Chapter 13 — Duong Mui Knelt Down to Pray for the Crown Prince's True Love, I Smiled and Gave Up the Marriage

Tieu Tan Nghiem's face immediately stiffened. He slightly lowered his eyes. Silence for a long time. Suddenly lifted the hem of his shirt. Kneel down straight in front of me. Thanh Hanh cried out in surprise. Immediately take two steps back. Even me. Also stunned. Tieu Tan Nghiem knelt on the ground. Raise your head and look at me. Those eyes were red. Scary red.

“Linh Nghi.”

His voice was hoarse.

“I came to ask you something.”

I don't speak up. He continued to say:

“I want to go to the manor house.”

“Want to visit Linh Xu's grave.”

“Can you tell me where she is buried?”

I looked into his eyes. In those eyes. There is pain. There is regret. There is also deep affection. It's been five years. He still misses her. I suddenly burst out laughing.

“Your Highness really wants to know where she is buried?”

Tieu Tan Nghiem nodded slightly.

“I searched all over the surrounding area of the manor.”

“But still can't find her grave.”

“I also asked the people in the manor.”

“But they all said they didn't know.”

“Linh Nghi.”

“I beg you.”

“Tell me.”

“Where is she?”

I quietly looked at him. Sunlight passes through the gaps between the peach blossom canopy. Gently falling on his face. The face that once made my heart flutter. Now it is full of traces of tragedy. I spoke softly:

“Does Your Highness really want to know?”

I turn around. Slowly walk towards the backyard.

“Follow me.”

The deepest part of the backyard. There is a shallow well. For many years without anyone passing by to take care of it, the mouth of the well had grown over with wild grass, and luxuriant weeds covered the rim of the well. I stood at the mouth of the well, quietly looking at that well. Tieu Tan Nghiem followed, looking in all directions as he walked.

“Lanh Nghi, where is the grave?”

I said nothing. Just quietly staring at that well. Tieu Tan Nghiem followed my gaze and looked over. He stared at that shallow well, his face changing little by little.

“Lanh Nghi... She...”

I turned my head and looked at him.

“Doesn't Your Highness want to know where she is buried?”

“It's right here.”

Tieu Tan Nghiem's face immediately turned pale, without a trace of blood left. He staggered back two steps, almost lost his footing and fell down.

“You... You mean...”

“That's right.”

I raised my hand and pointed to that well.

“She's right in this well.”

“Five years ago, she slipped and fell into a well, then drowned to death.”

Tieu Tan Nghiem's whole body trembled. He stared at that well, his eyes filled with horror and disbelief.

“No way... No way...”

"Everyone at the manor said she was seriously ill and passed away..."

I burst out laughing.

“He was seriously ill and died?”

“Those are just words used to talk to outsiders.”

“The truth is——”

I looked straight into his eyes and slowly said each word clearly:

“She fell into this very well, and was drowned to death.”

“Just like in my previous life, she personally pushed me into a deep well, drowning me to death.”

Tieu Tan Nghiem suddenly raised his head. He widened his eyes, staring at me in disbelief.

“You... What did you just say?”

“Previous life?”

We take one step forward.

“Your Highness, do you know what is called cause and effect retribution?”

Tieu Tan Nghiem stepped back one step step. We take another step forward. He took another step back. Just like that, he kept backing up until he was close to the mouth of the well, his back completely touching the wall of the well, there was no way back. I looked at him, the corners of my lips still carrying a faint smile.

“Your Highness, five years ago I told you that the private letters she wrote to men outside were just the tip of the iceberg.”

“Do you know how many things she has done behind your back that no one can know about?”

"Do you know that the person she truly loved from beginning to end was never you, but just an identity that could help her climb to a higher position step by step?"

Tieu Tan Nghiem's face was as white as paper.

“No… It can't be…”

“She treats me…”

“How is it for you?”

I interrupted him.

“Is it true for you?”

“Is it the purest love in the world?”

“Your Highness, have you forgotten——”

I paused for a moment, then slowly said each word clearly:

“In that letter, what did she call you?”

Tieu Tan Nghiem's whole body immediately stiffened. Of course he still remembers that letter very clearly. In that letter, Chung Linh Xu called him——

“You self-righteous fool.”