Chapter 3 — On the night of the wedding, he said we were just husband and wife in name, I quietly wrote a letter of separation

Thirty acres of rice fields in the west of the city, the yearly rent is forty-two taels of silver, not much, not less. Among the jewelry were two pairs of jade and goat fat bracelets, and there was also a pure gold emerald necklace that could be sold at a good price if pawned. That same afternoon, I sent Uncle Han, the manager, to follow the dowry and go outside the city to see the land. It's not about looking at those thirty models... It's about buying more.

“Buy a strawberry field.”

I gave him a stack of checks.

“Use your name, don't let anyone notice.”

Uncle Han was my mother's servant when she got married. He has been by her side for more than twenty years, always working reliably and reliably. He didn't ask why, just quietly replied:

“Young lady, rest assured.”

He called me big lady, not young lady. This is a person from my mother's family. On the third day of the dowry, Chu Hoai Can followed the rules and returned to his mother's house with me. On the carriage he sat opposite me, not saying a word the whole way. It wasn't until he was almost at the end of our alley that he opened his mouth:

“If your father asks about the matter in the palace…”

"You and I respect each other as guests, and there is harmony and peace in the palace."

I'll finish the next sentence for him. He was silent again. My father was indeed asking the truth. During the party, he continuously poured wine for Chu Hoai Can, his face full of joy, asking whether the Chu family member understood what was going on and whether he took good care of him or not. Mother quietly pulled me into the room and asked in a low voice:

“Does he treat you well?”

Mother stared at my eyes for a long time, and her eyes suddenly turned red.

"Uncle Uan, I've been like that since I was little. When I'm upset, I still refuse to say anything."

I held her hand.

“Nguyen, I really live very well.”

By the time we returned to Chu Palace, it was time to turn on the lights. Chu Hoai Can sent me to the front door of the main courtyard. I walked over the threshold and turned to look at him.

"No need to force yourself tonight, go back to your heavenly garden."

His lips moved slightly, as if he wanted to say something. But we don't wait. I immediately closed the door. The moment the door latch fell, I heard his footsteps turn and leave. Thu Hoa brought hot water for me to wash my face and muttered in a low voice:

"Young lady, today the second room sent someone to tell Concubine Lieu that she just got a guitar, which was given to her by the young master."

“I know.”

I sat under the lamplight, opened the land deed that Uncle Han had just brought during the day, and looked at it. Thirty acres of mulberry fields on the outskirts of the city cost a total of two hundred and twenty taels of silver. The price is very fair, the land is also fertile, next spring you can plant mulberries and raise silkworms. I locked the land contract in the jewelry box and placed it on top of the peace letter. That night, the sound of the bell ringing seemed especially long. Three years passed very quickly. The first year in December, Lieu Nhu Hue held a birthday party, Chu Hoai Can held a wine party in the heavenly courtyard, and also invited women from all rooms in the palace to attend. Just ignore the main court. Thu Hoa is upset on my behalf.

"After all, you are the mother and father, but you didn't even give an invitation."

I was looking at the fabric sample book brought to me by the embroidery department, but I didn't even lift my head.

“No need to prepare gifts.”

In the spring of her second year, the mother contracted wind and cold. I stayed by the bed waiting for medicine for seven days straight. Trieu ma ma is also on duty day and night, the two of us take turns taking care of it. Lieu Nhu Hue came to visit twice, But each time, it wasn't time to finish a cup of tea before leaving. After recovering, my mother pulled my hand and said:

“You are a kind person.”

I just smiled and didn't answer. During these three years, Uncle Han managed the mulberry fields extremely well. The silkworm rearing room is built in three compartments. The hired silkworm farmers are all people with many years of experience. The silk produced is both smooth and even. The first year paid off, and the second year started to make a profit. Right next to the strawberry field is an embroidery guild. Dong's family is Tran, a young widow who is both intelligent and resourceful. She saw my silk number and sent someone to negotiate, wanting to place a long-term order. I told Uncle Han to make an appointment with her. That day, I disguised myself as an ordinary merchant's woman and sat in the elegant tea room waiting for half a stick of incense.