The Crown Princess Who Rules the Nation

In the winter of the twenty-fifth year of Longqing, snow fell in great flurries. Snowdrifts covered the streets above the tops of people’s boots, crunching beneath the feet of passersby. The streets and alleys were still crowded, with carriages and pedestrians streaming past in a lively bustle. Though the snowfall was heavy, the New Year was fast approaching, making this the busiest time of year for shopping. The entrances to the major shops were thronged with people, and the whole city was abuzz. Horse-drawn carts piled high with New Year goods rolled through the streets, leaving rows of deep and shallow wheel ruts in the snow. The snow was so deep that the roads were slippery. Some of the heavily loaded carts swayed from side to side as they made their way through the streets, drawing attention wherever they went. From time to time, they could…