An Eight-year-old Princess

Yun Shang was surprised. She checked her eyebrows for stray hairs before washing her face. Then, she took the towel from Qian Yin, wiped her face and sat before the dresser.

Qin Yi walked over, picked up the comb, and tended to Yun Shang's hair.

Qian Yin hung out the used towel and continued, "Lady Shun Qing likes green and blue, so most of her clothes are green and blue. She hates others wearing clothes of the same colors as her. Today, you can't wear clothes in those two colors."

"I see." Yun Shang smiled faintly, "If others know that Lady Shun Qing favors those two colors, they will try to flatter her by wearing clothes in those colors. However, if I do the same, she might hate me. The Empress is considerate. She told the truth, but..."

Qin Yi combed Yun Shang's hair and picked up a simple hairband from the dresser. She made a bowknot on Yun Shang's hair and frowned, "Your Highness, did the Empress ask you to attend Lady Shun Qing's birthday party so that you will anger her by wearing clothes with the same colors as hers? Will her trickery fail if you wear clothes of other colors?"

Yun Shang glanced at the gift box and smiled, "Of course not."

"Your Highness, I hope you do not attend the party. The Empress is vengeful and evil. If something bad happens to you at the Prince Shun Qing's Mansion, she won't be blamed." Qin Yi felt unnerved. The Princess had a narrow escape a fews days ago. What's to be done if bad things happen to her again?

Yun Shang turned and grasped Qin Yi's hands, "I can't hide at Qingxin Palace and be a coward forever. I promise I will be careful. Come on, don't worry about me."

Qin Yi nodded, turned around, took a piece of rosy clothing and helped Yun Shang to put it on. Then she grabbed a cloak in the same color and tied it for the Princess. Then, she held the gift box and followed Yun Shang out of Qingxin Palace.

The carriage was already waiting for them as they stepped out of the Palace. Qian Yin helped Yun Shang climb in. After the two maids stepped into the carriage, the journey toward Prince Shun Qing's Mansion begun.

message of the herald, people present in the yard

walked forward and laughed cheerfully, "I just said that I heard the twiddle of magpie in the morning and thought

wife of the

don't need to be so polite and formal.

and grasped her hands, "Look at you. I told the other ladies that although Princess Hui Guo is young, she is a real beauty. However, they doubted my words and said you are not as beautiful as Princess Hua Jing.

laughter. Yun Shang looked around and recognized many people she had met in

and ruthless character. She would regret it if she became careless and reduced her vigilance. Yun Shang smiled and said, "You are flattering me. Although I live in the Imperial Palace and rarely go out, I know my sister is well-known to be the most beautiful woman. I'm too

Lady Shun Qing is entertaining her guests in her yard.

smiled, "Thank

replied quickly, "You are welcome." Then, she walked out of

its elegance was evident. Besides, its pavilions and houses were built according to parks and gardens in regions south of the Yangtze River, which seemed to be graceful and restrained. Yun Shang acknowledged its beauty verbally, which pleased Ruxin. She giggled and said, "Prince Shun Qing personally designed the mansion. Because Lady Shun Qing was born south of the Yangtze River, and the Prince was afraid his wife was unaccustomed to the environment here, he deliberately asked the craftsmen to build

to look at Ruxin, and said, "The Prince really loves his wife.

husband soon. I heard from my father that the Emperor granted the marriage between you and Prince Jing. Many girls in the Imperial City consider Prince Jing to be perfect. Your

yard that was built near a lake and boasted of a thick bamboo forest. A two-story house stood inside. The construction and landscaping here as well, were similar to what was followed by people

inside. Lady Shun Qing is waiting for you." Ruxin

old woman dressed in a dark bluish skirt adorned with bamboo patterns sat on a rosewood chair. The old woman looked a bit stern as her eyebrows were

offer you birthday wishes. Ruxin smiled and

a life of several hundred years in ease and comfort." Qin Yi hurried to hand over the sandalwood box. Yun Shang opened it and said, "I had no unique gift for you. So, I asked the Empress to give me this peach-shaped