Rebirth of the Phoenix Princess novel Chapter 184

Qin Yi nodded and said, "Something big has happened. Just now, Lady Ya, Lady Meng, Lady Fu, and Empress Yuan Zhen were all poisoned. And His Majesty has ordered that we need to return to the Imperial Palace at once."

"What?" Yun Shang was a little surprised. Why were the four ladies poisoned at the same time? What was the culprit's intention?

Qin Yi nodded. "It's said that His Majesty is outraged. He almost killed the messenger in anger."

Nodding to her maid, Yun Shang ordered, "Let's pack up." With that said, she walked out of the chamber.

But she suddenly stopped at the door and said, "No, let's not...wait for a moment...I sense something is wrong."

Qian Yin pouted, "Of course, it seems weird. We all smelled a plot. Why were the ladies poisoned at the same time? Who did it? And for what reason? Why did he choose to poison the ladies when the Emperor was not around? And what good could it do for him?"

Yun Shang thought for a while and realized that it was a trap. Just like what Qian Yin had mentioned. It wouldn't do the person any good to poison the ladies. Among the poisoned ladies, the Empress was the only one of importance. And the Grand Councilor cared a lot about her. But the other three ladies were insignificant. They meant nothing to anyone. However, the coincidence happened. "It's a trick to lure us away from the temporary imperial palace." Biting her lower lip, Yun Shang snapped. "I can't return to the Palace now. I have to wait here. Perhaps the Prince is still here. And the culprit poisoned the ladies to drive father away. And if father returns, at least three quarters of the guard in the temporary imperial palace would follow him. With such little force guarding the palace, it would be a great chance for the culprit to escape."

Doubt appeared in Qian Yin's eyes. "Your Highness, since Prince Jing was abducted, the Yulin Guard have searched every corner of the temporary imperial palace, but they found nothing. If the Prince was here, why couldn't we find him?"

Yun Shang flashed a sneer, "It's difficult for the culprits to dig a tunnel direct to the bottom of the mountain. And it also takes a lot of time. Besides, there are many ordinary people living down there. They would be caught. But it's pretty easy to dig a hole and hide inside. Say no more, Qian Yin. I am determined. I will stay here, and you will send for Ning Qian. Ask her to dress in my clothes, and go back to the Palace with father."

Qian Yin paused for a while before she nodded. She took out the bamboo whistle and blew several times.

Before long, Ning Qian jumped in through the window. Yun Shang told her about the plan, and exchanged clothes with her. She watched as Ning Qian put on a special mask, changed into her clothes and combed her hair. Then she smiled, "You are a master of disguise, Qian Qian. It's like looking in a mirror."

Just as Ning Qian finished her make-up, a eunuch knocked on the door. He urged the Princess to leave. Yun Shang nodded to her maids, and hid behind the folding screen in the middle of the room. In her stead, Ning Qian strutted out, followed by Qian Yin and Qin Yi. Yun Shang held her breath and listened for noises outside. After a long while, the clamor dwindled. Suddenly, a cold female voice came from the roof, "The Emperor has left the mountain."

Yun Shang nodded and whistled. As the whistle sounded, a dozen young women knelt in front of her, all dressed in black. Yun Shang quietly ordered, "The Prince was abducted at Qingsi House. We will wait there and watch."