Rebirth of the Phoenix Princess novel Chapter 213

They hadn't hired any maid yet?

Yun Shang and Qian Yin fell silent as they pondered over the situation. Their faces turned pale at the chamberlain's words. If there were no maids working in Prince Jing's Mansion, who was the girl that brought the food into the bridal chamber the previous night? How did she get in? And who had sent her?

"Chamberlain, please summon the person to whom His Highness had given instructions to deliver the food." Yun Shang said determinedly. She wondered whether her food had been touched by malicious hands. The situation was indeed confusing. The midwife had told Yun Shang that she had been tainted with a pernicious scent. How could tampered food cause that? The Princess felt a sense of urgency. Perhaps it was already too late to start an investigation as the food had been eaten and the dishes were cleaned. It would be impossible to find any evidence from empty dishes.

The chamberlain bowed to Yun Shang, and relayed her request to a servant.

The servant hastened to the kitchen. Not long after, Prince Jing returned. Sweat beaded on his forehead due to the journey. Yun Shang smiled as she studied her husband. The attire he wore perfectly fit, which lent charm to his tall and handsome figure. At the sight, Yun Shang's heart warmed.

As the Prince stepped through the doorway, he noticed the awkward atmosphere. He glanced at Yun Shang. Her face was pale and her expression conveyed astonishment. He shot a questioning look to the chamberlain.

The chamberlain quickly briefed the Prince. Prince Jing frowned at his words. The expression on his face turned cold. He ordered, "All the guards patrolling the yard will be whipped twenty times on the back."

The chamberlain answered with a bow, "Yes, Your Highness."

However, Yun Shang frowned in disagreement. "We've got to figure out what happened. Before that, you..."

Prince Jing stopped her. He shook his head, "Whatever the reason, it would be dereliction of duty for them to allow a stranger to enter. We were lucky that the food was only drugged. What if it had been poisoned? What disastrous consequence would that have led to? Except this, all other mistakes can be forgiven."

Yun Shang wanted to plead for mercy for the guards. She opened her mouth several times, but couldn't utter a word. The guards were the Prince's subordinates. She should know better than to meddle with his decision regarding his men. Furthermore, the Prince was right. Neglect of duty was a serious matter. If this happened again, the consequence would be unthinkable. Her mother was lucky to have narrowly escaped death. Would Yun Shang still argue for mercy if the outcome had been different?

The Prince's orders were carried out. Before he retreated to the inner chamber, he said to Yun Shang, "Wait for me. I need to wash and change."

The chamberlain had left to oversee implementation of the punishment. With little else to do, Yun Shang contemplated the situation. Suddenly, someone tugged on her wide sleeve. Yun Shang snapped back from her thoughts and saw that Qian Yin sought her attention. Qian Yin glanced at the inner chamber before whispering, "Your Highness, His Highness is washing. Shouldn't you help him with that?" Yun Shang gasped. She had been married in her previous life. She knew that it was her duty to tend to her husband. But she would rather not. After all, her marriage with Prince Jing wasn't...

Qian Yin became anxious and stomped her feet when Yun Shang failed to respond. She continued to emphasize her point, "Your Highness! Although you are a Princess of Ning, you still need to take good care of your husband. Qin Yi and I will not think less of you, should you choose not to tend to the Prince. But what would others think of you if they found out? What reputation will you earn if word spreads? What if others think of you to be a lazy wife?"

Yun Shang was amused by her maid's anxious tone. She flashed a smile to her maid, turned and walked toward the inner chamber. She hesitated a while before making her way to the wash-stand.

Prince Jing was standing by the wash-stand with his back toward the entrance of the chamber. He had removed his gown and hadn't as yet worn his fresh tunic. As Yun Shang looked up, she was confronted with a disrobed Prince Jing. Her cheeks flushed as her eyes traveled over his bronze-colored masculine shoulders. Yun Shang had seen glimpses of the Prince's chest on previous occasions. She had also removed parts of his tunic when dressing his wounds. However, no matter how many times she saw his body, she was still dazzled by the glow and expanse of his charm. He was indeed an attractive man.

Hearing footsteps, Prince Jing turned. He was surprised when he saw Yun Shang had entered the chamber. However, he maintained his composure and dressed calmly. Once ready, he walked to the shelf where the basin was placed and grabbed a towel. Quietly, he rinsed the towel with the water in the basin before wiping his face. Since Yun Shang had not spoken as yet, he casually asked, "Did something happen?" Yun Shang bit her lip as she composed herself. After a brief pause, she boldly spoke, "Uncle, can I gather my guards in the courtyard? I want to ask them something."

Prince Jing wrung the towel dry. He turned his head toward Yun Shang. After studying her for a short while, he asked, "How's the wound?"

"Almost healed, uncle." Yun Shang hurriedly added, "Moderate activity is always good for health when one is injured or sick."

The Prince pondered for a while before he nodded, "Okay. You can do what you want. But till you are fully recovered, you can only do these activities for a half hour everyday."

At the start, Yun Shang was overjoyed when the Prince agreed. However, she celebrated too soon. Her eyes widened in shock when she heard the Prince's terms. She had not expected him to attach conditions to his consent.

However, upon seeing Prince Jing's emotionless face, Yun Shang sighed and accepted. After all, half an hour a day was better than nothing.

The Prince put the towel back onto the shelf before walking out with Yun Shang. The chamberlain was waiting for them in the living room. He approached the Prince and Princess as soon as he spotted them. He reported, "Your Highnesses, the boy who was instructed to deliver Her Highness's dinner has disappeared."

"Disappeared?" Yun Shang and Prince Jing blurted out in unison. Yun Shang sighed. She had expected that when she asked for the boy. If the culprit was capable of smuggling a maid into Prince Jing's Mansion, he or she would definitely be capable of silencing the boy.

"Send my men to investigate the matter and report every detail to me. Be quick and thorough." Snapped the livid Prince Jing.

Nervous and sweaty, the chamberlain quickly bowed and left the room.

"Let's go to the Palace. You've been worried about Lady Jin the whole night." Prince Jing then turned to Yun Shang and suggested.

Yun Shang flushed at his words. She could sense his feelings for her from this simple sentence. She nodded to him, "Let's. Apart from that, paying respects to parents after the wedding night is a ritual. We cannot overlook that courtesy."

Once the carriage had been prepared, the Prince and Princess left for the Imperial Palace.

Lady Jin had woken up from her sleep. Her face was still pale from the pain and trauma she had endured the night before, but her spirit was high. The hunchbacked midwife who had come to her aid yesterday was tending to Lady Jin at her bedside.

Yun Shang looked around but didn't see Emperor Ning. She frowned as she took seat at her mother's bed. "How are you feeling now, Mother? Does it still hurt?" Yun Shang asked tenderly.

Lady Jin smiled warmly at her daughter before nodding. She took hold of Yun Shang's hand and murmured, "I am good, Shang'er. Are you alright? Did I scare you last night?"

Yun Shang almost wept when she heard her mother speak with her so tenderly. But she was afraid to worry Lady Jin more, so she restrained her emotions. She sniveled as she spoke, "No, mother, I am all right. It was all my fault. Yesterday, someone used me to get to you. I should've been more cautious...Mother, I am so sorry...

Lady Jin knew that her daughter was feeling guilty about the accident. She patted Yun Shang on the back of her hand, "Silly girl. It's not your fault. I am a target. Ever since news of my pregnancy spread, every woman in the Palace has schemed to remove me and my child. How can you protect me from everyone?"

She then turned to Prince Jing who was standing not far from them. She smiled, "Your Highness has always taken good care of Shang'er. Has she caused you much trouble?"

"No, she's been good." Prince Jing answered. His tone was gentle although his words were few.

Lady Jin found consolation in his words. She studied Yun Shang and Prince Jing with a smile before replying with delight, "I'm glad to hear it."

"Mother, will you return to Laifeng City?" Yun Shang softly asked.

Lady Jin nodded. She smiled bitterly before elaborating, "I think so. The Palace is too dangerous for a pregnant woman. I would rather stay in Laifeng City instead of here. I'll leave for Laifeng as soon as I feel strong enough."

"That's good. After all, the child was also hurt last night. You should rest for a while before you leave." Yun Shang echoed emotionlessly. The constant reminders of how she had almost lost her mother on her wedding day increased Yun Shang's determination. She would not rest till she had removed all threats in the Imperial City. That way, no one would be able to hurt her mother and unborn sibling.

Lady Jin and Yun Shang chatted some more for a while. When Lady Jin began looking tired, Yun Shang stood from her bedside. She planted a soft kiss on Lady Jin's forehead before heading for the door. She told Qin Yi to take good care of her mother, then she left the Qiwu Palace with Prince Jing. The Empress sat in the front Hall of Qiwu Palace. She glowered as she listened to her servant explaining recent events. After the servant stopped speaking, she threw her teacup to the floor and yelled, "That insolent wench! How dare she betray me! I took care of her for so many years! And what is my reward? Her neglect! Now she only pays respect to Lady Jin, her biological mother. To Yun Shang, I am nothing. How can she not even pay me a visit when she passed by my palace?"