Chapter 37 Illness

"Your Majesty, it seems that Princess Hui Guo is not to be trifled with. If we become enemies one day… How about we strike before she gets stronger?" Wang Shunlai lowered his head and stood respectfully behind Prince Jing.

Prince Jing turned around and looked at the looming figure on Star Tower before replying. "I remember when I saw her for the first time. It was seven years ago and there had been no rain in the state of Ning for half a year. We were discussing official business that day and this 8-year-old girl rushed in saying that she wanted to go to Ning'guo Temple to pray for rain. Several days later, I left for the border. While there, I heard that she had succeeded in bringing rain for the people and was given the title of Princess Hui Guo."

"Your Majesty, what you mean is…" Wang Shunlai seemed to understand the Princes' intention, but he was unsure.

Prince Jing smiled and replied, "I used to think that someone helped her secretly. But after meeting her several times since then, I am convinced that this young Princess Hui Guo is a smart girl. Since she is smart, the Princess definitely knows what she should do. We will never become enemies."

Wang Shunlai had no idea why Prince Jing was so confident. However, he knew the Prince to be a wise person. He felt it wouldn't be wrong to trust the Prince. Wang Shunlai decided to dismiss his concerns and doubts. He agreed with the Prince in a respectful way and then Wang followed Prince Jing as he moved away from Star Tower.

It was already midnight when Yun Shang returned to Qingxin Palace. Qin Yi was pacing frantically in the courtyard. On seeing Yun Shang, she rushed forward and said, "Your Highness, you have finally returned! Did Prince Jing do anything harmful to you? I was so worried."

Yun Shang shook her head and replied, "I'm fine." Then she looked around and asked, "Are you alone?"

Qin Yi leaned forward and whispered, "I told the others that you were worried about the Emperor who had left suddenly. Especially since the Emperor had not taken his escorts. So you went to look for him. I thought you would like a bath after returning. It has been a long day for you. So I told them to prepare your bath-water."

Yun Shang nodded and walked into the inner room.

Not long after she sat down, Qin Meng opened the curtains and walked inside. She saw Yun Shang and expressed her concern, "Greetings, Your Highness. Did you find the Emperor?"

Yun Shang shook her head and smil

maids changed the flowers in her hair one by one. She sneered, "How charming could a woman, who has lived in the Cold Palace for more than ten years, be? The Emperor was just faking it. However, there must be more trouble for the Empress in Qiwu Palace. You know, Lady Jin used to be very favored, which broke the Empress' heart. She was not happy that she had to help her raise Yun Shang when Lady Jin was confined to the Cold Palace. Now Lady Jin is being favored again, and the Empress still hasn't gotten rid of her troubles. I wonder what the Empress' expression will be when she hears about this."

Ya'er didn't say anything. Lady Shu looked at the silver butterfly hairpin in the mirror and nodded in approval. "That's the one. By the way, is there anything unusual happening in Qingxin Hall?"

Ya'er shook her head. "It seems that the delicate Princess in Qingxin Hall is sick again. The Imperial Physician was called for early this morning."

"Sick?" Lady Shu kept silent for a while and then turned around. "It is most likely that she pretends to be sick. Lady Jin was favored ten years ago. Now that her rank has been returned to Lady Jin, her daughter pretends to be sick to hide from her mother. How sad! Go to the hospital and inquire about the condition of Princess Hui Guo. I should visit her and convey my concerns.

Ya'er nodded. just as she was about to leave, she saw a maid rushing in. The maid spoke quickly, "Your Highness, Princess Hui Guo's maid, Qin Yi, has come. She said that the Princess is sick and needs a herb. According to the Imperial Physician, the Emperor gave the only one to you, so she came to ask for the herb."