Chapter 61 Hua Jing's Request
Chapter 61 Hua Jing's Request
Prince Jing never liked to participate in these banquets. Besides, Hua Jing did not know Prince Jing
very well. Why did she think of sending Prince Jing an invite?
Yun Shang froze for a minute before quickly answering, "I haven't been in the Imperial City for so many
years. I haven't had the chance to meet anyone. Now, I can use the opportunity to meet the noble
masters and ladies people. They say the ladies of the Imperial City are all as talented as they are NôvelDrama.Org holds text © rights.
beautiful. I feel excited just thinking about meeting them."
After Qing'er took Yun Shang back to the yard, she bowed with respect before leaving. Qian Yin
searched the yard before she came back, "I've checked. While there are no guards inside the yard,
there are seven guards just outside. I guess they are afraid that the Princess might shun them."
Yun Shang nodded without saying anything. Qin Yi, however, continued speaking, "The Princess
Palace is full of Princess Hua Jing's informers. We must be extra careful, in case we fall for Princess
Hua Jing's tricks. Today, if it were not for our Princess' precaution of sending people to Yuman Tower in
advance, we would have been in grave danger."
Yun Shang chuckled, "Qin Yi, you're not as smart as my mother. You see, even though my mother is
pregnant, she intentionally moved in to Qiwu Palace. Do you know why? Because Qiwu Palace is the
Empress' turf. If something happened to mother at Qiwu Palace, no matter what the truth, the Empress
would be caught up in it. I'm living in Hua Jing's Princess Palace. So if something were to happen to
me, then the unfortunate person to blame would be..."
"Princess Hua Jing." Qian Yin grinned, "Your Highness is so smart."
Yun Shang looked at Qian Yin with a smile. She sighed helplessly and said, "That's why I should be
safe for the time being. But Hua Jing did all she could to move me to the Princess Palace. She
definitely didn't do this for my leisure or for me to learn how to throw banquets. Right now I don't know
her intentions, but I do have a few ideas about how to deal with her."
Upon hearing this, Qian Yin swiftly approached Yun Shang. "Your Highness is finally going to make a
move on that woman?"
Yun Shang curled her lips into a sneer, "Yes, every time she attacks me I defend. This time, it should
be my turn to attack."
"What good ideas does Your Highness have?" Qian Yin asked quickly.
Yun Shang blinked, and motioned Qin Yi and Qian Yin to come closer. They hurriedly gathered around
Yun Shang, and she whispered something in their ears. Upon hearing her words, both Qin Yi and Qian
Yin were very happy. After a while, Qin Yi smiled and said, "Today, I saw that the old lady is very devout
to Buddhism. Although she didn't say it, she seemed very pleased that Your Highness brought Buddhist
scriptures for her. If what Your Highness suggests happens, she would surely believe it."
Yun Shang nodded. Despite the inconsistencies between her past and present life, some major events
were destined to happen. She could no longer be indecisive and give up the perfect opportunity.
The three of them talked for some time before retiring to bed.
The next day, just after breakfast, Hua Jing visited. She settled the people she brought in Yun Shang's
room and then asked the young Princess to listen. "If a banquet is to be held, even a small banquet, all
outstanding young men and ladies will be invited. The first thing that needs to be done is to decide on a
theme for the banquet. The theme should be elegant. For example, this time, the main theme set by
Princess Hua Jing for this banquet is 'Dream of a Floating Life.' Once the theme has been decided, all
preparations need to focus on this theme, such as the layout of the banquet venue, the decorations,
and the creation of a certain atmosphere. Even the way the guests enter the venue, the dance routines
of the dancers, and the name of the dishes should be related to this theme."
Listening to Madam Xi's words, Yun Shang smiled and turned her head to ask Hua Jing, " I didn't
expect that holding a banquet, even a small one, could be so complicated."
Hua Jing nodded, "Yes, and this is just a small banquet. If it were a birthday banquet or a wedding
banquet, it would be more exquisite. Of course, the most magnificent and complicated ones are the
Palace banquets."
"Every time I attended a banquet, I never paid attention to theme or decor or food. I didn't expect it to
be so troublesome to plan them." Yun Shang sighed and added, "Sister, I heard from Qing'er that uncle
was invited to this banquet. Will he come?"
Hua Jing looked at Yun Shang with a smile, "All you think about is our uncle. The invitation has already
been sent, and uncle said he would come if he is free."
"It's just that I don't know many people in the Imperial City. Who else has been invited? Is there anyone
else I know?" Yun Shang hurried to explain when she noticed Hua Jing's teasing tone.
"People you know..." Hua Jing paused, "There is one, I almost forgot about him. Now that you have
mentioned it, I'm somewhat concerned. However, I'll tell you about it after Madam Xi has finished."
Yun Shang nodded, listening attentively and calmly to Madam Xi's explanation of the banquet's
planning and preparations. After an hour, Yun Shang found herself yawning. Madam Xi was still going
on and on, "The key to the success of the banquet is all in the details. As long as the details are
handled properly, it will surely be a successful banquet."
Seeing that Yun Shang was beginning to feel tired, Hua Jing waved her hand and said, "Let's stop here
today. If we teach her too much in one day, she won't be able to learn anything. It might be better to
teach her a little every day."
Madam Xi nodded and withdrew to the side. Yun Shang took a few sips of the tea before she moved
closer to Hua Jing and said, "Sister, you just said that someone concerned you. I don't know who that
could be. Why don't you tell me about it and see if I can help."
Hua Jing nodded, heaved a deep sigh, and hesitated for a long time before finally saying, "Do you
remember Mo Jingran?"
Mo Jingran? At the familiar name, Yun Shang's mind filled with memories of shame and betrayal. She
sneered secretly, Mo Jingran, how can she possibly forget about him? But she pretended to be
confused, "Mo Jingran?
The name sounds familiar, but I have no impression of such a person. Who is this?"
"How can you not remember..." Hua Jing smiled and continued, "Do you remember that I said I would
introduce you to a talented young man? Do you remember the man who played you a song at your
Coming-of-age Ceremony? He sang about 'beautiful young ladies.' His song even made me blush!"
A smirk passed over Yun Shang's face, but she pretended to have just realized something, "Oh it was
him. But isn't he..."
A look of frustration appeared on Hua Jing's face, "On the day of your Coming-of-age Ceremony, I had
no idea why my sachet was in his possession. But our father misunderstood me and I couldn't argue
with His Majesty. Do you believe me?"
Upon hearing Hua Jing's question, Yun Shang nodded immediately, "Of course I believe you."
Hua Jing smiled with satisfaction, "What concerns me now is this Mo Jingran... Shang'er, you can really
help me with this? Are you willing to do me a favor?"