Lady Zhao smiled and stood up with Yun Shang's support. She said, "I am a distant elder of yours. However, you are the Princess with the highest rank entitled by the Emperor, while I am only a lower-ranked titled lady. Although higher ranked than Princes Hua Jing, I am still inferior to you. Certainly, I should bow to you. Otherwise, people will consider it a breach of etiquette."
Yun Shang didn't understand what she meant at first. She had understood that the lengthy explanation had been a taunt. However, when seeing Hua Jing clench her fists quietly, she realized Lady Zhao's intention.
Hua Jing walked in front of Yun Shang and said to Lady Zhao with a smile, "Mother, aren't you supposed to be sleeping right now? How come you are here? I invited Shang'er. My mother said that Shang'er would get married sooner or later, and she needed to know about affairs after marriage so that her mother-in-law wouldn't be unhappy with her. What's more, your birthday is coming. I thought I'd surprise you."
Lady Zhao glanced at her and sneered, "Really? It seems that Princess Hua Jing didn't learn these things before getting married either."
Seeing that Hua Jing was getting angry, Yun Shang smiled and interrupted, "I heard of you many times before I came here. When I was in Yuman Tower, Prince Jing said that all members of the Zhao family, no matter men or women, were true heroes on the battlefield. I wanted Hua Jing to bring me to visit you upon our arrival, but she said that you were resting. We didn't come earlier as we were afraid that we might disturb you. I am deeply sorry for any offense."
Lady Zhao smiled slightly, "It's all right. Anyway, the Princess Palace is not my territory. You are kind and polite, which I appreciate. I have nothing to do but copy scriptures and pray to Buddha every day since my son is not here. I heard that you stayed in Ning'guo Temple for many years. You must have a profound understanding of Buddhism. If you have time, you may as well come around."
Yun Shang nodded in approval. Then Lady Zhao turned around and left.
When Lady Zhao disappeared around a corner, Hua Jing smiled ironically, "My mother-in-law is becoming weirder and weirder these days. She has been like this since my husband left."
Yun Shang knew that Hua Jing was being mean because she was afraid to lose face for being mistreated by Lady Zhao. The young Princess stepped in to offer an explanation, "Lady Zhao must miss her son very much. We should understand her. It's said that her husband was killed on the battlefield, which justifies her worry when her son is on the frontier."
"Yes. Forget it. Let's have a look at your room." Hua Jing pushed the door open and went inside.
"This courtyard had been empty for a long time and was neglected. I told the maids to bring some plants and flowers here when they were cleaning up. Now it's more decent, but it is still not as pretty as the Palace. What do you think of it?"
Yun Shang followed Hua Jing inside. There were indeed many flowers except for the area around a stone path. All these plants and flowers were seasonal and had been divided into different sections by color. Their placement made the courtyard look colorful and lively.
A walk down the stone path brought Yun Shang to a yard. A beautiful stone moon gate surrounded by white flowers welcomed her to the inner living quarters. Glancing back, Yun Shang thought the landscape looked natural and harmonious. As she walked into the room she saw furnishings that were typical of boudoirs. The table and chairs were made of sandalwood with carved patterns of pear flowers on them, emanating the tenderness of a girl.
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Next to the bamboo window stood a rosewood desk. A purple bead curtain separated the outer room from the bedroom.
"It looks good. I like it a lot. Thank you, sister." Yun Shang smiled.
Hua Jing nodded. "Good. I was afraid that you wouldn't like it. Well, rest first. We've bustled around for so long. I will send someone to call you for dinner. I will also leave two servants at the moon gate. If you need anything, just ask your maids to tell them.
Yun Shang nodded. "Okay."
Hua Jing smiled, "I will leave then. I have something to do." Then she left with her maids.
Qian Yin began to laugh when Hua Jing disappeared down the stone path. "Your Highness, it's been a really interesting day."
Yun Shang made a gesture indicating that the maid lower her voice. "Be careful. Someone may be eavesdropping."
Qian Yin lowered her voice immediately. "Your Highness, it's said that Prince Jing is a very cold person. But when I saw him, he was not cold. On the contrary, I think he was rather amiable to you."
Rolling her eyes, Yun Shang said, "Nonsense. He should help me because…" Because they had a deal.
While Yun Shang was talking about Prince Jing, Hua Jing returned to her room. She sat on her chair and thought about the Prince. How was it that he suddenly appeared and interrupted her plan today?
"Is Bing'er back?" Hua Jing turned around and asked the maid behind her.
"Not yet, your Highness. The distance between the Princess Palace and Yuman Tower is kind of far. I guess it will take a while." The maid replied.
Frowning, Hua Jing reached out and lifted her tea cup. After sipping the cool tea, she asked, "Wasn't Lady Zhao chanting scriptures in the Prayer room? Why did she come out today? And why didn't you inform me?"
The maid knelt down right away, "Please forgive me, your Highness. It happened all of a sudden. Lady Zhao napped only for a short while. She woke up earlier than expected. She said that she had a nightmare that the Emperor's Son-in-law was injured. As a result, she couldn't sleep anymore. She decided to take a walk instead. Then we met you and Princess Yun Shang. But I am confused. I wonder how Lady Zhao knew it was Princess Yun Shang even though they've never met before."
Hua Jing sneered, "For sure you are confused. Don't underestimate that old woman. Even my mother said that she is cunning. I was negligent. It seems that there is someone unfaithful to me here, which is strange. I selected every servant in this Palace myself and investigated their ancestry as well. How can that old woman still turn against me on everything?"
"Don't be angry, Your Highness."
Hua Jing snorted. "I don't get it. As a Princess, I was married into this impoverished family. She should thank me. But why does she despise me so much? That Zhao Zhongyi is a reckless man who only knows how to fight. I don't know why my father likes him! Even my mother agreed to this marriage!"
The maid knelt down and whispered, "Your Highness, the Empress said that Zhao Zhongyi is a military officer while members of the Li Family can only be civil officials for generations to come. However, in this country, military officers have more power. If it's possible to win over Zhao's family and share in their military power, the foundation of Li family will be unshakable."
Hua Jing's eyes turned cold. "Li Family. But my surname is Ning."
"Your Highness, Bing'er is back." A deep voice came from outside. Hua Jing let out a sigh, checked her emotions and said with a low voice, "Come in."
After Bing'er entered the inner Palace, she said hurriedly, "Your Highness, I asked the owner. Prince Jing arrived before us."
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