Chapter 9 — Back to the Day of the Queen Mother's Marriage, This Time I Repented on the Spot, the Dowager was stunned

Drain all the water in the vase and then return to the room. That night, I had a dream. Dreaming about the rainy night before the execution in a previous life. The pile of straw in the prison smelled bad, and the executioner was sharpening his knife. I sat there waiting for Tham Nghien Chi. But this time... He came. He slammed open the door and knelt down in front of me, his whole body covered in blood.

“Van Duong, I'm late.”

In the dream I laughed. Laugh and laugh and cry again. When I woke up, my pillow was soaked in a large area. It's not morning yet. I sat on the edge of the bed, looking at the moonlight outside the window for a long time. Then he opened his mouth and spoke to the empty room.

“Tham Nghien Chi.”

“I have seen everything you did in this life.”

“But I won't turn back.”

The moonlight outside the window was half obscured by clouds. I blew out the candle at the head of the bed. After dawn, the maid quickly pushed open the door and ran in.

"Miss, old lady Vinh Xuong Marquis Palace... has brought someone here."

“What did she come for?”

“She said… she came to cancel the engagement on behalf of Marquis.”

The old lady of Vinh Xuong Marquis was helped inside. She was wearing a dark purple-red suit, her hair was meticulously combed without any mess, and her face was covered in makeup so it was hard to see her real age. But her eyes were not old at all. The kind of eyes typical of old ladies from martial arts families - sharp, direct, not beating around the bush. I invited her to sit down, but she didn't sit down.

“Miss To.”

She opened her mouth:

“Today, I came here just to say one thing.”

“Please keep talking, old lady.”

"My son, who doesn't make others worry less, told me a few days ago that he wanted to propose to you to marry me."

She stopped slightly.

"Today I came to tell you - I won't let you give me that chapter."

I don't speak up. The old lady stared at me.

“In your heart, you clearly understand the reason.”

"The rumor has spread throughout the capital, the old man's son is the Marquis of Vinh Xuong, the person he wants to marry is the wife of the future Marquis. In the future, he must manage the royal family, must meet the ladies, and must often go to the palace to attend banquets."

"I'm not looking down on you. I'm looking down on those rumors."

“But I have no other choice — the Marquis Palace cannot bear this reputation.”

I look at her. Her words were very tough, but deep in her eyes there was something that I could see and understand. She didn't want to come. But she had to come.

“Old lady.”

I slowly opened my mouth:

“You don't have to be awkward.”

The old lady paused for a moment.

“The story of the chapter… from beginning to end, I never really expected it to be offered.”

"The Marquis is a good person, I cannot involve him. Please go back and tell the Marquis that this marriage is something I do not want."

“Old lady.”

I knelt down and bowed my head.

"Please thank Marquis on my behalf. These days he has always protected me. I remember that kindness. But remembering the kindness is one thing, and getting married is another. I have my own measure in my heart."

The old lady was silent for a long time. Finally, she reached out to help me stand up. She called me a girl.

"You are a good lady. What a pity..."

She didn't finish that sentence. But I understand now. Unfortunate Rumors can kill people. Unfortunately, fate is not decided by oneself. It's a pity that your straightforward son encountered a woman as troublesome as me. The old lady left. When I left, I never looked back. I saw her off to the palace gate, standing on the doorstep and watching the carriage gradually go away. The hospital was strangely quiet. The maid stood next to me, wanting to say more.

“Miss…”

“It's okay.”

I turned around and went back to the room. Walking to the desk, I pulled out the drawer and took out the fake love letter. Lam Bich Hanh is dead. Evidence is also available. But it's useless. Because the Emperor favored Concubine Thuc. Bui Hoai stepped back. The only person willing to openly stand by my side was eventually pulled back by his family. Tham Nghien Chi has asked to resign. But even his resignation could not save me. Now I have become lonely. I brought that love letter close to the candlelight and lit it. The fire gradually licked up the golden fairy, slowly burning a hole, then another hole.