Chapter 3 — Snow Covered Jade Boi

3

The deserted temple outside the city was empty, wind blowing in all directions. The statue of the god has collapsed in half, leaving only his benevolent but cold eyes, watching the suffering of humanity. I crouched in the straw under the altar, tightly wrapped in the thin single shirt on my body. The light of the jade pendant on the waist gradually grew fainter, like a dry oil lamp about to go out. The young man Pho Trinh's voice gradually broke:

“Ha Ha... I feel... I'm about to disappear.”

“I want to… meet you once… just once…”

I hugged the jade pendant tightly, tears falling without a sound. All over the streets and alleys, it was rumored that, in order to praise the glorious victory of the Deputy General, he specially held a "Hundred Flowers" banquet. In the name of being rewarded with flowers, in reality it was Pho Trinh's inauguration party. A gold-pressed invitation card was brought to the abandoned temple. The person carrying the card was a maid close to Nhuy Nhi. With an arrogant look, he conveniently threw the card on the dusty ground.

“My wife said that at the banquet, the general will publicly announce that she will become his main wife.”

"On such a great day, how could you be absent? That's why we specially allowed you to attend the ceremony."

The maid covered her nose and left, leaving the entire temple filled with humiliation. I picked up the card, my fingertips gently brushing away the dust on the paper. Didn't want to go. Watching that kind of show just makes your eyes dirty. But then I suddenly remembered that the separation letter my mother left behind before her death was still kept in a secret compartment in Pho Trinh's study. In the past, my mother was afraid that I would be resentful, so she forced Pho Trinh to write this letter. If he betrays me, I can just rely on that letter to separate and leave with my dowry. After that, I got seriously ill and gradually forgot about this matter. If you want complete freedom, that book of wind and harmony must be taken back. When the young man in the jade pendant heard the maid's words, his hatred surged:

"Let me out! Ha Ha, please break the jade pendant! I want to go out and kill that beast!"

"How dare he! How dare he humiliate her like that!"

I quietly reassured him:

“Don't be impatient, this is the last time.”

The day of opening the bird's nest. I wore a light white cloth shirt, with only a dry wood branch in my hair. In the middle of the hall with brilliant pearls and splendid brocade, it becomes even more difficult to blend in. As soon as I appeared, the originally noisy banquet suddenly became quiet. Countless eyes turned towards me — some mocking, some pitying, and most of all, eyes watching the show full of interest. Pho Trinh Cao sat on the main throne, wearing a purple and gold python robe, with great prestige. In my heart, I held Nhuy Nhi, as beautiful as a flower, leisurely receiving praise and worship. Seeing me, his face immediately darkened. Nhi Nhi laughed until the flower branches trembled, lifted the wine cup, and gracefully walked in front of me.

"Are you here yet? Quickly sit down."

She deliberately brought the cup of wine in front of me, her voice so sweet it was sickening:

“In the future, I will be the main wife, and I will have to ask my sister to take care of the child in my womb even more.”

"You're generous, you won't refuse this cup of wine, right?"

Pho Trinh stood coldly, looking at the corner of his lips with a sarcastic smile. He's waiting. Waiting for me to go crazy with jealousy, waiting for me to lose my temper and cause chaos, so that he would have an excuse to humiliate me in front of everyone, cutting off my way out. I received the cup of wine. Alcohol clear, reflecting my pale, bloodless face. Then my wrist suddenly turned over. The wine in the cup immediately fell to the ground. I raised my head, looked straight at Pho Trinh on the high platform, my voice echoed throughout the banquet:

“This cup of wine is used to sacrifice the dead husband.”

4

As soon as the four words "sacrifice to the dead husband" were uttered, the whole hall immediately stirred. The previous whispers suddenly died down, countless glances passed between me and Pho Trinh. The general is clearly alive and sitting there, but this woman dares to publicly curse? Pho Trinh's face instantly turned black as the bottom of a pot. He slammed his hand on the table and stood up.

"You cursed woman! Who did you curse to death?!"

He strode down, each step carrying sky-high rage. I calmly faced Pho Trinh's eyes, my spine straight, not dodging at all.

“My husband, ten years ago, died.”

“Died in the heavy snow of winter that year.”

"That person sitting there is nothing more than a disloyal servant who is greedy for glory and wealth."

"You are not worthy to be my husband."

Nhuy Nhi took the opportunity to step in, clutching her chest and falling into Pho Trinh's arms, crying until she was full of tears.

“General, that sister is crazy!”

“She is cursing you… how cruel is her mind!”

While crying, she tried to rush forward and hit me. Pho Trinh protected Nhuy Nhi, conveniently grabbed the jar of wine on the table, and threw it aggressively at me.

“Shut up! The thing is encroached by water!”

I don't dodge.

“Bang” a deep sound rang out.

The jar of wine hit my forehead hard, and intense pain immediately spread.