The Crown Princess Is Jealous Again - Chapter 5

Princess Dunsu spoke up, her voice dripping with feigned curiosity. “Miss Song is indeed extraordinary. However, I simply cannot fathom how a Kunze can serve as a teacher.”

“Before I answer, may I ask why the Princess believes it impossible?” Song Qingqian replied calmly. She could feel the woman’s naked hostility.

“A Kunze has a monthly heat cycle and is easily influenced by a Qianyuan’s pheromones (xin su). If a teacher was to go into heat mid-lecture, wouldn’t that be mortifying?” Dunsu smiled maliciously. “Furthermore, aside from those who haven’t differentiated yet, academies are full of young Qianyuan. I doubt they have mastered the self-control required to restrain their pheromones.”

She added with a look of disdain, “In my opinion, a Kunze belongs at home, serving a husband and raising children. It is better not to show one’s face in public so often.”

Song Qingqian offered a thin smile. “And yet, I have heard that Princess Dunsu works tirelessly for her husband’s sake, spending her days socializing and maintaining close ties with many in the court. Among those people, I suspect very few are Kunze?”

Dunsu’s voice turned sharp. “Impudent! How dare you speak such words before Her Majesty? Regardless of the fact that I am a Princess of Great Yu, you are but a junior. For a junior to be so defiant when corrected by an elder, Prime

Minister Song has certainly raised a ‘fine’ daughter.”

However, Dunsu’s sudden flare of temper only made her look defensive. The Princess Consort of Chu and others hid their smirks behind their fans.

“I have spoken out of turn. If I have said anything incorrect, I hope the Princess can find it in her heart to be magnanimous.” Song Qingqian performed a quick, graceful bow. Her apology was so swift and polite that Dunsu could not pursue the matter further in front of the Empress.

To any bystander, it appeared that Song Qingqian had yielded; in reality, Dunsu’s behavior had already earned the silent contempt of the crowd.

A classic case of “using four ounces to deflect a thousand pounds.” A faint smile played at the corners of the Empress’s mouth. “The Emperor praised Miss Song to me just two days ago. She said her political essays are incisive, brilliant, and carry the true spirit of the Prime Minister.”

“Her Majesty overpraises me,” Song Qingqian replied with a nod.

The Empress asked warmly, “May I call you Qianqian? Tell me, are you betrothed?”

Song Qingqian’s heart tightened. Was this a prelude to an arranged marriage? If the Emperor or Empress spoke the word, even her father would find it difficult to refuse.

After a moment’s hesitation, she replied, “Though I am not yet betrothed, I, I already have someone I love in my heart.”

This is technically lèse-majesté, Qingqian thought, her pulse quickening with anxiety.

“I see.” A flicker of regret crossed the Empress’s face.

The Empress kept them for a short while longer, distributed some imperial gifts, and then dismissed the ladies to their homes.

Song Qingqian breathed a sigh of relief. Aside from the Empress’s question about her marriage, nothing out of the ordinary had happened. That was the best possible outcome.

On the way home, Madam Song kept fretting, telling her she was too blunt. Qingqian merely smiled and promised she wouldn’t be so reckless next time. In her heart, she hoped there wouldn’t be a next time.

When they returned, Song Lian was already home, sitting in the front hall sipping tea and waiting for them.

“Father.”

Song Lian set down his teacup with a smile. “You’re back. Well? Did the Empress truly summon you just to look at flowers?”

“Yes.”

“Who else was there today?”

“Several Princess Consorts, the Princess, and the kin of various high officials.”

“I see.” He sighed heavily. “The Empress is kind and the Emperor is wise, yet it is a pity the Crown Princess is such a profligate.”

“Has something happened?” Qingqian asked. Her father rarely mentioned the Princess.

Song Lian let out a short sigh. “A few days ago, Her Highness played another prank on the Grand Preceptor, goading him into resigning. The Emperor is deeply worried and spoke to me about it after the morning court. She is at her wits’ end.”

Song Qingqian thought back. “Is that the eighth tutor to resign? Our Crown Princess truly does as she pleases.”

“Indeed. She is sixteen now and has yet to attend a single court session. If this continues, I dare not imagine the state of Great Yu when it is placed in her hands.” Song Lian shook his head, rubbing his forehead.

Qingqian walked over and began to massage his shoulders. “Father, you exhaust yourself for the sake of the empire. You’ve worked so hard.”

He sighed again. “The Song family has served Great Yu for generations. Since the Emperor appointed me as Prime Minister, how can I fail her trust?”

Madam Song teased him, “You and your talk of the court and the Emperor. You never even ask about your own two children.”

“What are you saying, wife? When have I ever ignored them?”

Madam Song frowned. “Our son Xu’er’s marriage has been delayed time and again. The Wang family is clearly making things difficult, yet you refuse to lower your face to put in a good word for him. Poor Xu’er has been studying so hard just for the sake of Miss Wan’er.”

Song Lian felt guilty but maintained his stance. “This. Wife, it’s not that I don’t care. But Minister Wang is my colleague, and I have my dignity. The children’s affairs should be won by the children themselves.”

She rolled her eyes at him. “Fine, let’s not speak of Xu’er. Look at your daughter. Today, in front of everyone, she publicly defied Princess Dunsu. Do you think Dunsu is someone to be trifled with? Now every prominent family in the capital knows how ‘formidable’ she is. It will be even harder to marry her off now.”

“Mother, it is I who do not wish to marry. It has nothing to do with it being ‘hard,'” Qingqian grumbled.

Madam Song sighed in resignation. “Fine, fine. The two of you just exist to spite me.”

Song Lian stood up and put an arm around his wife’s shoulders, coaxing her. “Now, now, don’t be angry. Children have their own lives; we can’t control everything.”

As he led her toward the back garden, he shot a playful wink at Song Qingqian. She couldn’t help but laugh, returning to her own courtyard only after they had gone.

In Kunning Palace, the Empress reclined in her chair, holding Song Qingqian’s essays. Emperor Jing entered silently, waving the servants away. She lifted her heavy robes and tiptoed inside. The Empress was so absorbed she didn’t notice.

“Yan’er.”

The Empress started, the papers nearly slipping from her hand. She shot the Emperor a glare. “Act your age.”

“What are you reading so intently?” The Emperor took the scroll. “Ah, the essays by Song Qingqian?”

The Empress poured herself some tea, looking a bit dejected. “Yes. I looked them up specifically. She is truly her father’s daughter, brilliant prose and an extraordinary vision.”

“You don’t look very happy.”

“I asked her today. She already has someone in her heart. Your plan might not work.” The Empress took a sip of tea.

“But is she betrothed?”

“No, she isn’t.” The Empress shook her head.

Emperor Jing pondered for a moment. “Yan’er, as long as she isn’t betrothed, there is still a chance. Tomorrow, I will personally bring this up with the Prime Minister.”

“Do you truly intend to go through with this? Even if Song Lian agrees, I fear Tang’er will refuse. She is stubborn. If you force this marriage on her, there will be no peace.”

“Yan’er, as long as you stand by my side, she will have no choice but to agree.”

The Empress frowned at her. “Are you planning on using force against her again?”

The Emperor sat beside her and pulled her into a hug, whispering, “Don’t worry. I know what I’m doing.”