Chapter 16 — Pregnant Exterior Forced to Confess, Queen Mother Only Says Two Words: Husband

I just smiled slightly and didn't answer.

“If you have anything you want, just tell the king.”

"As long as you can give it, you absolutely won't regret it."

Huynh thinks that we are being spoiled and asking for credit. Only we know, that's not the case. I'm just... tired. Tired of fighting, scheming, and lying to each other.

"Royal brother, I want to... go to the royal mausoleum to stay for a while."

I told you. Huynh was stunned.

"Going to the royal mausoleum? What are you doing there?"

“That place… is quiet.”

I replied softly, my voice low.

“I want… to go to the royal mausoleum and keep company with my father and mother.”

Mother, after hearing the news of An Vuong's plot, her mind was shaken, melancholy accumulated, and her old illness relapsed. But he did not leave the earthly world... but asked himself to move to the royal mausoleum, spending every day with the emperor's spirit. He said, having lived in a palace with golden walls all his life, seeing all the fighting for power and profit, his heart had long since cooled down. I just want my last years to be in a quiet place, in the company of the person I love the most. Before leaving the palace, he held my hand. Her eyes no longer had the majesty of a mother, only the fatigue of a wife who had gone through all the hardships remained.

“Chieu Duong…”

"You must replace me... to assist your royal brother and maintain the Ly family's country."

I bowed my head and accepted. It's just that now... I suddenly feel that the path that you entrusted me with - I have come to the end. The royal brother looked at me for a long time, and in the end he just sighed softly.

"That's OK."

“I'm going to rest for a while... that's good.”

“Wait until you want to come back, you can always come back.”

I nodded. Just like that, I left the capital - a place filled with glory, also filled with hurt... I had just passed through the royal mausoleum gate... and immediately saw someone. The person standing in front of the emperor's spiritual throne was dressed in simple clothes, his hair was already a little gray, his back was still straight but tinged with a bit of loneliness. The wind blows through the pine forest, moves the corners of people's clothes, and also moves our hearts. Just that one moment... all the storms of life and death seemed to gather in my chest, choking into an incomplete call. My voice trembled slightly. The person turned his head. Eyes met. In that moment, I was no longer the eldest princess who once stood in the middle of life and death... But just a daughter, finally returning to her mother's side. The person walked quickly towards us. I couldn't hold back anymore, I stepped forward and knelt down. But before he could touch the ground, someone pulled him into his arms.

“Chieu Duong…”

The voice was choked. I hugged myself tightly, tears falling without time to wipe them away. So much resentment, so much loneliness, so much resilience... at this moment, it all shattered.

“Mother… I have returned to you…”

I said, my voice cracking. He didn't answer, just gently stroked my hair, one by one, like in the past, coaxing me to sleep. After a long time, I slowly raised my head to look at him. In my heart, an emotion welled up.

"That day... people said the words 'bereaved husband'..."

“You saved my life.”

If it weren't for that sentence...in the middle of the undercurrent in the government, amidst so many interwoven plans...we would have been pushed into the abyss, with no way to live. I bowed my head, my voice trembling slightly:

“I… always wanted to say…”

“Thank you.”

The mother looked at me, her eyes were deep and gentle. The person raised his hand and lifted my face, shaking his head slightly.

“You are my flesh and blood me.”

“I protect you… it's only natural.”

A sentence as light as the wind... makes my heart tremble violently. Tears welled up again. Outside, the wind blew through the pine forest, the leaves rustled. In that quiet royal mausoleum... I finally found a place to let it all go. After that day, I moved to an elegant small courtyard next to the royal mausoleum. This place is far from the world, there are only green mountains and blue water, birds singing and flowers blooming. Every day, I copy scriptures, draw pictures, play the guitar, read books... and can be with my mother, watching the morning dew, seeing off the sunset, and chatting quietly under the canopy of old pine trees. There is no more government, no more scheming...just mother and daughter, relying on each other, passing each day peacefully. The days passed, calmly but fully. I used to think...the rest of my life would be like that, passing quietly in this peace. Until one day — someone broke that peace. It's Trung Dung Marquis. He handed over military power and became a leisurely marquis. He came to visit me, bringing the latest news from the capital. He said, the royal brother is about to select a star. Because in the court, the courtiers continuously submitted petitions, advising His Majesty to expand the harem, extend the bloodline, to stabilize the country. The royal brother could not disobey the officials' wishes, so in the end he had to agree. I listened quietly, without a wave in my heart. That is the path that the king must take.

“Return to the princess,” Trung Dung Hau looked at me, wanting to say it again.

“If you have anything to say, Marquis just say it.”

"Your Majesty... sent me here to ask the princess a question."

"You ask... are you still willing... to return?"

I was momentarily stunned.