Chapter 2 — Buy A Majesty

It's Lam Phu Nghi's voice.

"Phu Nghi, stop causing chaos. Let me go in and tell her to hand it over herself."

Ky Chieu's words left me completely stunned. What did I steal?

“Safe—”

The door was pushed open from the outside. The person who walked in was Ky Chieu. He stood against the light, tall figure, handsome face but with a layer of ice, looking at me with strange cold eyes.

“I didn't expect you to be such a woman who craves glory and wealth.”

He spoke in a low voice, his eyes seemed to be filled with disappointment. I looked at him stunned, unable to understand why he said these words.

"I promised you that I would give you a name."

He spoke again, his voice low, as if he were scolding.

"Did I not keep my word? Giang To, you betrayed me first."

7

Ky Chieu indeed promised me that he would give me a name. That day, the sky and earth were covered with snow, and rumors spread that the Emperor was seriously ill. Ky Chieu told me that he was the crown prince of the royal court and he had to return to the capital. But it was snowy, the roads were slippery, even if there was a path, it was difficult to pass. But he was a man who had suffered torture, had broken legs, was poisoned, had weak strength, and could not go all the way on his own. I found hardwood boards, made a simple sled with my own hands, used a few clever tricks, and pulled him step by step through the cold miles. One night we stopped in the wilderness, the two of us sat by the fire. Perhaps when he saw my hands, swollen and red and chapped from the cold, he felt a little compassion. The gentle moonlight shone on his face, making his handsome appearance seem to be covered with a layer of soft light. He said softly:

“In this life, I will absolutely not disappoint you.”

“After returning to the capital, I will definitely marry you as my first wife.”

At that time, I was definitely touched. Otherwise, how could I drag him thousands of miles, through wind and snow, through long days and nights? Now, I look at him, and word by word I say:

“You said you won't disappoint me in this life, so what do you mean you want me to go to the Eastern Palace to be your concubine?”

“Or do you want me to erase the fact that I spent money to buy you back that year?”

“You forgot all about your oath before God, but you still want me to remember it?”

After speaking, rows of colorful words passed before my eyes: 【With this background, can she be a crown princess? I don't even think about myself...】 【Stop talking, if it weren't for his female companion, he would have died a long time ago. He can promise other things, but he is the one who wants both things.】 【To be more precise, he is the one who is bought by the woman to be her husband, so what if he is abandoned?】 【Yes! Exactly! Reasonable! Accurate criticism doesn't need to be corrected!】 After Ky Chieu heard what I said, his face stiffened slightly, but he no longer kept his cold tone like before, but slowly said:

“I have never forgotten, To To.”

“But this is not Thanh Son district, even less Dao Hoa village.”

The place where I bought him was the human market of Thanh Son district. That year, amidst the sea of people jostling in the market, he looked up at me, his eyes filled with pleading, just hoping I would take him away. I used silver to buy him back, then in a small temple in Dao Hoa village, under the wild Buddha statue wasted, married him and became husband and wife. That year, before God and Buddha, we prayed for one life and one life, to have each other morning and night. But now, this is not Thanh Son Tu, nor is it Dao Hoa village anymore. The capital city is vast, prosperous and dazzling, crowded with people, and bound by rituals.

“You must understand my suffering, To To.”

Ky Chieu looked at me, his voice carrying reluctance, as if everything he did had a reason.

8

Ky Chieu, since entering the capital, seems to have turned into a different person. Before, he was gloomy and quiet, I had to use all my thoughts to make him smile a little. But now, the noble ladies in the capital, with just a few casual words, can easily see the bright smile on his face. They said that Ky Chieu was a talented gentleman in the world, with gentle qualities and a pleasant personality. But I clearly remember that he once kicked over the bowl of medicine, flipped over and fell on the bed, so angry that he hurt himself. To me, he has never been truly peaceful. Perhaps, he really has his own suffering that we don't understand. But I'm too tired. The invisible lines of words still floated before my eyes, as if they could predict fate. In the distance, I seem to see my own future—a tragic, quiet end with no one to pity me. I really don't want anymore. I don't dare anymore. Ky Chieu looked at me, then asked:

“Do you still hate that day when she pushed you into the water?”

"But even so, you shouldn't be so angry, and you shouldn't steal her jewelry and not return it."

I frowned tightly and looked at him coldly:

“What nonsense are you talking about?”

Ky Chieu heard that and frowned at me, his voice lowered, carrying a sense of coercion:

“You know exactly what I'm saying, To To.”

“Give it back soon, I will help you settle the matter.”

At this point, I finally understand. Yesterday, during a small banquet at Dong Palace, Lam Phu Nghi and a few famous ladies pulled me out to the lake and made fun of me because of my rural background. I don't bother to agree with them. But somehow, they got my mother's piece of embroidery—my most precious item. They must have rummaged through my sewing bag to find that item. Several noble ladies burst into laughter, their laughter filled with mockery.

“Look, the flowers and grasses embroidered on here, even the lower-class maids in my palace's skills are ten times better than hers.”

A lady smiled and turned to Lam Phu Nghi and said:

“Miss Giang's skills are truly unique. In the future, remember to ask her to embroider a few more items for me.

“This is more interesting than the lady's comments!”

Lam Phu Nghi covered his mouth and smiled, his eyes sparkling as if he was enjoying this teasing scene. I stepped up and politely requested her:

“Please return that item to me, ma'am.”

Lam Phu Nghi glanced at the surrounding ladies, as if not wanting to lose face, then looked regretful and said:

“It's just an item not worth the money. Okay, then this is it, I will compensate Miss Giang twenty taels of silver."

Next to him, there was a lady who smiled faintly:

“Miss Giang should be happy, this kind of workmanship should be sold outside, one No one buys the quality either.”

“I wonder if she has ever seen twenty taels of silver in her entire life?”

I looked at them, smiled, but inside I felt a little colder.

“If it weren't for knowing that you were all famous ladies and gentlemen of the capital—”

"I thought you were all young ladies from the hospital."

"When you open your mouth, you only talk about money. It seems that your embroidery business is far superior to my To To."

Lam Phu Nghi snorted coldly, but before he could refute, someone next to him immediately continued:

“Surely has a sharp tongue.”

“Coming from a poor, rural background, it's hard to avoid being rude.”

I didn't care about the taunts, my eyes were still glued to the item in her hand, my tone was low:

“If you don't pay, I—

“A country person like me can really do anything.”

Lam Phu Nghi's face suddenly darkened. Finally, she coldly threw the embroidery piece to the ground, as if throwing away a dirty item. I didn't say anything more, just picked it up, turned around and left immediately. But as soon as I turned my back, a hand behind me suddenly pushed hard. The whole person was pushed forward, wobbling and losing balance. It is now early spring, the lake water in Dong Cung is bone-chillingly cold. I sank down, feeling the icy water enveloping my body, wave after wave squeezing me tightly. The sound of laughter on the shore still echoed in my ears, the clear voices seemed to be enjoying the fun.

“Someone jumped down!”

I vaguely heard the sound of water splashing, and suddenly a ray of hope rose in my heart. I thought—I would be saved. That figure was dressed in dark clothes, had a tall figure, and at first glance looked exactly like Ky Chieu. I tried my best to grab the hem of his shirt, as if holding on to my only hope of life. But—That hand didn't pull me up. It sank me deeper. The water was cold to the heart. But not as cold as his eyes when he turned his head to look at me in the water—his eyes were calm, without a ripple. He didn't come to save me.

9

Whether that person in that country is Ky Chieu or not, I'm not sure. But what I can confirm is that in this palace, the person who wants me dead is not only Lam Phu Nghi. I cannot continue to stay in the Eastern Palace anymore. I still want to live. ________________________________________

“Jiang To, hand over Phu Nghi's jewelry.”

Ky Chieu's voice was cold. I frowned tightly, looked at him for a moment, then slowly shook my head:

“I don't have it.”

“You don't know right from wrong, so you rushed to question me—why don't you go ask Miss Lam yourself?”

Ky Chieu stared at me, but his eyes had already made a decision. He identified me as a thief. He said:

“Phu Nghi's jewelry, worth many cities.”

That's right. My whole body combined is not as good as Lam Phu Nghi's small brooch. I was so angry that I burst out laughing. Then each word spoke up, slowly but sharply:

“What about the position of your concubine?”

“What about the wooden brooch you once carved for me?”

I said a word, his face turned a little pale. I looked straight into his eyes, without avoiding, without hesitation.

“Ky Chieu, have you forgotten—who asked me to spend money to buy you that year?”

Ky Chieu's face completely darkened. But I don't care about him anymore. My voice is gentle, but cold like ice:

“I don't have time to argue with you about these meaningless things.”

“Cong Ly is at the Eastern Palace, today I will enter the palace.”

Hearing that, he looked at me silently for a long time, and finally said:

“We will investigate clearly.”

Remembering last night, I looked at him intently, with a question in my heart that I couldn't suppress. I couldn't control myself and asked:

“So that night, who saved me?”

Ky Chieu turned around and left. He didn't turn around, nor did he answer. Leaving only one sentence, echoing in the cold space:

“Jiang To, you... take care of yourself.”

10

The road out of Dong Cung is extremely convenient. Ly Cong Cong still kept a gentle smile and slowly led me away. As soon as he left the palace gate, there was a horse-drawn carriage waiting. He sat outside the car, leaving me alone to get inside. I clutched my mother's piece of embroidery tightly in my hand, my heart as tangled as a thread. If the person who wanted to kill me was Ky Chieu, then why would he save me? If not him, then who wants to take my life? The carriage stopped in front of the palace. Just go a few more steps, I will reach your Majesty's palace. Cong Ly still smiled, leaned over and reminded:

“Your Majesty is reviewing the chapter, you can now come inside.”

I hesitated for a moment, feeling a bit inadequate, so I cautiously said:

“Your Majesty is handling official matters, how can I arbitrarily disturb you?”

“My hands and feet are clumsy, what if…”

Inside the main hall, a low but clear voice rang out, interrupting my words:

“If you continue to stand idly outside the door, I will really punish you for being rude.”

I was stunned and unconsciously stopped. Ly Cong Cong still smiled, lowered his voice and whispered in his ear:

“Come in quickly, my lady. Your Majesty is not really angry.”

I swallowed hard and slowly walked in. When I raised my head, I met the king's eyes, looking intently straight at me. He seemed to not expect me to look over, briefly stunned, then a bit unnaturally looked away. Waiting until I obediently bowed my head and stood aside, he slowly spoke:

“This time when you came to Dong Cung, did anyone give you a hard time?”

I secretly glanced at him, but because I was standing next to him, I could only see the bridge of his tall, straight nose.