Chapter 5 — The day he established me, I did not make a fuss, 17 days later, he searched the world looking for me

Along the way, he went crazy, rushing straight towards the south of the city. The night wind whipped at his face, like a cutting knife. In his head, it was empty. There is only one idea. Not her. Definitely not her. She loves it so cleanly and so arrogantly. How could...how could it appear in such a place. When he arrived at the cemetery, the place was already lit with torches. Several officials stood guard next to a body covered with a white cloth. Seeing him coming, everyone was frightened and quickly knelt down. Ta Than jumped off the horse and walked forward step by step with difficulty. His legs were as heavy as lead. Every step is like stepping on a blade. He stopped in front of the corpse. He didn't dare. He didn't dare lift up that white cloth. He was afraid of seeing the face he longed for day and night. He was afraid he would completely collapse. The commander of the forbidden army followed behind, seeing his hesitation. Take a step forward, say in a low voice: "Your Majesty, let me do it." After speaking, he raised his hand and slowly lifted up a corner of the white cloth. Ta Than stared. He saw the face of the female corpse. Not her. That face, strange but haggard. Absolutely not his Du Van. Ta Than's tense body instantly relaxed. As if all his strength had been drained from him, he staggered back a step, leaning on the horse's body. Great luck and great loss came immediately after, engulfing him at the same time. It's not her, that's good. But it's not her, so where is she? Return to the palace. Khuong Tuyet Nhu carried a bowl of bird's nest stewed by herself and entered the royal study room. This is the second month she has become queen. During these two months, she had never enjoyed even a little bit of the honor or joy of being a new queen. Ta Than has almost never set foot in her Kun Ninh palace. All his time was spent searching for Du Van. The entire royal palace was covered in a heavy atmosphere. Everyone knows that His Majesty almost went crazy because of the disappearance of Concubine Du. Khuong Tuyet Nhu's heart was filled with jealousy and unwillingness. She didn't understand where she ended up losing. In terms of family background, she is the prime minister of the prime minister's palace, dignified and gentle, and is the most suitable candidate to be a mother in the world. In terms of appearance, she admits that she is not inferior to Du Van. In terms of friendship, she and Ta Than have known each other since childhood and are considered childhood friends. So why, if she has the position of queen, she cannot have his heart? She entered the inner hall and saw Ta Than sitting behind the desk, absent-mindedly looking at a painting. In the painting, there is a woman wearing a red dress, riding on a horse, with an arrogant and generous smile. Khuong Tuyet Nhu's heart felt like it was being pricked by a needle. She pressed down the bitter taste in her heart, a gentle and dignified smile on her face.

"Your Majesty, it's already late at night. I have personally stewed the bird's nest. Please use a bowl to warm yourself up, then continue to handle official matters."

Ta Than seemed not to hear, his eyes still did not leave the painting. Khuong Tuyet Nhu carried the tray and moved forward. Only then did Ta Than regain his composure, he raised his head to look at her. In those eyes, there was not a single ray of warmth, only fatigue and sadness that could not be dispelled.

“What did you come for?”

Khuong Tuyet Nhu's heart ached again.

“My concubine… is worried about the dragon Your Majesty's body."

She put the bowl of bird's nest on the table and gently advised.

“Your Majesty, harming your body for someone who has already left is not worth it…”

“She will come back.” Ta Than interrupted her, his voice extremely firm.

Khuong Tuyet Nhu looked at his stubborn appearance and finally couldn't bear it anymore.

“What if she doesn't come back?”

She took a step forward, her voice carrying a hint of questioning.

“What if she was already determined to leave him and leave this palace?”

"Your Majesty, do you intend to neglect the court and the harem for her sake, so that people will laugh at you?"

Ta Than slammed down on the table and stood up. He looked down at her from above, his eyes as cold as blades.

“Who gave you the courage to talk to me like that?”

Khuong Tuyet Nhu was scared by his momentum and took a step back, her face pale. But she did not back down. The resentment and unwillingness that had accumulated for two months, completely erupted in this moment.

Her eyes were red, her voice trembled.

"It's a wife who marries properly and worships heaven and earth to be successful!"

“But how do you treat my concubine?”

“Since your wedding, have you ever glanced at me once?”

"You stay in the royal study, guarding her painting. Where should I put this concubine?"

"The person who made civil and military officials dominate, made the entire harem, view this concubine - this queen - how?"

Ta Than looked at her coldly.

"I give you the queen position that all women in the world dream of, the glory of the entire Khuong family."

“So, isn't that enough?”

Khuong Tuyet Nhu's heart was completely cold. It turns out that in his heart, she and her family were just tools for him to strengthen the court. What he gave her was only responsibility and dignity. There is not even a little bit of love. She smiled sadly, tears rolling down her eyes.

“It's a greedy concubine.”

She bowed slightly, bowed, turned around, and staggered out of the royal study. Outside the palace, the cold moonlight shone on her gorgeous phoenix robe, making everything even more ironic. This argument, like a crack, appeared between the sole and the queen. Furthermore, it is spreading more and more. From that day on, Khuong Tuyet Nhu no longer came to the royal study. She began to take on the role of queen and organize the harem. She found an excuse, demoted several concubines who had been on good terms with Du Van, and grounded them.