Chapter 4

Only, there was something odd about him.

For an old scholar who’d failed his examinations, his bearing and manners were remarkably distinguished.

Once, I secretly listened outside a lesson. Besides teaching Hui characters, he told little stories for him to think about.

Hui seemed to be doing well, so I had the kitchen prepare tea and cakes for their breaks.

He grew strong and sturdy. By three, he was as big as other children of five.

That year, the Emperor ordered all his grandsons to study in the palace.

9

Now I was the only idle person left in our household.

Every morning, Hui rose with his father. One went to the palace, the other to the Ministry of Rites.

Their expressions were comical.

The father was unwilling and yawned endlessly.

The son was full of energy and anticipation.

I checked Hui’s snacks and water flask, then reminded his young study attendant, “Don’t forget to give him water.”

After they left, I no longer went back to bed. Instead, I considered designs for the coming season’s dresses.

Hui had once suggested that I open a clothing shop.

“Mama, the clothes you have the seamstresses make are beautiful, and your taste is distinctive. I think you could open a shop. Lots of ladies would love them.”

At first, I was afraid I wouldn’t manage it well. I even went to ask his grandmother.

She waved a hand and gave me a stack of silver notes.

“Open it. If you lose money, I’ll cover it.”

So the shop opened.

At first, no one bought anything. Before long, people were fighting to buy everything we had.

When the shopkeeper reported it, I could hardly believe my ears.

Now I had three shops in the capital, each featuring a different range of styles.

Nishang Pavilion had become the city’s most profitable clothing business.

Next, I planned to expand into other provincial cities.

10

In the palace, where the young princes and imperial grandsons studied, the Emperor watched from outside for a while.

Then he entered a room next door. The chief eunuch stood guard.

Inside sat an elderly scholar with white hair and a white beard.

Had I seen him, I would certainly have jumped.

An ordinary scholar who’d failed his examinations was allowed to meet the Emperor without kneeling.

More astonishing still, the Emperor respectfully greeted him as a pupil.

“Teacher.”

The old man stroked his beard.

“I’m no longer your teacher. I can hardly accept such courtesy from you.”

The Emperor smiled.

“You taught me for many years. You will always be my teacher.”

They sat facing each other.

The old scholar spoke first.

“Your grandson is exceptionally gifted, with an extraordinary understanding. In all my life, I have never met anyone so intelligent—or so favored by Heaven.”

The Emperor asked, “Is he the one?”

The scholar smiled.

“If he reaches adulthood, who else could it be? If you appoint one of your other sons, war will follow.”

“You could eliminate the child now, of course.”

“But Great Jin will never again have such a wise ruler bestowed by Heaven.”

“Your Majesty must consider this carefully.”

The Emperor reflected for a few breaths, then smiled and shook his head.

“What is there to consider? My concern is the realm my ancestors left me and the people who live in it.”

“Whoever can bring peace to the land is the one fit to rule it.”

“Let me see what this little fellow can do.”

11

Hui developed quickly, both in intelligence and in strength.

By eight, he was as strong as a grown man.

At the Emperor’s fiftieth-birthday banquet, he was summoned several times to answer questions.

Over the years, word of his brilliance had gradually spread.

The number of officials who happened to encounter Jingze along the road had increased noticeably too.

Of course I was proud that Hui was valued.

But a glance at the Second and Third Princes’ gloomy faces made me afraid again.

Especially when the Fourth Prince presented the character for Longevity, written jointly by ten thousand subjects, and received a “Not bad” from His Majesty.

The malice in the other two’s eyes seemed almost tangible.

A bad feeling rose in me.

“Don’t drink too much,” I reminded Jingze.

He nodded.

“Yes. I feel something’s wrong too.”

Just then, more than a dozen dancers took the stage.

Their sleeves floated and swept, dazzlingly beautiful.

While everyone was absorbed in the dance, the performers suddenly drew daggers and became assassins, rushing in every direction.

People screamed in panic.

I grabbed Jingze and dragged him under the table.

Most of the assassins lunged at the Emperor.

He was unruffled, sitting firmly in his chair while guards on both sides shielded him.