Chapter 2 — Rebirth Leaving the Eastern Palace

02On the way back, I did not immediately go to Shen Palace, but instead went to a remote villa in the suburbs. This place is quiet and peaceful, with few human footprints, but it is where the Tham family found Tham Truong Lac in their previous life. When I pushed the door open, there was a slender figure standing there in the yard. With just one look, I was sure she was a true genius. She is very similar to her father, from her facial features to her eyebrows and eyes that are almost completely engraved, carrying the gentle and dignified temperament of the Tham family's bloodline. It's just that many years of wandering around the world have left her with some immaturity and timidity in her eyes. Hearing the noise, Tham Truong Lac turned around, surprise flashed in his eyes. Perhaps she didn't understand why a strange woman with precious clothes like me would come to this remote courtyard alone. I did not show any unnecessary emotions, slowly walked in front of her, ignoring all polite words. The surroundings were so silent that you could hear a pin drop. I bent down slightly and leaned close to her ear. Without waiting for her to react, I raised my hand and gently placed the brocade scented bag I was carrying around in her palm. "If you want, bring this to the Tham residence to find me." Having said that, I turned around and left, without turning around, following the old road back to the Tham residence. I know Tham Truong Lac will definitely come. Her eyes carried greed, just like in her previous life when she stood next to Tieu Lam, looking down at me from above. As soon as he returned to the Tham residence, he pushed open the door and walked in. His mother quickly walked in. Her eyes were filled with worry, her hands continuously caressing my arm: "A Le, are you injured anywhere? Crown Prince... Is your Highness the Crown Prince okay?" I lowered my eyes, hiding all the bitterness that was rolling in the bottom of my eyes, and softly replied: "I'm fine, there's nothing to worry about, Your Highness." I am too familiar with this gentleness of my mother. From childhood to adulthood, she pampered me and took care of everything. Everyone says I am the most favored daughter of the Tham family. But only we know that that goodness never really belonged to us. The person she loved, the person she missed, the person she longed to return every day, was always Tham Truong Lac who was wandering outside. I am nothing but a substitute. But I also understand that if it weren't for her, I probably wouldn't be alive today. I always remember this part of gratitude. Thinking of this, my throat suddenly tightened. I raised my head to look at her. The voice was very light: "Mother, I came back today to say goodbye to you." She looked at me stunned, as if she didn't have time to understand the meaning of the words, the whole person stood frozen in place. At that moment, light footsteps were heard outside the palace door. Tham Truong Lac stood there, wearing a soft and elegant dress, his appearance was gentle, weak, and quiet like a small white flower moving in the wind. I couldn't help but curl my lips slightly. Come quickly. I looked at my mother and calmly said: "Mother, she is your biological daughter." The atmosphere was completely quiet. Immediately afterwards, the mother's eyes turned red. Tears rolled down without warning. She staggered forward, grabbed Tham Truong Lac's hand, her fingertips trembling constantly. Tham Truong Lac's eyes immediately turned red, he threw himself into his mother's arms and choked, his voice soft and full of self-pity: "Mother, I miss everyone so much... These past years I have suffered so much outside, every day I look forward to going home, hoping to see everyone just once..." The two blood relatives reunited, hugging each other and crying. I'm the only one standing next to you, like a superfluous outsider. Looking at them, I don't understand why my heart is both bitter and heavy. Perhaps ten years of nurturing still created some genuine bonds after all. Even though I understood everything early on

Even if it's just the flowers in the mirror and the moon under the water, my heart still aches for a long time. Mother wiped her tears and turned to look at me: "A Le, you have been by my side for so many years, I have long considered you as my own daughter." "Don't go. The Tham family will always be your home." Before I could speak, Tham Truong Lac, who was nestled in mother's arms, raised his head to look at me. Those eyes were still gentle and innocent, but deep in the depths of their eyes, a trace of hostility quickly flashed, which momentarily turned into an obedient smile. "Sister, these past years have been fortunate to have had you by my parents' side." "If it weren't for you, I probably wouldn't have been able to find a loved one in my entire life. I'm really grateful to you. Please stay." Those words were so beautiful. Whether advancing or retreating, she takes all the good parts, and all the bad things are my responsibility. I shook my head and refused: "No need." "Thank the Tham family for many years of care and love. Now Miss Tham has returned, I won't stay anymore." The favor has been returned, I have no reason to stay. Mother still wanted to advise, so I leaned slightly and interrupted her. Pausing for a moment, I suppressed all the bitterness in my throat and added: "As for the marriage with the Eastern palace, please tell mother to inform the Queen." "I will not marry again."