An Eight-year-old Princess

Yun Shang widened her eyes and trembled. Turning to Hua Jing, she whined, "Sister, why do you have to say that? It frightens me how you've framed me for this murder. I don't know who she is, and I have no idea why she had my bracelet. Moreover, it doesn't mean I am the murderer. Sister, even the Ministry of Justice requires evidence to convict a prisoner. I do not know what happened, or why you are happy to condemn me. I feel greatly wronged."

"Your bracelet is the proof!" Princess Hua Jing dropped the bracelet back onto the table.

Yun Shang stepped forward, and curtsied to the Emperor, "Father, my bracelets are lost. I'm afraid that someone deliberately took them to set a plot against me. They killed this maid, and put the bracelet in her hand. Father, can you have someone lead an investigation? This bracelet is from a pair. What if we look for the other lost bracelet?"

The Emperor studied Yun Shang for a long time. He noticed that her eyes were clear and her expression was calm. Thinking that she was only eight years old, and couldn't be so calm if she had killed someone, Emperor Ning nodded. "What Shang'er said makes sense. Let's launch an investigation then. I would also want to know who is trying to deceive me."

Emperor Ning then sent for the Commander of the Yulin Guard, and ordered him to lead several men to search every house and yard. He asked Yun Shang to wait in front of the pavilion. Suddenly, her stomach growled. Yun Shang was embarrassed. She apologized, "When Her Majesty sent her messenger, I had just gotten up. I haven't had the chance to eat anything."

Emperor Ning couldn't help but laugh out loud. He waved at Yun Shang, "Come, sit beside me." Turning to a chamberlain, the Emperor said, "Go and get some food for the Princess. The search will take time. She might as well eat while we wait."

The eunuch bowed and left. Yun Shang smiled, walked into the pavilion, and sat down beside Emperor Ning. Her eyes flew to Hua Jing's face. Her smile deepened as she saw Princess Hua Jing biting her lips. Yun Shang enjoyed watching her sister. Hua was a great actress, and Yun Shang had learned how to play cute and innocent from her talented sister.

But something bothered Yun Shang...

had thought that a scheme would unfold at Hua Jing's Coming-of-age Ceremony in front of all the officials and their ladies. In doing so, Yun Shang wouldn't have been able to defend herself. She had been known to think that a person's life was

saw the Empress frowning at Hua Jing. She

be nothing other than a bracelet. Hua Jing had been

Hua Jing had been

lotus-leaf cake, and giggled, "Father, you are so nice to me. You always remember my favorite food. This one is for

was staring at her. Then Empress Yuan Zhen fixed her eyes on the lotus-leaf

lotus-leaf cake and smiled

took another cake from the plate. While eating, she chatted

rise. After a few hours, the Commander hurried back with a bracelet and reported, "Your Majesty, we found it in Her Highness

it, and frowned, "Lady Shu? Bring

he heard a soft voice. "Your

thin arched eyebrows, and a small nose and mouth. While her features lent her a delicate appearance,

Clan. Her title, Shu, suited her as it meant kind and

smiled. Lady Shu was as powerful as the Empress in His Majesty's imperial household. How stupid of Hua Jing to