An Eight-year-old Princess

"Watch out, Your Highness." Qian Yin was standing near Yun Shang. She shouted, rushed towards the Princess, and pushed her away from the lake bank. In doing so, she slipped and fell into the lake.

"Someone has fallen in the water."

When Yun Shang realized what happened, she saw Qian Yin being swept away by the current. Yun Shang squinted and raised her voice, "What are you waiting for? Save her."

The eunuchs who were following the women jumped into the lake and swam towards Qian Yin.

"Are you all right, Your Highness?" Qin Yi quickly walked to Yun Shang and asked. She sounded anxious and concerned. Yun Shang shook her head. "I'm OK, yes. Qian Yin pushed me away in time. But Qian Yin..."

Yun Shang frowned. Worry spread across her face.

"Don't worry, my daughter. We have so many people here. Your maid will be saved before any further harm comes to her. The maid looks young and healthy. I'm sure she will be fine. She saved you at a crucial time." The Empress walked to Yun Shang and patted her hands as she spoke gently.

Yun Shang nodded, "Yes..."

Seeing that Yun Shang couldn't remove her gaze from the water, and the worry on her face, the Empress felt satisfied that the Princess' concern was genuine. She said no more.

"We got her. We got her, Your Highness." The eunuchs who had jumped in after Qian Yin, brought the maid ashore. Yun Shang rushed to her maid. Qian Yin spat out water and looked weak. Seeing her like this, Yun Shang crouched near her and asked with concern, "Qian Yin, how do you feel now?"

Qian Yin looked at Yun Shang and shook her head, "I'm OK, as long as you're OK."

Then she fainted.

here." The Empress's voice came from behind, She sounded genuinely sincere. Yun Shang noticed that Qian Yin's hand moved a bit.

down. Yun Shang went to the bed and sat down. She spoke softly, "They

other eye. Yun Shang found her funny, but pretended to be angry. "Did

and I didn't know whether anyone was eavesdropping on us. That's why I didn't tell you. But I think Your Highness had already figured something was going

like styrax,

was the smell of styrax that forced her to agree to Qian Yin's suggestion to walk the Imperial Garden. However, Yun Shang had

she would arrange an accident, and that I needed to pay full attention on you. If anything happened, I should be the first to react and come to your rescue. Getting hurt a

The Empress is really impatient. You have only been here for

replied, "Your Highness, the winter solstice is coming. It's the day when His Majesty pays his respects to the Heavens. Before I

"I thought so. It is true that I am not a prisoner in my Palace. But a man is coming to

Her eyes shone. "What do you want to do? I have long been unhappy with the Empress. Your Highness, make sure that she won't be

Shang smiled, "Don't worry. Let me see what she

and added, "Your Highness, let me tell you something interesting. His Majesty has not visited Qiwu Palace in two months. It seems that the Empress has been in a bad mood as well. I heard that the Empress is selecting good-looking maids from her Palace to seduce His Majesty thus earning

a thing! Then I must help her." Yun Shang smiled coldly, "Good-looking maid in Qiwu Palace? I just happen

positions our people hold in the Empress's

"It is not a place to be easily noticed. Try to send her a message and ask her to do something for me." Yun Shang thought of something else. She leaned closer to Qian Yin and then said a few words. Qian Yin's eyes brightened. She nodded repeatedly

after noon. The brightly shinning sun was rapidly replaced with thundering clouds. The heavens opened shortly after, and rain poured down in angry torrents. In a small room behind Qiwu Palace, a person lay on the bed with

come and help..." Her voice trembled. A long time passed and still no one came.

and struggled to stand. Light entering through the window shone on her face. Qin Meng had no need for