Joyful Fish

The year I left the palace, the Little Prince in the cold palace cried as if his heart were breaking. He said, “There will never be anyone in this world who treats me the way you do, Big Sister.” Later, a coup erupted in the imperial court. The princes who had once held the greatest power and favor either died or were left crippled. In the end, the throne fell to the Eighth Prince, who had lived quietly in the cold palace, fighting for nothing and taking nothing. After the Eighth Prince ascended the throne, he searched everywhere among the common people for a certain woman. At last, he found someone who bore a striking resemblance to her. He made her Noble Consort, doted on her as if she were his life, and loved her with all his heart. But my days only grew harder and harder. First, my little stall was smashed. Then, my small courtyard was set ablaze. My husband and child both perished in the fire. With nowhere left to go, I had no choice but to knock on the palace gates. I handed the token the Eighth Prince had once given me to the palace guards and asked them to pass it along. Before long, the palace gates swung wide open. The former Eighth Prince-the emperor now-personally came to the gates to welcome me. Standing beside him was the Noble Consort, her smile stiff upon her face. Everyone was stunned to discover that the Noble Consort who held the emperor’s unrivaled favor looked very much like me.