Chapter 4 — On the day of the big wedding, the main concubine was changed, I still refused to kneel down

The old emperor stood up, so angry that his whole body was shaking non-stop.

"Today's great ceremony, stop here! The Crown Prince immediately returns to the East Palace to reflect! Without my instructions, you are absolutely not allowed to leave the palace even half a step!"

"Dear Khanh, take Cam Dao back to the palace, the wedding... put it aside for now, we'll discuss it later."

“Tide!”

The eunuch's high-pitched voice rang out in the main hall, shrill and long. But no one moved. No one walked. Everyone is still immersed in the saying "losing our Co family is losing the Northern Border" just now, its echoes still echo in everyone's hearts, unable to go away. I look at my father. Look at the man who supported the entire sky for me. Suddenly realizing, from the moment he took off his official uniform, he was prepared for the worst possible outcome. Or the royal family will give a satisfactory explanation. Or the Gu family and the royal family will be completely cut off from now on, with no way back.

“Dao Nhi, let's go.”

Father walked up to me and reached out to hold my hand. That hand was very warm, very steady, as if it had always been the same from childhood to adulthood, never changing. I turned my head and looked at So Lam Uyen one last time. He is also looking at me. His eyes were complicated, filled with anger, unwillingness, a glimpse of regret, and something that I couldn't see through. But all of that is no longer important at this moment. From today, I, Co Cam Dao, am no longer the little girl who only has the Crown Prince in my heart. When stepping out of Thua Thien Palace, the sunlight shines down just right. The March wind swept across my cheeks, bringing with it a slight coldness. I softly called out.

“The daughter is not filial, causing you to suffer humiliation.”

“Idiot.”

Father gently patted my hand, his voice was hoarse, carrying a tiredness that was hard to hide.

“It's the father who doesn't protect his child well.”

“But Dao, you must remember what I said today.”

He stopped walking, turned his head to look at me, his eyes were steady and serious.

"My Co family's daughter, I would rather die standing than kneel and live."

"Today's humiliation will definitely be repaid a hundredfold another day."

I nodded vigorously. Something seemed to break through the ground and emerge from within, spreading throughout all four limbs. Is that hatred? That is something colder than hatred. It is a kind of determination, silent but steadfast. When returning to the general's palace, the sky was almost sunset. Mother was already waiting in front of the door. As soon as she saw us getting out of the car, tears fell.

“My child…”

She hugged me, crying so much that she couldn't speak. I patted her back, softly comforting her.

“Mother, I'm okay.”

“How can it be okay!”

The mother raised her head, her eyes were red and swollen.

"The whole capital knows! The Crown Prince has made me a concubine in front of his courtiers! Those who usually fawn over our palace are now standing by and watching the joke!"

“Just let them look.”

Father said coldly.

"My Co Kinh Thuong's daughter, even if she doesn't marry the Crown Prince, it's still not their turn to laugh at me!"

“Order down!”

He turned around and instructed the butler.

"From today, the general's palace is closed and refuses guests. No matter who comes, they will not receive it!"

The butler bowed and retreated. I know, this is father showing attitude. Gu, we will absolutely not let this matter end like that. At dinner, the atmosphere in the palace was heavy and scary. His younger brother Co Cam Than, who just turned fifteen this year, was so angry that he slammed his chopsticks on the table.

"Father! Sister! I can't swallow this anger! The Crown Prince is too disrespectful!"

“So what do you want?”

His father raised his eyes to look at him.

Cam Than was speechless.

“Sit down to eat.”

Father said leisurely.

"A gentleman takes revenge, ten years is not too late. Right now what you need to do is concentrate on practicing martial arts and reading books diligently. One day, when your sister needs you, you can stand up."

Cam Than was stunned, then nodded vigorously.

“Dad, I understand.”

After dinner, I returned to my institute. The maid, Bich Nhi, had red eyes and brought me a bowl of hot soup.

“Miss, please drink some, you haven't eaten all day.”

“Put it down.”

I sat in front of the window, watching the sky outside gradually darken. Extreme chaos in my head. Sometimes it's So Lam Uyen's cold face. Sometimes it's Lieu Nhu Yen's proud smile. Sometimes it's his father's gray hair when he takes off his official uniform.

“Miss…”

Bich Nhi suddenly lowered her voice.

"The National Master's Palace has someone coming, waiting at the back door."

I was stunned. Ta Truong An? Why did he send people to find me? A moment later, a private person wearing a gray shirt was led in. He gave me an envelope, without saying a word, and after bowing, he left. I opened the envelope. Inside was only a piece of paper, with eight words written on it.

"Southern courtyard secret passage, now Ty comes to see you."

The handwriting is skinny, the pen is sharp.

“Bich Nhi.”

“Go find me a set of men's clothes.”

I changed into a man and left from the back door of the general's palace. The National Master's Palace is in the south of the citadel, not far from the General's Palace. According to the letter, I turned around the low southern wall of the National Master's Palace and sure enough saw a small, half-closed door.