The Crown Princess Is Jealous Again - Chapter 17

The next morning, as the eastern sky began to pale, Liu Zi called for Xiao Beitang to wake up. At first, Xiao Beitang ignored him, burying her head under the covers, but the servant persisted, calling out like a relentless spirit. Finally, she threw the blanket aside and sat up, fuming. “Liu Zi, did you take the wrong medicine this morning?”

Liu Zi lowered his head, his eyes darting away as he retreated respectfully to the side.

Song Qingqian was already standing in the middle of the bedroom, flanked by her palace attendants. She offered a slight bow and a faint smile. “Your Highness, it is time to rise.”

“Song Qingqian, is there something wrong with you?” Xiao Beitang narrowed her eyes at her.

Xiao Tao brought over a stool, and Song Qingqian sat down gracefully. “Whatever does Your Highness mean by that?”

Xiao Beitang hopped out of bed and strode toward her, her temper flaring. “Didn’t we agree not to interfere with one another?”

Song Qingqian looked up and met her gaze without a hint of fear. “Your Highness, I never said such a thing.”

“You!” Xiao Beitang pointed a finger at her, her anger palpable.

Her pheromones were becoming overwhelmingly thick. Song Qingqian frowned slightly and whispered, “Xiao Tao, open the windows.”

“This is my bedroom. Get out!” Xiao Beitang barked.

Song Qingqian ignored the outburst, turning her calm gaze to the servants. “Why are you standing there? Serve Her Highness while she dresses.”

The palace maids, holding the ceremonial robes, looked at each other in trepidation. They wanted to step forward but didn’t dare. Song Qingqian gave them a pointed look and a slight nod of her chin. Emboldened, a maid approached with a basin of warm water and a towel, kneeling before the Crown Princess.

When Xiao Beitang remained motionless, the maid looked back at Song Qingqian in distress. Song Qingqian gestured again. Two more maids stepped forward, reaching out to undo the Princess’s sleeping robes.

“Impudent!” Xiao Beitang recoiled, her face flushing with a mix of shame and rage.

The maids froze, looking to Song Qingqian for direction. Xiao Beitang glared at her wife, her eyes wide with fury. Song Qingqian remained expressionless. “Does Your Highness require me to serve you personally?”

Xiao Beitang stood her ground, her brow furrowing even deeper.

Song Qingqian rose slowly and stepped into her space, reaching out as if to disrobe her. Xiao Beitang took another step back, her earlobes turning a deep crimson. Her heart hammered against her ribs like a drum, she was mortified and incredulous.

Song Qingqian let out a soft, amused huff. “Your Highness frequents pleasure houses day and night; surely you aren’t actually this shy?”

“You!” Xiao Beitang clenched her fists, the words caught in her throat.

Song Qingqian studied her secretly. Xiao Beitang’s ears were still burning red. Was this really the same “profligate and willful” Princess from the rumors? Even with the window open, the scent of pheromones in the room remained intense. Is she going into a heat? Song Qingqian wondered, her brow knitting together.

Unconsciously, Song Qingqian’s eyes drifted downward, settling just below the Princess’s abdomen. She caught her breath.

It was perfectly normal for a Qianyuan to have a physical reaction in the morning, but seeing it out in the open felt uncomfortably intimate. Xiao Beitang noticed where she was looking. The flush spread from her ears to her entire face.

She spun around, turning her back to Song Qingqian. “Get out,” she hissed.

“Serve Her Highness,” Song Qingqian left the command behind and turned to leave the room.

Song Qingqian waited composedly in the main hall. After a long while, Xiao Beitang emerged. She ignored her entirely, striding out of the palace at a brisk pace.

“Where is Your Highness going?” Song Qingqian asked, setting down her tea.

Xiao Beitang didn’t look back, acting as if she hadn’t heard a word. Liu Zi followed behind, looking awkward; he knew the Princess hated having servants tailing her when she was in a foul mood.

Song Qingqian rose and followed them, keeping a steady distance. Based on the time, she knew the Princess wasn’t leaving the palace. Despite her rebellious streak, Xiao Beitang had always been diligent about paying her respects to the Empress at Kunning Palace every morning, rain or shine.

Xiao Beitang knew she was being followed. She varied her pace, sometimes fast, sometimes slow but Song Qingqian remained a constant shadow.

“Why are you following me?” Xiao Beitang finally stopped and snapped.

“I am the Crown Princess Consort,” Song Qingqian replied with mock solemnity. “A wife should follow where her husband leads.”

“You!” Xiao Beitang pointed at her again, but once more, the words failed her. She flicked her sleeve and kept walking.

They reached Kunning Palace just as Emperor Jing was stepping out. It appeared she was heading for the morning court session. Meeting her head-on, Xiao Beitang had no choice but to bow. ” Emperor Mother.”

Emperor Jing had already heard of the events from the previous night and was in high spirits. It seemed Song Qingqian was not the frail, easily bullied Kunze she might have expected.

“Coming to pay respects to your Mother Empress?” the Emperor asked. Usually, her words were laced with reprimand, but seeing Xiao Beitang up early and performing her duties brought her genuine satisfaction.

“Yes,” Xiao Beitang replied, her tone still cool and distant.

“Go on, then. I must attend court.”

Xiao Beitang gave a silent bow and headed inside. Song Qingqian had caught up; as she began to curtsy, the Emperor raised a hand. “No need for such formality.”

Song Qingqian switched to a simpler respectful gesture. Emperor Jing gave her a meaningful, approving smile before departing.

Inside, the Empress’s face lit up with joy at the sight of her daughter, but when she saw Song Qingqian, her expression shifted to one of pleasant surprise. Before Song Qingqian could even finish her greeting, the Empress beckoned her.

“Qianqian, come here.”

Song Qingqian straightened up. “Yes, Mother Empress.”

The Empress slipped a translucent, emerald-green jade bracelet, flawless and warm to the touch from her own wrist and slid it onto Song Qingqian’s. “I should have given this to you yesterday,” she said with a warm smile.

“Your Majesty.” Song Qingqian was stunned. The quality of the jade suggested it wasn’t just a luxury, but a priceless heirloom.

“What should you call me?” the Empress prompted gently, holding her hand.

Song Qingqian hesitated for a heartbeat before answering somewhat stiffly, “Mother Empress.”

“That’s more like it.” The Empress beamed, though her smile faltered as she felt the younger woman’s skin. “Why are your hands so cold?”

“I have a cold constitution,” Song Qingqian answered softly. “My hands are always like this.”

The Empress nodded. “I’ll have the imperial physician look at you and prescribe some warming tonics. Take care of your body. I am still waiting to hold a granddaughter, after all.”

A granddaughter? Xiao Beitang shot a look at the Empress, then at Song Qingqian. Has anyone even asked for my opinion?

Song Qingqian nodded dutifully. “Yes.”

Yes? Heh, in your dreams! Xiao Beitang grumbled internally. She felt a twinge of resentment, why was the Empress being so kind to her? That bracelet was a relic from her grandmother.

“Tang’er, come here,” the Empress said lovingly.

Xiao Beitang stayed put, shooting a glare at Song Qingqian.

“Oh, Tang’er!” The Empress stepped forward, grabbed her daughter’s hand, and placed Song Qingqian’s hand inside it, patting them both with satisfaction. “You are a married couple now. You must support each other and live in harmony.”

As Song Qingqian’s cold, fair hand met Xiao Beitang’s hot, slender fingers, both women froze. The moment the Empress let go, they both snatched their hands back as if burned, looking away awkwardly.

“Mother,” Xiao Beitang cleared her throat after a moment. “I have paid my respects. I shall take my leave.”

“Go on,” the Empress smiled.

Xiao Beitang bowed and turned to leave.

“I shall take my leave as well,” Song Qingqian added.

Song Qingqian followed her out of Kunning Palace. She trailed behind in silence until Xiao Beitang finally couldn’t take it anymore.

“Song Qingqian, just how long do you intend to follow me?”

She smiled. “Your Highness knows the answer, doesn’t she?”

“Unreasonable!” Xiao Beitang huffed, quickening her pace.