The Crown Princess Is Jealous Again - Chapter 66

At Fuhua Courtyard, Xiao Beitang took out the jade piece from the box and held it tightly in her palm.

After all the twists and turns… it’s actually her?

If so, then she should let her go even more.

Song Qingqian personally brought the meal over.

As they sat across the dining table, a sudden awkwardness crept in between them.

Song Qingqian served the dishes and said, “Regarding Yuwen Yuan, His Majesty said he would refuse.” She was trying to ease Xiao Beitang’s resentment over the matter.

“Mm.” Xiao Beitang’s tone remained cold.

After a long silence, Song Qingqian finally said, “Your Highness, about the separation…”

Xiao Beitang interrupted her, saying, “As for the separation, once Yuwen Yue departs, I will bring it up with the Empress Mother at an appropriate time. I’ll have to trouble you to endure a little longer.”

The hand Song Qingqian used to serve food paused midair, and the dish slipped to the edge of her bowl. She sighed lightly.

Xiao Beitang took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “You can still be my mentor. I’ll continue attending the Imperial Academy. I like everything about that place and don’t want it to end. But you don’t need to suffer the role of Crown Princess Consort any longer. Even without that title, you can still be my Grand Tutor.”

Song Qingqian didn’t respond. This was the outcome she had initially wished for—so why did her heart ache now? It felt like she had bitten into a sour apricot—tart and astringent, stuck in her throat.

They ate the rest of the meal in silence.

The next day, Emperor Jing personally rejected Yuwen Yue’s request. Yuwen Yue didn’t seem surprised and left without saying anything sharp. However, many officials were worried that Northern Liang would use this as a pretext for aggression, so Emperor Jing ordered Zhang Dingqing to return early to defend the border.

After much deliberation, Song Qingqian decided to personally see Zhang Dingqing off. Xiao Beitang knew of this—Song Qingqian told her directly.

Yuwen Yue’s group departed the capital a few days later.

Everything seemed to return to calm. The heavy snow of late winter blanketed the dust of past events.

During the New Year month, the Emperor typically held a grand court session every seven days. But with Yuwen Yue’s visit, he had increased their frequency slightly. Now, with just ten days left until the New Year, the entire palace was busy with preparations—everyone except Xiao Beitang, who seemed to revert to her former self. She no longer visited the Hundred Flowers Pavilion, nor stepped foot in the gambling houses.

As for Song Qingqian, aside from her daily greetings to the Empress, she rarely saw Xiao Beitang anymore.

With the year drawing to a close, even Xiao Lin and the others were too busy for leisure. There wasn’t much to do in the palace. In the main hall of Zichen Palace, Xiao Beitang drank alone. Liuzi tried to persuade her to drink less, but she wouldn’t listen.

What else could she do if not drink?

Li Fu rolled his eyes and hunched forward, suggesting, “Your Highness, there are dancers and singers in the Jiaofang Bureau. Why not let this servant summon a few to lighten your mood?”

Liuzi cast him a subtle glare. This newcomer was far too forward. If His Majesty learned he dared to suggest such a thing to the Princess, how many heads would roll?

“From the Jiaofang Bureau?” Xiao Beitang wasn’t particularly interested in music or dance, but she suddenly thought of Linglong. She was stationed there now. Xiao Beitang wondered if Linglong had composed any new pieces.

Casually, she said, “Go to the Jiaofang Bureau and summon a girl named Linglong.”

“Yes!” Li Fu scampered off quickly.

Before long, he returned, bringing Linglong with him.

“Greetings, Your Highness,” Linglong said, bowing with her pipa in her arms.

“It’s been a while since I heard you play. I feel like listening today. Have you composed anything new?”

Linglong appeared much more composed than the last time they met in court. “Your Highness, I’ve written a few new pieces. May I play them for you?”

“Mm. Play.” Xiao Beitang reclined lazily and closed her eyes.

That day, Song Qingqian returned to the Song manor to deliver gifts and check on Lady Song, whose health had reportedly improved. She had considered inviting Xiao Beitang to come along—but after much thought, she gave up.

After lunch, she returned early. As she neared Zichen Palace, the sound of a pipa drifted from the main hall. It was the first time she’d heard music here, so she asked a palace maid at the entrance, “Is Her Highness inside?”

“Yes,” the maid answered respectfully.

“And who’s playing the pipa?”

“Your Ladyship, Her Highness summoned a musician from the Jiaofang Bureau.”

“A musician?” Song Qingqian murmured. Could it be Linglong?

Lately, Xiao Beitang had been deliberately avoiding her. Perhaps they no longer had the right to question each other’s choices.

She didn’t go inside, instead returning to her own chambers. After the New Year, perhaps Xiao Beitang would bring up the separation with the Emperor. She gave a bitter smile. Separation, they called it—but in the royal family, what separation was there? Only deposition.

Over the next few days, Xiao Beitang continued listening to Linglong play the pipa in Zichen Palace. Song Qingqian stayed at Fuhua Courtyard, immersing herself in books. Occasionally, the louder notes would drift over. Though distant and faint, the music still stirred her heart.

Every time she heard the pipa, she would sigh and retreat to her room—as if waiting for the sound, dreading it, and being disappointed once it came.

When the music stopped, her mind was even more restless. Scenes of Xiao Beitang and Linglong together—ones she had never seen—kept invading her thoughts.

Finally, she couldn’t take it anymore. That afternoon, she found an excuse to go to her.

As she entered, she saw Xiao Beitang reclining lazily in her seat, while Linglong played nearby.

The music was loud; Xiao Beitang hadn’t heard the door open. It was Liuzi who noticed and called out loudly, “Your Ladyship!”

Xiao Beitang slowly opened her eyes and looked at her.

Song Qingqian curtsied.

Xiao Beitang raised her hand to stop Linglong. The hall fell silent. She sat upright and asked, “What is it?”

Her tone was even colder than when they first met.

Song Qingqian hesitated before saying, “With the New Year approaching, the servants at Zichen Palace should receive rewards. It’s my first time handling this and I wanted to ask for Your Highness’s opinion.”

Xiao Beitang considered this. “In previous years, the Empress rewarded the entire palace. If you wish to give separate rewards, do as you see fit. No need to consult me.”

That single “no need to consult me” left Song Qingqian speechless. She stood there, unsure of what to say.

“Anything else?” Xiao Beitang asked.

“No…” Song Qingqian was about to leave when she felt something off. Her breath quickened, her face flushed, her body restless.

Her heat? No—it wasn’t supposed to come now. Why… and in front of Xiao Beitang?

Her heat came suddenly. She tried to leave quickly, but her legs gave out and she collapsed to the floor.

Xiao Beitang immediately rushed to her side, alarmed. “What’s wrong? Where does it hurt?”

Song Qingqian bit her lip in embarrassment. The scent of orchids filled the air. Xiao Beitang, overwhelmed by concern, didn’t notice anything strange. She ordered a physician immediately and carried Song

Qingqian back to Fuhua Courtyard herself.

She laid her gently on the bed. Song Qingqian was already panting softly, her skin flushed.

Xiaotao and Baixue had seen her in heat before—but by their count, it wasn’t time yet. They tried to persuade Xiao Beitang to step outside, but she paced back and forth anxiously, refusing to leave.

Song Qingqian gripped the blanket tightly, her gasping breaths stirring Xiao Beitang’s ears and heart.

The physician arrived shortly. One look was enough. “This is clearly her heat—how can Her Highness not recognize it?” she thought.

Physician Zhang knelt and took her pulse through a silk cloth. Her brows furrowed—it wasn’t a normal heat.

“What is it?” Xiao Beitang asked, noticing her frown.

Physician Zhang turned to bow. “Your Highness, it is indeed the Princess Consort’s heat, but I detected traces of a powerful aphrodisiac. I must know what specific substance was used.”

“Aphrodisiac?” Xiao Beitang frowned deeply. She hadn’t released any pheromones. Only now did she notice the heavy orchid scent in the room. Her voice turned sharp. “What did you feed her?”

Xiaotao and Baixue fell to their knees, confused. Baixue replied, “Aside from her usual meals, she ate nothing else.”

“If it had been in her lunch, the effects would have appeared much sooner. This type of drug acts instantly,” Physician Zhang explained.

Xiaotao looked up in shock. “Impossible! After lunch, she didn’t even drink water. The music bothered her, so she read for a bit and then went to see Your Highness. She returned like this…”

Physician Zhang frowned in thought. “It may have been something aromatic. There are many incense types used to arouse desire. May I ask where she was when the symptoms began?”

“The main hall of Zichen Palace.”

Physician Zhang rose at once and rushed off to investigate.