The Crown Princess Is Jealous Again - Chapter 119

Emperor Jing thought for a moment before speaking with earnest weight: “Tang’er, if you truly ache for Qianqian, treating her with unwavering devotion for the rest of your life is the best way to be good to her.”

“I understand, Mother.”

“Oh, by the way, have you chosen names for the children?” Emperor Jing asked with a twinkle in her eye.

“Song Two and Xiao Three,” Xiao Beitang blurted out.

She had discussed this with Song Qingqian before, but Qingqian had assumed she was joking and usually just smiled without rebutting her. Consequently, Xiao Beitang had spent months leaning over her belly, calling the twins “Xiao

Two” and “Xiao Three.” The first time she did so, she shouted for them so loudly that the Imperial hidden guards, specifically the ones codenamed Two and Three leaped out of the shadows. Xiao Beitang, who had been listening for fetal movements at the time, ended up in an awkward eight-eyed staredown with the confused guards. Later, the hidden guards Two and Three had to be renamed “Big Two” and “Big Three.” She had a habit of naming her “Qian” rank guards in this simplistic manner.

She just hadn’t realized everyone would think she was serious.

The Empress Dowager didn’t quite catch it. “Pardon?”

“Song Two and Xiao Three,” she repeated with a grin.

Song Qingqian secretly observed Emperor Jing’s expression. If the children took the surname Song, would she permit it?

“Tang’er, that is far too casual.” Emperor Jing took a sip of tea and shook her head in disapproval.

Xiao Beitang laughed, counting from Xiao Yi to Song Qingqian’s belly with bright eyes. “Xiao One, Song Two, Xiao Three. I think it’s perfect.”

Emperor Jing chuckled. “The name ‘Yi’ in Xiao Yi carries the meaning of elegance and being extraordinary; Qianqian chose a fine name. You should choose something equally fitting for the newcomers. As for what you suggested, let those be their nicknames.”

She made no mention of the surnames, and Song Qingqian surmised that Xiao Beitang had already cleared the matter with her parents.

“Choosing names is quite a headache,” Xiao Beitang sighed.

“Before returning, your mother and I selected a few names. Use them if they suit your fancy.” Emperor Jing pulled a slip of paper from her robes and handed it to her.

“Song Xiao and Xiao Song. Let’s go with those. They are homophones for our surnames, easy to remember.” Xiao Beitang picked them after just a single glance.

“I told you Tang’er would pick those two, didn’t I? You didn’t believe me,” the Empress Dowager laughed.

“Qianqian, what do you think?” Emperor Jing asked, smiling as she turned to Song Qingqian.

Song Qingqian hesitated before replying, “I think they are lovely. However, the surnames.”

“To be honest, I am not a stubborn traditionalist,” Emperor Jing said, voicing her concerns. “I see no issue with the children taking your surname and joining the Song bloodline. However, you both must think clearly: if a child grows up knowing she has no claim to the throne from birth, will she hold a grudge? Will it cause discord between the sisters?”

“I certainly do not wish for them to be at odds in the future.” In truth, Song Qingqian was already satisfied that Xiao Beitang had proactively offered the surname; whether they actually used it was less important.

“Then we shall decide after they are born. Actually, by the time they understand their status, Yi’er will likely know if she wants to be Emperor. If she doesn’t, she can change her surname to Song instead. It’s all possible.” Xiao Beitang didn’t want to overthink it.

“Very well,” Emperor Jing nodded.

Xiao Yi didn’t understand the complexities of the conversation. She just watched their lips move, listening obediently. When she heard her own name, she perked up her ears with a smile. Emperor Jing grew more fond of her by the minute, pulling her close to pinch her little cheeks.

“Are you staying this time, or will you be leaving again?” Song Qingqian asked.

Emperor Jing, still playing with Xiao Yi, replied, “We shall leave eventually. There are still places we haven’t seen. Once the summer has passed and you have recovered from the birth, we will set out again.”

“If this little one has the talent of a Sovereign, let her take the throne early. I want to go out and live our own lives with Qianqian,” Xiao Beitang said, looking at Xiao Yi.

Emperor Jing burst into laughter. “That is still over a decade away. Now you know how impatiently I waited for you to grow up!”

Xiao Beitang was confident: “I was mischievous, but Yi’er is different. She is smart and well-behaved, and Qianqian has raised her perfectly. She might be able to govern the Great Yu by the time she is a teenager. Right, Yi’er?”

Xiao Yi didn’t fully grasp the concept, only knowing that when her mother asked a question like that, she was expected to nod. She nodded vigorously. “Mm-hm! Yi’er is smart.”

The hall erupted in laughter once more.

In June, as the heat began to rise, Song Qingqian’s pregnancy reached full term. On a day graced by a gentle breeze, her water broke.

The imperial physicians moved in and out with practiced efficiency. Xiao Beitang and the others waited outside, pacing restlessly. Xiao Yi’er’s eyes darted back and forth, following her mother’s frantic movement.

“How is it?” Xiao Beitang grabbed a maid carrying out a basin of hot water.

“Replying to Your Majesty, the young Highnesses have not yet arrived.”

Every second felt like a year.

“Tang’er, be patient. The physicians are with her,” the Empress Dowager coaxed gently.

“Mother, I’m worried. I want to go in and be with her.” Xiao Beitang’s hands were clasped so tightly her knuckles were white.

“Then go. Your pheromones will help calm her,” Emperor Jing said, patting her back.

Hearing this, Xiao Beitang hesitated no longer. She pushed the door open to enter.

“Your Majesty, there is much blood inside; I fear it will offend you. Please, wait outside,” Xing’er urged.

“I am going in to stay with her!” she snapped, her anxiety driving her forward.

Inside, the room was a hive of activity. The physicians were startled to see her enter. “Paying respects—”

“Ignore me!” Xiao Beitang interrupted in a deep, urgent voice. “Just do your work. I only want the Empress and the children to be safe. Do you understand?”

The physicians bowed respectfully and returned to their task.

Xiao Beitang looked at Song Qingqian, who was drenched in sweat, and felt a sharp, stabbing pain in her heart. She fought back the tears that threatened to spill over and, her voice thick with emotion, asked, “I ask you, can my pheromones make the Empress feel any better?”

“The Emperor’s pheromones can help calm Her Majesty and assist in the labor,” the physician replied.

“Then why didn’t you say so from the beginning?” Xiao Beitang snapped, her brows knitting in anger.

Deep down, she understood; they had tried to keep her out because they feared the scene might be too traumatic for her. But it only fueled her fury. What kind of archaic rules were these? A Kunze endured such agony to bring life into the world, yet these people were worried about whether she, a Qianyuan who bore none of the physical burden might feel “uncomfortable”?

“Why are you just standing there?” Xiao Beitang shot them a frigid look.

The physicians jolted back into action immediately.

Xiao Beitang stepped forward and sat beside the bed, taking Song Qingqian’s hand as she slowly released her pheromones. As the scent filled the air, Song Qingqian’s heavy, ragged breathing finally began to steady.

“Your Majesty, why are you here?” Song Qingqian opened her eyes and managed a faint smile.

“I’m here with you. Don’t be afraid, I’m right here.” Tears were already swimming in Xiao Beitang’s eyes, but she forced a smile and pressed a tender kiss to her wife’s forehead.

She used her hand to gently brush away the damp hair matted with sweat. Taking a warm cloth from a servant, Xiao Beitang wiped her forehead and cheeks, trailing down to her neck and shoulders, doing everything she could to soothe her.

Song Qingqian’s face was contorted with pain as she gripped Xiao Beitang’s hand with white-knuckled intensity. The physician instructed her to bite down on a silk cloth.

Waaaaah. A loud, piercing cry rang out.

Basin after basin of pale red water was carried out of the room. Xiao Beitang’s heart hammered against her ribs; her mind was a total blank.

“A bit more effort, Your Majesty! The Third Highness is almost here,” the physician called out urgently.

Exhausted and on the verge of collapse, Song Qingqian pressed her lips thin and gave one final, desperate push.

Another sharp cry filled the room.

“Congratulations, Your Majesty! Felicitations! Both young Highnesses are exceptionally healthy,” the physician announced, sounding immensely relieved.

Xiao Beitang, however, remained in a daze, responding only with a wooden nod. Her gaze was vacant as she looked at the two tiny figures being held by the wet nurses. To the physicians, the birth had been relatively smooth, but to Xiao Beitang, it felt as though she had just watched Song Qingqian cross the threshold of life and death.

She dismissed everyone from the room. The moment the door closed, she collapsed against Song Qingqian and began to sob. She cried uncontrollably, with no regard for her dignity as an Emperor.

“I’ve just given birth, and yet I’m the one who has to comfort you?” Song Qingqian patted her back, her voice weak but laced with a fond smile.

Xiao Beitang let out a watery laugh through her tears, only to start sobbing again a moment later. From outside, she could hear Xiao Yi’er’s cheers and the joyful laughter of Emperor Jing and the Empress Dowager. It only made Xiao Beitang want to cry more; her Qianqian was still so weak.

“Alright, that’s enough.” Song Qingqian whispered. She truly could not hold out any longer. Exhaustion and sleepiness washed over her; her hand slowly stopped patting Xiao Beitang’s back, and her breathing grew deep and steady as she drifted into sleep.

Xiao Beitang tucked the quilt around her and simply watched her. She stayed like that for a very, very long time.

When Song Qingqian finally woke, Xiao Beitang was still sitting exactly where she had left her.

“Qianqian, you’re awake! How do you feel? Is anything hurting? Are you hungry? Thirsty? Should I call the physician?” Xiao Beitang didn’t even pause for breath, rattling off a string of questions.

Song Qingqian gave a soft laugh. “I’m fine. Where are the babies?”

Xiao Beitang was gentle, gentler than she had ever been. “They are sleeping. When they wake, I’ll have Xing’er bring them in for you to see.”

“Do they look like you?” Song Qingqian asked.

“I, I haven’t really looked yet,” Xiao Beitang admitted, her voice trembling slightly.

Song Qingqian noticed her red-rimmed eyes and didn’t press further. She said softly, “I’d like some water.”

Xiao Beitang immediately poured a cup of warm water, carefully testing the temperature before handing it to her. Song Qingqian drank it all and handed the cup back.

Seeing the Emperor still looking a bit shell-shocked, Song Qingqian asked, “Were you frightened?”

“No.”

“Still lying? Your face is as pale as a ghost.”

“I’m going to have the physician find a way,” Xiao Beitang whispered. “We are never having children again.”

Song Qingqian knew the fear had taken root in her heart. Despite the safe delivery, Xiao Beitang had been traumatized by the sight of her suffering. She rested her head on the Emperor’s lap and said warmly, “Alright. Never again.”

Xiao Beitang looked down at Song Qingqian’s still-rounded midriff and asked curiously, “Why does your stomach still look as if there’s a baby in there? Are they sure they’re all out?”

Song Qingqian laughed at the absurdity. “It takes time for the body to recover.”

“Qianqian,” Xiao Beitang sighed, pulling her into a protective embrace. “You have truly suffered so much for us.”