An Eight-year-old Princess novel Chapter 42

Yun Shang thought about the previous night for a moment and guessed what might have happened. She looked up at Qin Yi. Mischief danced in her eyes. "I'm in no hurry. I will have my breakfast before I deal with the Qin Meng situation."

Qin Yi nodded and then turned to leave. She stepped out and spoke with the messenger standing outside. A short while later, a maid-in-waiting brought breakfast to the Palace. Qin Yi took it from the maid with a smile. She said to Yun Shang, "You have red bean porridge for breakfast. Looks delicious."

Yun Shang nodded and explained herself, "You see, there is always trouble. Qin Meng certainly is troublesome."

Qin Yi put the dishes on the table while saying, "I forget that we are now in Prince Jing's Mansion instead of at our own. Qin Meng deserves to be punished. Someone had to teach her a lesson. Then she would know that she can't just do whatever she wants to do, wherever she goes, and whenever she pleases."

Yun Shang smiled. She tucked into a bowl of red bean porridge before picking up an egg roll from the plate. After breakfast, Yun Shang took a nap before finally deciding to deal with Qin Meng. She asked a servant to lead her to the so-called forbidden area in the Prince's Mansion.

Qin Meng was kneeling in front of the door of the forbidden area. She must have been kneeling for a long time for she could barely stay straight. Hearing a noise, she looked up slowly and, upon seeing Yun Shang, her eyes brightened. She straightened her upper body and said with tears in her eyes, "Princess, help me, please. I just wanted a private place to relieve myself. But the mansion is so large that I couldn't find a servant to guide me. It was during my search that I stumbled here. I didn't know that this is the forbidden area. Princess, help me…"

Yun Shang frowned and walked towards Qin Meng quickly. With an anxious expression, she reprimanded the maid. "Qin Meng, how could you be so careless? We are now in Prince Jing's Mansion. You are not allowed to walk around freely. You have caused offense to my uncle, Prince Jing. I am unable to save you…"

"I didn't mean harm. Princess, please go beg the Prince to forgive me." said Qin Meng. Tears gushed out of her eyes. Fearful of the consequences, Qin reached out and grabbed Yun Shang's tunic.

"Those who enter the forbidden area without permission are executed. For the Princess's sake, our Prince won't order your death. However, the fact remains that you entered the forbidden area, regardless of whether you did it on purpose or not. You have been absolved from execution, but some punishment is inevitable. Since you dared to walk around as you saw fit, you should also accept the consequences." said the butler coldly. He remained unmoved with Qin Meng's plight.

"Princess, help me, please. Go beg the Prince to forgive me." said Qin Meng. Having heard the butler, her anxiety increased and her voice reached a piercing intensity. She bit her lip and looked pale as she waited for the Princess to respond.

Suddenly, a deep voice rose above the clamor and chaos. Yun Shang turned round and saw Prince Jing-Luo Qingyan enter the room.

"My Prince, she entered into the forbidden area yesterday. She is the Princess's maid-in-waiting." said the butler reverently as he stepped forward and bowed.

Prince Jing caught a glimpse of Yun Shang. Their eyes connected for a brief moment before he looked away. "What does the Princess say about this?"

Yun Shang smiled and spoke calmly, "I brought Qin Meng here. She made this mistake because I didn't discipline her well. Innocence does not equal guilt or crime. I beg you not to punish her too severely."

Prince Jing thought for a while and nodded. "Do as the Princess said. Qin Meng will face a relatively light punishment." With these words, he looked at the maid-in-waiting who was still dressed in pink. The maid-in-waiting seemed relieved. Prince Jing raised the corners of his mouth grimly and said, "Those who entered into the forbidden area in the past, are all dead now. For she is the personal maid of Princess Yun Shang, she can stay alive. Just break her legs as punishment."