It finally happened. Yun Shang squinted as she thought of an idea.
She took a sip of the fruit tea and said, "Sister, it seems you know everything about all the young masters of noble origin in the Imperial City." She paused and lowered her head a little. Then she whispered to Hua Jing, "I stayed at Ning'guo Temple to serve Buddha for a long time. It hasn't been long since I returned. I know nothing about those young masters. I rely on Your Majesty and mother to pick a good husband for me. I think Your Majesty and mother would not treat me unkindly."
Emperor Ning's face darkened at the words uttered by Yun Shang. Everyone knew that Princess Hua Jing was married. Her husband was the Emperor's son-in-law. But knowing everything about all young masters of noble origin? That was tantamount to subtle criticism on Hua Jing's immoral behavior as a woman.
But Hua Jing seemed to be ignorant about all this. She smiled, "Shang'er, you'd better take a look first."
Yun Shang didn't reply as she felt someone staring at her. The feeling was so strong that she could not ignore it. Yun Shang turned around and saw Prince Jing watching her. There was a touch of curiosity and even coldness in his gaze, which surprised Yun Shang a little.
Fortunately, the Empress initiated a conversation. "It was reported that Prince Jing encountered an assassination on his way back. It's a blessing of Buddha that you are not hurt. Extremists are so desperate."
"An assassination? Where did it happen?" Emperor Ning asked eagerly.
Prince Jing moved his gaze away from Yun Shang, and said with a smile, "Mt. Qingfeng."
"Mt. Qingfeng?" On hearing this, Hua Jing shouted, "Shang'er would have passed by Mt. Qingfeng today on her way back to the Imperial Palace from Ning'guo Temple, right? Were you hurt?"
Yun Shang burst into a gentle smile, "Maybe I passed through at a different time. I did not face any incident on the way. It was quite safe all the way to the Imperial City."
"That's good." Hua Jing patted her chest with relief.
"Let's not talk about these dull matters. The dancing and singing shouldn't be suspended." The Empress smiled, and clapped her hands as a sign. Music began playing again, and the guests indulged in drinking, eating, and toasting.
Yun Shang lingered for a while. Since the party had carried on for hours, and guests had begun getting drunk, she left the hall with Qin Yi.
"Your Imperial Highness, Prince Jing was staring at you just now, wasn't he?" Qin Yi who followed Yun Shang, said unexpectedly.
Yun Shang stopped, and frowned, "You also felt that, right?"
Qin Yi was getting worried. "Your Imperial Highness, do you think Prince Jing knows something about the incident this afternoon?"
"Impossible." Yun Shang shook her head. She frowned as she spoke. "I ensured that we followed Prince Jing's procession. After their encounter, they would not go back. Even if they did go back and spotted something unusual, they would not be able to guess that it is I who stopped my assassination in the name of Prince Jing."
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