Chapter 1 — He Used To See Me As A Decoration, Now He Begs Me Not To Leave

On Kim Loan main hall, Tieu Can Ngon pointed straight at my nose and scolded loudly:

"A fierce woman like her, without shame, I absolutely will not marry from the Tieu family!"

The laughter of the civil and military mandarins almost wanted to drown me in the middle of the main hall. But with just a decree, I was still forced into his palace. On the wedding night, he squeezed my chin tightly:

"Remember clearly, she's just a decoration, don't think you can get anything."

Who would have thought that a few years later, he would hug me every night and beg:

“A Chieu, I was wrong, that year I was blind, don't let me go to bed anymore!”

Kim Loan Grand Palace.

“Your Majesty, I refuse this marriage!”

Tieu Can Ngon's voice hit the cold tile floor, every word was extremely clear. He was dressed in royal robes, his handsome face was now filled with disgust, his finger pointed straight at me, Tan Chieu.

"This kind of fierce woman has a strong heart, three days ago she pushed Khinh Nhu down fake mountain!"

"If it wasn't for Khinh Nhu's great life, I'm afraid Tieu Ngoc would have died long ago! That kind of single woman, my Tieu family would absolutely not marry!"

His voice echoed throughout Thai Hoa Palace. I knelt below and could feel countless eyes from all four directions focusing on me, some mocking, some pitying, and some gloating with joy when someone was in trouble. Those eyes were like needles, densely piercing people's bodies. My father, Tran Quoc General Qin Yuan, is kneeling beside me. A man as tall as an iron tower clenched his fists, the blue veins on the back of his hands bulging violently.

“Your Majesty, this young lady is absolutely not that kind of person. There must be a misunderstanding in this matter.”

"Misread?" Tieu Can Ngon laughed coldly, took out a broken jade brooch from his sleeve, and held it up high.

"This is a jade brooch found in fake mountain, where Khinh Nhu met with an accident. The brooch is also engraved with the word 'Chieu' of Tan Chieu, what else can she deny!"

It was a gift my mother gave me on the day of birth. A few days ago, it was lost and I couldn't find it no matter how much I looked. I raised my head and looked towards the emperor sitting high on the dragon chair. His face was expressionless, his eyes were bottomless, completely unable to see joy or anger. I don't make excuses. I know, the person in Tieu Can Ngon's heart is the young lady of the Thai Deputy Palace, To Khinh Nhu. He believes her, not me. In Tieu Can Ngon's heart, Tan Chieu is a cruel woman who will stop at nothing to marry him. Whatever I say, it's just an excuse. The palace was as quiet as paper. The emperor finally spoke, his voice without any heat:

“The marriage contract was decided by me personally, so it can be changed at will.”

He looked at my father:

"Qin Ai Khanh guarded Southern Cuong for ten years, working very hard. Tan Chieu, ordained as Chinh Concubine of King Can, returned to marriage three days later."

A final word. Don't give me, nor give my father any chance to refute. Tieu Can Ngon's face immediately turned pale, he stared at me, the hatred in his eyes almost wanted to devour me on the spot. I know, this is not grace, but chains. My father used ten years of military service to exchange for a marriage contract between me and Tieu Can Ngon, for the glory of the entire Qin family. The emperor used this edict to calm the public servant, and at the same time used a nail to drive straight into the mansion of his most favored son, reminding him every day, knocking it down every day. But I am the chess piece that was sacrificed. Three days later, I was carried on a small palanquin into Can Vuong's palace from the side door. There were no guests, no wedding party. Only the whole palace was covered with red silk, silent as if laughing at this ridiculous wedding. I sat alone in the new room, waiting from day time until late at night. The door made a "creaking" sound and was pushed open, bringing with it a strong smell of alcohol. Tieu Can Ngon staggered in, reached out and yanked the veil off my head. The bottom of his eyes were covered with blood, and on his handsome face, only a sarcastic and cold look remained.

“Tin Chieu, are you satisfied?”

He squeezed my chin, his hand was so strong it seemed to crush my bones.

"Using this kind of despicable trick to marry here, she must be very pleased in her heart."