The Crown Princess Is Jealous Again - Chapter 65
Their eyes met like sharpened blades, locking in a tense standoff. The hall was deathly quiet—so still, even their breathing could be heard.
Xiao Beitang said nothing. She turned and walked away.
The Empress made to chase after her, but Emperor Jing stopped her.
“Let her go,” he said.
Song Qingqian also moved to follow, but the Emperor spoke gently, “She cannot always lose her composure whenever she’s unhappy.”
He paused, then added, “Qianqian, I’ve already made my decision regarding Yuwen Yuan. I will reject Yuwen Yue’s proposal—you needn’t worry.”
Song Qingqian said nothing. Her heart was still caught up with Xiao Beitang.
“Go,” the Emperor said.
As soon as his voice fell, Song Qingqian offered a quick bow and rushed out.
Xiao Beitang wasn’t in the Zichen Palace. Where could she have gone? Could she have stormed out of the palace in anger?
She asked the guards at the gate. They said they hadn’t seen her.
If she hadn’t left the palace… where would she go?
Suddenly, a place came to mind. The Archive Pavilion. How could she have forgotten?
She hurried there. Pushed open the door and stepped inside.
At first glance, the room seemed empty. She walked further between the shelves. There, in a quiet corner, Xiao Beitang sat curled up, knees hugged to her chest, fast asleep.
She knelt down and gently shook her.
“Your Highness… come sleep in your palace. It’s cold here.”
Xiao Beitang frowned faintly, then opened her eyes. Seeing Song Qingqian, her gaze was dazed, as if transported back seven years.
Back then, it was summer. Her mother, the Empress, had taken her to that cursed place built by the Imperial Astrologer, hoping she would awaken her Dryn (alpha) traits. But she had been terrified and hadn’t wanted to return. Even her mother wouldn’t help her.
That day, young Xiao Beitang had run away. She darted through the palace grounds, still small enough to hide behind shrubs and pillars.
Eventually, she ended up in the Archive Pavilion—a place seldom visited. She squeezed into a corner and, exhausted, fell into a half-sleep against the bookshelf.
The door creaked open.
Startled, she held her breath, thinking the guards had found her.
But the person who entered moved slowly, taking their time browsing the shelves.
Curious, Xiao Beitang peeked out. A girl, maybe in her teens, stood nearby, dressed in a pale yellow gown—elegant and unfamiliar. Not one of the palace ladies Xiao Beitang knew.
Outside, chaos raged. Guard patrols were searching in pairs.
Eventually, one of them entered the archive.
“Have you seen the Crown Princess?”
The girl replied, “No.”
“Thank you. Let’s go.” And they actually left.
The Crown Princess had gone missing in the palace for over half a day. The Emperor was beside himself. No one would dare lie if they had seen her.
Xiao Beitang was relieved not to be found… then she noticed a pair of feet in front of her.
She looked up. The young woman stood smiling at her.
“When did you notice me?” Xiao Beitang asked, her voice still childish.
“Let’s say… just now.”
“Why are you hiding here, Your Highness?”
“You know who I am?” Xiao Beitang frowned. “But I don’t know you.”
The girl glanced at her clothes. Xiao Beitang followed her gaze and saw the golden dragon embroidered on her chest. The Emperor had only one daughter. There was no need for anyone to explain who she was.
“Will you tell on me?” Xiao Beitang asked warily.
“They won’t come back.”
“What’s your name?”
The girl didn’t answer. She smiled instead. “But Your Highness still hasn’t told me—why hide here?”
“No reason!” Xiao Beitang, even as a child, was obstinate.
Gurgle…
Embarrassing. Though she tried to stay aloof, her stomach gave her away. She had left early that morning without breakfast.
The girl chuckled. She pulled a handkerchief-wrapped pastry from her sleeve and handed it to Xiao Beitang.
“I was going to bring this home for my mother. But Your Highness is hungry—have this for now.”
Xiao Beitang looked up at her, thinking how tall she was.
Over the years, Xiao Beitang had long forgotten the girl’s face. She only remembered that she was beautiful, warm… one of the rare lights she found in the darkness.
The memory had faded to sepia, like an old dream. Yet waking up now, it felt like that day all over again—only this time, it was Song Qingqian standing before her.
“Why are you looking at me like that, Your Highness?” Song Qingqian asked, noticing her dazed expression.
Xiao Beitang turned away, refusing to answer.
Song Qingqian smiled. “Your Highness still prefers hiding here.”
Xiao Beitang froze. What did that mean? Did she think she was hiding here because of the wedding—or…
“Just like seven years ago.”
Xiao Beitang’s heart skipped a beat. She stared blankly at her.
Seven years ago, Song Qingqian had asked her father to take her into the palace. She had heard about the rare books in the Archive Pavilion. Song Lian brought her while attending court, and entrusted her to a servant to explore the collection.
She had been engrossed in reading when she felt someone watching her. She looked up—and saw a small head duck behind the shelf.
The palace had already been in turmoil. Rumor was that the Crown Princess had gone missing. There were no other children in the palace. That little head… it must be her.
Pretending not to notice, she continued browsing, stealing glances at the curious little eyes peeking out.
She shifted her position and saw the emblem on the child’s robes—it was unmistakably the Crown Princess.
When the guards asked if she had seen her, Song Qingqian lied.
She gave Xiao Beitang the pastry. When she left, Xiao Beitang removed the jade pendant from her waist and handed it over.
“This is for you.”
“Why, Your Highness?”
“You gave me a pastry. This is a thank-you. And for not turning me in.” Xiao Beitang wasn’t foolish. She’d understood what that line—“Let’s say I just found you”—meant.
“Your Highness should keep it. It must be valuable.”
“You take it,” Xiao Beitang insisted, frowning.
Song Qingqian had no choice. She untied her own jade pendant and gave it to her. “Then I’ll give you one too, Your Highness. To thank you.”
“For what?”
“For not mentioning that we met.”
Xiao Beitang understood. She took the pendant and nodded—thus sealing a silent pact between them.
…
“Your Highness?” Song Qingqian called softly.
“It was you…” Xiao Beitang’s eyes grew misty, her vision blurring.
“It’s me.” Song Qingqian smiled.
Suddenly overcome, Xiao Beitang choked up. A strange sense of grievance welled up in her chest, her nose stinging. She buried her face in her knees and began to cry softly.
Song Qingqian reached out, gently stroking her head without saying a word.
After a long while, Xiao Beitang finally calmed down. She looked up at her, still tearful, and asked sharply, “Did you come to convince me to marry Yuwen Yuan?”
Song Qingqian sighed softly. “No. I came to find you.”