The Crown Princess Is Jealous Again - Chapter 111

“The auspicious hour has arrived.”

Firecrackers erupted, instantly painting the world in a festive clamor. A red carpet unrolled from the Prime Minister’s Estate all the way to the palace gates, and the excitement reached a fever pitch. Xiao Yi followed closely behind Song Qingqian, guided by Xiao Tao.

“Good heavens, look at this display,” the Village Head stammered, his eyes bulging.

Outside the gates, a gold-topped crimson sedan chair awaited. Holding her ceremonial fan, Song Qingqian slowly exited the estate. Xing’er, her face glowing with joy, stepped forward to help her into the carriage.

The moment Song Qingqian stepped into the sedan, a hand reached out and pulled her inside. She tumbled into a warm embrace and gasped in shock, fearing an assassin. She moved to scramble up, but she was held fast. Looking back, she saw Xiao Beitang staring at her with a radiant, mischievous grin.

Relieved, Song Qingqian gave her a light, playful swat. “What are you doing here?”

“Am I not allowed to come?” Xiao Beitang helped her sit comfortably by her side.

Song Qingqian gave her a mock-reproachful look. “If you wanted to come, who could possibly stop you?”

Xiao Beitang sighed contentedly. “I missed you. I wanted to see you as soon as possible. I intended to come at dawn, but the wedding rites are so tedious—ancestral sacrifices, heaven-worshipping ceremonies.”

“The Master of Ceremonies must be tearing his hair out because of you,” Song Qingqian whispered, reaching out to straighten Xiao Beitang’s slightly disheveled lapel.

Xiao Beitang had changed her clothes. Technically, she should have been wearing her formal imperial robes and the ceremonial beaded crown. Instead, she wore a vibrant crimson wedding robe, her hair bound by a golden crown. She looked dashing and free-spirited, yet the inherent arrogance of a sovereign still flickered between her brows.

“Tedious formalities are better left ignored,” Xiao Beitang said dismissively. “Besides, in a normal wedding, the groom comes on a high-headed horse to fetch the bride. I wanted to do that, but the officials were terrified of a riot and refused to allow it.”

Song Qingqian smiled. Hearing this, her heart felt incredibly warm. Xiao Beitang had always treated her as a spouse first, and an Empress second.

“Where is Yi’er?” Xiao Beitang asked.

“I have Xiao Tao looking after her.”

“Good.” Xiao Beitang took her hand again. Gazing at her, she whispered, “Qianqian, you are so beautiful.”

Though she was no longer the young bride she once was, Song Qingqian felt her cheeks heat up.

The celebration was even grander than their first wedding. All of Chang’an was draped in festive red. Citizens flooded the streets to catch a glimpse of the procession, lining the roads so tightly that not a drop of water could leak through.

The story of their reunion had already become a legendary romance.

Listening to the bustling noise outside, Xiao Beitang curled her lip into a smug, satisfied smile.

Inside the palace, joy was everywhere—a feeling that had been absent for far too long. Even the palace servants were permitted to wear red accessories today; they scurried about like walking lanterns. The imperial guards wore red sashes, looking both valiant and festive.

Under the collective gaze of the court, Xiao Beitang descended from the sedan. She turned and extended her hand; Song Qingqian’s slender fingers came to rest gently in her palm.

“How did Her Majesty come out of the bride’s sedan?” some officials whispered below.

“Hush! Don’t say another word,” a colleague hissed, cutting him off.

Ever since she had rehabilitated the Song family and announced this grand installation, the court knew better than to voice any dissent.

Hand in hand, they stepped onto the Imperial Way toward the Great Hall, their paces perfectly synced. Xiao Yi walked before them, carrying a ceremonial jade ruyi scepter.

Song Qingqian stole a glance at her. Xiao Beitang wore a faint smile, yet she exuded a magnificent, commanding aura. Her palm was burning hot, her grip firm. She wasn’t nervous; she was simply focused on the most important task of her life.

Horns blared and bells chimed in a grand symphony. The assembled ministers knelt as one, their voices thundering, “Congratulations to Your Majesty and the Empress on your grand union!”

The sound shook the heavens. Startled, Xiao Yi looked back, unsure of what to do. Xiao Beitang gave her an encouraging look, signaling for her to keep walking.

The doors of the Great Hall groaned open. The fading golden sunlight flooded the interior as Xiao Yi stepped inside first, her tiny shadow stretching long across the floor. Xiao Beitang gripped Song Qingqian’s hand even tighter as they walked toward the shimmering golden throne—solemn, dignified, and resolute.

Xiao Beitang led her to sit together upon the Dragon Throne. The ritual officials dared not say a word, simply bowing their heads. The protocols requiring the Empress to perform grand prostrations to the Emperor were quietly ignored.

The officials filed in.

“Kneel!”

The ministers hiked up the hems of their heavy robes and knelt in unison.

“Exalt!”

“Long live!”

“Exalt!”

“Long live!”

“Exalt once more!”

“May you live for ten thousand years!”

Xiao Beitang’s voice rang out deep and clear: “You may rise.”

The Prime Minister personally read the congratulatory address, his voice as resonant as a great bell echoing through the hall. Little Xiao Yi didn’t understand the politics or why everyone was kneeling, but she stood obediently to the side, quiet and well-behaved.

When the ceremony concluded, Song Qingqian was escorted back to Kunning Palace. Xiao Beitang had to remain at the banquet for a short while.

The Village Head and the others were dumbfounded the moment they entered the palace. Little Xiao Yi hadn’t been lying. Then Miss Xiao’s true identity is?

They didn’t dare think further as they were led to their own banquet. Fearing they would be uncomfortable among the high officials, Xiao Beitang had arranged a separate feast for them.

The villagers stared at the array of delicacies in disbelief.

“Can a radish really be carved like that?”

“Is this tofu? I’ve never seen anything like it in my life. This is a true eye-opener.”

Liu Zi entered with a smile. “Please, help yourselves to whatever you need. Eat and drink your fill.”

Realizing they were in the Imperial Palace, the Village Head stammered, unsure if he should kneel. “Thank you, thank you!”

“No need for restraint. Please, enjoy,” Liu Zi said before withdrawing.

The villagers stopped overthinking and began to feast on the mountain of delicacies. Only the Village Head felt a lingering sense of awe. Miss Xiao, she really moved her wedding into the palace.

Inside Kunning Palace, Song Qingqian waited quietly. It was worlds apart from their first wedding night. Recalling the early days of her acquaintance with Xiao Beitang, she couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh.

The palace attendants outside announced, “Her Majesty the Emperor has arrived.”

Xiao Beitang entered, her eyes brimming with a smile as she looked at Song Qingqian.

“Qianqian,” she said softly, walking toward the bed. “I’m back.”

Song Qingqian looked up at her, the light of the candles reflecting in her eyes. The long years of separation, the pain, and the guilt seemed to melt away in that moment.

“You’re finally here,” Song Qingqian replied.

Xiao Beitang sat beside her and took her hands. “From this day forward, we share this throne, this palace, and this life. No more secrets, no more partings.”

Song Qingqian leaned her head against Xiao Beitang’s shoulder. Outside, the moon was full and the stars were bright, watching over the reunited family. The “neighbor” from the small village and the Emperor of the Great Yu had finally found their way home to each other.

“To share the same meal and drink from the same cup!” the Master of Ceremonies proclaimed.

Attendants presented two ladles filled with wine. Xiao Beitang and Song Qingqian each took one, exchanged a tender smile, and drank in unison.

The palace staff knelt to request the customary imperial bounty. “Our deepest congratulations to Your Majesty and the Empress on your grand union!”

“Grant them their rewards!” Xiao Beitang announced, her voice bright with joy.

Once the attendants had received their gifts and withdrawn, Song Qingqian asked softly, “How are you back so early?”

“I only stayed long enough to raise a single cup in toast. I have far more important matters to attend to; I wasn’t about to waste my time with them.”

Xiao Beitang took her hand and led her to the desk, where brushes and paper had already been meticulously prepared.

“We shall write our marriage contract,” Xiao Beitang said, looking at her with profound affection.

Song Qingqian was puzzled. “A marriage contract?”

Xiao Beitang nodded, dipping a brush into the ink. “In the world beyond these walls, husbands and wives draft a contract to show the weight of their commitment.”

She paused, her gaze locking onto Song Qingqian as if trying to memorize every detail. “Qianqian, I still regret our first wedding. I regret my ignorance. I failed to pledge my life to you then; I never even drank the nuptial wine with you, leaving you alone in Zichen Palace. I’ve always believed that was why the heavens saw fit to separate us.”

“This time, not a single detail shall be missed.”

Seeing her so solemn, Song Qingqian grew serious as well. Xiao Beitang set the brush to paper, her strokes as powerful as iron hooks.

“We bind our hair as husband and wife, our love beyond all doubt. Joy finds us this evening, in this soft and auspicious hour.”

Xiao Beitang handed the brush to her. Song Qingqian’s calligraphy bloomed like flowers upon the page:

“Cherish the flower of our youth; never forget these hours of joy. In life, I shall return to you; in death, I shall yearn for you eternally.”

Xiao Beitang placed the contract into a gold-inlaid cedar box with the utmost reverence. She then led Song Qingqian back to the bed. “Now, for the most important part.”

Song Qingqian: “?”

“The bridal chamber,” Xiao Beitang whispered, gently pressing her down onto the bed. Her eyes shimmered with emotion as she leaned in to kiss her.

“Mother!”

The two jolted apart, hurriedly straightening their robes.

Song Qingqian cleared her throat. “Come in.”

“Mother, Mama! Yi’er is here to offer her congratulations. I wish for you both to grow old together until your hair is white.” Xiao Yi knelt and performed a formal kowtow.

“Good girl. Come here, Yi’er,” Xiao Beitang beckoned.

Xiao Yi ran over and burrowed into her arms. “Why aren’t you playing with Xiaoyu and the others?”

The child answered with adorable gravity, “Today is the great day for my mothers. I had to come and pay my respects.” It was unclear who had taught her such a formal greeting.

Xiao Beitang laughed heartily, pulling her into a tight hug. “Yi’er is such a good girl. But Mama and Mother have work to do; why don’t you go find Xiaoyu first?”

“What kind of work? Yi’er can help!” she offered innocently.

“Uhh.” Xiao Beitang shot a meaningful glance at Song Qingqian. “Be a good girl, Yi’er. Go find Xiaoyu.”

“Oh.” Xiao Yi didn’t press them; after all, finding Xiaoyu was also a high priority.

Xiao Tao led the child away, leaving them in peace.

Song Qingqian gave a mock-reproachful look. “What nonsense are you saying in front of a child?”

Xiao Beitang smirked. “She doesn’t understand.”

Song Qingqian rolled her eyes. “She doesn’t, but do you think the others don’t? You’re being improper.”

“Now, now,” Xiao Beitang coaxed. “One mustn’t be cross on one’s wedding night.”

Suddenly remembering something, Song Qingqian caught her sleeve. “Speaking of which, how did you settle the Village Head and the others?”

Xiao Beitang took the opportunity to let her hand wander playfully beneath Song Qingqian’s robes. Her voice was low and hypnotic. “Don’t worry. I’ve arranged for them to stay comfortably in a private wing.”

She leaned down, her lips meeting Song Qingqian’s in a kiss so deep it left her breathless. Song Qingqian pushed her back slightly, gasping for air as the moon rose high over the palace, finally shining on a family made whole.