Chapter 1 — I Will No Longer Be Your Star

In that year, Manh Truong Trach held great power and occupied a position of high authority. He sent men to escort his entire family to the capital. However, on the day of departure, Manh Truong Trach took everyone with him—even the large watchdog guarding the gate was not left behind. I was the only one he left behind, instructing a young attendant to deliver a divorce letter along with a hundred pieces of gold.

"My lord says that he is grateful for your care over the years, and this is your compensation," the boy said.

The neighbors looked at me with eyes full of pity. They had no idea that this was exactly what I had prayed for in my previous life. In this life, he is a powerful and noble official, and I am merely a girl selling wine at the edge of the street. There is no need for us to become bitter, ill-fated spouses, destined only to torment one another.

1

When I carried my wine jars to the market, several of the vegetable-selling matrons nearby looked at me with some surprise.

"Sister Linh, you are about to follow Master Manh to the capital to become a lady of status; why are you still out selling wine today?"

"That is right. Master Manh is now a man of immense influence. Sister Linh, your golden days have finally arrived."

A few of them teased me with laughter. The Master Manh they spoke of was my betrothed—Manh Truong Trach. Five years ago, he went to the capital to sit for the imperial examinations and secured the top honors. Valued by the Emperor, he had not returned to his hometown for many years. Not long ago, he had sent men with a letter, expressing his desire to bring his family to the capital to reunite. In a short time, the news had sprouted wings, spreading across the entire Mountain City. Everyone assumed that I would be following him into the capital. But they had guessed wrong. In this life, I would not be among those traveling to the capital. I lowered my head to stir the wine in the jar, smiling faintly to hide my expression.

"This wine was only brewed a few days ago; it is not convenient to carry, so I had to bring it out to sell," I said.

I was not lying. The road to the capital is long and rugged, and this wine would not survive the journey. The matrons nodded in understanding, even helping me hawk my wares. Usually, I would not sell out until evening, but today, before the sun had even set, the jars were empty.

"Sister Linh, once you reach the capital, do not forget us," they called out, waving their handkerchiefs as we parted. It was just like the previous life, no different at all. Only this time, I did not answer with a smile. Instead, I carried the empty jars and returned to the Manh estate. The golden dog guarding the gate saw me and wagged its tail as it ran over. Suddenly, the creature felt more vivid and real in my memory than it ever had before. I took the scraps of bone I had obtained from Old Butcher Vuong and tossed them before it. As I passed through the front courtyard of the Manh estate, I saw Manh Uyen Nhi directing the servants to clean up the plants and flowers.

"Be careful, everyone. I must take these potted plants to the capital with us," she commanded.

Nearby, Mother Manh, who was busy knitting a pouch, teased her, "Once we are in the capital, you can have your brother find you whatever flowers you desire."

"It is not the same; I planted these myself. Isn't that right, brother?"

The person she called brother stood under the eaves, his presence as steady as pine and bamboo. His refined, severe features carried the aura of a high-ranking official. That was my betrothed, Manh Truong Trach. Before he entered the court as an official, he was already a renowned, talented young master in the city. Later, he achieved the highest honors in the imperial examinations. Everyone said his future was incredibly bright. They were right. In my previous life, he rose to become the Chief Grand Secretary, the mentor to two successive emperors. He was beneath only one person, yet above ten thousand. While he had not yet reached the height of his power, he was already a rising star in the court, a close confidant favored by the Emperor.

2

"As you wish."

Manh Truong Trach’s voice was cold, yet his tone held a trace of indulgence that was hard to detect. Seeing his consent, Manh Uyen Nhi’s smile grew even more radiant. She turned to Mother Manh, her expression clearly saying, "With my brother backing me, I fear nothing." Mother Manh, amused by her antics, laughed along. A breeze swept through the hall. The atmosphere of the front courtyard suddenly became warmth and joy incarnate. I stood still on the steps, partly because I did not want to disturb them, and partly because my heart was filled with a chaotic mess of emotions. The cozy, harmonious scene of the Manh family was, to me, a world away. In my memories, only the wretched image of Mother Manh remained, left behind after her son was banished, dying with hatred in her heart, along with the gloomy, heavy gaze of Manh Uyen Nhi at that time. In this life, I did not know if they could avoid the fate that had once unfolded, as I had. I stood watching for a moment, intending to turn and leave, but whether it was because Manh Truong Trach was naturally sensitive, or because the treacherous years in the imperial court had honed his vigilance to be as sharp as a serpent, he suddenly sensed my presence. His eyes, deep as an ancient well, swept toward me. I had not managed to dodge in time, and we found ourselves face to face. I froze where I stood, bewildered, my heart trembling. In my previous life, Manh Truong Trach had weathered the storms of officialdom, being demoted three times and elevated three times. Ultimately, he forged a heart as cold and unfeeling as cutting ice. Everyone feared him; a single glance from him was enough to make a person feel as if Mount Tai were pressing down upon them, leaving them unable to breathe. I had not expected that even at this young age, he already possessed an air identical to that of his future self. Manh Uyen Nhi was the first to notice his change in demeanor and followed his gaze.

"What is it?"

Unlike Manh Truong Trach, her eyes were bright, and she ran toward me with joy. That year, after my parents passed away, I was taken in by the Manh family. When I first arrived, I was timid and guarded. Manh Uyen Nhi was the same age as me, clever and lively. She was always following behind me, calling me "sister, sister" with great intimacy.