Chapter 4 — 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

In the afternoon, Huo Chieu Chieu came to study. Now she can read simple poems and is shaking her head reciting the poem I taught yesterday. At that moment, the hospital gate was pushed open. Hoo Van Tranh strode in, his body still smelling of sweat from the martial arts arena.

"Pipe..."

Ho Chieu Chieu's eyes widened in surprise.

"Brother, why did you come here?"

He didn't answer my sister, just looked straight at me.

"The Crown Prince sent someone to bring the things?"

News spread quickly.

"Bring a box of bird's nests."

I shook my head slightly.

"I don't accept it."

He stood at the door, his expression gradually becoming heavy.

"What does he want to do?"

"I don't know either."

"Did you and he know each other before?"

I thought for a moment, then decided to tell the truth.

"I don't know each other. It's just that three years ago, during the Lantern Festival, I won the lantern puzzle competition, and he was also present. Last night, he recognized the jade pendant I wore that year."

Hoac Van Tranh was silent for a moment.

"So before, when he gave her the kiss, he gave her to me because he didn't know that she was the one that day."

"Probably so."

"Now I know, I regret it."

He spoke very calmly, as if telling a story about how it was about to rain.

"The general really sees through everything."

He leaned against the doorframe, crossing his arms over his chest.

"What about her?"

"What do you mean, general?"

"Do you want to go back?"

I raised my head to look at him. His expression was still as indifferent as before, as if he was just asking about something unimportant. But he stood very straight, like an old pine tree rooted there.

"General, I ask you something."

"Just keep talking."

"If there was a person who had never met you before, just based on a few words from someone else, he would treat your entire life like a piece of discarded paper and throw it away. Later, he discovered that he had thrown it away by mistake, and wanted to pick you back up."

I looked straight into his eyes.

"Are you going to let him pick it up?"

The corners of Hoac Van Tranh's lips moved slightly. I don't know if I saw it wrong or not, but in that moment, a very faint smile seemed to flicker.

"That's okay then."

He nodded, turned and left. After walking a few steps, he stopped again, looked back and said something.

"No matter what he brings, if you don't want to accept it, don't accept it. If you have something to do, come to me."

Having finished speaking, he strode away. Ho Chieu Chieu lay down on the table, looking at his brother's back, muttering softly.

"Sister-in-law, brother talked a lot today."

"Normally, he talks to me no more than ten sentences a day."

I bowed my head and continued flipping through the book without answering. On the third day, the Crown Prince's invitation was brought. This time, the person who came was not the inner servant, but Wen Nhuoc Huyen's close maid who personally brought it to the door. The maid smiled brightly and her voice was not small.

"Lady Huo, I'm inviting you to the Hoa banquet. The lady of the house has told me that all the sisters hope you will attend."

These words were enough for all the people passing by in front of the General's palace gate to hear. I received the card. This time, I can't go either. Last time I refused the Crown Prince, I used very flexible words to save his face. This time, On Nhuoc Huyen personally came forward. If he refused again, it would be tantamount to not respecting the Crown Prince's favored concubine. But no respect for her. It is also do not respect the Crown Prince. Hoa banquet is held at Phuong Hoa Vien in the east of the citadel. When we arrived, On Nhuoc Huyen was already waiting outside the gate. She wore a peach-colored dress, her lips were painted with lipstick, and from a distance, she looked like a flower just in full bloom.

"Sister Hoai Uyen is here."

She walked over and took my arm, as close as a real sister.

"Come in quickly, come in quickly. There are many interesting things today."

I let her pull me inside. The garden is decorated extremely delicately, flowers are blooming, and the sound of the flute is constantly ringing in the ears. The number of noble ladies present today is twice as many as last time. Wen Nhuoc Huyen brought me to sit in the most prominent position.

"Sister, sit here. Closest to the flowers, you can see the best."

When we sat down, we discovered that the chair facing us was still empty. Next to that chair was the Crown Prince's attendant waiting. The Crown Prince will come. On Nhuoc Huyen sat next to me, smiling, pouring tea for me, and lowering his voice.

"Don't be nervous, sister. His Highness just came to see the flowers today."

I raised my cup of tea. Don't say a word. The banquet took place halfway. The Crown Prince has indeed arrived.