Chapter 105 Birthday Party At Prince Shun Qing's Mansion (Part Two)

Yun Shang was surprised. She checked her eyebrows for stray hairs before washing her face. Then, she took the towel from Qian Yin, wiped her face and sat before the dresser.

Qin Yi walked over, picked up the comb, and tended to Yun Shang's hair.

Qian Yin hung out the used towel and continued, "Lady Shun Qing likes green and blue, so most of her clothes are green and blue. She hates others wearing clothes of the same colors as her. Today, you can't wear clothes in those two colors."

"I see." Yun Shang smiled faintly, "If others know that Lady Shun Qing favors those two colors, they will try to flatter her by wearing clothes in those colors. However, if I do the same, she might hate me. The Empress is considerate. She told the truth, but..."

Qin Yi combed Yun Shang's hair and picked up a simple hairband from the dresser. She made a bowknot on Yun Shang's hair and frowned, "Your Highness, did the Empress ask you to attend Lady Shun Qing's birthday party so that you will anger her by wearing clothes with the same colors as hers? Will her trickery fail if you wear clothes of other colors?"

Yun Shang glanced at the gift box and smiled, "Of course not."

"Your Highness, I hope you do not attend the party. The Empress is vengeful and evil. If something bad happens to you at the Prince Shun Qing's Mansion, she won't be blamed." Qin Yi felt unnerved. The Princess had a narrow escape a fews days ago. What's to be done if bad things happen to her again?

Yun Shang turned and grasped Qin Yi's hands, "I can't hide at Qingxin Palace and be a coward forever. I promise I will be careful. Come on, don't worry about me."

Qin Yi nodded, turned around, took a piece of rosy clothing and helped Yun Shang to put it on. Then she grabbed a cloak in the same color and tied it for the Princess. Then, she held the gift box and followed Yun Shang out of Qingxin Palace.

The carriage was already waiting for them as they stepped out of the Palace. Qian Yin helped Yun Shang climb in. After the two maids stepped into the carriage, the journey toward Prince Shun Qing's Mansion begun.

"Princess Hui Guo has arrived." Hearing the message of the herald, people present in the yard looked at the entrance.

A lady aged about thirty walked forward and laughed cheerfully, "I just said that I heard the twiddle of magpie in the morning and thought a respected noble would come to the party. Now, a Princess arrives."

Qian Yin followed Yun Shang and whispered, "This is Wen Ruxin, wife of the eldest son of Prince Shun Qing, and daughter

ly for a few minutes before Lady Shun Qing said, "I have some senior women here talking about boring things. You can take these young ladies to the yard and have some fun. They must feel bored and embarrassed at having to listen to our nonsense."

The older women heard this and giggled. They said to the younger women, "If that is the case, you can go and play with the Princess."

Yun Shang smiled and led the younger ladies out. A pretty young girl approached Yun Shang and said with a broad smile, "Your Highness, you are so beautiful. Xi'er has never seen such a beautiful lady."

Yun Shang heard Qin Yi whisper, "She is Wenxi, daughter of the officer of Taichang Temple*."

(*TN: An agency responsible for imperial ceremonies)

Yun Shang was about to say something, however, a sarcastic voice interrupted her. "Wenxi, you are a bitch. Isn't your love for Prince Jing well known in the Imperial City? The Emperor granted the marriage between Prince Jing and Princess Hui Guo. Listen to me and don't play tricks. Can it be that you are fawning over the Princess with the hopes that one day, she will talk Prince Jing into marrying you as a concubine? You are so naive."

Yun Shang didn't know this secret. She turned, refrained from smiling, and looked at the woman who had spoken. She had a beautiful face, so much so that despite her malicious expression, she was still attractive. However, her words were hurtful.

Wenxi ground her teeth and ignored that woman. She frowned as though wronged and said to Yun Shang, "You Highness, she is telling lies."

Yun Shang smiled and was about to comfort her when she heard a familiar cold voice, "You will get nothing. I will only marry Yun Shang."