Chapter 8 — Once reborn, I will no longer marry the wrong person

The old Emperor looked at him. Suddenly held out his hand. Thin fingers. Gently grabbed his wrist.

"A painting of my mother."

The Emperor's voice was very soft. It's like I just want to talk to him alone.

"Still got it."

The whole main hall. Quiet as a sheet. I stand in the line of women. Seeing the faces of the Queen Mother and the Noble Concubine changed almost at the same time. Especially the Noble Concubine. Carefully manicured hands clasped the handkerchief. To the point where my knuckles turned white. Ly Thua Trach still knelt in place. A mask of sadness on his face. Finally, very small cracks appear. Mother of Ly Thua Quan. The palace maid passed away early. In everyone's words. It's just an extremely trivial existence. A palace maid was favored by the old Emperor after being drunk. Not many years after giving birth to the prince, he fell ill and died. Even a badge. Never before. No one mentioned her. No one remembers her. Ly Thua Quan lived in the palace like an invisible person. Mostly because of his mother. Too small. Too unworthy of mention. The old Emperor spoke again. He still has her painting. An Emperor. Retain the painting of a palace maid. For eighteen years. The meaning behind it. All those present. It's enough to understand how serious it is. Ly Thua Quan was still kneeling beside the dragon bed. His wrist was grabbed by the old Emperor. From start to finish. Didn't move at all. He is not like Ly Thua Trach. No red eyes. Nor did he say touching words. Just kneel there quietly. Quietly looking at the seriously ill elderly person lying on the bed. A long time later. He just spoke softly.

"I know."

The old Emperor's hand slowly dropped. Falling onto the brocade blanket again. He closed his eyes. It seems like just a few sentences. Has used up the last bit of remaining strength.

"Everyone leave."

The old Emperor spoke softly.

"Leaving only Old Thap."

The Queen Mother seemed to want to say something. But the old Emperor just gently waved his hand. The noble lady helped the Queen Mother back out of the palace. The princes also stood up one by one. When Ly Thua Trach passed by my side. His steps stopped for a moment. He didn't look at me. But we can feel it clearly. The breath around him was terrifyingly cold. The moment I stepped out of Can Thanh Palace. I turned my head and looked back once. The main hall door is slowly closing. Through the last door. I still see Ly Thua Quan kneeling beside the dragon bed. The back is straight like a pine tree. The old Emperor tilted his head. Saying something to him in a low voice. The afternoon light slanted through the window. Silhouettes of two people are printed on the gold-plated tile floor. One person lies down. One person kneels. It's like an old painting preserved in that moment by the years. That night. When Ly Thua Quan returned to the palace. It's midnight. I sat and waited for him in the main hall. The candle is more than half burned. When entering the door. His body carried the cold air of the night. Same very faint medicinal smell. See I'm still waiting. He stopped walking slightly. Then go ahead. Sit down opposite me.

"What did His Majesty tell you?"

He was silent for a moment. Then he took out a roll of bright yellow brocade from his sleeve. Place on the table. That is a holy commandment. The handwriting on it is crooked. Obviously written right on the hospital bed. But the jade sister is neatly closed. The content is very short. Only one sentence. Established the 10th Prince Ly Thua Quan as Crown Prince. My fingertips trembled slightly. Not because of excitement. But because in that moment. I suddenly realized. Previous life. Before the old Emperor passed away. Have you also thought about making another prince Crown Prince? Did you also realize Ly Thua Trach's ambition early on? Previous life. Ly Thua Trach had military power in the Tham family palace. There is more power at the court of the Thoi family. Even if the old Emperor really wanted to change people. I no longer have enough strength to support that decision. But this life. I refused to marry Ly Thua Trach. The military power of the Tham family's palace. Do not fall into his hands. After my sister married there. The power of the Thoi family in the court, although outwardly, still sided with the Eighth Prince. But the attitude of uncle Thoi Dien. Always ambiguous. He married his daughter. Just because you can't go against the decree. But the support is for the Eighth Prince. I no longer put all my effort into helping my father like in my previous life. Chess game of Ly Thua Trach. From the moment I refused marriage.