Yun Shang frowned as she did not know what was going on. She saw Ning Ye dodge the blow. Yun Shang was shocked by his reaction. She had once read through the information kept on royal members and learned that Ning Ye had been sickly from an early age and that he was randy yet weak now. Wang Jinhuan, however, was highly skilled in martial arts. Even if he punched Ning Ye without using martial arts, his movement would be much faster than an ordinary person, and Ning Ye shouldn't be able to dodge...
Was Ning Ye somehow skilled in martial arts too? But why did he conceal the fact?
Ning Ye also seemed to have realized his mistake. He stopped moving and took Jinhuan's next punch to his body.
Yun Shang saw the expression on Prince Jing's face change, and knew that he must have asked Jinhuan to fly Ning Ye's kite. Was Prince Jing investigating Ning Ye?
Yun Shang tipped Ning Qian with a wink. Ning Qian took the hint and turned to the two men fighting with each other and said indifferently, "Your Royal Highness, Mr. Wang, since you are good friends, please continue. I think I'd better leave now."
They immediately stopped fighting and yelled in one voice, "Qian Qian, please don't go."
Ning Qian did not respond, instead, she turned and walked toward the boat. Ning Ye immediately followed, but Jinhuan stayed where he was. He ground his teeth and mumbled, "Ning Ye, you are such a bastard! I don't believe Qian Qian would choose you. Let's wait and see!"
The thunder of horse hooves came from behind them. Shortly after, a man's voice could be heard, "Prince Jing, the Defense Minister has something important to report. He has been waiting for you for about an hour at the mansion."
Prince Jing nodded but hesitated before he turned to Yun Shang, "I'm so sorry. I invited you for an outing, but I need to leave now. Let me send you back to the Imperial Palace first."
Yun Shang agreed. She turned around and walked down the hill with Prince Jing. Together, they got into the carriage.
They didn't speak with each other during the journey.
After Yun Shang returned to her Palace, she asked Qian Yin, "Has Liu Qingya come into the Imperial Palace? She's the girl who was selected to be my father's newest concubine on New Year's Eve."
Qian Yin shook her head. After the New Year's Eve banquet, Lady Jin had nearly suffered a miscarriage, and the Empress had been grounded. It was the Empress who had selected Liu Qingya as a concubine for Emperor Ning. Now, the Empress was busy enough with her affairs, and no one remembered Lady Qingya.
Yun Shang thought about it for a while and said, "Ask Qin Meng to mention Qingya tomorrow when she visits Lady Ming."
Qian Yin nodded. Yun Shang continued, "Help me change. I'm going to Qinzheng Hall."
Yun Shang changed into a green dress and styled her hair in a bun before leaving for Qinzheng Hall with Qian Yin. Lord Zheng was not at the door. Another eunuch who was at the door immediately came up to Yun Shang, "Your Highness, the Emperor is not here. He went to Changchun Palace to visit Lady Ming."
Yun Shang nodded and turned in the direction of Changchun Palace.
Emperor Ning was really at Changchun Palace. When Yun Shang entered, she saw he was eating a bowl of white fungus soup. She said to Lady Ming with a childish pout, "Your Ladyship, you are being partial. I've been here so many times, but you have never served me a bowl of white fungus soup. Only my father has that honor."
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