Chapter 21 — The Crown Prince just got married, King Tinh is already waiting outside my room

After the eunuch announced his departure, I returned to Lam Nguyet Cac, looked at the person in the mirror, the woman was about to wear the four phoenix crowns, my heart was full of chaos. You treat me like this, Tham Tri Vi, what else can I get in return in this life? On the day of the big wedding, it was not yet dawn when my mother and mother-in-law woke me up from under the brocade blanket. Burn incense. Make up. The whole process is like being immersed in a magnificent but long dream. The maids and servants were busy going back and forth, everyone had a look of joy on their faces as if they had been honored. Mother stood next to me, sometimes helping me fix my shirt, sometimes quietly wiping away the tears in the corner of my eyes, but the corner of my lips still hung a smile of peace and contentment from beginning to end. When the heavy nine phoenix crown was carefully placed on my head by my blessed mother, even she - who had witnessed countless royal weddings - could not help but let out a soft cry of surprise. The exquisitely carved red-gold phoenix spread its wings as if about to fly, nine strings of eastern pearls hung down from its forehead, sparkling with light, so magnificent that nothing could compare. This reward beyond the regulations is Tieu Dien's support for me, and also his silent announcement to the whole world. The set of robes was hastily sewn day and night by the Noi Dinh Thuong Medical Department. The fabric was made of crimson fabric, and gold thread was embroidered to create a complex pattern of loan phoenix hoa minh, the skirt of the skirt stretched to touch the ground, spreading out like the brightest afternoon on the horizon. The person in the mirror, his eyebrows and eyes were like a painting, his lips were covered with cinnabar, under the light of the pearl crown, he carried a strange beauty that made people startled and moved. Is this really me? Is it Tham Tri Vi, the person who just a month ago had her heart as cold as ashes because her marriage was annulled?

“Miss… no, Princess, you are truly beautiful…”

Bich Ngoc's voice was choked, her eyes were red. Outside, the sounds of drums, gongs, and sona horns rang out, shaking the earth and the sky. The welcome team has arrived. Mother helped me fix my bun one last time, then gently covered my head with a red scarf embroidered with a love story. The vision was immediately covered by the red color of joy, the world became hazy and quiet, leaving only his own heartbeat, pounding like a war drum. I was carried on my brother's back, step by step, out of the place where I had lived for more than ten years. No, now it is no longer Tran Bac Hau palace, but Tran Quoc Cong palace. The sound of fireworks rang out in the sky, cheers and congratulations rolled in like the tide. I can feel countless eyes watching me. Curiosity exists. Admiration yes. Jealousy... also exists. Until they were brought into the spacious and magnificent palanquin, the moment the palanquin curtain fell, the hustle and bustle outside was somewhat separated. The palanquin shook slightly and then steadily set off, with the sound of trumpets and drums bustling along the way, heading straight to Tinh Vuong Palace. I sat in the palanquin, my hands clasped tightly together, my nails digging deep into my palms, trying to use that fragile bit of pain to confirm that everything before my eyes was not an imaginary dream. Not knowing how much time had passed, the palanquin's body suddenly shook slightly and stopped. The palanquin curtain was lifted. A long, slender hand with clear knuckles, strong and steady, reached inside and tightly grasped my hand. nervous but slightly trembling. It's Tieu Dien. His hand is warm, dry, carrying a strength that makes people feel secure. He led me out of the palanquin, step by step carefully. In my ears, the sounds of people became more vibrant, and the music resounded. Underfoot is a soft red carpet that stretches endlessly. The ceremonies that followed were cumbersome but solemn. Praise heaven and earth. High praise. The emperor and queen were not present in person, so the elders of the family received the ceremony on their behalf. Husband and wife worship. I am like a delicate puppet, under the guidance of the blessed mother, completing each movement in a standard way. The wedding scarf covered my vision. I could only see it when I bowed. In front of me was his tall figure, also wearing a bright red robe, standing straight and solemn. It wasn't until they were brought into the cave that the surroundings really calmed down. I sat demurely on the edge of the bed covered with a crimson blanket, my heartbeat still racing so fast that I couldn't calm down. Bich Ngoc and a few maids of Tinh Vuong Palace quietly stood aside. Time passed little by little, and the sound of a bustling banquet could be heard outside the room. I don't know how long it had been, but outside the door there was finally the sound of steady footsteps, along with the respectful voices of the servants greeting us.

“A visit to the Royal Family.”

My heart immediately rose to my throat. The door of the room was pushed open, bringing with it the faint scent of alcohol mixed with the familiar cold scent of pine wood spreading throughout the space. A pair of brocade boots with gold thread trim and a familiar black ink color stopped right in front of me. The maids quietly retreated, closing the door thoughtfully. In the room, there were only the two of us left, along with the sound of burning pink candles making very small ticking sounds. He stood still for a moment. Then, slowly reach out, use a wish-fulfilling jade stick, and gently tap the wedding scarf on my head.