Chapter 7 — Ngoc Om Thanh Hoan

The palace suddenly became quiet, only me and the Queen Mother sat facing each other. The Queen Mother's mind is clear, just met Thanh Hoan today, how could she not see the calculation in my heart. She sighed softly: "Unfortunately, I'm a bit old. In a few years, I will have to discuss marriage. After I marry someone, I won't be able to stay with you for a long time." I slowly shook my head, my voice earnest.
"I adopted Thanh Hoan, just because I was compatible with her. I truly feel sorry for this child. Before, she suffered too much in the general's palace. I only hope that she will be safe and happy in the future."
These words, on the contrary, made the Queen Mother suspicious.
“General Zhao's daughter, how can she suffer?”
I immediately told the queen mother what I had seen and heard in the general's palace these past few days. After hearing this, the Queen Mother sobbed with emotion: "The general's wife is really confused and cannot distinguish between right and wrong. Luckily, Thanh Hoan met you, and it seems like she will be miserable forever." A moment later, she sternly reminded me: "If that's the case, you should still quickly clarify on behalf, to avoid causing more trouble in the future."
9
This matter needs Trieu Truong Hoai's approval. I thought for a moment and personally wrote a letter to send to the border. Since entering the palace that day, Tieu Lam often came to the door to flirt with Thanh Hoan, and every few days he would come to the palace to invite her out to compete. Rumors gradually emerged in the capital, all saying that Trieu Thanh Hoan would one day become the ninth emperor. I just laughed when I heard it. Thanh Hoan's future and marriage are decided by her heart, I will be her supporter, vanity is not worth discussing. Just when the days were calm, the elder sister who hadn't been around for a long time suddenly sent a letter. In the letter, he said that he was seriously ill and told Thanh Hoan that he must return to the palace to visit. I sat quietly thinking for a long time, then finally sighed softly.
"Your mother is sick. In terms of love, you should visit her. I'll go home with you."
But when he arrived at the general's palace, the eldest sister came out to greet him, her face rosy, and she didn't look sick at all. I immediately became suspicious: "In the letter, you said you have a serious illness." The older sister's face stiffened and she forced out a smile: "It's not me who's sick, it's Linh Nguyet who's been sick in bed for many days. All she wanted to do was see Thanh Hoan. I had no choice but to lie that I was seriously ill." I no longer recognized her: "Are you using this to trick us back?" The elder sister lowered her eyes and lowered her voice: "This time, Linh Nguyet is very sick. If she doesn't see Thanh Hoan, she refuses to drink medicine and eat meals. I can't just watch her die." I didn't want to say more, so I immediately pulled Thanh Hoan: "Let's go." Unexpectedly, Trieu Thanh Hoan stopped motionless, his eyes no longer had the cowardly look of the past, only a calm and indifferent expression remained.
“Auntie, I'm going to visit her.”
On the bed in the interior, Trieu Lenh Nguyet had indeed been sick for several days, her body was thin, her face was yellow, and she looked very fragile. She raised her eyes and stared at Thanh Hoan, her voice weak and stubborn.
"Sister, it's rumored outside that in the future you will marry the ninth prince, right?"
Thanh Hoan smiled faintly: "I haven't gotten married yet, what about getting married?" As soon as the words ended, Trieu Lenh Nguyet was already dying, but suddenly he propped himself up and sat up. Her hair was messy, her sick face was pale and no longer had the gentleness and softness of the past, her eyes were full of stubbornness and greed. Lam has been suppressed for a long time. My heart sank a little, seeing her look like that for the first time. But that cruelty instantly receded, she changed to a humble, pleading look, staring at Thanh Hoan.
"Sister, if that day really comes, can you take me with you to the palace? I am willing to serve you and your highness, I only ask that in the future you raise me to the status of concubine, is that okay?"
Thanh Hoan and I looked at each other, our hearts only seeing nonsense. The elder sister still took the opportunity to advise.
"Thanh Hoan, Lenh Nguyet have no one to rely on, come from a lowly background, have high houses and large houses, who in the capital will tolerate them? Only you now have this opportunity, mother asks you to help them, it will be considered fulfilling their half-life wish."
Trieu Thanh Hoan replied seriously.
"You two crazy people! Your Highness the Ninth and I are just ordinary acquaintances, where can we get married? Even if that day really comes, I will absolutely not help Trieu Lenh Nguyet, because..."
Her eyes turned to Trieu Lenh Nguyet, her words were as heavy as throwing them to the ground.
“You are not worthy!”
10
That day ended in unhappiness, my mood could not stabilize for a long time. I immediately picked up my pen and sent another envelope to Trieu Truong Hoai at the border. The elder sister is stubborn and biased, Trieu Lenh Nguyet is greedy and crazy, once Thanh Hoan returns to the general's palace, he will only be dragged down with him. I absolutely cannot let her come back anymore. I waited patiently for two months, finally waiting for a response from the border. Before opening the letter, my heart was so tense, I could barely suppress the panic, afraid he wouldn't let go. But after opening the letter and reading it, my heart that had been hanging for a long time finally completely fell. The words Trieu Truong Hoai wrote in the letter were quiet, each word painful.