A Heiress's Schemes

At the Four Kingdoms Tournament, she stunned everyone with a brilliant game of Go. Princes and powerful ministers from every country sought her hand, but she turned them all down. From then on, she earned a reputation for arrogance, and matchmakers no longer dared to enter her home. When two countries went to war, the opposing prince promised to offer her in marriage, with four cities as her dowry, to trade war for peace and reconcile their nations. She obtained an imperial decree, rode into battle, and seized half his kingdom. From then on, civil and military officials passed her home on foot, dismounting before they reached it. When the princes chose their consorts, the Crown Prince offered her the position of principal wife. She produced two boxes of Go pieces and smiled. “Whoever solves this game, I’ll marry, even if he’s a beggar. If no one can solve it, then even an emperor is no match for me.” From then on, skill at Go became a required test for choosing imperial consorts. He once told her, “I’ll go to another country as a hostage. Stay by my side through it all, and when I rule the world, you’ll be the only one beside me.” In the end, his lies shattered her sincere heart. She turned and leapt from the cliff, saying to him, “Sima Shang, if I don’t die, the Mo Kingdom will fall!” Even the most enchanting beauty must grow old; may a lifetime of splendor accompany you through life.