An Eight-year-old Princess

Chapter 193 To Lower His Guard (Part One)

Upon hearing the Prince's words, Yun Shang said no more. After a long while, she chuckled. Though

she was laughing, her eyes reflected her sadness, for she suddenly realized that she had never been

loved. No one's heart truly belonged to her, neither in her previous lifetime nor in the recent one.

How could she be happy with a forced marriage? Both she and Prince Jing had their own schemes and

troubles, but the ultimate solution was to get married. Only through marriage would they achieve their

goals. What an awful couple they made...

Yun Shang didn't say a word. Instead, she giggled. She had matured considerably in this life at least,

and had learned to exchange her marriage for what she wanted. As her bitter laughter settled, she

spoke to the Prince.

"It's not a good time, but we can't delay anymore. You must've known about the one hundred thousand

soldiers hiding in the State of Ning. At least that is what I've heard. Perhaps there are more of them.

Right now, if you lost father's trust, the other states would take the chance and invade Ning. And if that

happened, it would be catastrophic for the State of Ning. I'm fully aware of your ambitions. But you

can't achieve any of them if the State of Ning is at stake. It's also in your interest. Therefore..."

"Therefore, our marriage is the best and only solution." Prince Jing completed Yun Shang's sentence.

He felt a sudden ache spreading in his heart. Upon casting a glance at Yun Shang, he noticed the

indifferent expression on her face. He hadn't forgotten yet, how unhappy she had been when she

learned that he had asked for the royal decree of their marriage. The Prince also remembered how he

had forced and cajoled her into consenting. But now, when Yun Shang spoke of their marriage, her

voice was calm and indifferent, as if they were discussing what they would have for dinner.

He wished Yun Shang to set her goals based on what was in her heart, not by what was in her best

interest.

Yun Shang paused for a while when she noticed Prince Jing's displeasure. But all she could manage

was a bitter grin, as she said, "Of course. If that were the case, we should make the best of both

worlds. So, why not?"

Without saying another word, Prince Jing got to his feet and headed out of Yun Shang's palace. Having

heard their conversation, Qin Yi shot a worried look at Yun Shang. She had served the Princess for

many years, and knew her better than anyone else. Although the Princess always appeared calm,

wise, and selfless, she had high self-esteem. She certainly didn't mean what she said...

Silence continued. After about a quarter of an hour, however, Yun Shang burst into a loud, braying

laughter. Qin Yi hurriedly looked to her, and saw the emotions in Yun Shang's eyes, although she

sounded so sad and helpless when she laughed.

"Your Highness..." Qin Yi implored, trying to soothe her.

Grinning, Yun Shang glanced at her maid, "Qin Yi, I'm going to get married. But why can't I..." Yun

Shang didn't continue, as she wondered why she did not feel even the tiniest bit of happiness from the

thought of her upcoming marriage with Prince Jing. Perhaps it was because of the circumstances in

which they found themselves? Their marriage was more like a bargain, and its participants were the

merchants. They married for interests, not love. But why was she not pleased by the result? At the very

least, she had harvested what she had been longing for. She had dissuaded the Prince from pursuing

his ambitions and saved her country. She'd also count herself lucky for marrying the Prince, for he was

handsome in appearance and tall in stature. He was the most eligible bachelor in the State of Ning and

many girls fantasized about life with him. She should be glad that the Prince would be her life partner

instead of some random plain man. But why? Why couldn't she persuade herself to be happy?

"Qian Yin, tell Ning Qian to scout Mount Kirin and report to me to which state those soldiers belong."

Yun Shang abruptly ordered. Then she massaged her temples with her hand.

Qian Yin had also noticed Yun Shang's sullen mood. As she didn't want to worry the Princess more,

she hurriedly obeyed orders.

"Your Highness, you've been summoned by His Majesty. The Emperor is waiting for you in Qinzheng

Hall." At the time, a eunuch entered, and relayed Emperor Ning's request. As he spoke, Yun Shang

recognized him to be Lord Zheng's retinue. She nodded in acknowledgement.

The Emperor had summoned her? Upon hearing the news, Yun Shang flashed a smile. The Emperor's

intention was obvious. Her father must be overwhelmed by suspicion, and had decided to test her

loyalty. Had the Prince reported their marriage plans to him yet?

Yun Shang contemplated on the matter for a long while. With Qin Yi's help, she changed into a gown

made of violet voile, and headed toward Qinzheng Hall. Qin Yi also followed the Princess out.

Lord Zheng was already waiting at the door. When he spotted Yun Shang, he hurriedly opened the

door for her, and urged with a grin, "Please come in, Your Highness. His Majesty has been waiting."

Nodding to him, Yun Shang walked through the doorway. However, the doors closed behind her as she

entered. Yun Shang's heartbeat quickened as this was not normal. But she pretended to have noticed

nothing, and kept moving forward. The Hall was empty but brightly lit by the many glaze lamps on the

walls. Emperor Ning stood alone behind his royal desk. Not a single servant could be seen. He was

bent over the desk when Yun Shang approached. He seemed to be writing something on a piece of

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"Father, you summoned?" Yun Shang called him.

Emperor Ning nodded. He raised his head and flashed her a warm smile. But Yun Shang had noticed

that the smile didn't reflect in his eyes.

"Shang'er, you are here. I don't have many state affairs to worry about at the moment, and have much

more free time than before. Your mother is not in the Palace, so I don't have anyone to talk to. Perhaps

we can have a father to daughter chat?" Smiling, Emperor Ning pointed to a chair nearby, and said,

"Have a seat. I've got to finish this."

Nodding to him, Yun Shang sat on the chair. She gazed at a glaze lamp and murmured, "The woman

painted on the lamp looks familiar."

Emperor Ning paused for a while before he said, "This is the portrait I drew for your mother before."

Yun Shang nodded to him, and breathed out a sigh. "Last month, I paid a visit to Laifeng Palace.

Mother was fine, as was the child in her belly. I'm expecting a sibling soon, I guess."

Emperor Ning hummed softly in consent. But before he could say anything, Yun Shang let out another

sigh. She continued sadly, as if the conversation reminded of her earlier experiences, "When the child

is born, please don't give him or her to someone else. Mother has suffered a lot during these past

years. Things would've been easier for her had I been around. The people in Laifeng City are honest

and simple. During my stay there, I had asked mother whether she wanted to walk around the city. But

she declined, for she hadn't been outside in the past ten years, and she had no idea about the recent

world. She said she was at a loss, not knowing what was in vogue, nor who was in power. She also

had no idea what topic to talk about. With all that, she didn't want to go out."