Just after 7 a.m, Hua Jing arrived. "I was wondering if you had woken. I didn't expect that you would be in the middle of breakfast. Before your stay at Ning'guo Temple, you loved to stay in bed in the morning."
Yun Shang's mouth curved into a smile. "Stop making fun of me, sister. I don't have that habit anymore. I'm living a much better life and am getting up pretty early these days."
Hua Jing nodded, "That's good. Let's go. You seldom leave the Palace. I've reserved the best restaurant in the Imperial City for you. Let's have our lunch at noon. The cooks there are so good that even our Imperial cook is not comparable. We don't need to hurry. We can even go for a walk in the Imperial City after the meal."
Yun Shang put on her pink cloak and pulled it close. "I'm happy to do whatever you have arranged for me."
Hua Jing walked out of Qingxin Palace with Yun Shang. The two Princesses were followed by Yun Shang's maid. At the Palace gate, a carriage awaited the Princesses. Their long journey began once the women had stepped into the carriage. When the carriage finally stopped, Hua Jing announced, "Sister, we have arrived."
The curtain of the carriage was lifted, and Yun Shang stepped out. She saw a two-story building in ancient and traditional style. Looking up, she saw a plaque on the second floor. It was decorated minimally and yet, tastefully. Yuman Tower had been neatly engraved in the center the plaque.
"Don't look down upon this place. It seems ordinary but the food is really delicious." Seeing Yun Shang measuring the building, Hua Jing smiled while explaining.
Yun Shang nodded, and proceeded to walk forward. "It is indeed ancient and traditional. But I trust your recommendation."
"That's for sure." Hua Jing smiled, turned around, and walked in.
Yun Shang was about to follow when she paused. On impulse, she raised her eyes to look up to the second floor before quickly looking down. Her brows furrowed as she wondered whether she had imagined someone staring at her from above.
"Ladies, the tables are full. Would you like to sit down for a moment?" The waiter spoke respectfully.
Hua Jing frowned. "We have already reserved a room on the second floor."
The waiter stared at Hua Jing and thought of something, "Oh! My apologies. Please forgive me. I'll show you the way now." Then he walked two steps forward, stood on the stairs with a big smile on his face, and gestured for the women to follow.
Yun Shang let Hua Jing walk upstairs first. Once on the second floor, Yun Shang noticed a rather large lobby. There were no tables for guests here. A woman sat in front of the only table in the lobby. She
rchief which the maid had given her and wiped her mouth.
She smiled, "Ning Yun Shang, I'm afraid you can't escape even if you had three heads and six arms. I will let you know what losing one's reputation feels like."
"Your Highness..."
Hua Jing smiled and turned to the maid, "Call the waiter. I need to ask him why my sister still hasn't show up. All she did was go to the bathroom after eating."
A moment later, the waiter entered in a hurry. "Miss, you say your sister never came back after she went to the bathroom?"
Hua Jing nodded, "I heard that something went wrong with a female guest in the restaurant, and my sister just went out to the bathroom because of a stomachache. She still hasn't come back yet."
The waiter wiped the sweat collecting on his brow. He said, "Don't worry, miss. There was a female guest who was knocked unconscious and taken away. The restaurant owner has notified the authority and they are coming soon. Look..."
The sound of several hurried footsteps came from outside before the door of the room flew open. A man who looked like the owner of the restaurant entered with several officers. "Sir, it is this guest who claims her sister went missing."
The officer who was walking in the front of the owner took a look at Hua Jing and said in a rough voice, "You said your sister is missing. What does your sister look like?"
"Impertinent!" The maid standing behind Hua Jing shouted angrily. She took out a token from her waist and showed it to the officer.
The official carefully examined the token, and then fell to his knees, "Princess Hua Jing! Your Highness..."
Hua Jing frowned and was not happy, "The missing guest is Princess Hui Guo. Go look for her. If anything happens to Princess Hui Guo, you'll all be dead."