Chapter 82 Settling The Chaos (2/2)

Lady Shu sat and waited patiently for Yun Shang to give her attention. Eventually, Yun Shang smiled, ”Lady Shu, when did you arrive? I didn't notice.”

Lady Shu smiled and said, ”I've been here for a while. You were reading the sutras, so I didn't interrupt you.”

Yun Shang smiled and asked Qin Yi to make tea for Lady Shu.

Lady Shu waved to refuse. ”Thank you, but that's not necessary. I came here today to ask for a favor. Yesterday, Her Majesty and I had a little misunderstanding. After I returned to my Palace, I was regretful about what I had done. But I was afraid I'd upset her more if I went to apologize.

as arrived. He is at Qinzheng Hall playing chess with His Majesty right now. His Majesty sent me here to inform you. Would you like to join them, Your Highness?”

”Of course, ” said Yun Shang with joy in her eyes. ”It's been a long time since I last saw Master Wu Na. Please wait for a moment. I'll fetch my cloak and accompany you to Qinzheng Hall.”

Qin Yi hurriedly walked to the inner hall. She took out Yun Shang's cloak and draped it over the Princess's shoulders. Master Zheng looked at them and smiled. ”Correct me if I'm wrong, but is this the cloak that Prince Jing gave to His Majesty? I remembered that it was rewarded to Your Highness by His Majesty.”

”Well.” Yun Shang acted as if surprised. ”I only know that it's a gift that shows father's love for me. I didn't know its origin. Turns out it was given by uncle.”

Master Zheng nodded and smiled. Then he followed Yun Shang to Qinzheng Hall.

At Qinzheng Hall, Master Wu Na and the Emperor were playing chess. When Yun Shang arrived, they were tied in the game. So Yun Shang stood aside without interrupting them. After a long while, the Emperor laughed happily. ”Master, you're getting better at chess these days. You won.”

Master Wu Na touched his beard and smiled. ”Your Majesty must have been very busy with national affairs, so you have had little time to practice. Now, even Yun Shang plays better than you.”

Then Emperor Ning saw Yun Shang standing on the side. He stuck out his tongue and said with a smile. ”Really? I didn't know that she was good at chess.”

”Of course. After all, she was taught by...” Before Wu Na could say Xiao Yuanshan, he felt a slight pain on his back. He quickly realized that Yun Shang had pinched him before he could divulge who had taught the Princess to play chess. So he coughed and said, ”She was taught by me, hand in hand.”

Emperor Ning felt happy. ”You have taught Shang'er a lot. I couldn't thank you enough.”

Wu Na smiled. ”Amitabha Buddha. We just happen to have the same hobby. As for the recent issue, Her Highness wrote me a letter. And I've also heard a lot along my way here. Though lying is forbidden, I'll break that rule once, for this is a national matter. Helping the people is a worthy cause. I will take Buddha's punishment, if there is any. Don't worry.”

Emperor Ning was more than grateful at Master Wu Na's reassurance.

The next day, Master Wu Na made his way to the most prosperous place in the Imperial City. As a Buddhist monk, and a revered one at that, Master Wu Na was pious and free of secular desires. Upon hearing that Master Wu Na was in the city, the commoners rushed to catch a glimpse of the Master. The crowd elbowed and nudged each other to get in front. When asked, Wu Na answered, ”The other day, I was observing the stars above the Imperial City and saw an ill omen. So I hurried here. To my surprise, last night a red glow suffused the whole sky. That was a sign from the Heavens indicating a virtuous lady. With her presence, there's no need to worry. Satisfied that all is well, I will now return to my temple.”

Within a day, Wu Na's words spread like wildfire. No one focused on the Empress and the Ceremony. Instead, they all discussed Wu Na's message and what it meant. If the topic of the Empress came up in passing, they brushed it aside and re-directed the conversation to Wu Na's message. In their minds, the Empress must have been responsible for the ill omen.