Chapter 1 — Ten Years in the Backyard

In the Wen Thua Diep palace, there is a rule that concubines are forced to keep their peace and quiet. Anyone who dares to be disrespectful in front of Mrs. Hou will quietly disappear the next day without a sound. However, those women still walked in one by one. Just because Mrs. Hau's surname is Tham, she is weak and easy to bully. After giving birth, I was forced to give the child to the old man to raise and only see him once a month. Without my mother's family as support, without a close confidant, I locked myself in the backyard all year round, scenting incense, arranging flowers, and living quietly through the days. Until Wen Thua Diep's new exterior walked up smiling and gently boasted:

“Last night, Marquis forced me to kneel all night, my knees are still swollen and painful... Tell me, sister, have you been too cruel?”

I put down the scissors, smiled and pushed her into the dungeon.

"You're tired, you should rest well. The next two days, you don't need to see anyone anymore."

1

The prison door closed behind him.

"Sister! Sister Tham! I was wrong! Let me out..."

Lieu Concubine's voice echoed in the dungeon. I don't look back. Page Nguyet Hoa Cac The crying in the dungeon gradually became weaker, turning into intermittent sobs.

“Madam.”

A Nhuan, my maid, appeared without a sound.

"What is the reaction of the Marquis over there?" I pulled out a handkerchief from my sleeve and gently wiped my hands.

“Madam, the news came from the front yard. The maid next to Aunt Lieu has gone to report, saying that Aunt Lieu suddenly became seriously ill.

The Marquis only asked one question: have you invited the doctor? After knowing that you have invited him, he did not say anything more. Included in the forecast.

“Go and tell the Marquis, saying that Concubine Lieu suddenly got sick, afraid of infection, and needs to rest for three days without wind.

During this time, I will personally take care of food and medicine, without worrying about Marquis." A Nhuan raised his head and glanced at me: "What if Marquis asks the cause of the illness?"

"Then say... spring's yang energy is rising, my aunt's liver fire is too strong, her heart is congested, she needs to clear her mind and rest."

The fire is prosperous and condensed in the mind. The reason is really good. In this Marquis's palace, who wouldn't be angry? A Nhuan was ordered to retreat, I stood still in place. It's been ten years. I have lived in this Ninh Vien Marquis palace for ten years. My son, Wen Jing. Six years old, living in an old house in the west of the city, he only gets to come back to the palace to see me once every first day of the month. That's what On Thua Diep decided the year I was seven months pregnant. At that time, I was lying in bed, the baby in my belly moved restlessly. The snow outside was falling heavily. He sat next to my bed and said:

"When a child is born, he must be brought back to the old man to educate him. Every first day, let her see her once."

“Why?”

“The son of the Marquis's family cannot be raised by a woman.”

“I am his mother!”

"That's why I let her see her once a month. Tham Thanh Tu, this is for her good."

Because I am good. Yesterday was the first day. When Canh Nhi was led in by the nanny, his little face was pale and he obediently knelt down to worship:

“The baby visits his mother.”

I helped my child up. As soon as my hand touched the little arm, he immediately withdrew. I sent all the servants away, took off your coat, a purple patch appeared, the old stains had not yet dissolved, but new ones appeared.

“Who hit me?”

Canh Nhi bowed his head: "The baby read the wrong book... the nanny beat him."

“Which nanny?”

It He didn't speak anymore, just buried his face in my arms, his thin body trembling slightly:

“Mother, cinnamon flowers... are so fragrant.”

That's the flower on the cinnamon tree in my hospital. Last fall, when I blurted out that I liked it, it immediately remembered it, silently dried it, and kept it for half a year. I hugged you without shedding a single tear. Can't cry. If you cry, eyes hidden in the darkness will see and report to those who need to be reported, and next time, you will be punished more severely. Seeing you off, I knelt down to adjust your collar:

“Canh Nhi, try to endure a little longer.”

He looked at me, a six-year-old child, his eyes full of sadness:

“Mother, you are also being patient, right?”

I didn't answer, just gently kissed your forehead. A Nhuan returned:

“The Marquis agreed. He said that if she was willing to take care of him, it would be up to her to decide.

There is a banquet in the palace in a few days, and you need to attend." Yen palace, Wen Chengye wants to take me away? For the past ten years, except for important ancestral worship occasions, he has never let me appear in front of outsiders. Ladies and gentlemen in the capital were secretly gossiping, saying that Lady Ninh Vien Hau could not get on the table, and that the Marquis lost face.Page Nguyet Hoa Cac

"There's one more thing. The pawnshop shopkeeper in Tay Nhai sent a message, saying that Giang Nam... had a clue."

“Make it clear.”

A Nhuan took out a piece of paper from his lap: 「Old case files are stored in the secret room of the Ministry of Justice. The caretaker, surnamed Trieu, likes alcohol. Every fifteen months he gets drunk at Tay Phong tower.」 Old case in Jiangnan. Seventeen people in the Tham family became criminals overnight ten years ago. His father died in prison, his mother died in exile, and his brother's whereabouts are unknown. Only I, thanks to marrying into the Marquis palace, was lucky enough to keep my life. When the Tham family was in trouble for less than three days, Wen Thua Diep forced me to sign a contract: If I was abandoned, I couldn't take a penny with me, and I would never see you again.

"If you sign, you'll still be Mrs. Hau. If you don't sign, you can immediately go away, bearing the name of the Tham family's criminal, let's see who in this capital can harbor her."

I sign. A Nhuan's hand was placed on the back of my hand, cold:

“Madam, do you want to take action?”

Ten years ago. I learned how to arrange flowers, learn how to make incense, learn everything that a housewife should learn. I smiled at each concubine, listening to them boast about Marquis's favor, as obedient as a porcelain doll without emotions.

“No hurry, the banquet is an opportunity.”

I have to go. I must stand next to Wen Thua Diep, so that everyone can see, Mrs. Ninh Vien Marquis, surnamed Tham - is still alive.

“Madam, the person in the dungeon…”

“Give her a blanket.

The spring night is still cold, it's not good if you get sick.

2

Three days later, Wen Chengye arrived. At that time, I was coordinating an incense burner. A Nhuan knelt and sat next to the altar, carefully sifting the incense powder that had just been scattered.

“Master.” I didn't stand up, just tilted my head slightly and looked towards the door.

“How is Lieu?”

"Di Nuong's liver fire is condensed, evil wind has entered the body, and for the past two days she has had a fever. Recently, Thai Doctor Lam took a look and prescribed a prescription to disperse the evil spirit and relieve the anger. He said that if he only needed to rest for another day or two, there would be nothing to worry about."

“Oh?” He walked in, "What is the evil spirit that makes people not leave the door for three days?"

I raised my eyes and met his gaze. Ten years ago, I rarely looked at him directly like that.