Chapter 3 — Arrested on the night of the big wedding, I was reborn and killed him like crazy

In Thuy Vuong's palace, there was an eerie silence. Those servants who were still respectful and polite to me yesterday were now standing far away, their eyes avoiding me. I was escorted to a distant prison. I didn't commit a crime, so why do I have to go to jail far away? The feeling of uncertainty is like a large net, falling down and tying me tightly. The carriage rolled away, straight towards the royal palace. I was taken straight to Kim Loan Palace. I used to come here with my father to attend a royal banquet. But there has never been a time... with the status of a criminal being put on trial like today. On Kim Loan Palace, civil and military officials stood on both sides. On the high dragon chair, the emperor sat there, his face expressionless. In the crowd, I saw my father. He stood at the front of the line of officials, eyes looking at nose, nose looking at heart, as if he didn't know me at all. I also saw my fiance, the crown prince of Vinh An palace. He stood in the line of martial artists, bowed his head, not even glancing at me. Finally, my eyes stopped on the other person. Thuy Vuong, Tieu Giac. He knelt in the middle of the main hall. A neat court uniform, straight body. My heart suddenly sank. Why is he kneeling there? Is it because of me... that I propose to your Majesty? At this moment, Tieu Giac opened his mouth. His voice was no longer gentle like last night, but full of sadness and excitement.

“Your Majesty, I am guilty!”

The Emperor calmly asked: "What crime did Thuy Vuong commit?" Tieu Giac raised his head, his eyes glanced at me, but did not stop, as if looking at a stranger.

"Yesterday, I suddenly softened my heart and took in the impure daughter of this Viceroy."

"I originally believed that although a woman's reputation is important, her life is even more precious."

“But after a night of thinking, I realized I made a big mistake!”

His voice echoed in the empty hall, each word and sentence pounding hard into my heart like a sledgehammer.

“National law and etiquette are greater than human love!”

“Women must maintain the three obediences and four virtues, and put virginity first!”

"This woman, the night before the big wedding, fell in love with the bandits, it's already withering away!"

Flowers wither and will fail. These four words, coming out of his mouth, were more painful than the white silk strip my father threw to me. I couldn't believe it when I looked at him. Looking at the man who told me yesterday "purity is not under the skirt". I see in his eyes the coldness and determination. At that moment, I understood. Tenderness... turns out it can also be a blade. A more sophisticated, sharper blade can kill without seeing blood. He hasn't stopped yet. He leaned heavily towards the emperor's dragon and bowed his head strongly. Using all the strength in his body, he shouted loudly:

"In order to rectify the national law, in order to deter those who follow, I beg your Majesty's command and order this woman to sacrifice herself to death!"

Take death to sacrifice. He wants me dead. In the main hall, civil and military mandarins throughout the court were suddenly silent. Not a sound. Everyone's eyes were all focused on him. There is pity. There is contempt. There are also people who gloat and are happy when they see people in trouble. My father, Tham Chi Vien, finally raised his head. He looked towards Tieu Giac, but in his eyes... there was a hint of appreciation. My fiance, the crown prince of Vinh An palace, finally looked towards me. In his eyes, there was only disgust left, along with a kind of relief. I understand. Everything... we understand. This is a play. A play performed for me by my closest relatives, along with the person I once considered my "savior"... What they need is not the truth. What they need... is just my death. Use my death to wash away their humiliation. Use my death to fulfill their reputation. The emperor's eyes finally fell on him. Those eyes were extremely cold, like looking at a humble ant.

“Where are you?”

He opened his mouth.

“Ban… poisoned wine.”

Two eunuchs carried a tray and advanced step by step. On that tray, was a cup of clear yellow wine. I know clearly. It's a poison that can pierce the intestines and crush the stomach. I do not protest. Also don't beg. I just looked at Tieu Giac. He was still kneeling there, with his back towards me, like a holy statue, free of dust. I reached out my hand and received the cup of wine. Drink it all in one gulp. The pain started in the lower abdomen and instantly spread to all four limbs. My consciousness begins to become hazy. Vision was gradually dyed to a dull gray color. I saw my father turn away, unable to bear to look any further. I saw Tieu Giac's shoulder, it seemed to be trembling very slightly, very difficult to detect. In the last moment, before consciousness completely plunged into endless darkness. I seemed to hear... someone in my ear, softly speaking a sentence.

“Sorry, Tri Dien.”

I opened my eyes wide. Before my eyes, is the familiar silk curtain in my own bedroom. Sunlight penetrates through the window, shining on my face. I... am not dead? I used my strength to push myself up. The whole body, up and down, did not have a single trace of pain. I bowed my head and looked down. What I'm wearing... is the peach pajamas that I like most on weekdays. Wasn't I just at Kim Loan Palace, drinking poisoned wine? At this moment, my close maid, Xuan Dao, walked in carrying a basin of water. Seeing that I was awake, she immediately called out in surprise:

“Miss, you're awake!”

"You've been sleeping for a whole day. If you don't wake up, I'm afraid you'll miss the big wedding tomorrow!"

There was a buzzing sound in my head, like something exploded.