An Eight-year-old Princess novel Chapter 126

Confusion reflected on the faces of everyone present at the banquet. After all, the marriage edict issued by the Emperor during the New Year's Eve feast was well known. However...

They all looked at Prince Jing who seemed to be aloof. He calmly sipped from his teacup without so much as a glance at Yu'er. As for Princess Yun Shang who always kept to herself, she seemed to be calm as well. There was a faint smile of amusement on her lips.

Emperor Ning contemplated before replying, "Lady Yu'er has good taste in men. But, I have already permitted the marriage between Princess Hui Guo and Prince Jing. Although the wedding ceremony hasn't been held yet, the marriage edict has been issued and is well known. An Emperor's words should be taken seriously. Are you asking me to contradict myself?"

Yu'er didn't seem to be surprised. She did a small curtsy and blushed scarlet, "It's fine. I want to be with Prince Jing, even if it means serving him as his concubine."

Emperor Ning stopped smiling and spoke seriously, "When the deceased Emperor was alive, he promised that Prince Jing could make his own decisions. And the Prince asked me to issue the edict allowing his marriage with Yun Shang. Lady Yu'er, if you want to be his concubine, you have to ask his permission. If he is comfortable with this proposal, I will respect his wish."

When Yu'er heard these words, her eyes sparkled. She smiled and handed a cup of wine to Prince Jing, "Prince, I have admired you for a long time. Can you help me to achieve my dream?"

Yu'er was confident. She was aware that polygamy was common in the State of Ning. She also knew that she was beautiful enough to enchant any man she met. Nobody would refuse her proposal.

Prince Jing raised his head but didn't look at Yu'er. He looked across the Hall at Yun Shang. Yun Shang raised her eyebrow wittily and proposed a toast to Prince Jing.

Prince Jing sensed the slyness in her glance which seemed to convey that he was a ladykiller. Prince Jing couldn't help smiling when he thought of Yun Shang saying this in her unique tone and voice. However, his smile surprised Yu'er and increased her confidence.

As she mused over the possibility of such an attractive man becoming her husband, she heard Prince Jing speak. His hoarse voice made her heart throb. At this moment, however, Prince Jing said, "I was thinking about other things, and didn't hear what this lady was talking about. But..." Prince Jing turned, looked at Emperor Ning and asked with doubt, "Your Highness, I have no idea how a dancing girl can talk to me in this way."

Everybody in the Hall was surprised by his words. Prince Jing was thinking about other things and completely ignored Yu'er. Besides, he belittled Yu'er by saying that she was just a dancing girl.

Yu'er was taken aback and smiled awkwardly although she was angry.

Emperor Ning was also astonished. In retrospect, he was aware that he didn't like Yu'er either. As Emperor, he should not have accepted her outrageous behavior simply because she was part of a diplomatic mission. Despite being aware of Prince Jing's marriage with Yun Shang, Yu'er was brazen enough to put forward the proposal of being Prince Jing's second wife. This was clearly an attempt to embarrass Yun Shang. Emperor Ning laughed heartily, "Prince Jing, can you tell us what you were thinking about? This lady standing before you is the daughter of the Chief Councilor of the State of Yelang. She is a respectable lady."

Prince Jing looked astonished, and replied, "I see. I was thinking that..." Prince Jing frowned faintly, which certainly made others curious about his thoughts. Then, he spoke leisurely, "The pattern embroidered on Yun Shang's clothes is white pear flower. However, we were drinking jasmine tea at the tea house. So, I wondered which flower Yun Shang liked better, pear or jasmine. Yesterday, I asked the owner of Suiyu Shop to make a jewelry set for her."

Prince Jing stopped for a moment before looking across the Hall at Yun Shang, "It was intended as a surprise for her. However, I couldn't decide which kind of flower was better. So, the owner of the Suiyu Shop suggested that I should observe her favorite flowers." He added after another moment's silence, "Your Majesty, please forgive me for mentioning such trivial things. What did you want to know?"

Prince Jing's unexpected response truly astonished the Emperor as well as other officials who feared him. How could a man as cold and cruel as Prince Jing, think about such things in such a serious setting?

After hearing these words, Yun Shang lowered her head, and blushed.

Prince Jing had offered an obvious answer, and there was no need to ask more. Emperor Ning was about to say something. However, Yu'er interrupted, "Never mind. I met you on the battlefield once. And, I came to propose a toast to you."

Prince Jing's eyebrows twisted, and he smiled coldly, "Guards, drag this shameless woman out of the Hall and flog her fifty times. How dare you interrupt my discussions with my brother? It astonishes me that the daughter of the Chief Councilor of the State of Yelang has such poor upbringing. Rumor goes that the Chief Councilor adopted a daughter because he was unmarried at the age of fifty. If you can't be taught proper etiquette in the State of Yelang, and you dare behave like a wanton woman in the State of Ning, I will give you the lesson you need."

Yu'er shivered with fear and had to steady the wine cup in her hand. Then, she tried to swallow her fear as she went down on her knees, "It's my fault that I angered Prince Jing. Please forgive me."

Prince Jing snorted in contempt and said nothing. Emperor Ning saw a faint bluish tinge creeping up on Qingsu's face and hurried to settle the situation. He said, "Brother, calm down, you are frightening Yu'er."

Prince Jing stayed silent. Yun Shang sensed the embarrassment and severity of the situation. She raised her head and smiled, "Lady Yu'er has a fragile heart. Prince Jing, your coldness will get us blamed and wronged for bullying a guest."

Prince Jing glanced at Yu'er with terrifying coldness. Then, he raised his head and looked at Yun Shang, "That makes sense. An adopted daughter as she is, Yu'er is also an envoy of the State of Yelang. An envoy can't be flogged no matter what she does. So, she will be forgiven. But, I'm warning her not to do it again." After saying these words, he looked at Qingsu and said, "The State of Ning is a great country where people aren't as free as those living in the State of Yelang. Lady Yu'er is our guest. For this reason, I shouldn't blame her. However, our Emperor, officials as well as envoys from the State of Xia are here. If reckless behavior gets no punishment, I'm afraid that the reputation of the State of Yelang will be compromised. So, Your Highness, Please forgive me for what I did."

Qingsu clenched his fist and simpered, "Your Highness, you are right. I won't blame you." After saying these words, he turned, frowned and said to Yu'er, "Get out of here."

Yu'er gritted her teeth, did a small curtsy and left in haste.

Emperor Ning proposed a toast to lighten the mood. He smiled, "It's a small accident. Please forgive us. It's our great honor to entertain all envoys that come to the State of Ning. Three days from now, a celebration will be held in the hunting grounds east of the Imperial City to celebrate the friendliness and peace between our three countries."

Qingsu and the Prince from the State of Xia replied, "That is very kind of you."

Stringed instruments began playing in the Hall, and the warm atmosphere continued.

Yun Shang smiled faintly as she saw Grand Councilor Li gesticulating under the table. Then, several officials came to propose a toast to Qingsu and the Prince from the State of Xia. Sounds of laughter echoed through the halls. Without being noticed, Yun Shang left with Qin Yi and Qian Yin.

"Your Highness, Prince Jing is awesome. A few words from him frightened Yu'er to death." Excitement was evident in Qian Yin's voice.

Yun Shang smiled and said nothing. Then, Qin Yi whispered, "I saw Princess Hua Jing was angry."

Princess Hua Jing? Yun Shang stopped and figured out what happened a moment ago. It was likely that the farce was planed by Hua Jing. Rumor goes that Hua Jing had a love affair with Qingsu at the Princess Palace. It is possible that Hua Jing talked Qingsu into plotting something. However, she must feel disappointed today.

As Yun Shang stood contemplating over the possibilities, footsteps were heard coming in her direction. Yun Shang and her maids stopped talking. Qian Yin looked back and said with excitement, "Your Highness, it is Prince Jing."

Huh? Yun Shang turned and saw that Prince Jing was walking toward them. He asked, "Why are you here?"

Qin Yi and Qian Yin stepped back and left them alone. Yun Shang smiled, "The party is boring. Besides, nobody will miss my presence. But, somebody might propose a toast to you. If you are away, everyone will know."