Chapter 195 To Lower His Guard (Part Three)
Teary-eyed, Yun Shang continued in a trembling voice, as if she was no longer able to hold back her
grievances, "So I readily agreed, and brought a painting from Master Wu Na''s collection to sister. On
my way, I encountered Prince Jing. He was surprised by my happiness, and exchanged a few
greetings with me. He casually asked where I was going and the purpose of my visit. After learning
about my intentions, he advised me to make my own painting. He said you would appreciate a gift that I
made by my own hands, rather than something I found. I thought his point to be valid. So I went back to
my pce, and found a painting I had copied in the temple, and brought it to sister. As for what
happened during my Coming-of-age Ceremony, I can only say that Her Majesty and Princess Hua Jing
taught me a lesson."
Naturally, Emperor Ning didn''t forget what had happened at the banquet. He had felt strange about the
incidents that had transpired, but he had brushed the feeling aside. Now that he could see the whole
story, he was enraged. He hadn''t expected the Empress to be so bold as to y tricks under his nose.
Nor had he thought that she would try to harm his daughter.
Letting out a sigh, Emperor Ning cast an apologetic nce at Yun Shang, "I didn''t know these things.
You have suffered, my daughter."
That was the reaction that Yun Shang had been waiting for. She shed another bitter smile, before
continuing, "Father, it''s okay. You are an Emperor, and you have to attend to the affairs of the state.
You cannot possibly know of every scheme in the imperial household. And I am a grown woman. I
know how to protect myself. But mother does not. And she bears a child in her belly. I hope you can
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spend some time looking after her, father. My mother''s safety is all that I wish for."
Emperor Ning nodded. "I will. But the Prince''s mansion is in the Imperial City. You can visit your mother
from time to time."
But Yun Shang shook her head. A sad expression appeared in her eyes as she spoke, "I can''t, father.
Uncle has told me about an emergency that he has to deal with. He wishes to marry me as soon as
possible. He intends to take me away after he has dealt with the matter, as too many people in the
Imperial City want my life. After that, we would move to Jinling, and live there forever. Jinling is thend
you''ve rewarded me, father. It is said to be an abundant ce. Its people live a rich life and the scenery
there is excellent. I always wanted to visit there."
Emperor Ning shuddered at her words. In disbelief, he red at Yun Shang, and asked, "Really? Has
Prince Jing said that?"
Yun Shang shed a content smile. She seemed to be recalling a sweet memory, as joy showed in her
eyes, "He did. As I always wanted to visit Jinling, I told him about my n days ago. And today, uncle
suddenly paid me a visit. He said to me that he wanted to marry me as soon as possible. He said that
he had been at the frontier for too long. After so many years at war, he was tired, and felt even more
tired when he heard rumors about his intention to fight over useless things. He said to me that he
wanted a respite, and that he had decided to take me to Jinling. He also said that he had visited Jinling
before, and thought I would like the scenery. It is a beautiful city to dwell in."
Emperor Ning gazed at Yun Shang as she spoke. His expression was skeptical. He didn''t believe that
his brother had no ambition for power. So he doubted Prince Jing''s intention upon hearing about his
promise to Shang''er about their future residence.
And he also wondered why the Prince would hurry back to the Imperial City just to ask for permission to
marry Yun Shang. In exchange, he had even promised to return his half of the Hufu. Emperor Ning
always reckoned that negotiation to be a trick. But he couldn''t clearly see what it was that the Prince
was nning. Prince Jing''s possession of half the Hufu remained a thorn in his heart. He then spent
four months nning this trap. But as his ns came to fruition, the Emperor had been approached by
Xiao Yuanshan, who reported the presence of one hundred thousand soldiers hidden in Ning.
As an Emperor, he knew exactly what damage one hundred thousand soldiers could do. He wouldn''t
be worried if the enemies were bearing down upon the border, but they didn''ty siege at the frontier.
Instead they had snuck into his territory.
Terrified, he had agreed to Yuanshan''s suggestion, and released the Prince. He was worried that the
Prince would hold a grudge against him if he figured out that the Emperor had sent him to jail. But to
his surprise, when released, Prince Jing didn''t heckle him. On the contrary, the Prince hade to
request that the marriage be arranged for as soon as possible.
Did the Prince have any idea what the marriage would cost him? The Prince had promised that he
would return his half of the Hufu on his wedding day. Did he really want that?
The Emperor was even more surprised by the Prince''s retirement n. At the start, he thought Yun
Shang was lying. But as he listened more, he found her words to be logical and genuine, and
everything fit with his earlier investigation. He felt guilty for having doubted his own daughter.
"Father, I''ve looked into the calendar. The sixth day of the next lunar month is a lucky day. How about
we arrange my marriage to Prince Jing on that day? It''s rushed, but I''m afraid that''s exactly what uncle
wants. Oh, by the way, is the emergency he mentioned really that urgent? I was thinking, it would be
good to have the wedding settled earlier. As mother hasn''t given birth to the child, she could attend the
ceremony. Since she has already prepared my wedding gowns, she must want to attend my wedding
ceremony very much..."