An Eight-year-old Princess

Chapter 1409 They Test Each Other

Cao Han lowered his head, but from the corner of his eyes, he kept looking at Yun Shang, "I once told

you that Xia Houjing should have been hidden by the people of the Cao mansion. My mother has

always trusted my brother. Xia Houjing should have been hidden in a mansion or in a courtyard under

my brother's name. Do you still remember that, your majesty?"

Yun Shang took a glance at Cao Han. She then quietly grasped the brocade handkerchief in her hand

and slowly nodded, "Yes, I did. What's the matter? Have you got the exact whereabouts of Xia

Houjing's now? "

Cao Han shook his head, "No, not yet. I'm just lucky enough to be chosen to attend the autumn hunting

game with his majesty. Before coming out, I was also lucky enough to be summoned by my mother.

She told me again and again that since I am coming out for his majesty's company, I should seize the

opportunity and try to show up in front of his majesty, so as to seek a better future for myself.

She also reminded me that although I am an official already, I lacked of my father's teaching personally

because he was too busy to do so before. Thus I don't know much about the intricate affairs in the

officialdom. My mother was worried that I would offend someone that I shouldn't have in the court. Of

course, what she feared most was that I would violate the taboo from your majesties. Thus she asked

me to report everything in detail to her about what your majesties have done in the temporary imperial

palace, so that she can give me some advice. "

Yun Shang frowned at hearing all these, with a flash of disbelief in her eyes, "She will give you some

advice? When you are in the temporary imperial palace, even if you send a letter to your mother, she

will not receive it until at least ten days or a half months later. And after that she will give you some

advice? "

Cao Han lowered his eyes and said in a lower voice, "My mother has arrived at Wei City."

Wei City was the city by the side of the temporary imperial palace.

"Your mother has got to Wei City?" Yun Shang was more surprised, "Why did she come to Wei City?"

"She said among the several brothers in the Cao mansion, I'm the most promising one. I'm thus related

to the future of the whole Cao clan. She thinks this is a good opportunity for our clan, so she doesn't

dare to take it lightly,"

reported Cao Han. He bit his lips and then went on, "But I think my mother must have received Xia

Houjing's order to come here. She is trying to make use of me and keep an eye on your majesties."

With her hands clasped behind her back, Yun Shang raised her head and looked into the distance for a

while. Then she smiled and said, "That's awesome! Your mother is so old now, but she is still working

hard for Xia Houjing. I wonder what benefits Xia Houjing has given her as well as your Cao clan."

After a pause, Yun Shang went on casually, "I know it now. Do you have anything else to report?"

Cao Han shook his head. He paused for a while and then asked, "Your Majesty, what should I do with

this situation?"

Yun Shang kept silent for a moment and then replied, "Just do as your mother said. However, you

should know what to say and what not to say to her. I will go back and think carefully about how to deal

with the situation. When I have any idea to deal with this, I will send someone to tell you. "

Hearing this, Cao Han couldn't help looking up at Yun Shang, but he quickly looked away and then

answered, "Yes, your majesty. If you don't have any other orders, I will... I'll leave now?"

"You can leave now." Yun Shang nodded.

Cao Han stood up, bowed to Yun Shang, and left with his head down.

He had just walked down two steps when he heard a voice from behind, as if that person felt relieved at

last.

Cao Han paused for a while, but he soon realized something and pretended to have heard nothing. He

quickly walked down the rockery.

Yun Shang stood in the pavilion and didn't relax until she saw Cao Han leave the yard.

In the evening, Luo Qingyan came again.

"Didn't you say that you wouldn't come tonight?" Yun Shang raised her eyebrows and asked.

Luo Qingyan tutted, "Yes, I said I wouldn't come tonight, but it's not night yet. It's only at dusk. I'll have

supper with you and go back after dinner."

Before Yun Shang said anything, Luo Qingyan asked again, "I heard that you have met Cao Han?"

"Yes." Yun Shang smiled, "He has already come for a test on me. He told me that Xia Houjing was

hidden by people from the Cao mansion. He is now either in Cao Yi's mansion or in his court yard. He

asked me if I knew it or not."

"Before this, he had never mentioned that Xia Houjing was hiding either in Cao Yi's mansion or court

yard, had he?" Luo Qingyan raised his eyebrows and asked.

"No," replied Yun Shang while playing with the brocade handkerchief in her hand, "And your majesty

can remember it clearly.

He was just testing me. And I just replied that I still remember it. Later, he told me that Old Lady Cao

had come to Wei City with him and asked him to keep her informed everything we two had done in the

temporary imperial palace so that she could give him good advice on how to behave well in front of us.

He thus specially asked me what he should do with the situation.

I asked him to find a way to deal with it. After I come up with a plan, I will teach him how to deal with it."

Luo Qingyan smiled, "The real Empress has always got an idea. Anyway, this kind of thing is not a big

deal. You don't have to think it over before you come up with a solution. ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

Otherwise, I'm sure Cao Han will doubt it."

Yun Shang nodded, "Yes. During the first test, he might think that I did it on purpose. When it comes to

the second time, it's difficult to disguise anyone's subconscious reaction when something happens.

Most importantly, when he left today, I let out a sigh of relief. I know he has heard it. I saw him pause

for a while.

I believe when he heard it, he would definitely think whether I felt it an extremely uncomfortable thing

dealing with him. He would try to find out why. "

Yun Shang put the handkerchief into her sleeve and then went on, "That's just a beginning. He will

doubt it, but he won't make a conclusion easily. He will have to wait for the banquet tomorrow... "

The banquet was set at the noon of the second day.

Yun Shang got up early in the morning and walked around the temporary imperial palace. She changed

into a palace dress and made her hair in a bun. She first went to see Luo Qingyan, and then they two

went to the Liuguang Palace, where the banquet would be held.

On the way, Luo Qingyan walked ahead, and Yun Shang followed him three steps behind.

They both entered the hall and took the main seats while all the officials present were sending their

greetings.

Yun Shang straightened her back. Her posture was the same as usual, but she seemed to look a little

stiff today.

The banquet began.

The hall was full of laughter. Luo Qingyan kept turning around and talking to her from time to time.

Every time Luo Qingyan turned around, Yun Shang would subconsciously lower her head to avoid his

gaze.

Luo Qingyan burst into laughter, "Cao Han has turned this side and looked at you seven times. If it

weren't for his usage, I really wanted to gouge his eyes out."

Yun Shang chuckled. She lowered her head and said, "The banquet is over. It's time for your majesty to

leave with me. And I should leave too. If I leave earlier, I can get to the next place before dark. "

Luo Qingyan paused for a while and then looked at Yun Shang for a long time. Then he said, "Okay,

let's go."