Chapter 140 Birthday Party (Part One)

The Empress? She fainted? Hearing these words, Yun Shang glanced at Qian Yin and saw anger surge in her maid's eyes. She flashed a smile before fixing her eyes on the teacup in her hand. Then she praised, "Smart move."

By pretending to have fainted, the Empress affected a helpless wife. She always acted with nobility and dignity in front of others and even selflessness if necessary. And in the previous decades, she had played the role of an impartial Empress well. Even when she was informed that she was infertile, she had been sad for a while, but she had recovered to the Empress she had always been. Someone who felt no joy or sorrow for herself, apart from what was the best for her husband.

That was why the Empress's sudden faint was so unexpected.

Right now, the Grand Councilor's power was at stake, as Lady Ming just irritated Emperor Ning, and Hua Jing was still in her recovery. And at this crucial point, the Empress suddenly fell ill.

With a smile on her lips, Yun Shang ordered, "Let's pay a visit to Qiwu Palace."

When they arrived, many others had also called on the Empress. They saw Emperor Ning, Lady Ming, Lady Fu, Lady Ya, and Qin Meng among the callers. Yun Shang also noticed several other ladies whom she didn't know.

Standing aside a desk, an imperial physician was writing the Empress's prescription. With a disturbed look on her face, Lady Ming asked. "How's the Empress now?"

The imperial physician bowed before answering, "Her Majesty is fine. But she always burdens herself with sorrow, which has finally induced her illness. She will wake up in two hours. But Her Majesty has always been weak, and I'm afraid the faint has harmed her health. When she wakes up, she needs more rest. If she burdened herself again, she would..." Shaking his head, the imperial physician said no more. But Lady Ming knew exactly what he meant to say. She frowned, and remained quiet.

Emperor Ning gazed at the pale Empress. His eyes were as dark as night sky; complex feelings mounting in their depths. After a long while, he turned to the ladies and said, "The physician has said that the Empress needs rest. Leave us, all of you."

The ladies exchanged several meaningful glances. They curtsied to the Emperor before leaving the Palace.

But Yun Shang remained. She spoke softly, "Father, Her Majesty needs someone to take care of her, and you are too busy with state affairs. I can look after her in your stead."

Emperor Ning paused for a short while, and turned to Yun Shang. Before he spoke, Lady Ming cut in, "Shang'er, you're an unmarried Princess. You can barely take care of yourself. I will find some experienced maids to look after Yiran. You should spend time on yourself."

Yun Shang remained silent for a while before she answered "Okay" in a low voice. A pained expression showed in her eyes. Seeing that, Lady Ming's heart hitched. She wondered what Yun Shang had planned. Did the Princess want Emperor Ning to feel that she was a domineering person? 'What an awful woman! Keep playing innocent then!' Lady Ming thought to herself as she gritted her teeth. She'd like to see what else Yun Shang was up to.

The Emperor's eyes darkened when he heard Yun Shang's low voice.

"Your Majesty..." Lord Zheng called from outside the door. A eunuch as he was, he was once a man, and not allowed to enter Empress Yuan Z

good care of yourself." Then he walked out of Qiwu Palace.

'Tsk, tsk. Lady Ming, Empress Yuan Zhen, you've always thought about yourselves. But did you ever think of this outcome?' Yun Shang flashed a smile and thought. Then she took her leave and and returned to Qingxin Palace in a good mood.

"Your Highness, it's good for you that Lady Ya is taking control of the Palace." Qian Yin's joy showed on her face. Giggling, she said, "The Empress must be outraged. Oops. It was her choice to pretend faint. She was conscious the whole time though. I saw her eyelashes tremble when His Majesty uncovered her ruse. I can tell you that she almost went mad, but didn't dare to speak. If she did, she would be caught lying to the Emperor about her faint. How satisfying!"

Yun Shang also smiled. She nodded to Qian Yin in consent. When they returned to the Palace, Qin Yi was already waiting for them. She handed an invitation letter to Yun Shang and spoke, "Your Highness, in three days, Prince Jing's birthday party will be held, and his chamberlain has sent you an invitation letter. What gift should we present him, Your Highness?"

"Hmm?" Hearing her words, Yun Shang paused for a short while. Of course, she remembered Prince Jing's birthday. But, was it really a good time to hold a birthday party?

Yun Shang took the invitation letter, opened it, and had a look. She recognized Prince Jing's signature on it. She thought about it for moment, and figured that the Prince intended to lure his enemies out.

Knowing Prince Jing's intention, Yun Shang was a little worried. The person who had hurt him must be a trained warrior. And the Prince's wound would slow him down in a fight.

"Don't worry, Your Highness. The assassin had caught the Prince off-guard. And His Highness will be better prepared this time. He has sent invitation letters to others as well." Giggling, Qian Yin comforted her.

Yun Shang was stunned for a while, before she realized that she had spoken her mind.

She flushed crimson when she saw Qian Yin and Qin Yi look at her with amusement. She grabbed a book from her side and tossed it at them.

Qian Yin pulled Qin Yi aside and giggled. "Are you trying to murder us to prevent divulgence of your secrets?"