Chapter 4 — I'm as frugal as a chrysanthemum, but I'm raising a poor son? Eighteen years later, I became the queen mother

The candlelight in Tuy Ngoc Hien shines until late at night. Xuan Ha brought each item Vuong Duc Toan brought and arranged it neatly. She tidied up and muttered softly.

"Look, ladies and gentlemen, this fabric is a newly donated jade fabric from Jiangnan."

"And this breakfast too, it's cinnamon flower extract that was just made in the Ngu Thien room."

"In the king's heart there is still a lady."

I did not answer. I sat by the bed, looking at Trieu Hanh who was already sleeping soundly. Its sleep was not peaceful. The small body curled up into a mass. His eyebrows were furrowed, as if he was having a nightmare. Our hearts also tighten accordingly. I softly called her.

“Go move all those pots of chrysanthemums in the palace that are about to wither outside.”

Xuan Ha was stunned for a moment.

"Niang Niang? Don't you like those pots the most..."

“Move out.”

I cut her off.

“From now on, in this palace, do not raise things that cannot live for long.”

People are as pale as daisies. Those four words were the emperor's assessment of me when I first entered the palace. I used to think that was a compliment. That's why Tuy Ngoc Hien has turned into a place full of chrysanthemums. I just hope that he will like it. But five years have passed. He simply doesn't remember. Nobility and vigor, in this deep palace, are the most useless things. It cannot exchange for heating coal, nor can it exchange for a full meal, and it cannot even protect a child.

“Yes, my lady.”

Xuan Ha didn't ask any more questions and turned around to go to work. I reached out my hand, wanting to smooth Trieu Hanh's frowning eyebrows. The fingertips just touched its skin. It suddenly woke up. It sat up, its small hands waving wildly.

"Don't steal my jade pendant! Don't steal it!"

His eyes were filled with panic. Obviously he was extremely scared.

“Trieu Hanh, don't be afraid.”

I quickly hugged it tightly.

“It's me, don't be afraid.”

I gently patted its back.

“No one stole my things.”

Its skinny body trembled violently in my arms. It took a while for it to gradually calm down. It opened its eyes wide, looking at me under the dim candlelight. After confirming it was me, it let out a cry. This time it was an audible cry. Crying until my heart is torn apart. It was as if I wanted to cry out all the self-pity and fear of today. I said nothing. Just quietly hold it in your arms and let it cry. His tears, snot, and nose wiped all over his body. I don't feel dirty at all. He cried for a long, long time. When I was tired of crying, my crying gradually turned into soft sobs. He leaned on my shoulder, speaking sadly. This is the first complete sentence it said to me. My heart immediately softened.

“Xuan Ha, bring cinnamon flower extract here.”

I called out. Xuan Ha quickly brought in a plate of exquisite breakfast cakes. I took a piece and brought it to Trieu Hanh's mouth. It looked at me, then looked at the cake, hesitated a bit. Finally, he still opened his small mouth. It eats very slowly, gnawing on small pieces. Looks like a cautious little squirrel. After eating one bite, he still wanted to eat more. I don't give him more.

“I just finished crying, I can't eat too many sweets.”

“Let's eat again tomorrow, okay?”

I calmly negotiate with it. He looked at me, then looked at the breakfast plate. Even though he really wanted to, he still obediently nodded. That night, I did not return to my bed. I hugged it and slept on the couch all night. It depends very much on us. A small hand, all night long, clutched the hem of my shirt. As if that was its only support in this world. When it's almost dawn, I feel a little itchy on my face. I opened my eyes. Seeing Trieu Hanh reaching out his small hand, he cautiously touched my face. Seeing me awake, it was startled and quickly withdrew its hand. Just like a child doing something wrong. I grabbed his hand and placed it on my cheek.

"Good morning."

I smile at it. It was stunned. Looking at me blankly. Then, the corner of its mouth curled up a little. A smile appeared, very faint, very faint. Like a ray of morning sunlight, shining on Tuy Ngoc Hien, which has been gloomy for five years. It also shines directly into our hearts.