An Eight-year-old Princess

In Shuya Palace, Lady Shu sat in her chair. Her servants and maids knelt before her.

The silence was broken when a maid rushed in. She walked up to Lady Shu and spoke, "Your Highness, Qiwu Palace is being guarded at His Majesty's order. I couldn't find out what was going on inside."

Lady Shu sprang to her feet. "What? Guarded?"

Lady Shu tried to understand why the Emperor would do such a thing, but she couldn't come up with a plausible explanation. "That's strange. The Empress was the one who got hurt. Why would her Palace be guarded? If she did have a miscarriage, then I should be guarded. After all, she tried to set me up in front of everyone. The spectators would think that I pushed her to the ground. So I should be the one to blame. Even if she is all right, I should also be the one who got blamed. By now, His Majesty should have come to scold me."

"I find it confusing too. What happened earlier was quite a mess. First one physician was rushed to Qiwu Palace. Then every single physician from the Imperial Hospital was called there. I really thought that Her Majesty's health must have worried the Emperor. But then His Majesty rushed out in anger, so I went to see what happened. But before I could get more information, the Palace was guarded." Lady Shu's maid added as she was confused at what she had seen.

"Who else was in Qiwu Palace besides the Empress?" Lady Shu asked.

The maid hurriedly answered her. "Princess Hui Guo was also there. When His Majesty was sending the Empress back to her Palace, the Princess followed them. And His Majesty left earlier than her."

Lady Shu nodded. "Let's sit tight and see how things go. If the situation still remains so unclear tomorrow, I will go to Qingxin Palace to find out myself."

The maid nodded. Then the maid looked at the other maids and servants who were still on their knees. Seeing this, Lady Shu waved to let them leave. "Excuse yourselves. You're of no use."

The servants on the ground conveyed their gratitude before standing and leaving.

After everyone had left, the maid started to talk again. "Your Highness, His Majesty has asked people to investigate the accident that happened during the Ceremony."

Lady Shu smiled. She reveled in the Empress's misfortune. "I had almost forgotten. The esteemed Empress made a huge mistake today. Let them do whatever they need to. I didn't do this anyway. The worst that can happen is that I get blamed for bad management. The garment was made by Shangyi Bureau, and although I am in charge of the imperial household, I had no business in it. But I am really curious about the person who is behind all this. Who was it that punished the Empress for me? That was a really nice move. Good for him. And even though His Majesty banned us from talking about the accident, I'm sure the officials who love to gossip will tell everyone that the Empress is a bane for us all when they get back home. She'll be seen as the cursed one. Si'er, what have they found out?"

The maid who was called Si'er quickly answered. "Your Highness, as you said, given that we didn't do it, we are not the target of their investigation now."

Lady Shu nodded and smiled coldly. Then she continued, "What bothers me is that the Empress was acting really odd today. I've never seen her like this before. Even if she believed that I was the one who framed her, she shouldn't have just come at me. Besides, with her pregnant body, fighting like that would definitely kill her baby. Is that what she wanted? Why on earth would she do that?"

Lady Shu was more confused than ever. She wondered who was behind all this. Who had planned the accident in front of everyone at the Ceremony? And why was the Empress so determined to risk her baby? And what was happening with the Empress now?

These questions kept everyone awake in the Palace that night.

The next day, the guards that had been placed outside of Qiwu Palace were still there. And even though Emperor Ning had given strict orders not to speak about the accident, the news that a Xiong character appeared on the Empress's back during the Ceremony had been heard by all. The commoners were panicking. They believed that the Empress had sinned so greatly that the Heavens were punishing her. Even worse, they thought that her punishment was a warning of an upcoming disaster.

Lady Shu hurried to Qingxin Palace with her maids. When she arrived, Yun Shang was reading through Buddhist sutras. She murmured something that didn't make sense to Lady Shu.

Lady Shu sat and waited patiently for Yun Shang to give her attention. Eventually, Yun Shang smiled, "Lady Shu, when did you arrive? I didn't notice."

Lady Shu smiled and said, "I've been here for a while. You were reading the sutras, so I didn't interrupt you."

Yun Shang smiled and asked Qin Yi to make tea for Lady Shu.

a favor. Yesterday, Her Majesty and I had a little misunderstanding. After I returned to my Palace, I was regretful about what I had done. But I was afraid I'd upset her more if I went to apologize. So I sent my maid to convey my apologies, but she returned claiming that Qiwu Palace had been placed under guard. I'm worried and don't know what to do. And the situation has gotten worse today. Fortunately, I heard that Your Highness was at Qiwu Palace with their Majesties yesterday, so I came here. I want to know if Her Majesty is

and sighed. "The baby...

back on the chair and her mind went blank. How come? She didn't push the Empress that hard yesterday. Why was

Shu sat frozen for a while before she remembered that she was at Qingxin Palace. She forced a smile, "I see, thank you,

walk Lady Shu out." Yun Shang said to her maid softly. With a sigh, she lowered her head and

worries about the Empress's

thing I said. The baby is gone. Once the Li Family hears the news, they will certainly do everything they can to find the culprit. That's why we need Lady Shu as our

was a lie. Besides, Lady Shu

a misbehaving servant is trouble for all. I'm just helping Prince Jing manage his people. Besides, given that Prince Jing is so ambitious, he must have more than one spy here. Even though we are in an alliance

get it, but she still trusted the Princess's judgment.

Chen?" Yun Shang

servants work for Your

done." Yun Shang nodded, "Get

Cuckoo..." Yun Shan looked at the window and raised her eyebrows at the sound. Then Qian Yin opened the window, and a wrapped paper ball flew

it and read the message. Her expression changed.

what's wrong?" Seeing Yun Shang's odd expression, Qian Yin couldn't tell whether she

following Hua Jing but lost her at the border. Prince Qingsu of

Qingsu of Ye Lang County? He saved Hua Jing?" Qian Yin was startled. "How do they know each other? Is it just a

coldly. "It doesn't matter why he saved her. I must go there as soon as possible. Come on. Let's go

was also there. Li Jingyan seemed quite annoyed. He snorted at Yun Shang and turned his head

not pay attention to him. She walked straight to the Emperor and said, "Father, I've heard that the commoners are panicking at the accident during the

the Palace shall not interfere in politics. Did

Li Jingyan and smiled. "I was raised and taught by Her Majesty since my biological mother wasn't around during my childhood. Are you saying

"Go on with what you were

She smiled. "I have a way to settle the chaos. After all,

didn't quite believe

it a pure coincidence was unconvincing. So they took it as a warning from the Heavens. So what we need to do is show them another sign that indicates auspiciousness, thus

sign? But how are we going to do

sign as well.

what she meant. "Exactly. How could I forget about that? If Master Wu Na tells the public that he has seen

thought about it, the happier he felt. "Shang'er, you have been of great help

Ning instructed, "Go to Ning'guo Temple

head in acknowledgement

leave. Besides, Li Jingyan was so sharp that he may find out what Yun Shang

after Yun Shang's return to Qingxin Palace, word came that Lady Shu had received her punishment. For

have come for his daughter. But contrary to her expectation, no one reacted too strongly to the news. Almost everyone was speculating on the future leader of the imperial household. After all, the Empress had just lost her baby and was being guarded. Lady Shu was in the Cold Palace.