Chapter 2 — Absolute Contract

"But your face at that time was very unsightly. After returning, Oan Oan cried in the middle of the night, saying that she shouldn't have come here to make people look bad." I gently put down the book. "Ta Lam Xuyen, you wrote a contract of renunciation in the court, asking yourself to withdraw from the list of heirs. Have you ever asked your parents?" He stiffened his neck: "I just want to give her peace of mind." "Using my future to exchange?" "If future must be exchanged with work." I'd rather not betray her." I looked at it. If this sentence were sung on stage by a scholar, it would probably make people feel a little moved. But when he said this, he was wearing the brocade of the Marquis' Palace, eating with money provided by the Marquis' Palace, and behind him was a communal house that had been built up by several generations of the Ta family. What right does it have to say no? I suddenly felt tired. “I ask you one last time.” I said. "If your father and I still don't allow her to be the main wife, do you still insist on marrying?" Ta Lam Xuyen didn't need to think: "Yes." "If the clan doesn't accept it?" "I will establish my own family." "What if the Ministry of Rites therefore rejects the title of crown prince?" A slight hesitation flashed in his eyes. But very quickly, that hesitation was suppressed by the three words Khuong Oan Oan. "Without her, even having the position of heiress would have no meaning." I nodded. "I understand." Ta Lam Xuyen, on the other hand, was a little panicked: "Mother, don't always be so cold. If you really love me, then do it for me. Oan Oan is already very pitiful, why do you need to force her?" me? I almost burst out laughing. A woman who had just come to the door dared to demand genealogy, the right to manage the household and the estate, what was pitiful about that? I don't explain. There are people who have covered their ears, no matter how much others say it's just a breeze. "From today, I won't interfere in your marriage anymore." I said. "Whatever you want to do, tell your father and the clan elders yourself." The bottom of Ta Lam Xuyen's eyes lit up: "Really?" "Really." I paused for a moment and then continued: "But you must remember, if you want to marry your wife, you can only use your own things. The right to manage the household of the Marquis Palace, my dowry, and your father's title do not belong to you for me to use as a favor." His face immediately darkened. "Mother, you still look down on me. Oan Oan." "It doesn't matter whether I look down on her or not." I looked at him: "The important thing is that you choose your own path. Don't complain about suffering later." He smiled coldly: "I won't regret it." After saying that, he waved his sleeves and left. Mother Qin was so angry that her eyes turned red: "Your Highness... How can you talk to your wife like that?" I corrected her: "Don't call me 'Your Highness' from now on. It's not yet." Mother Tan was stunned, then bowed her head: "Please remember." That night, Ta Nghien Son stayed in my yard. We are no longer young, there are no frivolous words of money and money. Before the candle went out, he asked me in a low voice: "Are you afraid?" I knew what he was asking. I'm almost forty years old, if I really want to grow, it will definitely be extremely difficult. I also know that in the capital there will be so many eyes staring at me, waiting to see the joke of Tinh An Marquis Palace. But when I thought of Ta Lam Xuyen's words "Without her, even having the position of crown prince would have no meaning", my heart became steadfast. "Even if I'm afraid, I have to do it." Ta Nghien Son hugged me. "Thanh Duong, I will protect you." I closed my eyes. This time, I will not put my hope in someone who refuses to stay awake. 4For the next few months, the Marquis Palace was extremely quiet on the outside. Ta Lam Xuyen moved to the villa in the east of the city. That building was originally a small monastery located next to my dowry shop. When he was young, he liked the begonias there, so I was still wrong

retainer. Now it is used to arrange accommodation for Khuong Oan Oan, which is also very convenient. I didn't argue, I didn't cause trouble, I even ordered someone to bring me the key. Perhaps Ta Lam Xuyen thought I had given up. Occasionally he sends a servant back to get things, and his attitude becomes more and more matter-of-fact. Today I want a set of Nhu Dieu tea cups, saying Oan Oan pays great attention to making tea. Tomorrow I want gold brocade in the warehouse, said to make autumn shirts for Oan Oan. One day, he asked the store in my name to send him a box of pearls, saying that Oan Oan had been dressing simply for too long, so she should add a bit of sparkle. The first two times, I give it. The third time, I managed to return empty-handed. "Tell the Great Master, the Marquis's warehouse has the surname Ta, not the Khuong family. My own warehouse does not have the surname Ta." That night, Ta Lam Xuyen returned to the palace. First of all, it says a lot of good things about Khuong Oan Oan. It was said that she personally cooked porridge in the villa, bandaged the carriage driver's wounds, and also gave her old clothes as rewards to the wife who did heavy work. I heard, there was no expression on his face. Seeing that I didn't answer, he finally got to the point. "Mother, I and Oan Oan have discussed it. The wedding doesn't need to be too big, to avoid making things awkward for you and father. The bride price will also be simple, sixty-four chests will be enough." I almost thought I heard wrong.