The Sequel to My Fair Princess: A Beautiful Life

Nan’er Sets Out for the Capital

Sixteen-year-old Nan’er stood on the flagstone streets of Dali, her parents’ reluctant gazes fixed on her from behind. With red-rimmed eyes, Xiao Yanzi pressed a purse embroidered with the character “Yan” into her hand. “When you get to the capital and see that brat Dong’er, give him a punch for me. Tell him Xiao Yanzi’s daughter isn’t as mischievous as he was back then.” Yongqi handed her a yellowed map, pointing toward the capital. “Be careful on the road. The Fu family is well regarded in the capital, and Dong’er will look after you.”

Nan’er tied the purse at her waist and swung onto her horse. Its hooves carried her past the reed beds beside Erhai Lake, while the breeze still held the sweet scent of her mother’s grilled rushan cheese. She remembered how, when she was little, her mother would point to the clouds on the horizon and say that the clouds in the capital were thicker than Dali’s, but that brat Dong’er was even harder to stop thinking about than the clouds.

Halfway there, she was caught in a rainstorm. Nan’er took shelter in a ruined temple and pulled the storybook her mother had given her from her bundle. Tucked inside was an old drawing of her and Dong’er at five years old. Dong’er was holding a rabbit, while she clutched the hem of his clothes. Both of them were grinning, their missing front teeth on full display.

Ten days later, the gates of the capital finally appeared before her. Nan’er reined in her horse and gazed up at the towering city walls, suddenly feeling nervous. She touched the purse and recalled her mother’s words: “When trouble comes, don’t panic. Be like I was back then.” Taking a deep breath, she urged her horse toward the Fu family estate.

As soon as she arrived at the gates, a young man in a blue robe came out to greet her. Recognizing Dong’er, Nan’er smiled and leapt down from her horse, waving the purse in her hand. “Dong’er, my mother sent me to ‘settle the score’!”