Chapter 13 — I Wait For Reconciliation, But He Refuses To Let Go

That night, I almost didn't sleep. I sat in front of the dressing table until morning, looking at the white rabbit brooch lying quietly in the wooden box, suddenly feeling so uncomfortable that I couldn't breathe. That brooch was the symbol my brother gave me after we had our first argument. At that time, I only felt that he was pretending to please me to trick me into being obedient, and secretly thought that after we separated, I must take this brooch with me and sell it for silver. Now that I think back, I suddenly realize that I was really unreasonable. He gave me the brooch. I think he has a plan. He explained to me. I said he was making excuses. He wants to sleep next to me. I called him dirty. During the past two years, it seemed like no matter what he did, I could find a reason to misunderstand him. The more I think, the more I feel like something is weighing me down. Dong Tuyet brought water to wash her face and was startled when she saw my face.

“Miss, haven't you slept all night?”

I shook my head.

"No problem."

Dong Tuyet was silent for a moment then said in a low voice: "How about... go see your majesty?" My hand stopped. Go see him? What did you say when you met? Are you saying I'm wrong? Say I shouldn't have misunderstood him for two years? Saying we shouldn't wait for reconciliation every day? Thinking about this, my face heats up a little bit. I am Thoi Van Khe. From childhood to adulthood, I have never bowed my head to anyone. Let alone bowing to my cousin. I pursed my lips and was about to say something later, when suddenly I heard chaotic footsteps outside. A little eunuch staggered in, his face pale.

“Your Majesty, this is not good!”

I immediately stood up.

“What?”

The little eunuch knelt to the ground.

"Your Majesty was assassinated by assassins on the way back from the altar. He has now been brought back to the palace. The royal hospital has already arrived!"

In that moment, my ears were ringing. The whole person stiffened in place. Dong Tuyet panicked and supported me.

“Miss!”

I pushed her away, picked up my skirt and ran straight out. From Phuong Nghi palace to his palace is not far. But I have never felt this road is so long. The wind blew coldly across my face. The palace staff on both sides knelt down to pay their respects, but I didn't hear anything. There's only one thought left in my mind. He cannot die. Absolutely do not die. When I ran to the temple, there was already chaos inside. The physician comes in and out. The palace maid passed by carrying basins of bloody water. That dazzling red color stabbed my eyes until it hurt. I grabbed a royal physician.

“How is your Majesty?”

The doctor was so scared that he knelt down.

"My Queen, please forgive me. Your Majesty's wound is near the heart. Although it has not hit a dangerous spot, it has lost too much blood. If it had been a little slower..."

He did not continue speaking. But I understand. If a little slower. He couldn't be saved. My legs were weak, I almost fell down. Dong Tuyet quickly supported me. I pushed open the door and rushed into the inner hall. The strong smell of blood immediately hit me. The cousin lay on the bed, his face so white that it was almost transparent. The dragon robe has been removed. The front of the chest is covered with cloth bandages. Blood still seeped out little by little. I stood a few steps away from the bed, suddenly not daring to move forward. This person has always made me angry before. Always give me a cold face. Always tying me up, teasing me, scolding me, making me so angry that I wanted to bite him. But now he lies there quietly. Don't open your eyes. Don't talk. Don't call me Thoi Van Khe with a gritted-teeth voice anymore. Suddenly in my heart empty. Tears fell without warning. I walked over to the bed, tremblingly holding his hand. His hands are very cold. It's so cold that it makes me panic.

“Bear brother…”

My voice choked.

“Wake up.”

“I haven't finished scolding you yet.”

“You can't sleep.”

The doctor standing next to me wanted to advise me to keep my voice down, but when he saw me crying, he didn't dare to speak anymore. I don't know how much time passed, but the person on the bed finally moved his finger. I immediately bowed down. He slowly opened his eyes. His eyes were still vague. But seeing me, the corners of his lips slightly curled up.

“What are you crying for?”

His voice was very hoarse. So weak that it's almost impossible to hear clearly.

“Didn't you always want to break up?”

“Now if I'm dead, wouldn't you be even more free?”

I was stunned. Immediately after that, the tears fell even harder. I was so angry that I held his hand tightly.

“Who wants to get along?”

He seemed stunned. Even the doctor next to him silently bowed his head. I cried and scolded:

“Don't think you can talk nonsense when you're injured!”

“I changed my mind!”

“I won't get along anymore!”

“There's no need to be the Chief Princess!”

“There's no need for one hundred thousand taels of silver!”

"There's no need to seal the hamlet!"

“No need for Kim Dao!”

Speaking of Kim Dao, his eyes moved slightly. He was clearly injured to the point of having difficulty breathing, yet he still had the strength to look at me with dangerous eyes. I got even angrier and bent down to grab his collar.

“What are you looking at?”

“I said no need, no need!”

“Do you hear me?”