Chapter 10 — In my previous life, I fought for three generations of queens, but in this life I just want to eat my fill

But we understand very clearly that this peace is only temporary. I have been pushed to the front of the storm. Wanting to continue to "pretend to be lazy" while still remaining pure, I'm afraid it's no longer easy. That afternoon, I was in the yard, teaching Xuan Dao and Tieu Man (she was blessed because of misfortune, and was sent by the queen's "grace" to return to Thinh Truc Hien to serve her) to use bamboo slats and silk threads to make simple kites. Duke Phuc An is here again. This time, there was no longer the familiar smile on his face, his expression was somewhat serious.

“Little Master Shen, Your Majesty has an edict, please come to Tu Than Palace immediately.”

Death Palace? The emperor's palace? My heart suddenly sank. What should have happened has finally come. Inside the Death Palace, the lights were bright. The hall was filled with the gentle scent of ambergris, the atmosphere was quiet but majestic. Tieu Dien sat behind the large throne, bowing his head to approve the chapter. The pale yellow candlelight illuminated his handsome profile, his features were clear, but there was a hint of loneliness and fatigue that was hard to put into words. There was no one else in the palace, even Duke Phuc An stopped outside the door.

“I pay my respects to Your Majesty.”

I bowed my head in worship.

“Stand up.”

Tieu Dien put down his lipstick, his voice carrying a bit of fatigue. He raised his head, his eyes falling straight on her. That look was no longer as deep and bottomless as before, but was a kind of almost direct scrutiny, mixed with complexity that was difficult to distinguish.

“Tham Van Thu.”

“The concubine is present.”

“I heard about the incident at Phuong Nghi Palace.”

He went straight to the point.

“Very well done.”

“…Thank you for your compliments, Your Majesty.”

I can't guess what he means.

"Clear eyes, big courage, soft heart."

He spoke slowly, at the same time stood up, walked around the throne, and walked towards me step by step. That tall body carried an invisible pressure. I instinctively took a half step back. He stopped in front of me, very close distance. So close that I could smell the scent of Chinese ink mixed with light ambergris on his body. So close that I could see clearly into the depths of his eyes, where there was a deep pain that couldn't be hidden, along with... a deep nostalgia.

“You look very much like a person.”

He suddenly spoke, his voice low and hoarse. My heart skipped a beat slightly.

“As someone… I owe a lot.”

He reached out his hand, as if he wanted to touch my cheek, but his hand stopped in midair, then slowly retracted.

"She is also very good at looking at people, very good at doing things. Extremely brave, but unfortunately... her heart is not tough enough." He seemed to be talking to himself, his eyes drifting, as if he had sunk into a distant memory. "She helped many people and defeated many people. In the end... she ended up like this."

My breathing almost stopped. The blood in his body seemed to freeze for a moment. The person he was talking about... was me? Is it me from my previous life?

“Your Majesty… Your Majesty…” My voice was dry.

Tieu Dien's eyes once again focused on my face, his gaze was so sharp that it seemed to penetrate my soul.

“Tham Van Thu, tell me.” He looked straight into my eyes, asking word by word. “Are you afraid of death?”

Afraid of death? In my previous life, before being sent away by poison, I was very afraid. But having died once, it seems... not so scary anymore.

"Scared." I answered correctly Real. “But what's even scarier is living without being like yourself.”

Tieu Dien's pupils suddenly contracted. He stared at me, as if he wanted to find some trace from my face. Time seems frozen. The palace was eerily quiet, with only the occasional crackling sound of candle wicks. Don't know how much time has passed. Tieu Dien suddenly burst out laughing. That smile no longer had the tiredness and loneliness it had before, but on the contrary brought with it a feeling of being relieved of a burden... even ecstasy? There is also a trace of... very childish sentimentality.

"Indeed, it's you..." Tieu Dien whispered softly, his voice carrying a very slight vibration, difficult to suppress.

The next second, before I could react, he suddenly reached out and pulled me firmly into his arms. Tightened so tightly that it brought with it the feeling of being lost and then found again, almost desperate. I was completely stunned. The warmth from the embrace carried the familiar scent of ambergris. Strong arms. There was also... the pounding heartbeat like a war drum beating in his chest.

“Van Thu…” His low, hoarse voice rang above my head, carrying the pain and longing that had been repressed for so long. “It's really her… she's back…”

Our mind is empty. He... he really was reborn.