Chapter 5 — The Crown Prince just got married, King Tinh is already waiting outside my room

In the brocade box there is also a white sheet of paper, above is a line of letters as generous as a flying dragon and phoenix dancing.

"I remember that there was someone standing outside Tran Bac Hau's study, standing on tiptoe and peeking at the title of this book without being able to see it clearly."

My breath suddenly choked. That sentence, like a key, suddenly opened a corner of deep memories that had long faded in my mind. It seems like when I was eleven or twelve years old. One time, when he went to his father's study, he accidentally overheard his father and his advisor exclaiming about the sophistication of the Art of War. It was a pity that they couldn't find the full copy. I was suddenly curious, so I clung to the crack in the door and stood on tiptoe to see if it was that book on my father's desk. As a result, I was discovered by the security guard at the door. My face turned red and I quickly ran away. Such a small scene. So far away. Besides me, I'm afraid no one will remember. Yet he... knew. Moreover, I still remember it so clearly. Could it be that at that time... He was nearby, quietly looking at me? A cold stream gradually crawled up my spine. If he had noticed me so early, then To Nguyet Nhu's words about that "white moon light"... An extremely absurd idea, but vaguely carrying the answer that was about to appear, began to proliferate crazily in my mind. I suddenly tightened my grip on that white piece of paper, my fingertips turned slightly white from the force. Tieu Dien, who are you? That lost book of Ve Cong and War Technique, along with that piece of paper, is like a block of red-hot iron, burning so much that I can't stand still. When I was eleven or twelve years old, outside my father's study, I stood on tiptoe and peeked at the titles of books. Such a discreet detail, even I almost forgot, how could he know? Unless he was already present at the scene, and his eyes were always following me. This realization made a cold feeling rise in my heart, mixed with a feeling of excitement that was hard to put into words. If it's really like To Nguyet Nhu said, I'm just a replacement for the white moon light ball but can't be in his heart, then the time he paid attention to this "replacement person" wasn't too early, too meticulous. Everything seems a lot more complicated than we thought. I locked that military book at the bottom of the chest, along with the blank piece of paper, as if doing so could lock up that stirring secret. However, the tree wanted to be still but the wind would not be still. A few days later, a poet's gathering was organized by a few princesses in the royal family, and the invitation was given to me. If it is said that the Queen's lotus banquet is the handwriting of King Tinh Vuong, then this time the initiator of the poem has no clear connection with him. Bich Ngoc was worried and uneasy.

"Miss, I'm afraid it's another Hongmen Banquet. Those people have always been used to flattering each other, and their current status..."

I interrupted her, my eyes falling on the swaying tree shadow outside the window.

"If you can't avoid it, then just go take a look and see what else you guys can do."

The communal poetry session was held at the mansion of a Princess in the west of the city. When we arrived, the garden was already a sparkling piece of pearls, bright dresses, and bustling laughter. My appearance, indeed causing the atmosphere to pause for a moment. Many eyes, mixed with light and dark, simultaneously swept towards me, carrying scrutiny, curiosity, and gloating that they didn't bother to hide. The Crown Prince's former fiancee. The person now has an unclear entanglement with Tinh Vuong. In the eyes of these people, I'm afraid it's just a moving topic to discuss. Sure enough, after giving orders and drinking tea, the conversation turned to me, neither salty nor bland. A princess who was close to To Nguyet Nhu used a handkerchief to cover her lips and smiled softly.

"Speaking of which, younger sister Tham is truly blessed in a disaster. I heard that His Royal Highness Tinh Vuong pays special attention to younger sister. Even the lotus feast in the royal uncle's palace, he deliberately spoke up for younger sister."

She deliberately emphasized the word "intentionally", causing the surrounding noble ladies to glance at each other, exchanging glances full of understanding. Another person immediately responded.

"That's right. It's just that His Royal Highness Tinh Vuong's eyes are extremely high, it's difficult for ordinary women to catch his eye. I wonder at what point sister Tham is able to match His Highness' eyes."

Her eyes glanced over my face, her meaning ambiguous. I lifted the tea cup in my hand, my fingertips clenched slightly, but my face still didn't show any ripples.

“The King's thoughts are something we can arbitrarily speculate about.”

“Younger sister Shen, there is no need to be so modest.”