Envoys from both countries were in the Imperial City. Yun Shang knew their purpose, so she kept away from them for days by staying in Qingxin Palace. And Qingsu never sent her another invitation. Qian Yin told Yun Shang that Qingsu had been excitedly waiting at the Palace gate, but when Mister Wang came to him, his face darkened. Yun Shang could not help but laugh. But she sneered secretly. These days, she had been wondering what Qingsu was up to. Ning Qian and her companions, who had been watching the Princess Palace, found that Qingsu had not only sent his men to see Hua Jing, but he had also been there twice and reassured Hua Jing that when the matter had settled a little, he would ask Emperor Ning for permission to marry her.
Yun Shang narrowed her eyes and thought, 'Is he trying to seduce me while he pacifies Hua Jing? Prince Jing's outing probably has something to do with him, too. Otherwise, it would not have been so coincidental that Prince Jing left the Imperial City just as I received his invitation. He's a calculating guy.'
"It's time to light the oil lamps, Your Highness. Let me help you freshen up and get you ready for bed." Qin Yi said as she walked in. She smiled as she took the pearl pin from Yun Shang's head.
Yun Shang nodded and went into the bathroom. 'It's been seven days. Seven days have passed since Prince Jing left the Imperial City. What on earth happened to him? Jinyan said he would out three to five days, and now, he has not returned after seven days. Things seem a bit tricky.' Yun Shang thought about the situation in the Imperial City as she soaked in the bathtub. Qingsu was very restless. He had secretly visited a number of courtiers, of whom Prince Shun Qing's son Ning Ye, most attracted Yun Shang's attention. Yun Shang remembered that Ning Qian and Prince Jing had been suspicious of Ning Ye, but they had found nothing except that Ning Ye had hidden his knowledge of Kung Fu. Prince Shun Qing had no power now. But Qingsu had met with his son three times in private. This was really worth thinking about.
The seventh Prince of the State of Xia didn't act. He stayed in the post-house every day. No one visited him except the physician, and no one saw him leave.
As for the Grand Councilor's Mansion... Yun Shang frowned at the thought. After returning to the Palace that day, the Empress remained in Qiwu Palace. She even got rid of the daily greetings from the concubines, although Emperor Ning did not order her to do so. And Hua Jing had been resting at the Princess Palace. These things happened, but at the Grand Councilor's Mansion there seemed to be no unusual activity. It was as though they had nothing to do with these events.
With a frown Yun Shang got up, dried herself, put on her tunic, and went out of the bathroom. Qin Yi quickly got a white towel. She wrapped the Princess's wet hair, and began drying it carefully.
At this moment, the window was smashed open and a red figure came in. Yun Shang was startled. She pulled Qin Yi out of the way, and looked coldly at the red figure. When the man looked up, she realized it was Jinhuan.
Yun Shang frowned, and said with some displeasure, "Mister Wang, this is the Imperial Palace and this is my bedroom. It's not a place you can come at will."
Jinhuan seemed to be in a hurry. He panted for a moment before answering, "Your Highness, His Highness has been injured."
Yun Shang paused knowing that Jinhuan was talking about Prince Jing. She frowned as a feeling of uneasiness grew in her heart. She hastily asked, "What happened?"
"His Highness went out of the Imperial City some days ago. He had said he would be back in no later than five days. But five days passed and he did not return. I was worried and went to look for him. As soon as I left the Imperial City, I saw that he was being escorted back by guards. He was badly injured, and is still in a coma, " Jinhuan replied, still a little breathless from the effort of getting through the Palace guards.
Yun Shang was startled. She knew how powerful Prince Jing's Kung Fu was. Then who could have hurt him so badly? After Qin Yi fetched Yun Shang's coat and draped it over her shoulder, the Princess left the Palace with Jinhuan. She headed straight to Prince Jing's Mansion.
After arriving at Prince Jing's Mansion, Jinhuan took Yun Shang to Prince Jing's room. Several people stood in the room including the chamberlain of the mansion, Wang Shunlai, and someone whom Yun Shang had never seen.
"How is His Highness?" Jinhuan asked in haste as he entered the room.
"The physician has examined his wound and said that although it looks a little serious, no vital parts were hurt. So he should be fine." Wang Shunlai answered after a few minutes. Then he looked at Yun Shang before continuing, "But since his wound wasn't treated on time, it is inflamed, and he is likely to have a fever later."
Yun Shang approached the bed and tried to lift the quilt to look at Prince Jing's wound, but a man stopped her. She looked up and saw a grave young man frowning at her. Jinhuan hastened to stop him, "Leng Jun, she is Princess Yun Shang, His Highness's fiancee. Don't be rude."
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