An Eight-year-old Princess

Chapter 58 Hua Jing’s Worries

Lady Zhao smiled and stood up with Yun Shang's support. She said, "I am a distant elder of yours.

However, you are the Princess with the highest rank entitled by the Emperor, while I am only a lower-

ranked titled lady. Although higher ranked than Princes Hua Jing, I am still inferior to you. Certainly, I

should bow to you. Otherwise, people will consider it a breach of etiquette."

Yun Shang didn't understand what she meant at first. She had understood that the lengthy explanation

had been a taunt. However, when seeing Hua Jing clench her fists quietly, she realized Lady Zhao's

intention.

Hua Jing walked in front of Yun Shang and said to Lady Zhao with a smile, "Mother, aren't you

supposed to be sleeping right now? How come you are here? I invited Shang'er. My mother said that

Shang'er would get married sooner or later, and she needed to know about affairs after marriage so

that her mother-in-law wouldn't be unhappy with her. What's more, your birthday is coming. I thought I'd

surprise you."

Lady Zhao glanced at her and sneered, "Really? It seems that Princess Hua Jing didn't learn these

things before getting married either."

Seeing that Hua Jing was getting angry, Yun Shang smiled and interrupted, "I heard of you many times

before I came here. When I was in Yuman Tower, Prince Jing said that all members of the Zhao family,

no matter men or women, were true heroes on the battlefield. I wanted Hua Jing to bring me to visit you

upon our arrival, but she said that you were resting. We didn't come earlier as we were afraid that we

might disturb you. I am deeply sorry for any offense."

Lady Zhao smiled slightly, "It's all right. Anyway, the Princess Palace is not my territory. You are kind

and polite, which I appreciate. I have nothing to do but copy scriptures and pray to Buddha every day

since my son is not here. I heard that you stayed in Ning'guo Temple for many years. You must have a

profound understanding of Buddhism. If you have time, you may as well come around."

Yun Shang nodded in approval. Then Lady Zhao turned around and left.

When Lady Zhao disappeared around a corner, Hua Jing smiled ironically, "My mother-in-law is

becoming weirder and weirder these days. She has been like this since my husband left."

Yun Shang knew that Hua Jing was being mean because she was afraid to lose face for being

mistreated by Lady Zhao. The young Princess stepped in to offer an explanation, "Lady Zhao must

miss her son very much. We should understand her. It's said that her husband was killed on the

battlefield, which justifies her worry when her son is on the frontier."

"Yes. Forget it. Let's have a look at your room." Hua Jing pushed the door open and went inside.

"This courtyard had been empty for a long time and was neglected. I told the maids to bring some

plants and flowers here when they were cleaning up. Now it's more decent, but it is still not as pretty as

the Palace. What do you think of it?"

Yun Shang followed Hua Jing inside. There were indeed many flowers except for the area around a

stone path. All these plants and flowers were seasonal and had been divided into different sections by

color. Their placement made the courtyard look colorful and lively.

A walk down the stone path brought Yun Shang to a yard. A beautiful stone moon gate surrounded by

white flowers welcomed her to the inner living quarters. Glancing back, Yun Shang thought the

landscape looked natural and harmonious. As she walked into the room she saw furnishings that were

typical of boudoirs. The table and chairs were made of sandalwood with carved patterns of pear flowers

on them, emanating the tenderness of a girl. Next to the bamboo window stood a rosewood desk. A

purple bead curtain separated the outer room from the bedroom.

"It looks good. I like it a lot. Thank you, sister." Yun Shang smiled.

Hua Jing nodded. "Good. I was afraid that you wouldn't like it. Well, rest first. We've bustled around for

so long. I will send someone to call you for dinner. I will also leave two servants at the moon gate. If

you need anything, just ask your maids to tell them.

Yun Shang nodded. "Okay."

Hua Jing smiled, "I will leave then. I have something to do." Then she left with her maids.

Qian Yin began to laugh when Hua Jing disappeared down the stone path. "Your Highness, it's been a

really interesting day." Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

Yun Shang made a gesture indicating that the maid lower her voice. "Be careful. Someone may be

eavesdropping."

Qian Yin lowered her voice immediately. "Your Highness, it's said that Prince Jing is a very cold person.

But when I saw him, he was not cold. On the contrary, I think he was rather amiable to you."

Rolling her eyes, Yun Shang said, "Nonsense. He should help me because…" Because they had a

deal.

While Yun Shang was talking about Prince Jing, Hua Jing returned to her room. She sat on her chair

and thought about the Prince. How was it that he suddenly appeared and interrupted her plan today?

"Is Bing'er back?" Hua Jing turned around and asked the maid behind her.

"Not yet, your Highness. The distance between the Princess Palace and Yuman Tower is kind of far. I

guess it will take a while." The maid replied.

Frowning, Hua Jing reached out and lifted her tea cup. After sipping the cool tea, she asked, "Wasn't

Lady Zhao chanting scriptures in the Prayer room? Why did she come out today? And why didn't you

inform me?"

The maid knelt down right away, "Please forgive me, your Highness. It happened all of a sudden. Lady

Zhao napped only for a short while. She woke up earlier than expected. She said that she had a

nightmare that the Emperor's Son-in-law was injured. As a result, she couldn't sleep anymore. She

decided to take a walk instead. Then we met you and Princess Yun Shang. But I am confused. I

wonder how Lady Zhao knew it was Princess Yun Shang even though they've never met before."

Hua Jing sneered, "For sure you are confused. Don't underestimate that old woman. Even my mother

said that she is cunning. I was negligent. It seems that there is someone unfaithful to me here, which is

strange. I selected every servant in this Palace myself and investigated their ancestry as well. How can

that old woman still turn against me on everything?"

"Don't be angry, Your Highness."

Hua Jing snorted. "I don't get it. As a Princess, I was married into this impoverished family. She should

thank me. But why does she despise me so much? That Zhao Zhongyi is a reckless man who only

knows how to fight. I don't know why my father likes him! Even my mother agreed to this marriage!"

The maid knelt down and whispered, "Your Highness, the Empress said that Zhao Zhongyi is a military

officer while members of the Li Family can only be civil officials for generations to come. However, in

this country, military officers have more power. If it's possible to win over Zhao's family and share in

their military power, the foundation of Li family will be unshakable."

Hua Jing's eyes turned cold. "Li Family. But my surname is Ning."

"Your Highness, Bing'er is back." A deep voice came from outside. Hua Jing let out a sigh, checked her

emotions and said with a low voice, "Come in."

After Bing'er entered the inner Palace, she said hurriedly, "Your Highness, I asked the owner. Prince

Jing arrived before us."