Chapter 5 — I Will Not Marry the Gu Family in This Life

When I first arrived in the capital, all the noble young ladies there already had their tight-knit circles of friends. They looked down upon my humble origins in the Thanh Chau province, shunning me as if I were a plague. It was only later, after I caught the eye of the Grand Princess, that they finally began to feign intimacy. The trials my younger sister endured yesterday are, in truth, nothing compared to the bitterness I once swallowed. Yet, our parents were heartbroken, terrified that the cruel gossip of the capital would bruise her fragile spirit. In the banquets that followed, they arranged for only me to attend. During the birthday celebration at the Duke of Dinh Quoc’s estate, Co Tu Vien appeared. He stared at me, his brows knitted in a deep, troubled crease, clearly desperate to ask me something. I merely left him with the words, "My sister is perfectly safe," and turned to walk away. Yet, he called out after me.

"Ta Yen Chu..."

"Is it because of him that you rejected me?"

I offered no response. At this point, whether it was because of him or not, it no longer held any bearing on his life.

07

The wedding between my sister and Co Tu Vien was originally set for the third day of the seventh month. However, after my own marriage was finalized, Mistress Co used that as a pretext, insisting that my sister wait a while longer. When Co Tu Vien came to our home to discuss the delay, my sister was overcome with panic.

"Brother Tu Vien, is it possible that your mother does not like me?"

Whenever the matter involved Co Tu Vien, my sister’s sensitivity knew no bounds. Yet, this time, her intuition was spot on. Mistress Co truly did not care for her. Our families had associated for many years; Mistress Co had watched my parents indulge my sister every whim. In the past, she had not minded, even joining in the spoiling, but now that my sister was to become her daughter-in-law, she suddenly found fault with everything about her. Co Tu Vien consoled my sister with patient grace, though his eyes frequently wandered toward me.

"There is a natural order to these things," he said. "It is only right that the elder sister should be wed first."

Our parents chimed in to soothe her as well: "It is only a delay of two months. Do you not wish to stay by our side a little longer? Mistress Co has watched you grow up; how could she ever dislike you?"

My sister finally felt at ease. The entire household began pouring its efforts into my wedding preparations. Ta Yen Chu personally arrived to deliver the betrothal gifts. The ceremony was set for the fifteenth of the following month—a hurried affair. The day he arrived with the gifts, I remained in my chambers, embroidering my bridal veil, refusing to step out to meet him. When my sister heard, she came to find me, carrying precious tokens. Her expression was a complex mixture of pity and confusion.

"I know it is my fault that you are marrying someone you do not love," she whispered.

In her eyes, Ta Yen Chu and I could never be truly happy. He was not like Co Tu Vien, who frequently visited to share sweet sentiments, and I was not like her, obsessing over every detail of my future husband’s life. She believed that only a union of hearts could bring true joy. But she failed to see the chests of gold and silver that Ta Yen Chu had brought, nor did she witness the immense military prestige he carried upon his shoulders. What use had I for such trivial, romantic notions? Even in my past life, when I married Co Tu Vien, my heart had remained devoid of any true affection for him. My sister continued her musing, oblivious.

"Once I am married into the Co family, I will surely visit you often to talk. Since we will both still be here, you will not be lonely."

My needlework faltered for a heartbeat. I did not bother to refute her naive words. On the fifteenth day of the eighth month, Ta Yen Chu arrived with the imperial decree conferring upon me my noble title, ready to receive his bride. Guests flooded the Tham estate. The betrothal gifts from Ta Yen Chu, combined with the treasures bestowed by the palace, created a procession of wealth that stretched for miles. Mistress Co arrived as well, though she still harbored resentment over my refusal of her son, and her words were sharpened like needles.

"The eldest daughter of the Tham family is indeed a master of calculation, securing such a favorable match. My Tu Vien would never dare to marry a woman of such caliber." She then turned, pulling my sister into an intimate embrace. "Thu Kieu, however, is a treasure—simple and pure of heart, with no hidden agendas. I cannot wait for the day she marries into the Co family; I shall be so overjoyed."

My sister blushed deeply. As she saw me off into the bridal sedan, she worried for me, fretting that the Ta household had so few members.

"I heard that General Ta lost his father early and his mother remarried. There are no siblings in his home; you will have to manage the entire Ta estate all by yourself," she said, covering her mouth with a soft laugh. "It is not like Brother Tu Vien, who has so many kin and friends around him. And Mistress Co treats me with such warmth."

I sighed quietly. In my past life, she died too young to have ever truly lived the life of a wife in another household.

08

After the rituals were complete, I was led into the bridal chamber. Having done this once before, I was composed enough to remove my own veil, intent on finding some refreshments to stave off my hunger. Suddenly, the door was pushed open. Ta Yen Chu stood there in his crimson wedding attire, his expression vibrant and glowing with spirit. If his skin had been a shade paler, he would not have looked like a young general, but rather a dashing scholar ready to claim the top rank in the imperial examinations.

"My lady, greetings."

The hand that held a piece of pastry froze in mid-air.

"My lord, why are you not in the front hall, entertaining our guests?"