An Eight-year-old Princess

After the incense accident, a profound silence engulfed the Palace. But, within the silence, something invisible and intangible pullulated. Yun Shang wasn't in her usual inquiring mood. To her, the pleasure of probing was not worth the trouble. Thus, for most of her time, she lay on her bed and read.

Time passed, and the 29th day of the 12th lunar month arrived. The next day would be New Year's Eve, the biggest day of the year. To celebrate the New Year, the Palace had been busy since the 20th day of the 12th lunar month, and the good cheer would last until the Lantern Festival. Among the fuss, Yun Shang was enjoying her long-deserved rest. As a Princess, she was entitled to stay idle. The only thing she needed to do was participate in the royal banquet on New Year's Eve.

When she thought it over, a question suddenly flashed across her mind. Would Hua Jing attend the banquet too? Thinking of that, Yun Shang grinned. Since her return to the Imperial City, Hua Jing had never been seen in the Palace. It was claimed that she had been ill due to depression. But that was an excuse. According to Yun Shang's information, Hua Jing was trying to conceal her pregnancy, which would destroy her reputation in an instant.

"Your Highness..." Qian Yin lifted the curtain and entered the room. Her face was red from the cold. In her hand, she carried a tray. "Your Highness, it's snowed again. The kitchen has made some soup for you. I've brought some. Do you want to taste?"

Yun Shang put down her book. "Sure." She sat up, slipped her feet into her slippers, and walked to the table.

"The weather is getting colder. And New Year's Eve is coming. There will be many things to do tomorrow. Tell the maids to get some rest tonight. By the way, would you be so kind as to take the night duty?" Asked Yun Shang softly.

Qian Yin giggled. She nodded to the Princess, "Of course. I will tell them about your thoughtfulness, Your Highness. Be prepared to be praised." Qian Yin wasn't worried about Yun Shang's safety. Yun Shang's Palace was guarded by the Yulin Guard. And Qian Yin herself was well-trained in martial arts. Nothing could happen to Yun Shang in her presence. Furthermore, the servants had been busy with the Lunar New Year for a long time. They needed some rest.

Yun Shang had some soup. Then she asked Qian Yin to put away the pot. The winter was cold and windy. The days were short and the nights were long. By 5 o'clock in the afternoon, the sky had started to get dark. Having had her dinner, Yun Shang washed and went to bed. It had been a while since Yun Shang had celebrated New Year's Eve at the Palace. She barely remembered the ritual. Memories from her previous life allowed her to recall that the ceremony was complicated and boring.

As she had ordered, the maids went to bed early as well. Before long, silence fell over Qingxin Palace.

Although sound sleep, Yun Shang suddenly felt as though someone was watching her in the dark. She stirred. As her eyes snapped open, she realized the feeling wasn't a dream. She saw someone standing in front of her bed.

Yun Shang wasn't startled. She quietly reached for the dagger under her pillow. As the figure let down his guard, she straightened herself, and stabbed the figure in his chest.

The figure seemed surprised. He dodged the blow, but the dagger still bit into his arm. "It's me, " said the figure.

Yun Shang hesitated. Then she recognized his voice.

"Uncle?"

The figure sighed as he spoke, "It seems my fears were misplaced. You are quite able to protect yourself."

Yun Shang quickly got off her bed. She lit the glaze lamp on the table and turned around. In the lamp light, she saw a man in black sitting on her bed. It was indeed, Prince Jing.

In disbelief, Yun Shang studied him from head to toe. The Prince looked travel-stained. A newly-cut wound on his arm oozed blood. She had done that...

"Are you hurt, uncle?" Yun Shang went to Prince Jing, lifted his wide sleeve, and had a closer look. She was a trained warrior, and apparently, her uncle had been caught off guard. The dagger was very sharp. Accordingly, the wound was neat in appearance, almost like a red line. But Yun Shang was aware that it was a deep cut.

Yun Shang took out a jade vial from her drawer. As she applied the ointment on Prince Jing's arm, she asked, "Did you just arrive, uncle? And why did you break into my palace? Luckily I recognized your voice. Or you'd be wounded worse..."

As Prince Jing watched Yun Shang, the joy he felt showed in his eyes. "You're one to talk, Shang'er. Why didn't you even leave me a note when you left the camp? And why didn't you send a single letter to me after your arrival at the Imperial City? How could I not worry about you?"

"Em..." Puzzled at his words, Yun Shang raised her head and winked. She didn't think her relationship with Prince Jing was good enough to merit her disclosing her whereabouts.

To his surprise, he was vexed by her indifference. He sneered, "I thought,

embarrassed chuckle. She lowered her head to conceal her feelings, as she was

line. Where was his calmness and restraint? And why was he easily provoked by Yun Shang? He felt uncomfortable

Collecting himself, he got up, and

disappeared into. After a long while, she hurried to the hallway and called,

was relieved to find her drugged, not dead. But tonight's incident reminded her that Qingxin Palace needed to be fortified. Prince Jing

thought about the situation as she returned to her

Prince Jing headed toward Qinzheng

the door. He rubbed his hands and stomped his feet to stay warm. Prince Jing walked toward him. Lord Zheng hurriedly approached, "Your Highness? Were you not at

at Lord Zheng, "I need to talk to my brother. I've got

Highness. I will inform His Majesty now." He

at the night sky, he saw that it had started to snow. Prince Jing let out a sigh, but

turned and saw Lord Zheng walk out. "Your Highness,

he felt it was very warm in the hall. Behind the desk at the far end of the room sat the Emperor. He raised his head and watched as

stopped five steps away from Emperor Ning. He knelt. "My sincere apologies, Your Majesty.

wound on his arm.

And how did you get hurt? Did you encounter an assassin?" Emperor Ning stood up from his royal chair and walked around his desk toward Prince Jing. His eyes remain fixed on the wound. It seemed that the Prince had been hurt by a sharp weapon, and the wound had been carefully tended. And the ointment smelt so familiar... Emperor Ning sniffed again. The ointment was refreshing to smell. He identified it to be Ningxiang Gel, which was a special medicine made by the Imperial Hospital and could only be used

attacked, brother. I was wounded by Princess Yun Shang. I went by her palace and was

unmarried Princess, and you are her uncle. What were you

straightened his back as the Emperor spoke. His bowed. "But I came back from the frontier

Then he recalled mentioning the letter of proposal at the banquet the other day. How did Prince Jing hear of it? It seemed his brother cared a lot for Shang'er...

low voice. "Your Majesty, I have something else to report. The other day, I spotted Princess Hua Jing among the Yelang people. She appeared in the army along with the third Prince of

heart to punish his own daughter. And he knew better than to ask his officials' counsel on this matter. Also,

she shamelessly flirt with a royal member from a hostile power? How can

his mother have known about the Princess's deeds, and Lady Zhao has implored me to let her stay at the frontier with her son. She vowed never to return to

silence as he waited for the Emperor's decision. After a long while, Emperor Ning sighed. "That's enough. I am sorry for Hua Jing's evildoing. Tell Lady Zhao,

late hour, and you've broken into my daughter's chamber. After all that,

marital status, so he proposed marriage to her in the letter. But what if he knew about Hua Jing's former husband? I'm afraid that he would ask for Yun Shang instead. And, brother, Shang'er and I are in love with each

surprised that the Prince would mention it. He knew his brother well. Prince Jing was ambitious. But he was also a heartless man. He had never heard of the Prince being interested in sexual affairs. Because of this, Emperor Ning could not make use of his weakness, so he dared not to keep him in the Imperial City, nor did the Emperor trust the Prince with

from the frontier and he had broken into the Palace in the middle of the night just for

And you are her

my control. Besides, there is no kinship between Shang'er and me. I've never forgotten your promise, brother. You told me that you will grant me marriage with any women I love. Shang'er is Lady Jin's daughter. I know you cherish her mother a lot. You won't let the Yelang take her for her mother's sake. And it's easy to solve the dilemma. If Yun Shang was engaged to me, Qingsu would

Prince Jing's words as he spoke, "But Master Wu Na suggested

marry her until the time is right. But you have to

contemplated Prince

at the last household banquet, she and I played the song, Courting a Phoenix* together. That time, I declared that I wanted to play the song with her only, and she didn't refuse. Wasn't that