An Eight-year-old Princess novel Chapter 40

"Seeing the doctor in Prince Jing's mansion?" Yun Shang's face turned red as she coughed. "Considering how weak I am, I doubt any highly-skilled doctor can cure me of my illness. Never mind. It is Father's kindness. If I refuse to go, Father would be sad. It's just that I heard that Prince Jing is difficult to get along with, which is why there's not a single maid in his mansion. Qin Yi, Qin Meng, you two follow me to Prince Jing's mansion."

Qin Yi and Qin Meng agreed and then left to instruct the other maids to pack the Princess's belongings. After a short while, one of Prince Jing's servants came to notify them that Prince Jing was ready to leave for his mansion.

Yun Shang nodded. Qin Yi and Qin Meng helped her stand and walked her out of Qingxin Palace where a Nian* was waiting. When they arrived at the mansion gates, two horses and carriages were waiting. Prince Jing stood beside one horse and carriage. When he saw Yun Shang, he walked toward her and helped her get off the Nian.

(*TN: Nian, a kind of carriage pulled by people.)

A sudden gust of wind caught Yun Shang by surprise and she coughed. Prince Jing supported her as she walked towards the carriage. She felt a bit uneasy, but thanked him and got in the carriage.

An hour later, the carriage stopped. Qin Yi and Qin Meng lifted the curtain and climbed down. They stood outside the carriage and spoke, "Your Highness, we have arrived at Prince Jing's mansion."

Yun Shang nodded, stood up and stepped outside.

Prince Jing was standing outside of his mansion, instructing a middle-aged man. Seeing Yun Shang, he stepped forward and said, "I have already told my butler to inform the doctor. You can rest inside. I'll take you to him later."

Yun Shang nodded before bowing before the Prince. "I see. Thank you, uncle."

The Princess followed the butler into the mansion. Although the mansion was spacious, it seemed neglected. Perhaps that was because only a few servants tended to the mansion. Yun Shang was settled in a yard called Jinse. After leading Yun Shang into the yard, the butler left.

"Why was Prince Jing's mansion so desolate? I can't even see a single living creature. It feels unnatural. Your Highness ... We should just go back to our Palace." Qin Meng shuddered as she spoke.

Yun Shang smiled. "Be careful. Do not to let Prince Jing hear you. If you annoy him, I won't be able to save you."

Yun Shang looked around the yard. Even though it was late at night, the flickering light from several lanterns hanging from the roof allowed her to see clearly. The yard was large. Two paths meandered from the pavilion where she was sitting. One path led to the gate, while the other disappeared into a bamboo forest skirted by thick groves of plum trees.

Qin Yi supported Yun Shang into a nearby room. The lamp has been lit already. The room was bare except for a table and several chairs. They walked from the outer room to the inner Palace. The inner Palace was sparsely decorated as well. They saw a bed, a folding screen, a dressing table, a table for a Chinese lute, and a desk. Even with the minimal furniture, the Palace seems elegant.

"Everyone says that Prince Jing is ascetic. He doesn't even have a maid in his mansion. But why is it that this room ... looks like a woman's room?" Qin Yi asked in a low voice after looking around.