Chapter 2 — The Lady Refuses to Kiss a Disabled Man, I Choose Him as My Husband

I followed my father back to Su palace, what was waiting for me was not comfort, but a resounding slap. Cheeks are hot and painful. To Chan Bang's father pointed straight at my nose, so angry that his whole body trembled.

“Hateful woman!”

“Do you know what you did today!”

“The Su family's face... has been ruined by you!”

I covered my face with my hands, did not cry, nor said a word. Sister To Cam Tu stood next to her, a cold smile hanging on the corner of her lips, carrying a gloating look.

“Father, please stop being angry.”

“Younger sister also has good intentions, she just wants to help our Su family save face.”

Her words sounded like advice, but in fact they were adding fuel to the fire. Sure enough, father became even more angry.

"Recovering dignity? He threw the Su family's face to the ground and stepped on it a few more times!"

“Marry to a disabled person, you tell me how the whole capital will look at our Su family!”

I raised my head and looked at him coldly.

“Father.”

"In the palace banquet, my sister publicly announced her divorce. Hasn't the Su family's dignity been thrown to the ground?"

“I just picked it up.”

"Because I know this is ot- 'you's song"

“Only my way.”

Father was interrupted by me, his face turned purple. He did not expect that a shy and quiet girl like me would dare to argue back.

“You… you still dare to make excuses!”

"Where are you? Bring it to me from the street!"

Two family members immediately stepped forward, each holding one of my arms. I do not protest. Being pulled in from the road, the cold blue stone floor made my knees ache. Father held a magic stick as big as his arm and pointed it straight at me.

“Kneel down!”

I straightened my back and knelt down.

“To Nguyet Kien, I give you the last chance.”

"Now immediately go to the palace, tell His Majesty that today you are suddenly confused, and ask His Majesty to revoke the edict!"

“If not, today I will beat to death an unfilial child like you!”

I raised my eyes and looked at the ancestral tablet. Also look at the angry man in front of him. That's my father. But in his eyes, his daughter is nothing more than a pawn serving the family's interests. To Cam Tu is a superior chess piece, able to marry a noble prince. As for me, I am just a second-rate chess piece, so I should have married a petty official or clerk to contribute to the family's benefits. But now, a second-rate chess piece like me chooses a "waste product". Of course he was extremely angry. I smiled softly.

“Father, the army is useless.”

"The holy edict has been given, there is no reason to revoke it."

"Girl... 't accept it."

My calmness completely angered him.

"Okay! Okay! That's my good daughter!"

He raised his family's cane, used all his strength, and fiercely swung it down on my back. Severe pain came, I groaned softly, and the skin on my back immediately ripped open.

"I let you accept! I let you accept!"

One stab… then another. The stick hissed in the wind, repeatedly hitting people. I gritted my teeth, not saying a word. Blood soaked his clothes, his consciousness gradually became blurred. But I absolutely do not ask for forgiveness. I cannot beg. This is the path we choose, even if we have to kneel... we must follow it to the end. I don't know how long it took, but my father was tired of fighting and finally stopped. He threw the stick to the ground, breathing heavily.

“Lock him up in the street, don't let him eat or drink!”

“I want to see how hard its bones are any!"

From the road being slammed shut. The heavy door closed, and the whole world immediately sank into darkness. I lay face down on the cold ground, in so much pain that even breathing became difficult. In the darkness, the door opened slightly again. A pair of embroidered shoes stopped in front of me. It's To Cam Tu. She looked down at me from above, her eyes as if she were looking at a dog.

“To Nguyet Kien, your ability is truly not small.”

“You dare to fight even for my things.”

I lay on the ground, not even having the strength to lift my head.

“Is a disabled person that I have thrown away worth fighting for?”

To Cam Tu squatted down, his voice filled with sarcasm and pity.

“Do you really think that by marrying there you will be the general's wife?”

"You're just going to be a maid and serve a useless person for the rest of your life."

She reached into her large sleeve, slowly took out an object, then conveniently threw it down in front of me.

“Hey, this is the wedding gift that my sister specially prepared for you.”

I tried my best to open my eyes. It was a small, exquisitely crafted staff, with a carved wooden body, clearly meant to be mocked rather than used.

“Take it.”

“Remember to serve your broken-legged husband well.”

“Don't forget, everything you have today... was all given to you by me.”

After speaking, she smiled softly, turned around and left. The door from the street was once again closed. I looked at the walking stick lying quietly on the cold ground. Tears finally couldn't hold back and fell. But we don't have to cry for ourselves. I cry for Tieu Bac Da. A hero who once protected the country should not have to suffer such humiliation. I reached out my trembling hand and grasped the stick tightly. Today, all the pain and humiliation you put on me. Sooner or later... we will reclaim everything, both capital and interest.