Chapter 15 — I heard that I had a loving husband and wife, and had many children and grandchildren. He crushed the white jade bowl in his hand.

“I called you to the palace, not to hear such words.”

“So what does your majesty want to hear?”

He put down his pen, walked around the script and walked towards me.

“I want to welcome her back.”

"Return? Return to where?"

“Come back to my side.”

“Whatever title you want, I can give it to you.”

“Noble ladies are fine.”

“Higher than Noble Concubine… is fine.”

I look at him. That face is still exactly the same as before. Decent. The majesty of the emperor seems to be engraved deep into the core. In my previous life, I was infatuated with this face my whole life.

“Your Majesty, my father is already married to someone else.”

“I know.”

"Han Chinh is a Tran Vien general ordained by your own hand."

“I also know.”

“You want to steal your own son's wife?”

He didn't answer. After a long time, he quietly said a word.

“In my previous life… what I owe you is more than you know.”

“Father knows.”

“You know?”

“That bowl of medicine.”

His body clearly stopped a bit.

“Fourteen years, more than a thousand bowls of medicine.”

“First, he was the one who followed Co Van Thu's wishes.”

“After Co Van Thu passed away, it was His Majesty's intention.”

My voice is very calm.

“Your Majesty, what you owe me is not just a thousand bowls of medicine… but a life.”

“But I don't count anymore.”

“This life… doesn't count anymore.”

He stood in place, not moving at all. I bowed once, then walked out. When he reached the door of the Ngu Library room, there was suddenly a heavy noise from inside. Like something was thrown to the ground. I don't turn back. A quick step to the palace gate. Sure enough, Han Chinh was still standing there. In his hand he carried a packet of tar paper. As soon as he saw me coming out, he raised it and shook it.

"I bought this cinnamon flower cake that you like to eat. It just came out of the oven. I waited in line for half an hour."

I went over and took that oil paper package. The heat penetrates through the paper, making my palms hot.

“Let's go, go home.”

He said "um" and took the oil paper wrapper in my hand, his other hand naturally held my hand. Ten rough fingers clasped tightly together. He led me through the long hallway at the palace gate, step by step into the sunlight outside. The tall bow wall behind me... is getting farther and farther away. After spring, a big incident happened in the capital. On the death anniversary of the emperor, the royal family and civil and military officials gathered together to participate in a great ceremony to worship the heavens. This is the highest-standard ceremony of the whole year, even the high-ranking mandarins from all directions must come to the capital to participate. Han Chinh, with the status of General Tran Vien, was ranked at the top of the martial general side. I am the general's wife, sitting at the ladies' table. Co Van Thu sat in the highest position next to the emperor. The main palace's red phoenix robe. Kim Bo sways under the sunlight to the point of making others dizzy. She looked at me. Extremely thoughtful and proper smile.

"Lady Han is here too. Long time no see."

“My father wishes to comfort the Queen.”

She nodded and said nothing more. Before the ceremony began, according to custom, Tieu Duc had to personally read the funeral text. The entire main hall was solemn and quiet, hundreds of people stood straight. Only half of the funeral text was read when suddenly there was chaos outside the palace. A guard quickly ran in and knelt down in front of Tieu Duc.

“Platform down! Bac Cuong six towns jointly sent a report!”

Tieu Duc frowned.

“What report? Right now?”

The guard held up a letter with both hands. Tieu Duc opened it and read a few lines, his face immediately changed. He put down the sacrificial inscription and turned around to face the entire court.

"The chief generals of the Six Towns of Bac Cuong joined together to present a petition, please posthumously honor the merits of Tran Quoc General Han Sung Nhan."

The whole school immediately became quiet. Han Sung Nhan. Han Chinh's father. General Tran Quoc during the time of the first emperor, once pacified the Western Regions and guarded the Northern Cuong for thirty years. After returning home, he lived quietly and anonymously, and finally died at home. Han Chinh's father fought for his country all his life, yet after his death he was never posthumously awarded a title by the court. Even the title of General Tran Quoc, which belonged to the Han family, Han Chinh could not inherit. For many years now, he has been in and out of life and death in the desert, achieving countless glorious victories, but until today... the court has only appointed him the position of General Tran Vien.