Chapter 1 — Kieu Hoa went to the wrong door, I don't want to go back

I raised my hand and gently lifted a corner of the veil. Thanh Chi was so scared that he grabbed my sleeve.

“Miss!”

I patted the back of her hand gently.

"No problem."

The light outside the palanquin curtain shines in. First we see the stone steps. Next, two stone lions stood quietly in front of the palace gate. Finally, his eyes stopped on the person standing on the steps. Co Hoai Nghien is younger than I imagined. Handsome eyebrows, straight nose, thin, pale lips. He doesn't have the red color on him that a groom should have. Nor did there seem to be any disturbance of the bustling onlookers. Wearing only a frosty blue civilian outfit, standing in front of the red gate, like a painting drawn with cold ink. He is also looking at me. His eyes were cold and did not shy away. Also not forced. I suddenly remembered the words my stepmother once said. The Luc family has a distinguished family background and many rules, telling me to be patient. Remember what Thanh Chi once said. The Major General is not in the palace all year round. Then remembering the elders, aunts, and sisters-in-law who haven't even walked through the door weighs heavily on my head. If a marriage is a prison from the beginning. So going the wrong way is probably not a disaster. It's a gap in the door. The lady saw me opening the curtain and was so scared that she stamped her feet.

“Miss, please sit down quickly, don't lift your veil!”

The Luc family was also anxious.

“Miss Shen, the Major General's mansion is still waiting for people to worship.”

I look at Co Hoai Nghien. He did not urge me. Don't ask why I hesitate. Just standing there. As if waiting for me to speak myself. The wind blew gently, causing the palanquin curtain to sway slightly. I suddenly lowered my voice and asked Thanh Chi:

“Are there any grandparents in the Thai Pho palace?”

Thanh Chi was stunned by the question.

“No... no.”

“Is there a young lady?”

“Neither.”

“What about sisters-in-law?”

“Not even there.”

I nodded. Thanh Chi opened her eyes wide.

“Miss, what are you thinking?”

I dropped the veil back down, only holding a corner of the palanquin curtain in my hand. Outside, everyone is waiting for an answer from me. After those words, I will either return to my old path and continue to the Luc family to become a new daughter-in-law that anyone can teach. Or follow this myth and bet bigger. I heard the Luc family speak up again.

“Miss Shen, we can't delay any longer.”

I smiled. The voice is not loud. But enough for everyone in front of the palace gate to hear clearly.

"If it's a mistake, it's a mistake. It's better to ask Master Gu to tell me first."

"If this flower palanquin doesn't go today, will the Thai Pho palace dare to accept it?"

In front of the Thai Pho palace gate, it was so quiet that you could hear the wind passing through the corner of the eaves. As soon as she heard me ask that question, the Tham family's wife's legs went weak. The Luc family's faces became even more ugly, as if they had just been slapped in the middle of the street. Thanh Chi stood next to the palanquin, squeezing my sleeve tightly, her voice trembling so much that it was almost inaudible.

“Miss, are you crazy?”

I didn't look at her, I just looked through the half-rolled palanquin curtain at the person standing on the steps. Co Hoai Nghien is also looking at me. There was no surprise in his eyes. Nor do I mean to laugh lightly. Those eyes were so still, as still as a frozen lake in the middle of cold winter. A long while later, he spoke up.

“Miss Tham, do you know what you are saying?”

“Marriage letter from the Luc family.”

"The palanquin is in front of the Thai Pho palace."

“The bride price is brought by the Luc family.”

“If we make a fuss today, the Luc family may not accept it.”

His eyes wavered slightly. We continue to say:

"If Master Gu doesn't accept it, this flower palanquin will have to be carried back. On the way, everyone will say that the Tham family's daughter is an unlucky person, the flower palanquin was sent to the wrong door, causing the auspicious moment to be missed."

“If Master Gu accepts it, at most outsiders will only say that an unprecedented, wild thing happened today.”

“Myths are hard to hear.”

“But it's still better than letting me bear the bad reputation alone.”

The Luc family was frantic.

“Miss Shen, please be careful with your words!”

“I'm not done talking yet.”

My voice is not loud. But it left him speechless.

"Today the guide was the manager of the Luc family, but when he arrived at the gate of the Thai Pho palace, he disappeared without a trace."

“If you want to talk about being cautious, then you should first invite the Luc family to find that person.”

The family member opened his mouth and was speechless. The lady of the Tham family quickly said:

“Miss, these words cannot be said indiscriminately.”

I smiled.

“Didn't you just say it was all just a misunderstanding?”

“If it's a misunderstanding, why not investigate a little?”

When I stopped her, her face turned pale. Co Hoai Nghien suddenly asked:

“Why don't you return to the Tham family?”