An Eight-year-old Princess novel Chapter 182

On hearing that, Yun Shang fell silent. She flashed a smile, but didn't speak.

It seemed she wasn't trusted by Prince Jing's bodyguard. She turned to Qian Yin, "Inform all our men in the Imperial City. Tell them to keep close watch on the pedestrians' movements. With Prince Jing in their hand, the culprits can't move too far in such a short time."

Qian Yin nodded. She laid her eyes on Jing Ying, and flashed a sneer. She then took out a whistle made of bamboo from her sleeve, blew it several times, and emitted a signal that was hardly audible. A guilty expression appeared on Jing Ying's face, but she bowed her head to conceal her emotions. She was fully aware of Yun Shang's intention. When she asked Qian Yin to pass the massage to her men, the Princess meant to rebut Jing Ying's claims. If Jing Ying wanted to contact the other bodyguards, even if they were not nearby, it would be easy for her to contact them, like what Qian Yin did with the bamboo whistle...

As the Yulin Guard completed their search, they didn't find the fugitives, nor any postern leading out of the palace.

Yun Shang gazed out of the window. The rain had begun to fall again. She heard distant clamor coming from the front Hall. It was mingled with girl's whispers and giggles. Yun Shang lowered her head, and examined the arrow feather carefully. She had picked it up from Qingsi House secretly.

After a careful examination, she handed the arrowhead to Qian Yin, and ordered, "Inquire from the smiths in the Imperial City. Find out if any of them crafted hollow arrows of pig iron recently."

Qian Yin hurriedly obeyed. She curtsied and walked out of the room.

Outside the window, the raindrops tapped on the bamboo leaves thus making an incessant noise. Yun Shang breathed out a sigh. She knew Prince Jing was able to avoid danger. A resourceful man like him wouldn't be captured that easily.

However, although she kept telling herself that Prince Jing was fine, she couldn't help worrying about him.

There was another burst of laughter outside, and she heard someone come close. Yun Shang turned and gazed in the direction of the footsteps. She saw Qin Yi enter, who was carrying a bowl of honey water.

Yun Shang was surprised. Then she realized that her first period had come, probably due to her unease from the recent accidents. Almost amused, she took the honey water, and drank it in a gulp.

But Qin Yi started to nag, "Your Highness, you got wet in the rain. And you need rest. If you don't protect yourself during your period, you'll suffer from menstrual colic. You need to be careful about that."

Yun Shang absently nodded to her. Qin Yi continued, "Lord Zheng announced the award list for the Flower Show Banquet. Sun Ya'niang's Winter Priestess won the first place while Wan Qin'er of Qi County's Violet Nymph won the second place. Qian Yundi of Yun County's Azure Dragon earned the third place. Lady Wen did not win any award."

"I see." Yun Shang smiled at Qin Yi's words. Sun Ya'niang was a smart woman. As she had won the first place in the Flower Show Banquet, her future spouse would be very ideal, as would her social status. Perhaps Yun Shang could even convince Sun Ya'niang to join as her ally.

"Your Highness." A woman in black appeared in the room. Qin Yi was a little shocked by her sudden appearance. She moved aside, and looked at the intruder. Then she found out the intruder to be Jing Ying. She quietly waited for an explanation.

"Not long after the accident happened, Prince Qingsu of Yelang excused himself. He claimed that he felt tired, and needed some rest."

Yun Shang cast a glance at the woman in black. Raising her eyebrows, she asked, "What? Do you claim Cangjue Qingsu to be the culprit who has abducted Prince Jing?"

Jing Ying remained quiet for a while. Then she said, "Qingsu always considered His Highness as an obstacle. In his opinion, His Highness prevented Qingsu from easy battle achievement. And because of his failure to invade the State of Ning, he had to give way to the current Crown Prince. Since then, he's been holding a grudge against His Highness."

Yun Shang breathed out a sigh, and shook her head, "What do you think of Qingsu?"

Jing Ying thought for a while before answering, "He's impetuous, decisive, and reckless."

Yun Shang nodded and then asked, "What do you think of the culprit's arrangement?"

Jing Ying fell silent. She realized her mistake. Yelang had strong military strength. Its people were aggressive nomads, who bred many warriors. If Cangjue Qingsu was that resourceful, how could Prince Jing stop him from invading Ning's territory?

Yun Shang said no more. Standing by the desk, she contemplated the matter. Right now, in the Imperial City, only a handful of people dared stand against the Prince, including the Grand Councilor, Prince Qingsu, and Prince Houjing... Oh, she almost forgot, there was another one, her father, Emperor Ning.

Yun Shang was scared by her thought. Her heart jolted at it. No wonder Prince Jing had also thought the same. All royals fought each other for power, and a sworn brother was certainly a big threat. No one would be spared from the chaos, even if they didn't intend to fight for the throne.

As darkness engulfed the city, Yun Shang sat lost in her thoughts. She frowned and thought that the ladies would have to stay over. Although many accidents had happened, the temporary imperial palace was still safer than a journey at night. At least, it was well guarded. And they didn't have to worry about an ambush along the road.

Time passed, and no news came from the front Hall. Yun Shang had a bite of food, and retired to the inner chamber. She called her maid forward.

"As the Emperor's ladies are not present, there are plenty of empty rooms. Accommodate the young ladies. Ensure that two ladies share a room so that they can look after each other. Don't forget to send as many maids as possible." Yun Shang softly ordered.

Qin Yi curtsied to her and left.

As Qin Yi left, Qian Yin entered. She was soaking wet. She reported to Yun Shang, "Your Highness, I've searched every blacksmith in the Imperial City. None of them has made any hollow iron arrows recently. The arrow's design was unique, and it was made of pig iron. If it was forged in the city, they should've known."

Yun Shang nodded. As no one had any knowledge about the arrows, the arrows must have been forged elsewhere and then smuggled into the city.

Qian Yin had also thought of that. She added, "I've also asked the porters at the four gates. In the past few weeks, only a few people have carried large stocks of goods through, including two envoys, the Minister of Defense and War, and the Grand Councilor."

The Minister of Defense and War was Lord Wang, who was Prince Jing's confidant. Yun Shang shook her head. The culprit couldn't be from the Wang Clan.

She wonder who the perpetrator was. Was it Prince Houjing, Prince Qingsu, or the Grand Councilor Li?

"Is Xia Houjing here?" Yun Shang asked.

"Yes. He's outside." Qian Yin answered swiftly.