An Eight-year-old Princess

Chapter 222 New Storm in the Imperial City

"So, is Hua Jing dead?" Yun Shang took a handful of millet as she asked in a casual tone. She was

playing with the parrot that Prince Jing had given her as a gift earlier that morning.

Ning Qian clenched her teeth to suppress her agitation. She was so upset that she stamped several

times. Judging from Ning Qian's childish behavior, Yun Shang understood that Hua Jing was still alive.

As she was in a good mood today, the Princess wasn't upset with the unfavorable result. Then she said

in a somewhat nonchalant manner, "It doesn't matter if Hua Jing is still alive. I will end her life sooner or

later. But this incident will certainly spur the Empress to take action. We were lucky that Ya Xi was not

with Hua Jing yesterday. The other gigolos mean nothing to us. Our plan will not be affected even if the

others are expelled from Hua Jing's Palace."

Ning Qian sighed after hearing that. Her shoulders sagged in defeat, "You're right, Your Highness. Hua

Jing's injuries and the expelling of the gigolos will not affect our plan. However, there is another

complication. Though Quingsu escaped the guards, he returned later. He used the chaos in the

Princess's Palace as a diversion to kidnap Hua Jing. This was unexpected. What's worse is that they

left the Imperial City before anyone could notice what Qingsu had done."

Yun Shang stopped playing with the parrot when she heard Ning Qian's report. She turned to look at

Ning Qian and asked in disbelief, "Escaped the Imperial City?"

Ning Qian nodded before quickly adding, "As the Emperor of Yelang is dying, Qingsu must have

planned to return to the State of Yelang. I have sent our men to chase him. Considering that the other

Yelang Princes covet the throne as well, they must have predicted his return and set traps for Qingsu.

Qingsu is now caught in a dilemma. Ambushes lie ahead and troops are in pursuit of him. He may not

be able to reach Yelang safely with the half-dying Princess. Hua Jing is the Princess of the State of

Ning, after all. He stabbed her in the presence of many witnesses. Emperor Ning, the Empress, and the

Li Clan would seek justice. Even the new Emperor of Yelang will not excuse his behavior. That is if

Qingsu doesn't usurp the throne."

Yun Shang stayed silent. She was in deep thought and stared blankly at the bird cage in front of her.

When Prince Jing returned to his mansion, Yun Shang reported the new developments to him. Then

she voiced her concerns, "I wonder what is wrong with Qingsu! Why did he return to kidnap Hua Jing?

His trip to Yelang is filled with challenges. Why would he want to burden himself with caring for Hua

Jing who is seriously injured? Did he not think that the abduction would enrage the Emperor of Ning?

Since he is trying to win the crown by garnering political support, why did he take a step that would

drive a wedge between him and Emperor Ning?"

Prince Jing spoke after pondering. "You devised plans to force Qingsu into visiting Hua JIng at her

Palace, didn't you?"

Yun Shang's silence was the answer to the Prince's question. In her heart, the Princess didn't think it

inappropriate to set up Hua Jing and Qingsu. She did plot to make this happen. She issued the order to

add the incense in Hua Jing's chamber. Anyone who breathes the scent of the incense will be

overwhelmed with feelings of multiplied desire and fury. Aware of the effect of the scent, Yun Shang

had expected Qingsu's craziness and attack on Hua Jing. But she never imagined that Qingsu would

abduct Hua Jing. That had come as a big surprise to her. Since she couldn't understand his

motivations, Yun Shang found this puzzling.

Prince Jing stared at Yun Shang as she was contemplating the situation. He smiled and shook his

head, "I would do the same thing if I were Qingsu."

After hearing the Prince's statement, Yun Shang lifted her eyes to look at the Prince. Her expression

conveyed her confusion. "Why? Please tell me." That was the question Prince Jing could read in the

Princess's eyes.

Prince Jing smiled before explaining, "As Qingsu had already hurt Hua Jing before many witnesses,

there would be every reason for the Emperor to arrest and punish him. Qingsu's abduction of Hua Jing

does not add to a greater crime. Although it will be cumbersome for Qingsu to care for Hua Jing on the

way to Yelang, he would be secured with a hostage under his control. After all, he didn't achieve his

aims in Ning. Hua Jing is a Princess. She's the Empress's daughter and Grand Councilor Li's

granddaughter. The Emperor, the Empress, and Grand Councilor Li will send assassins and guards in

pursuit of Qingsu. He is, therefore, in great danger. Hua Jing would be his leverage if he gets caught.

Maybe Qingsu will explain his actions and pacify Hua Jing while they are alone. In that case, he would

turn an enemy into a supporter. Wouldn't that be nice for him?"

Yun Shang sighed after she thought over the Prince's explanations. She had anticipated various

consequences, and had prepared for every eventuality accordingly. But she had never given careful

thought to the fact that humans are the most complicated animals under the Heavens.

"Don't torture yourself for this oversight. You were successful in removing a threat. You should be

happy. Why do you still look so worried?" Prince Jing lay on the bench that Yun Shang enjoyed lying

on. He took some grapes from the stool by his side in a casual manner and popped them into his

mouth.

Yun Shang let out a sigh. "I planned to kill Hua Jing. But the abduction was indeed beyond my

expectation. I really have no idea what will happen in the future."

"What are you afraid of? You are smart. Hua Jing has been taken to a foreign country. She has no one

working for her. What worries you?" Prince Jing's words startled Yun Shang. Was the Prince... praising

her?

Emperor Ning indeed became furious at Qingsu. Of course, he wrote a letter to the Emperor of Yelang,

in which he requested severe punishment for Qingsu. This letter was delivered to the State of Yelang

immediately. Emperor Ning ordered troops to chase Qingsu as well. Due to Qingsu's actions, there was

stricter guard at the border between Ning and Yelang. The commoners lived in uncertainty. It seemed

war was inevitable.

Lady Jin was in a good physical condition now. As the delivery was imminent, she planned to return to

Laifeng City for childbirth. Emperor Ning decided to accompany her to Laifeng City. He ordered

servants to make preparations. Yun Shang was so worried for her mother that she decided to travel

with her mother. Prince Jing gave his consent. But the Prince insisted on escorting her to Laifeng City

and spending some time with her there.

Prince Jing seemed to be behaving unusually since their marriage. Yun Shang had sensed it already.

He liked to give her many little gifts, such as amusing objects and cute animals. He even followed her

wherever she went. His devotion had led the servants to believe that the Prince and the Princess

Consort were really a perfect match.

Yun Shang felt anxious at Prince Jing's request to keep her company in Laifeng City. She intended to

turn the Prince down. Anticipating her response, Prince Jing said in a serious manner, "Who will be in

the Imperial City if both, the Emperor and I leave?"

Yun Shang lowered her head to think for a little while. "The Empress and Grand Councilor Li. The

Empress has to stay to take care of the imperial household, and Grand Councilor Li has to manage the

court."

Prince Jing nodded. He walked to the window before continuing, "I was informed that the Xia Emperor

had given orders to Grand Councilor Li. Some important orders. Grand Councilor Li has been quite

busy recently. It seems he will take some big action on behalf of the Xia Emperor. He has met many

officers in private, and has purchased and prepared food and weapons in secret. I was told that Xia

Houjing has snuck back into the Imperial City. I have every reason to believe that his return to Xia after

the Mount Kirin incident, was a diversion since I had guards watching him before he left. If they are

really plotting something, Grand Councilor Li would be happy that the Emperor is far away from the

Imperial City, even if it's only for Lady Jin's delivery. I have made some secret arrangements to counter

this inevitable threat. But Grand Councilor Li would be on alert as long as I am in the Imperial City. It

would be difficult for me to take action if he doesn't implement his plan. I will accompany you to Laifeng

City publicly. But, like Xia Houjing, I will return to the Imperial City in secret.

Yun Shang felt startled at Prince Jing's words. She didn't have to guess what the State of Xia was

planning. It had deployed many troops to Mount Kirin. She had seen the extent of their plan when she

was at Mount Kirin. But she also understood how hard it would have been to arrange so many soldiers

and horses in a mountain that was so remote and precipitous. The State of Xia must have prepared

military forces in other places as well. It must have planned to launch attacks against Ning, on several

fronts, not just from Mount Kirin. However, as its secret military deployment in Mount Kirin had been

uncovered, it might take action against Ning in advance lest all of their plans are destroyed.

It must be very dangerous for the Prince to stay in the Imperial City.

Yun Shang looked at Prince Jing with concern. Sensing the Princess's worry, Prince Jing smiled at her

and touched her cheek tenderly. "Don't forget, I am much more than the Prince of Ning. I can ask for

help from Lord Hua Guo if I'm in danger. I'm his grandson, after all. I don't think he will stand aside and

watch me die."

This was the first time that Prince Jing had spoken with Yun Shang about his lineage since their

previous argument. Yun Shang's eyelashes quivered as she listened to the Prince. She stayed quiet as

she absorbed and processed all that the Prince had shared with her.

Silence dominated the room for quite a long while after the Prince had finished speaking. Then Yun

Shang broke the silence, "Well, if you want to come with me to Laifeng City, I won't stop you. I will tell

Ning Qian to summon all the men I have now. I will instruct them to take orders from you. Although they

are not as skilled in Kung Fu as your men, they are really good informants as they lurk in

inconspicuous places in the Imperial City. They maybe of great help if your life is in danger."

Yun Shang's words brought a lump to the Prince's throat. He found his ability to speak after a short

while. So touched was he that "Yes, " was all that the Prince was able to utter.

Prince Jing reached out and pulled Yun Shang closer to him. He took hold of the Princess's shoulders,

and said in a gentle tone, "If I return safely after the upcoming storm, can we..."

Yun Shang lifted her eyes to look at the Prince with a frown. She hated to hear him speak with such

doubt about his safety. Yun Shang wanted to stop him. She tried to lift her hand to cover his mouth. But

the Prince held her hand so tightly that she was unable to move.

"Can we be a real couple? I mean man and wife."

Yun Shang was taken aback at Prince Jing's words. 'Aren't we a real couple now? Haven't we had the

wedding?' Yun Shang wondered.

Before Yun Shang could find answers to her questions, another thought suddenly struck her. 'Did he

mean consummate the marriage?' Yun Shang flushed at the thought. Her mind was a total mess.

Yun Shang calmed down after a long while. She said as peacefully as possible, "Okay."

How had their conversation turned to this topic from the the matter of Qingsu? Yun Shang analyzed

their conversation, but could not find the answer. She had examined their relationship since they met

the first time. In fact, they were not close to each other before their marriage. Their relationship had

improved a bit only after their return from Mount Kirin. As she was injured, Prince Jing seemed to have Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

shown more care toward her and an increasing desire to be protective. This sense of protectiveness

had led the Prince to forbid her from doing many things. Once they had married, their relationship

remained largely the same. Although they dined and slept under the same roof, had tea together, and

even chatted about everything with each other freely, the Princess still felt as though they were not in

love.

So, why did she give her consent to Prince Jing's request without hesitation? Yun Shang wondered.

Why did the Prince raise such a request? Finding no satisfactory answer to her questions, Yun Shang

attributed the Prince's and her puzzling behavior to sudden impulse.

Yun Shang somehow regretted giving such an assurance to the Prince. She decided that she would

seek another opportunity to talk about it with Prince Jing. It would be better if the agreement was

cancelled. But Prince Jing did not bring up the topic again and Yun Shang was too shy to take the

initiative. With no other alternative, she decided not to dwell on this issue.

Yun Shang later consoled herself by thinking that she didn't have to honor her promise immediately.

She would figure out a way to deal with the situation when that day came.

Xia Houjing's intrigues, mentioned by Prince Jing, had caught Yun Shang's attention. Currently, Ning

and Yelang were at war on the border areas. Ning would be in chaos if Xia Houjing succeeded in

planning a military coup in the Imperial City.

In her previous life, Prince Jing had died on the battlefield when battling with the State of Yelang. But

Yun Shang didn't know how that happened. Yun Shang tried to recall everything about the Prince from

her previous life. But her effort turned out to be fruitless. In her previous life, she had paid no attention

to matters that had nothing to do with her marital life. She could vaguely remember that she was

eighteen when Prince Jing died.

She would turn eighteen in three years!

Many things had changed in her new life, however. For instance, Yingjie. He was Hua Jing's husband

and had died in Yun Shang's previous life. But in Yun Shang's new life, he was still alive and was at

present leading armies to fight against foreign invaders albeit he was using a pseudonym. Her own life

was also an example. She had no relations with Prince Jing in her previous life. But in this new life, she

had married him. So, it might be possible that Prince Jing's fatal accident would never happen.

Soon, it was time for Lady Jin to set out for Laifeng City. What a massive procession it was! Servants,

guards, horses and wagons constituted a long line. The line was of such considerable length that if one

were riding at the front, it was impossible to see where the procession ended. Although they marched

toward the temporary imperial palace in Laifeng City slowly, they arrived safely.

Rules in the temporary imperial palace were as not strict as those in the Imperial Palace. Compared

with her conservative attitude in the Imperial Palace, Yun Shang seemed more free and active in the

temporary imperial palace, even in Emperor Ning's presence. She picked a small Hall for herself and

ordered Qin Yi and Qian Yin to clean it. She even added some decorations to the small Hall according

to her preference.

There was a bamboo grove and a lake full of lotuses outside the Hall. Since it was the season for the

lotuses to bloom, Yun Shang could often be seen sitting by the lakeside enjoying a glass of ice wine.

The Princess had a boat placed on the lake. When she was free, she would invite Prince Jing to join

her for a boat ride on the lake. Since Yun Shang enjoyed eating lotus seeds, she would collect and peel

them herself. Prince Jing was unhappy as the act of peeling the seeds injured her delicate hands. And

yet, he could not persuade Yun Shang to stop.

But Prince Jing only spent six days in the temporary imperial palace in Laifeng City. He left after

receiving a letter. But before leaving, he helped Yun Shang establish a credible excuse for his absence.

On one pleasant day, he and Yun Shang went on a boat ride. Yun Shang pretended to be in a bright

mood. She shouted, laughed, and jumped on the boat. The boat rocked so much that the Prince

slipped into the water by accident.

Prince Jing could not swim. So he struggled in the water for quite a while before the Princess was able

to drag him onto the boat. The Prince, of course, fell sick that night. He was so ill that he was unable to

leave the bed for the next few days. The Prince didn't show up even when Lady Jin delivered the baby.

Lady Jin's delivery took place on the eighteenth day of the seventh calendar month. On that day, she

was sauntering in the garden. She knew the flowers would be lovely at that time of the year. It was

during her walk that her contractions began.

The contractions had begun earlier than expected. As Lady Jin had been poisoned in the Imperial City,

premature delivery was within Yun Shang's expectation. Lady Jin was lucky that the contractions had

begun only one mouth earlier. Both Lady Jin and the baby would be safe.

Emperor Ning had made full preparations for Lady Jin's delivery. The midwife appointed by the

Emperor was trustworthy. And there was another midwife at their service. She had been recommended

by Prince Jing and was hence, reliable.

Lady Jin's labor lasted over ten hours. Yun Shang and Emperor Ning were on tenterhooks as they sat

in the Hall and waited for the baby to finally arrive. They felt their bodies shudder at Lady Jin's every

scream.

Yun Shang had given birth to a son in her previous life. She understood how much childbirth hurt. She

sighed as she recalled her own experiences. After her son was born, she led an even more miserable

life. Her face turned pale as thoughts of her suffering and Huan'er's death haunted her.

Yun Shang was shocked when she glanced at Emperor Ning. The Emperor's face was covered with

sweat, and his body kept trembling.

Yun Shang furrowed her brows. This was not the Emperor's first experience of waiting for his child to

be born. He had experienced this twice before. How could he...

Maybe a conversation would ease the Emperor's anxiety. So Yun Shang said to Emperor Ning, "It's

okay, Your Majesty. Mother will certainly give birth to my brother or sister safely." She smiled, "This is

not Your Majesty's first time to be a father. Both, sister Hua Jing and I are grown-up women. You should

not be so nervous, Your Majesty..."

Emperor Ning turned and glanced at Yun Shang. He seemed somewhat remorseful. Emperor Ning said

after a little while, "I intended not to take Li Yiran as my legal wife. As I was unhappy with the marriage,

I didn't accompany her when she gave birth to Hua Jing. When your mother was giving birth to you..."

Emperor Ning stopped to take a deep breath. Then he continued, "I was in a meeting with Grand

Councilor Li in Qinzheng Hall. He kept delaying me for various reasons. When I arrived at your

mother's Palace at last, you were already there."

After hearing the Emperor's explanation, it dawned on Yun Shang why the Emperor was so nervous

while waiting for the baby.

At her next scream, Lady Jin sounded feebler. Yun Shang could not help but feel worried for her

mother. She ordered servants to prepare some ginseng soup, and even went into the inner chamber

several times to check.

Suddenly, the baby's cry could be heard from inside the inner chamber. It was already morning. Her

labor had lasted the whole night! Yun Shang finally set her heart into her chest. She saw the midwife

walk out of the inner chamber with a baby in her arms. "Congratulations, Your Majesty! Lady Jin gave

birth to a little Prince."

A little Prince...

Yun Shang was delighted. She went nearer to see her little brother. He was ruddy in the face, and was

sleeping tight.

"Although brother seems thinner than normal new-born babies, he is quite healthy. He will be blessed

by the Buddha." Yun Shang said in a pleasant tone. She turned to look at Emperor Ning. The Emperor

seemed in a trance as he stared at the baby.

Yun Shang was perplexed by the Emperor's behavior. She said to him with a smile, "Your Majesty,

please give a name to my brother."

Emperor Ning pondered for a short while. Then he said, "Chenxi. I want to name him Chenxi."

Chenxi literally meant the sun in the morning. Yun Shang grinned. That was a really nice name. Even

she felt all warm, as though touched by the sun, when she heard the name.

Yun Shang stepped into the inner chamber while Emperor Ning was watching his lovely son. The inner

chamber smelled of blood. Lady Jin was lying on the bed with her eyes closed. She seemed to have

fallen asleep. But Yun Shang knew that her mother was not sleeping as her eyelashes were quivering.

She tiptoed toward her, and sat on the bedside.

"Brother looks cute. He will be a handsome Prince when he grows up. A lady-killer. His Majesty named

him Chenxi. The sun in the morning. Do you like it, Mother?" Yun Shang said gently.

Lady Jin slowly opened her eyes. A smile emerged on her lips. "That is a nice name." But Lady Jin was

so tired that she fell asleep soon.

Yun Shang still felt worried after Lady Jin's delivery. Prince Jing was in the Imperial City now...

It had been many days since Prince Jing had returned to the Imperial City. Yun Shang knew nothing

about the situation in the City. Even Ning Qian had not sent a letter with her report. Yun Shang

wondered what was stopping her.

A letter finally came from the Imperial City on the fifth day after Chenxi's birth. However, it was to Yun

Shang's surprise that this letter was sent neither by Ning Qian nor Prince Jing. It was from Lin.

Lin was a servant at the Huanyi Bureau. Since he had been loyal to Yun Shang before her poisoning at

the age of eight, she intended to promote him and find a job for him in her Palace. But Lin had refused

the Princess. He rationalized that if he worked for the Princess in her Palace, he would not have

access to much information lest people worry that he leaks it to the Princess. It was better that he kept

a distance from the Princess by continuing to work at the Huanyi Bureau. He was nobody in the Huanyi

Bureau, but he would be useful one day. It was beyond Yun Shang's expectation that Lin was able to

play a key role at this critical moment.

According to Lin's letter, the Empress had reinforced the security in the Imperial Palace on the pretext

of stolen valuable items. Thousands of guards had been assigned to protect the Imperial Palace. Even

a rat could not escape the guards! The Empress even worried about a breach by outsiders who were

good at Qinggong*. As a result, she had dispatched tens of thousands of bowmen on the the wall of the

Imperial Palace to dissuade outsiders from sneaking into the Imperial Palace.

(*TN: A Chinese martial arts technique that supposedly helps one lift and travel in the air.) So panicked

was the Empress that she had even cancelled the monthly visit by the servants' relatives. She was

afraid that the servants in the Imperial Palace would secretly pass on something from the Imperial

Palace to their relatives who lived outside.

In Lin's opinion, all these arrangements were by no means normal. As ordinary servants were not

allowed to leave the Imperial Palace either, they were unable to send information to people outside. It

was lucky that Lin found a way around the Empress's arrangements. As he worked for the Huanyi

Bureau, the department that washes all the imperial clothes, he needed to collect water from a river

outside the Imperial Palace. Lin was able to send the letter with the help of the river. The Empress must

know nothing about the river, otherwise she would have guarded the river, too. Yun Shang had told Lin

how to contact her secret guards. Lin tired his best to make contact with Yun Shang's men, and told

them how he was able to send the letter.

The content of the letter was indeed beyond Yun Shang's expectation. Something terrible was going to

happen in the Imperial City. It seemed that Prince Jing must have held back the bad news from her on

purpose lest she worried him. But, how about Ning Qian? Before Yun Shang left the Imperial City, she

had asked Ning Qian to take orders from Prince Jing...

Yun Shang had been worried about the Prince for all this time. The contents of the letter only served to

put her on edge. 'I must return to the Imperial City secretly and immediately.' Yun Shang thought...