An Eight-year-old Princess

"What do you mean by missing?" Yun Shang frowned.

"Earlier today, a soldier noticed that the Princess was not in her tent while delivering breakfast to Lady Zhao and Her Highness, so he reported to me. I thought she might be taking a walk somewhere, so I didn't pay much attention. But Lady Zhao told me Princess Hua Jing still hasn't returned. I have sent them to look for Her Highness, but no one has found her yet."

"Have the guards seen her? I specifically ordered that no one would be allowed to leave the camp today." Prince Jing rolled down his sleeves and asked calmly.

The Deputy Commander answered. "No. The guards reported that no one has left the camp today."

"It should be fine then. She must still be in the camp. She couldn't have left. It's not easy to find her in such a big camp, but I'll find a way to make her show up."

Knowing Prince Jing was a resourceful leader, the Deputy Commander was about to leave when he suddenly recalled something and asked quietly. "But we still need people to bring water. We've got to let someone out."

Yun Shang thought for a while and replied. "Not a problem. My people will bring water to the gate. Soldiers in the kitchen just need to pick it up from there."

Hearing Yun Shang mention her cruel and heartless female warriors, the Deputy Commander trembled. He nodded. "Please convey my gratitude to the ladies." Then he hastened to exit.

"I think we have mistaken Hua Jing's intention. We thought she came here to steal the Deployment map for Prince Qingsu, but one fact was overlooked. That she was a hostage herself. She suggested Qingsu write a letter asking for you to marry the Prince. If His Majesty agrees and she's still in Qingsu's army, the truth will naturally come to light. So she had to run, or her plan would fall through and maybe, she would be the victim of her own plan." Prince Jing picked up a book and fixed his eyes on it.

"But she doesn't know that the name on the letter has been changed to Princess Hua Jing." Yun Shang smiled. "Qingsu is taking a wait-and-see approach. He is waiting for His Majesty's reply and your Deployment map."

Prince Jing nodded and smiled. "He will never get the Deployment map since Hua Jing has run away. I'm thinking about letting her go back to the Imperial City. I'll send messengers back at top speed and suggest that His Majesty invite Prince Qingsu to the Imperial City for further discussion without disclosing the content of the letter."

Prince Jing turned to Yun Shang. "At that time, maybe they will think you are the one that is going to marry him. Then, I'll arrange for an encounter between Hua Jing and Qingsu. Qingsu will know he had been fooled by Hua Jing. We never know what he might do out of anger and shame."

Yun Shang frowned. It also meant that she would have to give up her plan to kill Hua Jing at the border. However, on second thought, if Prince Jing's plan worked well, it would be utterly disgraceful for Hua Jing and the Empress. Simply killing her wasn't that satisfying. Wouldn't it be better if Hua Jing was detested by the whole world?

"If we leave what will happen to the border?"

Prince Jing sensed her hesitation. "It's time to release the Emperor's Son-in-Law."

Emperor's Son-in-Law? Yun Shang squinted. Now? All right, she would follow Prince Jing's plan. Yun Shang thought before whispering to Prince Jing. "The Emperor's Son-in-Law is in..."

The Deployment map was stolen and a Princess was missing. Two inconceivable incidents occurred in succession within one day. Everyone was jittery in the camp. Yun Shang heard them talking about these incidents everywhere.

Yun Shang stopped at Hua Jing's tent and asked loudly. "Lady Zhao, I'm Xiao Yuan. May I come in?"

Lady Zhao answered from inside. "Yes, please."

Yun Shang walked in and saw Lady Zhao counting her prayer beads. Lady Zhao stopped and turned. "Is Mister Xiao here to inform me that Princess Hua Jing is missing?"

Yun Shang was stunned. "Has Lady Zhao heard of it already?"

Lady Zhao sneered. "Bad news travels fast here. I bet they all know now. I just heard the soldiers on patrol talking about it."

Lady Zhao. "We are deeply sorry for failing

tens of thousands of soldiers in this camp but not one is missing. She tossed and turned all night yesterday. Maybe she

Shang listened attentively without saying

moment, Lady Zhao sighed and stood up. "It's been a long time since I lived in a camp. So many memories of old times.

is blessed with good fortune. He must

and guard the Ning border with him. The Imperial City is too bustling and complex for us. There are people from Li clan everywhere, even in this army. But at least, it's much better here, so I guess will never go

know something but she dared not ask directly. She

"Mister Xiao..." She stared at Yun Shang blankly and then smiled. "You

Shang was more confused. What

Hua Jing will be fine. Excuse me, Mister Xiao." Then Lady Zhao turned and knelt on a cushion before

Shang returned to Prince Jing's tent and repeated all that Lady Zhao had said to her. After a brief silence, Prince Jing said. "Lady Zhao is a

Lady Zhao said earlier. "There are people from Li clan everywhere, even in this army..." All of a sudden, Zhang Ying, the man who looked familiar to her, came across her

I didn't think much about it though he looked quite familiar to me. But what Lady Zhao said just reminded me that he is actually the brother of Grand Councilor Li's concubine. In her previous life, Yun Shang met many people from the

Jing looked at Yun Shang. "Oh, really?

morning and then Hua Jing disappeared. We need to be

he wrote a short note and gave it to

days had passed, and all the exits were still blocked in the camp. Owing to Ning Qian's

the Go board. "They are more patient than we expected. Is it possible that Hua

would never get out of the camp. She should be getting anxious now after several days' of waiting." "It's snowing. It's snowing heavily." A soldier

Shang paused. "The Emperor's

her move. "And the fish will rise

Shang thought. Was it snowing in the Imperial City too? In her previous

Shang went pale and the hatred returned to her eyes.

expression, but he pretended otherwise. He knocked on the table. "It's your turn.

to her sense and laid down the piece.

Jing shook head.

folding screen. That was where he slept these days. Yun Shang

got colder because of the snow. Prince Jing was concerned for the soldiers, so he ordered several bonfires to be lit and asked the guards to warm up in turn. To prevent the tents from catching fire, the bonfires were placed far away from them. As a result, it was

in the snow. It was a subtle sound but in the silence of the night, it was clear enough. Judging from the sound, there were quite a few people. Yun Shang also heard armor colliding with each other, which sounded like a

held her breath immediately. The footsteps ceased all of a sudden and it became unusually quite. Yun Shang sat up and walked to

she felt someone grabbing her hand. She was alarmed, but when she smelt a familiar scent, she relaxed. In the definite silence, a bird screamed. Soon the outside was lit up. "Assassins!" Someone cried out. The cry was followed by the sound of fighting. The tent was broken into and someone rushed to the screen. Before Yun Shang could react, Prince

astonished. Yun Shang realized that though she didn't take off her clothes in case of incidents like this, she was not wearing her mask. That was

Yun Shang, that servant turned his sword to her. Yun Shang was very vigilant. She dodged neatly, grabbed the dagger tied to her waist, and stabbed his shoulder. The servant

chance, leaped to catch the assassin and pressed his sword against the

of him gave him his answer. He hurried to report. "They are

to tie up the servant and take

General in Yupin Mountain requests to see you urgently.

high mountain nearby. Yun Shang smiled. "Send him