An Eight-year-old Princess

Ever since she had made up her mind to teach Lady Shu a lesson, Yun Shang sought the perfect opportunity. One day, she ran into Lord Zheng and heard from him about the Winter Solstice* Sacrificial Ceremony. According to Lord Zheng, the Winter Solstice Sacrificial Ceremony was supposed to be hosted by the Empress, but as Her Majesty was pregnant, the Emperor considered Lady Shu as an alternative to avoid exhausting Her Majesty. The Emperor even mentioned the idea to Lady Shu who then began preparations for an appropriate dress for the Winter Solstice Sacrificial Ceremony*. Since then, Yun Shang had become a frequent visitor to Lady Shu's Palace.

(*TN: Winter Solstice is an astronomical event that indicates the arrival of mid-winter. It marks the day with the least amount of daylight and the longest night in the year. It is called the December Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, and referred to as the June Solstice in the Southern Hemisphere.)

Whenever she was free, Yun Shang would pay her respects to Lady Shu and chat with her. This surprised Lady Shu a little. However, since Lady Shu had started running the imperial household, more and more people had come to visit her. She didn't think much of Yun Shang's irregular behavior. As a result of Yun Shang's frequent visits, Lady Shu even got more opportunities to see Emperor Ning in her Palace.

Before long, Emperor Ning became curious. One day, the Emperor smiled at Yun Shang and asked her, "You come here so often. Why?"

Yun Shang grinned and glanced at Lady Shu, who was busy supervising the servants as they prepared lunch. Lady Shu also glanced at Yun Shang after hearing the Emperor's question. Yun Shang said in a soft voice, "I have spent many years at Ning'guo Temple, so I am not familiar with the ladies in the imperial household. As a result, I am hesitant to share intimate problems with them. I have heard many things from Your Majesty about the good qualities and virtuousness of Lady Shu. I feel comfortable in her company. Now, as Lady Shu is running the imperial household, I am very eager to learn from her. It would not reflect well on His Majesty if I'm ignorant about issues in the imperial household."

Lady Shu turned toward Yun Shang and smiled at her, "You flatter me too much, Your Highness. In terms of feminine virtues, I'm no match for the Empress. As you were brought up by Her Majesty, there is no denying that you must have learned a lot by watching and listening to Her Majesty's virtuous conduct and instructions."

Emperor Ning shook his head. "Shang'er, you don't tell us the whole truth. I believe you told us part of your reasons, but not all the facts. If what you said is true, why didn't you come here before? I have noticed that you've only started coming here recently."

Yun Shang was happy that Emperor Ning had taken the bait after hearing her unconvincing story. She giggled and said with girlish shyness, "Alas, I'm a bad liar in Your Majesty's presence. I come here so often because..."

Yun Shang raised the cup in her hand and said with a smile, "Because of the sophora flower honey. The imperial cooks are very good at making delicious sophora flower honey. I once drank it at Qiwu Palace. The Empress knows it's my favorite. So Her Majesty has sent me some honey for several times. But I cannot drink the honey at Qiwu Palace now. I dare not bother the Empress with such a trivial matter. So I asked the imperial cook for some honey. The imperial cook told me the sophora flower honey is brewed from the sophora flower powder, and is a tribute from the Lu Family in the Sanmen Gorges. But we only get a few jars of sophora flower honey from the Lu Family each year. Her Majesty had such honey at Qiwu Palace before, but now, it is solely supplied to Lady Shu. I just come here to enjoy my favorite drink."

Lady Shu was startled at Yun Shang's explanation. She had not expected the Princess would say such words. What would the Emperor think of Lady Shu after hearing that explanation? His Majesty would probably think that she, Lady Shu, had taken advantage of her position as in charge of the imperial household. He would think that she supplied herself with luxuries to such an extent that even Princess Hui Guo had to pay Lady Shu a visit to get a drink of her desired honey. Lady Shu was frightened at the thought. She cast a hasty glance at Emperor Ning and saw him watching her coldly.

"Really? Is the sophora flower honey so tasty?" Emperor Ning moved his gaze away from Lady Shu in a casual matter. Though he was a little suspicious that this was Yun Shang's ploy to uncover Lady Shu's misconduct, he let go of the thought as soon as he saw her innocent face. Although the women in the imperial household were often found scheming against each other, Yun Shang was indeed an exception. After all, she was Lady Jin's daughter, and had spent most of her life at Ning'guo Temple. At any rate, Master Wu Na was a respectable person deserving of his trust, and there would be no intrigues and trickery at the Temple. So Yun Shang was simply a naive girl who dared to speak the first thing that came to her mind.

Yun Shang nodded and flashed her most innocent smile, "The sophora flower honey is especially delicious in Lady Shu's Palace."

Emperor Ning's eyes darkened a little. Spotting the change on the Emperor's face, Lady Shu walked toward him in haste and said earnestly, "That is quite surprising. The honey was sent by an eunuch from the Shangshan Bureau. He said it's a tribute. It helps women maintain their beauty and stay young. I thought every lady in the Imperial Palace would have a portion. After all, no woman would refuse a gift that would help her grow more beautiful. It is also my wish that Your Majesty would look at me more often once I have taken the honey and become prettier. So, I didn't refuse the honey."

Emperor Ning nodded while hearing Lady Shu's explanation. It was clear that since it was a gift from the eunuch of the Shangshan Bureau, Lady Shu might not be involved in this matter. It must be a personal gift from some eunuchs who wanted to please her after hearing that she was in charge of running the imperial household.

However, Yun Shang frowned at Lady Shu's words and spoke, "Why? I thought Lady Shu would also be in charge of Shangshan Bureau, Shangyi Bureau, and other bureaus once she had taken over the whole imperial household. Is that untrue?"

Emperor Ning smiled and said, "Of course she is. To manage the imperial household is to manage all matters such as eating, clothing, spending, and alike. Although trivial, it is quite exhausting to efficiently manage all these matters."

Empress was in charge of the imperial household, she would keep an account book for each bureau to record everything, no matter what it was. Everyone would understand what was going on in the account book just by looking at it. I also remember that the Empress praised the Shangshan Bureau for its detailed records in the account book. Those eunuchs are so audacious! They must want to feather their own nests by stealing from the Shangshan Bureau. As Lady Shu has only recently been responsible for

she must have the account book in hand. But Lady Shu said she had no idea how many jars of honey there were and thought every lady in the Imperial Palace would be supplied with a share. In that case, either Lady Shu secretly arranged for all the honey to be sent to her Palace, or she was incapable of managing the imperial household as she could not even read the

mouth could be zipped as soon as possible. She wondered what was wrong with the Princess today, as she seemed to find fault with Lady Shu on purpose.

imperial household, but they dare play such a trick. It is fortunate that this sneaky matter has come to Your Majesty's attention. It would be awful

face, he realized what Yun Shang had said might

in the Emperor's presence. She had to squeeze out a smile and reply in a gentle voice,

though it's not even five o'clock in the afternoon. I have to return to Qingxin Palace. It would be hard for me

There was a touch of coldness as well as casualness in his voice. "Are you preparing the ceremonial garment for the Winter Solstice Sacrificial Ceremony? It is important.

the Emperor's words. Her heart had been in her throat as she waited nervously for the Emperor to inquire about the honey. She hadn't been able to think of an ideal answer in all this time.

of all. The ceremonial garment for the Blessing Host is ready, but the one

the Emperor said to Lady Shu, "Well, considering the pregnancy, the Empress will get bigger around her belly in the days to come. Remember that the garment needs to be loose so

still remembered how His Majesty had mentioned the complicated procedures in the Ceremony and his worries about the baby if the Empress took part. Wasn't it an indication to let her partake in the Ceremony on behalf of the Empress? She had

his mind after hearing Yun Shang. Lady Shu clenched her teeth hard to suppress her rage. Then she said to

a cup of hot water from a maid, handed it to Yun Shang, and said with a smile, "Your Highness, you are so smart. The honey story was a lie, but His Majesty assumed a different attitude toward Lady Shu after hearing you. I saw with my own eyes how His Majesty was getting angrier with Lady Shu. I believe she must be having a tough time now. But, Your Highness, we have provoked Lady Shu so

was so warm that Yun Shang sighed. She grinned at Qian Yin and said, "It is certain that Lady Shu will report

her hands on her mouth and burst into laughter. "You are so naughty, Your Highness. Prince Jing is spoiling you so much that you are not willing to spare a

Shang was surprised at Qian Yin's words. But she swiftly moved her gaze away from Qian Yin and murmured, "What did you say? Are

was in a good mood and willing to make fun of the relationship between Yun Shang and Prince Jing. Yun Shang stopped talking with Qian Yin as she

don't think Lady Shu will have any chance to host the Winter Solstice Sacrificial Ceremony in place of the Empress. But, Your Highness, why did

a favor? I am forcing the Empress to take part in the Winter Solstice Sacrificial Ceremony as I have prepared a plan for her. How would my plan work if the leading lady was absent on

then dawned on Qian Yin that Yun Shang had mischief planned for the day of the Ceremony and needed the Empress to be present.

curtain was pulled open. Qin Yi looked quite

at Qin Yi and inquired, "What happened? Did you go and see Lady Jin? Just look at yourself. It seems as though someone

maid serving Lady Jin with the medicine conducive to her pregnancy. But Lady Jin dumped it without even casting a glance at it. So I persuaded Lady Jin to take the medicine for the good of the unborn baby. But Lady Jin sighed and said it was

believe that as Emperor it was His Majesty's responsibility to marry for political reasons such as securing balance in court. However, she never dreamed that more and more ladies in the imperial household would be impregnated by His Majesty. Mother was so disappointed in His Majesty that she pleaded with His Majesty to send her to the Cold Palace. Now, she has released herself from the Cold Palace because of me. But once back at the Imperial Palace, she has to see and hear about His Majesty's affairs with other ladies every day. No

many years ago. His Majesty always treated Lady Jin gently and would not refuse any request by Her Ladyship. How could His Majesty betray his love

betray his love. You saw with your own eyes how His Majesty reacted at Jinxiu Palace the other day. His Majesty is still in love with mother. But mother is by no means the only woman His Majesty has fallen in love with. His Majesty loves many women and mother is