An Eight-year-old Princess

Confusion reflected on the faces of everyone present at the banquet. After all, the marriage edict issued by the Emperor during the New Year's Eve feast was well known. However...

They all looked at Prince Jing who seemed to be aloof. He calmly sipped from his teacup without so much as a glance at Yu'er. As for Princess Yun Shang who always kept to herself, she seemed to be calm as well. There was a faint smile of amusement on her lips.

Emperor Ning contemplated before replying, "Lady Yu'er has good taste in men. But, I have already permitted the marriage between Princess Hui Guo and Prince Jing. Although the wedding ceremony hasn't been held yet, the marriage edict has been issued and is well known. An Emperor's words should be taken seriously. Are you asking me to contradict myself?"

Yu'er didn't seem to be surprised. She did a small curtsy and blushed scarlet, "It's fine. I want to be with Prince Jing, even if it means serving him as his concubine."

Emperor Ning stopped smiling and spoke seriously, "When the deceased Emperor was alive, he promised that Prince Jing could make his own decisions. And the Prince asked me to issue the edict allowing his marriage with Yun Shang. Lady Yu'er, if you want to be his concubine, you have to ask his permission. If he is comfortable with this proposal, I will respect his wish."

When Yu'er heard these words, her eyes sparkled. She smiled and handed a cup of wine to Prince Jing, "Prince, I have admired you for a long time. Can you help me to achieve my dream?"

Yu'er was confident. She was aware that polygamy was common in the State of Ning. She also knew that she was beautiful enough to enchant any man she met. Nobody would refuse her proposal.

Prince Jing raised his head but didn't look at Yu'er. He looked across the Hall at Yun Shang. Yun Shang raised her eyebrow wittily and proposed a toast to Prince Jing.

Prince Jing sensed the slyness in her glance which seemed to convey that he was a ladykiller. Prince Jing couldn't help smiling when he thought of Yun Shang saying this in her unique tone and voice. However, his smile surprised Yu'er and increased her confidence.

moment, however, Prince Jing said, "I was thinking about other things, and didn't hear what this lady was

the Hall was surprised by his words. Prince Jing was thinking about other things and completely ignored Yu'er. Besides, he

was taken aback and smiled awkwardly although

was also astonished. In retrospect, he was aware that he didn't like Yu'er either. As Emperor, he should not have accepted her outrageous behavior simply because she was part of a diplomatic mission. Despite being aware of Prince Jing's marriage with Yun Shang, Yu'er was brazen enough to put forward the proposal of being Prince Jing's second wife. This was clearly an attempt to embarrass Yun Shang. Emperor Ning laughed heartily, "Prince Jing, can you tell us what you were thinking about? This lady standing

looked astonished, and replied, "I see. I was thinking that..." Prince Jing frowned faintly, which certainly made others curious about his thoughts. Then, he spoke leisurely, "The pattern embroidered on Yun Shang's clothes is white pear flower. However, we were drinking jasmine tea at the tea house. So, I wondered which flower Yun Shang liked better, pear or jasmine. Yesterday, I asked the owner of Suiyu

looking across the Hall at Yun Shang, "It was intended as a surprise for her. However, I couldn't decide which kind of flower was better. So, the owner of the Suiyu Shop suggested that I should observe her favorite flowers." He added after another moment's silence, "Your Majesty, please forgive me for mentioning such

feared him. How could a man as cold and cruel as Prince Jing, think

Shang lowered her

no need to ask more. Emperor Ning was about to say something. However, Yu'er interrupted, "Never mind. I met you on the

out of the Hall and flog her fifty times. How dare you interrupt my discussions with my brother? It astonishes me that the daughter of the Chief Councilor of the State of Yelang has such poor upbringing. Rumor goes that the Chief Councilor adopted a daughter because he was unmarried at the age of fifty. If you can't be taught proper etiquette in

and had to steady the wine cup in her hand. Then, she tried to swallow her fear as she went down on

Jing snorted in contempt and said nothing. Emperor Ning saw a faint bluish tinge creeping up on Qingsu's face and hurried to settle the situation. He said, "Brother, calm down, you

severity of the situation. She raised her head and smiled, "Lady Yu'er has a fragile heart. Prince Jing,

State of Yelang. An envoy can't be flogged no matter what she does. So, she will be forgiven. But, I'm warning her not to do it again." After saying these words, he looked at Qingsu and said, "The State of Ning is a great country where people aren't as free as those living in the State of Yelang. Lady Yu'er is our guest. For this reason, I shouldn't blame her.

you are right. I won't blame you." After saying these words, he turned, frowned and

her teeth, did a small curtsy and left