Rebirth of the Phoenix Princess novel Chapter 44

Yun Shang wondered what the Empress was planning. Soon, she figured it out. It seems that the Empress intended to replace Qin Meng with a new spy. What a wily snake!

"I feel we should ask Qin Meng what she wants, even though she's merely a maid," said Yun Shang with a smile. "Besides, no more maids are needed regardless of whether she leaves or not. I became comfortable with my life at Ning'guo Temple. Now, being served by many people makes me uneasy."

"No, you can't. As a Princess, you must follow the rules," responded the Empress. "I've already told the Imperial Household Department* to pick a good maid for you." The Empress took a prayer band off her wrist and rolled the beads between her fingers.

(*TN: Its primary purpose was to manage the internal affairs of the Imperial family and the activities of the inner Palace.)

"Alright," Yun Shang smiled nonchalantly.

Satisfied, the Empress nodded. As if having thought of something important, she looked at Yun Shang and asked, "Have you found a cure for your illness? I heard that you were ill and declined all concubines' visit."

Hearing that, Yun Shang smiled apologetically, "I caught a cold, and I was afraid it would bring bad luck to others. Besides, I haven't been back at the Palace for long. I'm still not used to visitors. After Lady Jin was favored by my father, many concubines came to me and said something I couldn't understand. So I asked my maids to keep them out."

The Empress stopped playing with her beads. "Hmm. Why do you call her Lady Jin? She's your mother." The Empress spoke impassively while staring at Yun Shang.

"Although she is my mother, I have not seen her since my childhood. She's like a stranger. I feel awkward calling her mother. Hiding in Qingxin Palace is a cowardly act, I agree. But I don't know what to do." Yun Shang smiled. "Besides, all my father did was restore her position. I'm sure it will be forgotten soon enough."

Indeed, she had not been with Lady Jin during these years. When she was younger, Yun Shang would get angry if anyone mentioned that her mother was Lady Jin of the Cold Palace. But both Yun Shang and the Empress knew that it was the Empress who separated the Princess from her mother.

"I have raised you since you were one year old. It is normal for you to feel like you and Lady Jin are strangers. But now she's back. I know you are embarrassed, and it's okay if you don't want to be close to her. You are a lady now, and soon you'll get married and live with your husband. After that, these complications will not matter" sighed the Empress.

Yun Shang didn't respond as the Empress was talking about marriage.

"Take good care of yourself, and if you need any medicine, let me know." The Empress gave the Princess a meaningful glance, and then rose to leave.

Yun Shang accompanied her to the door, and watched until she couldn't see the Empress anymore.

"Your Highness, why did the Empress want Qin Meng to go even if she is disabled?" whispered Qin Yi.

"She is disabled. That is why the Empress wants to withdraw her." Yun Shang chuckled. "Someone else is going to replace her. That's the plan."

"Replace? Does it mean we're going to be watched again?" frowned Qin Yi.