The Crown Princess Is Jealous Again - Chapter 107

Over the next two days, Song Qingqian took Xiao Yi to bid farewell to the villagers one by one, and Xiao Beitang accompanied them. Xiao Beitang considered herself to possess a fair amount of approachability; after all, she had spent plenty of time incognito outside the palace in her youth, mingling with people from all walks of life.

What she didn’t realize, however, was that after several years seated upon the high imperial throne, she was left with nothing but a sharp, piercing gaze that naturally inspired awe and fear.

Even the children were somewhat afraid of her, and the villagers couldn’t help but steal wary glances.

“Xiao Song, is this your husband?” the Village Head asked.

“Not quite yet,” Song Qingqian replied with a light smile.

Xiao Beitang’s brow twitched. Not quite? She had been wed to her with all the proper rites and ceremonies!

The moment her brow furrowed, the Village Head felt a surge of trepidation. He gave a dry laugh and said, “Well, whenever you do hold the banquet, don’t forget to invite us.”

Looking at Xiao Beitang’s attire, he knew she was likely someone of immense wealth or noble standing. In truth, the Village Head understood that if Song Qingqian married such a person, they, mere commoners probably wouldn’t be invited. But after years of friendship, he knew Song Qingqian’s character; he had to say it, lest she feel he didn’t care.

“We certainly will,” Xiao Beitang answered.

The Village Head hadn’t expected her to agree so readily. He blinked in surprise, then smiled. “When the time comes, I hope Miss Xiao won’t look down on us country folk for not being able to present a decent wedding gift.”

Xiao Beitang smiled back. “Your presence alone would be the greatest honor. There is no need to trouble yourselves over gifts.”

Only when she smiled did the Village Head find her a bit more personable. Song Qingqian watched her, finding it quite amusing—Xiao Beitang was acting as if they were truly about to host a grand wedding feast.

By the time the laughter faded, dusk had fallen. The Village Head invited them to stay for dinner, but Song Qingqian politely declined, fearing it would be too much trouble for him and knowing Xiao Beitang might not be accustomed to it.

After dinner, Xiao Beitang and Song Qingqian sat in the courtyard to watch the moon, a ritual they had shared every night since her arrival.

“Should we set out for the palace tomorrow?” Song Qingqian suggested.

“I’m actually a bit reluctant to leave,” Xiao Beitang sighed softly.

Song Qingqian burst into laughter. “You? Reluctant? Shouldn’t that be our line?”

Xiao Beitang said quite seriously, “I truly am. These past few days outside, you and I have been like an ordinary couple. Our family of three visiting neighbors, eating simple food, living a quiet life, it has all been wonderful.”

This was the truth. Song Qingqian comforted her, “If we find some leisure time in the future, we can always come back for a short stay.”

Xiao Beitang nodded, then hesitated before waving her hand. “No, no. We won’t go back just yet! How about we take Yi’er on a trip for a few days first?”

“As you wish,” Song Qingqian smiled.

Her prompt agreement caught Xiao Beitang off guard. “Really? I thought you wouldn’t allow it.”

“The court has been stable these past two years. If Zhao Ziming oversees the state for a few more days, nothing should go wrong. We can stay out for another three to five days.”

“Then we set out tomorrow?”

“I’ll go tell Xiao Tao to pack our things,” Song Qingqian said, starting to rise.

Xiao Beitang pulled her back down and laughed. “No need. Just take the essentials. People from the palace will arrive tomorrow; they can move the rest back.”

“There isn’t much here; there’s no need to make a scene by having people come for it.”

Xiao Beitang shook her head. “Those flowers and plants you’ve been tending? I want them brought back and planted in the courtyard of Kunning Palace. As for the rest, I’m going to have people look after this place. We’ll be coming back to stay in the future.”

Seeing she was serious, Song Qingqian didn’t stop her. After all, she had lived here for years, and Xiao Yi had playmates here.

“Shall we go inside?” Xiao Beitang asked, taking her hand.

“It’s still early. Why not watch the moon a while longer?” Song Qingqian asked. The moonlight was perfect, and it was far from their usual bedtime.

Xiao Beitang gave a sweet, slightly bashful smile. “I missed you.”

Song Qingqian took a sharp breath as she understood the implication. From the moment they had reunited, Xiao Beitang hadn’t let her off for a single night.

Early the next morning, the palace attendants arrived. They were dressed as household servants and had brought a carriage.

Once everything was packed, Song Qingqian bid farewell to the crowd that had come to see them off and left the village.

Xiao Yi looked back at her little friends with longing. “Mother, when are we coming back?”

Song Qingqian held her close. “Be good, Yi’er. We’ll bring you back in a while. Did you say goodbye to Xiaoyu and the others?”

Xiao Yi nodded and gave a soft, milky “Mm-hm.”

Xiao Beitang asked gently, “Yi’er, once we get home, how about we bring them over to visit?”

“Can we?” Xiao Yi’er’s eyes sparkled.

“As long as you want to, we can.”

Song Qingqian looked at her. “You plan to bring them into the palace?”

Xiao Beitang smiled. “There are no other children in the palace. Bringing them in to be Yi’er’s study companions would be good; that way, she won’t be lonely.”

Song Qingqian remained silent, neither agreeing nor objecting.

“Where is ‘the palace’?” Xiao Yi asked, her large, watery eyes blinking with curiosity.

After spending several days together, Xiao Yi had grown much closer to her.

Xiao Beitang smiled, pulling the child into her lap and playfully pinching her cheek. “It’s simply our Yi’er’s new home.”

“Are there other people at our new home besides us?” Xiao Yi asked. “Xiaoyu has a grandmother and a grandfather, but Yi’er doesn’t have any.”

Xiao Beitang gave a soft smile. It had been several years since she had seen Emperor Jing and the Empress herself. Thinking of it, Emperor Jing and his consort only had this one daughter, yet after leaving the palace to retire, they hadn’t once thought to return and visit her. They only sent letters every few days, mostly filled with the amusing things they encountered on their travels. Sometimes, Xiao Beitang wondered if she was truly their biological child.

“Of course you have them. Your grandmothers are currently traveling, but once they return, you’ll be able to meet them.”

“Mhm!” Xiao Yi nodded, her heart full of anticipation.

The autumn air was crisp and refreshing, neither too cold nor too hot. In the fields, farmers were busy with the harvest. Looking at the brilliant blue sky, white clouds, and lush green mountains, Xiao Beitang finally felt she understood the joy Emperor Jing and the Empress had found in their travels.

Xiao Yi was delighted throughout the journey; these were sights she was seeing for the first time in her life.

As they entered the streets of Suzhou Prefecture, the breathtaking beauty of the Jiangnan water towns unfolded before them. The streets were bustling with heavy traffic—a vibrant, lively scene.

“Mother, what is that?” Xiao Yi pointed excitedly toward a stall making sugar paintings.

She still hadn’t called Xiao Beitang “Mother” (Muqin) yet. Every time she called out “Mother” (A’niang), she intended it for Song Qingqian, yet it was always Xiao Beitang who answered her.

Xiao Beitang picked her up. “Come, I’ll take you there.”

Walking up to the stall, Xiao Beitang asked with a smile, “Yi’er, which one do you like?”

Xiao Yi watched the vendor’s exquisite technique with a sense of wonder. The vendor beamed, “What a lovely little girl. Go ahead and pick one.”

“Yi’er was born in the Year of the Horse, wasn’t she?” Xiao Beitang asked. “How about a horse?”

Xiao Yi nodded, her gaze fixed intently on the vendor’s movements.

The vendor skillfully crafted a horse with fluid, practiced motions. Xiao Yi watched as if entranced; when the vendor handed it to her, she stared at it in disbelief.

Holding the child, Xiao Beitang turned back to Song Qingqian and took her hand. “Let’s see what else is further ahead.”

With Xiao Yi in one arm and Song Qingqian’s hand in the other, she led the way. Xiao Tao followed behind, her heart feeling light and a permanent smile gracing her face.

“Mother, Yi’er wants a candied hawthorn!” Xiao Yi’er’s eyes were glued to the bright red, mouth-watering skewers.

“Only a small bite,” Song Qingqian cautioned. She rarely allowed the child sweets, fearing they would ruin her teeth.

Xiao Yi nodded rapidly.

Xiao Beitang carried her forward and picked out the largest, reddest skewer available. Xiao Yi couldn’t help but take a big bite before offering it to Song Qingqian. “Mother, you have some too.”

Song Qingqian bit off the remaining half of the hawthorn. Xiao Yi then hesitated for a moment before offering the skewer to Xiao Beitang. She didn’t say anything, looking a bit shy.

Xiao Beitang laughed and bit one off.

“Sister Xiao Tao, you have one too!” the girl said enthusiastically, reaching out again.

In the past, Xiao Tao wouldn’t have refused, but now.

Xiao Tao gave a small smile. “You eat it, Yi’er. Sister Xiao Tao doesn’t want any right now.”

“Oh.”

Xiao Beitang carried the girl as they explored the city for the entire day. As dusk began to fall, she led them to an inn. Exhausted from the day’s adventures, Xiao Yi had already fallen asleep against her shoulder.