Chapter 6 — Light as Down

"But these are betrothal gifts brought by Lord Bui; to hand them over to my elder sister would be highly inappropriate."

My mother's expression darkened instantly. Her voice, shedding its previous veneer of warmth, became sharp and biting. "These were things you owed Moon Speech all along. What is wrong with taking them now to make amends?"

I replied with calm composure, "Was it not the fault of Father and Mother that the eldest daughter went missing? Now that you cast the blame upon a six-year-old child, do you not find it laughable?"

Mother’s face stiffened. Her aggressive momentum evaporated in an instant, and her retort withered in her throat. Father, purple with rage, raised his hand to strike me, but Bui Tri Yen intervened, intercepting his arm. His voice was low, laced with a distinct warning.

"My esteemed father-in-law intends to punish his own daughter, my fiancee, right before my eyes? I find that highly inappropriate. Moreover, these are the betrothal gifts for Light Feather; by what right do you claim them for your eldest daughter? It is the first time I have heard of a sister needing the betrothal gifts of her younger sibling to bolster her own dowry. Perhaps I should inquire with the Crown Prince if such a practice is deemed acceptable?"

Father’s complexion shifted violently. He slowly lowered his arm, retracting his fierce demeanor. I turned to the servants and ordered, "Bring the entirety of the betrothal gifts into my chambers."

The servants exchanged nervous glances, none daring to step forward. Bui Tri Yen cast a cold, sweeping gaze over them and barked, "Do you not hear her? Move them at once!"

Cowed by his authority, they tremblingly stepped forward to carry the gifts, stealing fearful glances at Father all the while. Father flicked his sleeves in resignation and muttered, "Do as the second daughter says."

My parents handed my birth data to Bui Tri Yen. The very next morning, he took the documents to the temple to consult the stars and set a date for the wedding. However, the Empress fell gravely ill and became bedridden, forcing the Crown Prince to postpone his own nuptials. To demonstrate filial piety, my elder sister entered the palace daily to attend to the Empress. Yet, the Empress showed no fondness for her, either urging her to leave or greeting her with a sour face. Whenever my sister returned, she would hide in her room, weeping. My parents once again blamed me, accusing me of sowing discord before the Empress. I explained that ever since my sister was chosen as the Crown Prince’s consort, I had not set foot in the palace once, so as to avoid suspicion. They would not listen. Eventually, I stopped explaining, indifferent to their thoughts. Upon reflection, being misunderstood was not entirely a bad thing; at least, with the Empress’s shadow looming, they dared not bully or punish me arbitrarily, making my life somewhat more comfortable.

Time passed swiftly, and the wedding day arrived. The capital was draped in ten miles of red silk, bustling with excitement. Guests crowded the entrance of the Bui estate, and the Crown Prince attended as the future brother-in-law. During the ceremony, Bui Tri Yen gripped my hand. Feeling the sweat on my palms, he whispered softly, "Do not fear. I am here."

My heart instantly settled. Halfway through the ceremony, a sudden gust of wind erupted, scattering the decorative arrangements. I lost my footing and nearly fell, but Bui Tri Yen caught me just in time. The red veil atop my head was swept away, landing directly at the feet of the Crown Prince. I hurried to retrieve it, and the Prince bent down simultaneously to help. In our haste, our hands brushed against one another. I felt as if struck by lightning and recoiled immediately. The Prince’s hand froze mid-air for a heartbeat before he picked up the veil and handed it to me. As he looked up, his expression hardened, his eyes filling with sheer disbelief. I quickly took the veil and, under his reddened, bewildered gaze, slowly covered my head again.

"Is it... you?" his voice trembled, thick with emotion.

Bui Tri Yen maintained his grip on my hand, his tone calm and elegant. "My thanks, Your Highness."

After we departed, the Prince stood motionless, murmuring to himself, "Why is it you? How could it be you? You were right before me, and yet, with my own hands, I pushed you away..."

After being escorted to the bridal chamber, I sat upright on the bed. Midnight arrived, and even after the guests had departed, there was no sign of Bui Tri Yen. My heart grew uneasy. I summoned his personal guard to inquire. The guard stammered, "Several hours ago, the Master was summoned to the Eastern Palace by the Crown Prince to discuss state affairs."

I was incensed. Could it not wait? Was this an intentional slight? "Must it be at this hour? Has the Emperor decided to depose the Prince, or have rebels reached the city gates?"

The guard turned pale with terror, waving his hands frantically. "My Lady, such words cannot be spoken! If overheard, it would mean the executioner’s blade!"

Despite my fury, I had no choice but to wait in solitude. Several days passed, and Bui Tri Yen did not return. Unable to sit still, I went to the Eastern Palace to reclaim him. At the gate, I encountered my elder sister, who had also not seen the Prince in days and was worried. As we passed a small courtyard, a violent pounding erupted from within.

"Let me out!"

The voice was all too familiar. It was Bui Tri Yen! I kicked the door open.