Rebirth of the Phoenix Princess novel Chapter 222

"So, is Hua Jing dead?" Yun Shang took a handful of millet as she asked in a casual tone. She was playing with the parrot that Prince Jing had given her as a gift earlier that morning.

Ning Qian clenched her teeth to suppress her agitation. She was so upset that she stamped several times. Judging from Ning Qian's childish behavior, Yun Shang understood that Hua Jing was still alive. As she was in a good mood today, the Princess wasn't upset with the unfavorable result. Then she said in a somewhat nonchalant manner, "It doesn't matter if Hua Jing is still alive. I will end her life sooner or later. But this incident will certainly spur the Empress to take action. We were lucky that Ya Xi was not with Hua Jing yesterday. The other gigolos mean nothing to us. Our plan will not be affected even if the others are expelled from Hua Jing's Palace."

Ning Qian sighed after hearing that. Her shoulders sagged in defeat, "You're right, Your Highness. Hua Jing's injuries and the expelling of the gigolos will not affect our plan. However, there is another complication. Though Quingsu escaped the guards, he returned later. He used the chaos in the Princess's Palace as a diversion to kidnap Hua Jing. This was unexpected. What's worse is that they left the Imperial City before anyone could notice what Qingsu had done."

Yun Shang stopped playing with the parrot when she heard Ning Qian's report. She turned to look at Ning Qian and asked in disbelief, "Escaped the Imperial City?"

Ning Qian nodded before quickly adding, "As the Emperor of Yelang is dying, Qingsu must have planned to return to the State of Yelang. I have sent our men to chase him. Considering that the other Yelang Princes covet the throne as well, they must have predicted his return and set traps for Qingsu. Qingsu is now caught in a dilemma. Ambushes lie ahead and troops are in pursuit of him. He may not be able to reach Yelang safely with the half-dying Princess. Hua Jing is the Princess of the State of Ning, after all. He stabbed her in the presence of many witnesses. Emperor Ning, the Empress, and the Li Clan would seek justice. Even the new Emperor of Yelang will not excuse his behavior. That is if Qingsu doesn't usurp the throne."

Yun Shang stayed silent. She was in deep thought and stared blankly at the bird cage in front of her.

When Prince Jing returned to his mansion, Yun Shang reported the new developments to him. Then she voiced her concerns, "I wonder what is wrong with Qingsu! Why did he return to kidnap Hua Jing? His trip to Yelang is filled with challenges. Why would he want to burden himself with caring for Hua Jing who is seriously injured? Did he not think that the abduction would enrage the Emperor of Ning? Since he is trying to win the crown by garnering political support, why did he take a step that would drive a wedge between him and Emperor Ning?"

Prince Jing spoke after pondering. "You devised plans to force Qingsu into visiting Hua Jing at her Palace, didn't you?"

Yun Shang's silence was the answer to the Prince's question. In her heart, the Princess didn't think it inappropriate to set up Hua Jing and Qingsu. She did plot to make this happen. She issued the order to add the incense in Hua Jing's chamber. Anyone who breathes the scent of the incense will be overwhelmed with feelings of multiplied desire and fury. Aware of the effect of the scent, Yun Shang had expected Qingsu's craziness and attack on Hua Jing. But she never imagined that Qingsu would abduct Hua Jing. That had come as a big surprise to her. Since she couldn't understand his motivations, Yun Shang found this puzzling.

Prince Jing stared at Yun Shang as she was contemplating the situation. He smiled and shook his head, "I would do the same thing if I were Qingsu."

After hearing the Prince's statement, Yun Shang lifted her eyes to look at the Prince. Her expression conveyed her confusion. "Why? Please tell me." That was the question Prince Jing could read in the Princess's eyes.

Prince Jing smiled before explaining, "As Qingsu had already hurt Hua Jing before many witnesses, there would be every reason for the Emperor to arrest and punish him. Qingsu's abduction of Hua Jing does not add to a greater crime. Although it will be cumbersome for Qingsu to care for Hua Jing on the way to Yelang, he would be secured with a hostage under his control. After all, he didn't achieve his aims in Ning. Hua Jing is a Princess. She's the Empress's daughter and Grand Councilor Li's granddaughter. The Emperor, the Empress, and Grand Councilor Li will send assassins and guards in pursuit of Qingsu. He is, therefore, in great danger. Hua Jing would be his leverage if he gets caught. Maybe Qingsu will explain his actions and pacify Hua Jing while they are alone. In that case, he would turn an enemy into a supporter. Wouldn't that be nice for him?"

Yun Shang sighed after she thought over the Prince's explanations. She had anticipated various consequences, and had prepared for every eventuality accordingly. But she had never given careful thought to the fact that humans are the most complicated animals under the Heavens.

"Don't torture yourself for this oversight. You were successful in removing a threat. You should be happy. Why do you still look so worried?" Prince Jing lay on the bench that Yun Shang enjoyed lying on. He took some grapes from the stool by his side in a casual manner and popped them into his mouth.

Yun Shang let out a sigh. "I planned to kill Hua Jing. But the abduction was indeed beyond my expectation. I really have no idea what will happen in the future."

"What are you afraid of? You are smart. Hua Jing has been taken to a foreign country. She has no one working for her. What worries you?" Prince Jing's words startled Yun Shang. Was the Prince... praising her?

Emperor Ning indeed became furious at Qingsu. Of course, he wrote a letter to the Emperor of Yelang, in which he requested severe punishment for Qingsu. This letter was delivered to the State of Yelang immediately. Emperor Ning ordered troops to chase Qingsu as well. Due to Qingsu's actions, there was stricter guard at the border between Ning and Yelang. The commoners lived in uncertainty. It seemed war was inevitable.

Lady Jin was in a good physical condition now. As the delivery was imminent, she planned to return to Laifeng City for childbirth. Emperor Ning decided to accompany her to Laifeng City. He ordered servants to make preparations. Yun Shang was so worried for her mother that she decided to travel with her mother. Prince Jing gave his consent. But the Prince insisted on escorting her to Laifeng City and spending some time with her there.

Prince Jing seemed to be behaving unusually since their marriage. Yun Shang had sensed it already. He liked to give her many little gifts, such as amusing objects and cute animals. He even followed her wherever she went. His devotion had led the servants to believe that the Prince and the Princess Consort were really a perfect match.

Yun Shang felt anxious at Prince Jing's request to keep her company in Laifeng City. She intended to turn the Prince down. Anticipating her response, Prince Jing said in a serious manner, "Who will be in the Imperial City if both, the Emperor and I leave?" Yun Shang lowered her head to think for a little while. "The Empress and Grand Councilor Li. The Empress has to stay to take care of the imperial household, and Grand Councilor Li has to manage the court."

Prince Jing nodded. He walked to the window before continuing, "I was informed that the Xia Emperor had given orders to Grand Councilor Li. Some important orders. Grand Councilor Li has been quite busy recently. It seems he will take some big action on behalf of the Xia Emperor. He has met many officers in private, and has purchased and prepared food and weapons in secret. I was told that Xia Houjing has snuck back into the Imperial City. I have every reason to believe that his return to Xia after the Mount Kirin incident, was a diversion since I had guards watching him before he left. If they are really plotting something, Grand Councilor Li would be happy that the Emperor is far away from the Imperial City, even if it's only for Lady Jin's delivery. I have made some secret arrangements to counter this inevitable threat. But Grand Councilor Li would be on alert as long as I am in the Imperial City. It would be difficult for me to take action if he doesn't implement his plan. I will accompany you to Laifeng City publicly. But, like Xia Houjing, I will return to the Imperial City in secret.

Yun Shang felt startled at Prince Jing's words. She didn't have to guess what the State of Xia was planning. It had deployed many troops to Mount Kirin. She had seen the extent of their plan when she was at Mount Kirin. But she also understood how hard it would have been to arrange so many soldiers and horses in a mountain that was so remote and precipitous. The State of Xia must have prepared military forces in other places as well. It must have planned to launch attacks against Ning, on several fronts, not just from Mount Kirin. However, as its secret military deployment in Mount Kirin had been uncovered, it might take action against Ning in advance lest all of their plans are destroyed. It must be very dangerous for the Prince to stay in the Imperial City.

Yun Shang looked at Prince Jing with concern. Sensing the Princess's worry, Prince Jing smiled at her and touched her cheek tenderly. "Don't forget, I am much more than the Prince of Ning. I can ask for help from Lord Hua Guo if I'm in danger. I'm his grandson, after all. I don't think he will stand aside and watch me die."

This was the first time that Prince Jing had spoken with Yun Shang about his lineage since their previous argument. Yun Shang's eyelashes quivered as she listened to the Prince. She stayed quiet as she absorbed and processed all that the Prince had shared with her.

Silence dominated the room for quite a long while after the Prince had finished speaking. Then Yun Shang broke the silence, "Well, if you want to come with me to Laifeng City, I won't stop you. I will tell Ning Qian to summon all the men I have now. I will instruct them to take orders from you. Although they are not as skilled in Kung Fu as your men, they are really good informants as they lurk in inconspicuous places in the Imperial City. They maybe of great help if your life is in danger."

Yun Shang's words brought a lump to the Prince's throat. He found his ability to speak after a short while. So touched was he that "Yes, " was all that the Prince was able to utter.

Prince Jing reached out and pulled Yun Shang closer to him. He took hold of the Princess's shoulders, and said in a gentle tone, "If I return safely after the upcoming storm, can we..."

Yun Shang lifted her eyes to look at the Prince with a frown. She hated to hear him speak with such doubt about his safety. Yun Shang wanted to stop him. She tried to lift her hand to cover his mouth. But the Prince held her hand so tightly that she was unable to move. "Can we be a real couple? I mean man and wife."

Yun Shang was taken aback at Prince Jing's words. 'Aren't we a real couple now? Haven't we had the wedding?' Yun Shang wondered.

Before Yun Shang could find answers to her questions, another thought suddenly struck her. 'Did he mean consummate the marriage?' Yun Shang flushed at the thought. Her mind was a total mess.

Yun Shang calmed down after a long while. She said as peacefully as possible, "Okay."

How had their conversation turned to this topic from the the matter of Qingsu? Yun Shang analyzed their conversation, but could not find the answer. She had examined their relationship since they met the first time. In fact, they were not close to each other before their marriage. Their relationship had improved a bit only after their return from Mount Kirin. As she was injured, Prince Jing seemed to have shown more care toward her and an increasing desire to be protective. This sense of protectiveness had led the Prince to forbid her from doing many things. Once they had married, their relationship remained largely the same. Although they dined and slept under the same roof, had tea together, and even chatted about everything with each other freely, the Princess still felt as though they were not in love.

So, why did she give her consent to Prince Jing's request without hesitation? Yun Shang wondered. Why did the Prince raise such a request? Finding no satisfactory answer to her questions, Yun Shang attributed the Prince's and her puzzling behavior to sudden impulse.

Yun Shang somehow regretted giving such an assurance to the Prince. She decided that she would seek another opportunity to talk about it with Prince Jing. It would be better if the agreement was cancelled. But Prince Jing did not bring up the topic again and Yun Shang was too shy to take the initiative. With no other alternative, she decided not to dwell on this issue.

Yun Shang later consoled herself by thinking that she didn't have to honor her promise immediately. She would figure out a way to deal with the situation when that day came.

Xia Houjing's intrigues, mentioned by Prince Jing, had caught Yun Shang's attention. Currently, Ning and Yelang were at war on the border areas. Ning would be in chaos if Xia Houjing succeeded in planning a military coup in the Imperial City.

In her previous life, Prince Jing had died on the battlefield when battling with the State of Yelang. But Yun Shang didn't know how that happened. Yun Shang tried to recall everything about the Prince from her previous life. But her effort turned out to be fruitless. In her previous life, she had paid no attention to matters that had nothing to do with her marital life. She could vaguely remember that she was eighteen when Prince Jing died.