Chapter 6 — Married to the Marquis Palace for Five Years, I Had Three Children in a Row

Tieu Can Ngon's expression remained unchanged, respectfully thanking him.

“For the sake of the country, it is my duty.”

I hugged the child and stood aside, smiling, but inside my heart was extremely clear. The appearance of the Crown Prince is not simply to congratulate. He is announcing something to the entire court. Dinh Vien Hau is his man. This manipulation seems to be supremely glorious, but in reality it is putting our Marquis Palace on the grill. The banquet ended, it was late at night, everyone dispersed. Tieu Can Ngon and I were in the room, sitting across from each other. The children were all fast asleep. The candlelight swayed, illuminating his tired but still handsome face.

“Today, you can see clearly?”

He poured me a cup of hot tea and asked softly. I nodded.

“His Royal Highness… is too hasty.”

Tieu Can Ngon sighed softly, a trace of worry in his eyebrows.

"The Emperor is still in office, he hastily gathered people's hearts and nurtured his faction."

“This is a royal taboo.”

I received the cup of tea, the warmth spreading from my fingertips.

“But we… have no way back.”

"Today he came in person. If we don't recognize him, we will be embarrassing him in front of the officials."

"If you accept it, it means you have the Crown Prince's stamp on you."

“No matter what we choose, we are in a chess game.”

Tieu Can Ngon held my hand, his eyes deep.

“Nien So, are you scared?”

“We have worked hard to get to today, but the road ahead seems even more dangerous.”

I squeezed his hand again.

“Not afraid.”

“In the past, I thought that as long as I had a son, I could stand firmly in the Marquis Palace.”

“Later, I thought that as long as I beat the petty people, I can keep this family.”

"Now I understand, real troubles are never in the backyard, nor just in the royal court."

"But in the place where the nine palaces are missing, in people's hearts."

“Husband, whether the road ahead is flat or a deep abyss, I will go with you.”

He looked at me, the worry in his eyes gradually replaced by gentleness. He pulled me into his arms and hugged me tightly.

"With a wife like her, what else can I ask for?"

Outside the window, snow fell again. This winter seems to be especially cold. I know, the spring of Dinh Vien Marquis Palace is still very far away. A larger storm is quietly brewing in the sky over the Forbidden City. The Crown Prince's actions at the Marquis Palace banquet were quickly transmitted into the palace. Everyone thought that the Emperor would be furious. But unexpectedly, the palace was quiet again. The Emperor did not punish the Crown Prince, nor did he reassure Tieu Can Ngon. He seemed completely unaware of anything. But the more that happens, the more insecure it makes people. The king's mind magic is as deep as the ocean. The calmer he was, the more intense the anger burned in his heart. That fire does not know when it will break out, nor does it know who it will burn. Three days later, a holy edict was passed down, summoning Tieu Can Ngon to the palace. Not at Kim Loan Palace, but in the Emperor's royal study room. Million private opinions. Tieu Can Ngon changed into court clothes and prepared to enter the palace. I adjusted his clothes, my fingertips were a bit cold.

“Husband, be careful with everything.”

I gently advised.

"The sacred heart is difficult to fathom, you must remember, listen more, speak less."

He nodded and held my hand.

“No matter what happens, I will I will protect you and your mother thoroughly.”

He left. I stood at the door, watching his back disappear into the wind and snow, silently praying. This trip, I don't know if it will be a blessing or a curse. Tieu Can Ngon stayed in the palace for two hours. Those two hours, to me, were as long as a lifetime. I can't sit still, my mind is unstable. It wasn't until he returned that my hanging heart temporarily lowered. His expression was very calm, no signs of anger. After sending all the subordinates away, he opened his mouth to speak to me.

“Your Majesty… is old.”

That was his first sentence, without beginning or end, but it made my heart tremble.

"He did not mention the Crown Prince, nor did he mention the border war."

"He just held my hand and told many old stories."

"Talking about my grandfather, what was it like when we fought with you that year?"

“Talk about my father, how bravely he fought for his country.”

"People say, the Tieu family has been loyal for three generations, and is the number one meritorious minister of Dai Zhou."

I listen quietly, without interrupting. I know, these words are just the beginning.

“Finally, you asked me a question.”

Tieu Can Ngon looked at me, his eyes became extremely complicated.

"You asked me, Thua Trach and Thua Khai, which one has a calmer personality, which one is more kind?"

My heart suddenly sank. In a blink of an eye, I understood the Emperor's meaning. You're not asking about my child. He was asking about the princes in the court! The Crown Prince has plenty of kindness, but is indecisive. The fifth prince was calm and determined, but his methods were cruel. The Emperor is testing Tieu Can Ngon and is also sending him a signal. He was no longer satisfied with the successor he had chosen, the Crown Prince. His heart began to waver.

“How did you answer?”

I asked nervously.

"I said, children's minds are not yet determined and they can't see anything."

“I just hope they can become useful people for the country in the future, that's enough.”

Tieu Can Ngon's answer was as tight as flowing water.