An Eight-year-old Princess

Chapter 82 Settling The Chaos

In Shuya Palace, Lady Shu sat in her chair. Her servants and maids knelt before her.

The silence was broken when a maid rushed in. She walked up to Lady Shu and spoke, "Your

Highness, Qiwu Palace is being guarded at His Majesty's order. I couldn't find out what was going on

inside."

Lady Shu sprang to her feet. "What? Guarded?"

Lady Shu tried to understand why the Emperor would do such a thing, but she couldn't come up with a

plausible explanation. "That's strange. The Empress was the one who got hurt. Why would her Palace

be guarded? If she did have a miscarriage, then I should be guarded. After all, she tried to set me up in

front of everyone. The spectators would think that I pushed her to the ground. So I should be the one to

blame. Even if she is all right, I should also be the one who got blamed. By now, His Majesty should

have come to scold me."

"I find it confusing too. What happened earlier was quite a mess. First one physician was rushed to

Qiwu Palace. Then every single physician from the Imperial Hospital was called there. I really thought

that Her Majesty's health must have worried the Emperor. But then His Majesty rushed out in anger, so

I went to see what happened. But before I could get more information, the Palace was guarded." Lady

Shu's maid added as she was confused at what she had seen.

"Who else was in Qiwu Palace besides the Empress?" Lady Shu asked.

The maid hurriedly answered her. "Princess Hui Guo was also there. When His Majesty was sending

the Empress back to her Palace, the Princess followed them. And His Majesty left earlier than her."

Lady Shu nodded. "Let's sit tight and see how things go. If the situation still remains so unclear

tomorrow, I will go to Qingxin Palace to find out myself."

The maid nodded. Then the maid looked at the other maids and servants who were still on their knees. Copyright by Nôv/elDrama.Org.

Seeing this, Lady Shu waved to let them leave. "Excuse yourselves. You're of no use."

The servants on the ground conveyed their gratitude before standing and leaving.

After everyone had left, the maid started to talk again. "Your Highness, His Majesty has asked people

to investigate the accident that happened during the Ceremony."

Lady Shu smiled. She reveled in the Empress's misfortune. "I had almost forgotten. The esteemed

Empress made a huge mistake today. Let them do whatever they need to. I didn't do this anyway. The

worst that can happen is that I get blamed for bad management. The garment was made by Shangyi

Bureau, and although I am in charge of the imperial household, I had no business in it. But I am really

curious about the person who is behind all this. Who was it that punished the Empress for me? That

was a really nice move. Good for him. And even though His Majesty banned us from talking about the

accident, I'm sure the officials who love to gossip will tell everyone that the Empress is a bane for us all

when they get back home. She'll be seen as the cursed one. Si'er, what have they found out?"

The maid who was called Si'er quickly answered. "Your Highness, as you said, given that we didn't do

it, we are not the target of their investigation now."

Lady Shu nodded and smiled coldly. Then she continued, "What bothers me is that the Empress was

acting really odd today. I've never seen her like this before. Even if she believed that I was the one who

framed her, she shouldn't have just come at me. Besides, with her pregnant body, fighting like that

would definitely kill her baby. Is that what she wanted? Why on earth would she do that?"

Lady Shu was more confused than ever. She wondered who was behind all this. Who had planned the

accident in front of everyone at the Ceremony? And why was the Empress so determined to risk her

baby? And what was happening with the Empress now?

These questions kept everyone awake in the Palace that night.

The next day, the guards that had been placed outside of Qiwu Palace were still there. And even

though Emperor Ning had given strict orders not to speak about the accident, the news that a Xiong

character appeared on the Empress's back during the Ceremony had been heard by all. The

commoners were panicking. They believed that the Empress had sinned so greatly that the Heavens

were punishing her. Even worse, they thought that her punishment was a warning of an upcoming

disaster.

Lady Shu hurried to Qingxin Palace with her maids. When she arrived, Yun Shang was reading through

Buddhist sutras. She murmured something that didn't make sense to Lady Shu.

Lady Shu sat and waited patiently for Yun Shang to give her attention. Eventually, Yun Shang smiled,

"Lady Shu, when did you arrive? I didn't notice."

Lady Shu smiled and said, "I've been here for a while. You were reading the sutras, so I didn't interrupt

you."

Yun Shang smiled and asked Qin Yi to make tea for Lady Shu.

Lady Shu waved to refuse. "Thank you, but that's not necessary. I came here today to ask for a favor.

Yesterday, Her Majesty and I had a little misunderstanding. After I returned to my Palace, I was

regretful about what I had done. But I was afraid I'd upset her more if I went to apologize. So I sent my

maid to convey my apologies, but she returned claiming that Qiwu Palace had been placed under

guard. I'm worried and don't know what to do. And the situation has gotten worse today. Fortunately, I

heard that Your Highness was at Qiwu Palace with their Majesties yesterday, so I came here. I want to

know if Her Majesty is all right now."

Yun Shang lowered her head and sighed. "The baby... is gone..."

Lady Shu was shocked. She felt as though her strength had seeped out of her body. She fell back on

the chair and her mind went blank. How come? She didn't push the Empress that hard yesterday. Why

was the child gone?

Lady Shu sat frozen for a while before she remembered that she was at Qingxin Palace. She forced a

smile, "I see, thank you, Your Highness. It's time for me to leave."

"All right. Qin Yi, walk Lady Shu out." Yun Shang said to her maid softly. With a sigh, she lowered her

head and continued reading the sutras.

When Lady Shu left Qingxin Palace, Qian Yin burst into laughter. "Your Highness, you are so crafty.

Lady Shu worries about the Empress's condition and you scare her like that. Did you see her face? Her

face lost all color at your words."

Yun Shang laughed too. "Well, I didn't mean to. I was just telling her the truth. Besides, the Emperor

will not admit that the Empress faked her pregnancy. He would claim the same thing I said. The baby is

gone. Once the Li Family hears the news, they will certainly do everything they can to find the culprit.

That's why we need Lady Shu as our scapegoat. So, for Lady Shu, knowing the whole truth or the

partial truth will not change her situation.

Qian Yin was half surprised and half confused. "But, the pregnancy was a lie. Besides, Lady Shu works

for Prince Jing. You two are allied."

Yun Shang sneered. "So what? Uncle promised me that she would not go after mother, but Lady Shu

still went against his orders. Such a misbehaving servant is trouble for all. I'm just helping Prince Jing

manage his people. Besides, given that Prince Jing is so ambitious, he must have more than one spy

here. Even though we are in an alliance now, I can't guarantee that we won't work against each other in

the future. I'm curious to find out who, other than Lady Shu, works for him."

Qian Yin didn't quite get it, but she still trusted the Princess's judgment. So she stopped asking.

"By the way, where did you keep physician Chen?" Yun Shang asked as she thought of something.

Qian Yin hurriedly answered. "We kept him in an inconspicuous corner in the outer hall of Qiwu Palace.

Since most of Lady Jin's servants work for Your Highness, I thought he would be safe there. And it is

also a place that the Empress would never think of... "

"Well done." Yun Shang nodded, "Get rid of him."

"Cuckoo. Cuckoo..." Yun Shan looked at the window and raised her eyebrows at the sound. Then Qian

Yin opened the window, and a wrapped paper ball flew in through the window. Qian Yin picked it up

and handed it to Yun Shang.

Yun Shang opened it and read the message. Her expression changed.

"Your Highness, what's wrong?" Seeing Yun Shang's odd expression, Qian Yin couldn't tell whether

she was happy or not. So she asked.

Yun Shang smiled to comfort her. "It's a message from Ning Qian. They were following Hua Jing but

lost her at the border. Prince Qingsu of Ye Lang County saved her."

"Prince Qingsu of Ye Lang County? He saved Hua Jing?" Qian Yin was startled. "How do they know

each other? Is it just a coincidence?"

Yun Shang snorted coldly. "It doesn't matter why he saved her. I must go there as soon as possible.

Come on. Let's go see my father."

When Yun Shang stepped into Qinzheng Hall, she found that Li Jingyan, the Empress's father, was

also there. Li Jingyan seemed quite annoyed. He snorted at Yun Shang and turned his head away.

But Yun Shang did not pay attention to him. She walked straight to the Emperor and said, "Father, I've

heard that the commoners are panicking at the accident during the Sacrificial Ceremony..."

Before she finished her sentence, Li Jingyan interrupted her. "Women in the Palace shall not interfere

in politics. Did you forget? Didn't your Mother teach you well?"

Yun Shang turned to Li Jingyan and smiled. "I was raised and taught by Her Majesty since my

biological mother wasn't around during my childhood. Are you saying that Her Majesty was an

unqualified mother?"

Emperor Ning frowned. "Go on with what you were saying earlier."

Yun Shang ignored Li Jingyan and turned to Emperor Ning. She smiled. "I have a way to settle the

chaos. After all, too many rumors may ruin a country."

"Really?" Emperor Ning didn't quite believe her. "Tell me about it."

"The only reason the commoners panicked is the appearance of the unexplained character Xiong

during the Ceremony. Calling it a pure coincidence was unconvincing. So they took it as a warning from

the Heavens. So what we need to do is show them another sign that indicates auspiciousness, thus

eliminating their fear."

"An auspicious sign? But how are we going to do that?" Emperor Ning sighed.

Yun Shang smiled. "Simple. If an ominous sign can be engineered, we can craft an auspicious sign as

well. But it has to be done by someone prestigious such as Master Wu Na."

"Master Wu Na?" Emperor Ning understood what she meant. "Exactly. How could I forget about that? If

Master Wu Na tells the public that he has seen something auspicious, they would believe him. And

then the commoners will forget about the ominous sign. That's how we sort this out."

The more he thought about it, the happier he felt. "Shang'er, you have been of great help to me.

Servant!"

A servant hurried forward. Emperor Ning instructed, "Go to Ning'guo Temple and invite Master Wu Na

here."

The servant lowered his head in acknowledgement and stepped away.

Having got what she wanted, Yun Shang decided to leave. Besides, Li Jingyan was so sharp that he

may find out what Yun Shang was planning. So she presented her excuse and took her leave.

In less than an hour after Yun Shang's return to Qingxin Palace, word came that Lady Shu had

received her punishment. For murdering the royal heir, she had been moved to the Cold Palace.

It was only then that Yun Shang realized why Li Jingyan was at Qinzheng Hall. He must have come for

his daughter. But contrary to her expectation, no one reacted too strongly to the news. Almost everyone

was speculating on the future leader of the imperial household. After all, the Empress had just lost her

baby and was being guarded. Lady Shu was in the Cold Palace. Who else would be eligible for the

position?

All attention was focused on Qiwu Palace again. But this time, their focus was on another Lady who

lived there. Lady Jin. Even though she was pregnant, and it may not be convenient for her to take over

the Empress's responsibilities, it was obvious that the Emperor loved her. Besides, she was the only

one in the imperial household with the title of a Ladyship.

It was beyond everyone's expectation when Emperor Ning decreed that Lady Ming, who had been

outside of everyone's attention for a long time, would take over the position.

Then they knew that even though the Empress had a miscarriage, the Emperor still valued her. After

all, Lady Ming also bore the Li name. She was the Grand Councilor, Li Jingyan's sister and also the

Empress's aunt.

"Your Highness, lying about the pregnancy is a felony. Why does His Majesty let the Empress's relative

take over her responsibilities?" Qian Yin thought hard but still couldn't figure out what the royals were

thinking.

Seeing her confusion, Yun Shang raised her head and turned to Qin Yin. They smiled at each other.

Then Qian Yin complained. "You two are teasing at me. Why don't you tell me what's going on?"

Qin Yi smiled. "It was because of the Empress's father, the Grand Councilor. He is a man of great

power and has many loyal followers. That's why His Majesty fears him. So, as long as Li Jingyan is the

Grand Councilor, the Empress will keep her position."

Qian Yin asked, "So we'll have to get rid of the Grand Councilor before we deal with the Empress?"

Yun Shang shook her head. "That would be the safest way, but it is not the only way."

While they were talking, a voice came from outside. "Your Highness, Master Zheng is here."

Yun Shang hurriedly stood and went out. She smiled. "I didn't expect that you would come. What are

you here for, Master Zheng?"

Master Zheng smiled and looked at Yun Shang. "Your Highness, Master Wu Na has arrived. He is at

Qinzheng Hall playing chess with His Majesty right now. His Majesty sent me here to inform you. Would

you like to join them, Your Highness?"

"Of course, " said Yun Shang with joy in her eyes. "It's been a long time since I last saw Master Wu Na.

Please wait for a moment. I'll fetch my cloak and accompany you to Qinzheng Hall."

Qin Yi hurriedly walked to the inner hall. She took out Yun Shang's cloak and draped it over the

Princess's shoulders. Master Zheng looked at them and smiled. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but is this the

cloak that Prince Jing gave to His Majesty? I remembered that it was rewarded to Your Highness by

His Majesty."

"Well." Yun Shang acted as if surprised. "I only know that it's a gift that shows father's love for me. I

didn't know its origin. Turns out it was given by uncle."

Master Zheng nodded and smiled. Then he followed Yun Shang to Qinzheng Hall.

At Qinzheng Hall, Master Wu Na and the Emperor were playing chess. When Yun Shang arrived, they

were tied in the game. So Yun Shang stood aside without interrupting them. After a long while, the

Emperor laughed happily. "Master, you're getting better at chess these days. You won."

Master Wu Na touched his beard and smiled. "Your Majesty must have been very busy with national

affairs, so you have had little time to practice. Now, even Yun Shang plays better than you."

Then Emperor Ning saw Yun Shang standing on the side. He stuck out his tongue and said with a

smile. "Really? I didn't know that she was good at chess."

"Of course. After all, she was taught by..." Before Wu Na could say Xiao Yuanshan, he felt a slight pain

on his back. He quickly realized that Yun Shang had pinched him before he could divulge who had

taught the Princess to play chess. So he coughed and said, "She was taught by me, hand in hand."

Emperor Ning felt happy. "You have taught Shang'er a lot. I couldn't thank you enough."

Wu Na smiled. "Amitabha Buddha. We just happen to have the same hobby. As for the recent issue,

Her Highness wrote me a letter. And I've also heard a lot along my way here. Though lying is forbidden,

I'll break that rule once, for this is a national matter. Helping the people is a worthy cause. I will take

Buddha's punishment, if there is any. Don't worry."

Emperor Ning was more than grateful at Master Wu Na's reassurance.

The next day, Master Wu Na made his way to the most prosperous place in the Imperial City. As a

Buddhist monk, and a revered one at that, Master Wu Na was pious and free of secular desires. Upon

hearing that Master Wu Na was in the city, the commoners rushed to catch a glimpse of the Master.

The crowd elbowed and nudged each other to get in front. When asked, Wu Na answered, "The other

day, I was observing the stars above the Imperial City and saw an ill omen. So I hurried here. To my

surprise, last night a red glow suffused the whole sky. That was a sign from the Heavens indicating a

virtuous lady. With her presence, there's no need to worry. Satisfied that all is well, I will now return to

my temple."

Within a day, Wu Na's words spread like wildfire. No one focused on the Empress and the Ceremony.

Instead, they all discussed Wu Na's message and what it meant. If the topic of the Empress came up in

passing, they brushed it aside and re-directed the conversation to Wu Na's message. In their minds,

the Empress must have been responsible for the ill omen.