An Eight-year-old Princess

Puzzled, Yun Shang looked at the Empress, "Can I do this? But wouldn't I be lying in that case? Master Wu Na always told me that there are certain monastic disciples I should never violate. I cannot lie."

"My child, but you are not one of them. Eventually you have to marry someone. It's only a matter of time. Now think about this. Every noble lord and lady will attend the ceremony. How can you expect them to accept you willingly, even though you are a Royal Princess, if they find out that you couldn't do a simple thing such as an embroidery? Besides, your maids will take over the job after you marry into your husband's family. You don't have to embroider anything, and thus you don't have to worry about it at all. I can assure you that the secret will be well kept. But still, you are just a girl. Know this. For us women, the most important thing through our life is to always be fully prepared, and, when the time comes, marry into a decent clan. That's what really matters."

Eyes fixed on the ground, Yun Shang remained silent for a while before finally answering determinedly, "I'll do whatever mother says."

Empress Yuan Zhen nodded with satisfaction, "There is hardly half a month before your Coming-of-age Ceremony. You'd better get started and choose a pattern so that Jing'er will have enough time to finish the work for you."

Yun Shang consented. Empress Yuan Zhen then asked a few more questions before finally permitting Yun Shang to leave. Yun Shang returned to the Qingxin Palace with Qin Yi.

"Princess..." Qin Yi was about to say something when Yun Shang signaled to her to stop talking. She waved her hand at Qin Yi to come closer and then whispered in her ear. Soon after they had returned to Qingxin Palace, Yun Shang left again with Qin Yi. This time, she headed to the Imperial Treasure House.

The Imperial Treasure House was a depository allocated for the storage of invaluable treasures, including numerous gems, famous paintings, and calligraphy works. As soon as they arrived at the Imperial Treasure House, Yun Shang noticed that the front door was locked. Having no other option, Yun Shang sent Qin Yi to have a word with the eunuchs who were sweeping the floor.

Qin Yi returned and reported to Yun Shang, "Princess, they said the director is not here. In fact, he hardly comes here, unless its a special occasion. They also said that all the paintings and calligraphy works collected in the House are not for circulation. Not without His Majesty's dictation..."

Yun Shang sighed heavily, "Never mind. We don't have to bother my father, not with such trifles." Disappointed, they headed back to Qingxin Palace. Qin Meng was making Yun Shang's bed when they entered. Opposite the bed stood a chair. Yun Shang sank into the chair and sighed melodramatically.

masterpieces. Though they might not be as exquisite as those from the Imperial Treasure House, they are from the collections of someone as particular as Master Wu Na. I bet they must be stunning as well. Why don't you pick one from them for Princess Hua Jing?"

said, "Fine, there's nothing we can do for now. Go fetch those

the wooden case in the corner, and brought out several scrolls. She then asked Qin Meng to help her open the scrolls one after another for Yun

who have no faith in Buddhism, they

Meng replied, "Yes,

Meng had gone, she turned to Qin Yi and asked, "We have been back for nearly half a month. I assume that the Empress is lowering her guard. I think it's about time. Can you find a way to get in touch with

I can." Qin Yi nodded firmly. She didn't hesitate.

quite a while, Yun Shang said, "Send a message to my mother. Tell her that I've heard that she was a great Guqin player*. I never had a chance to listen, not even once in my life. I hope she can play for me, as her gift to me, at the night of my Coming-of-age Ceremony, when the moon rises. After the Ceremony, the banquet will be held at the Moon Tower. She doesn't have to show up at the feast. I'm sure I will be able to hear her playing for me if she plays the instrument in the nearby

plucked seven-string Chinese musical

in surprise. She thought of all the possible messages that Yun Shang may have asked her to send. She would never have guessed that she would ask Lady Jin to play. She wasn't in a position to judge, so she

suggestion that Princess Jing Hua would embroider for her. She couldn't help notice that events were not going as she remembered from her past life. More or less, everything seemed to be different from before. She decided

Jing. She was meeting the Empress, so I took the painting to Her Majesty's Palace. Princess Hua Jing appreciated the painting very much. 'It's a great choice.' That is what Princess Hua Jing said.

are almost all about either Avalokitesvara or Buddha. I

was little, and that had become her forte ever since. Her works are so vivid and lively its as if a person could smell the fragrance of the flowers and hear the birds

it?" Yun Shang looked up at Qin Meng, calmly but in doubt, "I asked you to take the painting to my Princess Sister. But I never mentioned that my sister will embroider for me so that I can present it at my Coming-of-age

Empress mentioning it to Princess Hua Jing when I took the painting. Her Majesty also wanted you to stay in more often. She said that if people asked