An Eight-year-old Princess novel Chapter 166

After being interrupted by Prince Jing, Yun Shang thought for a long time about what she was about to say, but she failed. With a sigh, she decided not to speak to Prince Jing again, but heard him say, "Your grandfather wrote me that he would come to the Imperial City tomorrow."

Yun Shang was surprised at the news and hastily asked, "Really? My mother is going to give birth soon. Why is my grandfather coming to the Imperial City at this time?"

"What?" The corners of Prince Jing's mouth turned up. "Mr. Xiao is coming to the Imperial City? Why don't I know?"

"..." Seeing the slyness in Prince Jing's eyes, Yun Shang gnashed her teeth in silence. 'You fooled me.' A flash of helplessness crossed her face. It never occurred to her that the fearsome, chilly, and revered war hero could be so mischievous. She, though fooled by him, had a sweet and sour feeling. 'He seems to be doing this only to me.' Yun Shang thought.

But the moment this thought arose, she suppressed it. 'How can I think about that when there are so many worries these days?' She warned herself.

Yun Shang kept her head down and walked silently. Upon arriving at Qingxin Palace, she went into the inner Hall without entertaining Prince Jing. Qin Yi immediately helped Yun Shang change into a light yellow dress. Looking at herself in the bronze mirror, Yun Shang frowned, and asked, "Isn't this color for little girls?"

Qin Yi looked at her with a smile. "Your Highness, aren't you a fifteen year old girl?"

Yun Shang was speechless and embarrassment flitted across her face. With memories of her previous life, she had always thought she was no longer that young, and had forgotten that she was only fifteen now.

As Yun Shang stepped out, Prince Jing looked at her with appreciation. A flush spread across her face. She was somewhat regretful for not insisting on changing the dress.

Prince Jing seemed aware of Yun Shang's embarrassment. He rose to his feet with a smile and said to her, "Let's go. There's probably a lot going on today."

Yun Shang nodded and followed Prince Jing with her head bowed. At this point, Prince Jing spoke, with his usual cool tone, "I've sent someone to check the venue for the Flower Show Banquet. If there is anything strange, we can make preparations."

Hearing this, Yun Shang was a little calmer. She nodded and said, "Li Jingyan definitely has an ulterior motive. He knows we are on guard. If anything happens to us at the Flower Show Banquet, he will be the primary suspect. After all, everyone knows you're not on good terms with him. Then why would he take such a risk?"

Prince Jing thought about it for a while before he answered coldly, "Maybe he doesn't intended on making something happen to us..."

Yun Shang immediately understood what Prince Jing meant. "You mean, he probably wants us to be the scapegoat?" Before Prince Jing could answer, Yun Shang said with sparkling eyes, "Perhaps I will ensure that something happens to us at the Flower Show Banquet tomorrow..."

A faint smile appeared in Prince Jing's eyes, but he pretended to sigh, "I didn't expect you to scheme against yourself and use Li Jingyan as the scapegoat."

When Yun Shang recalled how the Li Clan had treated her in her previous life, her eyes flashed hatred. "Danger can never be overcome without taking risks. This is a great opportunity to fight against him. The opportunity comes to me. How can I miss it?"

When Yun Shang and Prince Jing reached the Palace gate, the Grand Councilor's carriage was waiting for them. Seeing them come out together, Grand Councilor Li alighted, arched his hand towards Prince Jing and said, "Your Highness, I have seen your carriage. Then I won't invite you to ride with me. Just ask your coachman to follow me."

Prince Jing nodded as he helped Yun Shang into his carriage.

The Flower Show Banquet was held in the most prosperous part of the Imperial City, on a wide main road to the east of the city. A high platform had been built in the main road, next to the top ten restaurants in the city. In order to not affect the traffic, the platform was built on stilts.

"Just set up tables and chairs on both sides of the platform tomorrow and the Banquet can be held." Grand Councilor Li smiled proudly.

Yun Shang smiled. Her beautiful eyes sparkled. She said to Grand Councilor Li, "This is a fantastic idea. You must have put a lot of thought into it, Grand Councilor."

The chamberlain hastened to answer him, "More than an hour. I told him you were in the Palace, and advised him to wait at the post house, but he said he would wait for you here. Considering that he is an old man and an important minister of the State of Xia, I took him to wait in the antechamber."

Prince Jing nodded and said, "Well done. Get me some tea."

Then Prince Jing walked toward the antechamber. As he entered the antechamber, he saw Lord Hua Guo standing with his back to the door, as if looking at something. He was staring at a picture of a hundred horses. Prince Jing had drawn it when he was free. The chamberlain had said that it looked good as it matched his identity as a revered war hero before hanging it in the antechamber.

Lord Hua Guo seemed to hear footsteps and turned round. Seeing his face, Prince Jing was shocked, 'Why is there a hint of emotion in Lord Hua Guo's eyes?'

However, in the blink of an eye, Prince Jing found that he had hidden his emotions. He looked at Prince Jing with a smile and greeted, "You're back, Your Highness."

Prince Jing gave him a nod before sitting. "I didn't know you would visit, Lord Hua Guo. Please forgive me. I'm afraid I have been a poor host, " Prince Jing said to him.

Lord Hua Guo shook his head and replied, "It's all because I didn't tell you in advance. I didn't expect that you wouldn't be home."

"Is there anything important that you wanted to see me about?" Prince Jing turned his head towards Lord Hua Guo, who was already seated.

Lord Hua Guo's eyes fell on Prince Jing and mixed emotions reflected in them for a few minutes before he smiled and answered, "No, there isn't. My son is disappointing and has been repeatedly defeated by you, and he told me about your tactics, which I admire. When I was young, I loved fighting as well, but now I'm too sick to go to war. It upsets me terribly. You are so young but so forceful that I developed the idea of cherishing talents, so I came to visit you on purpose."

Prince Jing didn't quite believe him. However heroic he may be, he was once an enemy of the State of Xia. It was possible that they appreciated each other, but his special visit for this reason was somewhat artificial.