Liu Zi was utterly confused. She was the one who had clamored about being hungry, yet now that the meal was served, she hadn’t touched a single bite. He asked feebly, “Your Highness, didn’t you say you were hungry? If you don’t eat soon, the food will get cold.”
“Shut up,” Xiao Beitang snapped.
Liu Zi didn’t dare utter another word.
Just then, Song Qingqian emerged from the West Wing. She caught a glimpse of Xiao Beitang turning back toward the house the moment she reached the door. Stepping inside, Song Qingqian glanced at the untouched dishes and then studied Xiao Beitang’s expression.
With a slight smile, Song Qingqian asked, “Your Highness, although Her Majesty has withdrawn the spies from Zichen Palace, if we were to dine separately, the Emperor would find out with a single casual inquiry. Our secret would be out. Therefore, why don’t we dine together from now on?”
“Fine. It’ll save me from Mother Empress’s constant nagging when I pay my respects,” Xiao Beitang replied, her voice filled with a mix of feigned arrogance and secret satisfaction.
“My thanks to Your Highness.” Song Qingqian stepped forward and took the seat opposite her. She raised an eyebrow slightly, testing the waters. “Was Your Highness waiting for me just now?”
Having her thoughts exposed, Xiao Beitang’s face flushed with embarrassment. She flatly denied it with a flicker of flustered energy. “I was not. The food was too hot. I dislike hot things, so I was letting it cool so it would be easier to eat.”
The more she explained, the more her cowardice showed. Seeing her panicked, clumsy attempt at a cover-up, Song Qingqian found it difficult to suppress a laugh.
“I see,” Song Qingqian said softly. “It seems I was being delusional again.”
“Just eat.”
Before Liu Zi could serve her, Xiao Beitang picked up her chopsticks herself and plopped a large piece of rabbit meat into her bowl. She finished one piece and immediately went for several more.
Song Qingqian coaxed her gently, as if speaking to a child. “There are rules in the palace; even if Your Highness likes a dish, you shouldn’t have more than three helpings. These yams clear the internal heat and nourish your qi. Have some of those as well.”
Xiao Beitang furrowed her brow but put the yam into her mouth. She then pointed toward the roasted goose, and Liu Zi, taking the hint, served her. By the time they finished, the meal had taken three times longer than usual.
“Your Highness,” Song Qingqian advised in a low, calm voice, “a ruler must guard against arrogance and impulsiveness. Everything must be done in moderation.”
Xiao Beitang didn’t argue; she simply looked away.
“It is still early. Why don’t you read for a while before bed?” Song Qingqian’s tone wasn’t a command, but a gentle persuasion.
“I had already planned to do so,” Xiao Beitang muttered stubbornly, though her feet obediently carried her toward the study.
Song Qingqian smiled. “Then I shall accompany you.”
Xiao Beitang walked ahead, feeling an inexplicable spark of happiness. Liu Zi and Xiao Tao followed behind, exchanging looks of pure shock and stifling their laughter.
Inside the study, rows of ancient classics and famous scrolls were neatly organized on the shelves. Xiao Beitang picked one up at random, frowned, and put it back. You could tell from the title alone that the book would be dull. She searched for a long time, her patience gradually wearing thin.
“These books don’t even have pictures,” Xiao Beitang grumbled. “Just walls of text. So incredibly boring.”
“Your Highness, these are the masterpieces of history, writings from the Hundred Schools of Thought and the essays of virtuous ministers. They are profoundly beneficial books. One must settle their heart to read them and truly taste the brilliance within,” Song Qingqian explained softly. She reached up, took a volume down, and handed it to her.
Xiao Beitang flipped through a few pages and sneered. “Nothing but tiny characters, if I ever need help falling asleep, this will certainly do the trick.”
Song Qingqian couldn’t help but laugh. Regaining her composure, she picked up another book. “Have some patience. Come, I’ll read with you.”
Xiao Beitang sighed and followed her to the desk. In the quiet room, Liu Zi added oil to the lamps and trimmed the wicks. The crackling sound vanished, leaving the room bright and still.
Xiao Beitang opened the book lazily. She was restless at first, but after a while, she began to read in earnest. Time slipped by. Eventually, she stretched her legs and gave them a light shake; Liu Zi, ever-observant, immediately stepped forward to remove her boots. She sat cross-legged on the chair, her eyes never once leaving the pages.
Song Qingqian looked up at her occasionally. She saw a Princess focused and intent, sometimes smiling at the text, sometimes knitting her brows in thought.
Finally, after the lamp oil had been replenished several times, Liu Zi noticed the hour. “Your Highness, Crown Princess, it is late. It is time to rest.”
Song Qingqian looked out the window at the ink-black night, then back at Xiao Beitang. The Princess was so absorbed she hadn’t even heard him.
“Your Highness, let us stop here for today. It’s late; you should sleep.”
“Mm,” Xiao Beitang replied instinctively, though she kept flipping the pages.
“Your Highness, let’s go,” Song Qingqian called again.
Xiao Beitang finally put the book down, let out a long, lazy yawn, and stretched. She swung her legs out, and Liu Zi hurried to put her shoes back on.
Song Qingqian smiled. “Was the book that good? Your Highness was completely entranced.”
“Brilliant,” Xiao Beitang replied with a smile.
“Brilliant?”
“The author,” Xiao Beitang said simply. “They were brilliant.”
Song Qingqian’s lips curled into a smile as they walked out of the study together. “Rest well, Your Highness,” she said, offering a graceful bow.
“Mm.” Xiao Beitang nodded blankly, yawning as she walked toward her chambers.
The two went their separate ways. Halfway through her nightly routine, Song Qingqian looked through the window and saw the lights in Xiao Beitang’s room go out, leaving only two dim candles burning.
“She fell asleep so quickly,” Song Qingqian laughed softly.
“Hmm?” Xiao Tao, who was tidying up, followed her gaze. “Her Highness is still growing; she needs her sleep. But I must say, it seems her hostility toward you has lessened quite a bit.”
Song Qingqian stared out the window, lost in thought. In truth, Xiao Beitang’s hostility was directed at the Emperor, it was never really about her.
The next morning, as the sun began to rise, Song Qingqian once again led her attendants into Xiao Beitang’s bedroom.
Xiao Beitang didn’t even open her eyes. She simply rolled over and pulled the covers over her head, hiding completely.
Liu Zi stood by, not daring to speak. Song Qingqian stepped forward and yanked the blanket down. Xiao Beitang’s head popped out; the morning light pricked her eyes, causing them to twitch. She opened one eye, took a quick look at Song Qingqian, and immediately tried to dive back under the covers.