Chapter 3 — A Paper of Reconciliation, Breakup of Love and Breakup of Meaning

Tham Tu Vien was extremely angry and raised his hand to slap me. I didn't shy away, just looked at him coldly. His hand stopped just an inch from my cheek, his chest heaved violently, the back of his hand showing blue veins.

“To Thanh Chi, you are truly unreasonable!”

In the end, he still did not take action, just threw back a harsh sentence, then waved his sleeve and walked away. The door of the room was slammed shut by him, the impact was so loud that it made my heart ache. Thanh Truc ran in in panic. Seeing my pale face, he was so scared that he knelt down on the ground.

“Madam…”

I gently waved my hand, signaling her to stand up.

“Go, bring the mahogany box my mother left in the warehouse.”

Thanh Truc quickly brought the box. That was the only keepsake my mother left me, and was also part of the dowry that year. We opened the box, inside was a stack of papers that had turned yellow over time. It is a token of my mother's family. Including land deeds and seals of the entire chain of Bach Thao Duong pharmacies spread throughout Dai Chu. My mother came from a merchant background, my maternal family was the richest man in the Jiangnan region, and personally built Bach Thao Duong. After his mother passed away, his entire maternal family also passed away due to illness, and his only uncle was no longer heard from. That huge fortune eventually fell into my hands. It's just that since I was young, I was physically weak and didn't understand business. During his lifetime, my father arranged and entrusted Bach Thao Duong to a trustworthy shopkeeper, and each year only sent the profits to the Marquis Palace for me to use. Tham Tu Vien also knew about the existence of Bach Thao Duong, but he always thought it was just a generous dowry and never paid attention. I took out the letter placed on top and gave it to Thanh Truc.

"Let's find a way to take it outside the palace and hand it over to shopkeeper Ton at Bach Thao Duong in the west of the city."

Thanh Truc received it, and as soon as he saw the content, his eyes immediately widened.

“Madam, you… you intend to…”

“Do as I say.”

I interrupted her, without any warmth in my voice.

“Remember, this matter absolutely must not be known to anyone. Especially Marquis.”

Thanh Truc looked at my determined eyes and nodded strongly.

“I understand, slave.”

6

For three days, Tham Tu Vien did not enter my hospital. I feel extremely peaceful, every day I take medicine and eat meals on time, and my spirit has improved quite a bit. A La came again. She no longer cried, this time she carried a bowl of bird's nest that she cooked herself, walked to my bed, and spoke softly.

“Sister, I know you're still angry with us.”

"But I didn't mean it, I also know that in my brother-in-law's heart, the most important person is still me."

“Don't be angry anymore, recover well first, okay?”

She scooped a spoon of porridge and brought it to my mouth, her eyes filled with sincere concern. If it were before, I would definitely be moved to tears. But now, I just feel extremely disgusted. I tilted my head, avoiding that spoon of porridge.

“Bring it.”

A La's hand stopped in mid-air, the weak look on her face immediately disappeared, replaced by a barely recognizable trace of resentment. It's just that she quickly hid it and put on a pitiful face full of tears.

"Are you still angry with me? I know I'm wrong, I really know I'm wrong."

“As long as you forgive your brother-in-law, I say You can do anything."

“Really?” I turned my head to look at her, looking at the younger sister whom I raised by my own hands, "Then go and die."

A La's face turned pale in an instant. You must have never thought that I—the person who has always pampered you—could utter such words.

“You… you…”

“Get out.” I didn't bother to act with her anymore, "I don't want to see your face again."

To Kien La bit her lip, her eyes were red, hugged her bowl of bird's nest porridge, and left in frustration. Looking at her back, I smiled coldly. Three days later, Thanh Truc brought back news. After receiving the letter, shopkeeper Ton immediately did as I said. The largest pharmaceutical traders in the capital all stopped supplying raw materials to the entire pharmacy system in the name of the Tham family. The ancestors of the Tham family were originally born as doctors, and thanks to saving noble people, they were appointed as heterosexual servants. Currently, in the capital, the Tham family has more than a dozen pharmacies. Although they are not comparable to "Bach Thao Duong", they are still a significant source of income. If the supply is cut off, it is like cutting off the way of life. Tham Tu Vien was so confused that he sent someone to investigate, but only found out that the merchants simultaneously increased prices. He couldn't pay the price, so people naturally wouldn't sell it. How could he have thought that everything behind it was my fault? It's even more unimaginable, why did those merchants listen to the words of "Bach Thao Duong" - because in the past, their lives were all pulled back by my grandfather from the Demon Gate Pass. That afternoon, Tham Tu Vien finally arrived. He looked haggard and tired, with dark eye circles, trying to force a forced smile when he saw me.

“Thanh Chi, is your body better yet?”

I nodded slightly, not saying anything. He sat down next to the bed and was silent for a long time before sighing softly.

“Thanh Chi, I know you're still angry. But... husband and wife, why do we have to be so tense?"

I raised my eyes to look at him.

“What do you mean?”

“The in-house pharmacy is in trouble.” He rubbed his forehead, "I know, it was you who did it."

“Thanh Chi, I know your family is rich, but you can't be so arbitrary. If the Tham family collapses, what benefit will you get?

“You are now a widow, can you be happy?”

His words, every sentence, are like a knife stabbing into the heart. I looked at him and suddenly felt funny.

"Tham Tu Vien, do you really think that without you, I can't live?"