An Eight-year-old Princess

Chapter 40 Alliance

"Seeing the doctor in Prince Jing's mansion?" Yun Shang's face turned red as she coughed.

"Considering how weak I am, I doubt any highly-skilled doctor can cure me of my illness. Never mind. It

is Father's kindness. If I refuse to go, Father would be sad. It's just that I heard that Prince Jing is

difficult to get along with, which is why there's not a single maid in his mansion. Qin Yi, Qin Meng, you

two follow me to Prince Jing's mansion."

Qin Yi and Qin Meng agreed and then left to instruct the other maids to pack the Princess's belongings.

After a short while, one of Prince Jing's servants came to notify them that Prince Jing was ready to

leave for his mansion.

Yun Shang nodded. Qin Yi and Qin Meng helped her stand and walked her out of Qingxin Palace

where a Nian* was waiting. When they arrived at the mansion gates, two horses and carriages were

waiting. Prince Jing stood beside one horse and carriage. When he saw Yun Shang, he walked toward

her and helped her get off the Nian.

(*TN: Nian, a kind of carriage pulled by people.) Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

A sudden gust of wind caught Yun Shang by surprise and she coughed. Prince Jing supported her as

she walked towards the carriage. She felt a bit uneasy, but thanked him and got in the carriage.

An hour later, the carriage stopped. Qin Yi and Qin Meng lifted the curtain and climbed down. They

stood outside the carriage and spoke, "Your Highness, we have arrived at Prince Jing's mansion."

Yun Shang nodded, stood up and stepped outside.

Prince Jing was standing outside of his mansion, instructing a middle-aged man. Seeing Yun Shang,

he stepped forward and said, "I have already told my butler to inform the doctor. You can rest inside. I'll

take you to him later."

Yun Shang nodded before bowing before the Prince. "I see. Thank you, uncle."

The Princess followed the butler into the mansion. Although the mansion was spacious, it seemed

neglected. Perhaps that was because only a few servants tended to the mansion. Yun Shang was

settled in a yard called Jinse. After leading Yun Shang into the yard, the butler left.

"Why was Prince Jing's mansion so desolate? I can't even see a single living creature. It feels

unnatural. Your Highness ... We should just go back to our Palace." Qin Meng shuddered as she

spoke.

Yun Shang smiled. "Be careful. Do not to let Prince Jing hear you. If you annoy him, I won't be able to

save you."

Yun Shang looked around the yard. Even though it was late at night, the flickering light from several

lanterns hanging from the roof allowed her to see clearly. The yard was large. Two paths meandered

from the pavilion where she was sitting. One path led to the gate, while the other disappeared into a

bamboo forest skirted by thick groves of plum trees.

Qin Yi supported Yun Shang into a nearby room. The lamp has been lit already. The room was bare

except for a table and several chairs. They walked from the outer room to the inner Palace. The inner

Palace was sparsely decorated as well. They saw a bed, a folding screen, a dressing table, a table for

a Chinese lute, and a desk. Even with the minimal furniture, the Palace seems elegant.

"Everyone says that Prince Jing is ascetic. He doesn't even have a maid in his mansion. But why is it

that this room ... looks like a woman's room?" Qin Yi asked in a low voice after looking around.

"Sh, this is not our Palace. Go unpack my things, and put them in place. It's late now, take rest soon."

Yun Shang sat on the chair. Hearing subtle footsteps, she waved her hands indicating to her maids that

they needed to step away.

"Your Highness." Qin Yi and Qin Meng's voice came from outside. Yun Shang sat straight and looked

outside. She saw a man in purple robes walking towards them.

Yun Shang smiled, "Uncle? Are we going to see the doctor now?"

Prince Jing kept silent. He sat across Yun Shang and stared at her for a long while before speaking.

"Let's be honest. Why do you go out your way to see me? What do you want?"

Hearing this, Yun Shang laughed and lowered her head. Then she said, "I just want to know whether

Lady Shu is on your side."

"Is that so? Do you have your answer now?" Prince Jing looked down and played with a jade pendant

on his waist. He seemed to speak in a casual manner.

"Yes, I do." Yun Shang answered. She rubbed her hands in her sleeves as she thought. "To my

surprise, you've mostly lived at the frontier but still managed to plant a spy in Father's Palace. I'm

impressed."

Prince Jing smiled. He wasn't one for excuses. "Same as you." he pointed out.

"Lady Shu is quite a figure in the imperial household, but she always has trouble with the Empress. I

knew it was you who helped her. I don't know what you're planning, but I do know that right at this

moment, we have the same enemy. Why not form an alliance? Though I don't have much to offer, I will

do my best to aid you." Yun Shang removed her hands from her sleeves. She leaned towards Prince

Jing and supported her head on her hands. She watched as he mulled over her proposal.

"In that case, I'll say yes." Prince Jing answered. Since he hid his expressions very well, Yun Shang

couldn't read his emotions.

Yun Shang stood up and smiled. "It's late now. It doesn't seem like you intend to take me to the doctor.

In that case, I'll take my rest. You..."

Prince Jing studied Yun Shang as she spoke. Something seemed off. He stood up, and touched her

forehead.

Yun Shang was not expecting the Prince to touch her. In shock, she took a step back.

"You are sick?" Prince Jing frowned. He was asking a question, but he sounded like he already knew

the answer. "I thought the illness was just an act to get near me. I didn't expect that you were actually

unwell.."

Yun Shang smiled to conceal her confusion. "If you hadn't dragged me to the Star Tower in impulse, I

wouldn't have caught a cold."

Prince Jing paused. He stepped forward and lifted Yun Shang.