Chapter 1 — I'm as frugal as a chrysanthemum, but I'm raising a poor son? Eighteen years later, I became the queen mother

After being in the palace for five years, the king has only visited my palace exactly three times. The first time was the concubine recruitment day. The second time was due to going the wrong way. The third time is today. He was carrying a three-year-old child. As soon as he opened his mouth, he said: You have no child on your pillow. This child's mother died and was left to you to raise. I lowered my head to look at the tiny baby in my arms, he was timidly looking at me. The palace staff all said that this was an unlucky person that no one wanted, the mother of the clan had committed a crime, and the mother had died violently. However, the moment I hugged it, a strange feeling suddenly arose in my heart. I suddenly realized that we and it are the same. They are all forgotten people in this secret place. Eighteen years later, the crown prince was crowned king. The new emperor took my hand and said in front of the civil and military officials: My life is given to me by my mother. Under the stage there was a commotion. Because everyone knew, that year the abandoned prince that no one cared about was him... The Emperor walked into my Drunk Ngoc Hien while I was cutting off a piece of a withered flower branch. In five years, this is the third time he has come. The first time was the day of ordination. The second time was due to getting lost. This is the third time. In his arms he was holding something. Be a child. Tiny, rolled into a block. Wrapped in a bright-hued silk diaper, only one face was visible. General eunuch Vuong Duc Toan followed behind, his expression cautious every inch.

“Your Majesty is at peace.”

I put down the scissors and knelt down to worship.

"Stand up."

His voice was as cold as the late autumn wind in the depths of the palace. I stood up, bowed my head and said nothing. He brought the child in his arms forward.

“Take it.”

I was stunned, reached out my hand, my fingertips trembling slightly. The child was placed in my arms, very lightly. I can even smell the faint scent of milk on its body. It opened its eyes wide. A pair of very large, deep black eyes, like two black stones soaked in water. Just look at me. Don't cry, don't fuss.

“His name is Trieu Hanh, ranked third.”

His voice rang out again.

"His mother, as you know, left a few days ago."

Of course I know. Concubine Ly's family suddenly developed an illness and died suddenly. The entire Ly family was convicted and exiled three thousand miles away.

"You have no children under your pillow, but your personality is calm."

He looked at me, his eyes as if he were appraising an item.

“This child will be entrusted to you to raise in the future.”

He's not negotiating. It's an order.

“Raised to… adulthood.”

I held Trieu Hanh in my arms, only feeling cold hands and feet. This is not a reward. It's a burden. A prince whose mother committed a crime, a prince who was forgotten by the emperor. It is a burning hot potato. Whoever gets involved will have bad luck.

“My concubine…”

I want to refuse. His last syllable lifted slightly. I swallowed all the words inside.

“My concubine, obey.”

“Raise well.”

He threw back those three words, turned around and left. Not a trace of nostalgia. It's like just throwing away an item you no longer need. Vuong Duc Toan bowed to me, then quickly followed out. The door closed. The palace was immediately quiet. I bowed my head and looked at the child in my arms. It's still looking at me. There was confusion and fear in his eyes. I suddenly felt that it was very similar to me. They are all superfluous people in this secret place. My close palace maid, Xuan Ha, walked quickly from the room go out.

“Lady, this…”

She looked at the child in my arms, her face panicked.

“Your Majesty grants it.”

I picked up the child, walked to the couch next to the window and sat down.

“The third prince, Trieu Hanh.”

"The son of Concubine Ly..."

Xuan Ha's words had not yet finished, she covered her mouth. I nodded.

“My lady, what should we do now?”

Xuan Ha was so urgent that she was about to cry.

"We already have a difficult life, now we have another little master, and... and this status."

“From now on, we will know how to live.”

I said nothing. Just reached out and gently touched Trieu Hanh's cheek. Its skin is very soft, also very cold. It retreated slightly. Then that tiny hand grabbed my finger. My heart was slightly shaken.

“First, go get a pot of warm water.”

I told Xuan Ha.

“Let's find some more food, he must be hungry.”

Xuan Ha replied and left. I hugged Trieu Hanh and looked out the window, where the withered leaves were falling. Having been in the palace for five years, I have long accepted my destiny. Don't fight, don't fight, just settle down to take care of this Tuy Ngoc Hien, ending your miserable life. But today, fate seems to be playing a big joke on me. It gave me a child. A child no one needs. Also gave me a huge trouble. Trieu Hanh moved in my heart. He buried his face in my elbow. I felt a small area of wetness on my chest. It's crying. A soundless cry.