An Eight-year-old Princess novel Chapter 139

Yun Shang sighed and said worryingly, "I missed my mother very much after reading her letter. However, the emissaries of the States of Yelang and Xia are here. I am afraid I cannot visit my mother in Laifeng City. I felt sad. So I went to the Cold Palace where my mother lived before."

Lady Ming regretted that she didn't order a search of the Cold Palace. She had searched the entire imperial household, but she never thought that Yun Shang would actually use the Cold Palace as an excuse.

Yun Shang said in a faint voice, "My mother lived there for more than ten years. Although she moved out a few months ago, her smell still lingers. I missed her so much that I slept on her bed last night. I went back to Qingxin Palace after I woke up this morning and learned that you thought I was missing as you couldn't find me. So I changed and rushed here. It is a misunderstanding. I shouldn't have gone to the Cold Palace because I was in a bad mood. Ordinarily, no one visits Qingxin Palace. I didn't expect that you would come to Qingxin Palace to show loving care for me in the early morning. It's my fault. Please punish me."

On the way back, Yun Shang had inquired about the places searched at the order of Lady Ming and learned that the Cold Palace, Qinzheng Hall where Emperor Ning worked, Qiwu Palace and a few other Halls where Emperor Ning met the ministers hadn't been searched. With this knowledge, she came up with this idea. Yun Shang had also chosen her words carefully. She wanted to tell Emperor Ning that it was a trap as Lady Ming had never been to Qingxin Palace in the past, but went to search for her on this occasion.

As expected, hearing what Yun Shang said, Emperor Ning became angry. He knew that if Yun Shang failed to disclose where she went last night, Lady Ming would claim that she ruined her reputation by staying out all night. Lady Ming had done all this on purpose. As soon as Emperor Ning left the court this morning, a servant of Lady Ming had reported that Yun Shang was missing. So he rushed here. He had guessed the whole story when Lady Ming interrogated the servants of Qingxin Palace. After listening to Yun Shang, he further confirmed what he had previously thought.

It didn't matter whether Yun Shang really slept in the Cold Palace last night or not. Lady Ming, who was in power in the imperial household, was making a fuss about it. She had even gathered all the concubines. Apparently, she wanted Yun Shang to lose all standing and reputation. Emperor Ning never asked about the ongoings in the imperial household, but he knew the tricks in it.

It was really difficult to deal with the Li Clan!

Lady Ming still refused to let the issue go even though she now knew where Yun Shang went last night. She had omitted to search the Cold Palace, but she didn't believe what Yun Shang said. "You went to the Cold Palace alone? What if something bad happened?"

Yun Shang stared at Lady Ming doubtfully. "Your Highness, this is the Imperial City where excellent guards are stationed everywhere. There is nothing to worry about. No one can take me out of the Imperial City quietly, right? If I'm wrong, then the Imperial Commander has to be killed as punishment. Even if you don't believe me, you should at least believe the Imperial Commander. If I remember correctly, the Imperial Commander is the youngest son of Grand Councilor Li, and I have to address him as uncle."

Lady Ming was furious. She thought, 'Well done! Yun Shang, well done! I have to let you go this time, but you won't be able to escape next time.'

"There is a maid in the Cold Palace. Although my mother moved out, the maid had been left to look after the Cold Palace. She waited on me last night. Your Highness, if you don't believe me, you can ask the maid." Yun Shang lowered her voice gradually to give the impression that she felt wronged.

Lady Ming clenched the armrest of the chair. She was dizzy with anger. After a while, she finally calmed down and sneered. Since Yun Shang dared to speak of the Imperial Commander and the maid, she must have made proper preparations. If Lady Ming still investigated, Emperor Ning would dislike her. The Empress had fallen into disgrace, and Lady Ming was in power now. If she also lost power and had to hand over the Empress's seal, no one could protect the Li Clan in the Imperial City.

"I trust you. I was just worried about you. Take your maids and inform the servants in your Palace next time, or others will worry about you."

Yun Shang replied, "I know. Your Highness, thank you for your care. If there is nothing else, please allow me to leave."

Lady Ming nodded and turned to look at Emperor Ning. Emperor Ning, who was lost in thought, said after a while, "Okay."

After returning to Qingxin Palace with her servants, Yun Shang ceased to smile and ordered in a low voice, "The spy hasn't been eliminated. Qian Yin, check again carefully. Make sure that there is no oversight this time. I heard from Qian Ya that Lady Ming had brought a martial arts master here this morning. Who is he?"

Qian Yin answered, "He is a eunuch in his forties. He looked unfamiliar. I didn't dare to look at him, but I saw that there was a purple rope around his wrist."

"Eunuch?" Yun Shang blinked. She had never heard of such a man in the Imperial City. Qian Yin often followed her to Changchun Palace, but she said that she had never met him. The man must be a stranger. However, he appeared suddenly but didn't attract any attention, which meant that he couldn't be underestimated. In all likelihood, he was not a eunuch.