An Eight-year-old Princess

The imperial guard brought forward two bracelets which were the same as the one on the table.

"How?" Yun Shang frowned and looked at Emperor Ning. "Father, my bracelets are unique. Why then are these two bracelets the same as mine?"

"Where's the maid?" Emperor Ning asked.

The imperial guard beckoned to his subordinates to bring the maid forward. Looking pale and dispirited, the maid fell to the ground limply. She shivered and said, "Your Majesties, Your Royal Highnesses, may you enjoy long lives and blessings..."

Yun Shang stared at the maid before speaking, "Father, I know her. She is in charge of cleaning my Hall."

Emperor Ning nodded and snapped at the maid, "How did you get these bracelets?"

The maid said in a trembling voice, "Your Majesty. I stole them from Her Royal Highness's bedroom."

Yun Shang frowned and said, "Why did you steal my bracelets?"

"I..." The maid gritted her teeth and said, "It was at the instigation of Hua Jing! The Princess Hua Jing confined my brother and threatened me to steal Princess Yun Shang's bracelets. I didn't dare to disobey. However, Princess Yun Shang has been so kind to us so that I didn't want to betray her. In order to save my brother, I took the bracelets to my family's jewelry store and had copies made. Since then, I haven't had the chance to put the bracelets back."

became infuriated with the accusations.

in front of the

she suddenly exclaimed and pointed at Yun Shang. "Father, it's her.

"Your Majesty, that's queer indeed! I'm afraid that it's beginning to look more

to the East of the Imperial City. A few days ago, my parents came to tell me that my brother had been

she took the risk. She clenched her teeth and closed

stood and screamed, "You are a lowly servant.

quieted the bickering women. Emperor Ning looked at his daughter, Hua Jing.

in silence. Despite her obedient and subservient posture, she was anything but. She glared at Yun Shang

to behave. Be quiet now." Then the Emperor turned around

in bed, I heard some noise next door. I went to the windows and saw Xiang Lan leaving Qinxin Hall with another maid. Even though it was dark, I could recognize that the maid worked for Princess Hua Jing. Seeing that Xiang Lan did not return, I went to sleep. Today morning, however,

continuing. "I was too scared to speak out until I heard that Her Royal Highness, Yun Shang had been taken away. Even though I have not worked in the

statement, the maid continued groveling on the ground.

you have to say for yourself? It's very obvious that this murder was