Chapter 14 — I Am Your Royal Highness, Not Your Puppet

“The capital is very good.” Tieu Canh Diem raised her head, her eyes turned towards me, in those eyes was a gentleness and steadfastness that I had never seen before.

"But there is something in Van Chau that I cannot let go of. There are my responsibilities there, my people, and even more... people that I want to spend my life protecting."

"I want to be by your side, watch the harvest there with you, watch the children there grow up, watch the golden sand sea there gradually turn into a green oasis."

“Father, please be fulfilled.”

My tears at that moment completely burst. Father looked at us and finally burst into laughter.

"Good! Very good, a 'person who wants to spend his life protecting' sentence!"

“Not only am I ready for you to return to Van Chau, I also want to give you a new decree.”

He signaled the eunuch to bring the holy edict that had been prepared early, then read it right in front of everyone.

“... Now there is Diem Vuong Chinh Phi, surnamed Tham, named Thanh Ninh, dignified and virtuous, good at internal affairs... Coming to Van Chau for three years, benevolence covers all the people, her merits to the society cannot be underestimated...”

“... Now specially promoted to the title of ‘Ho Quoc Nhat Pham Royal Concubine’, bestowed with golden books and golden treasures, and enjoying the same ceremonial status as a Princess...”

I was completely dumbfounded. National Protector Nhat Pham Vuong Phi. This is an honor that has never appeared since the day Dai Ha founded the country. I looked at Tieu Canh Diem, he was also looking at me, his eyes seemed to be filled with starlight spreading across the sky. He walked up to me, under everyone's gaze, knelt down on one knee, took my hand, then gently placed a kiss on it.

"Thanh Ninh," he raised his head to look at me, his voice gentle like a spring breeze, "I was wrong before. Thank you, thank you for not giving up on me."

"From now on, let me protect you. Use the rest of my life to protect you."

I smiled, tears silently flowing down. I know, this time he is sincere. We return to Van Chau. In the house that they built with their own hands, they lived together for the rest of their lives. We have two children, one like him, one like me. He taught the children how to read books and archery, I taught the children housekeeping and etiquette. He became the best prince in the hearts of the people of Van Chau. And I am the only one, and the one who will forever bear the title of His Royal Highness the First Grade Protector of the Nation. The prosperity of the capital has become a distant memory of the past. But here, on this land that is poor but full of hope, we have found each other and found true happiness that belongs to us. The white fox fur coat that had been stained by wine had long since turned into ash. But later, my father sent someone to bring me a new one, completely different. The red color is as bright as fire, exactly like the sunset in Van Chau at sunset. Tieu Canh Diem personally put it on my shoulder. He said red was the color that suited me best. He said, when I put it on, I am like the brightest light on this land. I think this is probably the best outcome. We have all made mistakes, we have all lost our way in the dark. But in the end, we all found our way back home. Find someone who can Hold hands with me for the rest of our lives. (END OF FULL TEXT)