Chapter 3 — Cui Van Chieu

"If you're not involved, why should you be angry?"... On the day of departure, the sky was gloomy and heavy. As soon as the carriage left the city gate, someone stopped it. Qi Dien rode a horse, wearing a black martial arts uniform, blocking the middle of the road. I opened the car curtain. "What do you mean by that?" He looked at me. "You want to go?" "Yes." "To Bac Canh?" "Yes." He was silent for a moment and then slowly said: "What happened that day... I have investigated clearly." I quietly looked at him, waiting for him to continue. "She is a maid of the On family." "Because she was jealous of Du Lan, she put poison in her tea." "Du Lan lost her mind and lost her mind in the tent." "He stopped for a moment. "And your spring medicine... is also because of her." "She originally wanted to ruin Du Lan's reputation, but when she was careless, she was also implicated." I smiled slightly. "I know." "Please, The Prince, get out of the way." He spurred his horse closer to the car door. "Ci Van Chieu!" "If I say now... I am willing to marry you..." Without waiting for him to finish, I calmly interrupted. "I don't like it." heart." The voice from inside the car rang out, without any emotion. "Your Highness." "The decree has been issued, the date of marriage between you and Miss Wen has also been set." "Just saying those words now... isn't it too ridiculous?" He quickly said: "I can ask Your Majesty to revoke the decree..." I opened the curtain again, looking straight into his eyes. "Marry me?" "Give me the title of Princess Wen?" "And what about Miss Wen? "She is the person you have been waiting for for three years." "Are you going to let her be your concubine?" "Or let her become the laughing stock of the whole capital?" He choked on his words. I smiled softly. "Qi Dien." "You are always the same." "You want everything." "But there are no such good things in the world." "You have chosen Wen Du Lan, so treat her kindly." "Don't bother me anymore." "Please get out of my way." He remained motionless. I let down the curtain. "Take a detour." The carriage slowly turned around. Behind him, I heard his voice calling loudly, "Ci Van Chieu!" "If you're gone... then never come back again!" I didn't respond at all. Never come back? Exactly what I meant. … The North Canh wind is cold. But also freedom. Returning to the old house of the general's palace, I feel like I am alive again. Every day, he practices martial arts, reads books, and helps his father handle military matters. Occasionally, I ride horseback to the steppe and watch the river in the sunset. Things in the capital gradually faded away. Te Dien. On Du Lan. Along with all the things that make people sad... They all become nightmares of their past lives. Seeing my spirit getting better day by day, my father was extremely happy. "Van Chieu, you have never been truly happy in the past few years in the capital." "Now that you have returned, you are just like the old Van Chieu." I rested my head on my father's shoulder. "Father, I will not return to the capital from now on." He patted my hand gently. "Okay." "If you don't want to go, then don't go." "Father raised me for the rest of my life." But those peaceful days only lasted half a year. In the fall, the holy edict spread to Bac Canh. His Majesty summoned his father back to the capital to report on his official duties and at the same time gave him a reward. Father slightly frowned. "Summoning at this time..." "I'm afraid the capital is about to explode again." I asked: "Father, are you going?" He sighed softly. "The Holy Order has been given, it's impossible not to go." "Van Chieu, you can stay in Bac Canh and wait for father to return." I shook my head. "I'll go with you." "The capital..." I smiled slightly. "I'm not afraid." "Can you hide for the rest of your life?" Father looked at me for a long time. Finally, he nodded. "Okay." "Father is here and won't let anyone bully you."… When I returned to the capital, it was already the beginning of winter. The general's palace has been uninhabited for many years, and the scene is desolate and desolate. I took the servants with me to clean up for several days, and finally I was finally able to live in it. Just settled down not long ago, invitation card

came in droves like falling snow. They are all invitations to the banquet. I refused most of them, only choosing a few sessions that I really couldn't miss. The first meeting... was the apricot reward party at Marquis Vinh Ninh's palace. The mother who brought the card also left a special message: "The Princess told me to definitely invite Miss Cui. You and the Princess are old acquaintances, the Princess is looking forward to meeting you." The Princess... On Du Lan has been married to the marquis for three months. I thought for a moment and then still accepted. There are things... The more you avoid them, the more you cannot avoid them. It's better to meet once and completely eliminate all thoughts of those involved. On the day of the apricot reward party, I wore a simple moon-white dress, with only a white jade hairpin in my hair, and no makeup at all. Arriving at Marquis Vinh Ninh's palace, the garden was already crowded and bustling. Wen Du Lan wore a crimson dress woven with gold thread, a pure gold phoenix brooch on her head, and was surrounded by a group of noble ladies. She truly had the demeanor of a female servant's mistress. As soon as she saw me, her eyes lit up and she immediately walked over to greet me. "Come on, sister! You're finally here." I bowed down to pay my respects. "Your highness." She smiled warmly and took my arm. "Don't be so polite, sister." "Come on, I'll take you to see that green apricot tree. This year the flowers are blooming beautifully." She took me deep into the apricot garden, then let everyone go. After there were only two people left, she spoke up. "Is it good for you to live in Bac Canh?" "Very good." She smiled. "That's good." "Brother Dien also often mentioned you, and said that when you return to Bac Canh, you will definitely be like a fish in water." I looked straight at her. "If you have anything, just say it directly." The smile on her lips stiffened for a moment, then gently said: "Actually... I have something I want to ask you for help with." "It's a matter." What?" She bit her lip lightly. "Dien brother..." "Since we got married until now... you have never touched me." I paused. Her eye sockets gradually turned red.