The Crown Princess Is Jealous Again - Chapter 59
“Your Highness, Yue has been waiting for you for quite some time.”
“It is I who arrived late.”
Yuwen Yue approached with a smile. Following closely behind her was… that woman—Yuwen Yuan?
She removed her veil, revealing a pair of bewitching heterochromatic eyes that seemed to pull at one’s soul. Her lips were red, teeth white, and though undeniably beautiful, there was a striking heroic air about her—completely unlike the soft, graceful dancer from yesterday.
Song Qingqian gave her a quick once-over. A woman like this—any ordinary man in Qianyuan would surely fall for her.
She then glanced at Xiao Beitang, only to find her eyes fixed on her—sharp, watchful, even threatening.
Yuwen Yue asked, “Your Highness, may Kunzhe be permitted to participate in today’s cuju match? My younger sister would like to join.”
Yuwen Yuan stepped forward and gave a graceful bow.
Xiao Beitang replied casually, “Of course.”
Yuwen Yue turned to Song Qingqian and spoke in a gentle tone, “Does Her Highness the Crown Princess Consort play cuju? Why not join us?”
“This palace…”
Before she could finish, Xiao Beitang stepped in front of her and clasped her hand tightly. With a raised voice, she declared, “Of course she will! A couple should act in unison.”
Her voice rang so loudly that everyone nearby turned to look. Song Qingqian felt a bit embarrassed and gently squeezed her palm.
Yuwen Yue smiled and said, “In that case, Yue looks forward to it.”
She turned and left with a smile, leaving behind Xiao Beitang, who was grinding her teeth audibly in frustration.
“Your Highness?”
“Song Qingqian, stay away from her,” Xiao Beitang said with obvious displeasure.
“…?” She hadn’t even gotten close. What was she on about now?
Seeing Song Qingqian’s confusion, Xiao Beitang grew more irritable. “Can’t you see the way she looks at you? Like a dog staring at a bone. I don’t like it.”
Who’s the bone? Who’s the dog? Then what is Xiao Beitang—another dog guarding its meal? Song Qingqian couldn’t help but let a smile curl on her lips. She hadn’t even realized that Xiao Beitang’s childishness could make her smile involuntarily.
The players returned dressed for the game, each team wearing distinct colors.
Dayu’s team wore crimson, while Beiliang’s team wore black—easy to tell apart on the field.
Xiao Beitang naturally stood beside Song Qingqian and handed her a forehead band.
“?” Song Qingqian blinked in surprise.
“Tie it for me,” she whispered, barely moving her lips, speaking so softly it was almost unintelligible. She clearly didn’t want anyone to know she had made the request.
Song Qingqian accepted the band and said gently, “Lower your head.”
Obediently, Xiao Beitang bowed her head. Song Qingqian tied the dragon-embroidered forehead band for her.
Then, Xiao Beitang snatched the spare one from her hand and tied it for her in return, smiling radiantly.
Once on the field, she stood protectively just in front of Song Qingqian.
No one lined up like that. While Xiao Beitang wasn’t paying attention, Song Qingqian subtly shifted some distance away.
The game began. Both teams went all out.
Xiao Beitang looked back only to find Song Qingqian had drifted far away and was exchanging a glance with Zhang Dingqing.
Zhang intercepted the ball and with a powerful kick, sent it flying toward Song Qingqian.
Without stopping it, she shot it straight into the goal.
The two exchanged a smile.
Cheers erupted from the crowd. On Dayu’s home ground, the celebration was naturally louder. Only Xiao Beitang stood silently at the side, watching their unspoken connection with a hint of dejection.
It was a clear display of the seamless understanding between Song Qingqian and Zhang Dingqing. One pass, one shot—fluid, perfect.
Yuwen Yue, however, didn’t seem concerned about winning or losing. She chuckled, “I didn’t expect Her Highness the Crown Princess Consort to be so skilled. I underestimated you.”
Song Qingqian smiled politely. “Princess Yuwen Yue flatters me. Just good luck.”
“Tsk tsk, Her Highness really is popular~” Xiao Lin floated over, whispering slyly into Xiao Beitang’s ear.
Xiao Beitang glared at her.
“I overheard something a few days ago,” Xiao Lin leaned in closer to gossip.
“What is it?” Xiao Beitang had a bad feeling—it likely had to do with Song Qingqian.
“When Zhang Dingyuan was chatting with someone, he let slip that Zhang Dingqing and the Crown Princess Consort were very close in the past. Zhang Dingqing admired her deeply and had planned to propose—if she hadn’t been stationed at the border.
Apparently, the Crown Princess Consort had feelings for her too. Refused all marriage proposals for years just waiting for her to return—only for His Majesty to issue a decree, making her the consort instead.”
The winter wind was biting, but the cuju field buzzed with energy.
Xiao Beitang’s heart was in turmoil. She looked at Song Qingqian, who now stood next to Zhang Dingqing.
Jealousy burned in her chest like wildfire.
…
On the field, the score had reached six to four after Zhang Dingqing’s latest goal. Of those six, three were hers, and two were Xiao Beitang’s.
Oddly enough, it was Yuwen Yue—who was behind—who remained calm and composed. Xiao Beitang, despite leading, looked as though she was trying to catch up.
By this point, the match was practically decided. Yuwen Yue seemed uninterested in winning, appearing instead to enjoy the game as though watching a fine play.
Bent over, hands braced on her knees, Yuwen Yue panted heavily. “General Zhang truly is formidable. Your coordination with Her Highness is remarkable.”
It sounded casual—but landed like a dagger in Xiao Beitang’s ears.
With little time left, Xiao Beitang played even more aggressively.
As the match neared its end, Yuwen Yuan made a mistake, accidentally passing the ball to Song Qingqian. Without hesitation, she sprinted forward. Both Xiao Beitang and Zhang Dingqing moved simultaneously, circling around toward the goalposts.
Yuwen Yue’s team moved to intercept.
Both Xiao Beitang and Zhang Dingqing looked at her expectantly, silently hoping she would pass to them.
Song Qingqian paused for a moment.
Before she could decide, Yuwen Yuan closed in.
In the final moment, she sent the ball flying toward Zhang Dingqing.
Zhang took two quick steps, trapped the falling ball with her chest, then delivered a powerful, clean strike.
The drumbeat sounded—game over.
Xiao Beitang stood frozen amidst the celebrating team.
“We won! We won!” Xiao Lin and Xiao Wanqi rushed over, bumping shoulders with her in excitement.
She was jolted slightly but remained unresponsive.
Xiao Wanqi looked puzzled. “A-Tang, what’s wrong? Too happy to think?”
Still, Xiao Beitang said nothing. She pulled off her forehead band and quietly walked off the field.
Yuwen Yue came forward and politely remarked, “General Zhang is truly impressive. I’m in awe.”
Zhang Dingqing replied coldly, “Your Highness flatters me.”
“No need for modesty, General. I must say, your coordination with Her Highness was truly a sight to behold.” She said it loudly, repeating the remark with a touch too much emphasis.
Zhang Dingqing cast her a sidelong glance. “Her Highness and I were classmates. We’ve played cuju together in the past—so yes, some understanding.”
Yuwen Yue feigned surprise. “Ah, so that was you two I saw outside the teahouse the other day?”
Xiao Beitang froze in place.
They met in private too?
So… she’d rather see her than me during those days? So, between them… could it be…
Xiao Beitang’s mind exploded in chaos. Countless messy thoughts flooded in, impossible to dispel.
Zhang Dingqing exchanged a look with Song Qingqian. What was Yuwen Yue’s purpose in openly bringing this up?
Yuwen Yue added with regret, “At the time, I only saw a silhouette. I didn’t dare assume—it would’ve been presumptuous.”
Zhang Dingqing responded with a faint smile, her words laced with meaning: “No matter. I’m not particularly acquainted with Your Highness.”
Yuwen Yue, publicly slighted, didn’t show a hint of anger. She merely smiled. “Indeed. Yue has simply long admired General Zhang’s reputation.”
Song Qingqian studied Yuwen Yue. Her behavior today was… odd. For a foreign royal to speak so intimately with a border general—such things invite suspicion. Was she doing this intentionally, to make Xiao
Beitang jealous of Zhang Dingqing?
Xiao Beitang—where was she?
Song Qingqian looked around.
Xiao Beitang let out a soft sigh and began walking off, absentmindedly rolling up her sleeves.
Liuzi came up to drape a fox-fur cloak over her shoulders. After a winter match, it was easy to catch cold.
“Your Highness.”
Xiao Beitang turned. It was Yuwen Yuan.
She studied her for a moment but said nothing.
Yuwen Yuan offered a handkerchief with a gentle smile.
Xiao Beitang glanced at it, brows slightly furrowed, neither taking it nor refusing.
Yuwen Yuan stepped closer and insisted softly, “Your Highness, please wipe your sweat. It’s cold—don’t catch a chill.”
Xiao Beitang gave her a look and replied flatly, “Thank you, but that won’t be necessary.”
Without waiting for a response, she turned and walked away.
Yuwen Yuan clenched the handkerchief in her palm and turned back silently.
Not far away, Song Qingqian had been watching. Only now did the tension in her chest ease.