Chapter 24 — Kneeling before the Queen and Duke

The princess investiture ceremony and marriage ceremony between Sam Khinh Vu and Uc Viet Khoi were scheduled to be held in the early spring of next year, when the weather was less cold and the apricot and peach blossoms began to bloom throughout Khanh Duong capital. This was considered one of the most solemn ceremonies that the Dai Ninh court had held in recent years, not only because of the importance of the two main characters, but also because of the profound symbolic meaning that this ceremony brought: a demonstration that justice, no matter how long it was delayed by the darkness of power, would still prevail in the end and be rewarded.

Many days before the ceremony, the entire capital of Khanh Duong was bustling with preparations, the streets were decorated with bright flags and flowers, and people from everywhere eagerly flocked to the capital to witness this rare great ceremony with their own eyes. Many people still clearly remember the tumultuous story of the young princess, from a lady who was betrayed by her husband and adopted sister, brutally buried alive, until she was rescued and discovered her true identity as a lost princess, then used her own intelligence and bravery to overthrow a force that had dominated the court for twenty years. That story has become a great source of inspiration for many ordinary people, who always yearn for a more equitable society.

Early in the morning of the great ceremony, Khinh Vu was meticulously made up by the palace maids and put on the most splendid princess gown, embroidered with gold thread in the shape of a phoenix spreading its wings, symbolizing rebirth and rising from adversity. The phoenix brooch that Viet Khoi gave her on the occasion of the engagement was solemnly pinned on her jet black hair, sparkling in the morning sunlight, as a reminder of the arduous journey she went through to get to where she is today.

Standing in front of the large bronze mirror in the private palace, looking back at her own reflection, Khinh Vu could not help but recall each past journey: from the innocent girl devoted to her husband and family, to the woman who was cruelly betrayed, buried alive in a cold grave, and then gradually transformed into a sharp, brave princess who knew how to use her intelligence to reclaim justice for herself and for the injustices that had been buried for twenty years. She smiled slightly, feeling her heart filled with gratitude for everything she had gone through, no matter how painful, it had shaped her into the person she is today.

The ceremony was held in the main hall of the royal palace, with the full attendance of all civil and military mandarins, noble kings, and representatives of many prestigious families throughout Dai Ninh. The reigning Holy King, dressed in majestic dragon robes, personally presided over two important ceremonies held side by side: first was the official investiture ceremony, reaffirming the title Khanh Duong Princess for Khinh Vu in the presence of the entire court, followed by the marriage ceremony, officially announcing the engagement between her and Winged King Uc Viet Khoi.

"Today," the Saint's voice echoed throughout the great hall, "I not only witnessed the complete return of a drop of royal blood that had been wronged for twenty years, but also witnessed the beginning of a good relationship, a symbol of the belief that, no matter how long the darkness covers, the light of justice and sincere love will ultimately prevail."

Khinh Vu and Viet Khoi knelt in front of the throne and received the wedding blessing from the Saint. The eyes they exchanged were full of happiness and trust. When Viet Khoi stood up and turned to face the assembled civil and military mandarins, Khinh Vu couldn't help but remember herself a year earlier, lying motionless in a cold coffin. Yet now, she stood there, alive and able to choose her own future.

After the solemn ceremony at the main hall, a large banquet was held right in the royal palace, lasting until late at night, with the participation of not only the nobles and mandarins, but also the common people who had been attached to Khinh Vu's journey: butler Binh, who has now become a minor official in her palace, the Royal Physician, the first person to discover the royal mark on her body, guard Bang, who did not hesitate to investigate and protect her. throughout the long journey. All were invited to attend the banquet and sit at the same table with the most senior mandarins in the court, a gesture that clearly demonstrated the gratitude and fairness that Khinh Vu always pursued throughout his journey to reclaim justice.

During the banquet, an old palace maid who had personally served Lady Vinh Tan, whose hair was now white, tremblingly walked in front of Khinh Vu, holding up an old ebony comb with both hands that had become shiny over the years. "This is something the lady used to comb her hair every night," the old lady choked, "this old slave hid it carefully for the past twenty years, not daring to give it to anyone, just hoping that one day she would hand it back to the right person." Khinh Vu picked up the comb, her fingers trembled when touching the smooth wooden handle with ancient fingerprints, a small but warmer evidence than any seal or ordination, causing the solemn moment of the party to suddenly subside into a very personal emotion, just between her and her mother who had never once been called "mother" when she was alive.

The reigning Saint also stayed until the end of the party, personally pouring a cup of wine for both Khinh Vu and Viet Khoi, his eyes full of pride and satisfaction. "Twenty years ago, I lost someone I loved and her young child in a cruel sea of fire," the person said, his voice a bit choked. "Twenty years later, I witnessed your daughter return, not only finding justice but also finding her own complete happiness. This is truly the most precious gift that heaven and earth have given me at this late age." Those words made many people present shed tears, fully feeling the profound meaning of a long, tear-filled journey that eventually bore fruit.

At the end of the party, when most of the guests had taken turns saying goodbye, Khinh Vu and Viet Khoi walked together to the royal garden, where the gentle spring moonlight shone throughout the quiet space. Viet Khoi held her hand, both looked up at the starry night sky, their hearts filled with a rare peace after many months of turmoil.

"From today," Viet Khoi said softly, his voice warm, "we will continue to write new pages of life together, no longer pages full of tears and injustice, but pages of happiness, of justice, and of a lasting love that we have built together through many challenges."

Khinh Vu leaned her head on his shoulder, smiling slightly with satisfaction. "I used to think that my life ended on that fateful night, when I was buried alive under the cold soil of Tay Lang mound. But now I understand that it was not the end, but the beginning of a new journey, taking me from the darkness of fake death to the true light of justice, love and happiness. Thank you, brother, for always being by my side throughout that whole journey, and I hope we will continue to accompany each other, building a better future, not only for ourselves, but also for all people under the fair rule of the Dai Ninh dynasty."

The gentle spring moonlight continued to shine down on the royal garden, witnessing the moment of complete happiness of two people who together overcame many hardships to find justice and true love, closing a journey full of tears and blood, but also full of hope and light, a journey from fake death in a cold grave to the true light of a new life, complete and worthy of everything Sam Khinh Vu had resiliently gone through.

In the distance, behind the royal garden, the lamp at the small shrine commemorating Princess Vinh Tan still burned brightly all night, like a silent but warm witness from a mother in nine streams, following the happy path of her daughter whom she never had the chance to hold when she was alive. The spring breeze gently passed by, carrying the scent of apricot blossoms and peach blossoms throughout the space, like a gentle blessing for a new beginning, completely closing the story of the princess who was once buried alive, had now found justice, family, and the true love of her life, opening a new, brighter chapter for both herself and the Dai Ninh dynasty that she will continue to help build in the years ahead.