Chapter 3 — The Poinsettia's Husband and Wife's Oath Under the Moon That Year

"My generosity is not to tolerate the husband's marriage."

That night, we lay with our backs to each other. For the first time in three years, silence lasted until dawn. Even though I clearly objected, To Mac Ngon still did not hesitate, going in and out of Thi Lang's palace as usual. The eyes of the servants in the palace became more and more complicated. Some people even started whispering. After all, in the future it will be the "old owner" who will continue to be favored, or the "new person" who will gradually gain the upper hand. I closed the door and didn't go out. I just sat in front of the window all day, quietly looking at the begonia flowers in a daze. Flowers bloom brilliantly, like the year I just got married. But the wind and rain have secretly arrived. A few days later, he actually took Lieu Y Y directly to the palace. He led her to me, his voice carrying a forced calmness.

“Yuan Uyen, Y Y will temporarily stay in the palace.”

"The big wedding date is set for the sixth of next month. Everything still needs your help in arranging a few things."

"After all, she is the head mother of the family."

The sixth of next month. It's really so rushed that it's laughable. I looked at Lieu Y Y. She was wearing a brand new peach dress, much more beautiful than the day she attended the flower reward party. She timidly bowed to me, her voice still soft as before.

“Blessings and blessings.”

“In the future, I hope my sister will take more care.”

Those two words "sister", sharp as a sharp needle, pierced straight into my heart. I didn't respond to her, just turned to look at To Mac Ngon.

“I, Co Uyen Uyen, do not have a younger sister.”

"If Sir Su wants to marry the new wife, he will have a matchmaker with all the rituals, and the marriage will follow the old rules. There is no need for me to arrange it."

"Do you still want me to personally sew a robe for her, watch her wear a happy dress, and marry me to the same husband?"

To Mac Ngon's face immediately stiffened.

“Uyen Uyen, why do you have to speak so harshly?”

“Y Y just respects her.”

“Respect me?”

I laughed softly.

"I haven't passed through the door yet, I haven't had a name yet, I'm already righteously living in the palace of my future husband's family."

“To Mac Ngon, did the holy book you read teach you to behave like this?”

Lieu Y Y's eyes immediately turned red, tears welled up in her eyes, she gently pulled To Mac Ngon's sleeve, and hid behind him.

"Brother Mac Ngon, if you're not happy, Yi Y... Yi Y should still return to uncle's house."

"Y Y doesn't want to cause enmity between the two of you because of me..."

To Mac Ngon immediately protected her, his eyes looking at me were reproachful.

“Uyen Uyen, look how you scared Y Y.”

"She has a sensitive mind, so there's no need to make things difficult for her."

"Now she is my person. If she weren't here, where would she go?"

“Your people?”

My heart suddenly tightened, the pain was too much to prepare.

“To Mac Ngon, you guys have already…”

To Mac Ngon knew he had said something wrong, a look of embarrassment appeared on his face, but he did not deny it. It turns out, before even telling me, everything had already happened. The so-called negotiation is, after all, just an announcement. The so-called suffering is, in the end, just an excuse. Truly a virtuous gentleman, well-read in scriptures. I suddenly felt extremely tired, I didn't even have the strength to argue anymore. I look at them. One person is the husband I once devoted all my heart to. One is a capable woman Looks like me, but softer, gentler. Standing next to each other, yet strangely "matching" each other.

“That's it.”

I turned around, not wanting to look any further.

"The housekeeper has already arranged the affairs in the palace."

“My body is not feeling well, please forgive me for not being able to comply.”

I heard To Mac Ngon behind me breathe a sigh of relief, then use a gentle voice to speak to Lieu Y Y.

“Y Y, don't be afraid.”

“I'll take her to rest first.”

“Her sister… she needs a little more time.”

The sound of their footsteps gradually faded away. I stood silently by the window, looking at the brilliant begonias outside, suddenly remembering my mother's words from years ago.

"True hearts are difficult to seek, vows are easy to change."

“If you don't find someone who is truly faithful in the future…”

“The thing I hope for the most is that you will always have the support and courage to leave.”

Lieu Y Y stayed in the palace, settling in Thinh Vu Hien, the place closest to To Mac Ngon's study. To Mac Ngon seemed to want to make it up to me, or perhaps because he felt guilty, he came to my room more times than before.