An Eight-year-old Princess

Yun Shang squinted her eyes. It happened just as she had expected. When she ran across the cat in the bamboo forest, she knew that something interesting would happen.

It seemed that the trick was played by Lady Ming. As a senior member of the imperial household, Lady Ming would have gone through many ups and downs over the years. As a result, she must be very patient and calm. It didn't seem likely that she would do such a thing impulsively.

Maybe…

As Yun Shang bowed her head to smell her sleeve, she started to cough badly. Then she looked up and said, "There is undoubtedly an aromatic substance on my sleeve. Due to my poor health, I have never been accustomed to aromas except from herbs. Every time I smell pungent aromas, I cough. What's more, the physician has just said that the aroma would make people restless. Why would I take a substance that would make me very sick?"

"Well, " On hearing this, the physician timidly lifted his eyes to Lady Ming.

Yun Shang said with a slight smile, "During my walk from Qingxin Palace to Meiying House, I did not come across any smells. I believe that I got the aromatic substance on my sleeve when I touched the cat. I remember Lady Ming also touched the cat, so did the old maid by Lady Ming's side. Since the substance is harmful, I would suggest that the physician check whether it transferred to Lady Ming and her old maid."

The imperial physician hesitated. Yun Shang said with a smile, "Are you afraid that Lady Ming will be offended?"

The physician nodded and said, "Yes, I'm afraid."

Yun Shang bowed her head and thought for a while before she swiveled around to speak with the Emperor, "Father, I'm weak, but I'm young. So it's not all that dangerous if I'm stained with the harmful aroma. But Lady Ming is old if… Father, you can ask a few ladies to smell Lady Ming. Is that okay?"

The Emperor nodded and said, "Yes. Shang'er is right." Then he scanned the ladies present and thought for a while before announcing, "Lady Meng, Lady Ying, and Lady Lan, please check Lady Ming."

Lady Ming opened her mouth to object, but said nothing. The three ladies walked towards Lady Ming and took a deep breath. Then they approached Yun Shang. The Princess lifted her hands to let them sniff her sleeves. A while later, Lady Meng took the lead in reporting, "I found there is an odd aroma coming from Lady Ming and the old maid. The aroma is the same as that on Princess Hui Guo's sleeve. I also found something odd. Only one of Princess Hui Guo's sleeves has the aroma."

Yun Shang smiled, lifted her right hand and said, "It should be this sleeve. Father, I'm afraid that you don't know that a cat sprang at me on my way here and I was knocked to the ground. I guessed the cat must belong to a lady for it was well-cared for. So I brought it here. Just as we arrived, Lady Fu recognized it and told us the cat was Yuan Bao and that it belonged to Lady Ming. I then gave it back to Lady Ming. Lady Ming asked me to feel its soft fur. I used my right hand to touch the cat."

After Yun Shang finished her explanation, Lady Ming said, "Are you implying that I put the aromatic substance on the cat and tried to frame you with that?"

Yun Shang shook her head, "Lady Ming, I'm afraid you misunderstand me. I should be blamed for I brought the cat here. This incident would not have happened had I not suggested that the cat be brought to the House. Later, I will ask my maid to send my most effective vulnerary to Lady Fu. Now, Father is investigating the truth of the matter. I believe I should give a full account of this incident honestly so that Father is well-informed. I learned it from some novels where characters relate incidents in great detail. I don't know whether what I said is useful or not."

Yun Shang continued, "Lady Ming, I knew that it was not you who put the aromatic substance on the cat. Lady Fu is your niece. You won't harm your dear niece. But, I think the one that played the trick and caused suspicion was extremely audacious."

Dear niece. A mocking air appeared in Yun Shang's eyes but it disappeared soon. Though she didn't know whether Lady Ming played the trick or not, she had explained herself properly. If Lady Ming did play the trick, she must have discussed it with Lady Fu. At any rate, it was acceptable to put Lady Fu in the spotlight. Lady Fu was always holding grudges. Though she didn't say it, she would secretly hate Lady Ming.

The Emperor said nothing and watched the infighting. Impatience flashed in his eyes as he thought, 'These ladies are always contending with each other covertly every day. But today, they almost harmed the baby that Lady Jin is bearing. I should warn them.'

"Somebody Catch a cat for me." said the Emperor.

the Emperor intended to

frowned and said to the Emperor, "What are you

Emperor replied, "Just now, the physician said the smell would make people restless. And it would also make a cat go wild. So, I want to test the theory.

this, the physician trembled slightly but said nothing. He stood by Lady Fu's

while later, an attendant brought a grey cat and said, "Your

to the old maid who was standing behind Lady Ming. I know she has carried Yuan

old maid by Lady Ming's side. The old maid looked down at the cat and hesitated for a

the old maid stood straight and didn't dare to move. Then the cat jumped

saw the grey cat grow restless when it smelt the substance. But

Ming sat leaning against her chair. She glanced at Yun Shang for a

"That is what

would feel wronged. I see clearly that the wound on Lady Fu's neck is deep. The physician pointed out that it would be hard to heal the wound because of the substance. Lady Fu is an

women in the imperial household as being beautiful

Lady Fu's eyes. She clenched her teeth and pretended not to care. She said, "Thank you for your concern, Princess.

wound was caused by the cat's paw, we might as well ask someone to check whether there is something wrong with the paw. I noticed that Yuan Bao was brought here by the Princess's maid but there isn't such an aroma on the maid. So, I believe it was in here that the cat

speaker was Lady Ying.

imperial physician entered, and after curtsying to all, he said, "Your Majesty, I have checked the cat's paw carefully. I find there are some powders on the paw. I have identified this to be a certain common aromatic substance which won't make the cat go wild. But, I also found a

The Emperor turned to look at Lady Ming, "Mother, it seems the cat was pricked by someone so it ran

this, the old maid instantly dropped to her knees and said, "Your Majesty, it was not me. I didn't prick the cat. I

maid. Instead she glared at the young physician,

hurt in the Palace, those physicians don't dare to prescribe enough medicine. Lady Jin's belly is getting bigger. In all these years very few ladies have gotten pregnant. She is the first to carry my child in a long time. I am concerned and would like for her to give birth to our baby safely. So I requested Prince Jing

of you think my old maid was the one who pricked the cat, just ask someone to frisk the old maid. Then you will see whether the old maid has

here is a suspect. So I think everyone should

black robes walked in. The Emperor made a gesture. Then they started to search the people present, including Lady Ming.

time the women were searching Yun Shang, she heard a slight sound as though something was

there a pinhole in the cat's paw?" The Emperor snorted. His eyes gleamed coldly.

where there were many fine bamboo strips. When Yuan Bao was running in the snow, he could have been accidentally hooked by a sharp bamboo strip. When the old maid held Yuan Bao in her arms, she may have touched the

was

right. It could also be that Yuan Bao knocked over a lady's box which contained aromatic substances and coincidentally stepped on a sharp object."

calmly, "Yuan Bao was raised

and the fragrance of plum blossom filled the cold winter air. Yun Shang took a deep breath. She found the fragrance of plum blossom mixed with the smell of

the garden. A while later, they reached the bamboo forest. The Emperor asked gently, "Is it in here