Chapter 8 — Minh VI

I don't leave immediately. My soul floated lightly into the air, I coldly looked down. I saw the front yard filled with people, the red carpet spread out, Tieu Triet wearing a bright red dress, her body straight, the corners of her lips carrying a rare smile - a truly relaxing smile. Next to him, Linh Lung phoenix mandarin in Ha Ha robe, graceful figure under the headscarf, must also have a smile like a flower. They were about to, amid the cheers that filled the hall, perform the three prostrations. I have also gone through that ritual once. That day was filled with anticipation, thinking it was the beginning of a lifetime of happiness, as if it were just yesterday. The wedding host shouted loudly:

“I bow to heaven and earth—”

The sound had not yet ended, outside the palace gate suddenly rang out a series of heavy, urgent horse hooves and the cold sound of armor colliding!

"The Queen Mother has orders! Those who do not have a duty to stay away!"

A majestic shout like lightning struck the ears, shattering the entire noisy atmosphere! The guests stirred and took turns avoiding each other. I only saw a team of inner guards wearing mysterious armor, their faces cold, rushing straight inside. The head warden opened a bright yellow scroll, his voice was sharp and cold, echoing throughout the hall:

"Investigation! Head of Luc Phien Mon Tieu Triet, self-indulgent and wasteful, many times covering up the crime of Thien Face Phi Tac Linh Lung; disregarding the law, daring to attempt to marry as a concubine, humiliating the royal family's dignity; and repeatedly disrespecting Princess Chieu Minh, seriously injuring the Princess, the evidence is solid!"

The smile on Tieu Triet's face instantly froze, the blood drained away. Linh Lung was startled and lifted her scarf, her face full of panic. The spy's voice never stopped, each word was like an ice pearl hitting the ground:

"According to the Queen Mother's wishes: immediately arrest Tieu Triet and Linh Lung to be sentenced! Considering that Princess Chieu Minh's complaint has merit, she specifically allows her to separate with Tieu Triet, immediately enter the royal court, and ask the royal physician to diligently diagnose and treat her!"

Accusation... separation... Tieu Triet suddenly raised his head, his face was filled with unbelievable shock and confusion, as if he had heard the most absurd words in the world. Minh Vi? She denounced him? Want to break up with him? No… no way! She loves him so much but...

“No… that's not true… there's a misunderstanding!” He instinctively explained in a hoarse voice and struggled, but was pinned down by the guard.

"Princess! That's right! Where is the princess?! I want to see you!" He seemed to have grasped the last straw, his bloodshot eyes screamed, "Let me see Minh Vi! She won't do that! She can't!"

The head guard commander snorted coldly and waved his hand:

"Find! You must find the princess!"

The chaotic footsteps finally approached this forgotten corner. The tightly closed hospital gate was loudly broken open. Sunlight poured in, illuminating the miserable scene in the room. Tieu Duong was limp next to my body, crying until he almost fainted. As for me, lying there quietly, my face was gray and white, my body had long been cold and stiff, without a trace of vitality left. All the noise, arguments, arguments, in this moment suddenly stopped. Time seemed to freeze. Tieu Triet was escorted and staggered into the room. When his eyes touched the lifeless body on the bed, his whole being seemed to be drained of all its soul wink. The shock, anger, justification on his face... all froze, then little by little crumbled and peeled off, leaving only a bone-deep, inexplicable emptiness. He struggled, step by step crawled to the bed, his dead eyes staring at me, as if he wanted to find evidence from that bloodless face that I was still breathing.

“Minh… Minh Vi?” His voice was as dry as rubbed sandpaper, "You... you lied to me, right? You're just angry... wake up... wake up and scold me..."

He reached out, his shaking fingertips wanting to touch my cheek, but right at the moment he was about to reach, he jerked back, as if burned by that cold temperature.

"The book of peace... the book of peace you gave me..." he muttered, as if he finally remembered something, hastily took out the book of peace that had been crumpled from his chest, his pupils shaking violently, "You... are you serious? You... are you really denouncing me? Just to... leave me?"

The feeling of incomprehensible absurdity and belated fear, like a fierce wave crashing down, finally drowned him. He staggered back a step, frantically shaking his head, his hoarse voice cracking, carrying a late awakening that he himself did not dare to believe:

“No, it can't be… how could she die… how could she… die?”

“I… I never thought… it would turn out like this…”

His words were stuck in his throat, the rest were just meaningless, desperate sounds. The sound of the sona horn stopped at some point, leaving only dead silence, and his breathing gradually collapsed, unable to accept it. In my soul state, I just coldly watched his late demise. It's too late. It's all too late.