Chapter 6 — Chieu Chieu Leaves Kinh

"What does Miss Song want to investigate?" His voice was very light. I pushed a stack of bills and land deeds over: "Look up Lam Uyen's background. I want to know all of her whereabouts in Mac Bac three years ago." From behind the screen, a clearly articulated hand reached out, pushing the banknote and land deed intact. "This transaction is accepted by Thien Co Pavilion." He chuckled softly: "But I don't accept Miss Song's money." "Three days later, I will deliver what you want, without fail." I frowned in confusion. He seemed to detect my doubts. His voice came through the screen, carrying a few distant memories: "In the cold winter ten years ago, in the collapsed temple at the back of Han Son Pagoda, I was gravely wounded and close to death." "That winter was very cold, there was a lady who came to the temple every day to offer incense and pray for blessings. She seemed to know that in the collapsed temple there was a living creature about to starve to death hiding, but she never met me. She did not ask about my background, nor did I probe." "She comes every day to pray for blessings, sometimes for meat dumplings, sometimes for roasted chicken, sometimes for braised meat... If it's really vegetarian rice, why is there salty food every day? During a cold winter, the rain, wind, snow, and frost can't stop it." "I can never repay you for saving my life. As for anything concerning Aunt Co, I will naturally do my best." I stood there stunned, my eyes suddenly stinging. Ten years ago, the year Tieu Dat and I became engaged, I found a cheap inn for us to stay in temporarily. Three days later, Sam Tich arrived on time dressed in a mysterious robe and placed a thick file on the table in front of me. "A spy from the Northern Di court, codename 'O Nguyet'. The ambush three years ago was a trap Lam Uyen had set. She used the debt of saving Tieu Dat's life to gain access to him and steal Da Tuyen's military plans." Sam Tich looked at me, his tone calm. I tightened my grip on the file, my fingertips turned white. Once Thien Co Pavilion has a lead, it can uncover the truth, but Tieu Dat refuses to investigate carefully. I don't want to think deeply about the reason behind it. I could not let go of my anger. I took the file, turned around and went down to the tea house, went straight to Hoang Thanh Ty's office, and beat the grievance drum. "I, Song Chieu Chieu, accuse General Tieu Dat's fiancee of colluding with Northern Di and plotting to kill good people!" Commander Hoang Thanh Ty immediately ordered an investigation and placed the Dinh Vien Marquisate under discreet surveillance. Within half a day, they had verified the false identity Lam Uyen had used and confirmed her secret correspondence with a Northern Di spy. If one is willing to investigate, the truth can be made clear. Tieu Dat only relied on Lam Uyen's few tears to believe without a doubt. How ridiculous. Based on Commander Hoang Thanh Ty's investigation, Lam Uyen's whereabouts in Mac Bac three years ago were now clear. Commander Hoang Thanh Ty ordered the file on the missing military map brought out for comparison. His conclusion was that in the past, when Tieu Dat encountered an attack, it was very likely that it was a trap set by Lam Uyen, the purpose of which was to sneak into the capital. "Miss Song, this official will immediately dispatch the guards and definitely bring this spy to justice and return justice to you and your mother." I clenched my fist. Just capturing Lam Uyen is too good for Tieu Dat. I wanted Tieu Dat to lose everything. "Commander, if we arrest her now, we may startle the snake and let the grass move." "Tomorrow is Tieu Dat and Lam Uyen's wedding. She will be dressed for the ceremony and surrounded by guests, making it the perfect time to arrest her." After some negotiation and consideration, Commander Hoang Thanh Ty agreed to my arrest plan. "Okay, tomorrow's big wedding, make the arrest." The next day, carriages streamed past Tieu Palace like water, while red silk covered the ground. The capital was abuzz: General Tieu had canceled his childhood engagement to marry the woman who had saved his life. Lanterns and flowers adorned Tieu Palace, while red silk stretched for ten li.

Hundreds of officials came to the wedding, and more than a hundred banquet tables filled the grounds. People praised General Tieu for honoring the woman who had saved his life. When I entered Tieu Palace, the wedding was already halfway underway. Tieu Dat wore a bright-red wedding robe and held Lam Uyen's hand; she wore a phoenix crown and veil as they prepared to bow. My appearance caused the noisy wedding hall to immediately quiet down. Duong Nhu gritted his teeth and was the first to jump out and make trouble: "Song Chieu Chieu, what are you doing here for a divorced person like you? The general's household does not welcome you!" Tieu Dat's sister also had a cold face and stepped forward to chase me away: "Chieu Chieu, save some dignity for yourself. Even if you come to disrupt the wedding, Tieu Dat won't need you. Between you and Lam Uyen, one cruel and one virtuous, even a fool would know whom to choose." Friends from the past also chimed in: