Chapter 2 — Behind the Curtain of Glory

Dressing, living and traveling, even toilet paper is woven from silk brocade, and there are people in charge of taking care of it. The noble continued to complain:

"The emperor said he only loves this palace, but look, he has taken in many concubines, and even married the queen. What am I? What is the meaning of your old promise?"

But his favor for her lasted for many years unabated, no matter how chaotic she was, the emperor always tolerated and pampered her. When he was angry, he punished us slaves. When he was angry, he killed one or two people, but he never let her suffer a bit of harm. In the end, the more she spoke, the more frustrated she became, crying until she almost fainted.

"Brother Dao, all these glory and wealth are lies. What if you could be with the person you love and eat weak rice porridge?"

“If I could live again, I would volunteer to be a maid, marry a normal person, and have a couple for one lifetime.”

"Are you willing to trade with me? Anh Dao?"

I finally woke up. In my head are words I overheard like "Thong Tu", "escape" - words I don't understand. I held the Noble Concubine's hand tightly, trying to play the role of a loyal palace maid.

"Your highness, this servant wishes. The slave's life is yours. As long as you are happy, I will offer anything."

Night fell, the little palace maid outside the door walked up the stairs to light the bow lamp, and the eunuch guarding the night held a blanket and sat down in the hallway. The other slaves all returned to their rooms, cowering and praying that the noble lady would be able to eat something tomorrow. As for Nguyen Quy Phi, she closed her eyes, smiled and said:

“Finally, I can finally leave this cannibal palace.”

4

When I opened my eyes again, I hugged my neck and sat up. After panting hard for a while, he suddenly discovered that all the old diseases in his body had disappeared, even the feeling of suffocation when being strangled was gone. My hands are white, slender, without calluses or frostbite. My shoulders and neck are light and flexible, no longer painful to the point of dizziness, nor do I make a "crackling" sound every time I move. Page Nguyet Hoa Ca My knees - where I used to kneel on bricks and stones for many years - are now no longer painful. I lifted the soft brocade blanket and ran to the dressing table. In the bronze mirror, Nguyen Quy Phi's face is clearly visible.

"Little master, did you have a nightmare? I'm going to call Toan Phuc to the hospital to ask for a bowl of soup to calm the nerves."

Dao Tu - the person who should have died - appeared and helped me sit back on the bed, his face full of worry. I really switched with Nguyen Quy Phi. Let's go back five years ago, when Tu Chieu Hoa had just entered the palace. At first when I realized that, I was a little scared. Such a strange and miraculous thing actually happened to me. The noble lady has an outstanding appearance, but does not have any heart. She is arrogant, loves to laugh, and hates everyone, showing on her face, regardless of time or place. She can stand in front of Duc Phi - who has not had children for many years - and say "you are old, even if you get pregnant, you may not be able to give birth." She said Doanh Tan was green tea, and when she first met her, she had to kneel down, otherwise she would get a slap. Even when faced with the daughter of the powerful prime minister, she did not yield, saying frankly that she was his true love. emperor, others are just tools. No matter who advised her, she didn't care:

"Life and death are determined, if you don't obey then fight. Don't be afraid, they can't touch me."

Indeed, no one can touch her. Every day I walk on thin ice, treating the harem like an iron barrel, emptying my pockets to buy eyes and ears. We must be wary of the plans of Duc Phi - who comes from a famous family, has many sisters in the hospital, has been honed since childhood, and has a deep mind. We must constantly suppress Ying Concubine - who on the outside is patient, but in her heart hates Concubine to the bone. If she were to be favored and have power and influence in her hands, she would definitely act mercilessly. There's also Wei Chieu Nghi, Than Quy Concubine... And I'm just a small palace maid. No matter how hard we try to manage and think until our brains run out, in the face of power and high mountain gold and silver, we are no different from ants shaking a tree. I watched helplessly as each time they made up stories of harm. Every time that happens, Phu Van Dien loses a few slaves - either ruined or dead. They are loyal and dedicated, like soldiers on the battlefield, one falls, the next steps up, without hesitation for the Noble Consort. At that time, you will pat me on the shoulder and say with some pride:

"Don't worry, no one remembers the NPCs, this palace remembers. Those little slaves who died because of me, this palace will keep in mind."

Thinking of this, a thought of great rebellion and immorality, worthy of a thousand deaths, word by word appears in my mind. Why can't I become a noble concubine? Tu Chieu Hoa, she is not worthy. But now, I am her.