Chapter 148 A Counterplot (Part One)

Only silence followed Yun Shang's question. The Princess was surprised. She removed the hairpin from her head, and hid it in her sleeve. Then she signaled at Qian Yin to open the door.

Qian Yin suddenly pushed open the door. When Yun Shang peeped, she saw a man in dark grey standing in front of the carriage. The man, who seemed to be in his forties, bowed a little in a respectful manner. There were also several maids standing behind him.

Yun Shang said with a frown, "Why did you bring me here? What do you want?"

The man didn't raise his head at Yun Shang's words. He answered leisurely, "Your Highness, I know nothing about this. I'm just a servant. My master ordered me to take care of you. Please, get off the carriage and come with me into the courtyard."

Yun Shang pondered for a moment and then decided to follow the strange man. When Yun Shang bent her waist to step out of the carriage, Qin Yi stopped her. Yun Shang turned to look at Qin Yi, who seemed quite calm in spite of her pale face. "Your Highness, please let me go first."

Yun Shang knew Qin Yi was worried about her. Qin Yi was trying her best, even at the risk of her life, to protect Yun Shang. The girl didn't even know Kung Fu! This gesture touched Yun Shang.

"It is okay. I will be fine." Yun Shang smiled at Qin Yi before stepping out of the carriage.

Yun Shang saw a thick grove as soon as she stepped out. In the grove lay a beautiful courtyard that added to the tranquility of this place. But Yun Shang was upset as she did not know where she was.

However, Yun Shang's agitation only lasted for an instant. As soon as she jumped off the carriage, she studied the mansion carefully. She saw nothing special about the courtyard. There was not even a plaque on the entrance gate to show the identity of its owner. The owner must be very prudent! Yun Shang became irritated without information with which to identify the owner.

"Please come in, Your Highness." The man bowed a little in front of Yun Shang, and welcomed her with due respect.

Yun Shang raised her brows to measure the courtyard before walking toward it. "How... should I address you, Sir?"

The man answered with a smile, "My surname is Zhao, and I'm the chamberlain in

Kung Fu.

"Your Highness, the water is ready." The servant girl said as she walked out of the bathroom. She kept her head low in front of Yun Shang while speaking with her softly.

Yun Shang nodded at her, "Qian Yin will serve me during the bath." Yun Shang entered the bathroom while speaking.

Qian Yin followed Yun Shang. To Yun Shang's surprise, the four servant girls came into the bathroom, too. One of them held clean clothes for Yun Shang, while another held the washing soap. The third girl held a towel, while the fourth carried a bowl of flower petals. Yun Shang frowned at them. "Put the stuff down and leave. I feel uneasy if someone watches me bathe. I am just a girl. I'm not a threat to anyone. As your men are everywhere in this courtyard, why are you worried?"

The girls exchanged glances with each other after hearing Yun Shang's words. Then they put the things down, and left silently.

Yun Shang looked sullen after all the servant girls had left. She took off her clothes, and sat in the tub.

Qian Yin took the soap and helped Yun Shang clean her body. While doing this, Qian Yin wrote something on Yun Shang's back. 'The signal has been sent. Ask for rescue or not?' That was what Qian Yin wrote on Yun Shang's back. Yun Shang shook her head and smiled. As she was already here, she wished to know who was behind this plot against her. Or to be more exact, she wondered who, from among all the people she knew, was so capable and powerful to plot against her?