Chapter 5 — I was once traded for, then became someone they couldn't reach for the rest of my life

I went to the people who called my father my brother, who said that if the general's palace had something to do, they would definitely not stand by and watch. But when they heard that I wanted to mobilize military supplies, everyone was silent. Some people avoid meeting. Some people use the excuse of serious illness. There were also people who opened the door to welcome them, but in the end they just sighed helplessly. A silver-haired old man looked at me kneeling on the cold stone floor, his eyes red. He trembled and wanted to help me up.

"Miss Li, it's not that we don't want to save you."

“It's just that the matter of military provisions is currently handled by the Eastern Palace.”

“The following is the intention of His Highness the Crown Prince.”

“If we dare to open the warehouse arbitrarily, it will be a crime against the Eastern palace.”

I raised my head to look at him.

“So what about my father?”

“He guarded the border for many years, protected Great Liang, protected you.”

“Now he is surrounded in the canyon, with no salary, no reinforcements.”

“Is it possible that just because of fear of a Crown Prince, everyone wants to see him die?”

The old god bowed his head. Don't dare answer. At that moment, I understood. In this court, there are many people who respect their father. But very few people dare to bet their entire family for their father. We kneel from one palace to another. The knee is red and swollen. My legs almost lost feeling. A Chieu walked beside her, crying until her eyes turned red.

“Miss, let's go home.”

“People like that, praying to them is useless.”

I shook my head.

“As long as there is a glimmer of hope, we have to try.”

Because at the border, there is someone waiting for us. That person is my father. The one who was five years old, carried me on horseback, and said that his daughter did not need to rely on anyone to live. When I was thirteen years old, because I liked an almond tree blooming next to the barracks, I specially ordered someone to keep that piece of land and not let the soldiers cut it down. Thinking about that almond tree, my heart suddenly stopped. At this moment, a black carriage without any signs slowly stopped in front of me. A man wearing a black shirt walked down. He was wearing a wide-brimmed hat, so his face could not be seen clearly. He did not perform rituals, nor did he say any unnecessary words. Just give me a piece of blue jade. As soon as I saw that piece of jade, my pupils slightly shrank. It is an almond flower shape. It's a design I personally carved on a small piece of wood many years ago. The man in black said in a low voice:

"There are people at the border who have never forgotten the promise they made under the almond tree that year."

My heart suddenly trembled.

“Who is that person?”

We take one step forward. But the other man backed away.

“When the time is right, the lady will naturally know.”

Having finished speaking, he turned around and got into the carriage. The wheels rolled across the paved road. Very quickly it disappeared at the end of the street. I clasped the jade piece in my palm. Memories of when I was thirteen years old appeared vaguely in my head. Under the almond tree at the border. An injured teenager leaned against a tree trunk. I once saved him. Once gave him water and bread. But after that, I never saw that person again. Many years have passed. Why does he still remember? Why did he know my father was in trouble? Why can he secretly monitor everything in the capital? I haven't had time to think clearly. An old voice came from behind.

“Miss Ly.”

I turned my head back. The person who came was the Minister of the Household. He looked at me for a long time, then finally sighed.

“The old man knows you have been pooping a lot People."

“But it's useless.”

I hold your hand tightly.

“Then please show me a way, sir.”

He was silent for a long time. Finally, slowly opened his mouth:

“The only person who can save your father.”

“It's Crown Prince Trieu Viet.”

At that moment, my hand holding the jade piece tightened until it turned white. The first person to bring me out to exchange. The first person to trample on my dignity. Became the only person who could save my father's life. The afternoon sky is as red as blood. I stood in the middle of the long street of the capital and suddenly burst into laughter. But in those eyes, there was no longer any softness. If I have to step into hell one more time. So this time. I will become the one holding the knife myself. Because we have no way back anymore. I stood outside the Eastern Palace for a long time. The red and yellow tiled wall in front of you is still as magnificent as before, each tile under your feet is so cold that it reminds people of that night of the palace banquet. It was also at this place that Trieu Viet once held Giang Nguyet Bach in his arms, using the gentlest tone to lure her away from Ta Van So. It was also here that he once glanced at me through the curtain and said to Ta Van So:

"If you exchange her for Giang Nguyet Bach, you won't lose."

That day, I was the object he pushed away. Now, for the sake of my father's life, I have to step into the place I hate the most. A Chieu stood behind me, his voice choked:

“Miss, do you really have to come in?”

I tightened the piece of jade flower in my sleeve. The cold piece of jade pressed against the palm of my hand seemed to remind me that in this world, perhaps there is still a person at the border who has never forgotten the promise they made in the past. But that person is too far away, and my father cannot wait any longer.