An Eight-year-old Princess

Seven years later.

In a small town not far from the Ning'guo temple lived a family. About ten years ago, they had purchased the best house in the town. It was said that inside the house lived a handsome man and a beautiful woman. Their servants came in and out on errands or chores, and the townsmen only knew that their family-name was Xiao as the family was rarely seen.

It was late autumn and the weather was getting cold. In the mysterious Xiao house, two men sat under the arbor. One of whom was a man In his forties with urbane manners, dressed in green. "I'll place it here" he said.

"Are you sure, grandpa?" On the other side, sat a girl at the age of fourteen or fifteen. Her eyes were gentle like water, but with a touch of coldness. Her fingers were slim and well-cared for. She was so fair it seemed as though her skin had been dipped in milk. She had roses in her cheeks, and looked as if she would melt when touched. A smile blossomed on her lips, and her long black hair poured down her back. Today, she had tied it with a silk ribbon and it casually flew in the autumn wind. She wore a floor-length white gown, which was embroidered with butterflies. In a word, she was gorgeous. She was Yun Shang, who had grown up.

Xiao Yuanshan nodded, "I am sure."

Yun Shang smiled, and placed her black go-chess piece onto the chessboard, "Thank you, Grandpa. I've won again."

Xiao Yuanshan frowned and looked at the chessboard for a long time. Then he sighed, "The student has become the teacher now. I've only taught you go-chess for a few years, but now you are better than me. I have to bring you to Ning'guo temple sometime to let Wu Na experience what we call failure."

Yun Shang winked, and smiled. Her grandpa was aged, but still liked to bicker with Master Wu Na. From time to time, her grandpa would go and pick on him for fun. It was said that Master Wu Na and her grandma had known each other since childhood. When grandma married grandpa, Master Wu Na happened to be experiencing personal adversity, and so he chose to serve Buddha. But the two men were always at loggerheads with each other. According to grandpa, they were incompatible like "water and fire." But Yun Shang believed that meant they actually had a strong friendship.

told me that the Emperor had sent for you again. The Emperor has sent word, that it's only a month away from your Coming-of-age Ceremony. He wants you to go back there before the ceremony. He is really annoying, sending for you every

Her eyes were cold, "Grandpa, I've decided

He paused, "Why? Have

You have been so nice to me. In these past a few years, you've dedicated yourself to teaching me the Four Arts. And you've also asked other people to teach me the art of war, trade and business, and how to cultivate my own power. These days have been the happiest days in my life. And I will forever remember how nice you have been to me, grandpa.

long silence, Xiao Yuanshan said, "Alas, Wu Na was right. Now I know that I can't keep you here, too. The messenger is still waiting for you at Ning'guo temple.

Shang smiled, and sat with Xiao Yuanshan in the arbor for a long time. The next morning, she

to her and asked. A woman in white sitting nearby, also got up

you want to go

Yi thought for a while and answered, "It's not that I don't want to go back. I just feel that I have lived

actually looking forward to it after this time away." Yun Shang glanced at the woman sitting in the corner. She was quietly reading Buddhist texts. She then waved Qin Yi forward, and whispered in her ear. When she was done, Yun Shang straightened herself and

a Buddhist monk among curling smoke. Yun Shang pushed the door open, went in, and sat beside him. Glancing at the statue of Buddha in the

are afraid that she will be a threat, you can send

dare not to leave such a hidden danger to

a building. You are doomed to taint your hand with blood, Yun Shang, which has been written in