Can’t let sister take fake medicine!
Tao Chuyi held the box high, on the verge of tossing it into the well. Moments later, Tao Chuyi set it down again. Her eyes darted this way and that as she let out a couple of heh-heh chuckles before stuffing the box into her own bosom.
Monsters still prowled the Capital City, appearing mostly after the third watch of the night. As a result, shops that normally stayed open late shuttered their doors early. Night watchmen passing through the streets sensed only desolation.
Following leads from numerous monsters, the Dali Temple finally tracked down the creatures’ lair. One monster, bound to the wall, still retained its wits. Under interrogation, it revealed that it was Physician’s fiancée, who had died years earlier.
In grief over his fiancée’s death, the physician had obtained a secret resurrection technique from the Southern Frontier and transformed her into this neither human nor ghostly state. Going even further, he dosed other patients with his drug pills, multiplying the number of monsters.
The news raced straight to the Princess Mansion. Lacking any martial ability, the Physician was swiftly captured. Yet he showed no fear—like a dead pig tossed into boiling water. Seized though he was, he only cackled wildly, taunting everyone around him.
“One life for one life—worth it!”
Nangong Yunshang frowned. “What do you mean by that?”
The Physician turned his gaze to Tao Chuyi. “The Prince Consort drank the medicine I gave. It won’t be long before the Prince Consort turns into a medicine person too. You lot had better release me, or not even the Great Immortal Luo could save the Prince Consort.”
“What?”
Nangong Yunshang paled in shock. She seized Tao Chuyi and examined Chuyi closely. “Summon an imperial physician at once!”
“Won’t do a bit of good!”
The Physician crowed triumphantly. “No one can save the Prince Consort except me.”
Tao Chuyi shot him a furious glare. The scoundrel was too noisy—even louder than Chuyi. So Chuyi rummaged in her bosom, pulled out an object, and chucked it straight into the man’s gaping, laughing mouth.
The physician choked, unable to speak. His eyes bulged, red veins bursting across them. Green tendons soon throbbed on his face, while massive lumps swelled along his limbs.
Tao Chuyi planted herself in front of Nangong Yunshang. “I’ll protect you.”
At the sight, Nangong Yunshang tugged Tao Chuyi backward. “Torch it!”
Her order rang out, and the guards fetched flaming torches, hurling them one after another at the physician. By then, he had transformed into an exact likeness of the other monsters, shrieking as the flames devoured him. In short order, he burned to cinders amid the blaze. Those medicine people he had poisoned could never recover; only death would free them.
When the imperial physician arrived at the Princess Mansion, he was prodded into taking the Prince Consort’s pulse while Nangong Yunshang sat anxiously at the side.
“How is it? Is the Prince Consort alright? The Prince Consort took those drugs that turn people into medicine people too.”
The imperial physician snapped shut his medicine chest. “Reporting to the Princess, the Prince Consort’s body differs from that of ordinary folk. The drug’s potency dissolved on its own inside the body, leaving the Prince Consort unscathed.”
“Truly nothing wrong?”
Nangong Yunshang remained uneasy.
The imperial physician smiled faintly. “Unharmed, truly. The Prince Consort’s constitution is simply unique; this humble servant cannot say why.”
After seeing the imperial physician off, Nangong Yunshang returned and pinched Tao Chuyi’s cheeks, chiding her lightly. “How many times have I told you not to eat things from strangers?”
“I was wrong.”
Tao Chuyi sneaked a peek before promptly ducking Chuyi’s head. Admitting fault had become second nature; whenever sister grew upset, Chuyi apologized first.
“Why eat medicine from some stranger?” Nangong Yunshang regained her composure, suspicion nagging at her. Chuyi wasn’t usually this disobedient.
Pinched to the point of pain, Tao Chuyi grinned anyway. “He said it would make me smarter.”
Nangong Yunshang froze for an instant before releasing her grip. Seeing Chuyi’s cheeks flushed red from the pinching, she felt a pang of regret.
“Does it hurt?”
Tao Chuyi shook her head. “Doesn’t hurt.”
She deserved the pinch from her sister.
“Oh, you…”
Nangong Yunshang drew the person into her embrace and soothed Chuyi thoroughly.
The Dali Temple redoubled its probe into the Southern Frontier but found no trace of its people. Decades ago, Jingyun and the Southern Frontier had clashed in battle, ending with victory for Jingyun. Yet the Southern Frontier refused to yield, avoiding open conflict while striking from the shadows. Now they experimented on Jingyun’s own citizens—acts deserving of utter extermination.
Upon receiving the imperial order, the Forbidden Army began rigorously screening incoming travelers, admitting only those confirmed not to be from the Southern Frontier.
Nangong Yunshang, however, felt it was already too late. Southern Frontier spies had likely infiltrated the Capital City long ago—even the Imperial Palace was no longer safe. She cared little for that Father Emperor’s safety; she simply refused to let the enemy exploit any gaps.
Amid the flowers, Tao Chuyi took a shine to every bloom, usurping the butterflies’ job as Chuyi dashed about.
From a distance, Nangong Yunshang watched, thinking how nice it must be to live without worries like Chuyi—happy and healthy, carefree.
“Your Highness, the annual Flower Appreciation Banquet is upon us once more.”
Yinghong offered tea as she spoke. “By tradition, the Prince Consort must attend and perform as well.”
The reminder jogged Nangong Yunshang’s memory. “Oh no, how did it slip my mind?”
As she watched Tao Chuyi sneakily pluck a flower, she sighed softly. “Do you think Chuyi can perform anything?”
Yinghong looked troubled too. “The Prince Consort… well… eating’s about all they can manage.”
Mistress and servant exchanged a glance before both heaved heavy sighs.
No matter how playful Tao Chuyi acted day to day or how much the Third Princess indulged her, the Flower Appreciation Banquet drew civil and military officials with their families. Chuyi had to do something.
With half a month until the banquet, Nangong Yunshang resolved to cram. She would personally oversee Chuyi picking one skill from the four arts: qin, chess, calligraphy, or painting.
Tao Chuyi eyed the options with disinterest before reluctantly settling on the chessboard.
Thus, whenever free, Nangong Yunshang played chess with Chuyi, imparting all her knowledge. Yet Chuyi learned it all in bits and pieces—hopelessly.
“Prince Consort, is that Go you’re setting up?”
Yinghong peered left and right, seeing only black stones strung in a straight line from left to right.
Tao Chuyi slapped down an X. “Pretty, right?”
Nangong Yunshang had already given up by then, reclining against the chairback like a hands-off boss.
“Your Highness, shall we try something else?”
Following Yinghong’s advice, Nangong Yunshang switched Chuyi to qin, then calligraphy. The results were the same each time.
Suddenly, Nangong Yunshang understood why the tutors back at the Tao Mansion had thrown in the towel.
Only painting remained.
After watching Nangong Yunshang’s brushwork, Tao Chuyi declared herself an expert. When Chuyi put brush to paper, out came a massive turtle, executed with utmost confidence.
“How’s the painting?”
Chuyi proudly held it up for all to see.
The maids exchanged awkward glances before chorusing insincere praise.
“Superb, Prince Consort! So talented.”
“That turtle looks so lifelike.”
“Yes, this servant’s never seen such a realistic turtle.”
Amid the flattery, Nangong Yunshang rose and walked away. The maids fell deathly silent, heads bowed, not daring to speak.
Left alone, Tao Chuyi felt utterly lost.
Sister was angry—must be because Chuyi was too stupid.
That night, in the bedchamber, Nangong Yunshang waited left and right but Chuyi never came. Questioning Yinghong, she learned that since her departure, the Prince Consort had holed up in the study practicing painting—neither eating nor drinking.
The floor was littered with crumpled failed attempts. Tao Chuyi sprawled on the ground, brush flying, producing a splendid brocade carp. Crude compared to others, but at least recognizable as a fish.
“Chuyi.”
Nangong Yunshang reached the doorway but couldn’t squeeze inside amid the paper chaos.
Tao Chuyi looked up, eyes lighting up. “Sister, I’ve improved!”
Nangong Yunshang barely registered the painting; all she saw were Chuyi’s ink-stained hands, red from exertion.
Ignoring the strewn pages, she strode forward and helped Tao Chuyi to her feet.
“No more painting. Be good—we’re done painting.”
If sister wanted Chuyi to paint, Chuyi painted. If not, Chuyi stopped. Obedience above all.
Nangong Yunshang led Tao Chuyi back to the bedchamber, cradling Chuyi’s hand in her own, rubbing it gently all the while.
“Silly goose. I said paint, not starve yourself silly.”
Nangong Yunshang said, full of heartache.
Tao Chuyi hung Chuyi’s head. “I’m too dumb. I heard it’s called the clumsy bird flies first.”
“Nonsense.”
Nangong Yunshang eased Chuyi onto the bed and lay down beside her.
“Our Chuyi is the smartest.”
Tao Chuyi blinked, long lashes fluttering, the picture of docility.
“But sister might like someone else’s smarts.”
Nangong Yunshang denied it flatly. “No such thing. Sister likes only Chuyi—no one else.”
The pitiful one from moments ago now beamed like an idiot. If Chuyi had a tail, it would be wagging to the heavens.
“Sister, I want to bite you.”
Nangong Yunshang abruptly rolled over, presenting her back. “No fooling around. Go to sleep.”
Tao Chuyi persisted, scooting close to nip at an ear, then a cheek, sparing not even the neck.
Sister smelled divine—everywhere begged to be nibbled.
Nangong Yunshang squirmed from the tickles, dodging frantically, but Chuyi pressed the advantage.
“Tao Chuyi, keep this up and I’ll tickle you!”
Tao Chuyi ignored the warning, aiming a peck at the lips. In a flash, Nangong Yunshang countered, pouncing. Chuyi’s waist proved treacherously sensitive; Chuyi dissolved into helpless giggles.
“Sister… I was wrong!”
Nangong Yunshang didn’t let up. “Going to fool around more?”
“No more…”
Tao Chuyi bided her moment and struck back, seizing the high ground. Quick study that Chuyi was, soon Nangong Yunshang lay breathless and speechless, laughter sapped from her limbs. In teaching the pupil, the master had starved herself.
This vulnerable version of sister looked small and pitiable. Tao Chuyi loved it—not content with the waist, Chuyi even reached for the soles of the feet.
“Tao… Chuyi… stop… let me go…”
Only when Tao Chuyi tired of tickling did Nangong Yunshang gain respite. Drenched in sweat, her hair disheveled and collar rumpled, she looked as if something unspeakable had transpired.
She shot a glare at the instigator. “You’ve got some nerve. Just you wait—tomorrow I’ll assign you a full day’s worth of lessons so you won’t have the energy to tickle me again.”
The two of them played around boisterously, sending the Princess Mansion into complete chaos. Tao Chuyi’s painting skills ended up only half-learned.
On the day of the Flower Appreciation Banquet, both of them overslept and rushed breathlessly to the Imperial Garden. All the imperial kin, nobles, and civil and military officials had already arrived—everyone except them.
“Oh my, what’s gotten into Third Imperial Sister? She’s never been this late before,” the Second Princess said in a mocking tone.
The Eldest Princess stepped in as the peacemaker. “Don’t blame Second Imperial Sister. Newlyweds are still in their honeymoon phase—everyone understands.”
No one knew that the pair had stayed up late because they’d been lobbing paper wads at each other. Neither would back down, dragging the contest out until deep into the night before a winner emerged.
Tao Chuyi felt immensely proud. Chuyi had won, planting several quick kisses on her sister’s lips.
“You two sisters are right. Little Sister will be more careful from now on,” Nangong Yunshang replied.
She turned her head, her fake smile vanishing as she warned in a voice only the two of them could hear, “Behave yourself.”
