Imperial Family
Pomegranate Blossoms Aflame
On my birthday, the Fourth Princess and I both set our hearts on the same pomegranate-blossom crown.
At a loss, Father told each of us to choose a young man from the imperial clan to ride and shoot on our behalf.
Whoever struck the kite first after it was released would win.
I chose Qin Yan, my dearest childhood friend.
I knew he could hit the mark with his eyes closed, and I was certain he would make my wish come true.
But all three of his arrows missed by a hair.
I hid in the attic and wept after losing, until Qin Yan came to find me and finally snapped in exasperation, “That enormous gold crown would never have suited you. Jade is better. Plain, pure, and far easier on the eyes.”
“Stop competing with the Fourth Princess over everything.”
Then, with the solemn patience of someone offering hard-won wisdom, he said, “Jiajia, you need to understand that sometimes being right for something matters more than winning it.”
I took his lesson to heart.
So years later, when Father held trials to choose my prince consort, Qin Yan placed first in both the civil and martial examinations.
And I still did not choose him.
