An Eight-year-old Princess

Two days later, as expected, the Empress brought some people to the Palace. She claimed that Yun Shang was possessed, as, within a short space of time, two inexplicable events occurred. First, she fell from the attic and then, the palace where she lived caught fire. The Empress sent somebody to call for a savant Taoist from Lingyun Temple to hold an exorcism for Yun Shang.

The Empress arrived just as Yun Shang had just finished her breakfast. Decided on a nap, the young princess left the table. As she walked past the window, she saw the maids-in-waiting curtsying to the Empress. Yun Shang yawned and winked at Qin Yi. Qin Yi withdrew secretly from the Palace.

Yun Shang stepped out of the Palace and walked towards the Empress. "Mother, what are you doing here? It is too noisy. I wanted a nap, but now I can't fall asleep." She yawned again to emphasize her point.

"My little sister, you are the younger princess. How can you care so little about your manners while under the watch of so many maids-in-waiting and eunuchs? You should be wary. It would not do well to be seen by madams who would take you for etiquette training." said Princess Hua Jing. As Yun Shang turned, she found Hua Jing standing behind the Empress. Hua Jing wore a light blue court dress with peach blossom petals embroidered on the fringe of the tunic, a jade hairpin on her head, and fine silver beaded tassels hanging from the hairpin. As she was coming of age, she had a grown woman's body. Yun Shang looked over her sister's slim waist, beautifully defined shoulders, rosy cheeks, and bright eyes.

Yun Shang smiled. There was no doubt that Hua Jing was a real beauty. No wonder her husband from her previous life had mistreated Yun Shang to stay with Hua Jing.

Yun Shang said smilingly, "My elder sister is also here……"

Hua Jing nodded and walked forward to take Yun Shang's hands. "I heard that the ritual of exorcism is more miraculous and interesting than folk acrobatics. I came all the way to see it. You are already out. Let's go to see it together!"

As Hua Jing touched her arms, Yun Shang forced a smile. Hearing Hua Jing talk to her in such a heartfelt way enraged Yun Shang. She thought that Hua Jing must enjoy watching her suffer.

Instead, she said, "Well, I'll go with you. What you think is interesting must certainly be just that. I wouldn't want to miss it." Yun Shang turned round to look at the Empress. The Empress looked graceful and gorgeous in a phoenix robe. The tunic stretched behind her; the colors glittering in the morning sun. At the moment, the Empress was looking at her and Hua Jing with a gentle smile.

and turned around. "This is going to be a long ritual. You will get very tired if you keep standing here. My servants, go to the Palace and bring out

"Please sit down, my Empress and sister.

Shang noticed the Empress frowning at her lack of respect. The look disappeared so quickly that Yun Shang wondered if she had imagined it. She smiled and turned to see Qin Yi standing nearby.

gesture with his hands implying that the ritual had begun. He pulled out

on the path of enlightenment and that of compassion will live a happy and satisfied life, while those following the evil way will find themselves trapped in a cycle of unhappiness, greed, and selfishness…" The Taoist murmured an incantation before taking a sip of water from the bowl placed near the candlesticks. With the sword, he lifted several spiritual magic figures*. The chants continued as he brought the figures closer to the candles. Once they had lit,

which is thought to have magic powers and

and took a deep breath. Suddenly her body jerked.

Though she was not an expert in Buddhism, she knew that Buddhists use sandalwood while Taoists burn aquilaria agallocha. She

tips of Yun Shang's mouth lifted in a brief smile. From the corner

the smell was essential to the

had a vague idea of what to expect next.

her hands on her forehead while thinking. The instant her hand touched her

in my head." Yun Shang said to the Empress and Hua Jing with