one else by her side for now. But she won’t be alone forever. There’s quite an age gap between you two—by the time she reaches your age, you’ll be nearly thirty…”
Madam Song voiced her concern.
In front of her parents, she simply listened to their guidance without arguing or refuting.
Madam Song could tell that although her daughter didn’t object aloud, she didn’t truly accept her words either. She advised softly, “Qingqian, I know you don’t want to be like the other ladies, but life… life rarely goes the way we wish.”
Song Qingqian nodded. “You don’t need to worry, Mother. I know what I’m doing. Just focus on your health.”
Madam Song clutched her handkerchief, her voice catching in her throat. “I know you’ve always had a firm mind. I don’t expect to change it with a few words.”
“Mother, what are you saying…” Song Qingqian couldn’t bear to see her like this.
Madam Song wiped away her tears and said, “It’s my fault. Ever since what happened with your brother, I’ve been prone to overthinking. Don’t mind me. I’ll be fine in a bit.”
“All I wish is for him to let go, get married, have children, and live a peaceful life.”
“He will, Mother,” Song Qingqian gently patted her back.
Court was dismissed later than usual that day. The Prime Minister returned around midday.
Removing his official hat, Song Lian sank into a chair and rubbed his temples.
Hearing he was back, Song Qingqian went to the front hall to say goodbye.
Seeing the deep furrow in his brows, she asked, “Father, what troubles you?”
Song Lian lowered his hand from his forehead and sighed. “The New Year approaches, and several tributary states have submitted petitions requesting a reduction in tribute. We protect them all year, and now they don’t want to give anything in return.”
Xiao Beitang stood nearby, quietly perking up her ears. She had never taken interest in such matters before, but now, she found herself wanting to listen.
“There’s no need to worry too much, Father,” Song Qingqian said. “They do this every year, and in the end, they still pay their dues.”
Song Lian shook his head, troubled. “This time their tone is much firmer. I fear it’s related to Northern Liang. This Yuwen Yue won’t be easy to deal with—coming to Chang’an in person, and who knows what she’s really planning. And that Tongji Society… they even have a branch in one of the tributary states.”
“That reminds me,” Song Qingqian said, “about the Sun Manor case—was it really just personal revenge? Is that credible?”
Song Lian sighed. “The trail went cold. Everything after that felt orchestrated. The authorities can only follow the clues as they come.”
“It seems the Tongji Society is more formidable than we thought.”