Chapter 6 — I was once traded for, then became someone they couldn't reach for the rest of my life

I replied softly:

“Must come in.”

"As long as I can save my father, even if the Eastern Palace is a tiger's den, I still have to go on a trip."

The eunuch guarding the door recognized me and his face immediately changed. He quickly ran into the media, and less than half a cup of tea, the main door of the East Palace was wide open. I was led into Trieu Viet's study room. As soon as we walked through the door, we immediately saw paintings of beautiful women hanging on the wall. The middle painting is a very well preserved painting. The paper is a bit old, but the ink is still clear. The woman in the painting stands under the almond tree, her clothes fluttering, her face clear, both like a distant dream and like a curse that has stuck with the painter for many years. It's just that back then I didn't know that my appearance had already been taken to the Eastern Palace, hanging before the eyes of someone who never really understood me. Trieu Viet sat in front of the script. Compared to the time we met in the royal garden, he was a lot thinner. In front of him were full of scrolls, but not even a single volume was opened. In his hand he held a small painting, his eyes almost infatuated on the face of the person in the painting. Hearing footsteps, he slowly raised his head. The moment he saw me, his whole body stopped. Those eyes were no longer the fleeting wonder like that day in the palace, but like a person lost in the desert for many years who finally saw water. He stood up.

“Trieu Ca…”

Those two words coming out of his mouth made me laugh. The day he abandoned me, he never called my name so gently. He quickly walked towards me, his eyes almost greedily scanning every line of my face.

“Indeed it is her.”

"She searched for the person in the painting for ten years, but she didn't expect that person was always right in front of her eyes."

I looked at him coldly.

“Your Highness is looking for the wrong one.”

He frowned.

"How could it be wrong? Her face, her demeanor, even her eyes are exactly like the person in the painting."

I smiled softly.

“Your Highness is mistaken.”

“The person you are looking for is the painting.”

“And I am a living person.”

Trieu Viet's face suddenly stiffened. Perhaps no one had ever dared to use that tone to talk to him. But very quickly, his voice softened.

“Trieu Ca, I know you resent me.”

"That night, you were confused. You were blinded by Giang Nguyet Bach, so you didn't realize that she was the person you had always longed for."

I looked at him, my heart not wavering at all. Later I learned that after the day in the royal garden, Trieu Viet almost went crazy. He sent someone to investigate all my affairs at Ta Palace. Knowing I was being taken through the side door. Knowing that I was arranged at Thanh Chi Vien, where Giang Nguyet Bach used to raise cats. Knowing that I was humiliated by her in front of everyone. For the first time, he was angry with Giang Nguyet Bach. But we understand very clearly. That anger is not because he really loves me. But because he felt that the item he had thrown away, after being dusted off, suddenly became a treasure that he could not touch. He doesn't love me. He just wasn't willing. He was not willing to please the people in his ten years of paintings, but was once pushed into the hearts of others by his own hand. Trieu Viet reached out to touch my face. We take a step back. His eyes darkened, but still tried to maintain a peaceful look.

“Trieu Ca, you are wrong.”

“The person I want to find from beginning to end is you.”

"So when Your Highness exchanged me for Ta Van So, did you ever think that the person you were looking for was me?"

He choked. I continue ask:

"When Giang Nguyet Bach slapped me in the royal garden, His Highness told Ta Van So to take good care of his wife. Did you ever think that the person who was humiliated was me?"

He was silent. That silence answered for him. I lowered my eyes, my voice was so calm that I even surprised myself:

“Your Highness doesn't love me.”

“He just loved the feeling of finally finding the person in the painting.”

"But I'm not a painting hanging in the East Palace study, and I'm not something you can take if you like it, or get rid of it when you get bored."

Trieu Viet looked at me for a long time. Perhaps this was the first time he actually heard someone say that he couldn't have everything he wanted. He took a deep breath, his voice lowered:

“As long as she returns to the Eastern Palace, I can give her everything.”

"The position of Crown Princess, honor, wealth, and unique favor."

“I will let the whole capital know that the person I really want to marry is you.”

If it were me many years ago, I would probably find these words very heavy. But now, I only think of my father trapped in the canyon, of every grain of military food that was sold, of the generals and soldiers waiting for a way to live. I raised my head to look at him.

“Goddess do not need glory.”

"There's no need for favors either."

Trieu Viet's eyes moved slightly.

“So what do you want?”

I looked straight into his eyes, every word clear:

“So the goddess wants her father's life.”

After I said I wanted my father's life, Trieu Viet looked at me for a long time. In his eyes there was surprise, hesitation, but more of a joy that was almost impossible to hide. Perhaps in his heart, as long as I am willing to open my mouth and offer conditions, it means I am still willing to enter the Eastern Palace.