Chapter 1 — The day I was left behind in the abandoned temple, the Princess kicked in the door to welcome me home

The candlelight in the abandoned temple was about to go out. Tham Chieu Ninh tightened his grip on the blood-stained handkerchief and smiled coldly. Lam Van Hien actually carried Bach Chi and left. Before leaving, he turned around and said:

“An Ninh, my sister's body is weak, please bear with it a little.”

The next day, the gate of Hau palace was wide open. Tieu Canh Hanh stood there with his hands behind his back.

“Father-in-law, the priest is here today to discuss the wedding date…”

“Your Highness, please stop.”

The butler frowned.

"Last night, Princess An Binh Truong's mysterious iron carriage personally came to pick the lady up."

“You... are you completely unaware?”

Tieu Canh Hanh's pupils suddenly shrank sharply. The bride gift box in his hand made a "bang" sound and fell hard to the ground. The candle in the temple is about to go out. The wind blew through the punctured window. Blow that light as small as a bean in the morning and at night. I tightened the scarf in my hand. Blood had soaked the entire white silk scarf, making it both damp and sticky. The wound on his leg is still bleeding. I laughed coldly. Laughter echoed in the empty temple, sounding like a ghost crying. Lam Van Hien actually carried Bach Chi away. Just half an hour ago. The carriage was stuck in a mud puddle, Bach Chi coughed so much that it seemed like his chest was tearing apart. She said:

“Sister, you're so cold.”

Lam Van Hien took off his robe and put it on her. When the rocks on the mountainside rolled down, I pushed Bach Chi away. A rock hit my right leg hard. We hear the sound of bones shifting out of position. Severe pain came. Lam Van Hien's face immediately turned pale. He looked at me, then looked at Bach Chi who was dying in his arms.

"An Ninh, you try to hold on a bit, I'll take Chi Nhi down the mountain first, she's about to not be able to hold on anymore."

I looked at him and said nothing. Blood flowed down his calves, mixing with the cold rainwater. He picked Bach Chi up, turned and stuffed her into the servant's carriage that was still able to move. Before leaving, he lifted the car curtain and turned to look at me. There was guilt in that look, but more of it was impatience and determination.

“An Ninh, my sister's body is weak, please bear with it a little.”

"Once I've arranged things for her, I'll immediately send someone to pick her up."

Be patient. I crushed those four words on the tip of my tongue. The carriage goes far away. Also carry a single lantern. Darkness and pouring rain immediately swallowed me whole. Me alone. In the middle of the wild mountains. In the ruined temple. On his leg was a wound so deep that the bones could be seen. I tore off a piece of my dress and wrapped it tightly around the wound. His teeth bit his lower lip tightly, tasting the rusty taste of blood. Can't die here. I leaned against the wall, little by little I stood up. Every movement is a heart-wrenching pain. We climbed down from the mountain. Took a whole night. When it was morning, we finally saw the large painted gate of Vinh An Hau's palace. The two stone lions in front of the gate appear extremely majestic under the morning light. It's like they're mocking our struggles. As soon as the two families guarding the gate saw me, they were so frightened that their eyeballs almost fell out.

“Eldest lady?”

“You... how did you become like this?”

I don't pay attention to them. Drag one His legs were almost gone, his whole body was covered in mud and blood, step by step he went inside. The palace is very quiet. When the servants saw me, it was like seeing a ghost. They all moved aside, then gathered in the distance to whisper. I heard it all.

“Didn't the eldest lady go to burn incense with Mr. Lam?”

“Why did it become like this…”

“Quickly go and report to Marquis!”

We walked through the courtyard, towards the main hall. Before I reached the door, I heard my father's loud laughter from inside.

"Brother Lam, you're exaggerating. This child, Van Hien, is because I watched him grow up. His virtue is highly valued. Our two families became close friends. Isn't that even closer?"

A gentle male voice rang out, it was Lam Van Hien's father, Lam Thi Lang.

"Master Marquis is too complimentary. It's just... from Miss Chieu Ninh's side, I'm afraid it's not easy to talk about."

My father's voice carried an air of indifference.