Yuanbao's imperial grandfather had no sons in his entire life.
As his life drew to a close, he found his princess a consort. The consort ascended the throne, and the princess became empress.
Before she died, the princess who had become empress left Yuanbao a thousand gold pieces and sent her beyond the palace walls.
Some thought the thousand gold pieces really meant a thousand taels, or a thousand catties of gold.
Others thought “a thousand gold” was just an expression, and that the little princess sent away was the true treasure.
Still others believed the treasure was not gold at all, but the lifeblood of the Great Song Dynasty, an imaginary kingdom.
Yuanbao knew, however, that the treasure was heavy, heavy enough to bend one's back and then grind one's knees straight.
Many people wanted the treasure. Yuanbao had to find among them someone worthy of inheriting the throne, even if only by her own standards.
