An Eight-year-old Princess novel Chapter 214

The physician confirmed Prince Jing's conjecture. Yi Xiang was harmless. However, it cannot be used with perch, as the combination of the two ingredients would generate a special fragrance which, although harmless to ordinary people, would cause early delivery or miscarriage among pregnant women. According to the physician, the fish gruel served by the maid must have been made with perch, which had turned the harmless Yi Xiang into a poison for Lady Jin.

Yun Shang wrinkled her brow as she thought over what the physician had said. Her mother had once warned her about Li Yiran's vile heart and malicious conducts. However, as she had seldom faced any obstacles while implementing her vengeance, the Princess had forgotten the helpful advise given by her mother.

Yun Shang could not help but burst into a bitter smile. Yes! It would be extremely hard to uproot the Li Clan who was supporting Li Yiran. The Li family had expanded its influence in every corner of the State of Ning. Even without their support, Li Yiran would be a huge challenge. As the Grand Tutor, Yun Shang's grandfather earned a high reputation and prestige in Ning two decades ago. In spite of the important role of Yun Shang's grandfather in the court, Li Yiran had schemed and married the Emperor, who was then the Crown Prince. From Princess Consort to the Empress, Li Yiran had warded off all threats that would shake her status as the legal wife. Now, she was the Mistress of the whole imperial household. Unchallenged, Li Yiran's influence and schemes had made the imperial household an unsafe place. Yun Shang let out a sigh when she thought of the terrifying imperial household. The Emperor must have married dozens of concubines, if not more, since he took the throne. Had Yun Shang not been reborn, the Empress would have maintained her respect and prestige. Even if the Empress was unable to earn the Emperor's unconditional love and trust, she could earn herself a good reputation both, in the Imperial Palace and among the populace.

In both of Yun Shang's lives, she and Hua Jing were the only children born to the Emperor in a twenty year span, and both of the Emperor's descendants had been girls. Although that might have been the result of Prince Jing's sneaky plots to some extent, there was no denying that Li Yiran had also played a part in eliminating the Emperor's bloodline.

"It is surprising that the Li family dared to offend me and play tricks in my mansion. I think Grand Councilor Li is too conceited to know his place. What a stupid man!" Prince Jing spoke while toying with the jade hanging on his waist. His unexpected statement interrupted Yun Shang's thoughts.

Yun Shang turned to look at Prince Jing. He was lying on the bench with his head sightly lowered. Calmness reflected on his face. Seeing the Prince in such a relaxed manner, Yun Shang's heart skipped a beat. Three days had passed since their wedding. But whenever she woke up, Yun Shang still felt as though she was in a dream. She could not believe that she had married Prince Jing, a man who was so perfect that he could only exist in a dream.

Yun Shang blushed at her thoughts. She moved her gaze away before softly speaking, "The mansion has always been strictly guarded. It is extremely difficult to sneak into the mansion on an ordinary day. The Empress must have thought about this. So, she had to take action on our wedding day when there would be many people coming and going thus, making it easier to sneak someone in. As the Empress had inquired into the preparations for the wedding, she would be able to identify opportune moments for her plots. That maid might have entered the mansion by impersonating Yan'er's favorite servant girl. The Empress was quite smart in the way that she had planned her plot. The facial powder, the fish gruel, and my mother. The facial powder was the perfect source to carry the poison. The Empress would know that I would not normally wear any, but it was my wedding day and I would have to. She must have speculated that I would be exhausted and hungry after the long day and challenging ceremony. It would be expected for me to summon for something to eat once I was in the bridal chamber. She must have also known that my mother would come to see me on my wedding day to spend some time with me. It is also possible that the Empress even planned the meeting between my mother and I to be right after I would have eaten the fish."

Yun Shang could not help but let out a sigh after having finished speaking. "The Empress is indeed very smart to have accounted for all these things in her planning. No wonder..." No wonder Li Yiran was able to secure her status as the Empress for so many years in Yun Shang's previous life. No wonder Yun Shang's mother had been reduced to a desolate circumstance in spite of the Emperor's love for her. It was no longer surprising that the Empress felt no fear in killing Yun Shang in her previous life with a poisonous wine despite the fact that she was the Emperor's daughter. The Empress had pretended to be fond of Yun Shang and treated her like her own child. As a result, Li Yiran had not only earned herself a reputation as a selfless mother, but she also had the opportunity to lay the foundations for her malicious plots. The Empress was so clever that she concealed her involvement so thoroughly that nobody would have thought that it was the Empress who had set up Yun Shang and killed the Princess in her previous life.

"Let me handle this situation. You are my wife now. I care about everything that is important to you. Besides, as Grand Councilor Li and the Empress are bold enough to underestimate me, I should teach them a lesson as punishment." Prince Jing stood from the bench, walked to the window, and peeped out.

Yun Shang was surprised at the Prince's tone. She furrowed her brows as she thought. Ever since their return from Mount Kirin, Yun Shang had more or less felt a difference in the Prince's attitude toward her. The Prince used to be polite before they went to Mount Kirin. But now, he seemed to be more authoritative, as if he wanted to control everything. He forbade Yun Shang from meeting with her secret guards and used rest and recovery as the excuse to keep her from implementing her plans for revenge. Now, he even wanted to retaliate in her stead! This plot almost caused her mother's death. Yun Shang felt as though she should deal with it herself.

"I think I'm getting more and more idle even though many things have happened recently and some of them concern me." Yun Shang murmured to herself.

Prince Jing's eyes sparkled when he heard the Princess grumble. He said with a gentle smile, "I think you are being too sensitive. As you feel you have idle time, I would like your help with something."

"Hmm? What is it?" Yun Shang turned to look at the Prince. Her eyes sparkled at the prospect of being involved in his plans.

She looked so cute that the Prince could not help but compare her expression to that of a furry little animal like... a rabbit that was staring at a delicious carrot.

Prince Jing smiled. "You know, I seldom live in my mansion, and I spend even less time managing daily affairs in my household. I took no notice of such trivial things before. However, as a royal member of the Imperial Palace, I do entertain a few visitors in my mansion. Earlier, because I was unmarried it was acceptable to have a minimally furnished mansion. But now, it would be inappropriate for the mansion to be in a mess as it has a mistress. I know nothing about running a household. Could you please pay attention to the management of daily affairs in the mansion?"

"..."

Yun Shang curled her lips in dismay. She didn't expect that the Prince would ask her to help him with running the household. She sighed and her shoulders sagged in disappointment. Wasn't the chamberlain the right person to manage daily affairs in the mansion?

Prince Jing seemed to have guessed what Yun Shang was thinking. He smiled before continuing, "For courtiers, affairs of the household, trivial as they may be, can sometimes incur severe consequences. For example, I have heard that the wife of the Assistant Officer of the Bureau of Sacrifice and Ritual had a quarrel with the wife of the Great Minister of War. Both women took fancy to a pair of earrings and fought over possession. A few days later, the Assistant Officer of the Bureau of Sacrifice and Ritual was accused of abusing his powers. Besides, it is said that when the last dynasty was at war with various rebel forces, its Fifth Prince managed a narrow escape from slaughter only because he had built a secret underground tunnel in his mansion. So, Shang'er, many seemingly trivial things might be of great significance."

Yun Shang raised an eyebrow as she seriously considered the Prince's explanation. As Mo Jingran's wife in her previous life, she was, of course, aware of the significance of daily affairs in the household. Simply put, it was unwise to underestimate a wife's wishes and complaints as they could often be the husband's driving force. Yun Shang knew nothing of the design of Prince Jing's Mansion. But she understood the subtle hints in his explanation. The Prince had a reputation as a hard, cold man. He was undefeated in battle as well. Many people must hate him. It would be wise for him to take certain precautions while living in his mansion.

Yun Shang didn't dare to ignore the task with which the Prince had entrusted her. She nodded and said, "All right. As I have little else to do with my time, I will pay more attention to daily affairs in the mansion. But as for the matter of the Yi Xiang, since it is related to my mother, I'm hoping that Uncle can give me timely updates and consult me before making a decision. Please let me know, because..." Yun Shang didn't finish her sentence. In fact, she was hoping to kill her enemies with her bare hands. However, as the current situation was so complicated, Yun Shang lacked confidence.

Yun Shang grinned, "With Uncle's help, I have no doubt that I will grow smarter and stronger. Uncle, you would also feel at ease knowing that I will be capable enough to protect myself."

Prince Jing smiled and nodded. "Okay, I will consult with you whenever I need to make a decision. But, would you please stop calling me Uncle? It's just..." 'I already feel terrible for rushing you into marriage. Now, every time you call me Uncle, I feel immoral and incestuous, ' Prince Jing thought to himself.