Chapter 2 — Dark Guard Without Dreams

The palace physician came to examine her and concluded that she had touched her fetus. Tieu Nghien Tu immediately forced me to kneel in front of the hospital to apologize on her behalf. Down the hallway, the maids were sweeping the yard while blatantly pointing and gossiping:

"Isn't she a close guard of the Royal Family? Why is she always punished and always ordered to do trivial chores?"

“I heard that every night I have to wait for Concubine Trac to wash my feet.”

"Hmph, from what I see, she's not as good as low-class servants like us. She doesn't dare show her real face, she's not young anymore, her whole body is full of injuries, can she still give birth? After this, I'm afraid no one will want to marry her."

"Who said that his status is low and yet he dares to fantasize about the Royal Family? Doesn't he deserve it if he doesn't reflect on himself? Isn't it worthy to suffer this situation today?"

"Why aren't other people being targeted? If it's her, I'm sure there will be problems myself."

I was already covered in injuries, but last night I wasted my energy picking a meaningless flower branch, not sleeping all night. The words they said filled my ears like the buzzing sound of mosquitoes, lingering around my head, unable to dispel them. Before he was about to faint, Tieu Nghien Tu slowly walked out of the room. He stood tall above, looking down at me as if looking at an inanimate object.

“Follow me to the study room.”

4

As soon as I entered the door, he immediately threw me a copy of the Kun Wu map. The map roll hit my chest, and I let out a groan. But he spoke, his voice overwhelming, completely ignoring my reaction.

"This king wants to take Cam Sat to Giang Nam. I heard that there is a Guan Yin who gave her a child very spiritually. I want to go there personally to pray and pray for the blessing of the baby in her womb."

"You immediately go and arrange a trip and make preparations. In the past, my father pacified the bandits there and made quite a few enemies..."

— Jiangnan?

My heart suddenly trembled, my ears started ringing, I couldn't hear the next words anymore. Few people know that I am originally from Giang Nam. When he was a teenager, Giang Nam was plagued by pirates, burning houses, robbing people, and killing people without hesitation. All of our parents and brothers died under the enemy's sword. I was also captured and about to be raped by soldiers. It was the great general who came to reinforce me and saved my life. A gentle middle-aged man, always smiling. He never killed the prisoners, but also arranged shelter for us one by one. Seeing that my roots were not bad, he immediately accepted me as a secret guard under Thien Co Cac. Since then, we have had a place to take refuge and a way to live. I gently placed my hand on my left chest. In that place, I kept a token hidden with me for more than ten years. If a female secret guard turns twenty-five years old, she can leave the house and find her own way to make a living. My birthday is coming soon. Just send Tieu Nghien Tu down to Giang Nam and the old Vuong's old love will be repaid. At that time, we should leave and start a life of our own.

“What are you doing?”

Tieu Nghien Tu spoke, interrupting my endless thoughts.

“Are you still upset about what happened earlier?”

"Just now, my king's punishment was a bit harsh. You won't mind, will you?"

I raised my head to look at him, my eyes still innocent and innocent.

“No… Your Majesty has thought too much.”

He is quiet wear for a moment.

“Then why are you crying?”

Are you... crying? Raising his hand to touch his face, he saw that his cheeks were already wet. Tieu Nghien Tu looked at me, his expression complicated, muttering:

“This king has done more outrageous things before, why does this time make you so sad…”

I shook my head slightly, moved my lips, but didn't know what to say. Finally, I just forced myself to say one sentence:

"The royal family and Trac Phi have a strong relationship. When the subordinates see it, their hearts are filled with joy. Tears... are tears of joy."

After hearing this, not only was Tieu Nghien Tu not comforted, but he also burst out laughing, with anger.

“At this point, are you still stubborn towards this king?”

"You're almost twenty-five, right? So, if you do well in Jiangnan this time and return to the palace, this king will give you a chance to clear the room."

"You have followed this king for so many years, if you don't pay, you still have to work hard. As long as you don't compete with Cam Sat for position, this king won't be unable to accept you."

I didn't refute, just smiled faintly. Tieu Nghien Tu looked at me in a trance from behind the desk, but I also let my mind wander. This trip will probably be the last. After arriving in Jiangnan, I will not return. Staying in the old hometown, the land that was protected by the old King in the past. Live a life of freedom, be a knight, and reassure the people of a locality.

5

On the way down to Giang Nam, Tieu Nghien Tu ordered: Since it's an act, you can't sneak around. Therefore, he did not give me any special treatment. I was forced to eat and sleep together with the other male guards. In the tent, the smell of men's sweat was strong all year round, and at night the snoring sounded like thunder. When the company took a break, I munched on dry bread and heard them chatting in groups not far away.

“Miss Giang is a woman, she doesn't worry about getting married, but she keeps pointing five fingers at us men, so what kind of system is there?”

"Master, have you run out of people to use? Do you have to use women? We have so many men, is it possible that no one can be better than her?"