An Eight-year-old Princess

Chapter 29 Invitation From The Royal Sister

Yun Shang lowered her head more and exclaimed, "Mother! I'm not even fifteen years old. Isn't it be

too early to talk about this?"

Empress Yuan Zhen smiled, but her eyes were filled with scorn. "Don't be shy. You'll be fifteen in less

than a month. There are plenty of girls who got engaged before their Coming-of-age Ceremony. Your

Royal Sister got married right after she turned fifteen. Besides, I just want you to meet more people and

see if there's anyone you like. I'm not forcing you to get engaged now. The Emperor is the one to make

final decisions regarding your marriage. But if you have someone in mind, it would be wonderful to

marry that person."

Well, how thoughtful. Coldness filled Yun Shang's heart. This deceitful attitude is exactly what tricked

her in her previous life. At that time, she truly believed that the Empress had prepared a banquet

especially for her. She had gone for her Ceremony in delight, and had fallen in love with the most

talkative man in the crowd. Yun Shang had found his stories to be enchanting. He had also been

charming, sounded erudite and had a great sense of humor. She was so awed by him that she swore

she would marry him. Who would have guessed that the man had also been part of the Empress's

plan?

Two months after Yun Shang married him, the man showed his true colors. He paid regular visits to

brothels and stayed there every night. Yun Shang, as a Princess, had never been treated like this by

anyone. Feeling aggrieved, she fought with her husband day after day, month after month, but she only

ended up feeling emptiness and loneliness, without anyone's help or attention.

"Mother will always arrange what's best for me." Yun Shang responded with a soft voice. Then she

coughed, and lifted up her sleeves to cover her mouth. "It's just that I'm not in good health. I'm afraid

there won't be too many people willing to marry me."

Empress Yuan Zhen's face darkened with anger, "How dare they! You are the esteemed Princess Hui

Guo, and you are so pretty. The person marrying you should consider himself lucky. Now, you just rest

and recuperate. Follow my advice and prepare some nice clothes and jewelry. I want you to dazzle

everyone when you meet them."

Yun Shang lowered her head. She blushed. "Oh Mother! I'll follow your advice but stop teasing me."

Empress Yuan Zhen nodded with satisfaction, turned to Xiu Xin, who was standing beside her,

"Shangyi Bureau has already sent someone here. Now take the Princess to get measured. Tell them to

offer the Princess some popular styles to choose from."

Xiu Xin said yes, walked toward Yun Shang and bowed to her, "Your Highness, this way please."

Yun Shang nodded, "Thank you, Xiu Xin. Mother, I'll take your leave now."

The Empress nodded, and watched as the Princess and Xiu Xin went outside the Palace. As soon as

they were gone, the curtain beside her was lifted and out came Hua Jing.

"Mother, considering how long Yun Shang lived in Ning'guo Temple I would have thought hat she would

be rude, to my surprise, she appeared quite courteous. I didn't expect that she would show such

manners despite her weakened body." Hua Jing whined.

Empress Yuan Zhen contemplated for a while and said, "Have you picked the one as I told you?"

Hearing this, Hua Jing smiled proudly. She walked towards the Empress and sat down, "Yesterday I

went back and made a list of marriageable young men living in the Imperial City. Guess what? I actually

found someone suitable for her. General Qi's grandson looks impressive, but he is disabled. He was

born lame. TaiChang* Lin Qing's son also seems nice... Oh, I had someone write all the names down.

Here, take a look Mother. Is there anyone that you feel will be suitable?" Hua Jing took out a piece of

parchment from her sleeve and handed it to the Empress.

(*TN: TaiChang, the official responsible for arranging royal ceremonial activities.)

The Empress scrutinized the parchment for a while before pointed to a name, "This man is the one."

Hua Jing lowered her head and took a closer look. She was dissatisfied. "Mother, Mo Jingran looks

handsome, has a nice character, and is knowledgeable. Why him?"

The Empress shook her head, "Sometimes you need to see through the surface. Yun Shang is a

Princess after all. The Emperor wouldn't let her marry a disabled young man, which will ruin the royal

reputation. As for Mo Jingran, he seems nice, yes. I'd say he's outstanding. It would be easy for Yun

Shang to fall for him. However, this man is quite dissolute and indulges himself in sexual pleasure. He

is a frequent visitor to brothels. He has maintained this secret carefully as only a few people know.

Also, his father has many wives, but only one son. It's not hard to conclude that his mother is the most

competent from among the others. For Yun Shang, being neglected by her husband or being made

miserable by her mother-in-law, which one will cause her more agony? Hua Jing, I need you to find out

more about Mo Jingran. Make sure you don't miss anything."

Excitement danced in her eyes. Hua Jing said, "Mother, you're always so considerate. I'll go investigate

him now."

The Empress smiled and whispered, "If you find out anything indecent about Mo Jingran, help him hide

his secrets. Well, it would be better if Yun Shang died before her wedding."

Hua Jing agreed and promised, "I understand. Don't worry Mother."

After a short conversation, Yun Shang finished giving her measurements and came out to say

goodbye. Hua Jing stood up and smiled. "It's been a really long time since we last saw each other. You

just came back yesterday and were not in a good state. We didn't have a chance to chat then. But now

is a good time. How about you and I go for a walk in the Imperial Garden?"

Yun Shang nodded politely, "Seems like a nice idea. I also wanted to speak with you."

They left Qiwu Palace together and walked to the Imperial Garden. Yun Shang started talking, "I heard

that your husband is an impressive general. When will you introduce him to me? Being favored by

someone like you, he must be quite outstanding."

Hua Jing replied with joy and pride, "Of course! Father likes him so much. He said my husband is sure

to be famous for centuries. But he led his troop North-East a few months ago. He's in charge of settling

the chaos there."

Yun Shang replied, "What a pity." But deep inside, Yun Shang was thinking about something else. If

everything went the same was as in her previous, then next year the said-to-be immortal Emperor's

son-in-law will be fatally shot by arrows. It was said that he had underestimated the enemy. As per the

rumors, Hua Jing had kept a flock of lovers during her widowhood. Back then, Yun Shang never

believed that her sister would do something like that. She felt sympathetic for her, and agreed to live

with her. Who would have ever known that ......

Thinking of this, Yun Shang felt clear about what she should do.

"Yeah, it is a pity. By the way, I had a nightmare the other day that my husband got hurt. This dream

made me uneasy. I'm thinking about going to Ning'guo Temple and pray for him. You've lived there for

many years, and you are acquainted with the Master. Would you like to accompany me? I'd like the

Master to tell me what my husband's future holds."

"What?" Yun Shang didn't expect that Hua Jing would come up with such a request. She paused for a

while to regain her composure. She smiled as she spoke, "It would be nice. It's just that I'm not in good

health. I'm afraid I'll be a burden on you."

Hua Jing returned her sister's smile. "It doesn't matter. We're going to visit. There's no need to hurry

along the way. It would probably be better to rest at Ning'guo Temple for a day or two."

Yun Shang had to agree, "If my sister thinks this trip is for the best, then yes, I will accompany

you."