Chapter 5 — I've Come to Be a Concubine, What More Need for Nobleness?

“Lam Lang.”

"I let her catch the murderer, not to do it for her."

“But to make her understand that…”

“What the Crown Prince needs is not merit.”

“It's peace of mind.”

“I can give him peace of mind.”

“And she doesn't.”

The second month after the Seventh Prince was detained, he rebelled. That night, the rebel army rushed like a tide toward the Eastern palace. While I was sleeping, I was shaken awake by Lam Lang.

"Miss! This is not good! There are many soldiers outside! The Eastern Palace is surrounded!"

I jumped up from bed, put on my coat and ran straight out. Standing in the yard, you can clearly hear the sound of killing echoing from outside the wall. Fire soared into the sky. Chu Luong De and the others all ran out, their faces pale.

"What should I do? The Crown Prince is not here!"

“Are we going to die?”

“I don't want to die!”

Lieu Nhu Yen rushed out from the main courtyard, holding that sword in her hand. She looked at the firelight outside the wall and immediately made a decision.

"Climb the wall and run! Get out through the back door!"

We stopped her.

“My lady, I can't go.”

She glared at me.

“What did you say?”

“If the Eastern Palace falls, His Highness will be finished.”

"What's the use of us staying here? Should we stay and die?"

I look at her.

“As long as the Eastern Palace is still there, the rebels will not dare to act rashly.”

“We hold the palace gate, waiting for His Highness to lead the army back.”

Lieu Nhu Yen smiled coldly.

"Keep it? Why keep it? Just with us women?"

I stopped paying attention to her and turned around to look at Chu Luong De and the others.

“Quickly go find all the red and green clothes.”

“Put it on, then stand on the palace wall.”

“From a distance, it will look like there are soldiers guarding it.”

Everyone paused, then immediately took action. At that moment, I suddenly realized that everyday women only know how to compete for love and run faster than anyone. Trieu Phung Nghi was the first person to rush up the palace wall. Her older brother is a general, and since childhood she has been accustomed to seeing war scenes.

"Tieu Te Van is right! Everyone stand still on the wall! Let them think we have defenders!"

Chu Luong De also stepped up. Vuong Bao Lam cried while climbing up the palace wall, crying while standing up straight. One followed the other. Twelve women, all standing on the palace wall. I sent someone to follow the secret path out of the palace to report the news. After that, I stood under the palace gate and beat that drum. The sound of the drum penetrated the firelight, echoing far away. The rebel army stopped in front of the palace gate, hesitating. They were counting the silhouettes of people on the city walls. Red red green blue, can't see clearly. They thought that the Eastern Palace had defenders. Lieu Nhu Yen stood in the yard, still holding that sword in her hand. Didn't move at all. Trieu Phung Nghi called out to her:

"Crown Princess! Come up here!"

Lieu Nhu Yen shook her head.

“I won't risk my life for a place like this.”

“People here have never considered me one of their own.”

I don't know how much time passed when there were screams of killing in the distance. Is the Crown Prince. He led his army back. The rebel army broke up and began to flee. The moment the palace gate was broken open, the Crown Prince rushed in on horseback. The first person he saw was me. I stand below at the palace gate, sweating profusely, hair disheveled. Both hands were full of blisters, the tiger's mouth was cracked, and blood dripped down from the drumsticks. He jumped off his horse and rushed towards me. I was supported by him. He saw my hands and his eyes immediately turned red.

“It's good that His Highness is back.”

He hugged me tightly. Hug very tightly. Lieu Nhu Yen stood not far away, still holding that sword in her hand. From beginning to end, there was not a drop of blood on her body. She looked at the Crown Prince and saw that in his eyes there was only me. Lips moved, but no words came out. That night, the Crown Prince stayed by my side and took care of me all night long. When morning came, he asked a question.

“Te Van, aren't you afraid?”

I look at him.

“So why do you still want to keep the Eastern palace?”

I think for a moment.

“Because this place is His Highness's home.”

“I cannot leave His Highness without a home.”

He was stunned. Then bowed his head, burying his face in my palm. Shoulders trembled slightly. Lam Lang later told me that that night Lieu Nhu Yen stood in the yard for a long time, no one paid attention to her.