Chapter 1 — Buy A Majesty

After saving for three years, I finally gathered enough money and planned to buy myself a husband. In the middle of a crowded place, I gently raised my hand to point, and immediately chose a prince who had been lost in the world - but unexpectedly, he was the long-lost crown prince. That morning, in front of the dragon pedestal, His Majesty looked at me and asked: "Is there anything you want to request?" I was just about to speak, but suddenly lines of strange words appeared in front of my eyes: 【This woman really thinks that the crown prince will still want her to be his wife?】 【It's better to marry the emperor, otherwise, in the end, I'm afraid no one cares about her life or death.】 【Either way, it's better than ending up as a pig in the Eastern Palace.】 My whole body trembled slightly, and I immediately bowed my head. replied: "I admire your majesty's divine majesty and wish to serve you by your side."

1

As soon as the words were uttered, the court immediately became quiet, the civil and military officials were silent and did not speak. The king on the throne slightly lowered his eyes and looked at me, his expression unfathomable. At that moment, Crown Prince Ky Chieu knelt down. He said I was just a rustic, how could I be worthy of serving a king. Then, right after that, he made a request to His Majesty, wanting to take me to the Eastern Palace and make me a good crown prince. In front of my eyes, lines of strange words quickly passed: 【Ah that's right, without your female sidekick, the prince would have lost his life a long time ago...】 【In the end, this female sidekick was probably so infatuated with the prince that she couldn't turn back. If you accept, what else can you do?】 【What else can I do... it's better to turn into a pig... a good brother, it's easier to deal with.】 At this moment, the king on high slowly spoke. His voice was calm, not too fast or too slow, as if he had predicted everything:

“Have you thought carefully?

Do you want to be a concubine in the palace, or become a loyal brother in the Eastern Palace? Hearing that, Ky Chieu briefly clasped his hands and even intended for His Majesty to apologize. He is certain that I will choose the latter. I slightly raised my eyes and boldly looked towards the throne. His Majesty at first glance looks like a village teacher—gentlemanly, scholarly, with a calm demeanor. If you are like Mr., you must also have a gentle temperament. Anyway, the village man is always gentle with me. I bowed my head low and replied softly:

“The women vow to stay by your side and serve your majesty.”

2

Ky Chieu was stunned on the spot. The movements he was about to apologize for were also stiff. Several times he wanted to move but hesitated to stop. He turned his head to look at me, his eyes were complex, filled with countless emotions. But I don't look at him. Looking at him only makes me remember the past, and thinking about those old things only hurts more. His Majesty nodded slightly, as if he had already anticipated this outcome. The story was decided from there. Everything was done, we were taken back down to the palace. A eunuch led me to the neighboring room. He narrowed his eyes and smiled, carefully observed me, then spoke in a gentle voice:

“Miss, please wait here with peace of mind for a moment, waiting for His Majesty to come to court, he wants to see you.”

I nodded slightly in thanks, then obediently sat and waited. This morning I got up too early, now I have to wait too long, and sleepiness gradually creeps in. I propped myself up, leaned on the table, blinked once—and then fell asleep without even realizing it. When I woke up, the first thing that caught my eye was that face—a face that looked like a teacher in the village. Your Majesty. Realizing that, I was startled and quickly stood up and started walking ceremony. I was originally not very familiar with etiquette, but now I'm panicking, my movements are even more clumsy, similar but not the same, creating an awkward appearance. A very soft laugh suddenly rang out in my ear, as if His Majesty was laughing.

“Get up, little lady.”

3

I think I made the right bet. His Majesty is indeed a very peaceful person. He closed the chapter in his hand, his eyes calmly fell on the person, and slowly spoke:

"You and the crown prince once celebrated a common wedding. So why don't you want to get married now?"

I looked up in surprise, suddenly confused, and quickly replied:

“In our hometown, if you haven't seen the incense burn before the gods and Buddha, the wedding is still not considered successful.”

As for the reason why I don't want to marry Ky Chieu anymore... Are you saying that I predicted my tragic fate if I became his wife? I tightened my sleeves, bowed my head, my voice became even quieter:

"To To... wants to marry your majesty."

“So you really don't want to marry the crown prince anymore?”

Hearing that, His Majesty was stunned, as if he did not expect my answer. In front of my eyes, strange lines of text appeared again: 【My God, the female assistant's direct play made the emperor stunned!】 【Honestly, this female assistant's move was too perfect, the emperor has no shortcomings other than being a little older.】 【What's older, she's just over thirty.】 【Honestly, does anyone feel that the emperor already has a little bit of interest in him? Is there a woman from before?】 I secretly raised my eyes to look at His Majesty, but could not see any clues. Your Majesty... do you really like me? He looked at me, his voice still gentle as before:

"Once you enter the palace, it means you will never be able to leave here again. Do you understand?"

I tilted my head to think for a moment, then asked softly in a reserved voice:

“Your Majesty... can't you take me out for a walk?”

If you stay in the palace forever, won't it be very boring? His Majesty bowed his head and laughed, a light smile passing through the corner of his lips. Then, he looked at me and slowly spoke:

“I appoint you as Chieu Nghi, okay?”

4

Following His Majesty into the palace, of course I have to stay here. However, the luggage I brought from home is still at Dong Cung, inside there is a bag of needles and thread that my mother left for me. We definitely have to get it back. I went there alone, but as soon as I got there, I was stopped by a guard. Apparently, in the past days, I always followed Ky Chieu in and out of the forbidden palace, but now they are certain that they have never seen me before. In the middle of the hot midday sun, the heat was sweltering, sweat was beaded on his forehead, dripping drop by drop. At that moment, a luxurious carriage slowly approached from afar. The car curtain was lifted—it turned out to be Lam Phu Nghi. I recognize her. The first day she followed Ky Chieu back to the capital, she ran out from the crowd. Ky Chieu immediately extended his arms to support her, the two clasped each other's hands tightly, hot tears fell. But I stood next to him, unable to speak, just quietly swallowing all the emotions in my heart. At this time, Lam Phu Nghi wore exquisite clothes, meticulously decorated every detail, not even a strand of hair was out of place. She glanced at me, her eyes gliding from top to bottom, then covered her mouth with her hand, whispering to the maid next to her, her smile was gentle but made people uncomfortable. On the invisible screen, A series of gossips appeared again: 【Why is this female lead so... so harsh?】 【Cough, the male lead and the female lead's mouth is cruel, they are truly a match made in heaven...】 After she was tired of laughing, she pretended to be concerned and asked me in a soft tone:

"Miss To To? Why are you standing here?"

Today she is dressed splendidly, her head is full of jewelry made of white jade and lapis lazuli, and when she moves, she makes soft sounds. But what attracted my attention the most were not those exquisite treasures—but a simple wooden brooch, pinned to her smooth hair. The wood is very ordinary, not rare, just a simple brooch engraved with a camellia flower. Another line of text appeared in front of my eyes: 【Wait, why do I keep remembering that this brooch was given to the female lead by the male lead?】 【Just turned it over to see, sure enough.】 I, of course, remember it very clearly. When Ky Chieu was bought by me, he had a broken leg. I braved the heavy snow and went alone into the deep forest to find herbs. That night, he lit the lamp all night and meticulously carved this wooden brooch for me. The brooch is rough and can puncture your hand when you first pick it up. I patiently, little by little, smoothed it with a small knife, making it smoother. Yet now, that brooch I had carefully polished—is being placed in Lam Phu Nghi's hair.

5

“Are you looking at this brooch?” Lam Phu Nghi spoke, his tone was unclear whether it was accidental or intentional.

I pursed my lips, feeling there was no need to cause conflict, so I gently replied:

“Miss Lam looks very beautiful today, I just unconsciously looked at it a few more times.”

Lam Phu Nghi clicked his tongue, seemingly dissatisfied with my answer. She once again evaluated me from top to bottom, then reached out and pulled out the jade brooch on my head. Then—she threw it to the ground.

“Just a worthless item.”

"If Miss To To likes it, just open her mouth and say it. I'm very generous."

Lam Phu Nghi smiled, his eyes full of meaning looking at me. At this time, the maid next to her stepped up, bent down to pick up the brooch, then walked towards me again, her voice showing grace:

“Miss gave you a reward, why haven't you picked it up yet?”

The invisible text appeared before my eyes again, rolling like a wave: 【Can women resist? Can you be stronger!?】 【But the woman in the capital has no relatives, so resisting is useless...】 【Who says there is no support? Look behind me, I see a eunuch next to the emperor appearing!】 I was startled and turned my head to look back - sure enough, in the middle of the crowd, Ly Cong Cong in civilian clothes was standing quietly observing. Ly Cong Cong smiled, slowly walked to my side, and spoke in a gentle voice but clearly had a hidden meaning:

"Have you finished handling the matter yet? Master is waiting for you to return to the palace."

Lam Phu Nghi frowned at Ly Cong Cong, his face changed slightly. Then, she suddenly smiled faintly and slowly spoke:

“Miss To To, have you found a lover in the capital?”

I was stunned. Cong Ly's face also turned pale. Even I was so surprised that I couldn't say a word. Ly Cong Cong suppressed his anger, took a deep breath, and then said in a low voice:

“You should speak carefully.

Miss Giang has now been appointed by His Majesty as Princess Chieu Nghi. Even though the ordination ceremony has not yet been held, the decree has already been issued, even to the previous dynasty and the harem are all clear.” Lam Phu Nghi stood frozen in place, his eyes wide open, clearly in disbelief. She shook her head repeatedly, as if not daring to accept this truth.

6

"Jiang To is just a person from a poor background, how can he be qualified to serve your Majesty?"

She spoke, her voice mixed with jealousy that could not be hidden. I quietly thought—what a coincidence. Ky Chieu also told me these same words before. The last wooden brooch still lay there, falling on the ground, no one bothered to pick it up. I smoothly entered the Eastern Palace and found the place where I used to live. Luckily, my luggage is still intact. I want to open it, want to check to see if the bag of needles and thread my mother left behind is still there. But at that moment, there was a noise outside the door, making me unable to help but pay attention.

“Crown brother, why did you stop me?”

“Even though she is now a lady in the palace, she cannot arbitrarily steal other people's things!”