An Eight-year-old Princess

Chapter 123 A Change In The Empress (Part Two)

However, it couldn't be accomplished in one action.

After considering and weighing all relevant facts, Yun Shang said softly. "I have been thinking about

what you said the other night, and yes, I will try to accept you."

Prince Jing's hand paused while in the middle of turning a page. After a long silence, Prince Jing said.

"Okay."

What? Yun Shang froze. That was it?

She waited for a while, but Prince Jing made no other statement. Yun Shang looked down and thought,

'Such a cold man.' However, she didn't notice his curved lips and the joy in his eyes.

After about half a day of travel, they arrived at the Imperial City. Prince Jing sent Yun Shang back to the

Palace to greet Emperor Ning and then he left.

As soon as she returned Qingxin Palace, she heard a cry. "Her Highness is back! Her Highness is

back..."

Then Qin Yi and Qian Yin ran to her. They looked quite unhappy. Before Yun Shang could apologize,

she was led into the inner Hall by Qian Yin.

Yun Shang was made to sit on a chair while Qin Yi and Qian Yin stood before her and looked at her.

Qian Yin complained. "Your Highness, you asked me to disguise myself as you and pretend to be sick Belonging to NôvelDrama.Org.

that day, and then you just disappeared. Do you know how worried and afraid Qin Yi and I have been?

We almost broke into the Princess Palace! Luckily, I got back my sanity and went to see Ning Qian.

She told us you were with Prince Jing. But when we went to look for you, Prince Jing said you had left

a long time ago. Are you happy that we had so much fun, Your Highness?"

Yun Shang grinned with guilt. "Sorry. I promise I'll never do that to you. It was rather sudden, so I

wasn't thinking clearly..."

Qin Yi sighed. "Please don't do this again, Your Highness. One of us has to be with you no matter

where you go in the future, or we'll be really worried."

Yun Shang hastened to nod. Thus, Qian Yin and Qin Yi were finally pacified.

"Your Highness must be tired from the long journey. Let me get some water and help you freshen up."

Qin Yi smiled and left.

Qian Yin whispered to Yun Shang. "Your Highness, the Empress has been released."

Yun Shang nodded. "I heard from Prince Jing earlier."

"But Her Majesty seems to have changed a lot this time." Qian Yin frowned.

Yun Shang turned and looked at Qian Yin. "Oh? Like how?"

Qian Yin lowered her voice. "I think the Empress is much calmer than before. The new Lady missed the

customary greeting to the Empress because she was chosen to serve His Majesty three nights in a row

and didn't manage to get up on time. Even when the other ladies criticized her disrespect, the

Empress, instead of getting mad or jeering at her as usual, forgave her with a smile. What's more, Her

Majesty even promoted her grade as a reward for taking care of His Majesty."

Yun Shang pondered it over and said, "It's not surprising. Liu Qingya is the sister of Zhuangyuan, who

has no background or support in the government. That's why the Empress chose her that night. There

are too many women in this imperial household, and she knows that she is not one of His Majesty's

favorites. Compared with those from respectable families, Liu Qingya is a perfect choice to help her

gain His Majesty's favor. At that time, Liu Qingya will be grateful to her as well, which makes it easier

for the Empress to manipulate her."

Nevertheless, Qian Yin shook head. "But I really think Her Majesty is different. It's difficult to explain,

but she looks like a total different person now. Your Highness will know once you meet her."

Yun Shang nodded and smiled. "Now, I'm looking forward to seeing her. I'll go to Qiwu Palace later and

pay my respects to her, although she must hate me like hell."

"Your Highness, the water is ready. Would you like to bathe now?" Qin Yi spoke as she walked in.

Yun Shang nodded and went into the bathroom. Qin Yi helped her take off her clothes and climb into

the bathtub. "Mother is having a good time in Laifeng Palace. Her belly looks much bigger now, and

she will give birth soon."

It was joyful news for Qin Yi as well. "I'm so happy to hear this. With Master Xiao around, Lady Jin

should be very safe."

Yun Shang nodded in delight. "Grandfather and mother haven't seen each other for years. The must

have a lot to talk about. Mother looks much healthier now. After she gives birth, I'll persuade

grandfather to reside in the Imperial City."

"That would be great. Master Xiao loves Lady Jin dearly, so he would certainly agree." Qin Yi smiled.

After cleaning herself and getting changed, Yun Shang went to Qiwu Palace with Qin Yi. Before she

entered Qiwu Palace, she saw several beautiful ladies outside the Palace. "Good afternoon, Your

Majesty. Good afternoon, ladies."

"Good afternoon, Your Highness."

Yun Shang heard a flat voice. "Did you have fun with Prince Jing?"

It was the Empress. Yun Shang looked up. The Empress was dressed in a scarlet spring dress, which

emphasized her thin waist. Her hair was decorated with only a gold hair ornament and two jade

hairpins, which gave her a fresh and young look.

Yun Shang smiled at the Empress. "You look so beautiful today, Your Majesty. I was transcribing

Buddhist scripts in the temple, so there wasn't much fun. I got several Buddha pendants that have

been consecrated by Master Wu Na. I'll send them here for Your Majesty later."

The Empress smiled tenderly. "That's very sweet of you, Shang'er."

Yun Shang finally understood why Qian Yin said the Empress had changed a lot. It was quite obvious

even though Yun Shang had spent only a little time with her. The Empress used to prefer luxurious

dress and complicated hairstyles, but now, she dressed in a simple style. She even sounded like a

milder person.

Yun Shang squinted. Did her personality change because she was devastated by the fact that she

couldn't bear children anymore? Yun Shang didn't like these changes. It meant that the Empress would

be even more scheming and better at hiding her feelings.

The Empress glanced at a lady dressed in green and smiled at Yun Shang. "Shang'er, this is your

father's new lady, Lady Ya. You might remember seeing her during the New Year Eve's Feast."

Yun Shang turned to Lady Ya. Her beauty was heaven-blessed. Endowed with soft and tender skin and

cherry-red lips, she looked delicate and charming. Her hair wisped about her cheeks, and her shining

eyes made her even more attractive. And the light green dress she wore, complimented her figure.

Qian Yin had mentioned that the Empress had promoted her grade. So Lady Ya had a new title already.

The Empress was indeed generous to Lady Ya. In the imperial household, it was unusual for women

from ordinary families to reach that grade.

Yun Shang walked to Lady Ya and took her hand. "Of course, I have seen Lady Ya. Lady Ya's dance

was so stunning that night. How could I forget? Just a few days ago, I was asking father to allow Lady

Ya to teach me dancing if she was in the Palace."

The Empress, seemingly not surprised at all, smiled. "If so, you can ask Lady Ya to teach you in your

Palace."

Yun Shang covered her mouth as she chuckled. "But Lady Ya has just come to the Palace. I suppose

father must care for her a lot now, so I dare not borrow father's sweetheart. What if father became

upset with me? That would be terrifying."

"Why would I get upset with you?" Emperor Ning said from behind. Yun Shang was startled and turned

around to greet Emperor Ning. "Your Majesty."

"Arise, please." Emperor Ning wouldn't let go of his previous question. He asked Yun Shang again.

"Shang'er, why would I get mad?"

The Empress answered calmly with a smile. "Shang'er wants Lady Ya to teach her dancing, but

considering she's new to the Palace, Shang'er dare not borrow her from His Majesty."

Emperor Ning scanned the Empress's face and then looked at Yun Shang. "What has Prince Jing

taught you?"

Yun Shang blushed at once. Then she stuck her tongue out mischievously. "Why did father mention

uncle? He doesn't have anything to do with this."

"You would never say a thing like that before. Who else would teach you this except Prince Jing?" A

smile replaced the transient serious look on Emperor Ning's face. "You can learn dancing from Lady

Ya. But she gets up late, so don't be there too early. And two hours a day are enough. It would be

exhausting if you dance for longer."

"Father is actually worried about Lady Ya rather than me, right?" Yun Shang teased cheerfully.

Emperor Ning couldn't help laugh as Lady Ya blushed. Other ladies also laughed, but there was a

perceptible bitterness and jealousy in their laugh. The Empress, however, looked peaceful and calm,

with only her lips curving slightly.