Chapter 8 — I've Come to Be a Concubine, What More Need for Nobleness?

A month later, the court was shocked. In front of all civil and military officials, Qi Duc proposed to abolish the Crown Prince.

"Even though Qi Chieu is a Crown Prince, his qualifications are ordinary and he finds it difficult to shoulder big responsibilities."

"In Uyen Tan's womb, she is carrying a baby. I have decided that if I give birth to a Prince, I will immediately become Crown Prince!"

Concubine Zhou Shu's father, Lord Zhou, who had told him to return home, was the first to protest.

"Your Majesty! The Crown Prince is innocent, how can he be abolished!"

General Tran Bac's medal also arrived the same day.

“Your Majesty abolishes the chief and establishes the child, the generals and soldiers on the border are not convinced!”

But Te Duc was determined, no matter who advised him, he did not listen. That night, we went to Can Thanh Palace. When Te Duc saw me, he stopped.

“Te Van, why did you come?”

I kneel before him.

“Your Majesty, I have something I cannot help but say.”

“What?”

I say each word slowly.

"It's been ten years since Your Majesty ascended the throne. There are currently seven Princes and five Princesses under your pillow."

"Do you know, Your Majesty, that in those ten years, how many concubines have never been pregnant?"

He was stunned.

“What do you mean?”

I stood up and walked in front of him.

"The baby in Uyen Concubine's womb is not His Majesty's flesh and blood."

His expression immediately changed.

“What nonsense are you talking about!”

“This concubine never spoke nonsense.”

I took out a piece of paper from my sleeve.

"This is the project of the Royal Hospital for the past ten years. Your Majesty can see for yourself."

He took it. The more I watched, the more my hands began to shake.

“This... what does this mean?”

I look at him.

“Your Majesty, the soup is absolute.”

“Even my subordinates drink it.”

“It was prepared by my own hand.”

"In the past ten years, all concubines like Lieu Nhu Yen have drank."

“You girls can't get pregnant.”

“Even if you are pregnant…”

I paused a bit.

“Can't be born either.”

Qi Duc's face turned pale.

“She... she...”

He rushed over and grabbed me by the collar.

“Why did she have to do that!”

I didn't move, just quietly looked at him.

“Because I once promised Your Majesty.”

“Promise what?”

“Promise to put Your Majesty at ease.”

“Each of those women resemble Lieu Nhu Yen, but they are not Lieu Nhu Yen.”

"They will make Your Majesty remember Lieu Nhu Yen, will make Your Majesty regret, will make Your Majesty move further and further away from me."

“I cannot let Your Majesty regret it.”

He was stunned. The hand slowly loosened and took a step back. Finally, I fell down and sat down.

“I... I don't have a son anymore?”

I look at him.

“Your Majesty has a son.”

“Qi Zhao is your son.”

“The other Princes are also your sons.”

“Just...”

“There will be no more.”

The three lanterns have all burned out. Te Duc burst out laughing.

“Tieu Te Van, you are so cruel.”

I kneel down.

“This concubine is guilty.”

He waved his hand. From that day, Qi Duc changed. He no longer goes to court, no longer handles political affairs, and no longer meets his concubines. He started cultivating. Practice alchemy and pray for longevity. Locked himself in Can Thanh Palace for three years. The day Lieu Nhu Yen fell seriously ill, I went to visit her. She lay on the bed in the cold palace, so thin that she was only skin and bones. Seeing me enter, she smiled.

“Tieu Te Van, you are here.”

“Your highness.”

“Don't call me lady anymore, call me Nhu Yen Go."

She looked at me.

“Tieu Te Van, I lost.”

“I kept my love for a lifetime, but in the end I couldn't keep anything.”

I held her hand.

“Lady, you are not inferior to me.”

She stopped.

“People lose to themselves.”

“The person is too stubborn.”

"To be so stubborn that you forget that being alive is more important than anything."

She smiled bitterly.

“Still alive?”

“I live my whole life, but at the end I don't know what I live for.”

She turned her head to look out the window. There's nothing outside the window. There is only one wall.

“Tieu Te Van.”

“If there is a next life, I would like to be reincarnated into a normal family.”

“Marry a normal person, have a few children, live a normal life.”

As soon as the words ended, she slowly closed her eyes and her hand slipped from my palm. I bowed my head and looked down. In her other hand she was still clutching something. I gently removed each of her fingers. It was an old letter from Te Duc, written when the two first fell in love. The paper has turned yellow. Written on it:

“Like Yen is open.

If she ascends the throne in the future, she will be her only Queen. In this life, she only needs herself. She will not let her suffer any resentment. If one day she goes back on her word, she vows to bear all the retribution, without resentment or regret. I just hope she will always trust her.