Chapter 6 — In this life, the Crown Princess will no longer be my sister's turn

Then, he looked towards me. Four eyes meet. He suddenly opened his mouth, his voice was not loud, but loud enough for us to hear clearly:

“I told you, this old jade is destined to be with you.”

His gaze carried meaning, glancing at the green jade pendant still hanging in front of my chest.

“Now then, I'm here to collect some income.”

The decree establishing the Crown Princess was like a thunderbolt, exploding the entire Thang Palace, and even more so the entire capital city. Countless eyes focused on the "bookworm" that is me. Doubt, scrutiny, admiration, envy. The threshold of Thang Phu was almost trampled by people who came to congratulate him. Grandmother was filled with joy, as if she were ten years younger. Father was also so gentle towards me for the first time. Lam Thi and Thang Thanh Ngo completely turned invisible, cowered in their courtyard, and from then on did not take a single step outside. The marriage is scheduled for half a year later. During this half year, I became unusually busy. Study royal etiquette and become familiar with royal rules. Trieu Canh Hanh occasionally sent someone to deliver a few things. Sometimes it's some rare military art or historical books. Sometimes they are exquisitely crafted breakfast dishes. Another time, the person brought a pot of white dahlias in full bloom, pure white and spotless. No message sent. But I know, he is looking at me. With a posture of a collaborator, or more accurately, an ally. Between us, it seems like an unspoken chemistry has formed. I need his power for revenge and self-preservation. He needs an "unusual" Crown Princess like me, to break some of the inherent balance in the court. Everyone takes what they need. What about love between men and women? Neither he nor I seem to have that luxury. The big wedding day has finally arrived. Ten miles of red dress and phoenix robe. The Crown Princess' ceremonial staff extended from Thang Palace straight to the Eastern Palace. The whole capital was deserted as if people were pouring into the streets. I sat in the splendid golden phoenix palanquin, listening to the noisy noise outside. It was strangely quiet inside. There is no shyness and joy of the bride. There is also no joy when old wishes come true. Only a cold feeling remained when everything was arranged. Paying homage to heaven and earth, entering the cave room. The cumbersome rituals were finally over. I sat alone on a bed covered with red silk, the phoenix crown on my head was so heavy that my neck ached. Outside the door, there was the sound of quiet footsteps. My heart, unable to control it, suddenly beat faster. The door opened. Brings with it a faint smell of alcohol. Trieu Canh Hanh walked in. He dismissed all the palace staff. In the vast palace, there are only two of us left. The red rose burned high, clearly illuminating his serious face in profile, and also illuminating my entire body in dazzling red clothes. He walked up to me, but didn't immediately lift his headscarf. Silence permeated the air. There was a tension in the air that was hard to put into words. Finally, he reached out his hand and used the wish-fulfilling jade to gently lift the red headscarf embroidered with dragons and phoenixes to report to the wall. Light suddenly flooded. I reflexively raised my eyes. Just in time to meet his deep gaze. In those eyes, there was no desire, no tenderness. Just a layer of quiet scrutiny and consideration. It's like evaluating a valuable object.

“Tang Tuyet Thuoc.”

He called my name. I gently lowered my eyelids, my voice was flat and without ripples.

“Raise your head.”

I did so, facing his gaze again. Those eyes glanced over my face, as if wanting to penetrate this layer of skin and see through the soul hidden inside.

“Where is that green jade pendant?”

He suddenly asked. I paused for a moment, then from the complicated collar of my wedding dress, pulled out the red string. The green jade pendant quietly dropped. Warm jade light, under the pink light, flows faintly. He reached out his hand. The cold fingertips touched the jade pendant, also touching the skin on my neck. A very slight trembling. He grabbed that pearl. Fingers closed tightly. An extremely small cracking sound! My pupils shrank slightly! The jade pendant I wore for fifteen years as a talisman, under his hand, a thin crack appeared!

“This jade block has protected her from disasters for fifteen years.”

He spoke slowly, his voice low.

“Now, it has succeeded in withdrawing.”

He let go. The jade pendant fell back into my palm, the crack clearly visible without concealment.

“From now on,”

His eyes locked on me, carrying an oppression that did not allow refusal.