Chapter 50 Adultery Exposed

The man on the roof jumped down. It was so dark that Yun Shang couldn't see his expression. All she saw was his particularly bright but cold eyes.

"If I hadn't been here, how would I have seen such an interesting thing?" Prince Jing circled Yun Shang. He stopped to face her. "I didn't expect you, a girl who has just had her Coming-of-age Ceremony, to be so familiar with these kinds of affairs. You've just stood there and watched for such a long time without being shy at all."

His words irritated her somewhat, but she laughed to cover up her annoyance. "I'm not a patch on you, my uncle." Yun Shang stared into his eyes as she continued, "Please don't forget that we have a deal. We are in the same boat now. So why should we be so tit-for-tat?"

Prince Jing nodded his approval. "Sounds reasonable, but I've been wondering how could there would be a woman like you in the Imperial Household. You are intelligent and courageous, and not like a royal child at all. Are you a fake one?"

"That's absurd. Show me how someone could masquerade as a Princess!" Yun Shang frowned and her tone became more unfriendly.

Prince Jing laughed again. "Forget it. You are a wild cat. It's impossible to tease you. By the way, I've heard that the Empress is going to coming after you during the winter solstice. Be careful."

His sudden change of tone made her a little uncomfortable. Yun Shang was stunned for a while. When she regained her composure she said, "Well, I already know. But thank you for reminding me."

Prince Jing nodded his head and added, "If you always try to hog the limelight, you may find yourself under attack from all sides. Learn to frame others when it's appropriate."

Yun Shang was stunned again. A dim figure flashed past; it was Prince Jing who had quickly disappeared into the dark. She had no time to respond. Yun Shang frowned as she carefully considered what Prince Jing had said. Finally she turned towards Qingxin Palace.

Qian Yin quickly stepped forward when she saw Princess Yun Shang return. "You are back, Your Highness. Your plan for tomorrow morning has been arranged. The plan is foolproof."

Yun Shang nodded and turned to look at Qian Yin. "You have been in the Imperial Palace for three years. What do you think of the Imperial concubines and their factions?"

Qian Yin pulled the Princess to the chair before replying, "You do ask the right person, Your Highness. I have

happened. The Imperial Household has always been peaceful, and such ridiculous things have not happened before. The culprits must be severely punished so as to clean up the Household."

Then the Empress stepped out of her throne room accompanied by the concubines. She intended to follow the messenger to the Palace where the adulterers had been spotted. As soon as the women wanted to enter the front door of the Palace, they saw Yun Chang coming in a hurry, escorted by two court maids. "Good day, my mother. Good day, dear concubines."

The Empress glimpsed at Yun Shang and said, "You have just reached at the age of fifteen and don't know much about the affairs between men and women. I shouldn't have told you to come, but Qin Meng is your former court maid. Now that she has done such a thing, her behavior reflects on you. If it is true, you must carry the blame for your negligence of discipline. Do you know the seriousness of the matter, Shang'er?"

Yun Shang bowed her head. "I know."

The Empress nodded and turned to the eunuchs. "Break down the door."

These eunuchs nodded and rushed towards the door. With a loud sound, the door gave way. The eunuchs retreated to both sides, and the Empress entered with her ladies.

Under the eaves of the Palace, lay a half-naked man and woman. The Empress said angrily, "Arrest the adulterer and adulteress at once!"

The eunuchs quickly stepped forward and lifted the two people on the ground. As soon as they saw the man's face the eunuchs turned to the Empress. They trembled as they spoke, "Your... Your Majesty, it seems that... it is His Majesty..."