Tan Hua - Chapter 19

Three days later, the Emperor suddenly sent a eunuch to summon Song Liqing to the Qilin Mansion.

Song Liqing bowed in gratitude for the decree, but his heart was filled with confusion.

“Do you know why His Majesty suddenly wants to see me?” he asked the eunuch.

The eunuch hesitated to speak, eventually saying, “All I know is that His Majesty scolded the Crown Prince for a whole morning, berating him harshly. You should be careful when you enter the palace.”

“Thank you,” Song Liqing replied.

He glanced at Xiaodi, who understood and slipped a silver ingot to the eunuch.

The eunuch, trembling with fear, said, “How… how can this servant accept a gift from the Crown Prince’s Consort for delivering a decree?”

“Your hard work is appreciated. Go buy yourself a cup of tea to moisten your throat,” Song Liqing replied earnestly, disregarding the haughtiness of the Crown Prince’s Consort.

The eunuch graciously accepted and left.

Dressed in a green court robe and a coronet, Song Liqing followed the eunuch into the palace.

Seeing his formal attire, the eunuch couldn’t help but praise, “The Crown Prince’s Consort is as elegant as a fairy. Seeing you makes me understand what they mean by ‘a young gentleman as beautiful as jade.'”

“You flatter me,” Song Liqing replied with a smile, sitting straight in the carriage until they reached the gate of the Yihua Hall.

Inside the palace, he found the Emperor and Crown Prince Jun Qiyu waiting. The Emperor sat on the dragon throne with a solemn expression, while Crown Prince Jun Qiyu stared at him intently, as if warning him.

“Your Majesty,” Song Liqing bowed, maintaining his composure.

“Hmm,” the Emperor’s voice was deep. “Song Liqing, do you know your crime?”

Though not stern, the Emperor’s presence was imposing, causing Song Liqing’s heart to sink for a moment as he prostrated himself on the ground.

“I… I have been ill since the day of the grand wedding and didn’t dare to bring my illness into the palace, so I delayed entering the palace to pay respects to the two highnesses. I’m willing to plead guilty and accept punishment.”

“I didn’t say you were negligent,” the Emperor pondered. “The Crown Prince has not attended morning court for three consecutive days. Are you aware of this?”

Song Liqing lifted his head, catching a glimpse of Crown Prince Jun Qiyu’s defiant expression.

But how could the Crown Prince have missed morning court? Song Liqing personally bathed and dressed him every day before dawn, sending him off in a carriage.

“The… I wasn’t aware,” he replied.

The Emperor sighed.

“Do you know he has been going to places like the Qinglian Pavilion’s Jinling Pavilion every day, flaunting himself with his favorite slave, seeking pleasure and revelry?”

“I… I…”

Song Liqing had no way of knowing these things. Crown Prince Jun Qiyu never allowed him to follow, and the Qilin Mansion was filled with the Crown Prince’s people. Where would they report to him, a mere consort who held no real power?

The Emperor sighed again.

“As the Crown Prince’s Consort, you should assist him and not let him idle away his time! If even you don’t know his whereabouts every day, if he goes wild outside and I have to tell you about it, then where is your focus on the Crown Prince?”

Song Liqing bit his lip, accepting the reprimand.

“I will definitely fulfill my duties in the future, assist the Crown Prince, and ensure his reputation is not tarnished.”

The Emperor looked at Song Liqing kneeling on the ground, frail and small, and understood that Crown Prince Jun Qiyu was unruly. Song Liqing’s submissive nature couldn’t control him, so he didn’t blame him further.

“Alright, get up. The Crown Prince is willful, and you have undoubtedly tolerated a lot from him. If you have any grievances, you can tell me, and I will make decisions for you.”

Song Liqing, weak from his lack of blood and qi, stood up, feeling dizzy but managing to maintain his composure.

“I have served the Crown Prince since he was two years old. Taking care of him is my duty. I am not aggrieved.”

“Now that I think about it, you were appointed as the Crown Prince’s tutor by my decree, but Jun Qiyu hasn’t read a single book since returning to court. After the grand feast, I will send him to the academy to cultivate his character, and you will accompany him. Don’t leave his side.”

As soon as the Emperor finished speaking, Crown Prince Jun Qiyu showed his dissatisfaction.

“Father Emperor! I am not three years old. I don’t need a tutor. He will only be a hindrance to me,” he protested.

The Emperor’s expression darkened, and he reprimanded, “You need someone to restrain you! He is the one who will accompany you to ascend the throne and rule the world. If you don’t get close to him and continue to flaunt yourself with that favorite slave of yours, are you trying to embarrass yourself?”

Jun Qiyu didn’t argue but turned away, showing even more defiance.

Song Liqing knew that the Emperor meant well. Their childhood friendship began in the academy, which was supposed to give them a chance to revive their past relationship.

Unfortunately, Jun Qiyu didn’t appreciate it, and it seemed to have backfired.

“Li Qing, your Song family has two outstanding individuals serving in the court, which pleases me greatly,” the Emperor said, offering a backhanded compliment.

“Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty,” Song Liqing replied.

“By the way, at the grand feast, you must accompany Qiyu as well. He has always been arrogant and needs your guidance.”

The Emperor issued another decree to Song Liqing.

In the following days, Jun Qiyu ignored Song Liqing, even staying out all night. Though Song Liqing felt stifled, at least he could rest in bed, which helped improve his health slightly.

On the day of the grand feast, he wore a simple court robe. However, when he pushed open the door, he saw Jun Qiyu and Hu Nu’er already dressed in elaborate attire, ready to board the carriage.

Hu Nu’er was now wearing Central Plains attire, but his robe was loose, revealing his collarbones, and the gold and silver jewelry on his head sparkled brightly.

Approaching them, Song Liqing asked, “Qiyu, is he also coming?”

Hu Nu’er coquettishly replied first, “Master promised to take me to see the festivities. Today, with dignitaries from all nations attending the court, Hu Nu’er also wants to broaden her horizons. Crown Prince’s Consort, do you object?”

“It’s not up to him,” Jun Qiyu retorted coldly, taking Hu Nu’er into the carriage.

Throughout the journey to the palace, Jun Qiyu didn’t utter a word to Song Liqing. He led Hu Nu’er around, and he giggled and flirted while Song Liqing silently followed behind.

The grand feast was held in the Taihe Hall. Jingguo was powerful and influential, intimidating all under heaven. Envoys from vassal states attended, and there were sumptuous banquets, exquisite wines, and lively performances.

Song Liqing sat with Jun Qiyu, while Hu Nu’er could only sit beside them and serve.

However, Jun Qiyu intentionally distanced himself from Song Liqing, whispering and laughing with Hu Nu’er, indulging him by pouring wine into his cup. They looked like a deeply affectionate couple.

Song Liqing never drank, but he drained his cup, feeling a burning sensation in his throat. He coughed discreetly, noticing someone’s gaze fixed on him.

Pei Xingxu sat directly opposite Jun Qiyu.

As a prince of another country, Pei Xingxu held a high position among the envoys, second only to the Crown Prince.

Pei Xingxu’s gaze was intense, openly observing Song Liqing, as if trying to capture everything about him.

Feeling uncomfortable, Song Liqing nodded politely, avoiding Pei Xingxu’s enthusiastic gaze.

Pei Xingxu didn’t mind Song Liqing’s deliberate avoidance and raised his glass with a smile.

“His Highness has such a charming companion. It truly makes us envious, hahaha.”

Jun Qiyu courteously toasted him.

He then proudly stroked Hu Nu’er’s chin and said, “This slave of mine is also unparalleled in the Western Regions. Brother Pei, take a look and admire his beauty.”

“Yes, Your Highness is truly fortunate.”

Pei Xingxu smiled, but the person he was referring to wasn’t him at all.

From the moment they took their seats, Pei Xingxu had been observing the trio. He was puzzled by Jun Qiyu’s rapport with Hu Nu’er, finding his taste questionable for preferring a delicate and charming person like him.

Meanwhile, Song Liqing looked lonely and desolate, sitting alone on the side, which stirred a sense of pity in him.

He couldn’t help but feel a surge of tenderness…

But at the same time, he was consumed with jealousy.