Chapter 1 — Kinh Thao

In the fifth year, after being forced into the palace by Tieu Hanh, he finally got bored of me. His new concubine stared at me, innocently asking: "Is this sister also your majesty's concubine?" Tieu Hanh chuckled softly. "Her? Just a withered flower that has been through a husband. That kind of person is not worthy of entering the harem." I did not speak, just respectfully bowed my head and bowed. But at the wrong time in my mind, I remembered the past year, he used to hug my waist, his eyes were red, and said each word: "In this life, I must be with you to the end. Even if I die, you can only die next to me." 1 When I was carried into the hot spring, I was so tired that I didn't even bother to open my eyelids. Just as I was about to fall asleep, Tieu Hanh's voice suddenly rang out in my ear. "Go away." I slowly raised my head to look at him. "What do you mean?" Tonight Tieu Hanh tormented me longer than usual. Out of the corner of my eye, I glanced at the water meter placed in the corner of the palace. It was already midnight and early morning. Tieu Hanh leaned against the edge of the lake, his wet black hair falling behind his shoulders, his expression indifferent. "I said, I will let you out of the palace. You can go find him." I stared at him, still unable to understand. Five years ago, when he was forced to keep me in the palace, I begged and cried, hoping he would let me go. I scolded him for disregarding morality, shamelessness, and despicableness, but he never got angry. I used to hold a tea cup and smash his forehead, but he just laughed and praised my health for recovering a lot. I also ran away. After a while of pretending to be obedient and peaceful, he finally took advantage of the guard changing shifts and secretly ran out of the palace. Unexpectedly, as soon as I stepped out of the gate of Vi Uong Palace, I saw Tieu Hanh leading a group of guards waiting, leisurely looking at me. Those eyes were like looking at a bird caught in a trap, struggling helplessly. That day, I picked up a small knife used to perform elixirs and fiercely stabbed him in the shoulder. "There are so many women in the world who want to marry you, why do you insist on torturing me?" Tieu Hanh bowed his head, looking at the knife blade digging into his skin, slightly raising his eyebrows. Right after that, he grabbed my hand and pulled out his knife little by little. Blood kept dripping down his arm, yet he didn't seem to feel any pain. On the contrary, he used a finger covered in blood to gently wipe my lips. "There are indeed many women in the world, but I only want to be entangled with you for the rest of my life." He once said, one day I will willingly stay by his side. He has a lot of time and enough patience. If not in one year, then two years. If not in two years, then ten years. Sooner or later he will make me forget everything outside the palace. Yet five years have passed, and the first person to get bored was him. He raised his hand to gently stroke my hair, his tone was indifferent. "I used to like the wildness of your body the most, but after looking at it, that's all." "Especially every time I touch you, I remember that you once married someone else." "Dirty." I bowed my head, hiding all the emotions in my eyes. "Why did your Majesty change your mind?" "During the hunting session, I met a young lady." I replied. i.e. understand. It turns out, he finally found a new hobby. Tieu Hanh stepped out of the hot spring, and the palace man immediately put on his loose civilian clothes. "After meeting her, I know what it means to truly love someone." "So, you go." Tieu Hanh walked to the front of the lake, then suddenly stopped. I still lowered my eyes, from beginning to end without moving. Until the electric door closed, cold wind rushed in through the crack of the door. I clenched my palm, clearly feeling the pain transmitted. My heart rose again

indescribable joy. This time…it's not a dream. … The next morning, as soon as it was dawn, the sound of craftsmen chiseling stone could be heard outside the Vi Uong palace. One sound after another, the noise was extremely loud. A few palace maids ran to inquire, and when they returned, they gathered together and whispered. "I heard that Your Majesty has ordered the construction of a new palace, called The Hoang Palace." The Queen's residence is called Phuong Nghi Palace. Now that the new person has not yet entered the palace, Tieu Hanh hastily built her a Royal palace. This favor alone is enough to make the entire harem look back. The eyes the palace maids looked towards me were filled with some pity. I didn't pay attention, I just quietly bowed my head and packed my luggage. Not long after, footsteps were heard outside the door. Thich Cong Cong led more than ten little eunuchs in. Each person carries a tray, a trunk or holds clothes and jewelry. I glanced over, only to realize that those were all the items I had left in Tieu Hanh's palace. A white jade brooch. A thin cloak used to be worn in the fall. I haven't finished reading some medical books yet. And a whole bag of faded medicine. That bag of medicine was the first time I met Tieu Hanh. He kept complaining of a headache, so I conveniently mixed it for him. Over the years, he has always carried it with him. Now even this has been returned. Looks like this time, he really gave up. Cong Cong Thich stood next to me, secretly observing my face. "Miss Cat, these are all your belongings. I have checked each item, are you missing anything?" I smiled, conveniently pointing to the wooden box placed on the edge of the table. "If you would like to trouble me, Cong Cong, also help me bring these things back to Your Majesty." Thich Cong Cong's eyes immediately lit up. He received the box, a happy look appeared on his face as if he had finally seen the lost person turn around. "Say, if you think clearly early, it would be great, why do we have to torment each other in such a big round? Is this a letter to Your Majesty? Or is it a token to express your thoughts?"But right after that, the smile on his face stiffened.