The Crown Princess Is Jealous Again - Chapter 56
As the evening banquet approached, Xiao Beitang and Song Qingqian changed into formal attire and made their way to the palace feast.
Hong Lu had already led Yuwen Yue and the other envoys into the grand hall. Among the guests present were Prime Minister Song Lian, Grand Marshal Li Chang, and others. Having dealt with Da Liang at the border for years, Zhang Dingqing was also in attendance.
The officials all rose and bowed respectfully. “Greetings, Your Highness, Crown Princess Consort.”
Xiao Beitang raised her hand and spoke in a steady voice, “You may rise.”
Song Qingqian followed beside her and, for the first time, felt that Xiao Beitang had grown noticeably taller.
It had only been a few months, but she already carried the bearing of a crown heir. It was a comforting sight.
Especially today—she wore the formal robes of the Crown Princess, with golden dragons embroidered in silk winding across her dark, heavy garments. It lent her a calm and dignified presence.
Yuwen Yue looked carefully and realized that the elegantly dressed woman standing beside Xiao Beitang was the same one she had encountered on the street just days before! She was the Crown Princess Consort?!
In truth, Yuwen Yue had not traveled with Da Liang’s envoy caravan. She had ridden ahead on horseback and arrived several days earlier.
The day Song Qingqian returned to the palace from the Prime Minister’s residence, Yuwen Yue had seen her in the city. At that time, she had been with Zhang Dingqing outside a teahouse. It was only a brief glimpse, but Yuwen Yue’s heart had stirred—how could there exist such a radiant and stunning Kunzhe? Though the woman’s appearance and attire had changed since then, she immediately recognized her.
So… she is Song Qingqian? The very same Song Qingqian? A trace of jealousy welled up in Yuwen Yue’s heart. What virtue did Xiao Beitang possess to deserve her?
Song Qingqian regarded her with suspicion. The figure she had seen on the street that day matched Yuwen Yue’s stature and heterochromatic eyes. Upon closer inspection, it was undoubtedly her.
Xiao Beitang raised her cup, her voice resonant like a great bell. “By command of the Emperor Father, I host this banquet to honor the esteemed envoys. You have traveled far and endured much. This humble wine is offered in your honor.”
“Thank you, Your Highness,” the guests echoed.
Everyone raised their cups and drank in unison.
Xiao Beitang gestured. “Please, be seated.”
As her gaze swept across the hall, she spotted Zhang Dingqing behind Song Lian. That look in her eyes—soft and lingering—was fixed directly on Song Qingqian.
Xiao Beitang turned sharply toward Song Qingqian, only to see her smiling and nodding at Zhang Dingqing.
Immediately, Xiao Beitang grasped Song Qingqian’s hand and pressed her palm tightly. Song Qingqian winced at the pain and turned to her with a puzzled expression.
But Xiao Beitang only responded with a possessive, almost territorial look.
Before entering the capital, Yuwen Yue had heard tales of Xiao Beitang’s reputation—a good-for-nothing, wayward royal. After meeting her twice and seeing her now, she realized how inaccurate those rumors were. The reality was far from what she had imagined.
Yuwen Yue raised her cup with both hands and said warmly, “This is my first time in the capital. I am deeply grateful to Her Majesty and Your Highness for your generous hospitality. I offer a toast to Your
Highness—and to the Crown Princess Consort…” Her voice softened noticeably as she uttered those last three words, her gaze tenderly fixed on Song Qingqian.
Xiao Beitang let go of Song Qingqian’s hand and picked up her wine cup. She glanced at Song Qingqian and saw that she, too, had lifted her cup.
“Crown Princess Consort is not well-suited to alcohol. Let me drink on your behalf,” Xiao Beitang said, pushing Song Qingqian’s hand down and draining the cup in one swift motion.
Song Qingqian looked at her and whispered, “Drink slowly, Your Highness.”
Zhang Dingqing, seated behind Song Lian, witnessed everything. She raised her cup and drank bitterly.
She had learned of Song Qingqian’s marriage from a family letter sent by Zhang Ding’an. For several days afterward, her spirits had sunk. It was only after receiving orders to return to the capital to report that she had a chance to see her again—yet everything now felt like a lifetime ago. Contrary to what the letter had implied, Song Qingqian had not been coerced; she clearly had feelings for Xiao Beitang.
Yuwen Yue smiled and remarked, “Your Highness truly treasures the Crown Princess Consort. You wouldn’t even let her drink a single cup.”
Xiao Beitang took Song Qingqian’s hand again, smiled lightly, and said with deep affection, “She is my wife. Of course I must cherish and protect her.”
Each word was spoken with gravity, a declaration of sovereignty. Song Qingqian looked at her, slightly embarrassed.
Why did she always say such things in front of others? This was hardly the occasion. She tried to pull her hand back, but Xiao Beitang held on tightly. Song Qingqian could only meet her gaze with a look that gently reminded her not to lose decorum.
Xiao Beitang smiled in return, but still refused to let go. Sometimes, when she got into a mood, she was impossible to placate.
She had been fine earlier—but now, Zhang Dingqing’s look, Yuwen Yue’s gaze, and even a few others whose names she didn’t know… Enemies surrounded them, their covetous intentions plain to see. It was bad enough to have to deal with Lu Wuyou at the Imperial Academy—now that they were officially married, peace still eluded them.
Yuwen Yue understood the deeper meaning behind Xiao Beitang’s words and offered a smile. She bowed and added, “Your Highness, my younger sister, Yuen Yuan, is gifted in dance and, like me, was born with heterochromatic eyes. She is the treasured jewel of Da Liang. Today, she would like to perform a dance in Your Highness’s honor.”
Still gazing at Song Qingqian, Xiao Beitang only lazily turned her head upon hearing this. She smiled faintly. “It would be my honor.”
Yuwen Yue smiled and softly called, “Yuan.”
Yuwen Yuan nodded in response, her face veiled. As she rose, one of her deep eyes shone a translucent light green—bright and clear, like a still pool of spring water.
Behind the veil, her red lips were just barely visible. Every smile, every movement exuded charm and allure. Such a beauty—poised and alluring—could cause nearly any Dayuan to fall.
She bowed gracefully toward the main table, and as the ceremonial music began, she danced elegantly at the center of the hall.
Song Qingqian watched her, puzzled. Even if a princess of Dayu was a skilled dancer, she wouldn’t perform in public like this. She represented Da Liang’s dignity. What game were these two sisters playing?
Xiao Beitang gave her hand a small squeeze. Song Qingqian returned to her senses and looked at her. That gaze again—why did it carry such grievance? She looked like a jealous dog guarding its food bowl.
Xiao Beitang whispered, “Why are you staring at her?”
She’s a Kunzhe. Yuan is also a Kunzhe. What’s wrong with looking? This jealousy was a bit unreasonable. Song Qingqian could only shake her head helplessly.
Xiao Beitang gave her a pitiful look and murmured, “I want roasted rabbit.”
“…?”
She leaned in and whispered in her ear, “Feed me.”
Song Qingqian furrowed her brows and looked at her in confusion. But Xiao Beitang showed no signs of retreating. Left with no choice, Song Qingqian picked up her jade chopsticks, grabbed a piece of rabbit, and quickly fed it to her.
She glanced downward—her father was indeed watching them. Nervous, she shifted slightly to create some distance from Xiao Beitang.
But the more she tried to pull away, the closer Xiao Beitang leaned in. Song Qingqian even glared at her in slight annoyance, trying to signal her to ease up.
But today’s Xiao Beitang was not her usual obedient self. And with so many eyes on them, Song Qingqian couldn’t push her away too harshly.
Yuwen Yue observed them quietly and finally understood—those rumors were not exaggerated. Xiao Beitang’s nature was indeed rather unruly.
Zhang Dingqing sighed in quiet despair. Clutching her cup, she eventually relaxed her grip and forced a bitter smile as she downed the drink.
She had met Song Qingqian in their youth, before their secondary characteristics had developed, and had fallen for her early on. As her closest friend, she had always stayed by her side, never daring to speak her feelings.
Later, she left the capital to serve at the border, uncertain when she might return. So, she buried her feelings. She had once considered proposing marriage, but many of their old acquaintances had already tried—each rejected in turn. She lost her nerve, afraid she wouldn’t even be able to remain her friend.
It was the one thing Zhang Dingqing regretted most. Now, she didn’t even have the chance anymore.