Rebirth of the Phoenix Princess novel Chapter 114

Qin Yi and Qian Yin were reluctant to do so. However, as Yun Shang was their master, they had to obey. The maids stood up and said, "Lord, you see..."

Prince Jing smiled and said gently, "As I am an unwelcome guest here, I'd better leave. Anyway, Lady Jin will go to Ning'guo Temple to pray in a couple of days, and I will escort her to the temporary imperial palace. So, Shang'er, we will soon meet again."

Yun Shang was taken by surprise. She had been a little elated when she heard the Prince announce his leave. But her curled lips froze with an embarrassed smile after she caught the latter part of the Prince's words. That was tantamount to a threat, with which, however, Yun Shang had no way to deal. Yun Shang gritted her teeth in anger to squeeze out the following words, "Uncle, you speak as if I am forcing you to leave. If you'd like to stay, be my guest." She withdrew into the inner hall as soon as she had finishing speaking.

Prince Jing felt intrigued as he watched Yun Shang leave in anger. She behaved childishly, and that was normal for a fifteen-year old girl. Although she was charming when calm, and dignified on ordinary days, her beauty was not perfect for lack of vitality. Yun Shang when angry, seemed more natural and prettier than usual.

Even Qin Yi and Qian Yin were startled. They had served Yun Shang for quite a long time, but this was the first time they had seen the Princess behave so willfully.

Then Qin Yi remembered how Lady Jin looked when Lady Jin and His Majesty loved each other heart and soul. Though a little girl then, Qin Yi could still recall the capricious behavior of Lady Jin when she was at odds with His Majesty. How Yun Shang resembled Lady Jin when she was quarreling with the Prince! With Yun Shang's unusual behavior in mind, Qin Yi more or less guessed how the Princess felt about the Prince. In spite of the Princess's cold attitude towards Prince Jing, she must view the Prince differently in her heart of hearts.

So Qin Yi lowered her head in front of the Prince and asked him with a smile, "It is cold here. Why not go to the inner hall to warm yourself, Lord? I will serve you a cup of tea. What's your favorite, Lord?"

Prince Jing lifted his eyes to look at Qin Yi. He nodded, "That would be nice. It's very cold. Please prepare for me a cup of Que She Tea."

Qin Yi nodded with a smile. Then she held Qian Yin's arm, and left with her. Qian Yin almost tripped when Qin Yi pulled her out of the room. She wondered how it was possible for the Prince to feel cold. People who have learned a high level of Kung Fu usually have warmer bodies.

Yun Shang fetched a book after entering the inner hall. She lay on her bed and began reading. After a while, she habitually reached out for the teacup that was usually on the table. However, she felt nothing. Yun Shang was surprised when she realized that nobody was serving in the room as Qin Yi and Qian Yin hadn't followed her. Yun Shang frowned and wondered whether Prince Jing was brazen enough to stay and keep her maids to serve him. With this in mind, Yun Shang stood and walked out of the room. As soon as she stepped out, she saw Prince Jing sitting on the chair. Yun Shang squinted to study the Prince, and could not help but feel upset. What a brazen man he is! He hadn't the slightest intention of leaving even though I have grown impatient with him?

Yun Shang noticed that there was a cup of hot tea by the Prince's side. Judging from the smell, she found it was the Que She Tea that His Majesty had awarded her the year before. Yun Shang felt more agitated at this sight. So she returned to the inner hall in fury, and called aloud, "Qin Yi! Qian Yin!"

In a short while, Qin Yi and Qian Yin entered. Seeing Qin Yi carrying a cup of tea in her hands, Yun Shang uttered coldly, "Why did it take you so long to prepare the tea? I'm thirsty..."

Qin Yi grinned, "The Prince said it was cold. He felt frozen after having stayed outside for a long time. So, he is staying in the Hall to warm himself by the fire. Anyway, the Prince is a guest whom I cannot ignore. If I didn't treat him nicely, the other servants and maids would probably say something terrible about Your Highness. I had inquired the Prince's opinion before I served him the Que She Tea. Besides, Your Highness doesn't like the taste of Que She, do you? I had to prepare the tea for the guest before I could prepare your favorite one. I noticed that the plums have been in full blossom recently. So I prepared Your Highness's tea with the water melted from the ice on the plum trees. Please have a try, Your Highness."

Yun Shang nodded and reached for the teacup. She blew at the tea before taking a sip. It was sweet with a hint of plum. This eased Yun Shang's agitation from her quarrel with the Prince.

Qian Yin walked to Yun Shang and helped Yun Shang remove her hairpins. Yun Shang felt much better when all the makeup and accessories had been removed. Then she lay on the bench and resumed reading.

Qin Yi raised the curtain and peeped. There was nobody in the Hall. So Qin Yi smiled and said to Yun Shang, "Your Highness, Prince Jing has left."

Yun Shang only uttered a "hum" before sinking into silence. Qin Yi could not help bursting into laughter while seeing Yun Shang's sulky face. But Qin Yi put a hand on her mouth to check her giggle. She stepped aside to wait on Yun Shang.

The news of the quarrel between Yun Shang and Prince Jing reached Qinzheng Hall shortly after Prince Jing had left Qingxin Palace. Lord Zheng said to Emperor Ning with a smile, "Your Majesty, I heard that Princess Yun Shang had a quarrel with Prince Jing when they returned to Qingxin Palace, and Her Highness ordered her maids to drive the Prince out of the Palace. However, the Prince stayed even though the Princess was mad at him. I wonder what the Prince said to the Princess to change her mind. In my opinion, Prince Jing is the right person to tame the Princess. In spite of the Princess's capriciousness, the Prince didn't grow impatient with Her Highness today. He always pacifies Her Highness gently and patiently. The messenger must have felt startled too. He told me this was the first time he had seen the Prince laugh."

Emperor Ning felt relieved after hearing Lord Zheng's words. He nodded, "I was reckless in consenting to their marriage. Prince Jing is quite persuasive. But I regretted agreeing afterward. After all, this is Shang'er's marriage. I should have asked for her opinion before making the decision. However, as I have issued an Imperial Edict to announce their marriage, there is no reason for me to revoke the Imperial Edict. So, I let the Prince escort Shang'er back to her Palace. I feel much better after hearing the news. As Shang'er and I have lived together for only a short period, I feel regretful for her. I hope she can lead a life she desires."