The Crown Princess Is Jealous Again - Chapter 9
Few were in the mood for music or dancing—at this moment, the sound of silk strings only grated on the ears.
After a long silence, Xiao Lin finally spoke. “If you truly don’t like her, you could just maintain a façade of marriage.”
“It’s easy to speak when you’re not the one suffering. If it were you, would you agree to it?”
Xiao Wanqi thought for a moment before saying, “A-Tang, I know you’re anxious, but don’t rush. There’s still some time left. I’ll go back and ask Father for the details, and we can each think of a plan. Perhaps
there’s still room to turn things around.”
Xiao Beitang nodded, a trace of disappointment in her expression.
Xiao Lin also nodded. “Tomorrow afternoon, at Drunken Immortal Pavilion. It’s quiet there.”
Xiao Beitang had no mood to linger. She stood up to leave.
“Miss Jiang, are you leaving already?” Linglong looked somewhat dejected.
“Yes, I’m going,” Xiao Beitang replied distractedly, barely glancing at her.
“Well then… I’ve composed a new piece. Perhaps next time, you’ll come and listen?”
“Alright,” Xiao Beitang replied faintly, her usual joy completely absent.
A trace of disappointment flashed in Linglong’s eyes. In the past, whenever she knew a new tune was ready, Miss Jiang would be thrilled. She forced a smile and curtsied. “Safe travels, Miss Jiang.”
Xiao Beitang gave a slight nod and turned to leave.
After some thought, she decided she should try pleading with the Empress once more. She had collected some interesting trinkets from the common folk to bring back to the palace and please her. With enough persistence, perhaps there might be a turning point.
“Your Highness.”
Xiao Beitang turned—Li Ningyu stood there. A smile touched Beitang’s eyes. “Ningyu? What brings you to the palace today?”
Delicate and charming, Ningyu ran a couple of small steps toward her, eyes bright. “I’ve been back in the capital for months, and I hadn’t yet paid my respects to Aunt. I came with Mother today. She’s still in the
Empress’s palace.”
Beitang looked around. “You’re alone?”
Li Ningyu flushed. “I haven’t seen Your Highness in so long… I came to find you.”
Xiao Beitang examined her for a moment and smiled. “It’s been over two years since we met. You’ve grown taller—and quite lovely.”
Li Ningyu’s face instantly turned red, and she shyly looked away.
Xiao Beitang froze slightly. What was that unpleasant scent? Was it… Li Ningyu’s pheromones?
“I heard… Your Highness is to be wed?” Ningyu asked hesitantly, her expression tinged with disappointment.
Beitang came back to her senses. “Perhaps.”
“Do you not like her?” Ningyu probed gently, her voice laced with hope.
Beitang sighed softly. “I haven’t met her yet. But this is my mother’s will.”
The scent clinging to her was beginning to make Beitang nauseous. She just wanted to end this conversation quickly and leave.
Li Ningyu’s eyes lit with hope. “Then… I’ll have my mother speak to the Empress again. Perhaps His Majesty might change his mind?”
“I doubt Aunt could persuade Her Majesty,” Beitang interjected.
“Then what should we do?” Li Ningyu grew anxious, gripping her handkerchief tightly.
Seeing her nervous expression, Beitang chuckled. “It’s my wedding, not yours. Why are you so flustered?”
“I… I just don’t want Your Highness to be unhappy,” Ningyu muttered, head lowered, her face crimson.
“Hm. I haven’t seen Aunt in a long time either. Let’s go to Kunning Palace together.”
Li Ningyu nodded.
As they approached the palace gates, the voices inside were already audible—Princess Dunsu was once again tearfully lamenting to the Empress.
Xiao Beitang led Li Ningyu in. The Empress, seeing her, looked visibly relieved and broke into a smile.
“Mother.”
“Tang’er, you’re here,” the Empress raised her voice.
“Greetings, Aunt.” Beitang gave a respectful nod to Dunsu.
Dunsu smiled and nodded. “The Princess seems to have grown taller again. She’s nearly a head taller than Ningyu now. Sister-in-law, look at these two standing together—what a perfect match!”
The Empress gave a dry smile but didn’t respond.
Dunsu beamed and waved her over. “Ningyu, come greet Her Majesty.”
“Greetings, Your Majesty.” Li Ningyu knelt obediently before the Empress.
“Good girl. Rise,” the Empress said with a gentle smile.
“Tang’er, how did you end up coming with Ningyu?” the Empress asked, glancing at her daughter.
“We just happened to run into each other on the way.”
Beitang’s brow lifted slightly. Was Mother signaling her?
“I see. Tang’er, your Imperial Mother wishes to speak with you. Go to Qianqing Palace.”
She’s sending me away? The Emperor never sees me there alone…
“Then I’ll go,” Beitang bowed and took her leave.
She knew the Empress had her reasons. There was no need to ask, nor to know.
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At dinner in Kunning Palace, the Empress finally explained. Princess Dunsu had long harbored the idea of marrying Li Ningyu to Beitang. After the Emperor issued the marriage decree just yesterday, Dunsu had immediately come to the palace in tears—crying first to the Empress, then to the Emperor.
Initially, she had tried to persuade him to rescind the decree and replace the chosen bride with Li Ningyu. When the Emperor rebuked her and refused to budge, she pleaded for Ningyu to at least be made a secondary consort.
The Emperor, frustrated but mindful of family ties and royal decorum, had to pacify her with gifts before sending her and her daughter away.
“Tang’er,” the Empress said, placing food on her plate, “you know Ningyu has clung to you since childhood. That was fine when you were both young, but now, you must keep your distance. You see her as a sister, but she harbors hopes of becoming your wife. Your aunt has given your mother and me quite the headache today—I’m avoiding her whenever I can.”
Beitang smiled. “I understand. Thank you, Mother, for enduring all this.”
The Empress smiled again and began enthusiastically talking about Song Qingqian. Her face was full of anticipation—it was clear she was fond of the girl. Could Song Qingqian really be that wonderful?
From what her mother said, Song Qingqian didn’t seem as dull or rigid as Beitang had imagined. If she could behave with decorum, perhaps marrying her wasn’t such a bad idea. At the very least, it might shield her from women like Li Ningyu.
Beitang had originally planned to plead with her again, but seeing her mother’s demeanor, she could only give up. She responded absently to the Empress’s repeated advice.
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The next day, at Drunken Immortal Pavilion.
Xiao Lin was unusually excited. When she saw Xiao Beitang arrive, she immediately beckoned. “A-Tang! Over here, come quickly!”
“Did something good happen?” Beitang smiled, walking over.
“I’ve found someone for you,” Xiao Lin said, pulling her over to sit.
“Who?” Beitang eyed her suspiciously.
“Zhu Kai, come greet Her Highness.” Xiao Lin snapped her fingers proudly.
A man with sharp, sinister features entered and bowed deeply. “This humble subject greets Your Highness.”
He looked up. Beitang studied him—he had a mole on his nose, upturned eyes, narrow features, and a gaunt face. She disliked him immediately.
“Rise,” she said coldly.
“A-Tang, he’s a favored student under my father’s tutelage. He said he has a plan, so I brought him to you,” Xiao Lin explained.
“What plan? Let’s hear it.” Beitang remained skeptical but figured it couldn’t hurt to try.
Zhu Kai grinned slyly. “If Your Highness wants His Majesty to retract the decree, there are two ways.”
Beitang frowned. She didn’t like that smile.
“Stop beating around the bush. Speak!” Xiao Lin urged.
“First, if the Prime Minister breaks the law and implicates his family, then naturally his daughter would be unfit to become Crown Princess Consort,” Zhu Kai said smugly.
“Everyone knows the Prime Minister is upright and incorruptible. Finding fault with him would be nearly impossible! That’s your brilliant idea?” Xiao Lin frowned.
Zhu Kai paced a few steps and said with a grin, “Then the second method: target Miss Song directly. Being an Omega, she has certain… limitations. Especially during her heat. If she fails to take her suppressants in time, it’s agonizing. If we can lure her out, give her something to induce an early heat, and then send in an Alpha to mark her—”