The Crown Princess Is Jealous Again - Chapter 4

A few days later, the Imperial Garden was a riot of color. Aside from the exotic flora, a crowd of beauties had gathered, their attire more vivid than the flowers themselves. They had spared no effort, adorning their hair with intricate jade hairpins and swaying buyao (dangling hairpin). With meticulously applied makeup and practiced smiles, every gesture radiated the poise of well-bred young ladies from noble houses.

“Her Majesty has invited quite a crowd this time,” the Princess Consort of Duan remarked, surveying the clusters of women, her voice laced with a smile.

Princess Dunsu shot a glance at the crowd. Touching a golden hairpin with a delicate gesture, she said disdainfully, “Indeed. I thought it would be a more private affair.”

The Princess Consorts of Chu and Duan exchanged a knowing look and let out a dry laugh.

“Her Majesty rarely invites us into the palace. This viewing of the scenery is likely not as simple as it seems.”

“How so?”

“I’ve heard it’s regarding the Crown Princess’s marriage,” the Consort of Chu whispered, shielding her mouth with a silk handkerchief.

The Consort of Duan gasped softly. “But Her Highness is only sixteen?”

“Word is, it’s the Emperor’s wish.”

Princess Dunsu overheard the gist of it. She glanced at her own daughter and pulled her aside, whispering urgently into her ear.

Song Qingqian arrived late, following behind Madam Song. Much like her husband, Prime Minister Song Lian, Madam Song had little patience for the posturing of noblewomen and typically made it a point to be the last to arrive.

Song Qingqian wore a simple gown of pale cyan silk with a light gauze overcoat. It was refined but lacked any air of pampered luxury. Her makeup was subtle, highlighting her clear features, ruby-red lips, and bright eyes. A single, elegant buyao adorned her hair. Compared to the “golden branches and jade leaves” around her, she possessed no haughty arrogance, only the unyielding “backbone” of a scholar.

As she followed her mother, she drew the collective gaze of the garden. It was whispered throughout the capital that Song Lian had a daughter as beautiful as a celestial being; many had heard of her, yet few had actually seen her.

Several noble daughters rolled their eyes in disdain, while others stared openly, not even bothering to veil their curiosity.

“Is that the Prime Minister’s beloved daughter?”

“It’s my first time seeing her.”

“She really is as beautiful as the rumors say.”

“I heard she’s twenty-two and still unbetrothed.”

“Strange that the Prime Minister isn’t worried.”

“What is there to worry about with a face like that? I hear the threshold of their house is practically worn down by matchmakers.”

It was no exaggeration. Since she was seventeen, suitors including those of royal blood had flocked to the Song estate, only to be politely rejected by the Prime Minister. Consequently, Song Qingqian’s reputation in the capital was quite formidable.

She carried herself with impeccable grace, her back slender and straight. She kept her eyes forward, following her mother. When Madam Song greeted acquaintances, Qingqian simply offered a polite, dignified nod.

“Her Majesty the Empress arrives!” Eunuch Li Fu’an announced loudly.

The crowd immediately shifted their focus, gathered their skirts, and knelt in unison. “We pay our respects to Her Majesty the Empress.”

“Please, rise,” the Empress said with a warm smile. “While admiring the flowers recently, I realized how exceptionally the Imperial Garden has bloomed this summer. Thus, I invited you all to share the view.”

“Our thanks to Your Majesty.”

The Empress’s eyes instinctively sought out Song Qingqian. Amidst the sea of vibrant colors, she recognized her instantly.

Song Qingqian stood with her head slightly bowed, her long lashes fluttering as she stared at a nearby orchid with singular focus. It was clear she admired the plant.

“Imperial Sister-in-law, Yu’er hasn’t been to the palace in quite some time. She just told me how much she missed your osmanthus cakes.” As the Empress was lost in thought watching Qingqian, Princess Dunsu approached, leading a girl of fifteen or sixteen.

“Ah, it has been a while since I last saw Yu’er. She’s grown so tall. I heard she differentiated as a Kunze?” The Empress responded with a polite, practiced smile. Dunsu had always been overbearing and flashy, but as the Emperor’s half-sister, everyone gave her a measure of face.

“Yes, indeed. Her pheromones (xin su) have been unstable these past few months, so I didn’t dare let her leave the estate. She feels quite guilty for not coming sooner to pay her respects to the Emperor and Your Majesty.” Dunsu looked at her daughter, Li Ningyu, with visible pride.

Li Ningyu clutched her handkerchief and smiled. She had followed Xiao Beitang around since childhood. While others hoped to be Qianyuan, she had wished to be a Kunze, often declaring she would marry Xiao Beitang when she grew up.

In those days, the playful Xiao Beitang would tease the young girl: “If Yu’er truly becomes a Kunze, there will surely be a place for you in my Zichen Palace.”

Two years ago, the Li family had been posted to Huizhou, but they had finally returned to the capital this year.

“I know Yu’er is a good child,” the Empress said. She was well aware of Dunsu’s intentions. The Li family was in decline; if not for Dunsu’s status as a princess, they would have been overlooked long ago. They were pinning their hopes on Li Ningyu marrying into the imperial line.

After a few more pleasantries, the Empress wished to move on. She caught the eye of the Princess Consort of Chu, who understood the cue immediately.

“Her Majesty is in such high spirits today,” the Consort of Chu remarked. “Looking at these young ones, I truly feel my age.”

The Consort of Duan teased her, “Of course you do, you’re a grandmother now! How can you compare yourself to these young girls?”

“Madam Song,” a woman in a dark green gown asked with a smirk, “your eldest son must be twenty-six this year. I hear he is still unmarried?”

Song Qingqian’s eyelids lifted slightly. When people cannot compete in substance, they seek to win through petty barbs. She recognized the woman: the second wife of Censor Wu Zhiyong and stepmother to Wu Hao.

Madam Song saw through the attempt to embarrass her but remained composed. “My two children certainly don’t make life easy for me. I fear I lack Madam Wu’s ‘good fortune.'”

“And who is this behind you, Madam Song?” the Consort of Duan asked, feigning ignorance.

Before her mother could speak, Song Qingqian stepped forward and performed a respectful, flawless salute. “This humble daughter, Song Qingqian, pays respects to Her Majesty the Empress.”

“Rise,” the Empress said, observing her closely. Her movements were calm, her expression neither arrogant nor timid. Excellent.

“Ah, so this is the ‘Teacher Song’ I’ve heard of,” Madam Wu let out a condescending chuckle. “Your Majesty may not be aware, but Miss Song serves as a tutor at the Boya Academy. It is rare to see a Kunze acting as a teacher. My own son, Hao’er, is one of her pupils.” Her tone was strange, not one of praise, but of subtle derision.

“And which ‘Hao’er’ would that be, Madam?” Song Qingqian asked tonelessly.

“Wu Hao.”

Song Qingqian offered a thin smile. “I had the honor of meeting Wu Hao’s mother once. However, I heard that the late Madam Wu passed away some time ago. May I ask, which mother are you to him?”

A ripple of stifled laughter went through the crowd.

“I am, I am his stepmother, of course!” Madam Wu’s face flushed with humiliation.

“I see,” Song Qingqian replied with a faint, knowing smile.

She said nothing more, yet the disdainful looks from the surrounding noblewomen were now fixed firmly on Madam Wu.