Rebirth of the Phoenix Princess novel Chapter 59

"What? You mean Prince Jing had been in Yuman Tower before we got there?" Hua Jing stood up so abruptly that she spilled the tea on her hand. Fortunately it was not hot. Hua Jing waved to dry her hand before stretching it out towards the maid by her side.

Her mind was racing in all directions all at once. "So Prince Jing lied to us at Yuman Tower? He had no reason to lie to us if nothing had happened. Is it possible that he heard us?"

"Your Imperial Highness, what should we do?" Bing'er was getting nervous. "It seems that Prince Jing and Princess Hui Guo are on close terms. Is it possible that Princess Hui Guo knew about all this?"

Hua Jing withdrew her hand, and considered her maid's question. Then she shook her head, "No, it seems not. Had Yun Shang been aware of our plans, she wouldn't have come to my Palace."

Hua Jing sat on a chair and pondered. She frowned as she thought of something else. "Have your met with Brother Bai. What did he say?"

Bing'er shook her head. She looked uneasy. "Your Imperial Highness, I haven't seen Brother Bai even though I have asked everybody for his whereabouts. I ran into one of his underlyings who told me that Brother Bai, after learning of the failed plan, escaped. He was fearful of being caught."

"What?" Hua Jing slammed the table in her fury, "That rogue! I should not have trusted him! I would not have had him in my service but for my prudence to keep His Majesty from getting wind of this matter! Send someone to find him and then eliminate him."

"Yes." Bing'er replied in haste.

Hua Jing sighed, "Brother Bai is just a nobody. It will not be a problem removing him. But Prince Jing... If Prince Jing is aware of this matter, I can go straight to him to negotiate some conditions. But I'm afraid of the consequences if he knows nothing and I tell him everything. We cannot be rash in this matter. I have to seek an opportunity to test him before I can make a decision. After all, Prince Jing is a person we cannot afford to offend."

Hua Jing winced and pondered for a little while. "We cannot tell this to mother. She already has enough to deal with now that the pregnant Lady Jin has asked to stay in Qiwu Palace for the sake of her pregnancy. I shall not make mother worry about me. I'll write an invitation later, which you should deliver to Prince Jing. You must tell Prince Jing that many talented youths and fair ladies in the Imperial City admire him. Since he is rarely seen in the Imperial City, they are longing for his presence at the monthly banquet. It would also be useful to make acquaintance with the versatile youngsters."

Bing'er replied, "Yes, I will do it soon."

Hua Jing nodded and waved to let Bing'er go. Then she turned toward Qing'er who was standing behind her. Hua Jing said softly, "Send someone to keep an eye on both Yun Shang and the old woman. If anything goes wrong, no excuse will win my pardon even though you have served me for many years."

Qing'er nodded.

"Go and fetch the lists of preparations for the banquet that will be held in seven days." Qing'er scurried into the bedroom and returned with the sheep skin parchment. Hua Jing thumbed it through and said, "Send a message to Madam Xi. Ask her to pay a visit to Princess Hui Guo early tomorrow morning."

Qing'er nodded. Then Hua Jing stood up and walked towards the bedroom, parchment still in her hand, "Today has been a challenging day. We were so close to success. But alas, all our planning was for naught in the end."

"Don't be worried, Your Imperial Highness. Princess Hui Guo is staying in the Princess Palace, which is of course under the control of Your Imperial Highness. Wouldn't killing her be as simple as waving Your Imperial Highness' hand?" Qing'er followed Hua Jing and said with due respect.

"Ha, do you really think it is as easy as waving my hand? Certainly not. It's because she is living in my Palace that I need to be more careful and prudent. If she died here in my Palace, how would I defend myself when His Majesty looks into it? So... I have to make a smart plan. I don't have to kill her. But I can give her a miserable life. Being dead would pale in comparison to the horrors of being alive!" Hua Jing's month curled into a terrifying smile.

Hua Jing lingered in her chamber for some time. She was reading books when a voice outside the room announced, "Princess Hui Guo is requesting a visit."