Chapter 10 — The Regent asked the price of my sincerity

Pull me into your arms.

“It's just a small wound.”

“If I could change it, the Princess would be heartbroken because of me.”

“It's worth it.”

I leaned against his solid chest. Listen to that strong, steady heartbeat. Nerves have been tight for days. Finally relaxed.

“King.”

“The royal palace's malignant tumor... was finally removed.”

Tieu Lam Uyen gently squeezed my shoulder. His eyes looked towards the Buddha hall where the lights were turned off. The voice was calm but decisive.

“Mother.”

“That was also the last time I called her that.”

“From now on.”

“In the genealogy of the Regent Royal Palace.”

“There will be no more Trieu Thi.”

The Regent Royal Palace is finally quiet. Trieu Thai Phi no longer uses filial piety to coerce others. No more Trieu Uyen Nhu making plans every day. There are no longer any Trieu family relatives who only know how to cling to the Vuong palace to suck blood. We can also make money with peace of mind. One month later. In the treasury of the Royal Palace. I sit among stacks of books as high as mountains. In his hand he held a pure gold abacus. The sound of particles colliding with each other rang out endlessly.

“Three shops in the south of the city.”

“This month's net profit is five thousand taels.”

“The estate east of the city.”

“Autumn crop food can be converted into eight thousand taels…”

Calculating. My hand suddenly stopped. I look at the mountains of gold and silver in front of me. So high that it even exceeds my head. First time. I feel... Playing the abacus is also a very tiring job. Money is truly a good thing. But the money we have now. Don't say one lifetime. Even if you spend a few lifetimes, it won't end. The feeling of satisfaction from constantly earning money. It seems to gradually fade away.

“Why don't you count anymore?”

A low male voice rang out from behind. I turned my head. Tieu Lam Uyen doesn't know when she entered the treasury. The servants were also sent away by him. Today he is not wearing court clothes. Only wearing a long white robe. A few less cold killings. A little more peace from the smoke and fire of the human world.

“My arms are tired.”

I rubbed my sore wrist.

“The royal family's assets are too much.”

“I calculated that the abacus was about to smoke.”

Tieu Lam Uyen burst out laughing. Slowly walk in front of me. Right after that. He suddenly knelt down on one knee. Eyes level with me. I was startled. Instinctively took a step back.

“You... what are you doing?”

“The king is the Regent.”

“Kneel again before a beloved daughter like me.”

“Do you want me to lose my life?”

Tieu Lam Uyen did not answer. He just quietly took out a purple wooden box. Gently place it in my hand.

“Open it and see.”

I doubted opening the bronze lock. There is no gold, silver or jewels. Just a thick stack of papers. I conveniently pulled out one sheet. Just saw the content clearly. The pupils immediately contracted.

“This is…”

“Land deed of the Regent Royal Palace?”

I quickly flipped further down. Then flip more. Even more scared.

“This is…”

“The seal mobilized 100,000 troops in the windy land?”

“Salt guides the twelve waterways of Jiangnan?”

“There is also…”

“The entire estate and private property is in your name?”

I raised my head to look at Tieu Lam Uyen. The voice also trembled.

“Are you crazy?”

“Are you going to give all of this to me?”

Tieu Lam Uyen looked straight into my eyes. In those eyes. Doesn't hide the slightest bit of tenderness and love.

“Kim Trieu.”

“She used to speak."

“The human heart is not trustworthy.”

“Silver is the one thing that will never betray you.”

“I am a rude person.”

"I don't know how to comfort a woman."

“But I know.”

“She likes money.”

“Then I will give it to you…”

“All the most valuable things I have.”

He gently pointed to the stack of land deeds and tokens in front of him.

“Including the country that I can protect.”

“The rest of my life.”

“On top of all this...”

“I have already written down Tham Kim Trieu's name.”

“As long as you hold them in your hands.”

“All over this world…”

“Except His Majesty.”

“No one will dare to touch her anymore.”

My throat suddenly choked. The corners of my eyes also sting. I have struggled in the marketplace. Looking at it makes people feel warm and cold. I've always thought that. Only gold and silver held tightly in hand. It's my only support. But today. The powerful man bowed before him. Give me everything again. From the estate. To power. From the beginning. To life. Even his pride. Don't keep any of it.

“What we have…”

“It's all here.”

Tieu Lam Uyen gently held my hand. Pressed against his cheek that still had warmth. The voice was so gentle that it made people's hearts tremble.

“I don't know…”

“This bit of my inheritance…”

"Is it enough to exchange for the Royal Highness's sincerity?"

I looked deeply into his eyes. In those eyes. Reflecting a Tham Kim Trieu whose whole body smells of money. A woman always calculates the pros and cons. In his eyes. More precious than any mountain of gold or sea of silver. The corner of my lips curled slightly. But tears fell without listening. I hugged the land deed and the trust item tightly in my heart. Then without any hesitation. Jumping straight into Tieu Lam Uyen's heart. Both hands hugged his neck tightly.

“Changeable!”

“Of course you can change it!”

“Your Majesty, rest assured.”

“From today.”

“You have entered the door of my Tham Kim Trieu.”

“Don't say it's someone else.”

“Even if the Buddha personally descended to earth…”

“Don't even try to take you away from me!”

Tieu Lam Uyen burst out laughing. Wrap your arms around my waist. As light as holding the most precious treasure in the world. Outside the window. The early spring sunlight had just fallen. Illuminating two silhouettes embracing each other tightly. It also illuminates the rest of our lives. (FULL TEXT)