Chapter 3 — Bamboo Burning Brooch

"Mother, look for yourself, do you still have anything on your body? Whatever you have, is there anything that someone would not take back and give to your sister?" Mother was speechless after I spoke, and after a long time, she replied with a serious face: "It's just a few things outside of your body. Your sister lost her mother when she was young. Unlike you, you still have both parents, of course I have to treat her a little better." Being a stepmother is not easy. In the past, I also sympathized with her dilemma, so she told me to give in, and I did. But I didn't expect that, in order to fulfill her role as a good stepmother, she would not hesitate to sacrifice her biological daughter's life. "Or does mother have any weaknesses in the hands of her eldest sister? If not, why can she be so patient with her to this extent?" When I suddenly asked her like that, my mother's face immediately turned a little pale, and the hand holding the teacup also stiffened slightly. After a while, she angrily shouted: "You insolent bastard! What nonsense are you talking about? Your sister is a flesh and blood left by her previous wife. If I treat her poorly, won't people laugh at me behind her back? You are my biological child, I love you a little more, no one outside will see. But if I mistreat her, the whole capital will scold me harshly." Her words were discreet and impeccable, and also carried a bit of self-pity that was very true. the standards of elders when being argued back by their children. I lowered my eyes, only smiling coldly. If she only treats the elder sister well because of her virtuous reputation, then there are so many other ways. So why in her previous life, right at Kun Ninh palace, did she unequivocally affirm that her eldest sister was the one who saved the Crown Prince? Clearly knowing that she would push us into a corner, she still did so without hesitation. There's something I've never thought through before. But today, seeing my mother's reaction, I understand a little bit. Perhaps it was as we expected. Mother's weakness lies in the hands of her eldest sister. "Mother is right." I retracted my expression and replied in a soft voice. "It was my mistake. Today, my sister must have seen something unclean. Turn around and ask someone to cook her a bowl of soothing soup." Hearing that, the mother's face softened a bit. She raised her hand to straighten my sideburns for me. "That's right. Your sister has a cold personality and won't say anything. Since you're a younger sister, you should pay more attention to her." I obediently nodded, taking the opportunity to recall an old story. "Mother, the last time I was married, you helped me choose a few marriages. I've seen them all. The son of the Zhou Dynasty said that in Duong Chau, both his conduct and appearance are not bad, please mother. Please plan to kiss me." Mother paused, then remembered that I was already of marriageable age. "It's true that I should have decided earlier. There have been so many things, but I forgot about your marriage." In my previous life, she chose more than ten families for me. If you don't criticize this family's low status, you'll criticize that family for not having enough wealth. After procrastinating, in the end it was only because of Crown Prince Ly Tuyen's words "I don't know how to repay him for saving my life" that I was married into the Eastern Palace. At that time, she held my hand with red eyes and said: "I can't bear to let you marry far away. I originally intended to keep you for another two years, but I never expected that His Highness the Crown Prince would pay attention to you." Later I found out, right from the year I was born, she had already chosen the Chu family in Duong Chau for me, just waiting to choose a good day to come and ask to marry me. But just because of one sentence from the eldest sister: "Duong Chau is too far, I can't bear to let Thanh Ha marry me." But my marriage was put on hold. "Even though Duong Chau is far away, it is a prosperous land." I continued to speak gently. "Even though the judge is only a deputy, the Chu family has been a scholar for many generations, and the family style is dignified, so it is not a disadvantage for me to marry there. Besides, isn't the mother still the same?"

often said, when a woman gets married, the most important thing is that her husband's family is kind and her life is peaceful?" After listening to me, the mother's expression softened a bit, but she still frowned and asked: "Why do you suddenly remember the Chu family? That day I just casually mentioned a sentence and didn't take it to heart, but you remembered it well. "I lowered my eyes and smiled. "My memory has always been very good, has mother forgotten?" Those words were very light. But mother's hand holding the tea cup paused for a moment, almost imperceptible. Of course she remembered. When I was young, whenever my eldest sister did something wrong or caused trouble and didn't dare to admit it, it was all on me. It's because my memory is so good, I remember every detail clearly. My words and actions every day, so I can justify myself every time. Unfortunately, my mother wanted to save my elder sister's face. Even though she knew I was wronged, she still blamed me for not reminding my elder sister sooner. In my mother's eyes, my memory was to clean up the consequences for my elder sister, not to clear my name. "If that's the case, I will ask someone to send a letter to Duong Chau earlier. with the Chu family." Finally, my mother nodded. Then she told me: "But Thanh Ha, your sister's marriage has not been decided yet. Don't make too much of a fuss on your side, otherwise outsiders will talk." I nodded in agreement, but in my heart I only felt ridiculous. It's not that my eldest sister's marriage has not been decided yet. It's that she stands on this mountain and watches over that mountain. Even though she had an engagement contract left by her biological mother with the Marquis of the Vinh Ninh Palace, her heart still didn't fit. Criticizing The Tu for not passing the bachelor's exam. Criticizing him for being handsome but lacking manliness. He also criticized Vinh Ninh's position as a Marquis for not being able to wait until he was nineteen and causing harm to others. Of course, I wouldn't say those words to my mother.