"Help?" Yun Shang raised an eyebrow at her sister's request. 'It's rare that such an arrogant Princess would need help with her things.'
Yun Shang smiled, "Of course, sister! Just tell me. If there is anything I can do, I will try my best."
"I'm not asking you to kill or set fire. Just do me a little favor, please. You know what happened during your Coming-of-age Ceremony. Because of that sachet, Mo Jingran and I were misunderstood by people. I sent someone to ask him about the sachet. He said that one of Lady Shu's maids gave it to him. The maid told him that you wanted him to have it. He believed her. Since he was quite fond of you, he wore it all the time. I have no idea why Lady Shu had my sachet and pretended it to be yours. Since she is our father's concubine, I don't want to argue with her about it. But since that day, I have been rumored to have seduced him. People say I am a woman without virtues. I'm married and those rumors are hurtful."
"Oh... How could anyone say that? The rumors are hurtful and offensive!" Yun Shang stared at Hua Jing in wide-eyed amazement.
"I can't deal with it. Although I'm a Princess, I can't stop people from talking, " sighed Hua Jing. Then she turned to Yun Shang and smiled. "That's why I asked you to do me a little favor."
Yun Shang nodded. "What can I do for you, sister?"
Hua Jing was silent for a moment as she pretended to think. "There is a small party in a few days and I invited him too. I didn't want people to think I was hiding something by not inviting him. But it's not proper for me to associate with Mo Jingran. I hope you can accompany him at the party."
Astonishment reflected on Yun Shang's face. She took a moment to think about Hua Jing's request. Suddenly everything became clear. "Oh, I see. I thought you wanted me to do something difficult. Now you can be assured that I will do what you have asked."
Hearing that, Hua Jing's eyes filled with joy. "Thank you very much, my dear sister!"
Suddenly, a maid's voice could be hear. "Your Highnesses, It's time for lunch. Today is the first day of the New Year. You should have lunch with Lady Zhao."
Hua Jing nodded. "It is a rule that I must accompany Lady Zhao to lunch on the first and fifteenth day of the New Year. Let's go!"
Yun Shang nodded and then followed Hua Jing to the dinning room. When they arrived, the dining room was empty. Lady Zhao had not yet arrived. Hua Jing asked their servants to serve the meal. A few minutes later, Lady Zhao entered.
"Let's eat." Came Lady Zhao's deep voice. The Princesses waited for her to pick up her bowl
Before proceeding to pick up their bowls. The butler arrived in the middle of the meal. Seeing that they were having lunch, he did not disturb the women. He stood quietly at the door and waited for them to finish their meal. When they were done, he came forward and said, "My Lady and Your highnesses, a monk came to beg alms. He is waiting outside now."
"A monk?" Hua Jing frowned. "There are too many monks who cheat by begging now. Send him away with a bowl of rice!"
The butler nodded and was about to leave when Lady Zhao spoke up. "Did he say which temple he was from?"
Hearing that the butler paused and said with a slight bow, "My Lady, he said he was from Ning'guo Temple."
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