Chapter 2 — Ngoc Om Thanh Hoan

Not long after, there came Trieu Lenh Nguyet's low-voiced reprimand, both warm and angry.
"Mother, you taught me to please my aunt more, saying that she is very appreciated by the Queen Mother, and can help me find a good marriage in the future. But I tried to please her in a hundred ways, but my aunt has always been distant from me, not accepting me even a little bit."
The elder sister sighed softly, her voice full of pity and helplessness.
"Your background is not as good as Thanh Hoan. She is a young lady from the general's palace. The aristocrats in the capital let her choose. Only you do not have a family background to support, this life's matter is what I worry about the most."
Having finished speaking, the elder sister sighed softly.
"Your father is far away from the border. If this time I can earn a few more military achievements, I will use his achievements and reputation to find a decent marriage for you."
Trieu Lenh Nguyet's voice was slightly choked, full of obedient emotions.
“Mother treats me very well.”
I hide behind flowers and grass, but when I hear it, I feel extremely absurd. In this world, there really are mothers who do not love their biological children.
4
Trieu Thanh Hoan wholeheartedly looked forward to today's outing. He changed into a brand new outfit and the pearls in his hair were also meticulously coordinated.
“Di mother!”
Her eyes were bright, she quickly ran towards me, carrying the vivacious vitality typical of young girls. I took the opportunity to hold her little hand and softly complimented: "You're dressed like this today, you're especially beautiful." Thanh Hoan's cheeks were slightly red, and he whispered: "No one has ever praised me like that before." My heart was amazed that such a flexible little girl like this had never heard even a single compliment.
"You have a competitive personality, and the other ladies laugh at you for being like a man. In my mother's eyes, there is only Linh Nguyet, who always says that women must be like her, quiet and obedient, knowing how to read and understand manners."
But the Trieu Thanh Hoan in front of him has brilliant features and a generous temperament, with a radiance that others cannot match.
"There is no need to listen to outsiders' nonsense, they are all blind eyes and dark minds, considering fish eyes as pearls."
When I left the general's palace, my conversation became less reserved and more straightforward. The little girl didn't speak, and didn't know if she understood or not. I took Trieu Thanh Hoan to Tuy Ngoc Hien, this is the usual place I often go to listen to music. The little girl in the street recognized me at a glance, quickly stepped forward and bowed to greet me.
“District master, the elegant room by the window on the second floor has been prepared for you.”
I waved my hand: "If you don't listen to the song today, take us to the back yard, I'll take my lady to play card throwing." Trieu Thanh Hoan's first time coming to such an elegant restaurant, he couldn't help but look left and right everywhere, extremely curious. Before they even got close to the backyard, the noise of laughter and the sound of throwing objects and placing bets came flying ahead. I raised my eyes and saw a group of noble princes gathered around the table to bet on rewards and throw cards. There was a figure in the crowd that looked particularly familiar. I quickly walked forward, curled my finger and tapped him on the back.
“Your Highness Ninth, are you here too?”
He was suddenly knocked, turned his head and saw it was me, his face immediately panicked, and he quickly lowered his voice to beg.
“District master, I secretly sneaked out to solve the problem Please, absolutely do not tell the Queen Mother!”
That year, after I was appointed district lord, the Queen Mother especially graciously allowed me to enter and leave the forbidden palace at will, and chatted with her to relieve her sadness. After going back and forth many times, I also got to know a few princes in the palace. This Ninth Highness is the son of a noble concubine, the same age as Trieu Thanh Hoan. Thanh Hoan next to him listened curiously, raised his eyes and quietly assessed him. I smiled and opened my mouth to make peace: "Just right, you take my little girl to play throwing cards, avoid me trying to beat you, and say that I use big to bully little girls." The two exchanged names and walked to the designated line.
“You just stay behind this line.” Tieu Lam raised his hand and pointed to the ground, simply instructing: "Don't cross the line, just take the feather arrow and throw it into the bronze jar far away."
The noble young man accompanying him teased and laughed.
"Is your Highness being too careless? With such a simple teaching method, are you afraid of losing to the little lady and embarrassing the royal family?"
Tieu Lam's face turned red and quickly argued: "Don't talk nonsense, I just have never taught others, I have no experience." I smiled softly and shook my head, stepping up to replace Tieu Lam, standing next to Thanh Hoan.
“Still let me teach you.”
From the moment I stood next to her, I could clearly feel her tense spine quietly relaxing. She tilted her head and asked me in a low voice: "Do card throwing and archery have anything in common?"
“I can't tell the difference.” I honestly replied: "I only know how to throw cards, archery is my strength."
Having finished speaking, I patiently and meticulously taught Trieu Thanh Hoan about standing posture, force usage and the secret to hitting. After listening quietly, Thanh Hoan nodded thoughtfully: "It doesn't seem difficult." Tieu Lam next to him immediately snorted in disapproval.
“It's all bragging.”