Rebirth of the Phoenix Princess novel Chapter 33

Puzzled, Yun Shang looked at the Empress, "Can I do this? But wouldn't I be lying in that case? Master Wu Na always told me that there are certain monastic disciples I should never violate. I cannot lie."

"My child, but you are not one of them. Eventually you have to marry someone. It's only a matter of time. Now think about this. Every noble lord and lady will attend the ceremony. How can you expect them to accept you willingly, even though you are a Royal Princess, if they find out that you couldn't do a simple thing such as an embroidery? Besides, your maids will take over the job after you marry into your husband's family. You don't have to embroider anything, and thus you don't have to worry about it at all. I can assure you that the secret will be well kept. But still, you are just a girl. Know this. For us women, the most important thing through our life is to always be fully prepared, and, when the time comes, marry into a decent clan. That's what really matters."

Eyes fixed on the ground, Yun Shang remained silent for a while before finally answering determinedly, "I'll do whatever mother says."

Empress Yuan Zhen nodded with satisfaction, "There is hardly half a month before your Coming-of-age Ceremony. You'd better get started and choose a pattern so that Jing'er will have enough time to finish the work for you."

Yun Shang consented. Empress Yuan Zhen then asked a few more questions before finally permitting Yun Shang to leave. Yun Shang returned to the Qingxin Palace with Qin Yi.

"Princess..." Qin Yi was about to say something when Yun Shang signaled to her to stop talking. She waved her hand at Qin Yi to come closer and then whispered in her ear. Soon after they had returned to Qingxin Palace, Yun Shang left again with Qin Yi. This time, she headed to the Imperial Treasure House.

The Imperial Treasure House was a depository allocated for the storage of invaluable treasures, including numerous gems, famous paintings, and calligraphy works. As soon as they arrived at the Imperial Treasure House, Yun Shang noticed that the front door was locked. Having no other option, Yun Shang sent Qin Yi to have a word with the eunuchs who were sweeping the floor.

Qin Yi returned and reported to Yun Shang, "Princess, they said the director is not here. In fact, he hardly comes here, unless its a special occasion. They also said that all the paintings and calligraphy works collected in the House are not for circulation. Not without His Majesty's dictation..."

Yun Shang sighed heavily, "Never mind. We don't have to bother my father, not with such trifles." Disappointed, they headed back to Qingxin Palace. Qin Meng was making Yun Shang's bed when they entered. Opposite the bed stood a chair. Yun Shang sank into the chair and sighed melodramatically.

"Princess, I remember that you brought back plenty of paintings and calligraphy works from Ning'guo Temple. Didn't you? And some of them are said to be masterpieces. Though they might not be as exquisite as those from the Imperial Treasure House, they are from the collections of someone as particular as Master Wu Na. I bet they must be stunning as well. Why don't you pick one from them for Princess Hua Jing?" Qin Yi hurried to console Yun Shang.

Listlessly, Yun Shang nodded and said, "Fine, there's nothing we can do for now. Go fetch those paintings for me. I'll see what we have and hopefully find one that will do." Qin Yi trotted to the wooden case in the corner, and brought out several scrolls. She then asked Qin Meng to help her open the scrolls one after another for Yun Shang to see.

"Sukhavati? No. Rather ominous. Amitayus Buddha? Inappropriate. We are not celebrating someone's birthday. Avalokitesvara? Not very suitable for the occasion... Lotus? That seems pretty nice. Every Buddhist knows the religious meaning of lotus. Even for people who have no faith in Buddhism, they can simply enjoy the beauty of the flowers. That's it. We'll use this one." Yun Shang muttered as she continued to stare at the painting, "That's it then. Qin Meng, take it to Princess Hua Jing later on."

Qin Meng replied, "Yes, Your Royal Highness."

As soon as Yun Shang made sure that Qin Meng had gone, she turned to Qin Yi and asked, "We have been back for nearly half a month. I assume that the Empress is lowering her guard. I think it's about time. Can you find a way to get in touch with my mother, Lady Jin?"

"Yes, I can." Qin Yi nodded firmly. She didn't hesitate.

Tilting her head sideways, Yun Shang once again became immersed in her thoughts. Qin Yi stood by silently, watching the Princess. After quite a while, Yun Shang said, "Send a message to my mother. Tell her that I've heard that she was a great Guqin player*. I never had a chance to listen, not even once in my life. I hope she can play for me, as her gift to me, at the night of my Coming-of-age Ceremony, when the moon rises. After the Ceremony, the banquet will be held at the Moon Tower. She doesn't have to show up at the feast. I'm sure I will be able to hear her playing for me if she plays the instrument in the nearby pavilion."

(*TN A plucked seven-string Chinese musical instrument of the Zither family.) Qin Yi paused in surprise. She thought of all the possible messages that Yun Shang may have asked her to send. She would never have guessed that she would ask Lady Jin to play. She wasn't in a position to judge, so she simply responded, "Yes, I will."

Yun Shang remembered every single detail from her previous life. She couldn't, however, remember the recent suggestion that Princess Jing Hua would embroider for her. She couldn't help notice that events were not going as she remembered from her past life. More or less, everything seemed to be different from before. She decided not to worry about this and to see where her destiny would take her this time. Having made up her mind, Yun Shang walked to her table, ripped a small piece of parchment and scrawled a hasty note. Then she opened the window and threw the note out.