An Eight-year-old Princess novel Chapter 44

Yun Shang wondered what the Empress was planning. Soon, she figured it out. It seems that the Empress intended to replace Qin Meng with a new spy. What a wily snake!

"I feel we should ask Qin Meng what she wants, even though she's merely a maid, " said Yun Shang with a smile. "Besides, no more maids are needed regardless of whether she leaves or not. I became comfortable with my life at Ning'guo Temple. Now, being served by many people makes me uneasy."

"No, you can't. As a Princess, you must follow the rules, " responded the Empress. "I've already told the Imperial Household Department* to pick a good maid for you." The Empress took a prayer band off her wrist and rolled the beads between her fingers.

(*TN: Its primary purpose was to manage the internal affairs of the Imperial family and the activities of the inner Palace.)

"Alright, " Yun Shang smiled nonchalantly.

Satisfied, the Empress nodded. As if having thought of something important, she looked at Yun Shang and asked, "Have you found a cure for your illness? I heard that you were ill and declined all concubines' visit."

Hearing that, Yun Shang smiled apologetically, "I caught a cold, and I was afraid it would bring bad luck to others. Besides, I haven't been back at the Palace for long. I'm still not used to visitors. After Lady Jin was favored by my father, many concubines came to me and said something I couldn't understand. So I asked my maids to keep them out."

The Empress stopped playing with her beads. "Hmm. Why do you call her Lady Jin? She's your mother." The Empress spoke impassively while staring at Yun Shang.

"Although she is my mother, I have not seen her since my childhood. She's like a stranger. I feel awkward calling her mother. Hiding in Qingxin Palace is a cowardly act, I agree. But I don't know what to do." Yun Shang smiled. "Besides, all my father did was restore her position. I'm sure it will be forgotten soon enough."

Indeed, she had not been with Lady Jin during these years. When she was younger, Yun Shang would get angry if anyone mentioned that her mother was Lady Jin of the Cold Palace. But both Yun Shang and the Empress knew that it was the Empress who separated the Princess from her mother.

"I have raised you since you were one year old. It is normal for you to feel like you and Lady Jin are strangers. But now she's back. I know you are embarrassed, and it's okay if you don't want to be close to her. You are a lady now, and soon you'll get married and live with your husband. After that, these complications will not matter" sighed the Empress.

Yun Shang didn't respond as the Empress was talking about marriage.

"Take good care of yourself, and if you need any medicine, let me know." The Empress gave the Princess a meaningful glance, and then rose to leave.

Yun Shang accompanied her to the door, and watched until she couldn't see the Empress anymore.

"Your Highness, why did the Empress want Qin Meng to go even if she is disabled?" whispered Qin Yi.

"She is disabled. That is why the Empress wants to withdraw her." Yun Shang chuckled. "Someone else is going to replace her. That's the plan."

"Replace? Does it mean we're going to be watched again?" frowned Qin Yi.

"No. This is our chance." said Yun Shang.

"Our chance?" asked Qin Yi. Before the Princess could reply, Qin Yi spoke up again. "Lady Shu is coming!"

"What a coincidence. The Empress leaves, and Lady Shu arrives. Close the door!" continued Yun Shang. "Let two maids guard the door. Tell the Lady that I am ill and do not want to be disturbed."

"But, your Highness..." hesitated Qin Yi.

"Didn't you hear what the Empress said? It was clear that she knew you had gone to Lady Shu for medicine. She came to warn me, albeit subtly that she is the only one in charge of the Imperial Household." said Yun Shang as she walked into her room.

Qin Yi closed the door promptly and followed her.

"Don't let anyone in except my father and the Empress. No one... Including my mother..." said Yun Shang. She hesitated as she thought of her mother.

"Aye, " Qin Yi nodded. "You sound indifferent, but I know you love her. The Palace is really not a simple place."

Although Yun Shang smiled, bitterness laced her emotions.

She went into her bedroom, opened the window, and whistled. A goose flew up and perched on the window. "Wow! Where did it come from?" asked Qin Yi in surprise.

Without answering, Yun Shang went to the table and drew something. Then she put it into the goose's mouth, and let the bird fly away.

Qin Yi looked out the window in surprise, but did not see the goose. Then she turned away, and left to decoct medicine.

As she was leaving, Yun Shang remembered something. "Do you remember there was a eunuch named Lin in Qingxin Palace seven years ago?"

"Lin?" Qin Yi frowned, and shook her head.

"At that time, the Empress brought a fake priest and tried to kill me. After that she caught the maids and eunuchs working here and tried to bribe them. But Lin told me that the Empress commanded him to poison me."

Qin Yi suddenly recalled the incident Yun Shang mentioned. "Oh, now I remember, " she said.

"When I returned to the palace, both the Empress and Qin Meng told me that none of the servants in the Qingxin Palace had changed. But after all this while here, I haven't seen Lin. Please inquire about his whereabouts secretly." said Yun Shang.

Hearing that, Qin Yi nodded. "Aye, I will." Then she left.