The Crown Princess Is Jealous Again - Chapter 6

The following day, at Qianqing Palace.

Emperor Jing dismissed the attendants with a wave of her hand. She cast a meaningful look at Song Lian and said, “Prime Minister, I have a matter I wish to discuss with you.”

“Please speak, Your Majesty.” Song Lian’s eyelid twitched; a sense of unease settled in his chest.

Emperor Jing wore a mask of sorrow and let out a short sigh. “The Crown Princess is sixteen this year. I believe it is time to choose a consort for her.”

“That is a joyous occasion. Your Majesty need only instruct the Ministry of Imperial Clan Affairs to begin the selection. Do you have some specific concern?”

Emperor Jing looked at him and sighed heavily. “The choice of a Crown Princess Consort concerns the very foundation of the state. I have pondered this endlessly and believe only one person is fit for the role, yet, I fear I would be forcing someone against their will.”

The Emperor shook her head and fell silent.

“All under heaven belongs to the Sovereign; why would Your Majesty have such a concern?” Song Lian thought for a moment and asked in surprise, “Could it be that the Kunze Your Majesty has in mind is already betrothed?”

Emperor Jing blinked. “The Prime Minister overthinks. I would never commit such an act.”

“In that case, who does Your Majesty have in mind? If there are difficulties, this subject is willing to share Your Majesty’s burdens.”

Emperor Jing’s eyes sparkled as she looked at him. “Do you mean that, Minister?”

Unaware of the trap, Song Lian cupped his hands and spoke solemnly. “This matter concerns the foundation of Great Yu. I am willing to do whatever is necessary to assist Your Majesty.”

“With those words, my worries are gone. I intend to appoint your beloved daughter, Song Qingqian, as the Crown Princess Consort.”

Song Lian froze, his jaw nearly dropping in shock.

“This.” He was momentarily speechless, his face flushing with awkwardness. He had just talked himself into a corner; to refuse now would be incredibly embarrassing.

He stammered, “Your Majesty, my daughter is six years older than Her Highness. Her temperament is neither submissive nor soft. I fear she is not a suitable match.”

“I will not hide it from you, Prime Minister,” Emperor Jing said, her sigh long and weary. “Tang’er should have waited another two years for a consort. However, she spends her days idling outside, showing no ambition. It took a great effort to convince the Empress to choose a virtuous wife for her early, someone who can help me restrain and discipline her.”

Song Lian countered, “If even Your Majesty cannot restrain the Princess, why would Her Highness willingly submit to the discipline of a consort?”

Emperor Jing’s eyes lit up with excitement. “I have thought this through. After the wedding, Qingqian will become a teacher at the Imperial Academy. I will send Tang’er and her group of profligate friends there together. I have heard that Qingqian has a remarkable talent for reforming such ‘young masters.'”

Song Lian frowned, remaining silent.

Emperor Jing continued earnestly, “Minister Song, my desire to make Qingqian the Consort is not to trap her in the inner palace. I know her talent and learning well; the essays she wrote in her teens were world-shaking. She has the capability to govern a nation. If she becomes the Consort and teaches the Princess, her ambitions can be realized, and her brilliance will not be wasted. It would be a blessing for both the throne and the Song family.”

Song Lian kept his head bowed. The Emperor’s words seemed sincere, but with Song Qingqian’s personality, would she ever agree? Being Xiao Beitang’s “tutor” was a thankless task.

The Emperor watched his troubled face closely and added, as if in passing, “I heard that Qingqian’s elder brother, Qingxu, is about to enter officialdom. You have truly raised your children well. If both siblings can serve me, it would be a great credit to your name.”

Song Lian’s heart jolted. His frown deepened. Song Qingxu was his eldest son and a Zhongyong (Beta). He had sat for the civil examinations eight times, but competing against Qianyuan candidates was an uphill battle.

An imperial decree from the Emperor could make his son’s dreams come true or turn years of hard study into dust.

Emperor Jing stood up, her expression stern. “You are a pillar of the state. I do not wish for a mere decree to create a rift between us. Why don’t you go home and discuss this with Qingqian? If you have concerns, speak to me and the Empress. I expect your answer tomorrow.”

The Emperor walked to his side and whispered in a low voice, “Minister, do not disappoint me.”

“Prepare the carriage for Kunning Palace,” the Emperor commanded, leaving the hall immediately.

Song Lian stood alone in the hall for a long time. His vision blurred, his head felt heavy, and he walked to his sedan chair like a man who had lost his soul.

Upon returning home, Song Lian said nothing. He went straight to his study, locked the door, and refused even his midday meal.

By evening, seeing that he still wouldn’t come out, Madam Song went to fetch Song Qingqian. She knew her husband always listened to their daughter.

Qingqian brought a tray of food to the study and knocked softly. “Father, I’ve brought you something to eat.”

“I’m not hungry. Take it away,” came Song Lian’s weak, hollow voice.

“Father, please open the door,” Qingqian said, her worry growing. “What has happened?”

“Nothing. Just leave me alone for a while.”

“You’ve been alone for half the day!” she insisted. “If you don’t open the door, I’ll have to kick it down.”

Song Qingqian took a step back, bracing herself. Knowing she was perfectly capable of doing it, Song Lian opened the door and turned back into the room with a sigh of resignation.

Qingqian entered, closed the door, and set the food on the table. “Father, tell me exactly what happened.”

Song Lian let out a long sigh and recounted the Emperor’s words.

“So, the Emperor is using my brother to threaten you?”

“Qianqian, both of you are my own flesh and blood. My heart aches. Your brother, he has had such a difficult path!” Song Lian’s sighs were endless. As a Prime Minister, he was decisive; as a father, he could not be heartless.

If Song Qingxu could not enter officialdom, he wouldn’t just lose his career, he would lose the woman he loved.

Qingqian was silent for a moment. “Father, take me to the palace tomorrow to give the answer.”

Song Lian’s brow tightened. “You want to answer personally?”

“Father, if the Emperor wants me to restrain the Princess, she must agree to my conditions. Otherwise, even with a decree, she will only get a Consort in name only.”

Song Lian nodded. “And if she agrees to everything, are you truly willing to be the Crown Princess Consort?”

Qingqian let out a soft sigh. “Father, you know I am not content with a quiet life. Perhaps, this is my only chance.”

Song Lian sighed. “Then I will support whatever you choose to do.”

“Thank you, Father.” A small smile touched her lips. “Now, please eat.”

“I don’t agree!”

The door was shoved open as Song Qingxu burst in, fuming with rage. Both were startled and then looked at him with awkwardness.

“Brother, you heard everything?”

“Qianqian, you don’t have to do something you hate for my sake.” He stepped forward and gripped her shoulders.

“Brother, I’m not doing this for you. I’m doing it for myself,” she said gently.

Qingxu looked at her, his face full of disbelief.

“When have I ever lied to you?” she asked with a faint smile.

Qingxu hesitated, his resolve wavering. “Trust me, Brother.”

He slumped in dejection. “Qianqian, if it’s for yourself, I won’t stop you. But if it’s for me, don’t do it. Wan’er’s marriage has already been arranged. The Prince of Cheng’s heir, a profligate Qianyuan.”

His eyes grew cold and bitter. “Just because he is a Qianyuan!”

“Brother.”

Song Lian sighed. “Minister Wang’s constant stalling, I saw it coming. He was only holding back out of respect for me. Xu’er, in matters of the heart, you must learn to let go.”

“Father, I understand, but I cannot accept it! Wan’er and I love each other. Are we to be torn apart simply because I am not a Qianyuan?” He stood tall, his brows bristling with anger.

Qingqian felt his fury but knew not how to comfort him.

“Qianqian, I’ve said my piece. If it’s for me, it’s not worth it. I wanted a career for Wan’er’s sake. Now, it no longer matters.”

Qingqian watched his lonely figure walk away, her heart aching for him.