Chapter 3

From the day I left the capital, the palace announced to the realm that Princess Jinghua had suddenly succumbed to a grave illness.

From then on, Princess Jinghua no longer existed.

Thus, when I returned this time, I traveled disguised as a man: our uncle’s adopted son and an insignificant lieutenant.

Father received us with a broad smile. After rewarding everyone according to merit, he kept me behind alone.

“Jinghua, have these years been difficult?”

He reached for my hands, only to notice that they were rougher than those of the palace maids who swept the floors. He faltered.

I bowed to him as a subject.

“Though your daughter cannot serve you at your side, I guard the frontier in your name. It has not been difficult.”

Father beamed.

“Good! She shall be rewarded!”

He bestowed a golden whip upon me and granted me special permission to remain in the palace for several days.

I had meant to visit Mother, but I ran into Fang Changning as soon as I reached the imperial garden.

I had changed over the years, and so had she.

She now wore sumptuous palace robes, carried a hand warmer, and had pearls and jade piled high in her hair.

Beside her, I looked like a refugee.

We had been born twins, but no longer looked much alike.

Fang Changning covered her mouth with a scornful laugh. “Sister, you must have suffered terribly all these years. Look at your face—you’re not even as pretty as Xiaotao.”

Xiaotao was her favorite maid. At this, she joined in the laughter.

I remained unmoved.

“You needn’t worry, Sister. I’ve lived quite well.”

The northwest was harsh, but I could gallop wherever I pleased. I had made many friends and learned to wield blades, spears, and swords. There, I held my fate in my own hands.

It was the truth, but Fang Changning did not believe me.

In her eyes, I had to be putting on a brave face.

She was about to say more when a crowd came rushing toward us. A woman’s shrill scolding rose above the commotion. “Useless wretches! If my kite is lost, I’ll have your heads!”

It was our eldest sister Zhaoyang, the empress’s only daughter, who had always been overbearing.

My clothes were plain, and she did not notice me at first. She saw only Fang Changning.

“Oh, it’s you.”

She looked down her nose at her.

Fang Changning bowed with the utmost respect. “Greetings, Imperial Sister.”

Zhaoyang’s eyes flickered slyly as she ordered her attendants, “Stop looking for my kite. My sister can do it. Changning, aren’t you always so eager to please me?”

Fang Changning’s face went white. She bit her lip hard, thoroughly humiliated.

Truthfully, I was not surprised.

In our previous life, Zhaoyang had been the last person anyone in the palace dared offend. As the empress’s daughter, she tormented all her younger siblings.

Fang Changning dared not resist. She had no choice but to climb the tree for the kite.

Unfortunately, the winter-slick trunk betrayed her. She lost her footing and fell straight into a lotus vat, leaving her drenched and bedraggled.

“Hahahaha! You’ll be the death of me, Sister! You truly know how to amuse me!”

When Zhaoyang laughed, all the servants obediently laughed with her.

That made me—the only person not laughing—impossible to miss.