Chapter 4 — The Lady Refuses to Kiss a Disabled Man, I Choose Him as My Husband

The old butler's words were like a basin of cold water, extinguishing the warmth that had just arisen. No money. This is the most practical problem, also the most fatal problem that the general's palace is facing. Such a large palace... but there's no money to buy rice. It sounds like a joke. But looking at the worried face of old butler Phuc Bo, I know... this is no joke. Tieu Bac Da's face darkened. The warmth that had just appeared in his eyes... froze again. He tightened his grip on the wheelchair's armrest, his knuckles turning white from the force. For a general who once held a heavy army and had a proud spirit, this situation of hardship... made him even more uncomfortable than being physically disabled. This is a type of mausoleum for self-respect. Our hearts are also heavy. But I know, I can't panic right now. It's impossible to show any dislike or hesitation. Currently I am the female owner of this palace. We must definitely resist. I told Phuc Bo:

"Uncle Phuc, don't rush, let me think of a way."

Phuc Bo sighed, his face full of sadness.

"Madam, everything that can be pawned in the palace... is almost all pawned."

"The general's salary, since he was injured, has been deducted by the Ministry of Defense for all sorts of reasons. One month he doesn't even get ten taels of silver."

"The palace has also disbanded most of the servants, leaving only a few of us old men... but even so we can't hold on anymore."

These words make us understand more clearly the plight of the general's palace. This is not just a decline. This is being trampled underfoot and pushed to the limit. Benefits were deducted by the Ministry of the Army. If there was no one behind the command, who would believe it? Surely those in the court who once feared Tieu Bac Da, now seeing that he is losing power, everyone wants to step up and take another step. I looked towards him. He bowed his head, remained silent, and emitted a cold air around him that made others dare not come close. He is blaming himself. Also denying everything. I walked in front of him, sat down, keeping my eyes level with him.

“General, do you believe me?”

He didn't look at me. Only a dry sound came out of his throat. I stood up, turned to Phuc Bo and said:

"Uncle Phuc, take the entire dowry box I brought with me when I got married... move it all to the lobby."

Phuc Bo was stunned.

"Madam, that... that's your dowry! It's your own money, how could it be..."

“We are one family now.”

I interrupted him.

“The face of the general's palace... is my face.”

“There is nothing more important than having food for everyone in the family.”

My voice is not loud. But no one is allowed to doubt. Uncle Phuc looked at me, then looked at Tieu Bac Da, and finally nodded and left. Not long after, my poor dowry chests were carried out. The Su family originally didn't intend to give me anything good. Opening the chest, inside were just a few ordinary cloths, some low-quality jewelry, and a few decorative porcelain items. These are all worthless things. My mother passed away early. How could my father and mother prepare a decent dowry for a woman like me? Phuc Bo looked at those things, a flash of disappointment and confusion flashed through his eyes. Tieu Bac Da's face became even more ugly. Perhaps he thought, My dowry… is the same as the Su family, just another way to humiliate him. But we don't pay attention to their eyes. From the bottom chest, I carefully took out a small box covered with brocade. Inside quietly lies a jade brooch. That brooch is as gentle as water, has a transparent jade color, and the tip of the brooch is carved with a lifelike moonflower. This is the only relic my mother left me. It's also the only valuable thing in the entire dowry. I took it out and gave it to Phuc Bo.

“Uncle Phuc, take this to the pawnshop, you should be able to get a lot of silver.”

"Remember to find the biggest pawnshop in the capital and pawn it off."

Phuc Bo raised the brooch, his hands shaking.

"Madam... this... this is too precious! It's impossible! It's impossible!"

“I told you to go, so you just go.”

My voice is not loud. But it carries a kind of power.

“Now… I am the one who decides.”

Phuc Bo still wanted to say something, but was interrupted by a hoarse voice.

“Just do as you say, ma'am.”

It's Tieu Bac Da. He finally opened his mouth. He looked at me deeply. In those normally quiet eyes, complex and difficult to distinguish emotions swirled. There was surprise. There is emotion. There is also a trace of guilt that we cannot read. Phuc Bo held the brooch and looked back as he walked. In the lobby... only Tieu Bac Da and I remained. The atmosphere became so quiet that it felt a bit stuffy. He turned the wheelchair and walked towards me.

“To Nguyet Kien.”

He called my name.

“She… didn't need to do that.”

“It's just a brooch.”

I intentionally smiled lightly, pretending not to care.

“In exchange for the livelihood of an entire family… worth it.”

He was silent. After a long time, he slowly took out a small object from his chest and brought it in front of me. It's a block of soldiers. The military talisman was cast from black iron, with a fierce wolf head engraved on it.

“This is my personal seal.”

"Take it, everything in the palace in the future... you have full authority to decide."

“Including me.”

The last three words, he said very softly. But it was like a big, heavy rock falling into my heart. I look at him. Look at the seriousness in his eyes, and the trust he has given. I do not refuse. I reached out my hand and received the cold amulet. From this moment... I truly enter his world. Also from this moment... this house truly belongs to the two of us. We don't just have to be married. I still have to cure his leg and help him reclaim everything that belongs to him. There were also people in the court who used to put stones in the well. This debt... I have remembered it.