Chapter 3 — The Crown Prince criticized me for not being worthy of the Eastern Palace, but the Martial General held my hand and wouldn't let go

After the competition started, I still wrote a poem as usual. When I submitted it, Mrs. Manh, chairing the exam, looked at my name and paused for a moment.

"Ph... Mrs. Huo wrote this poem very well."

She changed the way she addressed herself. From Miss Ngu Palace, to Lady Hoac. Just one word different. But it was like the difference between heaven and earth. On Nhuoc Huyen suddenly spoke up.

"Mrs. Manh, I also wrote a lesson. Can you help me read it?"

She stood up and offered her poem. When passing by me, the hem of my skirt lightly passed by. The cup of tea on the table immediately fell down. The tea splashed onto her dress, spreading a dark color. She turned her head, her face full of guilt.

"Sister, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it."

Everyone around looked at me. No one spoke up. I lowered my head to look at the hem of my dress. When he looked up, he just smiled slightly.

"No problem."

She tilted her head to look at me, as if waiting for me to get angry. After waiting for a long time, seeing that I really didn't have any reaction, she sighed softly.

"You really have a good temper. No wonder His Highness the Crown Prince once said you were very gentle."

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince said I was gentle. Someone who has never met me. Again, I decided on my own character. So it's easy to control. Also easy to throw away. I adjusted my wet skirt and stood up.

"My clothes are dirty today, I'll take my leave in advance."

When walking to the garden gate, Wen Nhuoc Huyen's voice came from behind.

"Sister, take your time, remember to play next time."

That voice was soft. Like a needle coated in honey. After returning to the palace, as soon as A Quy saw the tea stain on my dress, she was so flustered that she jumped up.

"Madam, how did it become like this? This fabric is very precious, I'm afraid I can't wash it anymore."

"If you can't wash it, throw it away."

"But this is the dress you brought from Ngu Palace..."

She immediately fell silent. I changed my clothes and sat in the study room reading a book. After reading two pages, I couldn't continue reading. My mind is full of On Nhuoc Huyen's smiling face. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince said that his sister was very gentle. I am not gentle. I'm just too lazy to compare with her. But she won't think like that. In her eyes, I am just a pawn thrown away by the Crown Prince, letting her manipulate me however she wants. The next morning, Hoac Van Tranh's sister came to find me. Her name is Hoac Chieu Chieu, just over ten years old, her hair is tied in two small buns, her face somewhat resembles her brother's, just much gentler. She stood in front of my study door, poking her head in curiously. She trotted inside, and as soon as she saw the wall full of books, her eyes immediately opened wide.

"Sister-in-law, are these all your books?"

"Do you understand everything?"

She whispered twice. The reaction was no different from A Quy's. Then she leaned closer and said in a low voice:

"Sister-in-law, can you help me learn to recognize words?"

"Do you want to study?"

She nodded vigorously.

I looked at her sparkling eyes and suddenly felt that the days here no longer seemed so boring.

"Come here, sit down, I'll teach you."

From that day on, every day at Snake time, Huo Chieu Chieu came to my study and followed me to study for an hour. She was smart and learned very quickly. In just three days, she was able to stammer out half a page of Thien Tu Van. Those days also gradually had a few more colors. But the people in the capital did not won't let me have peace. Half a month later, another invitation was brought to the palace. This time it's not Thu Lan Assembly. It was a banquet held by the Crown Prince at the Eastern Palace. On the surface it's a reward, but in reality it's just to support Wen Nhuoc Huyen. On the invitation card is written:

"Invite General Huo and his wife to attend the banquet."

Hoac Van Tranh looked at the card and made a rare trip to Dong Vien.

"You don't have to go."

He gave me the card.

"This kind of banquet, coming alone is enough."

"The Crown Prince has personally asked me to come. If I don't go, it will be a protest."

He was silent for a moment.

"Then I'll go with her."

That was the first time he said he would go with me. The day I arrived at the Eastern Palace, I wore a moon-white outfit. Not too ostentatious. There's no need to bother. When I arrived, I found out that the people present were all from the most prominent families in the capital. Wen Nhuoc Huyen sat on the right side of the Crown Prince, wearing a long crimson dress sprinkled with golden thread patterns, with a pure gold knife in her hair, further accentuating her radiant appearance. As soon as she saw me, she smiled and waved.

"Sister Hoai Uyen is here, please sit down."