An Eight-year-old Princess

In Changchun Palace, Li Fuyi was standing behind Lady Ming. As she massaged Lady Ming's shoulders, Li Fuyi said, "I think Princess Yun Shang is too weak to merit any compliment. The other day I stayed with her for a short while and she coughed incessantly. Moreover, she is too young. She even behaves like a little baby in the presence of her maids-in-waiting. I think she is much worse than Princess Hua Jing."

Lady Ming closed her eyes and sighed. "You are not as discerning as the Empress. I have been observing all the people in the imperial household before I took charge of the the imperial household. I can see through all people to some extent except Yun Shang. Every time I see her, I find she is different from before. She is the one that we really should keep an eye on."

Li Fuyi's eyes betrayed a hint of satire. But she humbly bowed her head and said gently, "Yes, my Ladyship. I will keep an eye on her."

"Your father sent you to the Imperial Palace for two purposes. For one thing, your elder sister is recuperating. You have to do something for her. I am too old to do anything good for her. Your other task is to help your sister deal with the ladies in the imperial household. They are all smart and crafty. It doesn't matter if it is in the Royal Court or in the imperial household, we, the Li family must be the dominant family." said Lady Ming, looking ambitious.

"I see. My father has told me about this. I will do everything within my power to support you and my sister." said Li Fuyi, smiling gently.

Lady Ming straightened up and waved her hands to stop the massage. "I think I should find an opportunity to meet Princess Yun Shang."

At Qingxin Palace, Qin Yi drew aside the curtain after entering the room. As she blew on her stiffened fingers, she said, "Princess, it is snowing outside. This is the first snow this year. I suppose Lady Ming will hold a gathering and send for you."

"The first snow?" asked Yun Shang with astonishment. It snows earlier in the borderland than in the Imperial City. Yun Shang continued, "What day is it today?"

"The thirteenth day of the first lunar month." said Qin Yi with a smile.

That's right. The thirteenth day of the first lunar month. Yun Shang smiled as she rested her hands on her belly.

"Princess, I heard that Princess Hua Jing returned to the Princess Palace last night. If the gathering is held today, Princess Hua Jing will, in all likelihood, come. But I don't know why Princess Hua Jing didn't come to the Imperial Palace today to pay her respects to the Empress. Maybe she doesn't know what happened to the Empress." said Qin Yi as she tidied up a cloak.

How could Princess Hua Jing not know about the Empress? She must know. Hua Jing must be very pleased. The letter she asked Prince Qingsu to write sought peace-making marriage between Yelang and Ning. It must have reached the Emperor by now. If Hua Jing learns that the letter asked for her hand in marriage to Prince Qingsu, she would not react kindly.

"Princess, Lady Ming's maid called Bi'er has brought a message for you. She said that according to tradition, a family feast will be held at the first snow and that the Princess is invited to the family feast in Meiying House later." said Qian Yin with a smile. As she saw only Qin Yi accompany the Princess, she stepped into the room and said gently, "Princess, I just saw the attendant who works in our Palace chat with Bi'er. I have never seen the attendant before."

"Really?" Yun Shang lifted her eyes to Qin Yi. The maid replied, "The attendant is a newcomer. He has been sent by the Emperor, not by Lady Ming. The Emperor has selected attendants for every Palace."

Yun Shang nodded and said, "Lady Ming has not been in charge of the imperial household for long. So the attendant must be sent by my father. Since the attendant is an informant of my father, he won't harm me. But he is not one of our people. We should keep an eye on him."

It was snowing harder and harder. Yun Shang rested her head on the windowsill and looked at the snowflakes attentively.

"Princess, it seems that the snow isn't going to stop. We might as well proceed to Meiying House. If it keeps snowing, it will be hard for us to travel. said Qin Yi as she stretched her head to look out the window.

Yun Shang nodded and let Qin Yi dress her. After slipping on a cloak, she walked out of the room with an umbrella. Meiying House was located in a secluded place to the west of the Imperial Palace. The west area of the Imperial Palace was covered in plum trees. In winter, it was a good place to enjoy the snow and the plum blossoms. On the way to Meiying House, Yun Shang and her attendants crossed a bamboo forest. Yun Shang was lost in her thoughts as she trod on the snow. All of a sudden, a white fluffy creature yowled before springing at Yun Shang. The Princess screamed in surprise. She glanced at Qian Yin who was holding the umbrella. She looked like she was about to attack the cat. Yun Shang caught Qian Yin's hand as she fell backwards.

A group of people surrounding Yun Shang had fallen to the ground. Yun Shang whispered to Qian Yin, "There are outsiders around here. Don't act rashly."

Qian Yin hastened to get up and said, "Princess, are you all right? Princess…" Qian Yin promptly helped Yun Shang to her feet. Yun Shang frowned and started to cough. She wheezed and gasped so much that she had to place her hands on her chest. It was not until a while later that Yun Shang waved her hands and said, "I am fine."

if Yun Shang had been injured. Assured of Her Highness's wellbeing, they turned to look at the

frowned and said, "You wild cat! You startled

It must belong to a Lady in the Palace. The cat looks beautiful. But it can hardly stand on its feet because of the cold." Then Yun Shang

pick up the cat. Meanwhile, Qian Yin picked up the umbrella which had been tossed aside. She shook the snow off the umbrella. Then, she supported Yun Shang and together,

Shang smiled at them. Suddenly, she heard a voice. It was Li Fuyi. "Oh, Princess, where did you find the cat that your maid is holding? How can

slight smile, "We picked it up on our way here. I saw it shivering in the cold so I asked my maid to carry it. If it

Lady Ming a few days ago. Lady Ming

servant standing

rose and curtsied to Lady Ming together with the other ladies. An old but regal voice said, "Rise! This is a

She had imposing features even though they had now been softened by

Shang. She squinted at Yun Shang for a while before speaking, "You must be Yun Shang. Come

Temple where Master Wu Na presented me with a string of Bodhi Buddha Beads. I know that you are a Buddhist. So I bring these for you." At Yun Shang's signal, Qian Yin stepped forward to present the Buddha Beads. Yun Shang said with a smile, "Master Wu Na said that the Buddha Beads will keep a person safe and help a person live a

carefully at them. Then she exclaimed, "Thank you! These

Just now, Princess Yun Shang saw a cat on her way here. Yun Shang said the cat was shivering in the cold so she asked her maid to bring

hearing this, Lady Ming turned around to ask the old maid-in-waiting standing by her side, "Where is my

replied instantly, "Your Ladyship, I have been busy with this feast. I didn't notice

Yi to show the cat to Lady Ming. "Is this cat yours? I saw it in the bamboo forest. It

in Qin Yi's arms, Lady Ming said with a grin, "It is my Yuan Bao! This little thing is always running around. Luckily, you

Ming said affectionately, "It really suffered in the cold. It hasn't recovered yet. Shang'er, come here and touch it. Its fur

It was not until a while later that she reached out and touched the

to the maid-in-waiting and inquired with concern, "What's the matter?

replied, "The Princess is physically weak

hearing this, Lady Ming frowned and said, "You

voice of the eunuch sounded from outside. All the guests instantly stood

a slight cough. When she recovered, she found the Emperor had come with Lady Jin. It has been a month or more since she last saw Lady Jin. Lady Jin's belly had indeed grown bigger. On see this, Yun Shang's eyes betrayed

Do you feel unwell? Do you want me to send for an

because of the first snow. I don't want to ruin it.

this, Yun Shang curtsied to Lady

Jing has returned to the Imperial City.

his eyes. But the Emperor just smiled without saying anything. Lady Ming said, "It is probably because she hasn't found her husband and feels very sad. So she doesn't want to come. Hua Jing is indeed unfortunate. She is so young

worry. A few days ago, I received a letter from Prince Qingsu of

Yun Shang who was still coughing. Yun Shang looked as if she hadn't heard what the Emperor had said. There were only two Princesses in the Ning State. Princess Hua Jing was already

said with a smile, "I have written to Prince Qingsu and invited him to our Imperial City to discuss the peace-making marriage. Not just Prince Qingsu. I have

began serving the food and drinks. When the dishes were set on the table, the Emperor rose to his feet and said, "Although it snows later this year than the previous year, it

something auspicious. Just as the atmosphere reached its peak, the white cat which was being held by the old maid at Lady Ming's side