An Eight-year-old Princess

Right after Yun Shang arrived at the Princess Palace, she went to find Hua Jing to inform her sister of her return. She had hardly reached Hua Jing's courtyard when she heard a noise coming from inside. It sounded like someone was smashing things.

Yun Shang raised her eyebrows in surprise and wondered what was going on. She stepped over the threshold and crossed into the yard.

"Princess Hui Guo is here." The maid standing by the door raised her voice to announce Yun Shang's presence as soon as she saw her.

The noise stopped abruptly. Yun Shang smiled at the maid, "I have just returned from the Palace and I wanted to greet my sister. What is she doing right now? I can come back later if it's inconvenient for her."

Then she heard Hua Jing calling out, "Shang'er, do come in."

As soon as she entered, Yun Shang saw jagged shards all over the ground. Surprised, Yun Shang stood still for a moment before asking, "Sister, what's going on here?"

Hua Jing snorted and ignored her question. She simply asked Yun Shang, "Did you have fun today? What did you do at the Palace?"

Yun Shang looked at Hua Jing discreetly. She was still frowning. Yun Shang whispered, "Not at all. Father wanted to marry me to that Wang Jinhuan. He looks like quite a dandy, and I don't like him at all. Luckily, it occurred to me that Master Wu Na had foretold my fortune. He said that bad things will happen to me if I marry before I turned 18. Only after father had seen Master Wu Na's handwriting did he drop the idea of forcing me into an ominous marriage."

Hua Jing frowned and calculated quickly in her mind, 'Wang Jinhuan and Prince Jing go back a long way. If Yun Shang does marry Wang Jinhuan, she will have Prince Jing on her side. And that, under no circumstance, is going to be good for me.'

Thinking of that, Hua Jing took Yun Shang's hands and consoled her, "Indeed, Wang Jinhuan is not an eligible husband. Rumor has it that despite being single, he has a long list of mistresses. He is a player. I'm sure that it will do you no good marrying such a worthless man."

Yun Shang agreed with a nod, "That's what I meant. True, he saved my life once, but I can surely find other ways to thank him instead of marrying him." Yun Shang thought for a moment as she studied Hua Jing. "Sister, you look quite vexed. What happened? Did the servants do something wrong and upset you?"

Still frowning, Hua Jing glanced at Yun Shang and replied, "A monk performed fortunetelling for my mother-in-law yesterday. Now the entire Imperial City is gossiping about how I am a bad omen for my husband and my mother-in-law. They say that Master Wu Na's disciple confirmed the prophecy."

"What?" Yun Shang looked at Hua Jing wide-eyed, "But there were only a few people present yesterday. Who could be so evil to spread a rumor like this? Sister, we can't let the person get away without reparation."

For a long while, Hua Jing fixed her eyes on Yun Shang as if she were trying to read her real thoughts. Then she spoke, "I sent my people to investigate. It turned out to be the butler's wife. He told her last night, and she spread the rumor this morning when she went out shopping for groceries."

"Did she?" To prevent Hua Jing from seeing the glint of slyness sparkling in her eyes, Yun Shang lowered her head and muttered.

"What do you plan to do now?" Yun Shang asked.

"What can I do?" Hua Jing snorted again, "Rumors stop at those who are witty. I will only make it worse if I try to refute the rumor. I have sent people to take word to the Emperor's Son-in-law. I'm sure the rumor will be scotched once they return with my husband's message."

With a smile, Yun Shang echoed, "You are doing the right thing, sister. We don't have to care. However, facts speak louder than anything. Speaking of which, I heard that Her Ladyship is quite pleased with the Buddhist Texts I sent over earlier. I can put in a good word for you if I visit her more often. After all, family is above all. It doesn't matter how people talk about you so long as your mother-in-law trusts you. Am I right?"

Hua Jing simply nodded and braced her forehead with her hand. She looked tired. Yun Shang hurried to stand up and said, "I'll leave you to rest, sister." Then she left the room.

Shang to disappear. Then she sneered and mumbled, "I married into this clan years ago, yet I'm not a rival to her and her lousy books. Yun Shang is just a teenage girl, but she already knows how to buy Lady Zhao's approval.

her, the maid, Qing'er quickly responded, "Yes, Your Royal Highness. I will take care

feast would be held at Qianxin Tower. It was said to

Hua Jing decided to begin her banquet in the morning. Yun Shang rose extra early and accompanied Hua Jing to Qianxin Tower to check the preparations one

the bamboo forest outside of the Tower

But the lake was like a mysterious wonderland, which somehow befitted the theme Hua Jing had set for the feast, Once In A

the misty lakeside. The guests were greeted with this melody as they streamed through the

said, "I don't really understand what they are thinking. How could they know whether it's beautiful or not if they cannot see

place anyway? Luo Qingyan, stay close to me. I can hardly see you. Tell me. Where is the fun when

the voice to be Wang Jinhuan's. Her lips curled into a small wicked smile. He really was a grouch. But the man with him... Wang just called him Luo Qingyan. Wasn't

was quite surprised. It was said that Prince Jing hardly attended such idle feasts. Then what

this way. Princess Hua Jing is waiting for you in the mid-lake pavilion." A maid ran towards Yun Shang in a hurry. Apparently, she had been ordered to find Yun Shang. She

replied, "Fine. I'll be there at

was stunned by the wonder in front of her. The misty lake could be seen clearly from where she stood. Although she could see the pavilion in the middle of the water, the lakeside was still secluded by the mist.

to begin. Come over here." Hua Jing waved at Yun Shang and called out. Reluctantly, Yun Shang looked away from the lake and walked towards Hua Jing, "Sister, this place

realized that she could see through the mist from the pavilion. She could see the guests in the mist, walking, talking and smiling. Their every move and expression was vivid as if

"That's the best part of this place. Well, the guests are

Shang nodded and sat next to

into the pavilion. Each exclaimed about the beautiful view from the lakeside. Glancing at their surprised looks, Hua Jing couldn't help but

she

through the mist from here. It's crystal clear! How peculiar." From among the guests came Wang Jinhuan's

in return. Hua Jing smiled and continued,

a sudden, the women began whispering. Prince Jing seated himself opposite Yun Shang and answered casually, "Jinhuan wanted to have a look, but he didn't receive

apologized to Wang Jinhuan with a polite smile, "It was my mistake. I promise I will personally deliver the invitation

that Mister Wang? Why is Prince Jing so nice to him? Perhaps Prince Jing is gay and Mister Wang is his lover?" Yun Shang heard a woman mumbling to herself. She wasn't sure whether she heard the woman correctly. And when she was, Yun Shang couldn't help bursting into giggles. However, Prince Jing who sat opposite her, stared at the giggling Princess. Yun Shang didn't dare to laugh out loud, so she lowered her head and curled her lips into a

When all the guests were seated, Hua Jing raised her hand, smiled, and announced, "It is

looked around and saw a familiar face

Shang then recalled Hua Jing's request before the feast. Hua Jing had asked Yun Shang to take care of

is getting more and more interesting. It

the guests find and solve as many riddles as possible while enjoying the view. Actually, the game also comes with a little encouragement. By the end of the event, the one who has solved the most riddles will be awarded a small surprise gift. Remember the last time? Our gift was the ownership of a grand hotel in the Imperial City. And this

the beauties, and, if possible, a huge surprise gift, no wonder every celebrity tried so hard to earn a spot

see the fever in her guests' faces. She then smiled and continued, "Please, help yourselves to the food and beverages placed around the