Chapter 68 Marriage Arranged By Emperor Ning (1/2)
”You are finally here, Your Highness. His Majesty has been pacing Qinzheng Hall restlessly since last night. I guess it's because His Majesty worries a lot about Your Highness, but he couldn't tell Lady Jin anything. When His Majesty went to the Empress's Palace, he didn't mention a word to Lady Jin. His Majesty would be relieved to see Your Highness here.” Master Zheng was excited to see Yun Shang. A bright smile bloomed on his wrinkled face.
Yun Shang smiled. ”Thank you, Master Zheng. I'll meet His Majesty right away.” Then she hurried into the Hall.
Emperor Ning was at his desk. Although he held his writing brush, he was in a daze. He wasn't writing at all. Yun Shang walked up to him quietly and called. ”Father...”
The brush fell from Emperor Ning's hand. He wasn't angry at being disturbed. Instead, he looked up at Yun Shang. ”Shang'er?”
Yun Shang bowed to Emperor Ning. ”It's my fault that you were worried, father.”
”Are you all right, Shang'er?” Emperor Ning stood and checked his daughter. He felt relieved when he didn't see any injuries. ”I was worried about you. But I couldn't come to see you or your mother would find out. She's pregnant now and we don't want to worry her. It's reassuring to see that you are all right.”
Yun Shang smiled. ”How is mother? Does she look more pregnant these days?”
”It has been only three months, Shang'er. It won't be obvious this early in the pregnancy. But your mother is having terrible morning sickness, which has brought her noticeable weight loss. It wasn't that bad when she carried you. Your little sister or brother is quite the trouble-maker.” Emperor Ning sounded as though he was scolding the unborn child, however, he was smiling heartily.
Yun Shang noticed his real mood, and so she teased him mischievously. ”Father, are you jealous of the baby because mother is paying it too much attention?”
Emperor Ning was speechless for a moment and then he laughed. ”Naughty girl.” He said after a pause. ”I heard that it was Minister Wang's son, Wang Jinhuan who saved you yesterday. Is that correct? I have seen that man before. He's quite a decent young man although it might seem the other way around sometimes. Now that he has saved you, I have to reward him.”
Yun Shang nodded. ”He deserves your reward, father.”
”Since you are here, I'll summon Wang Jinhuan to the Palace. You can thank him in person.” Emperor Ning walked to the door and gave orders to Master Zheng.
Yun Shang sensed something usual, but she didn't stop Emperor Ning.
After a while, Master Zheng returned. ”Your Majesty, the banquet is ready in the pavilion beside the Imperial Garden. And Mr. Wang just arrived with Prince Jing.”
Emperor Ning remembered the Prince's friendship with Wang Jinhuan then. ”Prince Jing knows Wang Jinhuan. Well, I haven't seen Prince Jing for two days. He came just in time. We'll have a drink together. Let's go, Shang'er.”
Yun Shang was stunned. Banquet? Wasn't it too formal? Why didn't His Majesty just issue an imperial edict and reward him with something? Yun Shang didn't say anything when she noticed Emperor Ning's enthusiasm. She followed him to the Imperial Garden, where Wang Jinhuan and Prince Jing were waiting. After exchanging greetings, Emperor Ning asked them to have a seat. Yun Shang looked around and realized that though Master Zheng had called it a banquet, there were only four guests.
”I have heard from the Governor of the Imperial City that Jinhuan saved Shang yesterday. T