Chapter 3

As I turned around, a warm hand reached over and wrapped around mine.

I froze, then turned to look at Ta Chi Tu.

He smiled, guileless and harmless.

“Ningning, your hand is so cold. This prince will warm it for you.”

7

After brushing the snow off our clothes, we climbed into the carriage.

It rattled forward, and the wind lifted one corner of the curtain. I looked out at the snow-covered road, feeling a little dazed, as though none of it were real.

I’d thought today would bring a fierce battle. I hadn’t expected everything to be resolved so naturally.

Almost as if…

It had all been arranged in advance.

My gaze fell unconsciously on Ta Chi Tu, who was resting with his eyes closed. I frowned slightly.

Everyone called him an idiot, but in the palace he had worked with me so seamlessly.

He…

Ta Chi Tu suddenly opened his eyes, pulled his fox-fur coat close, and muttered, “It’s a little cold…”

When he saw me, he grinned again and scooted closer. His tall frame curled up like a quail.

“Ningning, how did this prince do today?”

His eyes sparkled. He was clearly waiting for praise.

I laughed. “You did very well.”

“Hehe…”

8

It was the day of my homecoming visit.

Father smiled as he came to the door to welcome me, but the moment he saw Ta Chi Tu, his old face darkened.

I pulled Ta Chi Tu into the main hall.

“Father, A Tu is very good.”

Ta Chi Tu cooperated by putting on a harmless smile.

After my mother came over to mediate, Father’s expression finally softened a little.

“Ningning, were you bullied in the palace last time?”

I nodded. “But they brought it on themselves.”

“I guessed as much.” Father served me food. “The Emperor has been very critical of the Chancellor’s household these past few days. He’s handed a few matters over to me.”

I relaxed and drank my soup.

Just as I’d thought. I’d made the right bet.

After the meal, Ta Chi Tu played in the snow in the courtyard while I followed Father into his study.

“Father, I want to know the whole story of the succession struggle back then.”

Father’s hand paused over a game piece.

“You really care about that fool Ta Chi Tu now?”

I laughed helplessly. “Father, stop calling him a fool…”

Ta Chi Tu might not be the brightest, but he was very well-behaved. Every time he took my hand and called me “Ningning,” my heart softened.

I did have to think of him a little more.

Father sighed and placed a black stone on the board.

“The late Emperor had nine sons. Ta Chi Tu was the youngest—and the cleverest.

“The current Emperor was sixth in line, the son of a late Consort. Of the nine princes, only four lived to adulthood: the First Prince, the Fourth Prince, the Sixth Prince, and the Ninth Prince, Ta Chi Tu.

“The First Prince was kind and honest, and shared a mother with Ta Chi Tu. The Fourth Prince was born to a palace maid and had no powerful backers. Compared to them, the Sixth Prince had far more political skill.

“Then the northwest suffered a severe drought, and the late Emperor fell gravely ill. The Fourth Prince volunteered to go oversee disaster relief, but was attacked on the way and disappeared. The First Prince and Ta Chi Tu went to investigate and ran into trouble, too. The First Prince died, and Ta Chi Tu became a fool.

“In the end, the throne went to the man who sits on it now.”

I picked up a white stone and studied the board, my heart heavy.

Later generations could recount a struggle for the throne in a few breezy sentences, but no one could feel the danger faced by the people who lived through it.

Father continued, “As long as Ta Chi Tu remains a fool, both the Ninth Prince’s household and the Nguyen family will be absolutely safe.”

My heart skipped. I looked up at him.

He placed a black stone on the board.

“Ningning, you’ve lost.”

I lowered my eyes. The black stones had completely surrounded the white ones. There was no way out.

Father laughed heartily. “But circumstances change. Who can predict the future?”

9

Back at the residence, the imperial physician arrived with his medicine chest.

“Your Highness, Your Highness the Princess Consort, today’s medicine for the prince has been prepared. He may take it now.”

After Ta Chi Tu had become foolish, the Emperor had arranged for an imperial physician to live at the residence and tend to his health.

Ta Chi Tu pouted and hid behind me.

“Ningning, the medicine is so bitter. I don’t want to drink it…”

“Be good. I’ll buy you malt candy.”

I patted his hand, then turned to the physician. “I’ll make sure His Highness takes his medicine.”

“Then I shall take my leave.”

The physician didn’t think much of it. He picked up his chest and returned to his quarters.

Once the door was closed, only Ta Chi Tu, me, and his personal guard remained in the room.

I looked at the steaming bowl of medicine. My heart was beating faster and faster.

Ta Chi Tu’s foolishness was a good thing as far as the current Emperor was concerned…

The Emperor might not move against the Ninth Prince’s household, but he would never let a brilliant Ta Chi Tu recover his senses!

I looked toward the guard.

“How long have you served the prince?”

The guard immediately knelt. “Your subordinate, Li Feng. My parents were both members of the household staff, and I’ve served His Highness since childhood.”

He seemed trustworthy.

I poured the medicine into a potted plant in the corner and handed him the dregs.

“Find a reliable physician to examine the ingredients. Keep it secret.”

“Yes.”

After Li Feng left, I clenched the handkerchief in my palm, my brows drawing together.

If Ta Chi Tu could live safely as a fool, with food and clothing for the rest of his life, perhaps that was a good thing.

But…

The current Emperor was muddleheaded. He had increased taxes and forced labor, favored the Chancellor’s clan, and forcibly suppressed refugees…

The fire hadn’t reached the capital yet, but ordinary people were already suffering.

If Ta Chi Tu could regain his senses—

“Ningning.”

A voice interrupted my thoughts.

Ta Chi Tu came closer. “What are you thinking about?”

10

I gathered my thoughts.

Looking at Ta Chi Tu, I pulled him down to sit beside me.

“Does A Tu remember anything from before?”

“I remember Ningning.”

Ta Chi Tu played with my sleeve.

“When Ningning had her coming-of-age ceremony, someone rode a horse and almost hurt her…”

I froze. A figure dressed in blue-black flashed through my mind.

Three years ago, on the day of my coming-of-age ceremony, I’d gone to the capital’s biggest flower shop to choose some flowers. A young nobleman had suddenly galloped wildly down the street, charging straight toward me.

So the one who’d saved me then… had been him!

I stared closely at Ta Chi Tu in front of me. The image in my memory gradually overlapped with his face, yet seemed a little different.

Back then, he really had been a splendid young nobleman in fine clothes, galloping on horseback…