Chapter 7 — That Night, My Husband Told Me Not To Talk About This To Anyone

I no longer remember how long that battle lasted. Every half a month, letters announcing the victory and handwritten letters from Ve Thu were sent to Thuong Chau. Based on the letter you wrote and each announcement, I carefully placed each small flag on the map in your study. The more flags we plant, the more we know in our hearts — the closer the day he returns. Until one day, my hand planted the red flag on the citadel wall of Nghiep Do. I happily ran around the map, almost slipping and falling. Then a few days later... Ve Thu returned. In the middle of the night, the cold armor pressed against my back. He hugged me and said softly:

“Dao Nhi, we can go to Nghiep Do… to release fireworks.”

Yes, we can go to Nghiep Do... to release fireworks. [External version - Ve Thu] Jiangnan is covered in fog, the Tuc family has a daughter as beautiful as a flower. Spring returns ten miles along the Duong Chau road, opening the curtains is not as good as her. Those four verses... almost ruined a woman's entire life. When Tuc Truong - who had held a position in Jiangnan for decades - brought the marriage certificate to me, the decree to establish a concubine for the young lady of the Tuc family from the emperor had already been issued. I sat at the bench, watching the man who once held half of the Southern Cuong region bow low and beg for the first time. Just to keep for my niece... a way to live. The uncle said: his biological brother died at the hands of the reigning emperor. There is nothing left in the world, only one daughter left. He must protect her at all costs. I looked at the marriage certificate in his hand — vague memories came back. It's true that a long time ago, my father had already planned this marriage. The corners of my lips curled up slightly, smiling faintly:

“Are the Tuc family planning to rebel?”

Tuc Truong smiled bitterly:

“The family... was forced to rebel.”

So I accepted that marriage. A marriage... in exchange for food and logistics from the Jiangnan region. An exchange without loss of capital. Before the day we got married, I knew... Miss Tuc family was not mentally sharp, an "idiot". I didn't really care at all. But I didn't expect that she... was so stupid that it made people find her adorable. I still remember the first night I returned to the palace, it was very late, but she was still sitting outside the door. At first I thought she was acting childish, deliberately trying to make me feel like she wouldn't sleep. Until my mother whispered in my ear: she is waiting for me. I was stunned. What do we have to make you wait? Just as she wanted to ask clearly, she opened her eyes and smiled brightly:

“My name is Dao Nhi.”

I simply answer:

“I am Ve Thu.”

She immediately chirped and ran behind me, calling out "husband" in a sweet, heartfelt voice. Then he even gave me the gourd candy in his hand. She said it was the thing she loved the most. I don't remember the last time I ate candy. Probably when my father passed away. Or... when the elder brother falls on the battlefield. However, when that candy melted on the tip of the tongue, a gentle sweetness spread out. It's like... my heart has been withering for so long inside me, but someone gently awakens it. That night, before falling asleep, I made myself laugh. Even though he's grown this much, he can... be moved by a piece of candy. Since that night, every time he returned to the palace, the lamp in the room was lit. The room is always warm, the scent of incense is faint, the blankets and mattresses are fragrant and gentle. I feel like... I'm different. But I can't say clearly what's different. Ta once asked Thanh Nhai. Thanh Nhai replied:

“The master… is becoming more and more like a human being.”

I looked at him, just wanted to glare. He's just not human. Dao Nhi is a girl who likes to eat candy. Her pocket is always full of sweets, sometimes it's gummy bears, sometimes it's pear flower cake, sometimes it's long round balls. Every now and then she shares one pill with me. Then a moment later, he gave Nghien Chi a pill. Other times, he would run to share a pill with A. That alone is okay. But for what reason... did she even share one pill with Thanh Nhai? We start to feel unhappy. That night, I secretly hid all her candy. Then he softened his voice seductively:

“From now on, only let me eat candy, okay?”

She giggled and teased me:

“My husband is more greedy than me.”

Not just gluttony. I'm still... greedy for her. (COMPLETE STORY)