The Crown Princess Is Jealous Again - Chapter 57
As Yuwen Yuan finished her dance, she lifted her gaze toward Xiao Beitang. That woman—how could she be so utterly unmoved? She hadn’t spared her a single glance. Rumor had it that she indulged in brothels and debauchery—could it be untrue?
By the time Yuwen Yuan completed her performance, Xiao Beitang had already spent who knows how long clinging to Song Qingqian, engaging in all sorts of shameless behavior. Qingqian was practically covered in goosebumps.
One moment she was told to pour the wine herself, the next she had to feed it to her. Why did Xiao Beitang insist on such wanton displays in front of everyone? It was utterly unbecoming. Her father had already cast her multiple sidelong glances, but what could she do? Xiao Beitang seemed determined today to act like a deeply devoted lover before the entire court.
What had gotten into her? Had all her lessons and restraint from just days ago been forgotten?
The music came to a stop; the dance was over. Xiao Beitang finally turned and gave a few perfunctory claps. Her tone was half-hearted at best:
“Not bad.”
Could she have been any more dismissive?
Yuwen Yuan knew full well that she hadn’t actually watched. Whenever she glanced over, Xiao Beitang was tangled up with Song Qingqian—anyone in the hall could see it clearly. Yuwen Yuan curtsied gracefully and said in a soft voice,
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
Only then did Xiao Beitang spare her a fleeting glance. Did she not feel humiliated? A princess of the realm offering a dance and being so blatantly ignored—yet she could still smile? Her smile, like her elder sister’s, was inscrutable.
Yuwen Yue had already lowered herself by ordering Yuwen Yuan to perform. Now, with Xiao Beitang deliberately humiliating her, perhaps there would be no further talk of marriage. Though nothing had been officially proposed yet, Yuwen Yue had acted preemptively by putting on a display of wild frivolity.
Lost in thought, Xiao Beitang found herself staring dazedly at Yuwen Yuan, forgetting to mask the intensity of her gaze.
“Your Highness should have appreciated the dance earlier. Staring now seems rather belated, doesn’t it?” Song Qingqian’s voice floated gently over.
Was that… jealousy? Was she actually jealous?
Xiao Beitang was caught off guard, then quietly thrilled.
She turned to look at Song Qingqian, suppressing a grin and sighing dramatically:
“Indeed, my consort speaks the truth.”
Song Qingqian shot her a cold glance.
“How enviable the bond between Your Highness and the Crown Princess Consort,” came Yuwen Yue’s voice, laced with a trace of envy. “I’ve heard the two of you married less than half a year ago, still in the honeymoon phase. I was not yet privileged to meet you then, so allow me now to offer my sincerest wishes—may you grow old together in perfect harmony.”
“With Princess Yuwen Yue’s blessing, I’m sure my consort and I will enjoy a long and harmonious life.” Xiao Beitang stood and took Song Qingqian’s hand. Raising her cup with a smile, she added, “On that note, we offer a toast to all of you.”
The guests rose in response, raising their cups.
Xiao Beitang drained her wine and carefully placed the empty cup on the table. She then pulled Song Qingqian into her arms, took the cup from her hand, and drank from it as well.
Holding tightly to her hand, Xiao Beitang leaned in, her warm breath brushing Qingqian’s ear, voice soft and just slightly tipsy:
“I’ll drink it for you, my love.”
Song Qingqian blushed furiously, stunned. Was Xiao Beitang possessed today? She was both familiar and unfamiliar at once.
She struggled slightly, but Xiao Beitang held her firm. In the past six months, Xiao Beitang had grown taller by a full hand and far stronger than before.
Yuwen Yue noticed the subtle tension between the two and found it amusing. She slowly spoke:
“Chang’an is a marvel. So different from Liang’s capital. And the women—so alluring. I once met a girl here who captured my heart at first sight. Alas…”
“Oh?” Xiao Beitang kept her arm draped over Song Qingqian’s shoulder. “Now I’m curious. What kind of woman could so captivate Princess Yuwen Yue?”
Yuwen Yue sighed wistfully. “I didn’t expect it myself.”
“A fleeting meeting, yet unforgettable? She must be quite the beauty,” Xiao Beitang said with a smile.
“She resembled the Crown Princess Consort. But after seeing Her Highness today, I realize she’s far beyond a mere mortal—more like a celestial being. If I could marry a woman like Her Highness, I’d have no regrets in life.” Her gaze fell directly on Song Qingqian, the words veiled with provocation.
Xiao Beitang’s smile vanished.
Her face darkened, eyes flashing with unmistakable fury. A rich scent of black tea lingered behind her ear—her usual sign of anger. Song Qingqian placed a calming hand behind her and whispered,
“Don’t let her get to you, Your Highness.”
Xiao Beitang took a deep breath, regaining composure.
Song Qingqian gently pulled her to sit down, poured her a cup of tea, and turned to Yuwen Yue with polite indifference:
“Princess Yuwen Yue flatters me. I’m but an ordinary woman—far from worthy of such lofty praise.”
Yuwen Yue chuckled softly, “You’re too modest, Your Highness.”
Song Qingqian studied her carefully. So, it had been her on the street the other day. She glanced at Zhang Dingqing—she nodded in tacit understanding.
She said evenly,
“I did leave the palace a few days ago and saw someone on the street who resembled Princess Yuwen. If I recall correctly, Liang’s envoy caravan hadn’t yet entered the city at that time?”
“You saw me that day?” Yuwen Yue looked pleased. So, she remembered.
“I noticed you because of your mismatched eyes—rare in Dayu.”
Xiao Beitang was watching her intently—Qingqian could feel it.
“Indeed. I rode ahead and arrived a few days early. But I was alone, so I kept a low profile. I hope Your Highness understands.” Yuwen Yue was open, making no effort to conceal it.
Xiao Beitang replied lazily,
“You’re too kind, Princess Yuwen. Still… what a pity. It seems your longing will remain unfulfilled.”
Yuwen Yue simply smiled.
But that smile unsettled Xiao Beitang. It was too brazen—like a wolf circling its prey, waiting to pounce. Unlike Lu Wuyou’s shamelessness, Yuwen Yue’s smile held an eerie chill.
Song Qingqian said coolly,
“If the Princess enjoys Chang’an, perhaps you should stay a few more days.”
“Thank you for the gracious invitation, Your Highness. I just might.”
She didn’t deny it. She had no intention of leaving soon—exactly what Song Qingqian had been testing for.
As the two exchanged increasingly familiar words, Xiao Beitang grew visibly irritated. She poured herself more wine and—seemingly accidentally—knocked over the wine pot.
It clattered onto the table, spilling wine that streamed onto the floor, its scent spreading instantly.
Xiao Beitang quickly rose and stepped back. Palace attendants rushed forward to clean the mess.
Song Qingqian immediately stopped speaking to Yuwen Yue and stood in concern,
“Are you all right, Your Highness?”
Feigning grievance, Xiao Beitang said softly,
“I’m fine. Just got wine on my robes.”
“Then Your Highness should change quickly,” Song Qingqian replied.
Xiao Beitang looked at her with soft eyes and murmured,
“Come with me?”
Song Qingqian was about to shoot her a look to behave—but Xiao Beitang’s pitiful expression made her pause. She couldn’t bring herself to refuse. She nodded gently,
“All right.”
Delighted, Xiao Beitang grabbed her hand like a child given candy.
“Prime Minister Song, Grand Marshal Li, please see to entertaining Princess Yuwen. The Crown Princess and I will step out to change.”
The two men bowed silently.
With all eyes on them, Xiao Beitang led Song Qingqian away from the banquet.
Outside the hall, she seemed in much better spirits—no trace of earlier grievance remained.
Song Qingqian sensed something amiss. The way that wine spilled—it looked deliberate. And now she was clearly pleased with herself. She stopped and asked,
“Did Your Highness do that on purpose?”
Xiao Beitang countered, dissatisfied,
“You kept talking to that Yuwen Yue.”
“She’s a guest,” Song Qingqian replied helplessly.
“Some guest. She was practically undressing you with her eyes—right in front of me!”
Qingqian laughed, exasperated,
“Even if she coveted me, what can she do? It’s nothing but an illusion. Why trouble yourself over it?”
Xiao Beitang fixed her with an intense gaze and stepped closer. For every step forward she took, Qingqian retreated—until her back hit the wall. She nearly stumbled.
Xiao Beitang caught her by the arm, helping her steady herself, and declared imperiously:
“No one is allowed to covet you.”
Had she drunk too much? Not wanting to argue, Song Qingqian changed the subject,
“Your Highness should change clothes. We’ve been gone too long.”
“No rush. It’s stuffy inside. Besides, Prime Minister Song can handle Yuwen Yue.”
“Your Highness…” Qingqian frowned.
“Fine, fine, I know,” Xiao Beitang grumbled, releasing her hand. “Let’s go.”
She refused to let anyone else assist her—insisting that Qingqian help her change.
And Qingqian humored her. As long as they got through this gathering without incident, a little jealousy was harmless. She could indulge her.
When they returned, the music and laughter still filled the hall. Everything appeared harmonious.
Xiao Beitang sat beside Qingqian again—closer than ever—smiling as if she had tasted honey.
What was she grinning about? People would think they hadn’t just gone to change clothes. Song Qingqian cleared her throat a few times.