The Crown Princess Is Jealous Again - Chapter 8
She strode coldly through the grand hall, her icy gaze sweeping across the space, chilling the air as she passed. With a cold, mocking laugh, she said,
“What did you just say? I really underestimated the Empress. To think she’d even try to control something as natural as differentiation—and marriage? How could she possibly let that go?”
“Enough!” Emperor Jing slammed the table and rose to his feet.
But Xiao Beitang remained composed, her expression unmoved, and responded disdainfully,
“Oh? Did I say something wrong? Did any of you ever ask if I was willing? What if I already have someone I care about? Am I to be forced into this regardless?”
“Beitang, the matter of your marriage isn’t just personal—it concerns the stability of the state. It must be decided by your mother, the Empress,” the Empress said gently, trying to soothe her. She shot a glance at the Emperor as she spoke. “If you’ve taken a liking to some young lady, taking her as a concubine or giving her a proper title is still acceptable.”
Emperor Jing snorted coldly, displeased.
“A liking? Who knows what kind of woman she’s set her eyes on—probably some courtesan from the pleasure quarters.”
“That’s right. Your daughter does like courtesans,” Xiao Beitang said loudly, her voice rising above his.
“How dare you!” the Emperor thundered.
His tone hardened.
“From now on, you’re not allowed to roam outside like before. Prepare for the wedding properly.”
With those words, he threw a final look at the Empress, turned on his heel, and left without another word.
Xiao Beitang stared at his retreating back, a retort on her lips—but in the end, she swallowed it.
The Empress shook her head and stepped down from the dais. Her voice was soft,
“Beitang, you shouldn’t hold such deep resentment against your mother. You’re sixteen now—it’s time to show a bit of understanding.”
She took her hand, gently smoothing her hair and smiling.
“Would it be so bad to have someone by your side who cares for you, who keeps you warm? If the two of you have a child, I’d be even happier.”
Whenever it was just the Empress, Xiao Beitang’s harsh edge softened. She nestled against her mother’s arm like a spoiled child.
“Mother, that Song Lian is a rigid old bore. Her daughter’s probably a wooden stick too! Besides, I’ve never even seen the girl—how am I supposed to marry a stranger?”
The Empress flicked her forehead with a jade-like finger, smiling indulgently.
“You’re not to make a fuss. The decree has already been issued—how could it be taken back now? Be good, and stop being so willful. It’s time you calmed your heart.”
Xiao Beitang pouted, mumbling,
“It’s not that I don’t want to marry, but it should at least be someone I like. How can such an important decision be forced upon me like this again?”
Her mother sighed.
“Your mother did it for your sake. And I’ve seen the girl—Qianqian is graceful, well-mannered, and beautiful. So many suitors have been turned away. Your mother went to great lengths to arrange this. You always go out of your way to oppose her. She’s still your mother—how could she ever wish you harm?”
The Empress patted her hand affectionately, pretending to scold her but full of genuine concern.
Xiao Beitang muttered,
“Of course I know she means well… but I just hate that she forces things on me.”
The Empress sighed again.
“Beitang, do it for me, won’t you? Just this once?”
Xiao Beitang said nothing. Knowing she was still brooding, the Empress gently asked about her recent days, offered some comforting words, and left.
The next morning, Xiao Beitang slipped out of the palace again.
________________________________________
“A-Tang, I heard you’re getting married?” Xiao Lin teased with a grin the moment she arrived.
Linglong, standing nearby, froze slightly before stepping forward to help her out of her cloak.
“Don’t make fun of me. This whole thing is a headache,” Xiao Beitang sighed as she sat down, utterly disinterested.
“Why? Isn’t marriage a happy occasion? You don’t look happy at all,” Xiao Wanqi asked in confusion.
“I don’t even know what she looks like—how can I marry her?” Xiao Beitang tossed back a cup of wine in one go.
The two exchanged glances.
“But I heard she’s both talented and beautiful—a perfect match for you!” Wanqi said.
“Heh… her father is stiff and dull. All this praise—who’s to say it isn’t just flattery out of respect for him?” Xiao Beitang reclined lazily, propping her head up with one hand, looking completely dispirited.
Xiao Lin took a gulp of wine and quickly chimed in,
“No, really! My mother saw her yesterday and said Miss Song is breathtakingly beautiful—she even said it was a shame she didn’t meet her sooner, or she might’ve fought you for her.”
“Then by all means, you can have her,” Xiao Beitang said flatly.
Xiao Lin chuckled dryly.
“Come on, you’re joking. No one can go against your mother’s decree.”
“Exactly… who could go against it?” Xiao Beitang turned over and rested her head in Linglong’s lap, staring at the ceiling in a daze.
Linglong gently smoothed her hair and hesitantly asked,
“Miss Xiao… are you really going to marry?”
Xiao Beitang looked back at her and smiled faintly,
“Do you want me to?”
She lowered her head and whispered,
“Of course not.”
Xiao Beitang laughed and laid her hand over Linglong’s.
“Are you afraid that once I’m married, I won’t come anymore?”
Linglong hesitated.
“Would you?”
“Yes.”
Linglong was stunned.
Xiao Beitang grinned mischievously.
“Yes—I’ll come even more often.”
Only then did Linglong smile too. She picked up a grape and popped it into Xiao Beitang’s mouth, gently brushing her lips afterward.
Linglong was the courtesan queen of Baihua Pavilion. Xiao Beitang had paid a hefty sum to buy her exclusivity, so she no longer had to entertain other patrons.
It was strange, really—Xiao Beitang had paid enough to take her body if she wanted, yet never did. That made Linglong treat her differently. To her, most of the dominant men of this world were arrogant and cruel, lording over the weak, especially the rich and powerful sons and daughters of noble houses, who crushed girls like her as if they were ants.
She knew that working in a brothel left her with no dignity or choices. She was lucky—she’d barely been on the market when Xiao Beitang came into her life. And from Xiao Beitang, she found a shred of dignity.
She had seen too many of her sisters abandoned by patrons as soon as their youth faded. But Xiao Beitang felt different—worth trusting.
Even so, Xiao Beitang never offered to buy her freedom. Linglong dared not ask, for fear of sowing suspicion—or worse, rejection.
________________________________________
“Still, A-Tang, I think this marriage might not be such a bad thing for you,” Xiao Lin said.
“Why do you say that?”
Xiao Lin shifted forward, speaking earnestly,
“Think about it. You’re the only daughter of your house. Your mother has high hopes for you. Your uncles are watching you closely too. And you’re not that young anymore. These marriage arrangements won’t stop—they’ll only become more frequent. You’re not like us. You can’t just throw your family aside. At least this is just one marriage—not three or five wives all at once.”
Xiao Wanqi nodded.
“And really, Miss Song is well-respected. She’ll probably handle things smoothly for you. Once her father becomes your father-in-law, he’ll be even more committed to supporting your family. That’s better than bringing home some delicate beauty who clings to you all day, isn’t it?”
Xiao Beitang sat up and gazed at the fruit platter before her.
“But I don’t even know her. And besides… my heart…” She trailed off. “Forget it. You two might as well help me figure out a way to cancel this whole thing.”
The two exchanged another look—neither could say a word.
Who could overturn a decree issued by the Emperor himself?