Chapter 14 — He Thought I Was Still Waiting For His Palanquin, But The Divine Order Has Come To My Palace

He doesn't understand. The person who once loved him like his life - Lam Nhiem, how can he say letting go is letting go, saying leaving is leaving, saying not seeing him again for the rest of his life means... really not seeing him again for the rest of his life? He even secretly hoped that one day she would collapse, the building would crumble, the throne would shake, she would be hated by Pho Du, and be oppressed by the concubines to the point that she could not raise her head. Then she will remember me. Think about your so-called "good". But he waited — a year, then another year. Wait until the flesh and blood on his body rots into piles of white bones, wait until the stench of death spreads throughout the cottage. And she - step by step, step by step, steps to the Queen's throne. He could only raise his head and look, blind eyes, broken legs, lying under a pile of moldy straw like a stray dog waiting to die. Lam Nhiem gave birth to children because of Pho Du. But what does he get? In the entire vast harem, from beginning to end there was only one woman - Lam Nhiem. From position, power, fame... everything is hers. Only then did he understand. Turns out, my fault... was loving too short-sighted and selfish. He once thought that he was the crown prince of the Marquis, bowing his head a little, granting her the status of official wife, giving her a little pampering and love, was a great favor. But if you love someone deeply enough, you should bow your head to kiss her tears, raise your back to block the wind and mist, and hold her like a precious treasure. He couldn't do it. And the other person - the Emperor, as noble as the cold moon in the sky - could do it. Why did he do it? Amidst the sound of fireworks in the capital - was the birthday party that Pho Du organized for Nhiem Nhi. As for him, he quietly passed away next to a puddle of cold, wet straw in the horse barn. In this life, he has only won once - In the past, he relied on his status as a crown prince and used sweet words to push Pho Du - the third prince - out of her house. He once arrogantly said:

“From now on, don't appear in front of her anymore.

Don't pretend to be nice either. She was given in marriage to me.” He stole it. But in the end... he lost miserably. Losing to live is not as good as dying. When my mother mentioned the past, she still sighed and exclaimed: A woman's fate, a lifetime of being trapped is too scary. Even if you are young and old, it is difficult to avoid the mind of being asked by elephants, wanting to keep the old meaning, but not willing to let go of fresh flowers and willows. Worldly men always have worldly whips in hand to strike at women's self-esteem and force them to admit defeat. If she rises up to protest - in the end, both sides will be hurt and forced to marry someone else. But after getting married, one day when he did not please her husband, he dared to turn back the past and say:

“Sure enough, a jealous woman, I saw you wrong.”

If she bows her head and endures, the day she bends her back to the point of breaking her spine will be the day her whole life is pushed to the wall. Just one day when you don't want to endure it anymore - there are thousands of knives and tens of thousands of scissors out there waiting to cut out your heart and shred your flesh. Luckily. Pho Du - he pulled me out of that quagmire. And all his life... he never let go. Now that we have many children and grandchildren, the country and people are at peace, we have buried everything from the past with the fierce snow of that year. The thick cloak gently covered my shoulders, my back suddenly warm. Turning back — it was that face, the face that always had a gentle smile just for me:

“The wind has picked up. Miss I'm afraid of the cold, have you forgotten?"

I smiled, slowly stuffing my hand into that large hand. If you forget, just forget it. Because someone remembers for me. There is someone who can block the wind, protect you from the rain, and keep peace for the rest of your life. There are people who give us grace and love that no one else can compare to.