An Eight-year-old Princess

Chapter 97 Prince Jing's Visit

After the incense accident, a profound silence engulfed the Palace. But, within the silence, something

invisible and intangible pullulated. Yun Shang wasn't in her usual inquiring mood. To her, the pleasure

of probing was not worth the trouble. Thus, for most of her time, she lay on her bed and read.

Time passed, and the 29th day of the 12th lunar month arrived. The next day would be New Year's

Eve, the biggest day of the year. To celebrate the New Year, the Palace had been busy since the 20th

day of the 12th lunar month, and the good cheer would last until the Lantern Festival. Among the fuss,

Yun Shang was enjoying her long-deserved rest. As a Princess, she was entitled to stay idle. The only

thing she needed to do was participate in the royal banquet on New Year's Eve.

When she thought it over, a question suddenly flashed across her mind. Would Hua Jing attend the

banquet too? Thinking of that, Yun Shang grinned. Since her return to the Imperial City, Hua Jing had

never been seen in the Palace. It was claimed that she had been ill due to depression. But that was an

excuse. According to Yun Shang's information, Hua Jing was trying to conceal her pregnancy, which

would destroy her reputation in an instant.

"Your Highness..." Qian Yin lifted the curtain and entered the room. Her face was red from the cold. In

her hand, she carried a tray. "Your Highness, it's snowed again. The kitchen has made some soup for

you. I've brought some. Do you want to taste?"

Yun Shang put down her book. "Sure." She sat up, slipped her feet into her slippers, and walked to the

table.

"The weather is getting colder. And New Year's Eve is coming. There will be many things to do

tomorrow. Tell the maids to get some rest tonight. By the way, would you be so kind as to take the night

duty?" Asked Yun Shang softly.

Qian Yin giggled. She nodded to the Princess, "Of course. I will tell them about your thoughtfulness,

Your Highness. Be prepared to be praised." Qian Yin wasn't worried about Yun Shang's safety. Yun

Shang's Palace was guarded by the Yulin Guard. And Qian Yin herself was well-trained in martial arts.

Nothing could happen to Yun Shang in her presence. Furthermore, the servants had been busy with

the Lunar New Year for a long time. They needed some rest.

Yun Shang had some soup. Then she asked Qian Yin to put away the pot. The winter was cold and

windy. The days were short and the nights were long. By 5 o'clock in the afternoon, the sky had started

to get dark. Having had her dinner, Yun Shang washed and went to bed. It had been a while since Yun

Shang had celebrated New Year's Eve at the Palace. She barely remembered the ritual. Memories

from her previous life allowed her to recall that the ceremony was complicated and boring.

As she had ordered, the maids went to bed early as well. Before long, silence fell over Qingxin Palace.

Although sound sleep, Yun Shang suddenly felt as though someone was watching her in the dark. She

stirred. As her eyes snapped open, she realized the feeling wasn't a dream. She saw someone

standing in front of her bed.

Yun Shang wasn't startled. She quietly reached for the dagger under her pillow. As the figure let down

his guard, she straightened herself, and stabbed the figure in his chest.

The figure seemed surprised. He dodged the blow, but the dagger still bit into his arm. "It's me, " said

the figure.

Yun Shang hesitated. Then she recognized his voice.

"Uncle?"

The figure sighed as he spoke, "It seems my fears were misplaced. You are quite able to protect

yourself."

Yun Shang quickly got off her bed. She lit the glaze lamp on the table and turned around. In the lamp

light, she saw a man in black sitting on her bed. It was indeed, Prince Jing.

In disbelief, Yun Shang studied him from head to toe. The Prince looked travel-stained. A newly-cut

wound on his arm oozed blood. She had done that...

"Are you hurt, uncle?" Yun Shang went to Prince Jing, lifted his wide sleeve, and had a closer look. She

was a trained warrior, and apparently, her uncle had been caught off guard. The dagger was very

sharp. Accordingly, the wound was neat in appearance, almost like a red line. But Yun Shang was

aware that it was a deep cut.

Yun Shang took out a jade vial from her drawer. As she applied the ointment on Prince Jing's arm, she

asked, "Did you just arrive, uncle? And why did you break into my palace? Luckily I recognized your

voice. Or you'd be wounded worse..."

As Prince Jing watched Yun Shang, the joy he felt showed in his eyes. "You're one to talk, Shang'er.

Why didn't you even leave me a note when you left the camp? And why didn't you send a single letter

to me after your arrival at the Imperial City? How could I not worry about you?"

"Em..." Puzzled at his words, Yun Shang raised her head and winked. She didn't think her relationship

with Prince Jing was good enough to merit her disclosing her whereabouts.

Prince Jing glanced at her. To his surprise, he was vexed by her indifference. He sneered, "I thought, to

you, I was a little different. But it seems I've flattered myself."

Yun Shang gave an embarrassed chuckle. She lowered her head to conceal her feelings, as she was

somewhat nervous.

Prince Jing regretted his words. It seemed he was a little out of line. Where was his calmness and

restraint? And why was he easily provoked by Yun Shang? He felt uncomfortable with this change.

Prince Jing said nothing more. Collecting himself, he got up, and jumped out through the window.

Yun Shang stood by the window and looked in the direction the Prince had disappeared into. After a

long while, she hurried to the hallway and called, "Qian Yin!"

She then found Qian Yin asleep on the floor. The loud noises had failed to catch her attention. Yun

Shang quickly examined her and was relieved to find her drugged, not dead. But tonight's incident

reminded her that Qingxin Palace needed to be fortified. Prince Jing was an ally. But what if her

enemies had broken in?

Yun Shang thought about the situation as she returned to her bed.

Once out of Qingxin Palace, Prince Jing headed toward Qinzheng Hall.

Qinzheng Hall was brightly lit up. Lord Zheng stood at the door. He rubbed his hands and stomped his

feet to stay warm. Prince Jing walked toward him. Lord Zheng hurriedly approached, "Your Highness?

Were you not at the frontier? When did you return to the Imperial City?" A questioning look came into

Lord Zheng's eyes. Why did the Prince appear at this late hour? And how, since the gates had been

locked?

Prince Jing didn't answer his questions. He nodded at Lord Zheng, "I need to talk to my brother. I've got

emergencies to report."

Lord Zheng paused, then he quickly said, "Please wait here for a moment, Your Highness. I will inform

His Majesty now." He bowed and walked into the hall.

After that, silence filled the air. Suddenly, a snowflake fell and caught Prince Jing's eye. As he gazed at

the night sky, he saw that it had started to snow. Prince Jing let out a sigh, but he was smiling.

The door flew open behind him. Prince Jing turned and saw Lord Zheng walk out. "Your Highness, the

Emperor wants to see you."

Prince Jing nodded and entered. As he walked in, he felt it was very warm in the hall. Behind the desk

at the far end of the room sat the Emperor. He raised his head and watched as Prince Jing walked

toward him.

Prince Jing stopped five steps away from Emperor Ning. He knelt. "My sincere apologies, Your Majesty.

I am so sorry I have returned without your permission."

Emperor Ning gazed at him and noticed the wound on his arm. Was his brother newly hurt?

"Rise. What is the emergency? And how did you get hurt? Did you encounter an assassin?" Emperor

Ning stood up from his royal chair and walked around his desk toward Prince Jing. His eyes remain

fixed on the wound. It seemed that the Prince had been hurt by a sharp weapon, and the wound had

been carefully tended. And the ointment smelt so familiar... Emperor Ning sniffed again. The ointment

was refreshing to smell. He identified it to be Ningxiang Gel, which was a special medicine made by the

Imperial Hospital and could only be used by members of the imperial household.

Prince Jing noticed the Emperor's gaze. He bowed his head and answered, "I wasn't attacked, brother.

I was wounded by Princess Yun Shang. I went by her palace and was mistaken as an intruder. So..."

Shang'er? Emperor Ning frowned at his words. "Ridiculous! Shang'er is an unmarried Princess, and

you are her uncle. What were you doing, intruding her palace at late night? Her reputation would be

destroyed if word spread!"

Prince Jing straightened his back as the Emperor spoke. His bowed. "But I came back from the frontier

for Princess Yun Shang. I've heard of Qingsu's proposal."

Emperor Ning was surprised, for not many people knew about the letter. Then he recalled mentioning

the letter of proposal at the banquet the other day. How did Prince Jing hear of it? It seemed his brother

cared a lot for Shang'er...

Prince Jing lowered his eyes. All his feelings were concealed in his low voice. "Your Majesty, I have

something else to report. The other day, I spotted Princess Hua Jing among the Yelang people. She

appeared in the army along with the third Prince of Yelang. And they displayed affection in public..."

Emperor Ning had read about Hua Jing's misdeeds in Qingsu's letter. Enraged as he was, he didn't

have the heart to punish his own daughter. And he knew better than to ask his officials' counsel on this

matter. Also, he had doubted the authenticity of Qingsu's words. But listening to his brother, the

Emperor's restrained anger finally broke.

Outraged, Emperor Ning gritted his teeth as he spoke. "How impudent! How could she shamelessly flirt

with a royal member from a hostile power? How can she abandon herself to vice after the death of her

husband?"

"Princess Hua Jing's husband isn't dead. I have rescued him, and sent him to safety. He and his

mother have known about the Princess's deeds, and Lady Zhao has implored me to let her stay at the

frontier with her son. She vowed never to return to the Imperial City..." Prince Jing lowered his head

and reported.

Emperor Ning was outraged. He burst out, "This is outrageous!" But he frowned, and suddenly

stopped. Prince Jing knelt in silence as he waited for the Emperor's decision. After a long while,

Emperor Ning sighed. "That's enough. I am sorry for Hua Jing's evildoing. Tell Lady Zhao, I will decree

Hua Jing and Zhao Yingjie's divorce."

That said, he glanced at Prince Jing. "Prince Jing, you've snuck into my Palace at this late hour, and

you've broken into my daughter's chamber. After all that, all you wanted was to report Hua Jing's

scandal?"

Prince Jing raised his head. He looked into Emperor Ning's eyes and solemnly declared, "Your Majesty,

it seems Qingsu wasn't aware of Princess Hua Jing's marital status, so he proposed marriage to her in

the letter. But what if he knew about Hua Jing's former husband? I'm afraid that he would ask for Yun

Shang instead. And, brother, Shang'er and I are in love with each other. That's why I came to you at

such a late hour. I wanted to propose marriage to her."

Emperor Ning wasn't entirely shocked by Prince Jing's words, for he had been mentally prepared. But

he was surprised that the Prince would mention it. He knew his brother well. Prince Jing was ambitious.

But he was also a heartless man. He had never heard of the Prince being interested in sexual affairs.

Because of this, Emperor Ning could not make use of his weakness, so he dared not to keep him in the

Imperial City, nor did the Emperor trust the Prince with full military power.

But tonight, his brother had hurried back from the frontier and he had broken into the Palace in the

middle of the night just for Yun Shang.

"Prince Jing, have you forgotten who you are, and who she is? Shang'er is your niece. And you are her

uncle." Emperor Ning gazed at him. It was hard to tell what he truly felt.

A bitter smile appeared on Prince Jing's lips. "I'm fully aware of that. But love is unconquerable. Finally,

there is something out of my control. Besides, there is no kinship between Shang'er and me. I've never

forgotten your promise, brother. You told me that you will grant me marriage with any women I love.

Shang'er is Lady Jin's daughter. I know you cherish her mother a lot. You won't let the Yelang take her

for her mother's sake. And it's easy to solve the dilemma. If Yun Shang was engaged to me, Qingsu

would have to accept the divorced Hua Jing. And everyone would be happy."

Emperor Ning paced across the hall. He pondered over Prince Jing's words as he spoke, "But Master

Wu Na suggested that Shang'er should not marry until she turned 18."

Prince Jing smiled. "I can wait, Your Majesty. I will not marry her until the time is right. But you have to

betroth her to me."

"And I will have to ask for Shang'er's consent." Emperor Ning hesitated. He contemplated Prince Jing's

request and wondered why the Prince was in such haste.

Prince Jing laughed. "Brother, Shang'er's opinion is obvious. But she's a girl, and is not allowed to

show her love. But as I recall, at the last household banquet, she and I played the song, Courting a

Phoenix* together. That time, I declared that I wanted to play the song with her only, and she didn't

refuse. Wasn't that obvious?"

(*TN: An ancient song to show love to girls.)

Emperor Ning remained silent. Prince Jing kowtowed to him and said, "Brother, I've never been in love

with any woman. But I felt love and a connection with Shang'er at first sight. And I know that you are

not happy with my military control, brother. I can tell you that I'm not obsessed with power. If you can be

so kind as to consent to my engagement with Shang'er, I will return my commander's tally to you."

Commander's tally... A gleam came into Emperor Ning's eyes. When he succeeded to the throne, the

late Emperor split the tally in half, one for him and the other for Prince Jing. Back then, he was

outraged for Prince Jing was merely an adopted son. How could his father place so much trust in the

Prince? Since then, he had been holding a grudge against Prince Jing for the tally. But the Prince

vowed to return the tally to him? If so, Prince Jing would no longer be a threat...

Different feelings surged in Emperor Ning's heart. After a long while, he said, "You don't have to return

the tally. Keep it since it was given to you by father. If you are truly in love with Shang'er, I can betroth

her to you..."

With joy in his eyes, Prince Jing thanked the Emperor. The wistful look on his face faded away a short

while later. "Thank you, brother. But I am a man of my word. I will give the tally back on my wedding

day." The Prince paused before continuing, "But, brother, I think it's the right time. Would you declare

Shang'er's and my engagement at tomorrow's New Year's Eve banquet? There's an old saying, a long

delay may cause trouble..."

Emperor Ning was a little surprised. Then he emitted a loud laughter. "I've never seen you so nervous,

Prince Jing. You always appear cold and indifferent. I thought you were emotionless. I didn't expect you

to be tamed by my Shang'er. Ha!"

Prince Jing flushed crimson. But he agreed with the Emperor. "Since Princess Yun Shang has come of

age, she has been considered for marriage by many men. I have to take use of my advantage to gain

the upper hand."

"But I've never heard of your relation with Shang'er before. Tell me, brother, since when have you been

in love with her? And how does my Shang'er feel?" Asked Emperor Ning. His heart was filled with

doubt.

Prince Jing answered with a smile, "When I returned to the Imperial City last time, you held a banquet

for me, brother. I was a little drunk at the feast, so I went out for some air. And I encountered Princess

Yun Shang in the corridor..."

Prince Jing had already made up a story. The expression on his face appeared calm and solemn, and

the story he was telling was flawless. Since it was already very late, Emperor Ning told Prince Jing to

stay. He asked Lord Zheng for some warm wine and talked with the Prince for the rest of the night.

Yun Shang felt distraught when she woke. Qin Yi brought in the basin and towel. When she entered

Yun Shang's chamber, she saw that the Princess had already gotten up. But Qian Yin wasn't tending to

her. Driven by curiosity, Qin Yi asked, "You're awake, Your Highness. Where is Qian Yin?"

Last night's event came back to Yun Shang. She hurried to the corridor and found Qian Yin still asleep.

She raised her voice, "Qian Yin!"

Still in a loss, Qian Yin slowly opened her eyes. As her eyes focused on Yun Shang, Qian Yin finally

awoke. She nervously straightened herself and wondered whether she had overslept. She sensed

something wrong, but was not sure, "Your Highness, has something happened? Why didn't I notice that

you had woken?"

Qin Yi also noticed something to be wrong. Suddenly, she spotted a blood-stained cloth beneath Yun Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

Shang's pillow. She gasped, eyes wide with surprise, "Blood? Your Highness!"

Qian Yin turned pale at her words. "What blood? Your Highness, are you hurt? Was I drugged?"

Yun Shang nodded, "Last night, Prince Jing paid a visit. He drugged you."

"Prince Jing!?" The two maids were alarmed. They approached Yun Shang. "Wasn't he at the frontier?

Why did he break into your chamber so late at night? And the blood... Are you hurt, Your Highness?"

Yun Shang shook her head. "It's not my blood. It's Prince Jing's. I woke up feeling as though someone

was staring at me last night. I stabbed the intruder with my dagger. Then I noticed it was Prince Jing."

Qian Yin knelt and apologized, "It's all my fault, Your Highness! My incompetence has led to the

disastrous result. Please punish me, Your Highness."

Yun Shang let out a sigh, "No, it's not your fault. I've been too negligent. I thought my palace to be well-

guarded, but its guard is merely enough to deter evil-minded ladies. A skillful warrior like Prince Jing

could still sneak in."

Qian Yin didn't speak. Instead, she lowered her head in embarrassment. Yun Shang ordered, "It's okay.

Arrange some of my men to protect my Palace in secret."

Qian Yin nodded. Yun Shang wanted to say something more, but Qin Yi cut in. "Your Highness, you

have to change. We're running out of time. And you have to present your respects to Lady Ming in the

morning."

Yun Shang nodded and went to change. Still feeling at unease, she complained, "Why am I so

distraught? Why do I feel like something bad will happen today?"