The Crown Princess Is Jealous Again - Chapter 61
The room was so quiet that even the sound of a pin drop could be heard. Song Qingqian looked at her in confusion.
What did she mean by “performing the rites of Duke Zhou”? As a healthy Dry Lord (乾元君), desiring physical intimacy was natural—but she should be seeking it from another Yin Lord (坤澤) or a Neutral one (中庸), not from her!
Song Qingqian hesitated for a moment before speaking calmly:
“Your Highness, I’ve never interfered in your affairs with the women outside. If you need someone to relieve your tension, just as before, you needn’t change a thing. You’ve never lacked company, have you?”
Xiao Beitang was stunned. What kind of spouse sends their partner to someone else for comfort? Did she ever see her as her wife?
“Say that again!” Xiao Beitang’s voice trembled with restrained anger.
Fury sparked in her eyes as she stepped closer. Song Qingqian instinctively retreated a step. Xiao Beitang’s brows drew together sharply, her reddened eyes locked on her.
Song Qingqian regretted her words the moment they left her mouth, but she had spoken them in a moment of anger. In her heart, was she really someone who secretly engaged in affairs with others? Everything she had done was only to keep Xiao Beitang from making a mistake, only to uncover Yuwen Yue’s true motives and prevent disaster.
She never thought of herself as noble, but she did not deserve to be treated with such contempt.
Steeling herself, she sighed and said,
“Your Highness, you’ve always had no shortage of beautiful women around you. I’ve never once interfered in your dealings with them. If you wish to take a concubine or consort, I can even help you choose…”
“You—say that again!” Xiao Beitang’s eyes grew redder, as if a fire was blazing within them, burning from her cheeks down to her neck.
She stepped closer. Song Qingqian stepped back again.
Her pheromones were too intense—along with the scent came an invisible pressure.
Xiao Beitang advanced step by step, and Song Qingqian retreated just as steadily.
“Song Qingqian,” she said coldly, “are these words truly from your heart? If you say they are, then I won’t ask anything more.”
Xiao Beitang had forced her all the way to the wall—there was nowhere else to go.
Song Qingqian pressed her lips together.
“Yes,” she said quietly, “I meant what I said.”
Xiao Beitang let out a cold laugh and took a step back. The fire in her gaze extinguished. She gave a soft, bitter laugh.
“Whether or not your heart belongs to someone else, one thing is clear—it doesn’t belong to me. Otherwise, how could you be so indifferent about me being with others? Fine. You married me only because the
Empress forced you to. I shouldn’t have been so foolish.”
She drew in a deep breath, her expression full of desolation.
“Don’t worry. I’ve always known the burden I carry. You don’t need to force yourself anymore. Once Yuwen Yue leaves, we’ll dissolve this marriage.”
Without waiting for Song Qingqian’s reply, she turned and left. Her robe brushed past the wine jar on the floor, knocking it over. It rolled to a stop at Song Qingqian’s feet.
Song Qingqian stood rooted in place for a long time.
Eventually, she slumped against the wall in exhaustion.
Was she truly indifferent to Xiao Beitang? Of course not!
Since when had she become so childish—saying things out of spite, deceiving herself, and speaking the opposite of what she truly felt?
Xiaotao rushed in and, seeing her leaning weakly against the doorway, asked anxiously, “Princess Consort, are you alright?”
Song Qingqian slowly shook her head. The light in her eyes had dimmed.
“I’ll fetch some hot water.”
Her hands were ice-cold, and her face was pale as snow.
…
The next day, the two emerged from their chambers at the same time. Xiao Beitang cast her a faint glance before walking ahead, off to perform morning greetings.
She wore black today—her cloak and even the fox fur trim were jet black. She seemed cold and distant, impossible to approach.
After offering greetings, Xiao Beitang led Song Qingqian toward the palace gate. She was taking Yuwen Yue and the others to tour Mirror Lake that day.
Once in the carriage, Xiao Beitang remained silent. Her expression was distant, indifferent, with a faint shadow beneath her eyes. Gone was her usual lazy demeanor.
She closed her eyes to rest—it was clearly an intentional avoidance.
Song Qingqian glanced at her out of the corner of her eye. Her lips parted as if to speak, but the words never came.
The two sat in silence the entire journey. When they reached Mirror Lake, Yuwen Yue was already there, along with Zhang Dingqing and the others—all waiting for them.
“Your Highness,” Yuwen Yue greeted with a smile.
“My apologies for being late, please forgive me, Princess Yuwen Yue,” Xiao Beitang said politely, her demeanor proper and calm, with a faint smile that showed no hint of displeasure.
“We’ve prepared a resting area in the pavilion at the center of the lake,” she explained as they walked. “There’s a tea stove ready. We’ve also prepared boats—if anyone is interested, they may enjoy a boat ride on the lake.”
She walked and spoke like the hostess. Song Qingqian looked at her and, though gratified, couldn’t help but sigh quietly.
“Thank you, Your Highness,” the guests responded.
They walked along the long wooden bridge toward the center of the lake. The water shimmered with emerald light, cold and pristine. In the heart of winter, the lake evoked a quiet, reverent distance and an inexplicable chill.
Yet the trees near Mirror Lake remained verdant year-round, casting dark green reflections on the surface. Compared to summer, the scene was less lively, but no less beautiful.
Footsteps echoed along the walkway. Yuwen Yue sighed in admiration:
“Mirror Lake truly deserves to be called the imperial lake. The scenery is breathtaking.”
Xiao Beitang smiled.
“It’s just a pity there’s no snow today. If there were, brewing tea and watching it fall from the lakeside cottage—it would be like paradise on earth.”
Yuwen Yue nodded.
“Indeed a pity. But to see Mirror Lake like this is already worth the journey.”
At the lakeside pavilion, attendants were already kneeling in welcome from afar:
“Greetings, Your Highness.”
“Is everything ready?” Xiao Beitang asked.
“Yes, Your Highness. Everything is prepared.”
“Good. Princess Yuwen Yue, please.”
“After you, Your Highness.”
Xiao Beitang did not stand on ceremony. In this empire, aside from the Emperor and Empress, there was no one she needed to yield to.
She took her seat at the head. The others followed. The pavilion was spacious, with further rooms behind it.
As a royal lake, it was naturally equipped for leisure and even overnight stays—an ideal retreat in summer.
Mist lingered over the vast lake, and the distant shore was tinged with unseasonal spring greens.
“This place is truly delightful,” Yuwen Yue said, gazing at the orderly trees in the distance.
“I’m glad Princess Yuwen Yue enjoys it.”
Yuwen Yuan remained outside, not entering the pavilion. She stood on the wooden path, gazing across the lake, savoring a moment of private peace.
Yuwen Yue noticed and said apologetically,
“My sister is fond of nature. I hope Your Highness doesn’t mind.”
Xiao Beitang smiled,
“Not at all. We’re here to enjoy the scenery—it should be done freely.”
Yuwen Yue sighed,
“Great Yu truly is a land of majestic beauty.”
Zhang Dingqing stole frequent glances at Song Qingqian, and Xiao Beitang noticed it from the corner of her eye.
Today, Song Qingqian was clearly avoiding Zhang Dingqing’s gaze. She either looked into the distance or stared at her teacup in silence.
Yuwen Yue openly observed her and said,
“These past few days, I’ve been troubling Your Highness and the Princess Consort. You look a bit unwell today, Princess Consort—are you feeling alright?”
Song Qingqian smiled faintly,
“Thank you for your concern, Prince Yuwen Yue. I am quite well.”
Yuwen Yue offered a courteous bow.
“I’m relieved to hear that. I may still impose for a few more days, so I hope I won’t be too much of a bother.”
Song Qingqian nodded politely.
“You’re too kind, Prince Yuwen Yue.”
Xiao Beitang picked up her teacup and sipped slowly without a word. The difference between today and yesterday was stark—yesterday, she had clung to Song Qingqian constantly; today, they were like strangers.
Anyone could see it.
Yuwen Yuan finally entered the pavilion, bowing lightly.
“Your Highness, Princess Consort, please forgive me. I was lost in the scenery.”
Xiao Beitang gestured with a smile.
“No trouble at all. If you’d like, I can have someone take you boating.”
Yuwen Yuan glanced at Yuwen Yue, seeking silent permission.
Yuwen Yue smiled,
“Her Highness has already said so. If you want to go, then go. No need to ask me.”
Yuwen Yuan thought for a moment and said,
“I can’t swim. Could someone who knows the lake accompany me?”
Xiao Beitang nodded,
“A Qi, accompany the princess.”
At her command, a handsome young Dry Lord stepped forward from among the guards and bowed.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Yuwen Yue stood and said,
“In that case, I’ll join the boat ride as well.”
Xiao Beitang lifted her hand with a detached gesture.
“As you wish.”