Chapter 7 — Eighteen Years of Searching for the Princess

On the contrary, in the folk world, she witnessed with her own eyes the suffering of common people, reading all the books she could find in Gian Chau. She also followed the old baccalaureate in school to study scriptures, history, poetry, and books. Entering the palace for less than three months, she made a petition to reform the evils in the examinations. She made nine specific recommendations, each of which hit a weak spot. The Emperor took her manuscript, read it all afternoon, and finally praised it. Half a year later, a flood occurred in the Northwest, so she proactively asked for help. She personally entered the disaster area, opened warehouses to distribute food, and organized people to build dikes and dams. In just one month, it helped people in natural disaster areas settle down. The high officials in the court gradually turned from disdain to admiration. A year later, the Emperor dismissed all objections and appointed Hoai An as the Queen Mother. On the day the edict was issued, no one in the court objected to it. Another few years passed. The world is peaceful, people are peaceful. The Emperor and I discussed for a long time and finally made a decision. Abdicate. We hand over the country to Hoai An, then arrange a simple luggage. Just bring light luggage and leave the capital. No staff, no entourage, just two people and two horses. We went to Giang Nam, to the north, to all the places we wanted to go in the past but never had the time to go. One day, we sat on a small nameless mountain. Looking at the rolling mountains in the distance and the golden rice fields at the foot of the mountain. "Your Majesty." I nudged him with my elbow. "Hmm?" "I'm thirsty. Please go down to the foot of the mountain and get me a bottle of water." The Emperor was stunned and smiled bitterly: "I'm the Emperor, you asked me to get water for you?" I glanced at him. "You're the Emperor now." "Moreover, in the past, you were in the military camp, weren't you? Do you bring me water every day?” He opened his mouth, intending to refute something. Finally, he still sighed and stood up. "Wait there." He said: "I... I'll go for a while and then return." He carried the water bottle, walked low and high down the mountain. The setting sun casts a long shadow. That back looked like the young general in the military camp decades ago. I withdrew my gaze, leaned back against the tree trunk, and closed my eyes. The afternoon wind blew across my face, in the far away village, kitchen smoke drifted lazily up. That's good. 【Full text】