Chapter 2 — The Golden Dragon's Decree

As expected, Long Nhac Chan’s face darkened, his features twisted with profound contempt. "A Golden Dragon? What nonsense! In my eyes, that creature is worth less than a common mudfish!" The grand hall erupted in a shocked murmur. Outside the Dragon Palace, the birth of a Golden Dragon within a noble family was a rare miracle, nearly legendary. Yet, here was the Crown Prince, equating such a divine being to a lowly, scavenger fish. The onlookers were indignant, yet no one dared to speak—after all, he was the heir to the throne. But where was the Third Prince? Could he truly be planning to call off the engagement?

"Brother, you have spoken far too harshly!" A cold, clear voice cut through the stifling air. Long Dat Tran strode forward, his presence radiating an icy aura that silenced the room. Long Nhac Chan offered a mocking, jagged smile. "So, the Third Brother finally arrives. I had assumed you had backed out of the marriage."

"How could that be? To marry Dao Cam is the greatest honor of my life!" Long Dat Tran stopped directly in front of me, signaling his servants to bring forth the chests of dowry gifts, his demeanor standing firm against the Prince’s arrogance. He took my hand, his voice softening. "I apologize for the delay in preparing the gifts; I hope my bride will not hold it against me." A wave of warmth surged through me, and I shook my head, feeling no resentment. Seeing me wed with such grandeur, a flicker of hatred crossed Long Nhac Chan’s eyes. He ground his teeth, hissing, "Third Brother is truly a besotted fool!"

According to protocol, the Crown Prince and Uyen Khe led the procession into the palace, with the Third Prince and me following. Along the way, he never let go of my hand. The warmth of his grip brought me a sense of peace, and I stole glances at him. He was strikingly handsome, his posture noble and broad, his sword-like brows tinged with a faint coldness, and his deep eyes, like frozen pools, holding a hidden dignity. When our gazes unexpectedly met, my heart skipped a beat, and I hurriedly looked away, my ears burning. His grip tightened, fueling the whirlwind of emotions in my chest.

As we reached the palace to head to our respective quarters, Long Nhac Chan—who had been doting on Uyen Khe with performative affection—suddenly stopped. He turned, his gaze raking over Long Dat Tran with poisonous sarcasm. "Third Brother, a word of advice: watch over your filthy bride. Do not let her taint the noble bloodline of our Dragon Palace!"

"Your Highness, how can you say such things about my sister? She would never do anything so impure," Uyen Khe feigned indignation, though her eyes held not a shred of sincerity. The pair sang in harmony, looking like the perfect couple. Long Dat Tran squeezed my hand, his voice dropping to an icy blade. "Brother, perhaps you should be more concerned with your own Green Dragon."

"Green Dragon" was a veiled jab at Uyen Khe. It was a strange irony; Long Dat Tran was a Silver Dragon, and she was a mere Green Dragon. In a previous life, how could they have possibly produced a Golden Dragon? At the mention of her status, Uyen Khe’s face fell, her eyes flashing with a venomous malice, as if I had touched upon the fatal wound she despised most. I curled my lips into a smile. "I pray the Crown Prince and my younger sister’s wishes come true, and that you bear a Golden Dragon soon."

Long Nhac Chan, arrogant beyond measure, pulled Uyen Khe into his arms, chin held high. "My bloodline is pure; of course, I shall produce a Golden Dragon!" A man who was infertile, whose roots were shattered—where did he find such ridiculous confidence? I led Long Dat Tran away, leaving them behind without another word. The show had only just begun.

Once inside our chamber, the gloom that had shadowed Long Dat Tran’s face smoothed into a resolute line. His lips pressed together, his eyes sharp as forged steel, and his voice was as steady as stone: "From now on, I will surely protect you."

I chuckled softly. "I have always trusted you. But we have offended the Crown Prince today; I fear life will be difficult for us, unless..." As he looked at me with curiosity, I felt a spark of mischief and leaned in to brush a kiss against his lips. "...Unless we bear a Golden Dragon soon, so that Long Nhac Chan may die with no place to bury his shame!"

A month passed, and there was still no news from the other side. Instead, I was diagnosed with a child. The Dragon King was overjoyed, bestowing great rewards and even issuing an imperial decree: "Whoever produces a Golden Dragon shall inherit the throne!" It was all playing out exactly as it had in my past life! The only difference was that this time, the one carrying the dragon’s heir was me.

As soon as word of my pregnancy spread, Long Nhac Chan could no longer sit still. He stormed in, radiating a violent, oppressive energy. "Dao Cam, what are you so smug about? At best, you’ll give birth to a lowly Green Dragon! There is nothing to boast about!"

He dared mention a Green Dragon again! Within my wide sleeves, I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. In my previous life, was it not because I wanted to fulfill his dream of having a son that I burned my own essence, invoking ancient forbidden arts to conceive with my very life? And the result had been a tragic, agonizing death! I closed my eyes, burying the hatred deep in my heart. The debt of his murderous betrayal—I swore I would exact payment in this life!

Just then, Long Dat Tran stepped forward, shielding me behind him, his voice echoing with absolute finality: "Regardless of its lineage, it is my own flesh and blood! I will protect my wife and child with my life!" My heart warmed, like a sunbeam piercing through a frozen winter. Long Nhac Chan was so incensed his face turned a sickly shade of green; he whipped his sleeves and stormed off.

Another month drifted by, yet there was still no activity from his side. Eventually, the Dragon King lost his patience and ordered the royal physician to march directly to the Crown Prince’s quarters. I hurriedly signaled Long Dat Tran, following close behind—eager to witness the moment Long Nhac Chan discovered the secret of his own infertility.

When the news reached him that the Dragon King was coming with the physician, Long Nhac Chan’s expression curdled. He gritted his teeth, snarling, "Do I look like a man who suffers from some ailment?" The physician trembled, casting a desperate glance at the Dragon King for salvation. The King frowned, waving a hand. "Examine the Crown Princess first."

They were clearly avoiding the core issue. If Uyen Khe were found to be the one at fault, the Dragon Palace would retain its dignity; but if the problem lay with Long Nhac Chan... the shame would be impossible to hide. His gaze locked onto mine, venomous as a hidden storm. "Dao Cam! You want to come and see me make a fool of myself? What is it, do you think marrying the Third Brother allows you to produce a Golden Dragon?" He laughed coldly, his words absolute. "Don't forget, the Third Brother is only a Silver Dragon, and you—what are you? A defective product! Both of you will never, ever produce a Golden Dragon!"

Long Dat Tran shielded me, his brow arched. "Brother, you should let the physician finish his work before you speak." Beside him, Uyen Khe looked immensely reluctant, but under the stares of the King and the Prince, she finally extended her hand. Long Nhac Chan sneered, threatening, "Physician, you had best be thorough!" He was entirely confident—relying on the memories of the past life, he did not believe Uyen Khe could be found wanting. The physician collapsed to his knees, shaking as he checked her pulse. She gripped her handkerchief, sweat beading on her forehead, terrified.

"Reporting to the Dragon King and the Crown Prince," the physician’s voice wavered. "The Crown Princess is in good health; there is merely a slight disturbance in her internal energy, likely due to emotional fluctuation."