Chapter 8 — The Day I Retired, I Reversed My Destiny

I stood three steps away from him, coldly watching him act. His acting is still as bad as ever. In those eyes, besides the fear of death and greed for power, I did not see even the slightest remorse. I took out a new envelope from my sleeve, the white paper was intact, the ink had not faded.

“Co Yen, do you still recognize this thing?”

He was stunned, his eyes stopped on the envelope, panic flashed in his eyes.

“This… what is this?”

I curled my lips and smiled coldly.

“Retirement letter.”

His expression immediately changed and his voice stuttered.

"No... that's impossible! Van Khanh, don't make trouble, I was suddenly confused about yesterday..."

"My father burned the previous retirement letter."

I looked at him, every word was clear.

“But I still remember what you said very clearly.”

He hurried forward, holding tightly to the iron bars with both hands.

"Van Khanh, I was wrong! Don't be stubborn with me, can we start from the beginning?"

“Start again?”

I laughed softly, my eyes cold as ice.

"Co Yen, on what basis do you think that I will still turn around?"

I laughed, laughed so much that tears almost fell.

“Co Yen, on what basis do you think that I will still give you a chance?”

“I don't want to return this letter to you, but want to tell you.”

“‘Su Thi is unvirtuous, jealous, and has committed two crimes.’”

“This sentence is what you said yourself.”

“For now, I am satisfied with you.”

"It's just that it's not you that's killing me, it's me that's killing you."

I took out another document from my sleeve, it was a document of separation personally approved by the emperor.

"From this moment on, between you and I, there will be no more relationship."

Co Yen looked at the words on the document, her eyes gradually turned into despair.

“Van Khanh… are you really that cruel?”

“Am I cruel?”

I suddenly took a step forward, my voice filled with bone-chilling hatred.

"These three years, I have worked hard for the Co family. Have you ever felt sorry for me even a little bit?"

"In order to treat your mother's illness, I had to pawn my dowry jewelry. Have you ever asked a question?"

"You took my money, bought a house for another woman, bought jewelry for her, have you ever thought about me being your wife?"

"You are in the main hall, in front of civil and military officials, slandering me and insulting me. Have you ever thought that I am also a human being?!"

Co Yen was speechless when I asked her, her body trembled violently.

“Co Yen, don't you value reputation the most?”

I gradually regained my composure, my voice cold as if I were recounting the fate of a stranger.

"The Emperor has issued an order to strip you of your reputation and will never be employed again."

"Your name will be engraved on the pillar of shame in the Co family's temple hall, for future generations to spit on."

"As for Lieu Nhu Yen, she has already set out, going to the military engineering camp on the northern border."

"Don't worry, soon you will go with her."

“It's just that it's not going to the frontier, but going to the execution ground.”

Co Yen's eyes widened, her throat made a "crackling" sound, like a chicken being strangled.

"No... no... the king can't kill me! I'm a poet! I'm a court official!"

“You are no more.”

I coldly interrupted him.

“You are just someone who carries the army on top and lies on a donkey below, he even raped his wife's inheritance, his morals were already rotten, and he no longer had any shame."

“Gu Yen, enjoy your last time.”

I turned around and didn't look at him anymore. Behind him, Co Yen's frantic screams and cries were heard.

“To Van Khanh! You cannot die properly!”

“You evil woman! I curse you!”

His voice echoed in the dark hallway, both mournful and ridiculous. I stepped out of the prison and took a deep breath of fresh air. The sunlight shines down, warm. Everything, it's over. Those inhibitions, humiliation, and pain all disappear with the wind. I got on the carriage and the commander of the Imperial Guard asked in a low voice:

“Princess, will you return to the palace next?”

I leaned against the soft cushion and closed my eyes.

“No, go to Pho Te pagoda outside the city.”

“I want to go see my mother.”

“Tell you, my daughter has returned.”

The carriage slowly departs, carrying us towards a new life. The streets of the capital are still bustling, people are still talking about the newly ordained Princess An Ninh. But I just want to find a quiet place and get a good night's sleep. In the dream, there is no Co Yen, no Co family, only the begonia garden. Blooming bright red, like fire and blood. Pho Te Pagoda is located in the suburbs, built with its back against the mountain. The sound of the temple bell rings, carrying a power that can wash the soul. I entered my mother's spiritual hall. A long lamp flickered before the Buddha, illuminating his tablet. I knelt on the cushion and did not cry.