The Crown Princess Is Jealous Again - Chapter 8

Her gaze cut through the hall with a chilling coldness. She let out a sharp, mocking laugh. “Is that so? I truly underestimated Imperial Mother. But then again, if she’s willing to manipulate something as personal as my differentiation, why would she ever let my marriage be my own?”

“Silence!” Emperor Jing slammed her hand on the table and stood up.

Xiao Beitang didn’t flinch. Her expression remained one of pure contempt. “Why? Did I say something wrong? Did either of you ask if I liked her? What if I already have someone in my heart, would you still force this upon me?”

“Tang’er, the matter of the Crown Princess Consort concerns the very foundation of the state. It must be decided by your Imperial Mother,” the Empress said, trying her best to soothe the girl while glancing nervously at the Emperor. “If you’ve taken a liking to some other girl, it is not impossible to take her as a secondary consort or a lady-in-waiting later.”

Seeing the Empress wavering again, Emperor Jing barked, “The ones she takes a liking to are probably nothing but common street-walkers from the pleasure districts!”

“That’s right! I prefer those ‘street-walkers’!” Xiao Beitang’s voice rose even higher than the Emperor’s.

“Impudent!” the Emperor roared. Her tone turned iron-clad. “From this day forward, you are forbidden from going out to fool around. Stay in the palace and prepare for the wedding.”

With a final, sharp look at the Empress, the Emperor turned and left the hall without a backward glance.

Xiao Beitang watched her go, the words at the tip of her tongue swallowed back down in bitter silence.

The Empress sighed and walked down from the dais. “Tang’er, you shouldn’t hold such a deep grudge against your Imperial Mother. You are sixteen now; it is time you showed her some understanding.”

She pulled the girl down to sit and gently stroked her hair. “Tang’er, isn’t it good to have someone by your side to care for you? If the two of you could bear a child, Mother would be even happier.”

Only when she was alone with the Empress did Xiao Beitang’s hostility soften. She leaned into her mother’s arm, shaking it slightly like a spoiled child. “Mother, that Song Lian is an old fossil. His daughter is bound to be a block of wood.

Besides, I’ve never even met her. I don’t know if she’s ugly or fair, how can I marry her?”

The Empress flicked her forehead with a delicate finger, looking at her dotingly. “You, no more nonsense. Your Imperial Mother has already issued the decree; how could we possibly take it back? Be a good girl. You cannot be willful about this. It’s time you settled down.”

Xiao Beitang grumbled, “Mother, it’s not that I refuse to marry. But shouldn’t it be someone I choose myself? Such a massive life event, and I was kept entirely in the dark. Imperial Mother always forces things on me like this.”

“Your Mother is only thinking of your future. Besides, I’ve seen her myself, Qianqian is exceptionally beautiful and dignified. Countless suitors have been turned away from her door. Your Imperial Mother went to great lengths to arrange this. You always oppose her on purpose, but she is your mother; why would she ever harm you?” The Empress spoke with feigned reproach but genuine warmth, patting the girl’s hand.

“I know she wouldn’t harm me, but I just don’t like her forcing her will on mine,” Xiao Beitang muttered stubbornly.

The Empress sighed. “Tang’er, be good. Just do it for me, all right?”

Xiao Beitang didn’t answer. Knowing her daughter was still nursing her pride, the Empress shifted the conversation to lighter topics, offering a few more words of comfort before departing.

The very next morning, Xiao Beitang slipped out of the palace again.

“A-Tang, I heard you’re getting married?” Xiao Lin teased with a wide grin the moment she entered the room.

Linglong, the courtesan, froze for a split second before stepping forward to help the Princess remove her outer robe.

“Don’t start with me. I’m already annoyed enough as it is.” Xiao Beitang sat down, looking utterly drained.

“Why? Isn’t this a cause for celebration? Why do you look like someone died?” Xiao Wanqi asked, confused.

“I don’t even know if she’s round or flat. How am I supposed to marry her?” Xiao Beitang grabbed a cup of wine and downed it in one go.

Xiao Wanqi and Xiao Lin exchanged a glance. “But I heard she’s both brilliant and beautiful,” Wanqi said. “A perfect match for you!”

“Hah, her father is a stifling, pedantic bore. ‘Brilliant and beautiful’? Who’s to say those aren’t just empty compliments people give out of respect for her father’s position?” Xiao Beitang reclined lazily, propping her head up with one hand, looking miserable.

Xiao Lin swallowed a mouthful of wine and chimed in. “No, no, I heard my mother talking about it yesterday. She’s seen Miss Song, and she said her beauty is truly peerless. She was even lamenting that she didn’t meet her sooner, otherwise, she’d have snatched her up before you got the chance.”

Xiao Beitang said dryly, “In that case, I’ll let you have her.”

Xiao Lin let out a dry laugh. “Don’t joke like that. Once your mother sets something in stone, who can change it?”

“Yeah, who can change it?” Xiao Beitang rolled over, resting her head on Linglong’s lap, staring blankly at the ceiling.

Linglong stroked the hair at her temples. After a long hesitation, she whispered, “Is Miss Xiao truly getting married?”

“Hmm?” Xiao Beitang pulled her gaze back and looked at the woman. She gave a small laugh. “Do you want me to get married?”

Linglong lowered her head. “Naturally, Linglong does not.”

Xiao Beitang smiled and placed her hand over Linglong’s. “Are you afraid I won’t come around anymore once I’m married?”

Linglong hesitated. “Will you?”

“I will.”

Linglong’s face fell.

Xiao Beitang couldn’t help but laugh at her expression. “I’ll come even more often.”

Only then did Linglong smile. She popped a grape into the Princess’s mouth, her fingers lingering slightly against her lips.

Linglong was the top courtesan of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion. Xiao Beitang had paid a fortune to “buy out” her exclusive time, meaning she didn’t have to serve other guests.

Strangely enough, though Xiao Beitang had paid a price that entitled her to the girl’s body, she had never actually claimed it despite her frequent visits. Because of this, Linglong viewed her differently. In her eyes, most Qianyuan were arrogant and cruel, especially the wealthy ones who viewed lower-class people as mere ants.

In a brothel, dignity was a luxury she didn’t have. But she had been lucky; just as she started her career, she met Xiao Beitang. With her, Linglong felt a basic level of human respect. She had seen too many “sisters” in the pavilion abandoned by their patrons as soon as their beauty faded. She felt Xiao Beitang was someone she could truly rely on.

However, Xiao Beitang had never mentioned redeeming her from the brothel, and Linglong didn’t dare bring it up, fearing she might spark suspicion or, worse, disgust.

“Actually, A-Tang, I don’t think marriage is necessarily a bad thing for you,” Xiao Lin said.

“Oh? Let’s hear your wisdom.”

Xiao Lin shifted forward, looking serious. “Think about it. You’re an only child. Your mother has high hopes for you, and your uncles are all watching you like hawks. You aren’t that young anymore; these kinds of pressures will only increase. You aren’t like us, you can’t just walk away from your family. Marrying one wife is a small price to pay. It’s better than being forced to take three or five.”

Xiao Wanqi nodded fervently. “If that happened, you’d never have a moment’s peace. Besides, Miss Song has a virtuous reputation. She can probably handle all the household and social affairs for you. With her father as your father-in-law, he’ll be even more devoted to your family’s interests. Isn’t that better than some delicate ‘vase’ of a wife who clings to you all day?”

Xiao Beitang sat up, her eyes lingering on the fruit platter. “But I don’t know her. Besides, in my heart, never mind. You two should be helping me think of a way to stop this wedding.”

The two friends looked at each other in silence.

An imperial decree personally issued by the Emperor? Who could possibly change that?