Chapter 1 — Phong Hau Chi Tomb

I was rescued by Thieu Son from a chaotic cemetery. As soon as he met me, he was moved. He begged his father to allow him to bring me back to Giang Nam to get married. On the way to visit my father, he told me.

“My father-in-law is domineering, making it difficult to live together.

That person, in order to maintain power, can even bring his wife into the palace. Waiting until the rebellion was successful, he was told that his wife had long died in the cold palace, and the grass on the grave was taller than his head. My father-in-law could not shed a single tear, but instead he knelt in front of the grave, dug up the body, and performed the ceremony to crown Queen." The more Thieu Son spoke, the more he shook his head. And the more I listen, the more I shudder. I forced a smile and asked:

"Dare to ask, what is the noble name of a parent?"

1

Thie Son was stunned, as if he didn't expect me to dare to ask such a direct question. He suddenly smiled sympathetically, "I've been recovering from injuries in the mountains for a long time. I didn't know that things going down the mountain were normal." He said that in recent years, the country has changed hands, and his father is the second family of the Thieu family in Long Tay in the past - now the new emperor. Thieu Son leaned closer, softly whispered in my ear:

“The person who bears the title Dao Tich.”

Thio Dao Tich. The horse-drawn carriage rolled into the palace gate, the willows were hanging down. My face was pale, clutching the gilded tassel hanging on the car window. Thieu Son thought I was frightened by my reputation as a virtuous father, so he squeezed my cold hand and smiled coaxingly:

"Why are you so scared? It's my fault, I shouldn't have told you those things. Don't worry, my father has many adopted children, I'm the one he doesn't care about the most. This time he entered the palace, at most he only came to greet the Queen Mother."

Hearing that, I forced a smile, silently blaming myself for being weak. Just hearing that person's name made me panic and restless. I leaned against the car wall and gently patted my cheek. No future. Kim Tu Nhi in the past in the cold palace had long since died, her flesh must have rotted away. Currently, I am A Oanh, a poor girl left behind in a cemetery, my appearance has not a single thing in common with my old self. Even if my biological mother came, I wouldn't recognize her. The urgent thing right now is to quickly enter the palace, quickly change your identity, return to Giang Nam to find your brother - it is said that he has become the bandit leader - and escape. At that time, no matter whose son Thieu Son is, the emperor is far away, no one will be able to trace me. It's just... I secretly glanced at Thieu Son next to me - who was clumsily peeling a pomegranate to comfort me - with a feeling of guilt in my heart. After all, Thieu Dao Tich once owed me a debt of gratitude, so... if I deceived his adopted son a little, it probably wouldn't be too bad.

2

The queen mother certainly did not recognize me. He still maintains the same gentle and sad appearance as before, gently holding a rosary in his hand, and his sleeves are scented with elegant incense.

"We're family, no need to be polite. Stand up, let me look at you for a moment."

I slowly stood up, and she gently pulled me back, leaning over to observe carefully. After all, they were old acquaintances. My back was slightly covered in cold sweat. After a while, she smiled and let go of my hand.

"She's a good girl. No wonder Son Nhi is naturally indifferent. For the past two years, she's been talking about it endlessly."

I was afraid that more words would be revealed, so I pretended to be embarrassed, bowed my head, pursed my lips, and retreated to stand behind Thieu Son. Thieu Son looked at me with affectionate eyes and bowed to the Queen Mother:

"A Oanh's face is thin, please don't blame her."

The Queen Mother smiled softly, "Understanding the love of the person in your heart... is very good." Then let out a sigh.

"That's really similar to your father-in-law from before."

All were stunned. I raised my head and saw a hint of melancholy between her eyebrows for unknown reasons, only to discover that her sideburns, which were originally jet black, were now streaked with silver. The incense smoke from the Bac Son furnace lingered around, the Queen Mother seemed to be immersed in memories, unconsciously whispering:

"You don't know... when he loves someone, he truly loves someone more deeply than anyone else. He puts on shoes and combs his hair, all of which he does personally. Even though he is guarding the border, he rides back on horseback, just to celebrate a birthday night with his wife. "At that time, I felt... he was like a human being..."

No one dared to speak up. In the silence, I clenched my fingers hidden in my sleeves, forced myself to calm down, and bowed my head silently. At that moment, a eunuch bowed and walked in, respectfully saying:

“His Majesty returned from the Imperial Palace, held a banquet in the palace, and said he wanted to personally give the wedding.”

What? Isn't it said that Thieu Son is not respected? I looked back at Thieu Son. He clearly showed both surprise and joy.

3

At the banquet in the palace, I realized that Thieu Son's words were not an exaggeration. Under Thieu Dao Tich's command, he really raised many adopted children. Except for the four people present today, they also had four sons in the four border areas. Adding him together, there are just nine. He leaned into my ear and whispered to me:

“My father's harem was empty, and he had no intention of choosing a beautiful woman to give birth to a prince.”

That's why the other eight righteous brothers all secretly formed a gang to compete for the position of the Eastern Palace in the dark. Only Thieu Son had a calm personality, and all his life only wanted peace in the country, and he was a leisurely prince, so he was looked down upon by his brothers. A lavish banquet was held specifically for him - something that had never happened before. I discreetly glanced around and discovered that the adopted sons here were of similar age, and I'm afraid they were all Thieu Dao Tich's old confidants when he was fighting in the military camp. Each person has an oppressive aura, no different from his copy. Among them, there is one person who makes me suspicious as if I have met him before. The other person also seemed to sense something, a few seats away, staring at me with expressionless eyes. The candlelight glowed, casting a fierce scar on his eyebrow. I was startled and quickly averted my eyes. That year, Thieu Dao Tich took me into the palace as a hostage. Tieu Luc went crazy with fear, hugged the gilded reins tightly and refused to let go. Thieu Dao Tich used a horsewhip to break his skin and tear his flesh and refused to let go. His bloody eyes of hatred, I still haven't forgotten. He held tightly to the car door frame and said to me: "Master, don't be afraid. One day I will definitely kill the dog emperor and him, then bring you home.” Then... It's gone.