Chapter 24 — The Beggar Husband Turns Out to Be a Dragon

One month after that warm evening with the family, the big day finally arrived, the day they had both been looking forward to for so long: the day Bach Tranh officially brought Tuyet Nhi back to Long Uyen, introducing herself to the entire dragon clan as the future royal concubine.

Chuong Dich Pham arranged all necessary procedures so that Giang Chan Hung, Mrs. Lam Bich Van, and Giang Bao Son could also attend, a rare and unprecedented privilege in the history of the dragon clan, approved by the council of elders thanks to the contributions and sincerity that the Giang family had shown throughout the past journey.

Before the departure day, Mrs. Lam Bich Van had trouble sleeping for several nights because she was nervous, constantly asking Tuyet Nhi how to dress properly and whether she needed to prepare any special gifts. Giang Bao Son was equally eager, reading everything Bach Tranh was willing to tell about the dragon clan's customs, determined not to let himself make any mistakes in front of an entire ancient clan. Only Giang Chan Hung maintained his familiar calmness, even though his eyes could not hide the excitement of a person about to witness a world that he had never dared to dream of in his entire life.

The gate connecting the human world and Long Uyen is hidden deep in an old forest on the outskirts of the city, hidden by a thick layer of fog that only those guided by the dragon clan can find the entrance. Ngao Tinh personally went to the gate to welcome the group, bowing her head and bowing solemnly to the Giang family, causing Mrs. Bich Van to panic, not knowing how to properly respond, so she had to look to Tuyet Nhi for help.

When the whole group walked through that layer of fog, a completely different scene appeared before the eyes of Tuyet Nhi and her family: a large, green valley, with ancient castles carved with dragon shapes curving on each pillar, clear streams winding around, and the sky here always seemed to be dyed a mysterious golden yellow.

"So beautiful..." Tuyet Nhi exclaimed, her eyes widening in surprise at the scene that looked like something out of a fairy tale, her hand unconsciously holding Bach Tranh's hand tightly as if to reassure herself before the miracle unfolding before her eyes.

"Welcome to Long Uyen." Bach Tranh held her hand, smiled, his eyes filled with pride as he introduced his homeland to his loving wife, a pride that during six years of wandering he never dared to think he would have again.

In the central square of Long Uyen, thousands of people of the dragon clan gathered, all dressed in splendid traditional costumes, whispering excitedly, waiting to witness the ceremony to introduce the future royal concubine. Long Vuong, Bach Tranh's father, although still recovering from months of coma due to toxicity, was able to sit on a special palanquin to attend the ceremony. Although his face was still skinny, his eyes were bright with vitality.

"My son." Dragon King spoke, his voice still weak but full of emotion, when Bach Tranh knelt down in front of him. "I've heard everything you've been through over the past six years. I'm proud of you, not only because you survived and kept the Dragon Seal, but also because you found a woman worthy of shouldering this responsibility with you."

"Thank you, father." Bach Tranh replied, his voice choked with emotion, for the first time in six years he was able to kneel in front of his father in a dignified position, not running away or hiding.

Dragon King reached out his trembling hand to touch his son's shoulder, his eyes filled with pent-up emotions during the six years of separation. "For the past six years, I thought I would never have the chance to see you grow up like this. Every day when I woke up in a coma from toxicity, I told myself, I have to live, I have to wait until the day you return."

"I'm sorry for making you wait so long, father." Bach Tranh bowed his head deeper, his voice choked.

"No, you have nothing to apologize for." The Dragon King shook his head, his voice resolute though still weak. "You have done everything a son, a husband, and soon a king should do. I only regret that because of my old age and weakness, I cannot personally witness you confront Thua Uy in that decisive battle."

"I will tell you everything, every detail." Bach Tranh replied, smiling through his tears.

Long Vuong turned to look at Tuyet Nhi, his eyes were gentle. "I heard that it was you who saved my son on that fateful rainy night, and it was also you, with your wisdom and courage, who contributed significantly to the decisive victory in the last battle. Our dragon clan, from today, would like to welcome you as an official member, regardless of human or dragon origin."

Tuyet Nhi knelt down to worship according to the ritual that Bach Tranh had taught her before, her voice trembling with emotion. "I would like to thank Dragon King, and promise to always be by my side and support Bach Tranh with all my might in all future responsibilities."

The launching ceremony took place in a solemn but warm atmosphere, with traditional rituals of the dragon clan, blessing songs echoed throughout the valley, and at the end of the ceremony, colorful fireworks were shot into the night sky of Long Uyen, forming the shape of brilliant winding dragons, a scene that no one in the Giang family ever dared to imagine could exist in the world.

Giang Chan Hung stood and watched his daughter kneel in the middle of the square, being solemnly welcomed by an entire ancient clan, unable to hide the tears of pride rolling down her face. "My daughter." He whispered to himself. "You have come a long way, from a little lady who was opposed by the whole family, to a princess who is respected by the entire clan. How proud I am of you."

Next to him, Mrs. Lam Bich Van also quietly wiped away her tears, while Giang Bao Son stood up straight, his eyes following his sister with an unprecedented pride. All three people, even though they were still unfamiliar with this strange world, clearly felt the sacred meaning of the moment taking place before their eyes.

After the main ceremony, many elders and nobles of the dragon clan one by one came to greet the Giang family, expressing their appreciation for what they had done to protect and trust the exiled crown prince during the most difficult years. Mrs. Bich Van, initially confused, gradually learned how to respond properly, even making a few elders laugh at her unexpected humor.

After the ceremony, when night completely fell on Long Uyen, Bach Tranh led Tuyet Nhi to stand on a high balcony of the castle, looking down at the panorama of the valley sparkling with lights from thousands of dragon clan houses, an incredibly peaceful scene after all the storms that had passed.

"From today, this will be your home too." He said, wrapping his arms around her from behind, his chin resting lightly on her shoulder like on their wedding night.

"I'm still in shock." Tuyet Nhi smiled, her voice full of happiness. "From one rainy night saving a beggar, to becoming the queen of an entire dragon clan. If someone told you this story a year ago, you probably wouldn't believe it."

"But it's true." Bach Tranh whispered, gently kissing her hair. "And I'm grateful for that truth every day, because if it weren't for your kindness that night, I probably wouldn't be alive today, to have you."

"I'm grateful too." Tuyet Nhi replied, turning back to look straight into his eyes, her eyes filled with love. "For showing me that the true value of a person does not lie in status or property, but in the heart. If I could choose again, I would still stop the car that night, without any hesitation."

The two of them stood side by side, watching the moonlight shine across Long Uyen, ending a long and turbulent journey, from a chance meeting between a wealthy lady and a wandering beggar, through many challenges of rich and poor prejudice, plots to gain power, and finally, blossoming into a love strong enough to overcome all boundaries, all statuses, all worlds.

And in the distance, the stars in Long Uyen's sky still sparkle brightly, as if testifying to the promise of two people, a promise to continue writing new chapters of life together, not in fear or escape, but in the light of love, trust, and a complete happiness that both of them have won together with their sincerity and courage.