The Crown Princess Is Jealous Again - Chapter 110

Song Qingqian walked along the familiar path toward her parents’ former quarters. The ancient pine tree stood in the courtyard, unchanged by the passing years.

She pushed the door open gently; someone had clearly been cleaning the room, for it was spotless. Yet, in her mind, this place had long since turned yellow with age. Memories surged like crashing waves against the walls of her heart.

Step by step, she approached Song Lian’s desk. Her father used to sit here every night, handling official documents until the early hours. From a distance, it seemed as if she could still see him under the lamp, brow furrowed as he held a scroll. Her mother would bring him tea, and the two would spend their lives together in that quiet, beautiful harmony.

The images flashed before her eyes, frame by frame, until a sudden gust of wind flickered the oil lamp, pulling her back to reality.

Ultimately, Song Qingqian failed to keep her promise to Xiao Beitang. Her emotions broke like a dam, and she wept with heart-wrenching intensity.

If only none of those things had happened. Her mother had loved children so much; if only she could have seen Yi’er, she would have been overjoyed.

It was a long time before she emerged, physically drained, leaning against the doorframe for support. She wiped the tear stains from her face and took a moment to compose herself before taking Xiao Yi to her own old room.

The parasol tree in that courtyard was still there.

Xiao Yi said with a giggle, “Mama, this place is big too, but not as big as the palace.”

“The Imperial Palace is the biggest home of all,” Song Qingqian replied as she helped the child undress.

“I told the Village Head and the others that I lived in the palace these past few days, but they didn’t believe me. Why?” Xiao Yi felt a bit wronged. “Yi’er never tells lies.”

Song Qingqian comforted her. “Yi’er, they don’t believe you not because they doubt you, but because the truth is simply too incredible for them to grasp.”

“Oh,” Xiao Yi replied, looking dejected.

Song Qingqian saw her sadness. “You don’t want people to think you’re a liar, do you? They are coming to the palace tomorrow as well. Once they see it, they will believe.”

Xiao Yi’er’s face instantly brightened into a smile as she nodded. “Then can I take Xiaoyu and the others to play hide-and-seek at the rockery?”

Song Qingqian laughed. “Of course you can.”

“I hope tomorrow comes quickly. I can’t wait!”

She was referring to the Imperial Garden. For the past few days, Xiao Yi had been pestering Xiao Tao to play hide-and-seek there.

“Little Princess, haven’t you played enough? My back is nearly broken from all this bending,” Xiao Tao had laughed helplessly.

“Sister Xiao Tao doesn’t know how to hide; Yi’er finds her in a heartbeat,” Xiao Yi chirped.

“Yi’er, do you like your new home?”

“I like it, but I also don’t,” Xiao Yi replied, looking troubled.

“What parts do you dislike?”

“No one plays with me,” Xiao Yi said, sounding slighted. “There are many people, but they all avoid me. The moment I get close, they all kneel down.”

Song Qingqian tucked her into bed. “Sleep now. When you open your eyes, it will be tomorrow.”

The next morning, Song Qingqian rose early. She went to the family ancestral hall to pay her respects, carefully wiping her parents’ memorial tablets as she bid them farewell.

The palace attendants arrived in a grand procession, bringing with them the phoenix crown and the ceremonial robes to help her prepare.

The entrance to the Prime Minister’s Estate was packed. Following imperial orders, the Imperial Guard arrived quickly to clear the streets, ensuring nothing would delay the proceedings.

“Wasn’t the Song family in decline?” people on the street whispered.

“Hah, haven’t you heard? Her Majesty has rehabilitated the estate!”

“Treason can be overturned?”

“I heard the investigation cleared it up. Song Qingxu was a spy. It’s a tragedy, Minister Song lost his life over a traitor who wasn’t even related to him by blood,” an old man lamented.

“Exactly. Minister Song loved the people like his own children, only to be destroyed by that villain. Thankfully, Her Majesty is wise.”

“Then justice has finally been served for the Song family. Miss Song was meant to be Empress all along; she has finally reached the end of her suffering.”

“What a long and arduous road it has been!”

The Village Head and the others also rose early, waiting happily for the auspicious hour. The Village Head had even taken special care to trim his beard, making him look quite spirited.

Xiao Yi stayed in Song Qingqian’s room, watching the preparations with wide-eyed curiosity. She watched as the powder was applied, as her mother’s lips were stained vermillion, as the heavy phoenix crown was set, and as the dignified, crimson robes were donned.

The vibrant red made Song Qingqian look absolutely radiant.

The room was crowded now, but everyone kept a respectful distance, afraid that getting too close might damage the delicate jewelry. Song Qingqian wore a soft, motherly smile that seemed to bring a warm glow to the cold emeralds and pearls.

Xiao Tao thought to herself that her lady was truly different now. Once cold and aloof, she was now approachable, cherishing the warmth of the common world. Looking at the crowded room, Xiao Tao knew that in the past, Song Qingqian would have disliked the commotion; today, however, her smile never faded, genuinely happy that they could be there.

Auntie Wu and the others stared in awe. Was this truly the same “Xiao Song” from the village? Did daughters of noble houses always marry in such magnificence?

“Xiao Song, you look like a goddess descended from heaven. Truly beautiful!” She couldn’t find any other words.

Auntie Liu teased her, “Oh, look at you and your lack of vocabulary. You can’t even give a proper compliment. It’s called ‘beauty that makes the fish sink and the birds alight, eclipsing the moon and shaming the flowers.'”

Auntie Wu laughed sheepishly. “Right, right. I’m just a country woman; I don’t know how to give fancy praise.”

“Mama is so beautiful!” Xiao Yi, her hair tied in adorable red-ribboned buns and wearing a festive red dress, flew into Song Qingqian’s arms. The movement made the ornaments on the phoenix crown jingle loudly.

Song Qingqian laughed and stroked her head.

“Xiao Song, where is Miss Xiao’s home? How do we get there later? Should we go ahead of you?” the Village Head asked.

Being at the bride’s home with no parents present, the villagers were still confused about the logistics. There was no wedding feast being laid out at the estate, and the Village Head feared they might be causing a nuisance.

Song Qingqian smiled. “Village Head, carriages will come to take you there shortly. Just wait here. It’s quite alright; she has arranged everything.”

Auntie Liu teased, “Ooh, ‘she.’ How sweet, Xiao Song.”

Auntie Wu laughed. “Will Miss Xiao be coming to fetch the bride soon?”

“She likely won’t be coming,” Song Qingqian replied. “She is waiting for me at home.”

The group exchanged looks. So, the rules of high-ranking families really are different.

Since ancient times, no Emperor had ever personally fetched a bride. According to protocol, Xiao Beitang would be waiting in the Great Hall for the Empress to arrive, where they would perform the formal kowtows and receive the congratulations of the civil and military officials. This was why Song Qingqian answered as she did.

“Xiao Song, you, you aren’t a concubine, right?” Auntie Wu whispered.

“What nonsense are you talking? Look at these wedding robes, she couldn’t possibly be a concubine,” the Village Head scolded.

“But if the husband doesn’t come to fetch her, I heard that only for a primary wife do they come to the door,” Auntie Wu’s voice grew smaller.

Xiao Tao smiled. “Auntie Wu, set your heart at ease. Our lady is wearing a true and proper Phoenix Crown.”

The villagers didn’t quite grasp the weight of her words, assuming it was a metaphor. They didn’t realize that the crown was the genuine crown of the Empress, or that the “wedding robes” were embroidered with phoenixes in gold thread regalia the village folk simply didn’t recognize.