Chapter 16 — From Kissing Before the Big Wedding

Just a few simple clothes. A medicine box. A sword. Also, don't hold anything back. When I stepped out of the Prime Minister's Palace, I knew very clearly. From this moment, I am no longer a piece in the capital's chessboard. I left that game. The late autumn wind blows through the long street outside the palace. I don't turn back. Because we clearly understand that there are places that we should just leave and not be attached to. The capital behind us is still as magnificent as before. But from now on, it no longer concerns us. I put the medicine box on my shoulder. Prepare to leave the capital. Go to a place where there is no more power, no more fighting. Only the vast world remains. And the path we really want to take. Suddenly, a familiar deep voice rang out from behind. "Do you really want to go?" I turned around. Tieu Da Han was sitting in a wheelchair at the end of the blue stone hallway, his eyes falling on the simple luggage next to me, as if he wanted to remember every smallest detail. "I really want to go." I put the medicine box on my shoulder, my voice calm but lighter than ever before. "The matter in the capital is over. The grudges that should be paid have also been paid, the debts that should be settled have also been paid." I looked at the sky in the distance outside the Prime Minister's Palace. "I should also do it. promise to my mother." "To save people, travel around the world, see the country that you once wanted me to see." "Leave this place, leave the never-ending struggles in the imperial city." Tieu Da Han looked at me for a long time. "Alone?" he asked. “Alone.” I answered without hesitation. But this time, he did not respond immediately. He was silent for a long time, as if he was making some important decision, then slowly said: "What if I say... I want to go with you?" I froze slightly, turned around to look at him. Tieu Da Han did not say another word. Just slowly stand up. No more wheelchair. No more fake weak looks. He walked towards me step by step, steady and calm, like someone who finally didn't need to hide himself anymore. When he stood before me, he reached out and took off the silver mask that had followed him all his years of hiding. Face revealed. There are still scars left by that year. But it doesn't diminish his handsome appearance and cold aura. On the contrary, it makes him look more realistic. Especially those eyes. Bright and deep as the winter night sky. “The serious injury three years ago was real.” He said very softly, "The poison in my body is also real." "But the medicine you prepared helped me cure seven parts." "The rest... you yourself said you need time to recover." He reached out and grabbed my hand, the movement was very natural, as if he had thought for a long time before daring to do it. "So, take me with you." "Consider bringing a patient." "I can help you carry the medicine box, I can protect you when needed, and I can also... go through everything with you." places she wants to go.” I looked at him. Looked for a long time. His eyes did not avoid it. No calculation. No right to plot. Only rare sincerity remains in the world we just left. There was a place in my heart that had been closed for a long time that suddenly softened. "Why?" I asked. "Why me?" Tieu Da Han looked at me for a long time, as if confirming that I really wanted to know this answer. Then he spoke, his voice low and slow: "Because in my previous life... I owed you my life." I paused. "In that life, you were a special agent who sacrificed for the country." "And I... was the target that you couldn't save in time." "Before I closed my eyes, I thought... if I had the chance, I would definitely stand in front of you, not behind you waiting for your protection." Fragmented memories suddenly came rushing back. Firelight. Explosion. The national treasure crumbled. There was also someone I tried to pull out of the fire... but in the end I still let go. "It's you..." I whispered. "It's me." He

pulled me into his arms, his movements were very light, as if he was afraid that I would disappear. "In this life... let me go with you." "Not because of debt." "But because I want to." "No matter where you go, no matter what you do, I want to stand by your side." I closed my eyes. For the first time in many years, we don't need to calculate our next step. After a long time, I softly said: "Let's go then." "First point... Giang Nam." "I heard there is an epidemic there, many people need a doctor." Tieu Da Han smiled softly: "Okay." When the dawn rose over the horizon, two handsome horses left the capital at the same time. On horseback. A person dressed in simple robes, his hair tied only with a white silk strip. A person wearing a black robe, his aura is cold but his eyes soften when looking at the person next to him. Behind them, the twelve Kinh Hong Ve quietly kept their distance, neither disturbing nor leaving. The medicine box hanging on the horse's side gently shook with the rhythm of the steps. Thanh Kinh Hong sword reflects the sunlight, cold but bright. On the city wall. The Emperor stood silent for a long time. He watched the two figures gradually disappear at the end of the official path, an emotion that was difficult to name flashed through his eyes. "Your Majesty, do you need to send someone secretly...?" The eunuch asked in a low voice. The emperor shook his head. "No need." He spoke very slowly: "There are people... who don't belong to this citadel." "Keeping them will only make them enemies." "Let them leave... is the best way." He paused for a moment and then added: "Moreover, if someone like you really wants to come back, no one can stop them." "If you don't want to come back... no one can force you." The morning wind blew through his dragon robe. "Just let them Be free between heaven and earth." "That... is probably the best outcome." In the distance. Fourteen human figures have merged into the morning light. The capital still stands there. But their story. Started somewhere else. The Emperor turned and walked down the city wall. In his hand was an envelope. That's the letter I left behind before leaving the capital. The letter not only clearly stated the true location of the Kinh Hong museum, but also wrote in great detail how to use that wealth to repair dikes, provide relief from natural disasters, and open medical clinics and schools for civilians. Not a single line mentions myself. There are no requests for yourself. The emperor looked at the envelope for a long time. His eyes gradually became quiet. This royal sister of royal blood, in the end, still resembles his biological aunt back then. o't/spicy notes: Emperor Thai To > Immortal Emperor (current Emperor's father)/ Princess Vinh Ninh (first emperor's younger sister) Intelligent. Decisive. And most importantly... Always put others before yourself in your heart. He let out a very light breath. Not knowing is regret. Or peace of mind. Maybe both. Then he closed the envelope and slowly left the city wall, as if closing a story that had lasted for many years. And on the official road outside the capital. The horse is still slowly moving forward. I don't turn back. No need to turn around either. Because we know, from the moment we leave that city gate, the past is truly behind us. Tieu Da Han suddenly spoke up: "The treasure that your mother left behind... has it really been handed over?" I smiled slightly. The morning wind blew through my hair, bringing with it a sense of freedom that I had never felt so clearly. "If you take it from the people... then give it back to the people." I said very naturally. "Those things do not belong to me." I looked at the road ahead, my voice also softened: "Moreover..." I turned to look at him. "You are here." "What other treasure do I need?" Tieu Da Han also laughed. Not the usual cold smile. It's a truly relaxing smile. He held my hand tightly, as if afraid that I would disappear again among people and time. "Yes." He said: "Having each other... is the greatest treasure." Forward. Mountains and rivers stretch. Heaven and earth are wide open. There are no more walls. There is no longer a royal court.

No more chess games that have to be calculated step by step. There is only a road with an unknown end point. And the person walking next to me. I suddenly understood. What we once risked our lives to fight for, in the end, was not power. It's the right to choose your life. The horse continues to move forward. The sunlight gradually rose. Two silhouettes stretched across the mandarin's path. Tiny between heaven and earth. But freer than anyone who has ever stood at the top of power. The story of the capital city has ended. But our story. Just getting started. (FULL TEXT)