Chapter 7 Trouble Comes (2/2)
Yun Shang closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Suddenly her body jerked. It occurred to her that Taoist priest didn't use sandalwood.
In her previous life, she had spent some time learning about Buddhism to pacify her mother-in-law, a Buddhist believer. Though she was not an expert in Buddhism, she knew that Buddhists use sandalwood while Taoists burn aquilaria agallocha. She was certain that what she smelled was sandalwood. There was no mistaking its distinct smell.
Yun Shang saw Qin Yi appear again. She was blending in with a group of maids-in-waiting. She nodded her head. The tips of Yun Shang's mouth lifted in a brief smile. From the corner of her eye, Yun Shang saw that Hua Jing had been watching her since the sandalwood had begun to smoke.
For some reason, the smell was essential to the ritual.
Yun Shang heard several unusual noises coming from outside the palace. Putting these things together, she had a vague idea of what to expect next. What she didn't know was what responses would come from the ostensibly virtuous Empress and the seemingly courteous Princess Hua Jing.
Yun Shang put her hands on her forehead while thinking. The instant her hand touched her brow, Hua Jing spoke, ”My sister, are you ok? Do you feel sick now?”
Yun Shang nodded and said, ”I don't know why but the smell kind of sickens me and there is a buzzing in my head.” Yun Shang said to the Empress and Hua Jing with a forced smile, ”I feel very unwell. I will retire to my chamber to rest.”
The Empress nodded. However, Hua Jing couldn't let go of this chance to embarrass Yun Shang in public. ”The Taoist hasn't finished the exorcism yet. Stay with me for another moment.”
Yun Shang looked at Hua Jing and waved her hands. She pretended to speak as though the act required quite an effort. ”No, I can't. I have a bad headache and I'd better rest now.” After this, she beckoned Qin Yin. The servant quickly stepped forward to hold the young Princess's arms. Just as they proceeded to the inner room, the Taoist exclaimed, ”Get rid of the evil spirits, then life can be saved. With a pure heart, you'll have a peaceful mind. Those who keep cultivating the Tao way, will have an immortal soul. Take effect immediately!”
Just as the Taoist finished his speech, Yun Shang felt a gush of wind sweep across her face. Before she could register what transpired, a sword stopped her path.
Yun Shang just frowned while Qin Yin lost her temper and said, ”How dare you do that? Are you gonna kill our Princess, Yun Shang?”
Qin Yin's outburst ended the audience's trance-like state, but nobody went forward to stop the priest. It was not until a while later that the Empress said, ”Taoist, have you noticed something unusual?
The Taoist stared at Yun Shang coldly with a harrumph. He took the spiritual magic figure from the table, and placed it on Yun Shang's forehead. ”The Qingxin Palace would have been tranquil if Princess Yun Shang wasn't being haunted by a ghost. I have just placed a spiritual magic figure to repress the ghost. And I will expel the ghost from the Princess by exorcism…”
The spiritual magic figure must have contained sandalwood for as soon as it was placed on Yun Shang's forehead, the fragrance became overwhelming. Yun Shang smiled. She took down the spiritual magic figure, and threw it at the Taoist. ”I am not possessed and this ritual is a sham. I will ask my father to inquire into this business. Where on earth are you from? My beautiful Empress, don't be cheated by this deceitful and fake Taoist…”
These words hardly left Yun Shang's mouth when a commotion caught her attention. The attendees had not heard it as they were gaping at Yun Shang. As the noise got louder, everyone turned round to look. Since the door was open, they could see outside the courtyard. A few figures seemed to be rushing straight for them. Seeing this, Qin Yi grabbed Yun Shang's arms and forced her behind a nearby tree.