Chapter 7 — Cui Van Chieu

"If there is an afterlife... don't see me again." He hugged me tightly. Crying like a child. "No..." "Don't..." "Van Chieu..." "I was wrong..." "I really know I was wrong..." "Can you forgive me..." "Forgive me?" I closed my eyes. His heart-wrenching scream... Gradually faded away. … I don't die. That arrow was half an inch off. Does not hurt the heart. But the injury was too severe. I was in a coma for half a month. When I woke up. I was in the general's palace. Xuan Dao kept watch by the bed. My eyes were swollen and red like peaches. "Miss..." "You're finally awake..." I wanted to speak up. But my throat was dry and I couldn't make a sound. My chest hurts so much that it's sharp. Xuan Dao quickly held me back. "Don't move." "Don't talk either." "The military doctor told you to rest." I nodded slightly. Look out the window. It's late fall. Yellow leaves fall all over the yard. I asked in a hoarse voice. "How is the war... going?" "Great victory." Xuan Dao wiped her tears and smiled. "The people of Bac Dich have surrendered." "Both sides have signed a peace treaty." "Ten years of not violating the border again." "The prince..." "He personally killed the leader of the North Dich... to avenge you." Qi Dien..." What about him?" Xuan Dao lowered his voice. "The prince is outside." door." "I've been on guard for half a month." "No one advised me to go." "Just now, the old man forced him to take a rest." Right at that moment. The room door was pushed open. Te Dien stood outside. The whole person was emaciated. The dark circles under the eyes are very dark and the chin is also covered with stubble. As soon as I saw it, I woke up. He was stunned. Right after that... my eyes turned red. "Van Chieu..." I turned away. "Xuan Dao." "I'm tired." Xuan Dao understood. She turned to Te Dien and said: "My lord." "Miss just woke up." "Need to rest." He stood still in place. A long time later. I replied hoarsely: "Okay." "I... will come back later." Finished speaking. He quietly left. Xuan Dao sighed softly. "Miss." "For the past half month..." "The prince is really worried about you." I slowly closed my eyes. "Xuan Dao." "Between me and him..." "It's not a matter of worrying or not worrying." It's... a deep abyss separated by life and death. No one can get over it. … During the days of recovery, Qi Dien came every day. Sometimes I bring food, sometimes I bring supplements. Sometimes he just stands still outside the window, looks at me for a while and then quietly leaves. I did not meet him nor receive anything he brought. My father advised me: "Van Chieu, after all, he saved your life." I replied softly: "Father, he saved my life, I will definitely repay the debt you owe him later." "But other than that..." "I can't give him anything else." Father heard that and did not advise anymore. A month later, I can finally get out of bed. Lam Nghien rushed over. As soon as he saw me alive, his eyes immediately turned red. "Van Chieu..." "I thought...""... would never see you again." I smiled and gently patted his back. "I'm fine." Lam Nghien stayed in Bac Canh for half a month. Take a walk with me every day and talk. He is gentle and thoughtful to every little bit. During that time, Te Dien also came several times. But he just stood and watched from afar. Never stepped closer. One day, Lam Nghien mustered up the courage to ask me: "Van Chieu..." "Our marriage...""... is still there?" I nodded. "Still is." "Waiting for my injury to heal, we will return to the capital to become friends." A smile appeared at the corner of his eyes and eyebrows. "Okay." "I'll wait for you." Outside the window, the shadows of the trees moved slightly. I unconsciously raised my head to look out. Only saw Te Dien's back. He staggered and turned around. Quietly leave. … The day I returned to the capital. It's a clear day. Father still had to stay in Bac Canh to arrange military affairs. Me and Lam Nghien set out first. Te Dien came to see him off. He lost a lot of weight. Covered eyes

full of blood. But I still forced a smile. "Have a safe journey." I nodded slightly. "Your Highness also takes care." He moved his lips. It seems like there's still a lot to say. But in the end, he only looked at Lam Nghien. "Lam Nghien." "Treat her well." Lam Nghien solemnly replied: "Of course." The carriage slowly rolled. Going further and further. I lifted the car curtain. Turn your head and look back. Te Dien still stood in place. His lonely figure gradually shrank. Until it was just a faint black dot. Lam Nghien gently held my hand. "Van Chieu." "What are you looking at?" I let down the car curtain. "Nothing."… After returning to the capital. The wedding is being prepared again. The Lam family attaches great importance to this marriage. Tam Thu Luc Rites. Everything is perfect. The wedding date was scheduled for the eighth day of the December month. Wen Du Lan once came to see me. She was so thin that she was emaciated. There is no longer any radiant demeanor of the Crown Princess of yesteryear. Just met me. She knelt down. "Sister..." "I'm begging you..." "Please give Brother Dien back to me..." Her tears fell endlessly. "He doesn't touch me." "Doesn't pay attention to me." "Drinks every day." "Even calling your name in my dreams..." "I can't stand it anymore..." I reached out to help her up. "On Du Lan." "Emotional matters..." "Can't force it." She burst into tears. "But he is my husband." sister." "We are the decree of marriage." "We have worshiped heaven and earth." "How could you... snatch him away?" I calmly replied: "I won't steal." "It's him who can't let go." She choked up. "If you are willing to marry him..." "He will definitely turn his head..." I interrupted. "Wen Du Lan." "You listen clearly." "Even without me." "Between you and Qi Dien...""... problems have already arisen." She was stunned. Immediately after that, he burst into tears. "But..." "I didn't do anything wrong..." "I just love you..." Love? Loving someone who doesn't love you... is inherently a mistake. … The night before the day of marriage. Qi Dien climbed the wall into my courtyard. He drank a lot of alcohol. The whole person reeked of intoxication. His eyes were confused. "Van Chieu..." "Are you about to get married?"