This is the story of Pei Zhao, who is forced by circumstances to take her brother’s place as an official and gradually rises to become chancellor. She and the current Ninth Prince, Xie Qi’an, appear respectful toward each other in public, but secretly trade blows and trip each other up, before becoming kindred spirits and close friends.
I, Pei Zhao, am the foremost civil official of the Great Ning Dynasty and its youngest chancellor. I’m sworn enemies with Xie Qi’an, the most talked-about figure in the capital.
Who is Xie Qi’an? The late emperor’s ninth son, a sworn brother of His Majesty, and the only prince in the realm today.
The feud between me, Pei Zhao, and him, Xie Qi’an, probably began with the capital’s popular ranking of dashing men. It’s a list of the men women around the city consider the most desirable husbands.
Before I became chancellor, Xie Qi’an held the top spot for several years running. But that changed after my first celebratory procession through the streets as chancellor.
Perhaps my dashing, debonair looks had made a lasting impression. For two years in a row, I took over as the new top-ranked man, replacing Qi’an. For the next few years, the two of us traded places, one of us taking first and the other second.
Gradually, whenever the annual ranking was announced, betting houses began running separate wagers on which of us would take first place.
In time, rumors spread that we were sworn enemies. I repeatedly went out of my way to clarify that Qi’an and I weren’t as hostile as the rumors claimed, but it did no good. As the story spread, we really did stop speaking to each other. We no longer visited during holidays, either, but if we happened to meet face-to-face, I still had to bow to him. Never did I imagine that one day we would truly become the sworn enemies people said we were.
