An Eight-year-old Princess

Chapter 24 Gossip

Qin Meng couldn't suppress her emotions. "Your Highness, you were cruel to have left me in the

Palace. Since you left for Ning'guo temple, I have been longing for your return. It has been seven

years!"

Yun Shang chuckled. When she opened her mouth, she couldn't stop coughing. Qin Yi hurried to help

her to breathe. Seeing this, Qin Meng sobbed loudly, "Your Highness, you were fine when you left.

When did you become so weak? Your Highness, please rest. I'll take good care of you."

Yun Shang's brow was glistening with sweat as she coughed. Qin Yi helped by wiping her perspiration.

Yun Shang raised her head and said, "Silly girl. I am fine now. See? I'm a bit tired. Take me to Qinxin

Hall."

As Qin Yi lifted her from bed, Yun Shang noticed that Hua Jing and Qin Meng exchanged looks before

the maid hurriedly took a step to support Yun Shang. "Your Highness, let me help you."

Hua Jing nodded with satisfaction and said, "Shang'er, I have a gift for you. I made these osmanthus

cakes myself. Mother says they taste sweet. I remember that they're one of your favorite dishes.

Please accept them."

Yun Shang smiled and said, "Thank you, sister Jing." Qin Yi graciously accepted the cakes and handed

them to a maid standing behind Qin Meng. Then she took Yun Shang's arm and guided her outside.

The Emperor Ning had ordered the preparation of a sedan chair for Yun Shang. She sat in the chair

and was carried to Qinxin Hall.

Just as The Empress had said, Qinxin Hall hadn't changed at all; neither the servants nor the

furnishings. Yun Shang and Qin Yi led the way. As soon as they drew back the curtain, a sound of

meowing was followed by a fuzzy staff member that rushed at Yun Shang.

"Ah..." Yun Shang screamed and passed out.

"Your Highness, Your Highness..." The servants following the Princess panicked. Qin Yi frowned and

rebuked, "Stop shouting. Her Highness needs to rest. Take the stray cat out, and then do your

chores..."

However, the servants all stood still until Qin Meng nodded her head. Noticing this, Qin Yi understood

immediately. She frowned and walked Yun Shang to bed.

Having settled down, Qin Yi gave Qin Meng a prescription and said, "These are Her Highness's

medicines. I have to look after her. I cannot leave. So I need you to pick up the medicines, for I don't

trust the others." ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

Qin Meng grinned, "I will do as you ask. I will be back in a little while." Then she bowed before Yun

Shang and left.

"Bah! Qin Meng, the vile scum. She has been Mistress of Qinxin Hall for seven years." Qin Yi sniffed

and went to the bed.

Glancing at Qin Yi, Yun Shang chuckled, "All of them must have been bought by The Empress. In order

to break her control, I will have to replace them with Ning Qian and the other followers. She smiled at

Qin Yi and said, "Lean closer to me."

As Qin Yi approached, Yun Shang whispered in her ear. Qin Yi smiled and said, "I am ready and eager

to begin." Then she turned round and went outside.

Once Qin Yi left, Yun Shang could hear the maids gossiping. "So that is Princess Hui Guo. She is

pretty. How did she get so weak? I remember that she often created trouble before."

"Yes. I also remember that she often reproved her servants at every turn. So much so that no one was

willing to serve her. Now she is as weak as water. She really deserves her retribution. What an ill-

fortune."

"It is said that she has lived in Ning'guo temple for a few years. No wonder she looks like a village girl.

Unlike the noble Princess Hua Jing, she dresses too dowdy."

Yun Shang listened and smirked. Seven years had passed, but the ethos of the Imperial Hoousehold

hadn't changed. Concubines schemed against each other, and the maids gossiped at their leisure.

"Look at the cheeky girl, with the Princess. She dares to order us. Except Qin Meng, no one can

instruct us, not even the weak Princess." "Alas! We are so unlucky to be assigned to serve her. The

cat, which I left in the Hall, scared her. Her reaction was so funny."

Yun Shang then heard a deeper voice. "You dare to gossip about Her Highness? Drag them away and

flog them 100 times!" She smiled at the punishment. A maid who had been gossiping became terrified

and could be heard groveling, "Please spare me, Lord Zheng. I know that I break the rules..."

"Carry out my order!" As Lord Zheng gave the order, Yun Shang heard the maid crying, "Forgive me

Lord Zheng, forgive me..."

"Drag them far away. Don't disturb Her Highness with their screams." Lord Zhang shouted. Then he

said in a lower voice, "Though Princess Hui Guo left Qinxin Hall for seven years, she's still the master

here. More so, she is one of the masters in the Palace. Don't forget that you are her servants."

After Lord Zheng reminded the maids of their place, the courtyard was filled with silence. For a long

moment, she heard nothing. Then Yun Shang heard footsteps moving forward and stopping outside her

door.

"You must be Lord Zheng. Come in please." Yun Shang smiled and said.

Lord Zheng open the door and entered. "Your Highness. His Majesty received a rare warm jade

pendant which is said to be good for health. His Majesty commanded me to bring it to you..." With a

quick bow, he gave a jade pendant to Yun Shang.

Yun Shang smiled and accepted the gift, "Thank you, Lord Zheng..."

Lord Zheng nodded and smiled, "Please rest well, Your Highness. I will leave now as I have other

matters to attend to." After a short pause, he lowered his voice, "Your Highness, you are the only

master in Qinxin Hall. Even though you have been gone for seven years, you can punish any servants

who dares to offend you. If you don't, they will not respect you."

Yun Shang was surprised. It was unexpected that Lord Zheng would exhort her like that. After thinking

on his advise, she smiled and spoke, "I know. But I'm too weak to manage them now. I'd like to rest for

a few days before making rules for them.

Lord Zheng assented and said, "Her Highness, then I will excuse myself."